Hispanic Protestant pastors in the United States, facing unique challenges, exemplify how to maximize ministry impact with a minimal budget.
By Keila Diaz
Navigating the financial challenges of ministry requires strategic planning and resourceful approaches. Hispanic Protestant pastors in the United States, facing unique challenges, exemplify how to maximize ministry impact with a minimal budget.
Hispanic Protestant pastors are often faced with financial struggles and the need for bilingual services to cater to different generations of immigrants. According to a recent study by Lifeway Research, these pastors often juggle multiple roles, with many serving bivocationally out of financial necessity. This dual role highlights the need for effective time management and creative budgeting to maximize their ministry efforts.
Focusing on the core mission
Prioritizing discipleship, rather than thinly spreading resources across multiple programs, can yield significant spiritual growth. Alejandro Molero, pastor of Iglesia Bíblica Sublime Gracia in Washington, D.C. and regional leader for Send Network Espanol, emphasizes keeping the main thing the main thing. “The most important thing is to forget about programs and events and dedicate yourself to the main mission, which is discipleship and evangelism. We have focused on directing all our artillery toward discipleship and evangelism,” he said.
“Prioritizing discipleship, rather than thinly spreading resources across multiple programs, can yield significant spiritual growth.” — Keila Diaz Share on X“At our church, we host discipleship classes and meetings to create a sense of community and strengthen the common cause of expanding God’s kingdom,” said Noel Morera, church planter and pastor of Northside Baptist Church in Hialeah, Florida. “Discipleship classes and family meals have been key to achieving this goal. Personally, opening the doors of our homes to share has been most effective and economical.”
Effective volunteer mobilization
A motivated group of volunteers is key to doing more with less. The best way to mobilize committed volunteers is to live a Christ-focused life, Molero shared. “Christ is our best program. If we do it for Him, those who come do it for Him.”
Rotating volunteer roles ensures members gain a comprehensive understanding of the church’s mission and don’t burn out. “We vary the leaders so everyone does not always serve in the same capacity, and thus they are involved in the entire mission of the church.”
These strategies have proved effective for Molero who says that last year’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) saw over 15 volunteers organizing a successful and well-coordinated event.
“We have found that creating a sense of community and purpose is key,” Morera adds. “We hold training workshops for volunteers and publicly recognize volunteer efforts at congregational celebrations.” Feeling capacitated to do the work and being recognized for their efforts builds morale among volunteer groups, and a motivated group of volunteers attracts more volunteers.
Resource allocation strategies
These pastors have also learned that allocating funds to the most critical areas, such as discipleship and evangelism, ensures that essential needs are met. Molero’s church, for instance, allocates half the budget to discipleship and evangelism and about 30% to benevolence ministry, as they serve a community of immigrants with great needs.
Leveraging freely available materials and keeping administrative costs low can stretch a minimal budget further. “We look for free resources that can be downloaded digitally. We have a small worship band so there is no fancy sound equipment or cables or storage that we need to pay for,” Molero said.
Community and organizational partnerships
Forming partnerships with other churches and organizations can provide additional resources and support. Molero said his church has “partnerships with friendly churches that finance activities and lend their buildings. Parachurch organizations collaborate with us on discipleship resources.”
Collaborations with local entities have also been beneficial for Hispanic pastors. David Perez, pastor of Iglesia Casa de Bendicion in St. Cloud, Florida said his church has “received help from companies that have donated money or food, such as a private Christian school in our city and a law firm.”
“Christ is our best program. If we do it for Him, those who come do it for Him.” — Alejandro Molero, pastor of Iglesia Bíblica Sublime Gracia in Washington, D.C. Share on XLeveraging technology
Online meeting platforms like Zoom have become a popular tool for Hispanic churches to host Bible studies, prayer meetings, and even workshops. Not only does the church save on travel and venue costs, but it also makes it easier for church members to attend despite their busy schedules, transportation difficulties, and home responsibilities.
“The reality of many Hispanics is working to sustain their life in the United States and the life of their family in their country of origin,” Molero said. “They are incredibly busy, stressed, and tired. These technologies let us meet them where they are.”
“We use social media and free platforms like Zoom for meetings and Bible studies,” Morera shared. “We also created a basic website using low-cost tools to keep the congregation informed and connected. Additionally, we have implemented the use of messaging applications like WhatsApp to facilitate communication between members.”
A strong online presence, these pastors found, can serve as a form of outreach even beyond their cities and states. Perez shared about a couple that found the church online three months before moving from New York City to St. Cloud, decided to become members, and have been serving faithfully since.
Transparency and accountability
With a minimal budget comes great accountability. Providing regular financial reports to the congregation fosters transparency and trust. Molero, Perez, and Morera shared that their churches provide regular financial reports to their members, and those same reports are available upon request.
At Iglesia Casa de Bendicion, there’s a dedicated finance team working alongside the pastor to ensure proper financial oversight. The finance team at Sublime Gracia handles all the deposits and withdrawals, and the pastor never has to deal with money matters except to give guidance.
Advice for other pastors
“Keep it simple,” Molero said. “Avoid overcomplicating ministry with unnecessary expenses. Focus on core mission and discipleship. And be open to bivocational ministry. Such a ministry can sustain the church financially and spiritually. It is better to be a bivocational pastor than to close the church doors because they can’t afford to pay a salary.”
“Educate and engage the congregation,” Perez added. “Teach the importance of tithing and financial stewardship without imposing it.” Also, “avoid undertaking projects without adequate resources and volunteers to ensure excellence. About three years ago I wanted to have a Christmas party outside the church. We had just gone through COVID, and what I wanted to do needed more resources and volunteer staff. The activity was carried out, but in terms of excellence, attendance, and impact, it was a failure. But it left us a great lesson.”
“Leverage creativity and collaboration,” Morera said. “Creativity and collaboration are crucial; don’t be afraid to ask for help and partner with others.”
"Creativity and collaboration are crucial; don't be afraid to ask for help and partner with others." — Noel Morera, pastor of Northside Baptist Church in Hialeah, FL Share on XMaximizing ministry with a minimal budget is achievable through prioritizing discipleship, engaging volunteers, utilizing free resources, forming strategic partnerships, leveraging technology, and maintaining financial transparency. The experiences of Hispanic Protestant pastors provide valuable insights and strategies that can inspire and guide other pastors and churches facing similar financial challenges.
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