Should or Do Churches report to their members their financial information?

Question

I would like to know if churches (their boards) are required to notify their congregations what happens with the money (tithes/offering/benevolance) at the end of the year or even monthly or quarterly?

Answer 1

I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses. All of our congregations give monthly financial reports to all the brothers and sisters. We always know how, when, where and why our donations are used. They are used to assist our missionaries, to build more Kingdom Halls (an average of 600 a day are now being built), to pay the utility bills and for overall maintenance, and in the printing of billions of Bibles and Bible study aids. We are told each month how much money we had in the bank at the first of the month and how much is left over (if any) at the end of the month.
LOBT

Answer 2

I don't know about requirements, and it probably varies, but my previous church went through something in the past 2 yrs. specifically because of this. My understanding is that they had this huge fundraising campaign, raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the congregation believed it was for things like fixing the roof, the sanctuary ceiling, some of the kids' classrooms, etc. Instead, the money was spent on things like bus trips to casinos, a luxurious outdoor prayer garden, and other lavish "extras". Sooner or later the news of this came out (and no, I'm not sure where they thought those things were coming from in the first place, but I know they wondered why the ceiling still hadn't been fixed), and the priest was at fault for it - and whatever financial committee there was must have been kept in the dark about how much was actually raised. My understanding is that they've all gone through hell to get this sorted out, and the contributions raised are pretty much unrecoverable - but now, they have a strict financial reporting system in place, with monthly statements being issued for everyone's knowledge.

Lessons learned the hard way, I suppose. I think they should all report their monthly records, or at least there should be a solid committee of people informed and involved in its monitoring.

Answer 3

Our church shows the entire congregation where EVERY penny goes, including wages of pastors and workers. They have a quarterly meeting and a yearly church meeting for those who want to attend. Our church doesn't have a requirement for how much a person gives. Most people at our church tithe 10% because they want to - not because they have to. Every year the church gives more than what was projected the year before. We are always OVER budget. This is a good thing because our church has such a community outreach helping others in need - people who don't even attend the church.

Answer 4

I don't know of a requirement, but most churches I've been in inform their members of financial info. One church held quarterly meetings and had the members vote on budget items. They posted each week in the bulletin how much offering was given so far that month. I think it is a good idea in light of all the scandals there have been in churches. If not the whole congregation, at least some sort of oversight committee.

Answer 5

It is a requirement of 501c3 organizations to report to the public or atleast to their members where the money is being spent. Being that they are depending on donations for all of their needs, they must tell the people that are donating the money where it is going. As far as asking if this is something all churches should do, I believe it is. It is important for members to realize how much the money is needed and exactly where it is going. I think that is should be reported weekly. I know that my church reports it atleast biweekly. If any gift is given to the church for a specific reason, that is reported immediately (weekly newsletter). I think also a yearly report should be avaliable. For many churches, they have to report this to their church's district, state, or conference offices. It's important.

Answer 6

I know protestant churches not only report their financial dealings to their parishioners, but are run by a board of parishioners that report back to the body at large. Pastors are paid a salary and hired/fired at the whim of the church members.

Answer 7

We have our financial reports printed on our programs every Sunday to keep all members informed. We also have quarterly sessions to discuss the needs of the church, fundraisers, maintenance, missions, etc.

Answer 8

They are not required. However ALL good churches will have no problem showing tithing members the numbers. Unless they are hiding somthing.

Answer 9

Oh most definitly. That information is public knowledge. The home church I grew up in released an annual expense report yearly that detailed where every penny was going.

Answer 10

Mine does. There is a monthly report where everyone is informed how the money has been spent and how much is available, how much is needed for certain things, like remodeling or paying bills.