When it comes to ministry, one of the biggest challenges is navigating the tension between bold visions and tight budgets. If you’ve ever felt like your finance committee is stuck saying “we can’t afford that” instead of asking “how can we make this happen?”, you’re not alone.

A finance committee with a scarcity mindset can unintentionally hold your ministry back. But here’s the good news: that mindset can be transformed. When your team starts focusing on possibilities instead of limitations, you’ll unlock a whole new level of fundraising success.

Let’s dive into practical steps to shift your finance committee’s mindset, recruit the right people, and empower them to drive your mission forward.

The Problem: A Scarcity Mindset Is Holding You Back

Do any of these sound familiar?

  • “We don’t have the money for that.”
  • “Our congregation won’t support this.”
  • “We need to stay small to survive.”

This type of thinking creates a cycle of limitations. Donors are less likely to give to ministries that appear uncertain or overly cautious. People want to support bold visions and confident leadership, not ministries that seem like they’re barely staying afloat.

A scarcity mindset leads to missed opportunities. Ministries with small, reactive goals struggle to inspire the generosity needed to fund bigger missions.

The Solution: A Finance Committee That Thinks Big

Here’s how to transform your finance committee into a team that embraces an abundance mindset and actively supports your fundraising goals:

1. Shift the Mindset from Scarcity to Abundance

Your team’s first step is to stop focusing on what’s missing and start focusing on what’s possible.

Here’s a simple exercise to try:
At your next finance committee meeting, ask everyone to share one bold vision for the ministry. Then, ask:

  • “What would it take to fund this vision?”

This shifts the conversation from “we can’t” to “how can we?” By reframing the narrative, you’ll start to see solutions instead of roadblocks.

Remind your team: “Fundraising isn’t about begging for money—it’s about inviting people to be part of something meaningful.”

2. Recruit the Right People

A successful finance committee isn’t just about numbers—it’s about skills and passion.

Think beyond the usual candidates. Look for people who bring fresh perspectives:

  • Business leaders with strategic thinking.
  • Marketing professionals who know how to connect with people.
  • Younger members with creative, outside-the-box ideas.

Example:
One church brought in a marketing professional to their finance committee. She didn’t know much about budgets, but she was great at building relationships. She took charge of donor outreach, and within a year, their annual campaign revenue doubled.

3. Develop and Train Your Current Team

Not everyone on your committee will feel comfortable with fundraising—at least not at first. But with the right training, even reluctant members can become valuable contributors.

Start here:

  • Educate: Host a short workshop on fundraising basics. Teach them how to talk about the ministry’s impact and invite people to give.
  • Empower: Provide tools like donor profiles, talking points, and scripts.
  • Start Small: Ask them to write thank-you notes, meet with one donor, or help at an event.

Example:
A long-time committee member once said, “I’m not comfortable asking for money.” After a simple training session, she realized she didn’t need to ask—she just needed to share the ministry’s story. Now, she’s one of their top donor ambassadors.

4. Celebrate Every Success

Motivation grows when progress is acknowledged. Recognize every effort your finance committee makes, no matter how small.

  • Did someone secure a new donor? Celebrate it in the next meeting.
  • Did they write thank-you notes? Acknowledge it publicly.

Celebrating small wins reinforces an abundance mindset and keeps the team inspired.

What’s Possible When Your Team Embraces Abundance

One ministry leader I worked with had a finance committee stuck in a scarcity mindset. Their response to every idea was, “We can’t afford it.”

When we shifted the conversation to “What would it take to make this happen?”, everything changed. They brainstormed ideas, tapped into community connections, and secured funding to launch a youth program that had seemed impossible just six months earlier.

Bold visions inspire bold fundraising. When your finance committee starts thinking about growth instead of just survival, they’ll unlock new opportunities for your ministry.

Your Next Step

Does your finance committee focus on cutting costs or growing revenue? Are they actively involved in donor relationships? If not, it’s time to make some changes.

Start with one small step: shift the conversation at your next meeting. Then, recruit passionate members, provide training, and celebrate their progress.

Want a deeper dive into this topic? Watch this video where our CEO Paul Hosch shares how to build a successful church finance committee.