BOARDS & BUDGETS 

 
There are two branches of our church – the spiritual body and the legal corporation.  
The pastor must show leadership in both.  
 
Taken from bylaws that we use: 
 
Because VAST CHURCH has two complimentary branches; the spiritual body of 
believers and the legal corporation, it is the senior pastor that administratively bridges 
the gap between the two branches. The senior pastor is primarily responsible for the 
spiritual life of the church, therefore, he must be in a position corporately to insure that 
financial strength is directed toward the ministries of his choice. 
 
THREE BOARD SYSTEM 
 
1.Overseers- A board of successful senior pastors who govern churches 
outside of the church. 
 
Comprised of mentors of the senior pastor who pastor churches that are for 
the most part larger than VAST church or at least have experience in pastoring churches 
of similar style. 
 
In the case of alleged misconduct, they investigate and, if necessary, decide a disciplinary 
course of action. 
 
» Accountability: The overseers can be removed by the senior pastor, but only one 
per year – again to prevent a dominating board member from forcing their ill 
agenda. 
 
» The senior pastor can only be removed by a majority vote of the overseers, 
following an investigation. 
 
2. Trustees- responsible for the financial well-being of the church. 
Overseers will serve as trustees for our Church in the first year. This allows you time to 
identify prospective trustees and make sure they have your heart and have some business 
wisdom before setting them into a trustee position. 
 
° Monitor accounting and business practices. 
 
° Vote on any mortgages, contracts, or major financial decisions. 
 
° Assure fiscal responsibility (both to the church and the I.R.S.). 
 
° Help develop the budget, manage the assets and aid in facility acquisition and 
management. 
 
» Accountability: Trustees are nominated by the senior pastor. They can be 
removed by the senior pastor – but only one of them every six months (to prevent 
the senior pastor from stacking the board with “yes” men if someone dared to 
disagree with him). 
 
Leadership/ Overseers/ Trustees 
 
​3. ELDERS - are responsible for the spiritual well-being of VAST church​. 
 
° The functions of the Elders are to 
» Maintain and teach by living a Godly, Christian lifestyle 
» Serve the Church by helping the Senior Pastor to establish the vision and direction 
of the Church 
» Provide leadership as a member of the Senior Pastoral Leadership Team 
» Demonstrate leadership to the Members of the local Church 
» Provide a prayer shield for the Church staff and the local Church 
» Defend, protect and support the integrity of the Church staff and the local Church 
» Pray for the sick 
» Organize, implement and execute licensing and ordination requirements 
and procedures 
» Mediate disputes among the brethren 
» Counsel with church members and staff 
» Contact the Overseers to initiate investigation and potential discipline of the Senior 
Pastor if a situation involving pastoral misconduct occurs 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THREE STRONG BUDGETS 
 
1. Personal Budget: what it takes for your personal household through 
launch day. 
 
° Moving expenses to relocate 
° Household budget 
 
 
2. Launch Budget: What it takes to start your church with excellence leading 
up to the opening day. 
 
    ESTIMATED 
 

A
​ DVERTISING  Mail Piece  10,000 

  TV, Radio, Facebook, ect  5,000 

   

DEVELOPMENT  Legal Set up  2,000 

   

  Website  2,500 
   

  Launch Team  1,500 

   

  Outreach  1,000 
   

  Travel/Conferences/Resources  2,000 
   

  (computer/business cards, etc.) Office  2,000 

supplies 
 

  (1 month prior) Facility rental  2,000 

 

  (​6 months out) Cell Phone  800 

 

E
​ QUIPMENT  Audio System / Instruments  33,000 
     

  ​Projector & Screen  7,000 

 

  ​Chairs (300)  6,500 

   
   ​Lighting  3,000 
 

  Laptop  2,000 
 

  Stage (8x4) $500 x 4 minimum  2,000 

 

  ​Kids sound system  1,000 

 

  ​Kids video & lighting  5,000 

   

  ​Kids / Nursery Supplies  5,000 

   

  ​Kids check in system  2,500 

 

  Signage  2,200 
 
 

  ​Software  1,100 
   

  ​Audio Duplicator  1,000 

   

  Trailer (1500 per)  3,150 

 

TOTAL  ESTIMATED BUDGET   $103,250 

 
 
3. Church Budget: the monthly church budget after you have launched. 
 
 

Missions 10%    16,200   

    Subtotal  $16,200 

SALARIES 35%  Salary: Ministerial  36,175   

     

  Dental Insurance  1,425   

   

  Health Insurance  10,600   

Salaries: Support   
 

  Payroll: Taxes  8,000   

 

  Workers Comp Ins.  500   

 
    SUBTOTAL  $56,700 
 

FACILITIES 35%  Rental  52,000   

   

  Storage  1,025   
 

    SUBTOTAL  $53,035 

MINISTRY 20%  Accounting  1,200   

   

  Advertising  3,000   
   

  Bank fees  240   

   

  Bibles  300   
   

  Cell Phone  2,400   

 

  Credit Card Processing  600   

 

  Equipment Maintenance  600   

 

  Hospitality  3,000   

  Liability Insurance  600   

 

  Internet  570   

  Legal Support  1,200   

  Kids Supplies  3,000   

  Offering Envelopes  480   

 

  Office Supplies  800   

  Planning Center   360   

  Printing  3,600   

  Quickbooks  360   

  Stamps  720   

  Travel/ Conferences  2000   

  Web/Hosting  120   

    Subtotal  $36,075 
 $13,500/ Month  YEAR ONE BUDGET    $162,000 

 
• Year 1: Based on a $13,500 a month church budget 
 
 
10%  Missions  1,350  16,200 

35%  Salaries  4,725  56,700 

35%  Facilities  4,725  56,700 

20%  Operations and Ministry  2,700  32,400 

  TOTAL BUDGET FOR YEAR 1    162,000 

  Total Outgo for Year 1  (+2,800)  164,800 

  Total Income from Year 1    190,000 

  Savings / Margin Year 1    $25,200 

 
 
• Year 2: Based on 90% of the previous years income 
(190,000 x .90 = 171,000 / 12 = 14,250 per month) 
 
    Monthly  Yearly 

10%  Missions  1,425  17,100 

35%  Salaries  4,988  59,850 

35%  Facilities  4,987  59,850 

20%  Operations and Ministry  2,850  34,200 

  TOTAL BUDGET FOR YEAR 2    171,000 

  Total Outgo for Year 2  (+2,900)  173,900 

  Total Income from Year 2    200,000 

  Savings / Margin Year 2    $26,100 

  Savings / Margin Year 1    $25,200 

  TOTAL SAVINGS YTD    $51,300