YouthWorker.com had an interesting article on youth ministry budgets yesterday. Read it all here.
My favorite:
2. Think in “dollars per student.”
As you communicate a budget to your board or accountability partners, shift the focus from money to people – especially when you’re asking for an increase. Whenever I’m preparing budget spreadsheets, I always include dollar-per-student rations. This will help you think efficiently (how to gain the most student influence per dollar in your checkbook): “It cost us $xx per student last year to bring them through our discipleship program. With the growth our group has experienced this year and the improvements we’ve made, we’re now looking at an overall savings of $xx per student this coming year.” The more thinking you do in terms of dollars per student, the more opportunities you’ll uncover to improve your program.
Also, remember that the budget is a guide. It is meant to communicate the priorities and direction of your program, not the untouchable arrangement of numbers in a list. Whether you’re talking to the elders or addressing the congregation, focus on the meaning behind the money. Talk in terms of your goals and the gains you’re making in achieving them. You may not see more dollars in your account, but you’ll elevate the discussion and keep everyone focused on students rather than costs.
