As the year comes to a close, hopefully you have completed the budget for 2018. With the seemingly never-ending demand for funds by each department and ministry, as well as the need to properly compensate the staff, one area that often gets overlooked or neglected is long-term maintenance and equipment replacement.
Whether you plan for it or not, the air conditioning and roof will one day need to be replaced. Most often, this is discovered late on a Saturday night or early Sunday morning! However, with proper maintenance, along with planning for replacement, these needs can be met without creating a financial crisis and without having to sit through a Sunday service without heat or air conditioning.
It is suggested that the church should include $2 – $2.50 per square foot for building maintenance in the annual budget. Properly maintained equipment will last longer. As part of the budget, the church should also set up a reserve fund where money is set aside for replacement of items such as the roof, HVAC, carpet, sound equipment, etc.
By creating a reserve fund, the church will be in a position to cover these expenses without the stress of having to make another appeal or diverting money away from ministry.