Planting Churches among the City's Poor - Volume 1

P ART I: D EVELOPING U RBAN C ONGREGATIONS • 71

Financial Networking The Apostle Paul taught the principle of equality and mutual support between the churches he planted: Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality (II Corinthians 8:13-14). There is a place for suburban Christians and churches to financially support new church planting in the inner city, but care must be taken to avoid dependency. The emerging church should pay for all of its own essential operations, including pastor’s salary and ministry program costs. Outside financial support is best used to provide resources and support such as formal education for pastoral trainees, scholarships for summer youth camps, food pantry programs, etc. Supporting churches should be encouraged to give, but their giving should be channeled to pay for services the church can live without if the outside funds dry up. Manage the Money At the beginning the church planters will manage whatever funds are necessary to establish the discipling fellowships. Once Celebration begins, the apprentice leaders should be trained to establish a budget and manage the church’s money. 1. At least two persons should collect and count the offering. 2. The congregation should see regular reports of the money received and the way in which it was used. 3. There should be an annual audit of the accounts of the church by a person not involved in any way in the receiving or distribution of the offerings. 4. As soon as possible, the church planter and the congregation should select a person other than the pastor to serve as treasurer of the congregation. Anyone receiving pay from the congregation should be disqualified as treasurer of the church. 5. Simple but adequate bookkeeping procedures are a must. Shenk and Stutzman offer this list of guidelines for church money management: