Church Launches New Financial Health-Check Tool for Congregations
Published on 17 March 2025 2 minutes read
A new tool to help congregations assess their financial health and stewardship practices is now available on the Church of Scotland website.
Bearing Fruit: A Financial Health-Check for Growth has been developed by the stewardship team to empower churches to build a generous congregation and encourage sustainable growth.
Chief Officer Dave Kendall hopes congregations will take advantage of this simple and confidential self-assessment tool:
"I am so grateful and thankful for all that is already being done across the Church to resource God's mission in our parishes and beyond", he said.
"I would really encourage congregations to engage with the Bearing Fruit financial health-check to help them take a fresh look at their existing financial practices across key areas. By doing so, they can discover opportunities to increase their resources and align these more closely with their mission.
"At a time when many churches face financial challenges, this tool is designed to spark meaningful conversations about stewardship and inspire practical steps toward growth and sustainability. It provides a practical way for churches to reflect on how they are bearing fruit for God's kingdom, connecting their generosity and financial stewardship with their ministry and outreach."
Rooted in words from Colossians 1:10 – ‘…live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work…' – the new resource encourages churches to think holistically about their finances. By answering a short series of questions on topics including the time of offering, Gift Aid, digital giving and budgeting, congregations will receive a tailored report offering guidance and suggestions to support their specific circumstances.
"We understand that managing church finances can be daunting, especially for those without a financial background," explained Pauline Wilson, stewardship team leader.
"This tool is designed to be user-friendly and accessible, providing practical advice that anyone can follow. This isn't a data-gathering exercise. Bearing Fruit is offered to congregations to help them develop their own approach to stewardship and finance within the context of our Christian faith and God's ongoing mission."
The stewardship team has drawn on insights from congregations across Scotland to create a resource that reflects everyday practical challenges and is both comprehensive and easy to use.
Rev David Cameron, Convener of the Assembly Trustees, has indicated that this initiative comes with the full backing of the Trustees:
"We believe Bearing Fruit can help congregations not only strengthen their finances but also deepen their understanding of stewardship as a spiritual practice. The development of this tool reflects the Church's commitment to stewardship as an essential component of Christian life.
"Generosity is a cornerstone of our faith, and this resource is an opportunity to explore how we can embody it more fully."
Bearing Fruit is available online and can be accessed by any congregation. It is designed to maintain confidentiality, ensuring that all answers are only visible to those who complete the questions. The stewardship team hopes it will not only strengthen financial practices but also spark conversations about how generosity can transform local ministry and encourage congregations to take the next step with confidence.
Congregations can access the stewardship tool at Bearing Fruit: a Financial Health-Check for Growth.
