Like many churches, ours is struggling with money. Wish i could say we have so much of it we don't know what to do...but the reality is the opposite. We had a couple of unexpected Big Ticket items this spring that have put me in mind of a sign i once saw in a rural General Store: "We are a non-profit organization. We don't intend to be. It just works out that way."

Of course, as a church, we ARE a non-profit outfit. Our job is ministry, not amassing great wealth. Or in our case, any wealth whatsoever. If we break even by the end of the year, we're happy.

As our church moves through Stewardship month with all its challenges, i was prepping for a meeting our denomination's executive body, and in the Financial Accountability report (which, by the way, is not a spread sheet but an inspirational tract), i came across this. i found it helpful and challenging, and think with some minor re-writing, it could become useful for congregations. This is from Don Hunter, chair of the Permanent Committee on Finance. Here, he's speaking to members of the denomination's executive.

Expected Roles in Revenue Generation for the Church
1. Make an annual gift commensurate with means to support the church's Mission and Service Fund through yoru congregation or through Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR).
2. Ensure that issues related to revenue generation (including an update on Mission and Service Fund giving) is on the agenda of every meeting of the General Council and its Executive.
3. Be a well-informed ambassador for the church, comfortable and confident in talking about its work and its mission.
4. Be a well-informed ambassador for the ways and means of supporting th United Church - through local congregations, through the Mission and Service Fund, through estate and major giving, through special or designated giving, and throug the United Church of Canada Foundation.
5. Support the church's revenue generation plan and fundraising efforts.
6. Accept revenue gneration tasks for the church up to one's individual level of comfort and abilities.

What say you to these responsibilities of church belonging?