This is part of a series of articles on United Methodist church committees. To learn about other committees click here.
What is the purpose of the committee on finance?
The committee on finance serves as the steward of a congregation’s financial resources. While the board of trustees manages the church’s property, special trusts, and bequests, the finance committee oversees all other financial assets, including those from tithing, fundraising and commercial activity.
The committee’s key responsibilities include:
- Proposing an annual budget for approval by the church council
- Tracking and recording all financial contributions and transactionsEnsuring the proper distribution of funds according to the approved budget
- Establishing and reviewing financial policies to maintain transparency and accountability
- Arranging for an annual audit of church finances to be shared with the annual conference
- Recommending additional fund allocations for specific purposes after budget approval, subject to church council approval.
Who should serve on the committee of finance?
The committee must include the following positions
- The senior pastor
- A chairperson
- A lay member of the annual conference
- The church council chairperson
- The pastor-parish/staff relations committee chairperson
- A representative from the board of trustees chosen by the board
- The chairperson on stewardship
- The lay leader
- The financial secretary
- The church treasurer
- The church’s business administrator (if applicable)
- Additional at-large members nominated by the committee on nominations and leadership development and confirmed by the charge conference
The financial secretary and treasurer must be separate individuals. If either holds a paid position at the church, they have a voice but no vote on the committee. If they are volunteers, they have both a voice and vote. Immediate family members of the chairperson, financial secretary or treasurer may not serve on the committee.
When selecting at-large members, seek individuals with experience in finance and administration. Look for detail-oriented, strategic thinkers who are open to learning new things. All committee members should demonstrate Christian stewardship and a spirit of generosity.
How often does the committee on finance meet, and how long do committee members serve?
The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church does not specify how often the committee must meet, but its broad responsibilities will require fairly regular meetings. The pastor and chairperson should schedule set meetings at the beginning of the year and convene additional meetings as needed.
At-large members serve three-year terms. Other members remain on the committee as long as they hold their respective church positions.
Best Practices for committee on finance
- Begin with prayer: Opening meetings with prayer helps center members and reminds them of their spiritual purpose. Committees gather in Christ’s name, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Here’s an example prayer to begin a meeting.
- Get a head start: Plan for the first meeting early in the new year. Provide new members access to budgets and financial records from the last few years. Use the first meeting to orient everyone on church finances. Be sure to cover the following areas:
- The various ways the congregation receives money and how that money is distributed
- An overview of the budget and accounting practices within the church
- How the church is accountable to the annual conference in its fiduciary practices
- Consult the experts: All board members should receive a copy of Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation, 2025-2028: Finance and review it before the first meeting. For questions and resources on accounting and fiduciary practices, consult the General Council of Finance and Administration. For questions and resources on stewardship and church fundraising consult Ken Sloane at Discipleship Ministries. The annual conference treasurer may also be a good resource.
- Think critically and strategically: It’s easy to think of the committee of finance as just a bunch of number-crunchers, but numbers tell a story. They can reveal where the bulk of congregation’s gifts are coming from, what is going well and where the congregation is seeing shortfalls. Look closely at the data and make recommendations to increase giving, access new revenue sources or simplify accounting. Research what top churches and non-profits are doing to improve giving in the digital age.
- Get to know your bank: Get to know the representatives at the financial institutions where the church holds its funds. Stay updated on policies and regulations affecting the church’s accounts.
- Talk to the congregation: The chairperson, financial secretary and treasurer should all be well-known faces within the congregation. They should be regular attendees to church events and make themselves accessible to anyone who have questions or concerns about finances. Church members will be more comfortable tithing to a church when they know the people handling their gifts personally.
- Be good stewards: Above all, remember that the committee is entrusted with managing God’s gifts. Financial decisions should align with the church’s mission to make disciples and serve the community.
Additional resources
- Book of Discipline: ¶ 258.4. Committee on Finance (United Methodist Communications)
- Finance Committee (Discipleship Ministries)
- Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation, 2025-2028: Finance (Cokesbury 2024)
- Annual Finance Committee Report (General Council on Finance and Administration)
- Fund Balance Report (General Council on Finance and Administration)
- Stewardship resources (Discipleship Ministries)
This content was produced by ResourceUMC on March 13, 2025. Philip J. Brooks is a writer and content developer at United Methodist Communications. Contact him by email.