The Vile Practices of Church Leadership

A primer for every pastor and senior church leader on finance and administration.

Many pastors—just like the rest of the population--lack a basic understanding of financial and administrative matters. Most of us feel unprepared in matters of personal budgeting, health insurance, retirement savings and taxes. Finance and administration are often considered tedious, un-compelling, even ‘vile’ tasks. But pastors are required to offer leadership around these issues in a congregation. And so, since their pastors are poorly equipped in this area, many congregations struggle with budgeting, accounting, staff management, employee benefits, tax and basic legal matters.

Author Nate Berneking, attorney and MDiv., manages the finance and administration of a large denominational organization, and offers his expert counsel and practical advice here. Vile Practices provides theological language to equip pastors and other leaders to translate these matters for themselves, so that they can effectively lead their congregations. The first part of the book explores several personal matters for pastors, from budgeting to taxes. The second part demonstrates how to lead congregations in their own financial and administrative matters.