Articles on Finance
Offerings. Tithes. Stewardship. Generosity. Giving. Sacrifice. Finance. There are many words that we use to describe the money that is received by the church for ministry use. There are also many facets to the Finance Department as they aid ministries by organizing the necessary funds.
Fraud and Cybersecurity In Your Church and Remote Workplaces
Churches are reflecting on the past year and how they adapted to the pandemic, including embracing the “new normal” of supporting operations with remote staff. While remote work can provide many benefits related to [...]
What the Church May Look Like After COVID-19
During the CapinCrouse 2021 National Church Virtual Seminar held on February 24 and 25, 2021, I had the opportunity to lead a workshop in which leaders discussed what the church may look like after [...]
The Equality Act
Hey Fletch … This week we had a leadership discussion around the Equality Act. Our senior pastor brought this topic up in an elder meeting. It raised some questions worth answering or trying to answer. Our [...]
Religious Freedom During COVID-19 and Beyond
The world has changed dramatically over the past year. In the midst of the global pandemic, ministries are caught in the crosshairs of determining how to protect their religious practices and their flock. There [...]
Giving in 2021 & How to Engage More Donors
What should you expect in projected giving through the balance of 2021? How will you engage more givers to end the year financially better than you expect? Get answers to these pressing questions. We'll [...]
Sexual Harassment in the Church
Hey Fletch … I would like to bring our staff through some type of sexual harassment training and share our sexual harassment policy. Are you aware of any videos, articles or resources that you [...]
Emerging from Covid : 8 Steps your Ministry Must Consider
Join Fletch and Chris Lewis, Senior Manager at Thrivent, for a look at the financial implications of emerging from Covid. We will look at ministry strategy, costs, cash reserves, expansion issues and more. Your [...]
Analyzing Key Financial Indicators: Debt Ratios and Measurements
In this article, you will learn: Why monitoring debt ratios and measures is important. How to analyze different debt ratios and measures to provide significant insight for your church. Recommended benchmarks for debt ratios [...]
State of Giving 2020
Full of charts and graphs, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability has produced a free 24-page report on the state of giving in 2020. Warren Bird Ph.D., Vice President of Research and Equipping, served as [...]
Analyzing Key Financial Indicators: Cash Flow Ratios
In this article, you will learn: Why monitoring cash flow ratios is important. How to analyze different cash flow ratios to provide significant insight for your church. Recommended benchmarks for cash flow reserves and [...]
Turning to Technology to Fill Collection Plates as Churches Remain Closed
As the pandemic continues to affect the traditional methods of engagement, it’s more important than ever to adopt digital solutions to streamline ministry management and boost donor giving The pandemic has affected almost every [...]
How to Budget Effectively in Changing Times
The current pandemic and economic circumstances create uncertainty regarding future revenues, expenses, opportunities, and challenges. This brings shifting priorities, strategies and tactics. Let’s see how to tie budgets to strategy, even in uncertain times. [...]
6 Key Considerations for Budgeting in Changing Times
There is still considerable uncertainty about the global COVID-19 pandemic and its long-term effects. What will the effect be on your ministry’s future revenues, expenses, and opportunities? How can you best manage continually shifting [...]
Anchor Your Giving If the Economy Falters
Of all the things you as an XP have to navigate and worry about, what if a downturn in financial resources this fall is added to your list? Let’s talk about how to position [...]
Federal Courts Adopt Pro-Intern Approach
Whether to pay interns or not has been a sticky subject for a long time. Do you know about the recent decisions from federal appellate courts that have adopted a more flexible, pro-internship approach? [...]
Hone Your Online Giving & New Features
Fletch and Troy Pollock always have intriguing discussions. This time they will focus on how to hone your online giving. This will be coupled with new features in online giving. Fletch loves technology—automation that [...]
Five Reasons Your Organization May Want to Elect the 8-Week Covered Period for Its PPP Loan
The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (the “Flex Act”), which became law on June 5, 2020, replaces the 8-week period (referred to in the law as the “Covered Period”) for spending Paycheck Protection Program [...]
How Is the Church Feeling About Finances?
Join a lively discussion that tries to make sense of why evangelical churches and Christ-centered nonprofits are expressing so much optimism about their financial future. Learn who is most optimistic—and also who is most [...]
PPP Loan Good Faith Certification: Now What?
As CapinCrouse previously reported, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has announced that the Small Business Administration (SBA) will perform a “full audit” of the loan applications of all recipients of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans [...]
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) administered through the SBA 7(a) program
Cass Commercial Bank has prepared preliminary information on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) administered through the SBA 7(a) program. Things may change some as the program works itself out on website and lenders. Thanks [...]
Brotherhood Mutual Coronavirus Update
It is always a good idea to stay in touch with your insurance carrier in a time of crisis. Brotherhood Mutual is a sponsor of XPastor and has provided a free resource guide for [...]
When to Use Outside Experts
Churches used to be able to handle a crisis or major event on their own. The current scenario is complicated by publicity on social media, a tangle of laws and regulations and the prevalence [...]
When Embezzlement is Discovered
The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability has a downloadable PDF detailing what to do when fraud is discovered.1 When a church discovers embezzlement within the ministry, the following issues should be considered with the assistance [...]
WheatFields’ Report Card on Risk Management
In Fletch’s book, Predators—The Case of the Church Embezzler, uses a fictional case study of WheatFields Good News Church. Executive Pastor Dan Black created a report card to evaluate how the church is doing [...]