When Should Your Church Borrow Money?
Discover the truth about borrowing money as a church and when it make sense for you
Listen on your favorite podcast app:
When Should Your Church Borrow Money?
Does your current growth plan require money that your church doesn't have?
Have you ever considered taking on debt to grow your church?
It's not uncommon for these questions to elicit strong responses. Often, the answer is motivated by a burning desire to help their church make a wise decision that will help them fulfill the great commission.
Before a church makes a choice, debt should be thoroughly evaluated. One should not act impulsively without taking into account the costs and sacrifices involved.
If God has a plan for a vast project, He will also help make it happen. Prayer should be part of every decision the church makes, like borrowing money or investing.
Paul's letter to the Philippians was addressed to the believer, but it is equally pertinent to the church. Paul emphatically stated, "My God will meet all of your needs according to the riches of his glory through Christ Jesus"(Philippians 4:19). God will provide His church with all it needs.
Church loans for expansions may be tremendously beneficial when combined with prudent budgeting and honest leadership.
When it comes to a church's mission or projects, debt is not necessarily harmful and can assist the church in its progress.
However, it is crucial to understand that the Bible does not advise every church to take out a slew of debts to fund their mission.
The question of whether a church should take on debt is frequently asked by church leaders and staff, but it is not always easy to answer. That's why we're bringing Nathan Elson, an expert from this perspective, to help us unpack this concept.
“Growth could be numbers. It could be an impact. It can be different things."
-Nathan Elson
Nathan Elson is the Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Director of Marketing and Business Development of CDF Capital. This fully Christian-funded company has assisted over 800 churches with over $2 billion in loans since 1953. It's an independent lender that aids churches in the construction of structures, the acquisition of property investment, and the implementation of restorations and improvements.
His influence has been felt in multinational corporations, Christian denominations, software, high-tech research, local churches, and small businesses. He specializes in branding, product launches, and building marketing programs from the ground up. Nathan’s passion is for people, including the people who do marketing.
If you would want to know more about how God used them in this area of finance, listen to the podcast by clicking on the link below.
By the end of this episode, you will learn:
- The financial considerations involved in borrowing money
- The indications of a financially stable church
- How to know if your church is ready for a loan
- A financing ministry that provides payment options to churches
- How Christian investment has aided the growth of the church
- And so much more…
Here’s a glance at this episode…
[11:09] We have a very high emphasis on the health and growth of churches. In fact, our tagline is helping churches grow.
[13:52] We're a ministry. We're not-for-profit banks or credit unions when we don't have owners and shareholders. We try to funnel all of that as much back to the investors who use us as an investment vehicle for what they do.
[19:29] Ideally, a church will come looking for capital before they decide they actually need the capital.
[23:43] What we found in churches, even through the pandemic, but churches that we serve, giving hasn't waned.
[31:28] Growth could be numbers. It could be an impact, it can be different things. What we've realized over the years is that it's not just about money. You can throw money at a ministry and it might accomplish zero.
[31:49] You can have all the money and still shrink as a church. There are 1000s of churches out there that have millions of dollars in the bank, and they have healthy giving every week, attrition, attrition, attrition, and then not have an impact. And there are churches out there that have nothing that barely pays their bills. And they're setting the world on fire for Jesus.
[32:20] That's why we don't focus on the church itself; we focus on the leaders of those churches. Because ultimately, while we're giving a loan to an organization, we're doing it because of a relationship with a human being.
[33:10] We have three things, right, we have the financial capital, which is investments and loans, then we have something called leadership capital, an idea which is basically pouring into the lives and helping leaders be better leaders. And we do that in cohorts and connectivity, and events, and content. And then we have what we call spiritual capital, which is the spiritual lives of those we encounter.
[43:10] One of the conditions of being human is we will fail because if we didn’t we would not need Christ to begin with. The whole purpose of Christ is because we can’t do it on our own.
[43:41] We have to overcome things in order to grow.
Sign Up for Product Updates
Tithely provides the tools you need to engage with your church online, stay connected, increase generosity, and simplify the lives of your staff.
With tools like text and email messaging, custom church apps and websites, church management software, digital giving, and so much more… it’s no wonder why over 37,000 churches in 50 countries trust Tithely to help run their church.
Listen on your favorite podcast app:
When Should Your Church Borrow Money?
Does your current growth plan require money that your church doesn't have?
Have you ever considered taking on debt to grow your church?
It's not uncommon for these questions to elicit strong responses. Often, the answer is motivated by a burning desire to help their church make a wise decision that will help them fulfill the great commission.
Before a church makes a choice, debt should be thoroughly evaluated. One should not act impulsively without taking into account the costs and sacrifices involved.
If God has a plan for a vast project, He will also help make it happen. Prayer should be part of every decision the church makes, like borrowing money or investing.
Paul's letter to the Philippians was addressed to the believer, but it is equally pertinent to the church. Paul emphatically stated, "My God will meet all of your needs according to the riches of his glory through Christ Jesus"(Philippians 4:19). God will provide His church with all it needs.
Church loans for expansions may be tremendously beneficial when combined with prudent budgeting and honest leadership.
When it comes to a church's mission or projects, debt is not necessarily harmful and can assist the church in its progress.
However, it is crucial to understand that the Bible does not advise every church to take out a slew of debts to fund their mission.
The question of whether a church should take on debt is frequently asked by church leaders and staff, but it is not always easy to answer. That's why we're bringing Nathan Elson, an expert from this perspective, to help us unpack this concept.
“Growth could be numbers. It could be an impact. It can be different things."
-Nathan Elson
Nathan Elson is the Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Director of Marketing and Business Development of CDF Capital. This fully Christian-funded company has assisted over 800 churches with over $2 billion in loans since 1953. It's an independent lender that aids churches in the construction of structures, the acquisition of property investment, and the implementation of restorations and improvements.
His influence has been felt in multinational corporations, Christian denominations, software, high-tech research, local churches, and small businesses. He specializes in branding, product launches, and building marketing programs from the ground up. Nathan’s passion is for people, including the people who do marketing.
If you would want to know more about how God used them in this area of finance, listen to the podcast by clicking on the link below.
By the end of this episode, you will learn:
- The financial considerations involved in borrowing money
- The indications of a financially stable church
- How to know if your church is ready for a loan
- A financing ministry that provides payment options to churches
- How Christian investment has aided the growth of the church
- And so much more…
Here’s a glance at this episode…
[11:09] We have a very high emphasis on the health and growth of churches. In fact, our tagline is helping churches grow.
[13:52] We're a ministry. We're not-for-profit banks or credit unions when we don't have owners and shareholders. We try to funnel all of that as much back to the investors who use us as an investment vehicle for what they do.
[19:29] Ideally, a church will come looking for capital before they decide they actually need the capital.
[23:43] What we found in churches, even through the pandemic, but churches that we serve, giving hasn't waned.
[31:28] Growth could be numbers. It could be an impact, it can be different things. What we've realized over the years is that it's not just about money. You can throw money at a ministry and it might accomplish zero.
[31:49] You can have all the money and still shrink as a church. There are 1000s of churches out there that have millions of dollars in the bank, and they have healthy giving every week, attrition, attrition, attrition, and then not have an impact. And there are churches out there that have nothing that barely pays their bills. And they're setting the world on fire for Jesus.
[32:20] That's why we don't focus on the church itself; we focus on the leaders of those churches. Because ultimately, while we're giving a loan to an organization, we're doing it because of a relationship with a human being.
[33:10] We have three things, right, we have the financial capital, which is investments and loans, then we have something called leadership capital, an idea which is basically pouring into the lives and helping leaders be better leaders. And we do that in cohorts and connectivity, and events, and content. And then we have what we call spiritual capital, which is the spiritual lives of those we encounter.
[43:10] One of the conditions of being human is we will fail because if we didn’t we would not need Christ to begin with. The whole purpose of Christ is because we can’t do it on our own.
[43:41] We have to overcome things in order to grow.
podcast transcript
Tithely provides the tools you need to engage with your church online, stay connected, increase generosity, and simplify the lives of your staff.
With tools like text and email messaging, custom church apps and websites, church management software, digital giving, and so much more… it’s no wonder why over 37,000 churches in 50 countries trust Tithely to help run their church.
Listen on your favorite podcast app:
When Should Your Church Borrow Money?
Does your current growth plan require money that your church doesn't have?
Have you ever considered taking on debt to grow your church?
It's not uncommon for these questions to elicit strong responses. Often, the answer is motivated by a burning desire to help their church make a wise decision that will help them fulfill the great commission.
Before a church makes a choice, debt should be thoroughly evaluated. One should not act impulsively without taking into account the costs and sacrifices involved.
If God has a plan for a vast project, He will also help make it happen. Prayer should be part of every decision the church makes, like borrowing money or investing.
Paul's letter to the Philippians was addressed to the believer, but it is equally pertinent to the church. Paul emphatically stated, "My God will meet all of your needs according to the riches of his glory through Christ Jesus"(Philippians 4:19). God will provide His church with all it needs.
Church loans for expansions may be tremendously beneficial when combined with prudent budgeting and honest leadership.
When it comes to a church's mission or projects, debt is not necessarily harmful and can assist the church in its progress.
However, it is crucial to understand that the Bible does not advise every church to take out a slew of debts to fund their mission.
The question of whether a church should take on debt is frequently asked by church leaders and staff, but it is not always easy to answer. That's why we're bringing Nathan Elson, an expert from this perspective, to help us unpack this concept.
“Growth could be numbers. It could be an impact. It can be different things."
-Nathan Elson
Nathan Elson is the Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Director of Marketing and Business Development of CDF Capital. This fully Christian-funded company has assisted over 800 churches with over $2 billion in loans since 1953. It's an independent lender that aids churches in the construction of structures, the acquisition of property investment, and the implementation of restorations and improvements.
His influence has been felt in multinational corporations, Christian denominations, software, high-tech research, local churches, and small businesses. He specializes in branding, product launches, and building marketing programs from the ground up. Nathan’s passion is for people, including the people who do marketing.
If you would want to know more about how God used them in this area of finance, listen to the podcast by clicking on the link below.
By the end of this episode, you will learn:
- The financial considerations involved in borrowing money
- The indications of a financially stable church
- How to know if your church is ready for a loan
- A financing ministry that provides payment options to churches
- How Christian investment has aided the growth of the church
- And so much more…
Here’s a glance at this episode…
[11:09] We have a very high emphasis on the health and growth of churches. In fact, our tagline is helping churches grow.
[13:52] We're a ministry. We're not-for-profit banks or credit unions when we don't have owners and shareholders. We try to funnel all of that as much back to the investors who use us as an investment vehicle for what they do.
[19:29] Ideally, a church will come looking for capital before they decide they actually need the capital.
[23:43] What we found in churches, even through the pandemic, but churches that we serve, giving hasn't waned.
[31:28] Growth could be numbers. It could be an impact, it can be different things. What we've realized over the years is that it's not just about money. You can throw money at a ministry and it might accomplish zero.
[31:49] You can have all the money and still shrink as a church. There are 1000s of churches out there that have millions of dollars in the bank, and they have healthy giving every week, attrition, attrition, attrition, and then not have an impact. And there are churches out there that have nothing that barely pays their bills. And they're setting the world on fire for Jesus.
[32:20] That's why we don't focus on the church itself; we focus on the leaders of those churches. Because ultimately, while we're giving a loan to an organization, we're doing it because of a relationship with a human being.
[33:10] We have three things, right, we have the financial capital, which is investments and loans, then we have something called leadership capital, an idea which is basically pouring into the lives and helping leaders be better leaders. And we do that in cohorts and connectivity, and events, and content. And then we have what we call spiritual capital, which is the spiritual lives of those we encounter.
[43:10] One of the conditions of being human is we will fail because if we didn’t we would not need Christ to begin with. The whole purpose of Christ is because we can’t do it on our own.
[43:41] We have to overcome things in order to grow.
VIDEO transcript
Listen on your favorite podcast app:
When Should Your Church Borrow Money?
Does your current growth plan require money that your church doesn't have?
Have you ever considered taking on debt to grow your church?
It's not uncommon for these questions to elicit strong responses. Often, the answer is motivated by a burning desire to help their church make a wise decision that will help them fulfill the great commission.
Before a church makes a choice, debt should be thoroughly evaluated. One should not act impulsively without taking into account the costs and sacrifices involved.
If God has a plan for a vast project, He will also help make it happen. Prayer should be part of every decision the church makes, like borrowing money or investing.
Paul's letter to the Philippians was addressed to the believer, but it is equally pertinent to the church. Paul emphatically stated, "My God will meet all of your needs according to the riches of his glory through Christ Jesus"(Philippians 4:19). God will provide His church with all it needs.
Church loans for expansions may be tremendously beneficial when combined with prudent budgeting and honest leadership.
When it comes to a church's mission or projects, debt is not necessarily harmful and can assist the church in its progress.
However, it is crucial to understand that the Bible does not advise every church to take out a slew of debts to fund their mission.
The question of whether a church should take on debt is frequently asked by church leaders and staff, but it is not always easy to answer. That's why we're bringing Nathan Elson, an expert from this perspective, to help us unpack this concept.
“Growth could be numbers. It could be an impact. It can be different things."
-Nathan Elson
Nathan Elson is the Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Director of Marketing and Business Development of CDF Capital. This fully Christian-funded company has assisted over 800 churches with over $2 billion in loans since 1953. It's an independent lender that aids churches in the construction of structures, the acquisition of property investment, and the implementation of restorations and improvements.
His influence has been felt in multinational corporations, Christian denominations, software, high-tech research, local churches, and small businesses. He specializes in branding, product launches, and building marketing programs from the ground up. Nathan’s passion is for people, including the people who do marketing.
If you would want to know more about how God used them in this area of finance, listen to the podcast by clicking on the link below.
By the end of this episode, you will learn:
- The financial considerations involved in borrowing money
- The indications of a financially stable church
- How to know if your church is ready for a loan
- A financing ministry that provides payment options to churches
- How Christian investment has aided the growth of the church
- And so much more…
Here’s a glance at this episode…
[11:09] We have a very high emphasis on the health and growth of churches. In fact, our tagline is helping churches grow.
[13:52] We're a ministry. We're not-for-profit banks or credit unions when we don't have owners and shareholders. We try to funnel all of that as much back to the investors who use us as an investment vehicle for what they do.
[19:29] Ideally, a church will come looking for capital before they decide they actually need the capital.
[23:43] What we found in churches, even through the pandemic, but churches that we serve, giving hasn't waned.
[31:28] Growth could be numbers. It could be an impact, it can be different things. What we've realized over the years is that it's not just about money. You can throw money at a ministry and it might accomplish zero.
[31:49] You can have all the money and still shrink as a church. There are 1000s of churches out there that have millions of dollars in the bank, and they have healthy giving every week, attrition, attrition, attrition, and then not have an impact. And there are churches out there that have nothing that barely pays their bills. And they're setting the world on fire for Jesus.
[32:20] That's why we don't focus on the church itself; we focus on the leaders of those churches. Because ultimately, while we're giving a loan to an organization, we're doing it because of a relationship with a human being.
[33:10] We have three things, right, we have the financial capital, which is investments and loans, then we have something called leadership capital, an idea which is basically pouring into the lives and helping leaders be better leaders. And we do that in cohorts and connectivity, and events, and content. And then we have what we call spiritual capital, which is the spiritual lives of those we encounter.
[43:10] One of the conditions of being human is we will fail because if we didn’t we would not need Christ to begin with. The whole purpose of Christ is because we can’t do it on our own.
[43:41] We have to overcome things in order to grow.
Sign Up for Product Updates
Tithely provides the tools you need to engage with your church online, stay connected, increase generosity, and simplify the lives of your staff.
With tools like text and email messaging, custom church apps and websites, church management software, digital giving, and so much more… it’s no wonder why over 37,000 churches in 50 countries trust Tithely to help run their church.
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