1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Church budget

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by webdog, Nov 6, 2009.

Top Posters
  1. webdog

    webdog Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2005
    Messages:
    24,696
    Likes Received:
    2
    What is reasonable for personnel, occupancy and outreach?

    I'll give you an example:

    200,000 in offerings for the year

    75,000 salary (1 full time, 1 part time)

    75,000 occupancy

    This leaves 50,000 for all ministries, outreach and evangelism.

    Is this a good budget?
     
    #1 webdog, Nov 6, 2009
  2. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2006
    Messages:
    4,521
    Likes Received:
    43
    Faith:
    Baptist
    It's not bad, but remember that you also get ministry out of those salaries.

    Ours is different because we don't have any mortgage payment, but if we did, we could not afford 2 salaries on the same $200,000.
     
    #2 Tom Bryant, Nov 6, 2009
  3. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2006
    Messages:
    52,013
    Likes Received:
    3,649
    Faith:
    Baptist
    :thumbsup::thumbsup:
     
    #3 Revmitchell, Nov 6, 2009
  4. dh1948

    dh1948 Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2003
    Messages:
    550
    Likes Received:
    1
    A standard for salaries for most churches is 50% of budget for salaries
     
    #4 dh1948, Nov 6, 2009
  5. webdog

    webdog Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2005
    Messages:
    24,696
    Likes Received:
    2
    How is that standard reached, and by whom?
     
    #5 webdog, Nov 6, 2009
  6. dh1948

    dh1948 Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2003
    Messages:
    550
    Likes Received:
    1
    Each year the Alabama Baptist Convention publishes the Layman's Salary Study. The study is a compilation of information that has been received from churches ranging in size from small to mega.

    You can download a copy of this information at alsbom.org

    I have pastored 4 churches over the past 35 years. In each case, the cost of staff was in the 45% to 50% of the budget.
     
    #6 dh1948, Nov 7, 2009
  7. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2000
    Messages:
    30,285
    Likes Received:
    507
    Faith:
    Baptist
    In our mission church plant started 4 years ago (40 now attending) we have (figures are approximate per year)

    Offerings received:
    $60,000 income

    $12,000 love gift for expenses to elders
    $2,000 supplies (communion, bulletins, etc)
    $1,000 travel (conferences)

    This leaves
    $5,000 home missions in US (local rescue mission, pregnancy, home school groups)
    $40,000 for 3rd World missions (we support Reformed Baptist individuals and projects like colleges/churches in Mexico, Turkey, Nicaragua, Indonesia, Philippines,

    No pastoral/staff salaries, no building payments, no utilities and upkeep, so our goal is 75% of giving to mission outreach. As we are growing (larger than a home) we are looking to rent a meeting room at a motel, etc, so will have to budget $5,000 for that. Or maybe we will divide into two groups in different areas and grow that way!
     
    #7 Dr. Bob, Nov 7, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 7, 2009
  8. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2006
    Messages:
    52,013
    Likes Received:
    3,649
    Faith:
    Baptist
    That is a lousy standard and harmful to the church. I have not seen it anywhere and I doubt it could be applied to "most" churches.
     
    #8 Revmitchell, Nov 7, 2009
  9. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2000
    Messages:
    30,285
    Likes Received:
    507
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Actually that is about correct from 40 years of experience.

    50% salaries/housing/benefits/car/conferences/books and anywhere else to hide income for pastor, assistant, secy and janitor

    25% facilities, mortgage, maintenance, utilities

    15% program, curriculum, office supplies, publiciity

    10% missions, conference speakers, evangelists

    Some do not have missions in the budget per se. It is a pledge/promise and what comes in is what goes out (divided by formula to various missionaries, schools, camps, ministries).
     
    #9 Dr. Bob, Nov 8, 2009
  10. John Toppass

    John Toppass Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2008
    Messages:
    1,080
    Likes Received:
    8
    Unfortunately, 40 - 50% does go into personnel salaries and expenses. If the majority of members tithed then 40-50& would go to missions and outreach. (i am intentionally leaving salaries out of missions and outreach because I do not believe that the largest percentage of tithes and offerings should go to personnel salaries) We have building that are opened only a few hours a week but suck up 30% of the budget.

    I know that pastors are part of outreach, but I also believe that if members were to give back a tithe, that the needs of the budget could be 50% to missions and outreach. Without including staff salaries as outreach.
     
    #10 John Toppass, Nov 8, 2009
  11. dh1948

    dh1948 Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2003
    Messages:
    550
    Likes Received:
    1
    Whatever. As I said, it has been the standard in the four churches I have pastored. Worked for us. Whatever works for you suits me!
     
    #11 dh1948, Nov 8, 2009
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Loading...