FINANCE

My Experience

Over the past 25 years, I have been able to provide financial leadership to several organizations. In the secular world, I have been able to guide operations that supported budgets of up to $750M. In my ministry roles, I have been able to provide financial leadership in developing and stewarding budgets up to $11M. In each case, financial leadership isn't about spreadsheets and reports, it's about strategies and processes that drive the vision, growth, and expansion of the organization. It's proactive decision making, anticipating and foreseeing challenges and opportunities well in advance.

Integrated Finance Solutions to Support Ministry

A part of financial leadership is understanding how technology can benefit and impact the organization. In my latest role, I was able to implement a financial platform that moved us from a place of confusion to clarity, all integrated digitally.

PushPay - this donor management system was used to not just account for giving but to also understand trends, cultivate donors, and drive recurring electronic gifts.

Zenefits - this Human Resource Information System was implemented to provide a great employee experience but also to manage payroll.

Bill.com - this payables software enabled us to process check requests for vendors and contractors with ease while also providing the checks and balances needed.

Divvy - this expense system was used to generate $2.8M worth of purchasing by our ministry leaders with an easy to use app for all expense submissions.

Quickbooks Online - this accounting software integrates with all other finance software used, allowing for greater accuracy, greater clarity, and lower time commitment.

Annual Financial Cycle

Calendar Planning

Generational Impact

Calendar Planning

Working with ministry leaders to develop a calendar that aligns with the vision of the organization and accomplishes the goals of the church is a must. Leading through this process to consider seasonality, teaching series, ministry launches, events, and other ministry activities to drive outreach and discipleship aligns the church on where funds should be used to drive Kingdom growth.

Budget Planning

Generational Impact

Calendar Planning

Budget planning is about resourcing where you expect to see exponential Kingdom growth. Starting with a zero-based budget and costing ministry activities planned for, you can ensure you don't overfund or underfund ministry activity based on your vision and goals. Having a clear budget based on ministry activity is a must for any church to reach it's goals.

Generational Impact

A part of financial leadership is asking the question, "what generational impact do we want to have?" Whether that's building expansion to add space for accommodating growth, campus expansion in order to expand your impact, or missions activity to reach the unreached, having a clear vision of what you want to leave behind is a part of financial leadership.

Generational Impact and Capital Campaigns

Having led multiple capital campaigns generating millions of dollars for churches, there are a few principles I have learned along the way that lead to success. Capital campaigns are not for every church or situation, but using a One Fund approach and encouraging long term generosity pays off in the end. You are able to include every ministry the church supports, giving everyone something to get behind, as well as retaining 40-60% of new giving when the focus is more on heart change and generosity discipleship than the church's needs. I have provided leadership throughout the entire campaign lifecycle, from vision development to branding and marketing, from additional onboarding events to end of year giving campaigns, and all other financial aspects including securing additional funds.