Why AVL Matters in Your Church - Joey Cottle

Mission Driven Budget Podcast

Why AVL Matters in Your Church - Joey Cottle

Welcome to Episode 6 of the Mission Driven Budget Podcast!

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Visit LifeMission Church in Olathe, Kansas
Links From This Episode:

• What's So Important About Worship - Robert Morris
• The Contemplative Pastor - Eugene H. Peterson

Notes From This Episode:

1. If you feel pressure between being a pastor and getting all the AVL details right, prioritize being a pastor. Connect with people. Eugene Peterson said, "Leisure is not the quantity of time, but the quality of spirit." If being a pastor first means that some of the tiny details don't get done, that's OK.
   
2. The point of AVL is to capture people's attention and focus it on Jesus. That's it. "Get people to Jesus, then stop." Keep your AVL costs under control by spending only what you really need to capture attention and point people to the gospel. AVL cannot sustain a relationship with Jesus. There are much more important things to spend money on.
   
3. Build relationships with local AVL vendors. Don't just shop online for the big stuff. Relationship opens the door for access to better equipment and better service when you treat your vendors right. Paying full price when you can could lead to price breaks on large purchases later on.
   
4. "Sometimes, when it comes to AVL, churches throw stewardship out the window." It's easy to get caught up in the latest and greatest technology. Avoid the "bigger better faster" mentality, because that's how you burn people out. People aren't machines. Repeating point #2 - there are more important things to spend money on than a great lighting package.
   
5. Some tips on managing a pastor's salary:
   • If you can, get salaried. This allows for flexible work hours when needed.
   • Budget. Budget. Budget. There are tons of budgeting options out there. No excuses.
   • Take advantage of a Housing Allowance. This allows you to deduct a significant portion of your taxable income. Talk to your lead or executive pastor TODAY.
   • Build a side hustle if you can.
6. "If churches are going to be employers, they should be the best employers out there." The church's mission is about people, not profit. You have to make a profit, yes, but it shouldn't be your primary focus. Err on the side of taking care of people financially, especially when they're moving out of your organization.