Taking out a loan is one of the most important financial decisions you will make for your ministry. From organizing your finances to finding the right lender, it can be a lengthy process. And while it’s impossible to remove all of the effort, following these three steps should make the journey a bit more manageable for you, your ministry, and your lender.
Borrow With Discretion
Be wise about how much you borrow and the purpose for borrowing. Realize that some members of your congregation may not be comfortable with the idea of going in debt. If you are considering a loan purely for “comfort” or “aesthetic” reasons, it may be better to pay in cash or through a capital campaign. When seeking a loan, have a detailed plan on how that money will be used to grow your ministry.
Organize Your Finances
If your finances aren’t in order, it will be difficult to find someone who is willing to lend you money. Lenders will want to see your cash flow statement. They are taking a risk when they consider giving your church a loan, so maintaining accurate and detailed financial reports will help make the process easier for all parties involved.
Get to Know Your Lender
After you’ve articulated the plan for your loan and organized your finances, there is one last step: get to know your lender. Share your vision and ask questions. Because of the magnitude and financial impact of this decision, you want to make sure you are comfortable with each other before you pull the trigger on financing ministry growth.
AGFinancial shares your vision for ministry growth and wants to make the loan process as easy as possible. For more information or to contact your regional loan consultant to start the loan process today, call 866.621.1787 or email info@agfinancial.org.
