In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, cries for racism, inequality and abuse of power in our societies to be acknowledged and combatted continue to ring out around the globe. The gut-wrenching image of George Floyd’s lifeless body pinned to the ground has been etched into many of our minds, and sadly, it joins a collection of disturbing images featuring violence against black people.
I believe that people give because they carry the image of God – they have in them a divine piece of DNA which radiates grace. Rationally, it seems foolish for people to give £30,000,000 to a commercial fund-raising site because Honorary Colonel Sir Tom is walking up and down his garden. But when we see a need, and are inspired by a person, our default is an urge to give. Even if we often find reasons not to give, (I’ll do it later, I haven’t got enough myself, I don’t know how to give) there’s something in us that wants to join in with the generosity.
The greatest asset that your church has is your ministry team. These are the folk at the cutting edge of much of what goes on in, and through, your church as they lead the church forward. Whilst we readily acknowledge their importance, do we honour them in thinking well about remuneration levels and in communicating well about matters of pay?
The Charity Commission have recently published two key updates, which churches and charities need to be aware of. Alan Hough unpacks the guidance.
Church leaders have differing views on whether churches should consider using Lottery funding. Even where leaders would see gambling as wrong, some would argue that once Lottery funds become available then churches should not shy away from applying for them; others would argue that such funds are always ‘off limits’.
At Stewardship, we want to see thriving and healthy churches all across the UK. We recognise our role is often seen as financial, and we take pride in that. However, we believe good financial stewardship is not simply about ticking boxes to please the regulators (although it’s important we do that), it’s also about transforming the culture of money within the church.
Without the many examples of risk-taking written about in the Bible (e.g. David, Esther and Ananias to name but three) history may well have taken a somewhat different course. Quite often it appears as if a degree of risk-taking is necessary in order to break down barriers and advance God’s kingdom. This means that for some modern day churches there is real concern that any form of risk management will inhibit risk-taking and will serve to constrain God working through the church.
In our experience, churches which apply the principles of strategic planning and resource management are far more likely to meet their goals than those churches where projects, initiatives and activities are cobbled together quite literally on a wing and a prayer.
What is it that makes charities different from businesses? Well there are a number of things; first and foremost, the purpose of a charity must fall within one of the 13 charitable purposes set out in legislation. Second, the governance structure is normally different with unpaid volunteer trustees taking overall responsibility for the charity. Then somewhere way down the list of differences comes fund accounting, a concept unique to charities.
All churches have a treasurer, that person that gets on with looking after the finances. For many churches the treasurer is the person who looks after the finance, counts the offering, administers the payroll, pays the invoices and the expense claims, draws up the budget, handles Gift Aid and produces the annual accounts. When explained like this, it is easy to see why there is a shortage of willing church treasurers!!
blogs by the Stewardship team and selected guest writers.
Stewardship is the operating name of Stewardship Services (UKET) Limited. Established in 1906.
Registered charity no. 234714, and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no. 90305.
Registered office: 1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB
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