When thinking about ministry budgets the phrase “You can’t get blood from a turnip” comes to mind. Have you heard that saying before? It’s a weird one. Seriously, what in the world? Why do people say that!? Before I can get into budgeting, I just had to do some research into the origin of the phrase. According to wiseGEEK.com:
“The meaning of the saying is that it’s impossible to produce a desired item or outcome from an object or situation that could not, in any case, provide it. In other words, this phrase is used to show that where potential doesn’t exist, none can be realized.”
AND, check this out:
“The origin of this phrase is not entirely clear. Some speculate that it goes all the way back to the historic Old Testament, where two sons, Cain and Abel, each provided a sacrifice to the Judeo-Christian God. One of these was in the form of an animal product, and the other one was in vegetable form. The difference between these two led to a significant antithesis that has produced a lot of commentary through the ages.”
How’s that for a possible origin? It may have originated all the way back to Cain and Abel’s offerings in Genesis 4:3-5! How fitting! No, Cain. You can’t get blood from a turnip or a carrot for that matter. Just a bad idea. There is an entire lesson there, but let’s get back to budgeting.
So, the phrase may seem like it fits, but only if/when we forget that we do have a God who can do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). So that leads me to number one:
1. Immeasurably More
It is not uncommon to become discouraged when it comes to ministry budgets. I get it. Sometimes it feels like we are trying to accomplish the impossible. And, there will always be seasons where it will feel like a forever UP HILL climb. But, we just have to remember who we are serving and that He is capable of “Immeasurably More.” In fact, he specializes in the impossible! Whatever you are trying to accomplish in ministry at any given point could feel overwhelming. Sometimes, that means we need to put on the brakes and come up with a plan B. Sometimes, it means we need to trust that God will come through!
2. Time IS Money
I’m just a regular wordsmith will all my sayings today, aren’t I? But, it is the truth. Time IS money! I am going to step out on a limb here and say that if you are your church’s children’s ministry leader and you are prepping crafts, laying out activities, shopping for supplies, stapling packets, etc., it may just be a good time to evaluate your time.
Let me tell you about my Lesson Prep Team! They are the best thing that ever happened to Austin Bluffs Church’s Kids Ministry…seriously! I have a team of six or so ladies that prep all of the crafts and activities for me. It’s so wonderful. I prepare the lessons in advance (another benefit of this team is that it motivates me to PLAN ahead), so I know a few weeks ahead of time what crafts and activities we will be doing on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. In a large, clear plastic envelope I put everything that needs to be cut, stapled, or put together in some way, along with typed instructions and a specified due date. These ladies know to check in with me and pick up what I have and return it by the due date. This is my greatest time saver. I love it!
Take a few minutes to ask yourself if you are spending too much time doing something that someone else easily could help with. If so, make a list of some people that may want to help. This is a low-capacity volunteer position, maybe requiring a maximum of an hour a week. There are people in your church who want to help, but don’t have the time to serve in other ways, who LOVE to craft and organize and prepare! They will jump at the opportunity to help your ministry.
3. Re-Purpose the Oopses
Ok, now I am just making up my own sayings! It’s fun, though!
A couple of summers ago, I threw a Kids’ Summer Event. Bouncy Houses, games, tickets, prizes, the whole nine yards (another saying, where did that one come from?) NO ONE CAME. (Ok, like 20 people…seriously!) It was an expensive oops. It was a lot of work. It was discouraging. BUT, I learned some important things. One of the things I did right was the games and the prizes. I stayed away from a theme, and stuck with what I knew could be used at the next event. Luckily, everything could be used again! So, it didn’t feel like money was wasted, which made the failure a little easier to swallow.
If you are a Children’s Pastor, you have prizes…lots of them! It is one of the best things about working with kids. When you purchase items for any event, try to only buy one or two items that represent your theme and choose more versatile items for the rest. This way, you can use the leftovers for your next event, next goodie bag, or next prize store. It is the same idea for games. Instead of getting the snowman themed bean bags, go with the primary colored ones or the ones in green. Green goes with Christmas, it goes with Easter, it goes with summer…whatever!
It was such a pleasure to share just a few of my budgeting tricks. I would love to hear yours! Comment below with anything you would like to share.
