When you think of clergy and other religious leaders, you might think spiritual matters are their main focus. While that may be true for some, there are business and organizational aspects to consider. You’re expected to be a good steward of donated funds and human resources, including employees and volunteers. Here are some things to think about when it comes to running a house of worship.
Managing Resources
It’s the people that make up a community of faith. As a leader, you should make the best use of the “human resources” that are available at your church. Some work must be completed by employees who are paid for their time, effort and experience. Other work can be accomplished by volunteers, but you need to find out where people’s talents and strengths are. An introvert who is talented with accounting may be great for counting money, while someone who is outgoing can be a greeter.
Maintaining the House
Maintenance and upkeep are important for any building, regardless of religious affiliation. The physical church, synagogue, mosque, etc. are where people gather regularly to worship and they need a place that is safe and well-maintained. From custodial services to repairs to future expansions, it’s important to have a complete plan for taking care of the house. You might not be an expert when it comes to the building, but you should know who to call whether it’s landscaping services or audio speaker installation.
Running a Tight Ship
While religious organizations aren’t businesses, a business-minded approach is important. You’ll need to have various bank accounts to accept funds, pay bills, issue checks, make donations and more. You’ll also need solutions for IT, management software, bookkeeping, transactions, tax compliance and more. Some things may be done in-house while others need to be outsourced.
Overseeing the business matters of a church requires a full-time focus. While your house of worship isn’t a business, the presence of resources and money demands a business-like approach. These are just a few of the things you’ll need to consider to be a good steward.
