How to Create a Church Budget [13+ Samples]

What do you think is a church budget? A church budget is a list of the money that the church has gathered as well as the necessary expenses that they have to make to cover daily operations. Having a budget is important, regardless if it is intended for personal use, for business and other matters. Keeping a budget plan helps you keep track of your earnings, savings, and expenses. This way you’ll know where your money is going. Here we will provide you with steps on how you can create a church budget together with some sample budget templates that you can use as reference.

How to Create a Church Budget

Here are steps that you can follow to help you create your very own church budget.

1. Gather budget samples.

Use the sample budget templates that you have gathered as your guide or reference when creating your church’s budget. You will find their ideas to use, as well as be able to get hold of useful budgeting tips. These sample templates will help you a lot!

2. Determine your income and expenses for the next year.

Make a list of your expected income for the next year, as well as your expected expenses for the next year. Doing so will help you lay out a budget plan and these information will be your baseline data. Take note that your expenses should not be more that what your church is earning because that means your church is in debt. Always make sure that your expenses fit your income or your expenses be lesser than your income.

3. Take into consideration missions budgeting.

This is one part of your budget plan that you should be careful of. You should not allot too much or too little to this cause as it will affect a lot of missionaries who are doing their best for the church.

4. Compare your income with your expenses monthly.

This is how you will keep track of the budget. Your monthly income and expenses will help you determine if you are still on track with your annual budget. This allows you to make the necessary adjustments to reach your budget goals.

5. Check and review your church’s budget regularly.

Don’t just check your budget plan on a monthly basis. Routinely or regularly updating yourself about your income and expenses will help you from going over the budget or spending less than what is planned.

Church Budget Samples

Simple Church Budget Template

Baptist Church Budget Template Sample

Printable Church Event Budget Template

Annual Church Budget Sample Template

The annual church budget template is intended for long-term budgeting so it is not only detailed, but it also shows the monthly allotted budget as well as the actual spending. The sample above is one that is used by local churches. The sources of the budget are also listed in different sections in the template.

Youth Church Budget Template

The youth church budget template provides a sample budget that projects the current and future expenditures of the youth ministry. The sample church budget above shows an estimate of the things that are expected to happen. The budget breakdown is simple and is organized in different sections to avoid confusion.

Church Budget Worksheet Sample

The church budget worksheet sample above shows the church’s budget for five consecutive years. The sample in table form making the details look neat and organized. Different sections of the budget worksheet are also written in bold so that it will be easy to distinguish them from the rest of the details. This budget sheet sample is perfect if you want to compare your church’s budget every year.

Sample Budget for the Episcopal Church

If you are looking for a very detailed church budget plan, then you might want to check out this sample budget for the episcopal church. The sample includes a pi chart that shows a breakdown of the church’s budget and expenses. Other information you can see in the sample are the description and commentary on the budget, and the involved date.

Church Operating Budget Template

The sample template above allows you to compare the budget from the previous year with that of the current year. The different sections are neatly arranged and grouped making it easy to read and understand. It is a two-page budget plan which provides details where income is coming from and the different expenditures it will be used on.

Sample Church Budget Spreadsheet

Use this sample spreadsheet if you need an easy and convenient way to create, organize, and keep track of your church’s budget. It is available in Excel which allows you to apply formulas in different cells, rows, or columns that will greatly help in computing the budget and its expenses.

Church Budget and Appointments Sample

Aside from keeping track of your church’s budget, you can also schedule and keep track of appointments with this church budget and appointments sample. Aside from the budget details that you will see in the sample, a budget calendar and budget chart is also provided.

Free Church Budget Template

This free church budget template is available in Excel. Instructions on how to use the worksheet is also provided at the top part of the sheet. The sections included in the sample are cooperative missions, evangelism and benevolence, and religious education.

Church Narrative Budgeting Sample

Narrative budgeting is a way of presenting the varying components of the ministry’s budget in story style instead of just showing the facts in a spreadsheet. In this way, it helps people understand fully where every dollar or gift is linked to, and this will inspire, encourage, and challenge donors in giving more, because their gifts are important. Learn more about church narrative budgeting with this sample.

Catholic Church Budget Planning Template

Budgeting is indeed a tedious task, but if you use this Catholic church budget planning template you will never get tired of the task. You will be inspired by the colorful layout of this sample and enough space is provided for you to write on.

Church Mission Spending Budget Plan Sample

Missionaries are sponsored or supported by the church, and this involves a huge amount of money. The church mission spending budget plan sample shows what the church’s mission spending and what these spendings are.