Church Budgets Reveal the Focus of the Church

There are many reasons that churches die slow deaths, but I believe the root cause is a lost focus resulting in a lack of direction and loss of purpose. I believe the church is an organization that was specifically designed for those who are not its members. The membership gathers regularly to exalt the Lord, to train and equip believers for the work of ministry, and then the congregation goes out as an army to evangelize the world. Rather than an army, too many churches have been converted into social clubs. Rather than exalt, equip, and evangelize; too many are serving as little more than recreation centers for those who are religious, but not fully-devoted followers of Christ. The Church of Jesus Christ was called out and set apart to engage in spiritual warfare for the purpose of spreading the Good News and saving the souls of mankind from eternal damnation; but many congregations have been distracted by the things of this world.

How can a spiritual army, commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ, lose sight of the battle? I believe it is due to an inward focus and membership mentality that says, “Ask not what you can do for the Church, but what the Church can do for you.” One of the easiest ways to determine if your church is a “spiritual army” or a “social club” is to examine your church’s budget. Where the money is spent will reveal what is important to that church.

I recently saw a budget explanation sheet informing the congregation of the budgeting decisions being proposed by its church leaders. I've included some of the points below. Read this list and evaluate whether you think this church has an inward (personal gain) or outward (reaching the world) mentality. While reading, compare this list to your church.

Budget summary items:
1) Removed funding for community outreach.
2) Removed funding for evangelistic services & events.
3) Removed funding for an annual audit (accountability?)
4) Removed saving toward future expansion.
5) Increased money to send staff on missions trips.
6) Increased staff salaries… while cutting the previously mentioned funding for community outreach, evangelism, etc. (I would ask that with all those previous cuts, why do you even need a staff?)

It should come as no surprise that salvation, baptism and membership decisions are down in this church and the weekly attendance is also declining rapidly.

The Bible is very clear in Matthew 6:21 and Luke 12:34 that “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” When community outreach is defunded, at the same time the church leaders are budgeting for personal profits that pad their own pockets; the church is already dying a slow death. On the flip side, when a church realizes “the fields are white unto harvest,” and their funding goes into reaching the community with the Gospel, the church will grow and thrive!

So, where does your church spend its money? Is money spent on outreach? What does your church's budget predict about future growth? Does your church's budget reveal an inward or outward focus? If you find your church turning inward… speak up! If you see these budget trends in your church, it is either time to expose the problem or "get out of Dodge." To summarize Edmund Burke, “All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”

So, get a copy of your church's budget and begin to ask questions. Remember, the only ones who are afraid of questions are those who don’t know the answers or those who are hiding something. Your questions could be the first step toward making corrections and putting your church back on course!