Help for Church Treasurers

I recently wrote tips for church treasurers. Several pastors e-mailed me to say they had forward the tips to their treasurers. The next Sunday, I visited Old Cambridge Baptist Church in Massachusetts. One of the first people I met was the treasurer. He said, "I've been meaning to ask the pastor out for lunch, and now I'm going to!"

Here are five of the tips:

  1. It's not all up to you. Yes, the position of treasurer is important. Yet the responsibility for carrying the church belongs to the leadership and the membership. You don't need to lose sleep.

  2. Share the anxiety. If you notice a financial problem, take it to the leadership. Say, "I want to include you."

  3. Trust God. Even if there are big issues, you can let go of the ultimate outcome. Your church - and you - are in God's hands. This does not mean that the budget will automatically balance or even that your church will last forever. But it does mean God is ultimately faithful.

  4. Keep your sense of humor. If you don't have one, find someone else to hang around with who can help you stay a little lighter. People will do and say crazy things, and if you can laugh about it, at least a little, you'll be better off.

  5. Stay connected to the pastor. A good working relationship between pastor and treasurer is important. If your pastor is not too interested in money, don't chase after him or her about it - keep saying what you need to say and then let it go. And do take the pastor to lunch now and again.

Read all ten tips and get the free mini-course, "Five Ways to Avoid Burnout in Ministry" here.