Addressing Finances with Honesty 

People who have worked in ministry for much of their lives often struggle with addressing their finances in a straightforward and honest manner. This is not due to a lack of integrity or honesty in their past work, but rather because they are used to providing services without charging for them. They also may have the Biblically-based philosophy that they should focus on the good of their community rather than financial gain. It can be a difficult transition to begin a business and recognise the necessity of charging an appropriate amount for services. There may even be some guilt for being paid appropriately. 

What are Your Needs and What is Your Value? 

Charging for services is an essential part of every business. While every professional mentor or supervisor should strive to create fair prices for their clients, they also must recognise the value of their skills and time. The Bible even acknowledges this necessity:

“For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The labourer deserves his wages'”  ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬ ‭(TPT) https://bible.com/bible/1849/1ti.5.18.TPT

Don’t muzzle yourself or allow others to while you are working. It is appropriate to look out for oneself. In fact, in order to care for others, you must care for yourself, and that includes financially. Without some level of security, a mentor or supervisor cannot provide care. You are a person of value, and your well-being is essential. 

Reflection Questions? 

• How much do I need to charge to live without fear or instability? How much do I need to charge to afford time for my family? For my physical, mental and spiritual health?
• What am I worth? What am I offering to my clients? 

If you feel insecure about your value, consider the tangible and intangible benefits you bring your clients. 

Tangible benefits: You are increasing the longevity and sustainability of the client and their work. That has a huge impact. You are mitigating the effects of burnout in a leader’s life. Often, there is a drop in 50% revenue for pastors in burnout, and high costs of hiring and training replacements. Mentorship and supervision can save the client and the organisation they work for thousands of dollars.

Intangible benefits: Your work may help to heal marriages and restore relationships. Your work may prevent surrounding leaders from becoming casualties themselves because burnout can flow on to others through the increased stress and workload. You are assisting an increased vitality and innovation in ministry and leadership which leads to growth and expansion. 

When a leader is at their best, the benefits are immeasurable. It positively impacts all areas of life: family, work, the greater community and God’s work. 

Establish your Business Model 

Seek a business model that is practical and sustainable. This can be especially hard when getting a business off the ground. You can take loans or find donors to finance you as you build your client base, though loans must be repaid, and a donor may withdraw their support. Perhaps work part-time at a different job to fund your mentoring/professional supervision. I have a friend whose model is to teach at a university so that he can fund his pastoral ministry at a discount. In the Bible, Paul made tents to support his ministry. He must have done well, too, because he could afford to stay in his home in Rome while under house arrest for two years (Acts 28:16)! Paul was an excellent teacher and mentor and an astute businessman. 

Tips for building a business model: 

• Know your costs and what you can afford (office rent, employees, etc) and set your costs accordingly.
• Use upfront payments. It can even be a good idea to have clients pay for several sessions upfront. This encourages commitment for that time period. 
• Be clear about your cost, the exact services you can provide and your expectations for your client. 
• Be open to offer discounts. I like to have the financial room to offer 10% of my clients gratis. Some clients are in need but cannot pay the full amount. I like to help those I feel called to help. 
• Understand that when you provide a discount, you are essentially taking money from something else, so you should feel certain that is the right thing to do. 

What’s Next: Do you have a passion for being a mentor or professional supervisor? Do you have what it takes? Check out the foundational requirements. Take the Christian Leader Mentor Assessment. https://vervelead.com/tools/#mentorq