Church Operations
Church Financial Health: A Board Member's Checklist
Tom Wheeler
·May 19, 2026·6 min read
Healthy finances don't happen by accident. They require intentional systems and accountability.
Monthly Must-Haves
- [ ] Review income vs. budget variance
- [ ] Check cash reserves (target: 3-6 months of expenses)
- [ ] Review all expenses over $500
- [ ] Ensure dual signatures on large checks
Quarterly Reviews
- [ ] Compare giving trends year-over-year
- [ ] Review staff compensation benchmarks
- [ ] Assess capital project timelines and budgets
- [ ] Update financial forecasts
Annual Practices
- [ ] Independent financial review or audit
- [ ] Budget planning with ministry leaders
- [ ] Compensation review for all staff
- [ ] Insurance coverage review
The Trust Factor
Publish a simplified financial report quarterly. Transparency builds generosity — when people see good stewardship, they give more confidently.
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