Broken Budget Systems Explained

Over-budget, under-budget, confused about the budget, overwhelmed by the budget, annoyed with the management of the budget. Let's fix it! But I bet this post gets a few people hot and bothered. :)

It’s not just you.

Most people don’t enjoy budgets - setting, using, analyzing, or fixing them - so don’t feel bad or behind.

But imagine you master a few key skills or focus on a few key elements that enable and even push you to yet-unreached heights of freedom, margin, or clarity. Imagine your church doesn’t have to babysit every little purchase. Imagine you don’t have to waste money on a finance person before you’re 4000 people because your TEAM knows how to steward and manage well. Imagine money finally being a resource and not the main source of anxiety.

Budgets CAN do that for you. But not by themselves. You can’t just copy one from another church or Google a template. So yes, there’s a little work up front. And I highly recommend some help to get your started… even those of you who think you have it dialed in. I bet you’re leaving stuff on the table.

Before we solve the problems, we have to address the problems.

I know, I know, “Leaders bring solutions, not problems.”

First, I HATE this cliche. It’s nearly always said by a leader who hates being called on his crap. How else you want us to bring solutions if we don’t mention the problem? Stop saying this!!

So here are some KEY PROBLEMS that limit even the biggest budgets from some of those “expert” churches.