He summons churches to take up both “social enterprise … a venture seeking social impact while also generating revenue” and “redemptive entrepreneurship … a business model to pursue social impact through the lens of God’s work in the world.” Yet Elsdon’s expansive perspective encourages churches to enhance their reach by imitating many successful nonprofits to create new sources of income from mission-based initiatives. Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry “If the business is managed and run well, the real work of mission is much more fruitful.” “If we don’t attend to the business of mission, our mission will not be effective,” he writes. Though not as extensively reviewed, Elsdon clearly supports the same fiduciary/accountability standards to build trust and confidence among supporters. He makes a strong case for how avoiding deficits, building reserves, and enhancing donor relationships all empower a congregation’s mission. “Budgets matter in churches because they articulate the immediate next steps the church plans to take in pursuit of its ultimate goals,” Elrod writes. Elrod challenges church leaders to continual reflection on the missional effectiveness of their work and how that manifests through responsible financial behavior. He offers important parameters for measuring success and reframes congregational financial practices in light of what most nonprofit agencies now embrace, due to the intense competition for gifts and easy availability of online charitable comparisons. Though essentially complementary, Elsdon’s additional focus on using church assets to create new mission-focused sources of income makes for especially compelling reading.Įlrod writes that capital “is not just cash and investment,” and it includes “inventory, good will, buildings and property.” Elrod’s book is a valuable primer for church leaders on the basics of church finances, reporting, and funds management. And each warns about losing missional focus through the misuse of the church’s capital in all forms.
Both focus on the importance of church leaders gaining basic financial knowledge and insight. James Elrod’s Creating Financially Sustainable Congregations and Mark Elsdon’s We Aren’t Broke are filled with useful guidance, and both pose provocations as churches seek to be effective, sustainable, and relevant in the post-COVID world. Creating Financially Sustainable Congregations
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