As we continue our Ministry Pivots Series during the COVID-19 season, it is essential to evaluate how a church budget pivot becomes necessary. According to an April 2020 study from CapinCrouse, nearly every congregation has experienced a shift in financial contributions. While many churches reported an increase in online giving due to physical restrictions, over 50% saw a decrease in overall funding. When giving declines, leaders must determine how to adjust their financial plans through a strategic mix of pivots to remain effective.
Pivot No. 1: Pivot your expenses. While utility costs for lighting and climate control may have decreased with reduced building usage, ministry leaders should look deeper at programmatic spending. Consider the events planned for the summer and fall that must now be reimagined. By pivoting outreach during covid, churches can reallocate those funds toward emerging ministry opportunities, such as providing food and basic essentials to meet the urgent needs of their local communities.
Pivot No. 2: Pivot your ministry partnerships. Collaboration is key to expanding your reach without overextending your budget. By working with other churches and community organizations, you can share expenses and maximize impact. Your church might provide the fellowship hall or parking lot as a hub for sorting and distributing supplies rather than funding an entire project alone. When navigating ministry after covid, these strategic partnerships will remain crucial for sustained community engagement and resource management.
Pivot No. 3: Pivot your staff project budget. We have heard of several companies who have shifted or made the pivot away from their core business in this season toward meeting a new need. There are several factories in our area who used to produce other products but are now producing masks and face shields. This means that those employees who used to make other products have learned to make new ones to meet the current need. The question is how can you redeploy your current staff to help and work in other areas to meet new needs and assist with new projects? We will discuss this more under the staff and leadership pivot, but I want to list it here as it has a major budgetary impact, if done correctly.
Pivot No. 4: Lastly, pivoting not just how we spend the resources but also how we receive the resources. Before this season, our church was focused on increasing the percentage of our offering from online giving. As a result, we have increased the opportunities that our congregation has to pay their tithe and offering. From mailing in their offering to Cash App and other means of giving. The point here is to make sure that you’re allowing your congregation every chance and means possible to pay their tithe and offering.
What would you add to the pivot in budgets and what have you seen done?