The Rev Rod Irvine has encouraged ministers to be bolder in their fundraising initiatives at a conference organised by Bishop Al Stewart this week.
If ministers are setting a vision, people will get on board financially, Bishop Stewart says, even in the current economic climate.
"The financial crisis need not stifle ministry," he says. "You set the vision and people will be generous."
The Ministry of Money conference, held on Tuesday, focused particularly on the issue of church fundraising.
The conference had worked so well previously in the Wollongong region that Bishop Stewart decided to make it available to the rest of the diocese this time around.
"Many ministries have seen huge increases in giving, with more ministry able to happen," he says.
The Rev Rod Irvine, who was rector of Figtree Anglican when they raised approximately $4 million for their building complex in 2003, admits that when he started out in ministry he was fairly clueless when it came to money.
"I was like many ministers who go into parish life and suddenly get hit with a budget. I was really enthusiastic, with no great knowledge on what to do," he says.
As Ministry of Money's keynote speaker, Mr Irvine shared some of his experiences, in the hope of equipping churches with ways to expand their ministries.
"It's not so much about the money, it's about the church having a vision and following that."
Plucking up the courage
Mr Irvine thinks many ministers are unsure how to ask their parishioners for money, which will leave their churches even more vulnerable in the current economic situation.
"This is about giving people the courage to ask and to ask in a godly way," he says.
The Rev Steve Gooch, minister of St Phillip's, Kingswood, says the conference has provided him with a biblical model on how to approach fundraising.
"It encouraged me to take courage and have a go. It's pretty scary but it's necessary in order to expand ministry."
Mr Irvine says fundraising should be less about the money and more about making the church's vision clear.
"It can raise people's trust in God and give them a heart for generosity," he says.
Ministry of Money attracted 110 people from 55 churches, including rectors, parish councillors and treasurers.
