An Introduction to Narrative Budgets

Every week we come together around The Story—the Good News we find in the revelation of Jesus Christ. It is a story that is life-defining and transforming for each one of us. We all have a sacred story about God’s loving care in our lives and about our response to God’s abundance. Telling these stories helps inspire us to give to sustain the ministry of the Church.

An Overview Line-item budgets: Don’t show how money is being invested in ministry Don’t show how volunteer time and talent are impacting parish life Are hard to understand if you don’t have an accounting background Worst of all—they don’t inspire!

An Overview Narrative budgets: Are one more tool in our financial stewardship toolbox Show our purposes and goals and focus attention on mission and ministry Demonstrate accountability Inspire trust and commitment, which inspire greater givings Clarify that every expenditure affects ministry, even “fixed” costs

Benefits Narrative budgets: Can demonstrate cost effectiveness Identify not just contributions of treasure, but time and talent as well Heighten awareness of the diversity of ministry Provide inspiring stories that demonstrate that “we’re making a difference”

Step One – Making a Start Look at various ministries of the parish Assign all anticipated expenditures to one of a list of key areas of ministry, e.g. –Worship –Pastoral Care –Outreach –Christian Education and Formation –Evangelism and Hospitality –Fellowship and Inreach

Step Two – Telling the Story Tell the story of each of the categories Prepare a mailing or a bulletin insert Highlight the details of each ministry category Make it personal: tell the story of individuals touched by the ministry Over time, the allocation of monetary expenditures can be expanded to include time to help picture how parishioners commit to the various ministries

Step Three – Creating Awareness Use the annual meeting of vestry to take time to explain in detail the categories Make sure everyone gets a copy of the narrative budget—in advance if possible Don’t use the line-item budget –With narrative budgets, the line-item is back-up –As stewards, we must move away from a secular way of viewing ministry –Our task is to reframe the process so we see our ministry as our response to the gospel

Questions for Reflection What are the barriers to implementing narrative budgeting in your parish? Who will have to buy into narrative budgeting to make it happen? What six categories of parish ministry would be appropriate for your parish? What are the ministries that are crucial components of your parish’s self-identity

Questions for Reflection Are you primarily an outreach parish? A worship and spirituality parish? An evangelism parish? A pastoral care parish? Why did you answer the way you did? What are some of the sacred stories of the people touched by your parish’s ministry? Over the years? This year?

Sources Diocese of Ontario Congregational Handbook David Ponting, From Scarcity to Abundance: A Complete Guide to Parish Stewardship (Toronto: ABC Publishing, 2005) Brad Smith, Narrative Budget template