Funding Forward: A Pathway to More Sustainable Models for Ministry

Lead confidently through financial uncertainty with adaptive, faith-focused solutions.

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Discover new opportunities for church funding as you deepen your connection with God and your community. Whether grappling with reduced offerings, seeking new income sources, or aiming to enhance your church’s outreach, 'Funding Forward' provides the tools and insights to move beyond the constant worry about finances to listen to God's voice more clearly.

Designed to be a collaborative learning experience for a group of church leaders, this course provides a framework for participants to explore innovative solutions to creating financially sustainable ministry models. This course was structured with the understanding that each church's path to financial sustainability is as unique as its mission and community. This is not just about financial management; it’s a journey of faith, stewardship, and community building by discerning God's mission for your congregation, understanding how you can meet the tangible needs of your local community, and using underutilized congregational assets.

What You'll Learn

  • Tackle Real-World Financial Challenges: Gain the skills to address the critical issues of dwindling congregational resources and uncertain financial futures while enhancing meaningful community engagement and tuning into God's guidance.
  • Learn Innovative Financial Strategies: Explore practical and innovative strategies tailored for today's church leaders, including repurposing church property, launching social enterprises, and reimagining church staffing models.
  • Craft Your Unique Sustainability Path: Develop the ability to recognize and navigate your church's unique journey towards financial sustainability, honoring its distinct mission and community.

About this Course

  • Modules

11

  • Learning Elements

88

  • Videos

26

  • Practices & Activities

25

  • Time

9 hours, 30 minutes

  • Price

$55

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Here's What's Inside...

Get oriented to the course, meet your instructor, download the interactive handbook, and more.

In this module, you will:

  • Discover why tithes and offerings are no longer enough for most congregations.
  • Acknowledge any grief about “what was” before moving in to “what is.”
  • Understand the funding forward process.

In this module, you will:

  • Be reminded God has provided more than enough to do God’s work.
  • Inventory the financial, time, skills, and network assets God has entrusted to your congregation’s care.

In this module, you will:

  • Experience God’s presence anew as you listen to God and neighbors in new ways.
  • Discern how God is inviting your congregation to participate in the work God is already doing in your neighborhood.

In this module, you will:

  • Assess how your congregation’s budget is currently aligned with the mission God is inviting your congregation to join.
  • Learn how to prune good programs that are no longer aligned.
  • Tend to the grief of letting go of good programs while they are still good.

In this module, you will:

  • Explore Mark Elsdon’s Mission & Money Matrix.
  • Learn three creative ways to approach church property: renting, selling, and sharing.
  • Imagine new ways God might be calling your congregation to use it’s property.

In this module, you will:

  • Discover what a social enterprise is.
  • Discern if God might be calling your congregation to start a social enterprise.

In this module, you will:

  • Explore the benefits of part-time ministry.
  • Learn how to engage lay leadership.
  • Discern if God might be calling your congregation to move toward a lay-led, clergy-supported model of ministry.

In this module, you will:

  • Explore various ways to fund your congregation’s work using funding from inside and outside of the congregation.
  • Map your congregation’s network of partners.
  • Be reminded that there is more than enough funding to do the work God is calling us to do.

In this module, you will:

  • Discover the practices your congregation needs to shift its financial model.
  • Celebrate failure as you learn and grow.
  • Unearth spiritual practices your congregation can tap as you make this financial shift.

Find out your next steps as you complete the course and how to stay connected with your group. You'll also be able to submit feedback about your course.

You'll Learn How to Shift Ministry Models
Faith+Lead | Funding Forward: A Pathway to More Sustainable Models for Ministry

Funding Forward transcends the traditional view of church finances, unveiling a journey where financial decisions are as much about spiritual discernment as practical necessity. It's an invitation to explore how your church can not only survive but thrive by aligning financial strategies with God's mission, fostering community connections, and leveraging both internal and external resources.

What to Expect

  • Beyond Financial Management: Dive deep into faith, stewardship, and community building for a holistic approach to church leadership.
  • Equip Yourself with Key Resources: Gain confidence to address your ministry's financial concerns with practical tools and insights.
  • Online Community: Join a supportive, caring, and engaging online community of peers and listeners, fostering interactive discussions and shared growth.
  • Interactive Handbook: Navigate the course with ease using our interactive handbook, enhancing your learning experience.
  • Flexible Pacing: Enjoy the freedom of flexible pacing and continuous access, learning at your own rhythm and revisiting materials at your convenience.
  • Group Registration Option: Consider amplifying your learning experience by walking through the course with your fellow faith community or congregation members.
  • Continuous Access: Access course materials even after completion, allowing you to revisit insights whenever you need.

Ready to Enroll?

Enroll in this one on-demand course today or unlock free access to this and all on-demand courses plus more with Faith+Lead Membership →

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Access to 20+ on-demand courses

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Access to all workshops and their recordings

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Access to member-only live Q&A monthly interviews

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Access to monthly group coaching

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Looking for just in-time training resources?

Use this on-demand course as a complementary ready-made resource for small groups, Bible studies, discipleship growth, and equipping lay leaders in your specific ministry setting.

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Meet Your Instructor

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Connect inside the Faith+Lead Learning Lab

Learning happens best when you do it together with folks who are on the same journey as you are.

That's why our private social network, the Faith+Lead Learning Lab, hosts conversations about course content with other learners, instructors, TAs, and community leaders.

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Study together with a small group or congregation

Want to bring Funding Forward: A Pathway to More Sustainable Models for Ministry to your Bible study, small group, or even your entire congregation?

Choose "Enroll a Group" at checkout and select how many people you'd like to provide access to the course. You can go through the course together in-person, watch lessons together via Zoom, or even create a private group in the Learning Lab where participants can connect asynchronously.

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