Church finances during a pandemic

Recently a pastor shared an incredible story with me.  Partly as a way of dealing with the protocols about meeting in-person due to COVID, he began hosting an outdoor gathering in his backyard.  The gathering has continued for several weeks with new people joining in each week.  In a recent meeting some members of the group, reflecting on feeling the sense of this being a caring community, asked how they could make financial contributions to serve the larger community!  They felt they were experiencing church, and they wanted to express gratitude through giving.

Genuine biblical stewardship

There is something instinctive in the heart of a person who has been touched by the grace and love of God to respond with generosity.  I believe this serves to illustrate a powerful lesson about financial stewardship for the local church.  As churches are learning to deal with the financial challenges of not gathering in-person for worship, not being able to pass offering plates on Sunday morning and shifting to online giving, we have an opportunity to reconsider the role of stewardship in the life of each believer and the church. 

Traditionally, church financial discussions centered around bills, buildings and the budget.  Giving to causes beyond the local church was considered optional.  Tithing was the goal of the individual Christian giver.  Church stewardship discussions were often reactive.

Biblical stewardship, on the other hand, is not about budgets. It is about discipleship.  As my opening story illustrates, the motivation to give must come out of a sense of mission to the larger community.  People give to people and causes, not to institutional survival.  Therefore, rather than being the ultimate goal, tithing becomes one step along a journey of increased faithfulness and generosity.

Creating an atmosphere of generosity

Many churches have experienced extraordinary giving amidst the pandemic.  Instead of retreat, some churches saw generosity.  Why?  Because people experienced at a very personal level the purpose for which the church exists — worship in a caring community that models love and compassion. Pastors and other church leaders took initiative to serve their communities.  They led by example.  The actions of the church were driven by a commitment to the Kingdom of God.  Church leaders explored every possible platform to continue engaging in worship, Bible study and community building.

Consider these questions:

• Are you modeling biblical stewardship as a leader?

• Are you seeing generosity expressed in your life and the life of your church?

• Is giving seen as an act of worship?

• Is your church celebrating the way that their generosity is impacting the needs in your local community?

• Does the generosity of your church intentionally include sharing the gospel throughout the world?

•  What is one thing you could consider that would impact generosity through your church?

What do you think?  What have you learned about generosity, giving and church stewardship during this season?  Let’s begin a conversation.  Please join me as we discuss the 5 Be’s of Stewardship as a part of the Virtual Leadership Conference Let’s Go: Making Disciples in Uncertain Times October 24 9:00-12:00!

Stanley Smith serves as the interim church growth team leader for the Baptist Convention of New England.