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The Pastor and Church Finance

© Bishop Roy G. Almquist, Guest Contributor

Most congregations hold their pastors in high regard but, when it comes to finance, they often old their pastor at arm's length! Some pastors like it that way. They believe that their sense of calling and their natural interests lead them into other dimensions of congregational life. Many congregations have developed that tradition of simply separating the pastor from financial deliberations. Whether the impetus comes from the pastor or the lay leadership, this situation is not appropriate or desirable.

The pastor should be fully involved in all financial issues. The pastor straddles the two kingdoms of our Christian reality, the heavenly and the worldly. Just as we seriously affirm that the Word became Flesh and dwelt among us, so do we affirm that there is a temporal dimension to the life of Christian community and the pastor needs to be a part of it.

Let me share a few of the concerns that I have about the role of the pastor and church finance. I want to be very clear that these are my thoughts, not the "official" position of either the Synod or the ELCA.

The pastor should be involved in or aware of financial decisions. As an ex officio member of all standing committees, the pastor should be notified of the meetings of any committees that deal with finance. Secret meetings of any committee are inappropriate in a Christian congregation.

The pastor should be provided with clear financial statements which show the status of all accounts. As the chief executive officer of the congregation, the pastor needs to know the fiscal state of the congregation at all times so that he or she can administer effectively.

The pastor should support good financial policies but encourage everyone to remember that the "church is not a business." The goal of the Church is to maximize mission not profit. Saving for a rainy day and a passion for cutting back can often cripple a congregation and demoralize its lay and ordained ministers.

The pastor should have access to financial giving records. Personal stewardship is a central spiritual issue in the health and well-being of the congregation. The concept that "the pastor should not know what people give" is out-dated and unrealistic. To suggest that a pastor will think more or less of a member because of the level of giving diminishes the integrity of the pastor. The pastor must be concerned for the spiritual life of all members. Changes in giving patterns can often indicate a major issue for pastoral concern. Members should be aware that the pastor knows the stewardship commitment of individual members.

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