It’s been a snow filled winter here in New England! As a result, many pastors have had to cancel church – some for a couple weeks in a row. And as every pastor knows, when you cancel church, many people don’t make up their giving (i.e. give next week what they would’ve given this week had church not been canceled). Even when most of the church gives online, you still can expect about half the normal offering when you cancel.
Well this is one of many reasons that at New Day we keep two months reserves on hand (for a rainy…or SNOWY day). Here’s how we do this at New Day:
- Every month we do an average of the last four months worth of giving.
- We multiply this number by two.
- That’s the amount we make sure we have set aside for a rainy day.
Here’s another way to do this:
- If you’re budget is $120,000 that’s $10,000 a month.
- Take $10,000 and multiple it by two.
- Make sure you have $20,000 in the bank set aside for a rainy day.
If you don’t have two months reserves set aside, the financial repercussions of missing a service (or two) could be devastating! If you don’t have this amount currently set aside, here’s how you can begin working towards building it up:
- Don’t use the money that comes in above and beyond budget for capital expenditures. Use it to begin building your two months reserves. For example, if you’re budget for the year is $120,000 you need $10,000 a month to hit budget. If on a given month you bring in $12,000 you now have $2,000 to put towards your two months reserve fund.
- Don’t use the money from a large, unexpected gift for capital expenditures. Use it to begin building your two months reserve. For example, if someone surprises you with a check for $25,000 – use what’s needed to get two months reserves.
- In a message on giving, explain your goal of having two months reserves and the reasons why you want to create this emergency fund. Maybe someone in the church will give a special gift to help you reach your goal.