So, in continuing from yesterday's post, here are some Ridge Church guidelines that we believe fit well with Jesus' financial ethics:
1. A "tithe" of 10% of all regular donations and offerings given to Ridge Church will be set aside to support church planting and church planters.
1. A "tithe" of 10% of all regular donations and offerings given to Ridge Church will be set aside to support church planting and church planters.
3. The salaries of all Ridge Church staff members will be set and approved by an outside advisory team of trusted pastors (who are also members of the Acts29 Network) until we have our own local leadership in place (2 to 3 years probably). Then, the local elders of Ridge Church will set and approve salaries.
4. Our launch budget and operating budget will be approved by those same guys; again this will last until we have our own local leadership in place. (We are in the process of hammering out our relationship agreement with our outside advisory team. I'm pumped to be accountable to them and their wisdom! More info soon.)
5. I will never write checks for Ridge Church, nor will Emily. Right now, we have two volunteers who both must sign any Ridge Church checks. They are Sue Irving and Rose Stapleton. These fine ladies also process the financial donations for Ridge Church.
6. I will not count or handle the money we receive when we meet on Sundays, nor will Emily. We will have a volunteer team for that. My goal is to get as far away from the receiving of donated funds as possible! :)
4. Our launch budget and operating budget will be approved by those same guys; again this will last until we have our own local leadership in place. (We are in the process of hammering out our relationship agreement with our outside advisory team. I'm pumped to be accountable to them and their wisdom! More info soon.)
5. I will never write checks for Ridge Church, nor will Emily. Right now, we have two volunteers who both must sign any Ridge Church checks. They are Sue Irving and Rose Stapleton. These fine ladies also process the financial donations for Ridge Church.
6. I will not count or handle the money we receive when we meet on Sundays, nor will Emily. We will have a volunteer team for that. My goal is to get as far away from the receiving of donated funds as possible! :)
A Ridge Church goal is to move toward full compliance with the best practices (PDF document) of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. They're an honorable and reputable organization. Their financial accountability standards are high and will take time for us to reach, but isn't God is worth full commitment in every phase of our lives? (That's an easy question...)
Finances really are a big deal in life... The good thing is that we don't have to worry about controlling our funds and be "all about the Benjamins." God says He owns it all, and Jesus talked quite a bit about money.
Mark 6:21 is a big Bible verse about cashola, and there are many others. You can use StudyLight.org (a really sweet FREE site) to find more Bible verses about pretty much anything! If you're looking for some ideas on handling your personal finances in a way that will honor God, please your spouse, and set a good example for your kids, I highly recommend these guys.
Until next time, have a great weekend!
Mark 6:21 is a big Bible verse about cashola, and there are many others. You can use StudyLight.org (a really sweet FREE site) to find more Bible verses about pretty much anything! If you're looking for some ideas on handling your personal finances in a way that will honor God, please your spouse, and set a good example for your kids, I highly recommend these guys.
Until next time, have a great weekend!
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