Financial Management: Statements, Balance Sheets, and Budgeting
The administration of the church’s resources is, above all, an exercise of stewardship. The Lord has entrusted resources to His people, and it is their responsibility to manage them with faithfulness and transparency. Scripture teaches that everything belongs to God (Ps 24:1, ESV) and that disciples are called to serve as faithful stewards (1 Cor 4:1–2, ESV).
In the Parable of the Talents (Matt 25:14–30, ESV), Jesus emphasizes the accountability of those who receive resources to manage: it is not enough to preserve them; they must be made fruitful for the sake of the mission. Paul reinforces the principle of order and regularity, both in spiritual life and in community administration (1 Cor 14:40; 16:1–2, ESV). The institution of deacons (Acts 6:1–6, ESV) shows that the church must handle material administration with diligence so that the ministry of the Word and prayer may not be neglected.
Thus, financial management is not merely a technical matter: it is a spiritual dimension of the church’s life, a sign of faithfulness to God and a testimony before the world.
The understanding of time is also part of good administration. Three cycles generally guide the life of a Christian community: the liturgical year, which shapes the calendar of Christian celebrations and recalls the life and work of Christ; the civil year, the official reference used by society and governmental institutions; and the financial year, which structures the community’s administrative life. In our church, the financial year follows the civil year but includes its own dates for the rendering of accounts, the presentation of balance sheets, and the preparation of the budget. This distinction avoids confusion and allows the church to move forward with clarity in both its spiritual calendar and its practical organization.
Financial monitoring is an essential aspect of transparency. In our church, monthly financial statements are presented by the responsible deacon during the monthly meeting of the Council — composed of elders and deacons. These statements include the month’s income and expenses, as well as a cumulative table comparing the annual budget with actual results to date. Such reports enable ongoing oversight of the church’s financial life, help correct deviations, strengthen the community’s trust, and guide decision-making.
At the end of each cycle, the annual financial balance sheet is prepared — a synthesis of all financial activity from the preceding year. The process begins with the Council’s review and proceeds with the treasurer’s presentation to the congregation. The document sets forth total income, expenditures, and the final balance, serving as both memory and evaluation of faithful administration. The Fiscal Council, in turn, issues an opinion recommending approval, ensuring integrity and transparency throughout the process. This procedure expresses the Baptist principle of shared responsibility and congregational authority, for the assembly is the highest deliberative body.
Based on this balance sheet, the community’s financial history, and the plans and challenges ahead — generally presented by the eldership — the church’s budget for the following year is developed. The Council reviews it, and the treasurer presents it to the congregation. A budget is not merely a mathematical projection but an act of faith and prudence: faith, because it entrusts the work’s provision to God; prudence, because it is grounded in real data and the responsible exercise of Christian stewardship. The budget is both map and commitment — map, because it defines priorities and goals; commitment, because it involves the whole community in the shared responsibility of the mission.
Statement of Principles
Central Principle
The financial administration of the church is an expression of Christian stewardship: all things belong to God, and the community is called to manage its resources with faithfulness, transparency, and responsibility — before God in order, and before others as testimony.
Complementary Principles
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The church’s financial management must be conducted clearly, regularly, and accessibly before the congregation, honoring the congregational principle.
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Monthly statements, annual balance sheets, and the budget are instruments of order and transparency, enabling continuous oversight and responsible decision-making.
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The Council (elders and deacons) and the Fiscal Council exercise distinct and complementary roles of analysis and review, ensuring integrity and trustworthiness throughout the process.
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The church’s budget must be prepared on the basis of its financial history, balancing faith and prudence: faith in God’s provision and prudence in the administration of resources.
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The congregation is the highest body of deliberation and approval, preserving the communal and participatory character of the church’s financial life.
Summary of Class Taught by Pastor Gilson Santos
Church: Igreja Batista da Graça – São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil
Date: October 12, 2025
This class, led by Pastor Gilson Santos, addressed the theme of financial management in the life of the church as an expression of Christian stewardship. It emphasized that all resources belong to God and that managing them with faithfulness, transparency, and responsibility is both a spiritual calling and a congregational duty. The teaching highlighted the biblical foundations for order and accountability, the practical rhythms of the church’s financial year, the importance of monthly statements and annual balance sheets, and the central role of the congregation in approving and sustaining the church’s budget. Through this framework, the class underscored that financial administration is not merely technical but a vital dimension of the church’s witness and mission.
