Building on biblical principles about God’s generosity, discover how ministry vision clarity, trust in financial leadership and financial planning and systems impact ministry and generosity. We will explore how to build donor confidence by aligning financial statements with our stated mission, by fulfilling stewardship best practices and by understanding the legal responsibilities of non-profits. Discover how our relationship with money, congregational history and money values impact our financial leadership.
This course equips leaders with financial tools and knowledge to increase the financial wisdom, integrity and sustainability for any ministry context, fiscal position or financial reality.
Registration Fee: $450 (Includes 2 CEUs)
Registration Deadline: Spring 2025 Dates Coming Soon
Consider inviting a lay person from your church or denominational agency to attend with you. They are included in your registration fee at no additional cost!
This course will be held online, meaning that all of it will be presented on your computer. Prior to your course, you will receive information for where to find the course website and how to access it. Don’t worry if this is your first time taking a class online! The instructors have extensive experience teaching online and can help you all the way along. Partial scholarships are available for clergy from the UMC and PCAFI denominations. For more information, contact Rev. Katye Chambers at katye.chambers@garrett.edu.
The Course consists of 8 modules of weekly online webinars and asynchronous assignments.
Each module includes content, application exercises and learning reflections. Webinar participation, discussion contributions and two experiential action reports are required.
Completion, including a pre-assessment and post-assessment survey earns 2 CEUs.
Missional Relevance and Money Section: Strengthening Belief in the Mission
Financial Leadership Roles Section: Ensuring Trust in the Mission
Sound Financial Practices & Accountability Section: Ensuring Missional Credibility
The courses will be held from 7-8:30 PM EST on the above mentioned dates.
The following books are required for all modules:
Recommended Reading:
Book may be purchased online or be borrowed from your local library.
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary Course Cancellation Policy
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary reserves the right to cancel the course if a minimum participation level is not reached. If we cancel this offering, participants will be notified of the cancellation 7 business days before the offering’s start date and will receive a full refund.
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary Policy for Participant Cancellation
Participants can withdraw from the course in writing via e-mail to lifelong.formation@garrett.edu.
Refunds will be provided according to this schedule:
Bonnie Ives Marden is a stewardship practitioner, specializing in leadership empowerment and financial accountability. Author of “Church Finances for Missional Leaders: Best Practices in Financial Stewardship,” she brings technical experience and cultural awareness to the spiritual and temporal aspects of church financial stewardship.
The Reverend Cary James, Jr. is an Elder in the Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church and has served in pastoral ministry for over 20 years. He serves as chairperson of the Conference Board of Pensions and Health Benefits, and on the Conference Investment Committee and Council on Finance and Administration. He is a Financial Coach and Facilitator for the Mid-Atlantic United Methodist Foundation’s Advanced Financial Leadership Academy and Facilitator for Wespath’s revitup! and Clergy Benefits Academy.
