Developing Your Operating Budget

$45.00$55.00

If you’ve ever wondered if there’s a better way to craft your congregation’s annual budget, we offer Developing Your Operating Budget. Through engaging videos and supplemental materials, Lewis Center Director Lovett H. Weems, Jr., helps you understand what an operating budget is, different ways that churches create their annual operating budgets, and five common budgeting models. No matter your church size, this resource will provide clues and wisdom to help your budget advance your mission and accomplish God’s vision for the congregation.

Developing Your Operating Budget is ecumenical and designed for both self study and group use by finance committees, pastors, and finance staff.

Budget Bundle: Save when you buy Developing Your Operating Budget and Building and Funding Your Capital Budget together. Learn more.

Available now on download for $45 and DVD/CD for $55. Please choose format option below.

Product Description

Presenter

Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr.
Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., distinguished professor of church leadership and director of the Lewis Center


Video Presentations

Understanding What an Operating Budget Is (4:17 min)
This video highlights the purpose, goal, and defining characteristics of the budget. Budgeting is seen as a spiritual activity since it is about the church’s mission more than money. Finance leaders will learn questions they need to ask of other church leaders as they begin their budget work.

Creating Your Annual Operating Budget (14:29 min)

This video outlines information to collect and study as the budget process begins and offers suggestions for new sources of income. The strengths and limitations of five methods of constructing a budget are described recognizing that churches usually draw from multiple models to fit their needs and context.

Lovett Weems Answers Some Budgeting Questions (10:16 min)

In this video the Lewis Center director answers some of the frequently asked questions about developing operating budgets. As in the other presentations, the goal is to help those to whom people look for competent and inspired financial leadership to accomplish God’s vision for their church.


Instructional Segments

Understanding What an Operating Budget Is
This presentation highlights the purpose, goal, and defining characteristics of the budget. Budgeting is seen as a spiritual activity since it is about the church’s mission more than money. Finance leaders will learn questions they need to ask of other church leaders as they begin their budget work.

  • Video Presentation (4:17 min), Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., distinguished professor of church leadership and director of the Lewis Center
  • Outline of Key Points

 

Creating Your Annual Operating Budget
This presentation outlines information to collect and study as the budget process begins and offers suggestions for new sources of income. The strengths and limitations of five methods of constructing a budget are described recognizing that churches usually draw from multiple models to fit their needs and context.

  • Video Presentation (14:29 min), Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr.
  • Outline of Key Points
  • Recent Financial History Template (Excel)
  • Recent Pledging History Template (Excel)
  • Recent Income History Template (Excel)
  • Income Sources Graphic
  • Additional Sources of Income

 

Lovett Weems Answers Some Budgeting Questions
In this presentation the Lewis Center director answers some of the frequently asked questions about developing operating budgets. As in the other presentations, the goal is to help those to whom people look for competent and inspired financial leadership to accomplish God’s vision for their church.

  • Video Presentation (10:16 min), Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr.
  • Questions Discussed

 

Additional Resources

  • Budgeting Timeline Template and Sample (Word Doc)
  • Some Questions to Consider before Completing the Budgeting Process
  • Sample Budget Worksheet — Lutheran (Excel)
  • Sample Budget Worksheet — Missionary Baptist (Excel)
  • Sample Budget Worksheet — United Methodist (Excel)