True Conversations from Intern Island: Money Matters
5/24/2010
“How much did you spend on the lock-in?”
“I have no idea.”
“Well give me your receipts and we’ll figure it out.”
“I was supposed to keep my receipts?”
These are true conversations from the Intern Island. Nothing seems to befuddle interns more completely than finances. “God owns the cattle on a thousand hills—let’s let him count the money!”
Here’s the deal, intern. Two things will get you into hot water and facing the firing squad faster than anything else—sexual misconduct and financial mismanagement. We’ll talk about that other one a little later; today we’re focusing on money, because money matters.
Now I agree, God does own the cattle on a thousand hills; we never need have a worry about money. God provides in all things for all things. If the whole world could live by those spiritual truths, we could all stand on a mountain, holding hands, singing songs, and drinking Coca-Cola.
Unfortunately, if there’s one thing I’ve learned in 20 years, it’s that those kinds of people never seem to be on the finance committee.
So what’s an intern to do, then? There’s probably no money of your own to manage yet—possibly the youth budget is the largest amount of money you have ever seen in one place at one time. (Knowing most youth budgets, probably not!)
Keep a few things in mind.
- Always—ALWAYS—keep track of your own budgets. Don’t rely on the finance secretary, the church treasurer, or the counting committee to get it right. Remember, they’re responsible for about 100 other budget lines. Keep your own records. (I wish I could tell you that you’ll never have to use those records. But on more than one occasion I have had to use my records to prove my numbers were the right ones.)
- Always—ALWAYS—keep copies of your receipts. Having a ticker tape will preserve your integrity.
- Never—EVER—use church money for personal expenses. Make sure that you don’t have shampoo or cat litter on those receipts unless they are being used for a youth event. Church money is NOT your money—no matter how underpaid you are, no matter how much you give, and no matter how many hours you work.
- Always—ALWAYS—give to the work of the church. WHAT?! Yes, I know this can be a bitter pill to swallow for some. Your giving should be private between you and God. I agree. But the reality is, someone, somewhere, is looking at your giving. And while that should never, ever speak to your job performance or evaluation, it will speak to your integrity and spiritual walk.
- Never—EVER—go over budget (without telling someone first). My personal philosophy is a good youth pastor doesn’t NEED a budget—budgets are a bonus. That being said, budgets do make life more convenient. But if you go over your allotted amount, it can make life…a really hot place where you don’t want to spend eternity. There will be times when expenses are unforeseen or the Holy Spirit brings about 7,000 more kids than you planned for. Talk to the people responsible for the budget. Explain the problem and do your best to get permission for the overage. (Because that whole “forgiveness is easier to get than permission” will absolutely come back to bite you!)
In my experience, intern, good financial management translates to good person, good Christian, responsible team player, and excellent pastor for most financial management teams in most churches. Money matters—it’s important. After all, it’s what your next paycheck is made of.
Join us for the next issue of Intern Island: Keep Your Hands Where We Can See Them!
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