Recession help

 
Recession checklist     
Stewards in a Slump      
Web resources      
Money Revolution workbook
 

Recession checklist

The Church of England has produced guidance to help parishes manage their finances through the recession. 

First, keep on doing the right long-term things:

  • Preach and teach regularly on money, stewardship and giving issues.
  • Help people connect their giving with the mission and ministry that arise from it.
  • Encourage church members to review their giving at least once a year.
  • Write to your givers once a year to say thank you and to update them  on achievements over the past 12 months.

Next avoid being caught out by the credit crunch with these four actions:

  • Monitor income and spending more closely than usual. Produce a budget and review progress at each PCC meeting.
  • If necessary, review your priorities for spending.  Parish Share should not be seen as a soft option for cutting back, as dioceses do not have spare funds to pay the clergy.
  • Have a push on Gift Aid and remember the simpler HMRC claim process for aggregating donations up to £10.  See the national guidance for more details.
  • Check your utility bills.  Check you are on the right tariff and paying VAT at the correct rate.  See our utility costs guidance for more information. 

If you’ve done all this, and are still facing a deficit this year:

  • Consider whether to run a special appeal as a one-off event.  It is important to encourage regular, planned giving, but if you feel your church members may respond to an additional one-off appeal. Download your special appeal guide from the Parish Resources site.

The full checklist including links to further help is available on the national Parish Resources website.

‘Stewards in a Slump’


 

This excellent booklet, which offers 7 reflections:-

  • Count your Blessings
  • Count your Cash
  • Learning Contentment
  • Simpler Lifestyles
  • Keep on Giving
  • Rebuilding Generous Communities
  • A Financial Downturn can be a Spiritual Upturn.

Download your copy, including presentation and sermon notes.

 

Web resources

There is a range of resources for preaching and teaching and keeping the profile of giving high on the following websites:

The national C of E site has resources to help the church support those who may be struggling financially, including advice on how to help people in debt, prayers for the current financial situation including for those made redundant or coping with resulting extra pressures at work.  See:

The Money Revolution

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This workbook was written by John Preston, the National Stewardship and Resources Officer.  It encourages all of us to apply Christian principles to handling our money, covering areas such as ethical spending, credit and debt, savings and pensions, insurance and giving.  

Developing our skills as stewards of God’s resources takes time and focus, just like any other skills.  The Money Revolution seeks to equip church members to be better stewards of all our money.

See the Money Revolution website for free downloadable resources such as group discussion material, sermon outlines and spreadsheets to review your own finances.

If you are interested in purchasing copies of the book (they are likely to be about £1.50 each), please email Sue Whitehead.





 

 

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