# 1: Church Executive ™ Annual Finance Summit
MODERATOR
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP FOR NEW ADMINISTRATORS Panelists advise new church administrators to begin with listening and relationship-building rather than immediate change. Sandy McClure, Director— SIS NFP Vertical Lead at Baker Tilly, encourages leaders to“ evaluate where you are before deciding where you want to lead,” stressing communication with pastors, boards and finance teams. David Lee, Sr. Relationship Manager for Thrivent Church Financing, adds that administrators should not feel pressure to“ figure everything out,” but instead rely on peer collaboration and professional networks. Dan Mikes, Executive Vice President & Director of the Faith Based Banking Division at Cass Commercial Bank, underscores the importance of reviewing internal accounting procedures to ensure leaders receive timely, accurate financial insight.
Denise
Craig CEO The Church Network
Jeremy
Moore Managing Director, Head of Religious Institution Banking BMO Commercial Bank
PREPARING TO BORROW AND PLANNING LONG TERM When pursuing loans for construction or renovation, early conversations with experienced church lenders are critical. Lee compares preparation to homebuying: churches must determine affordability before falling in love with a project. McClure highlights the need for consistent financial reporting and trend visibility, while Jeremy Moore— Managing Director, Head of Religious Institution Banking at BMO Commercial Bank— recommends living as if the loan already exists by setting aside funds— demonstrating repayment capacity and potentially reducing borrowing needs. The Church Network CEO Denise Craig notes that lenders also evaluate non-financial factors such as pastoral tenure and leadership stability. In long-range planning, Mikes describes two common fundraising models: one-fund giving campaigns that raise overall generosity and three-year capital pledges tied directly to construction. Michael Blanton— who leads Industry Marketing: Nonprofit + Healthcare for Sage— observes that churches increasingly seek real-time financial visibility and nimble planning tools, especially amid economic uncertainty.
Dan
Mikes Executive Vice President & Director Faith Based Banking Division Cass Commercial Bank
Michael
Blanton Industry Marketing: Nonprofit + Healthcare Sage
BUDGET PRESSURES, GENEROSITY AND GROWTH DIVIDES Panelists report widening disparities between thriving and struggling churches. Moore notes that“ the divide between the haves and the havenots is widening,” with larger churches gaining economies of scale while smaller congregations face basic facility challenges. Still, leaders emphasize discipleship-driven generosity. Lee explains that churches increasingly aim not merely to raise funds but to“ raise disciples,” trusting that spiritual growth fuels giving.
BORROWING PITFALLS AND FINANCIAL SAFEGUARDS Common risks include excessive debt burdens and inadequate fund protection. Mikes warns against allocating too much giving to debt service, stressing that“ you want the building to serve the ministry, not the ministry serving the building.” He also urges churches to verify deposit insurance and institutional stability. Moore cautions against beginning construction before securing financing, while Lee recommends investment policies aligned with mission and risk tolerance.
Sandy McClure Director— SIS NFP Vertical Lead Baker Tilly
David Lee Sr. Relationship Manager Thrivent Church Financing
The Church Executive Annual Finance Summit brings together financial leaders serving churches in lending, banking, accounting, technology, and non-profit governance to provide practical guidance for ministry sustainability. Across topics ranging from leadership and borrowing to transparency, technology and interest rates, panelists consistently emphasize stewardship, preparation and mission alignment.
REPORTING, TRANSPARENCY AND OUTSOURCING Efficient reporting requires reduced manual processes and clearer data structures. Blanton encourages churches to modernize systems so leaders can quickly answer key financial questions. McClure advises year-round“ mini audits” and dashboards that track compliance and performance. Transparency should be thoughtful and audience-appropriate: high-level donor communication, understandable board reporting, and mission-centered storytelling using both ministry and financial metrics. Outsourced accounting is becoming more common due to staffing shortages, though Mikes notes this might require separate audit relationships because of CPA independence rules.
22 CHURCH EXECUTIVE | JAN / FEB 2026