Dear Friends,

While working with church finances it is often easy to slip into a routine, never stopping to ask ‘why’ and continuing to do something because that’s the way it’s always been done. Pausing, re-assessing and looking at things from a new perspective, however, can begin to transform numbers into meaningful data that we can use to do God’s work effectively. In this issue, we share ideas to help reinvigorate financial processes in your context.

In 2016, ECF received a three-year grant as part of the Lilly Endowment’s National Initiative to Address the Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders. ECF’s grant proposal entitled “From Economic Challenges to Transformational Opportunities” continues to provide lay and clergy leaders of the Episcopal Church with resources, tools and other support to help address the financial and leadership challenges of congregational ministry in the 21st century. To learn more about the ECF Lilly Endowment National Initiative, click here.

To learn more about ECF and our programs, please visit our website.

Faithfully,

Charis Bhagianathan
Editor, ECF Vital Practices

Blog Post The Rector is a Member of the Vestry Greg Slyer looks at the questions: Should the rector be a member of the vestry? Should the rector run the vestry meetings?

Webinars Fearless Finances - Parish Budgets This webinar will offers a “no-jargon” overview and practical ways of enhancing two critical aspects of parish finance - budgeting and investing.

Tools Calculating Cost of Space Use at Your Church Use this spreadsheet to calculate how much should your church charge outside groups for short-term use or long-term rent of space.

Blog Post You Can’t Do It All... Janet Lombardo looks at the common pitfalls of jumping on board with every new program without considering whether it supports the congregation’s mission to the community.

Blog Post Missional Mealtime Continuiing the Good Book Club series of blog posts through Luke’s Gospel, Alan Bentrup looks at why Jesus’ meals are so significant and how we might incorporate this in our daily life.

Tools Manual of Business Methods in Church Affairs A practical, user-friendly guide which supports the increasingly complex work of providing financial oversight for Episcopal congregations.

Episcopal Church Foundation
475 Riverside Drive, Suite 750
New York, NY 10115
1-800-697-2858