Ministry and Money: A Guide for Clergy and Their Friends
Dan Hotchkiss
Frank, straightforward guidance for clergy seeking to develop a sound theology of money and skills for church administration, Ministry and Money also puts forth a new strategy for self-care, and a confident approach to managing both personal and congregational finances. Alban Senior Consultant and author Dan Hotchkiss wants to help clergy overcome their own anxieties about money matters so they can help others address the personal, social, and congregational aspects of this challenging and often difficult topic.
Hotchkiss observes that clergy are anxious about money for all the same reasons other people are and for some special reasons, as well:
- Many people believe that what is “spiritual” excludes money and power.
- Many clergy’s own finances are in difficulty.
- Clergy depend on their congregations for their livelihood.
- And in many congregations, clergy effectiveness may still be judged in financial terms.
Drawing on the full spectrum of American religious life, Hotchkiss addresses these important issues, offering practical assistance to clergy who wish to become more effective leaders by examining their own unique anxieties and convictions about money.
Praise for the Book
“How I wish I had had Ministry and Money in the early years of my parish ministry! Dan Hotchkiss gives the simple, direct, practical information and tools that would have saved me—and the people in the congregation I served—from my own ignorance. In those days I knew a lot about theology, scriptures, and history, but I was woefully inadequate when it came to dealing with financial and organizational life in a congregation. Dan's guidance is first rate. He opens both personal and congregational issues I'd never thought about and provides clear, strong theoretical frameworks and step-by-step guidance for becoming a more effective leader. This one is a keeper.” —Loren B. Mead
“Personal, profound, and practical! Dan Hotchkiss tackles one of the most difficult issue for people of faith in today's world: money in the life of clergy and congregations. He does so with conviction, challenging many of our preconceptions about the role of money in faith communities. He elucidates the key areas of clergy need to take into account so that money is experienced and managed as a spiritual tool, as opposed to a necessary distraction to a soulful life. Weaving personal story, facts, and figures from congregational life in North America today, and solid advice for managing financial resources, Dan has gifted us with this ministerial manual that can help free up the human resources to serve God, community, and oneself. He helps us manage dollars and make sense!” —Rabbi Shawn Israel Zevit
About the Author
Rev. Dan Hotchkiss consults with synagogues and churches on strategic and financial planning, conflict management, clergy transition, and fund raising. Dan speaks and writes widely on leadership and organizational life, and has been a leader, minister, and consultant for more than 25 years. Dan has served as a parish minister and national ministerial placement director for the Unitarian Universalist Association. He lives near Boston, Massachusetts.
ISBN# 1-56699-261-3
Alban No. AL251
paper, 134 pages
2002
In stock
$15.00
($12.00 for members)
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