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QUESTIONS ABOUT “CHURCH BUSINESS”
 Regularly,
in conversations and by mail, we are asked about various matters
of a “business” nature that pertain to church work. Most of
these problems are in the realm of judgment and involve
scripture only as principles of right apply. The expediency of
this or that course is best determined by local people, who know
far better than I, how the work of the Lord will be affected.
Hence, I will venture only a few general remarks.
First,
we should remember the divinely authorized work of the church,
and consider only those functions which fall clearly within this
realm. Money in the treasury belongs to the purpose for
which it was given, and elders or business planners should be
true to the trust placed in them.
Records
need not be elaborate, but if all expenditures are made by check
and properly stubbed, it is easy to make a monthly sheet showing
income, expenditures, and balance. Members have a right to know
what is being done with funds given. With just a little more
trouble the expenditures can be grouped under headings: Support
of Evangelists, Building Pmts., Work & Worship Supplies,
Benevolence, etc. This makes it easy to prepare an annual
report, and plan a new year.
Every
church should have some sort of business file — if only a few
big manila envelopes. Mark them Finances, Business Meeting
Minutes, Teaching Supplies (where to get them, and what to get),
etc. Obviously each church will have differing needs, but I will
make one suggestion for very personal
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reasons. Mark one “Meetings” and keep all meeting
correspondence there. It is amazing how often the preacher is
the only one who knows of a meeting arrangement — and forgets
it, or has moved before the time arrives. The Lord’s work
deserves better attention.
May
a church “make a profit” on the sale of property? May funds
being held for future use, be put in a savings account, to draw
interest?
Such
questions are more frequent now, in times of affluence and
inflation. In principle, the church is not in the money-making
business. We are in the giving business, not in the getting.
I believe a vital principle would be violated if a church bought
property for the purpose of resale; or invested for material
profit the money accumulated to carry on the Lord’s work. Poor
stewardship is evidenced, and perhaps a lack of faith, when a
church does not see the needs of the world clearly enough to
apply all the resources available.
Circumstances
beyond our control could necessitate a change of property — or
we could out-grow, or need to reach a new community, etc. Today’s
inflated values could mean a “profit” under such
circumstances; and I see nothing wrong with taking and using it.
It is even possible that money must be held for a time,
awaiting proposed expenditures, and gain some interest. But all
such “possible” situations are fraught with danger,
establish excuses and precedent with some, and invite trouble.
Let Paul’s caution be our example. (2 Cor. 8:20-21).
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