Narrative BudgetsTelling the Story of Your Ministry

The United Church of CanadaL'Église Unie du Canada

Eastertide 2013

Welcome!

If you can see this, you're connected correctly.

The workshop will start at the top of the hour. In the meantime, please use the “flip chart” to the left of this

pod for some informal chat. Simply type your comment in the white space at the bottom of the flipchart, and press

“Enter.” You might start by mentioning where you're from.

Introductions

Introducing the facilitators

How to use the space

Opening prayer

Mighty and tender God,Creator and giver of life and all thingsWe give our thanks and praiseWe are especially thankful for the blessings of this day …

Mighty and tender God,We ask your blessing upon our work and ministry, our response to your call to be the Church

To celebrate God’s presenceTo live with respect in CreationTo love and serve othersTo seek justice and resist evilTo proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge

and our hope.

Mighty and tender God, In your loving purpose help us to use and share the gifts you have given us to contribute to your mission.In all things give us the grace and wisdom to accept your will.In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Using a Narrative Budget to Communicate Mission

Movie Clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykAMSeUXzhQ

Small Group Discussion

“CGAs see more than numbers, they see the impact and opportunity behind them”

(1) What is the “mission” of Steam Whistle Brewery?

(2) How are “the numbers” used to communicate the mission in this commercial?

(3) This is not a commercial for Steam Whistle Brewery;

it's a commercial about accountants. What kind of role is this commercial trying to highlight for the accountants in a business?

In a church?

Facilitated Discussion via “The flipchart”

1. How are these two budgets different from each other?

2. What can you learn about the mission of the congregation from each one?

3. What is God doing through this congregation, and how do you know?

4. In a sentence ... what is a narrative budget?

A Narrative Budget ...

... does not replace a line item budget for accounting purposes

... is a communications tool to transform a line item of money & expenses into an

exciting and enlivening picture of ministries and missional expressions of

the congregation

... recognizes that you do not give money to the church;

you give money through the church to translate God's mission into action

Sharing the StoryLooking at More Detail

STRUCTURE

WORSHIP

LEARNINGChristian Development / Faith Formation / Christian Education /

CARINGPastoral Care (including Welcome / Fellowship / Hospitality and also care of the Property)

REACHING OUTCommunity Presence / Outreach(including M&S / support of local initiatives)

Sharing the StoryLooking at More Detail

FOR EACH AREA

1.Describe your MinistryProvide a list; Focus on IMPACT.

2.Show your Ministry - Photograph(s); Charts

3.TestimoniesQuotes / Video

4.Treasure - Financials Total cost; percentage of the total budget; $x of every $100 supports …

5.Time # of volunteer hours; % of staff time

6.Future focus How you be involved; What more we could be doing

Where & how could you use this sort of tool in your congregation?

“Internal”Stewardship campaign -

posters

Annual meeting

Thank you's with tax receipts

Highlight ministry areas: 1/month; 1/week prior to the AGM; bulletin insert

Use the areas as the agenda structure for meetings

Create a children’s edition

Planning tool; use at congregational conference

Volunteer recognition

“External”

New members' program

Visitor's info

Website

Grant applications

Advocacy initiatives

Communication opportunity with ‘silent’ or lapsed members; wider community empathetic to the UCC

Share with presbytery and ecumenically

Five Benefits

1. Communicates complex financial information for a broader audience

2. Links vision, values & ministry with financial priorities

3. Helps develop a deeper understanding of stewardship

4. Inspires members in their giving because they can see how their generous gifts

make a difference, and change lives

5. Encourages members to discuss the needs of the ministry more deeply,

tell others about the work of the congregation, and see their own stewardship

as an expression of their faith

Small Group Exercise

(1) Make a list of all the activities in your own congregation that fall within a

particular category

(2) How are lives being changed by this part of your church's work? Try to identify 5 different ways and write one sentence

about each

(3) What percentage of the following (approximately!!) is used to make this

happen Minister's or Program Staff's time Administrator's time Office Supplies, Paper, phone, copying etc. Building: room use, heat/light, repairs

Reporting Back

What did you learn about your church as you began to create a

narrative budget?

What questions emerged for you in this process?

Follow up

By the end of the week you will receive a package of materials including this presentation and some extra enrichments to help

you on your way.

Financial Development Officers are there to help

Financial Development Officers

Heather Mclean – Londonhmclean@united-church.ca

Lisa Di Veto – Hamiltonldiveto@sympatico.caDeb Hopper – Toronto

DHopper@united-church.caKeith Stam – Quinte, Manitou

kstam@united-church.caPaul Sales – Montreal, Ottawa

psales@united-church.caPam Harrison – Maritime

pharrison@united-church.caClyde Flight – Newfoundland &

LabradorCFlight@united-church.ca

Evaluation

Thank you for joining us this evening!

Please take a few moments to help us improve this presentation for the next

group, by adding any comments/suggestions you may have

about the PROCESS, and CONTENT, and let us know what was your

MOST VALUABLE LEARNING

Susan Graham Walkersgwalker@united-church.ca