Rich Church, Poor Church: Keys to Effective Financial Ministry

by J. Clif Christopher

Does your church have the necessary funds to do ministry?
In Dr. Clif Christopher's nearly forty years in ministry as a pastor and President of Horizons Stewardship Company, he has witnessed the financial stewardship practices of thousands of churches. A few have exceptional records in acquiring and managing the necessary funds for mission and ministry, but the vast majority struggle every year to get by.
In this important new work made even more relevant by our economic times, Christopher contrasts the traits of the most productive congregations with those who perennially fail to secure the funds to perform transformational ministry. Some churches practice the necessary financial habits that form the foundation of successful ministry, and others waste valuable resources and undermine ministry opportunities.
Through Christopher’s insight born out of years of experience and consultation, readers can assess the financial condition of their own churches.

Genres: Church, Nonfiction

120 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2012

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this primarily because our church leadership board and Pastor were going through it, and I was curious.

It was a quick read only (started it one evening after dinner, finished it this morning), and I found it to be punchy and packed full of great insights, not just for local church giving, but also for denominational issues.

[Deborah C. Fidderman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This book give great advice on becoming a "Rich Church" . I plan to continue thinking and helping my Church become a Rich Church.

[Zack Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Direct and Motivating

Every church leader should read this book. The wealth of experience this author has in ministry and church consulting puts this book on the priority list for every church overseer who truly wants change.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful for creating strong financial ministry in the Christian Protestant tradition. Other paths need to translate most of the information into their traditions.

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read but good insights. Would be good for a finance team at a church.

[Ryan Blackman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frustratingly eye opening.

[Anna M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good advice for church stewardship.

[John Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid book on church stewardship that all pastors and lay leaders should read. I started the book agreeing with Christopher's basic premise, but more and more found myself still stuck in the Poor Church mold, realizing that I desperately wanted to get out.

What that says to me is that, when we step back and think about stewardship, we all know how best to raise and manage funds within the church; yet few of us actually have the courage to go ahead and operate that way. Perhaps that is because when it comes to money we think that our faith has little say. Yet stewardship is at the very heart of faith, says Christopher. Once we incorporate stewardship under the umbrella of faith, we should be able to naturally become a Rich Church, since one of Christopher's major arguments is that stewardship merely need to be approached in the same way that all other aspects of faith are approached in the church. Then we'd be doing stewardship well, then we'd be a Rich Church.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book distilled much of what was said in the author's other books. This book is more helpful in two ways: 1. Instead of providing a list of best practices and why they are best practices, this book makes comparisons between a Rich Church and a Poor Church and how the financial practices of each are shaped, 2. this book provides discussion questions after each chapter and would be great to use as a beginning discussion with finance committees, leadership committees, or anyone else interested in church finances.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of what is here, Clif has written elsewhere, but I like the contrast between Rich Church and Poor Church. The questions at the end of each chapter are very good. The plan for new pastors in Chapter 11 is very helpful. Bur what about pastors in a current charge? I will have to look at how to adapt it for me there.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What markers set churches that give themselves away apart from those who strive to make the budget?

[Jeff Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful and great to read in a pro-active group/church meetings.

[Richella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Required Church Council reading. Interesting ideas. A bit over zealous near the end.