Guidelines for the financial talk

Purpose

The financial talk is a brief, monthly opportunity to foster transparency and trust in the church’s stewardship, encourage joyful, faithful giving as an act of worship (2 Corinthians 9:7), and connect financial partnership with tangible gospel ministry.

Preparation

If you cannot fulfil your duty please indicate via Planning Center Services.
Know the income to budgeted income as a percentage (available in the bulletin).
Know the expense to budgeted expense as a percentage (available in the bulletin).
Have either a positive recent example of ministry, or a needed example of ministry, that you can point to.
The financial talk is delivered on the second Sunday of the month (the Sunday after communion).
The dress code for those who serve up front is smart casual. Men wear a collared, buttoned, long-sleeved, plain shirt with no pattern. Dress pants or chinos. No tie. No jacket while on stage.
Ask God in prayer to use you as you serve Him, and His people.

Before the service

Please arrive no later than 9:00am for the 9:30am service.
Inform the worship leader that you are present when you arrive.
Please attend the pre-service run-through in the meeting room.
Straight after the pre-service run-through is a prayer meeting at the same location.
Be seated 5 minutes before the service.
Be seated in such a way as to minimise distraction when you come up.
Anticipate coming up just before you’re called.
Come up to stage about 2 meters to the left or right of the pulpit to avoid the stage monitors.
The financial talk normally occurs during the Welcome and notices, before the time of greeting, and before the call to worship.

Before the financial talk

Do not tamper with the podium.
You will speak into the podium mic.
Do not test the mic by blowing into it.
Do not put your hands into your pockets.

The financial talk

Make sure you make eye contact with the congregation.
Refer to the financial section on the back page of the bulletin (see our church bulletin).
Inform the congregation the income to budgeted income as a percentage.
Inform the congregation the expense to budgeted expense as a percentage.
Example, “This month, we’ve received 96% of our budgeted income, and our expenses are at 83% of budget.”
Tell a brief story of how giving has fueled recent ministry (missions, outreach, discipleship). Or highlight a specific need or opportunity that additional funds would enable (facility repairs, evangelistic materials, mercy ministry).
Say, “We take up an offering during the service. But EFTs are a cheaper, more convenient, safer way of transferring money. We encourage members to make electronic transfers.”
Direct the congregation to benonibaptistchurch.com/give for details.
Should be 2–4 minutes in length.
Conclude by pointing to Christ’s generosity (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Say, “Let’s now greet one another in the peace of Christ.”

After the reading

Walk back to your seat.

How does the public reading of Scripture feel?

Grateful, emphasise God’s provision, not guilt.
Clear, avoid excessive detail, focus on vision, not just numbers.
Theologically grounded, tie giving to discipleship and worship, not institutional need.