Samantha told her pastor it would be difficult for her to give to the church any time in the near future. She just didn’t trust how the church’s finances were being handled.
For a person to give to any organization, there must be an element of confidence in the financial management of that organization. People don’t give to organizations they do not trust. You don’t do it, and neither do I.
For a person to give to any organization, there must be an element of confidence in the financial management of that organization.
Financial trustworthiness takes considerable intentionality and effort. It is not a status you achieve and maintain by accident. And yet, financial trustworthiness is easily lost. A few mistakes or a lack of consideration can quickly diminish your attendees’ confidence in the church’s financial management.
And this diminishing confidence causes attendees to pause before they give- with some never making it past that pause. A decline in church giving is common for churches that have lost the trust of their members.
So, what are some ways financial trustworthiness can erode? Let me provide you with five of them:
1. Provide little and vague information about the church’s finances.
A lack of clarity creates questions.
A lack of clarity creates questions.
Understandably, not all churches want to discuss every line item with the entire congregation. Yet at the same time, a lack of detail can create another type of problem.
When gaps of information exist, people fill in those gaps themselves, often with the wrong information. Ultimately, negative assumptions are made and trust erodes.
2. Place someone over finances who has historically lacked integrity.
There are people in your congregation who are not known for their integrity.
They may be financially successful and have held important positions with well-known businesses, but there are very few who trust them. Because of their success and experience in the business world, pastors are sometimes tempted to put them over the church’s finances. But such a move is not wise. Not only is it possible that this individual can cause direct harm to the church, having them oversee the finances can create a perception that erodes trust.
Attendees won’t give to the church because they refuse to give to this person.
3. Excuse a lack of financial checks and balances.
Accountability does not make managing finances easier.
It is less demanding to find one person to count the money than two or three people. Financial statements take time. Audits cost money. But claiming that such measures are unnecessary or too burdensome and therefore ignoring them results in potential mistakes, deception, or even theft. Some members will notice this potential and be hesitant to give because of it.
An ability to showcase the financial accountability measures in place increases trust. Conversely, an inability to showcase accountability erodes trust.
An ability to showcase the financial accountability measures in place increases trust. Conversely, an inability to showcase accountability erodes trust.
4. Run from church members who have questions about the church’s finances.
Church members will have questions about the church’s finances.
They are usually not frequent, but the response to that person is vital. Avoiding or pushing off the person will only result in, not just their mistrust, but the mistrust of those in their circle. Others will hear about how you handle financial questions.
Answering financial questions with honesty and grace can go a long way to build up trust instead of eroding it.
Answering financial questions with honesty and grace can go a long way to build up trust instead of eroding it.
Financial trustworthiness can be difficult to achieve but easy to lose. Make sure your church attendees can trust your church’s financial management. Avoid these five ways that erode confidence in your church’s finances.
