Finance Committee

The job of the committee on finance is to identify, perfect, and manage the finance system for the congregation. The finance system is the processes of raising, managing, and dispersing the finances so that the mission and vision of the congregation can be achieved (Guidelines, p. 6).

The Bible speaks frequently about money and wealth and emphasizes the importance of generous giving (see Proverbs 22:16; 2 Corinthians 8-9), wise investment (see Luke 16:10-13); debt management (see Proverbs 21:20; 22:7), prudent fiscal oversight (see Luke 12:13-21; Acts 4:32-35); and appropriate attitude (see 1 Timothy 6:10)....Whatever income and expense is generated by the church is ultimately for the work of ministry (Guidelines, p. 8).

A critical component of this ministry is recognition of the historic differences between Christian stewardship and funding ministry. Funding ministry, often called "fundraising," consists of the varied tasks associated with gathering funds to enable ministry to take place. Underlying and supporting these tasks, however, is the conceptual discipline of stewardship. In our tradition, we understand ourselves as stewards who respond to our giftedness. It is this balance between the "what" (fundraising) and the "why" (stewardship) that is the genius of Wesleyan financial leadership (Guidelines, p. 8).