APPLYING CHAPTER 17 

1. How are money and property spiritual issues? 


2. Does your church or denomination have any written policies or practices about money and property? 

a. If yes, are you and your leaders familiar with them? Do you follow them? 

b. If you don’t have written policies, list some established churches or denominations that have policies you might consult for ideas. 

c. After a little research, write out what you believe are the basic policies and practices your church needs to safeguard God’s money and property and your church’s reputation. 

d. Make plans to discuss this with your church leaders. 


3. How is your church’s financial situation right now? 

a. If you don’t know, why not? 

b. If you have plenty of money, why do you think that is? 

c. If you don’t have as much money as you need, why do you think that is? 


4. Many Bible verses contain promises from God about providing for our needs. 

a. Write out five of those verses. 

b. If a promise includes anything God expects his people to do as a condition for receiving the promise, including in surrounding verses, list the condition(s). 

c. For each condition, list what you and your church can do to better fulfill it. 


5. How does your church raise money? 

a. Do you feel that is a Biblical and God-honoring way to do it? 

b. Can you think of any way it might be improved?


6. How does your church track and protect God’s money? 

a. Is that working well for you? 

b. Can you think of any way it might be improved? 


7. How does your church make decisions about spending money? 

a. Do you feel that is a Biblical and God-honoring way to do it? 

b. Can you think of any way it might be improved? 


8. If you don’t have a written budget, list the pros and cons of starting to use a written budget in your situation. 


9. If you do have a written budget: 

a. How is the budget created? 

b. How is it presented to the congregation? 

c. Can you think of any ways these might be improved? 


10. List your church’s top three ministry priorities. 

a. Now list the top three areas where your church spends its money. 

b. How do these lists compare? 


11. Does your church give money away? 

a. If so, who decides who to give to and how much to give? 

b. How do they make that decision? 

c. Do God’s promises about giving and receiving apply to churches as well as individuals? Why or why not? 


12. Does your church have debt? If so, 

a. How does it affect your mission and ministry? 

b. What is your plan for paying off the debt? 


13. If your church owns a building or other major property: 

a. List all buildings and major property your church owns 

b. If money is owed on any, indicate how much 

c. Is your property insured? 

d. Where are deeds and other legal papers kept? 

e. Who has access to legal papers and records? 


14. If your church does not own a building, list the pros and cons of each option as it applies to your situation: 

a. Build a building 

b. Buy a building 

c. Rent a space 

d. Meet in homes 

e. Meet in a public space 


15. Ask another pastor to look at your building or meeting space. They will notice things you take for granted. 

a. What is their first impression? 

b. Do they have any suggestions? 


16. How are decisions made about the use and maintenance of your meeting space? 


17. List three simple things that could be done to your building or meeting space this week that will make it more inviting, more usable, or safer. 


18. List the one most important major maintenance or improvement your meeting space needs. 

a. What is keeping that from happening? 

b. What are your plans and timeline for getting it done?

Last modified: Tuesday, May 23, 2023, 12:22 PM