In the second bonus episode of this season on ‘Making Things Happen: Churches, Charities and Money’, Dr Yekemi (Kemi) Otaru shares her experiences of dealing with faith and finance challenges in her role as CEO of Aberdeen charity, Somebody Cares.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Kemi introduces herself, explaining the steps that led her to become the CEO of Somebody Cares. Her achievements en route include becoming the first black woman to serve as a University Chancellor in Scotland. [01:09] Kemi goes on to talk about how Somebody Cares gives immediate relief and support for people in hardship and poverty in and around Aberdeen by providing furniture and running a food bank. [02:40]
• In response to a question from Bex, Kemi outlines her journey of faith from childhood, through her professional life and into the present day. [05:24]
• Kemi describes the nature of her role at Somebody Cares and the importance of finding time both for immediate, practical priorities and for long-term, strategic planning. [13:21]
• When asked about the significance of money to her role, Kemi speaks about funding, contingency planning and using the money well so that it makes the greatest possible impact. [16:43]
• Kemi drills deeper into funding arrangements and explains how listeners can support Somebody Cares and similar charities. [22:18]
• Kemi responds to a question from Simon about how her attitude to her own personal giving has been affected by her involvement with a charity. [27:45]
• As well as the website that explains charity VAT(!), Kemi has found www.goodfinance.org very helpful as it provides key performance indicators and examples linked to social impact reporting. [29:39]
• Kemi’s final piece of advice is directed towards anyone who feels that God may be calling them to some kind of involvement in the charitable sector. As well as praying about the options, Kemi would suggest exploring the possibility of becoming a trustee of a charity because that can provide such great insights into charitable activities while also being of huge benefit to a charity. [31:31]
• With this being the final episode of Season 9 of the ‘Where Your Treasure Is…’ podcast, Simon invites listeners to provide feedback and suggestions that will help to shape Season 10, which will commence after a short break. [34:40]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to whereyourtreasureis@freerangepodcasting.co.uk while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

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In the first bonus episode of this season on ‘Making Things Happen: Churches, Charities and Money’, Malcolm Webb shares his experiences of balancing faith and finance on a daily basis in his role as a church accountant.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Malcolm introduces himself, explaining how he became a Christian and the steps that led him to become the accountant of a multi-site church serving Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. [01:48]
• In response to a question from Bex, Malcolm describes some of the dynamics of being the accountant of a church other than the one that he attends himself. [07:01]
• As part of a discussion about tracking donations and the purposes for which they have been given, Bex reminds Malcolm of a time when the response of church members to a special appeal had been so generous that it caused the bank to be in touch to check that nothing untoward was taking place! [11:53]
• Responding to a question from Simon, Malcolm talks about the challenge of balancing his professional responsibility to operate ‘by sight’ with his personal conviction that he has been called to live ‘by faith’. [13:42]
• When asked for a top tip to help with the running of the finance function of a church, Malcolm recommends taking advantage of available technology (especially Excel), streamlining processes and encouraging donors to set up standing orders. [18:48]
• When it comes to training others to manage money well on behalf of a church or charity, Malcolm highlights the importance of developing understanding and an inquiring mind. [21:09]
• Having previously quoted Psalm 50 verse 10 (“for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills”), Malcolm identifies the Parable of the Bags of Gold (Matthew 25.14-30) as another biblical passage that has been influential in shaping his thoughts on money and what our attitude towards it should be. [23:39]
• When asked if he has a story of seeing God’s generosity at work, Malcolm talks about the capacity of the church to initiate social transformation, as illustrated by the cafe that has recently been set up with a clear vision that it will develop its own ‘ministry’ for the benefit of others. [25:27]
• Having been invited to do so by Bex, Malcolm prays for those who are feeling called by God to initiate or take forward a church-related project or idea that requires financial expertise or resources. [27:22]
• Simon talks about the hidden, but vital, role of the church accountant; Malcolm responds by commenting that, in fact, the nature of financial communication these days (eg through Zettle transactions and detailed bank statements) means that he is very aware of what is going on in church life and often feels that he has been given a ‘front row seat’ to observe it. [29:10]
• A second Season 9 bonus episode will follow shortly, also featuring a guest with significant experience of dealing with faith and finance matters in the charity sector. [32:51]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to whereyourtreasureis@freerangepodcasting.co.uk while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.

You can sign up to receive news and updates about this podcast by filling out the brief form to which you will be taken when clicking on this link.

In Episode 8 of this season on ‘Making Things Happen: Churches, Charities and Money’, Simon and Bex discuss ways in which faith can be put before finance so that vision is turned into provision for churches and charities.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Bex and Simon introduce the topic of vision and provision in church and charity work, noting from the outset that there is a crucial balance that needs to be struck between having faith and being realistic about financial matters. [00:34] Bex gives some biblical examples to illustrate the fact that God provides for his people in many different ways, sometimes through quite unexpected means. [02:45]
• Simon uses his own experience as a church trustee to highlight the key principle of identifying the individual responsibilities that people undertake, observing that this will lead them to weigh faith and finance elements differently from those who fill other roles within a church or charity. [03:31] Simon then develops the point, suggesting that it can be helpful to recognise that complementary contributions can be made by those who are very good at managing money and those who are very good at using money. [05:49]
• In response to a question from Bex, Simon talks about the type of discernment that is needed to deal with circumstances in which there is a gap between the scope and vision for a project and the current level of provision. [07:05]
• By inviting listeners to put themselves into the position of someone appealing for money to support a vision, Simon highlights the importance of engagement from those who are responsible for the finances of a church or charity; otherwise, important opportunities can be missed or watered down. [10:37]
• There is a balance to be struck between holding the resources that God has provided lightly and appreciating what has been entrusted to us so that we are diligent and responsible in the ways that we use those resources. [13:22]
• Simon describes ways in which the issues associated with operating a church or charity budget can be tackled, with a structured approach, oversight, discernment, flexibility and good communication being key factors. [15:35]
• There are also legal requirements that have to be fulfilled, so Simon speaks about ways in which a good working relationship can be built up with the charity regulator. [18:22]
• In order to exercise due diligence, there needs to be a plan for bringing a charity to an end, if need be. Simon explains some steps that can be taken to accommodate that possibility. [20:12]
• Responding to a question from Bex, Simon explains how charities can borrow money, for example by taking out a mortgage. [21:45]
• Simon concludes by praying for those already involved in charitable work and also for those with a vision to be involved in activity of that nature in the future. [23:42]
• Bex invites listeners to get in touch with their questions and also with stories about their own experiences of charity and finance. Up next will be a bonus episode, airing in a few weeks’ time, in which Malcolm Webb, a church accountant, will share his experiences of balancing faith and finance on a daily basis. [24:58]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to whereyourtreasureis@freerangepodcasting.co.uk while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.

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