Church Administration and Finance Manual: Resources for Leading the Local Church [Paperback]

Otto F. Crumroy Jr. (Author), Stan Kukawka (Author), Frank M. Witman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1998

This field-tested reference book addresses all aspects of local church administration offering proven procedures and useful forms. Comprehensive and pragmatic.

Editorial Reviews

Review

... a wealth of information on parish administration... -- The Living Church

... valuable resource... an essential tool for any clergyperson; everyone should have a copy in their library! -- Rev. Jennifer Lower, Associate Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Tempe, AZ

... very helpful book for the new pastor or the veteran... I recommend this book to anyone with administrative responsibilities... -- The Reverend Nancy S. Cushman, Central United Methodist Church, Phoenix, AZ

... very rich reference volume... will quickly become one of the most widely used resources among leaders in local churches. -- Bishop Roy I. Sano

... very valuable resource... I regularly refer to it ... stands head and shoulders above all others in administration and finance. -- J. T. Greenleaf, Pastor, Ramona United Methodist Church

... wish I had this book twenty-three years ago... would have relieved my wardens and me a lot of stress! -- The Rev. George E. Councell, Rector, The Church of the Holy Spirit, IL

I keep it within arms length... so clear and accessible that I use it...to teach... committees. -- Rev. Galen Goben, Pastor of the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, Burbank, California

If you intentionally seek distractions when it comes time to begin the budget process, this book is for you. -- Greg Asimakoupoulos, reviewing for Your Church Magazine

From the Back Cover

Pastors generally feel equipped to deal with biblical studies, theological questions, preaching responsibilities, and pastoral care. But when it comes to budgets, insurance, fire safety, and church management many find themselves at a loss. Often lay leaders within the congregation flounder with these tasks as well. Here, finally, is the ultimate reference guide for the practical management of the parish.

Originally created as a sourcebook for the authors' week-long course on church management and administration at the Claremont School of Theology, the manual in draft version has been field-tested by hundreds of pastors and lay leaders. Not simply a theoretical resource, the Manual provides suggestions for almost every aspect of parish administration: position descriptions, various financial forms, materials for stewardship and Christian education, building use and safety issues, employee record keeping, and much more. Whether pastors are just out of seminary or well-seasoned in parish life, the Manual is full of excellent guidelines, tools, and forms for improving the management of the parish.

Otto F. Crumroy, Jr., serves as an independent financial management consultant to churches and teaches church administration and finance. He served as director of a 65-member audit group for the Army and Air Force Exchange service, a $10 billion retailed.

Stan Kukawka is president of a management consulting company and has 25 years of management experience with two world-renowned electronics companies.

Dr. Frank M. Witman is a United Methodist pastor. In his last two pastorates, he was involved in the building of new sanctuaries and the raising of more than $2.5 million for debt elimination.

Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: Morehouse Pub Co (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0819217476
• ISBN-13: 978-0819217479
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,084 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great resource, with helpful sample forms and good advice., March 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Church Administration and Finance Manual: Resources for Leading the Local Church (Paperback)

A huge timesaver for anyone involved in church administration, either as an ordained leader, member of a church's board/vestry, or church secretary/administrator. This book is accessable and clear, full of practical advice and very useful forms and policy "boilerplate." These forms save a lot of time and trouble, because you don't have to re-invent the wheel whenever you need a hiring policy or a church facility use agreement form. In addition, this work has a visible spiritual and scriptural core.

While this book was largely written by Methodists, as an Episcopalian I've found it very easy to adapt to my own church polity. It is used by my vestry and my seminary! I would definitely recommend that your church own a copy.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Tool for Lay Leaders, August 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Church Administration and Finance Manual: Resources for Leading the Local Church (Paperback)

An amazing resource for every congregation! As a senior minister of a growing congregation, my challenge is to use the time and talents of lay leaders effectively. When our growing staff required better personnel procedures and records, Church Administration made it possible for a brand new committee chair to quickly understand what was needed and put a system into place. Why re-invent the wheel when this book by church management experts offers exactly what you need to get the job done. We've saved weeks of committee work--and had more time for ministry. Every church board needs a copy of this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource book for the church office, December 14, 2006

By 

Christy (South Alabama, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Church Administration and Finance Manual: Resources for Leading the Local Church (Paperback)

Every church secretary/office manager should have this book. You can spend a lot of time comiling all this information yourself, but as most secretaries know...time is a very precious commodity and there never seems to be enough of it. This book is definately a time saver because it has resources, help and information for just about everything you encounter in church administration. It is well worth the investment.