Pastors and church leaders from coastal Kenya gathered for a
Financial
Management Conference. Hosted by Jesus Miracle Celebration International
Ministries in Watamu, 27 pastors and church leaders gathered to learn for four
very long days filled with a variety of learning topics centered around
finances.
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| The Conference Team: Dr Leslie, Pr Njuguna (an SbH team member), Apst Omondi, Bshp Tsofa, and Pr Owino |
Several gifted voices lifted the name of the Lord in
adoration during our hour-long time of praise and worship, which ushered in the
Spirit and set our hearts on the proper course for understanding our roles as
stewards of this tool called money. Several participants commented about their
new or renewed understanding of their responsibility and accountability as
stewards for their time, talent, and finances.
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| Just a few of the worship team members. |
We practically applied bookkeeping principles, which included
learning about income and expenses and how to record them in a daily cash book.
We also discussed the benefits and detriments of buying and selling on credit –
before learning how to keep these books – so that the church leaders can make
the best debt decisions for their churches. Using information from these books,
we added practical learning about financial statements and the valuable
information they contain for decision making. Finally, we learned about
budgeting and how to look ahead and prepare your finances for what is expected
to come.
While there were sooooo many "ah-ha" moments for
these learners, here are a few topics that stood out.
- You need to track where all your money comes from and goes to so that you can minimize unnecessary expenses (soda, newspaper, sweets) and make good business decisions.
- You must keep personal and business money separate, instead you should receive a salary from your church or business. This is the only way to know if the church is (non) profitable apart from your household. Sometimes you will need an additional income to support your family.
- You cannot spend more than you have. This is just a reality of money management. We learned some options for cost cutting and sacrificing in the short term for the long term payoff.
- Use a budget committee to determine how to allocate the money received in the church. Be thankful even if your salary is only 5 shillings.
- All these reports and tools allow you to make the best business decision. Without the information contained in these reports, you are only guessing about how to improve your church finances.
We also discussed bonus topics such as time management,
tithe management, and the church as a business (each of which garnered many
favorable responses).
Our days concluded with a time of ministry based on a few of
the NOOMA films (Kickball, Bullhorn, and Name). Pastors were drawn to this time
of ministry because of the film component, but came away from this time of
ministry with a better understanding of how small group ministry could increase
effectiveness in their churches.
This conference was different than the usual workshops we
host. The conference included the supplies needed to learn, meals, lodging, certificates, and
other needs whereas the workshops include teaching only. Each learner is
prepared to begin financial management application for 2015 and we hope to
return within a few months and check on how they're doing. Without your help,
we could not have made this conference possible. I cannot say thank you enough!
