In 2022 VUSA conducted research in partnership with ChurchSalary regarding church and pastoral financial health through an extensive survey touching on pastor compensation, stress levels around financial topics, financial needs, and personal finance habits of senior pastors.
Notable research findings included:Ā
Our goal is to empower financially healthy pastors, boards, and congregations through a 24-month financial education/training, mentoring and coaching program for up to 100 participating churches, believing that systemic changes require involvement at all of these levels.
For senior/lead pastors (and spouse if applicable), this will include:
For church boards the program includes multiple in-person and virtual sessions to develop skills, structures, and rhythms for healthy church finances including best practices, church financial accountability, engaging pastors in communication about financial topics, and more. The program also includes a multi-week sermon series on stewardship with accompanying suggested activities for your congregation.Ā
Criteria for inclusion include:
The initial pilot starting in 2023 is limited to 20 spots with pastors being nominated by their Regional and/or Association leader. We’re excited for future cohorts to be larger! Please let us know if you would be interested in a future cohort as a participant, mentor or coach by clicking the ‘stay connected’ button below and having a discussion with your Regional and/or Association leader to express your interest.Ā
Program Manager of theĀ Financial Well-Being of Pastors Initiative, part of VUSA Pastoral Health & DevelopmentĀ
The opportunity to plant seeds that have the potential to change financial lives for generations. I know that sounds dramatic, but Iāve seen it happen time and time again. Iām excited to walk with pastors and their churches on their respective money journeys. Focus, determination and discipline make a big difference when it comes to managing money.
The program is designed to engage pastors, boards and congregations. One thing we must do is get more comfortable talking and teaching about money. We wonāt grow in areas weāre unable to talk about. Our society is woefully un/undereducated about how money works. We need to change the dynamic across VUSA. The same principles that apply to personal finance apply to church finances so there are roles and shared responsibilities for boards and congregations too. Letās be brave and lean toward financial health believing that God has plans for youā¦āplans to give you hope and a future.ā
Two things: 40 years of raising and launching four kids alongside my wife; and 15 years of training and coaching people regarding money. Our kids are now in their 30s and none of them live with us! So my wife and I have largely ābeen there and done thatā when it comes to personal finances. Weāve done some things well and other things not so well, but we learned a lot along the way. I now combine my own experience with what I learn from others to help whoever cares to listen and learn. My goal in every conversation is to bring hope.
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