“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21
Because they have more treasure in your ministry than anyone else, who has more heart in your ministry than financial leaders? Financial leaders understand return on investment. They do not want their good money chasing bad ministry investments. No one wants you to win more. No one wants you more successful. No one wants your family to do well than your financial leaders. Financial leaders should be a pastor’s best friend.
And pastors need them now more than ever. Ironically, financial leaders need their pastor now more than ever as well.
Just to recap, let’s define a financial leader – it is any family who tithes $10,000 or more annually to your church. If you do not have very many people with this financial capacity in your church, it is the Top 10% of your church’s annual givers.
The following are 10 Reasons Pastors Should Be Especially Intentional In Engaging Their Financial Leaders During The Coronavirus COVID-19:
- Pastors Should Be Engaging Their Financial Leaders During The Coronavirus Because They Should Already Be Doing So – Building relationships with financial leaders should be a normal part of a pastor’s rhythm. It honors them and releases countless resources to be used for life-change. I will not spend much time on this topic because I have written about this multiple times. For more on this topic read 12 Facts About Your Church’s Financial Leaders And The Impact They Can Have On Pastors and 11 Lessons From Jesus On The Relationship Between Pastors And Financial Leaders.
- Pastors Should Be Engaging Their Financial Leaders During The Coronavirus Because Many Financial Leaders Need Their Pastor Right Now – Do not assume your financial leaders are in an emotionally or spiritually healthy state right now. They are facing a lot. Financial leaders are making hard decisions every day which affects the lives of their employees and their families. Many are deciding which vendor to pay and which one to put off, thus putting pressure of the families of those particular vendors. Financial leaders are likely facing their own personal financial pressures as well. Some may even have to be closing their businesses. The coronavirus has created for many, the death of a dream. As a result, many financial leaders are carrying an unimaginable emotional burden. They need to hear from their pastor.
- Pastors Should Be Engaging Their Financial Leaders During The Coronavirus Because Some Are Experiencing A High-Level Of Financial Blessing – Many churches are facing various shortages in their ministry budgets. However, some financial leaders, such as those in the grocery, technology, or medical fields, are experiencing incredible blessings right now. They could be uniquely positioned to resource under-funded or struggling ministries in your church if they are aware of the need.
- Pastors Should Be Engaging Their Financial Leaders During The Coronavirus Because They Can Learn More About Making Hard Decisions – If solutions are not found quickly to the pandemic, many churches may be forced to make very difficult budget, staffing, or salary cuts. Many financial leaders have already walked this path. They can be an invaluable resource regarding how to look at this process, what to value, what to prioritize, where to best leverage budget dollars, and how to deliver the unpopular message.
- Pastors Should Be Engaging Their Financial Leaders During The Coronavirus Because They Can Learn To Better Make Pivots – The word “pivot” has now become standard in American business. What this means is businesses are being forced to change their methods and approaches because their world has been disrupted. You can’t do business the same way anymore. New products are being developed. New communication strategies are being implemented. Churches are no different. For instance, your church has been forced to go solely online. Financial leaders are uniquely equipped to assist pastors through the process of recognizing and navigating change.
- Pastors Should Be Engaging Their Financial Leaders During The Coronavirus Because They Know How To Lead Remotely – Pastors are shepherds. Oftentimes, they like having their teams around them and under their care. Social distancing has forced pastors to utilize video-conferencing to lead their teams. Business leaders have been leading like this for years. They understand the frequency and type of messaging needed to lead those you are not in direct physical contact with.
- Pastors Should Be Engaging Their Financial Leaders During The Coronavirus Because Of How Well Many Financial Leaders Treat Their Employees – Many pastors are glorified CEOs. Many CEOs are actually shepherds. Just being candid, many financial leaders I know love, care, and shepherd their people as well as pastors. It would be a completely appropriate to talk with new about leading people through uncharted territory. For more what leading like a shepherd looks like, click 20 Quotes On How Every Leader Should Lead During The Coronavirus COVID-19.
- Pastors Should Be Engaging Their Financial Leaders During The Coronavirus Because They Can Learn Personal Finance Principles – The sad reality is that if God does not do something, churches may have problems making payroll. Many pastors reading this post will be getting salary cuts themselves. Knowing how to manage their family’s personal finances will likely be a needed skill in the days ahead. Who better to assist with this than your church’s financial leaders?
- Pastors Should Be Engaging Their Financial Leaders During The Coronavirus Because Financial Leaders Are Often Visionary Leaders – People need hope right now. They are following those leaders who have positive approaches to life and are pointing to a brighter tomorrow. Financial leaders have the unique ability to rally people in times of crisis and chart a course to a better tomorrow.
- Pastors Should Be Engaging Their Financial Leaders During The Coronavirus Because Their Resources Are Desperately Needed – Let’s just keep it real – many in your church will experience job losses and salary reductions. This will have an obvious negative impact on your ministry. There are defining moments in the life of every ministry in which leaders with various gifts, talents and abilities are needed to step forth. During a financial crisis, the moment has come for financial leaders to be especially used of God. This is a defining moment. This is their defining moment. Invite them into the game. Allow them to be used as only God can use them.
Pastors, start contacting your financial leaders today? The two of you need each other like never before.
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