Get Ready For 
Church Financial Conference 2024 (CFC24)
The Georgia Baptist Foundation presents the second annual Church Financial Conferences in 2024 (CFC24). This year, we will continue the breakout session structure that we implemented for CFC23, but with new and improved session topics. Breakout sessions dive into topics that your congregation will benefit from: investment plans for church personnel, methods for church members to maximize giving in retirement years, strategies to maintain church financial integrity, how to make your church's reserve fund more fruitful, and guidance on proper compensation packages for pastors. New this year, during dinner we will have a panel of pastors and other church leaders who will answer some of the most common questions about church finance. This panel discussion will be hosted by Georgia Baptist Foundation President, Dr. Johnathan Gray.
Breakout Sessions
Ideal Compensation Package for Pastors
Speaker: GuideStone Representative
Discover how to create a balanced and equitable package that not only supports your pastor but also ensures the long-term health and growth of the church. Topics covered will include salary structure, housing allowance, retirement benefits, health insurance, and additional blessings. Join us to gain valuable insights into addressing the unique financial needs of pastors while fostering a thriving church community.
Personal Investing and Retirement Planning
Speaker: GuideStone Representative
Unlock the secrets to securing your financial future. Whether you’re just starting or looking to optimize your existing strategy, we’ll cover essential topics such as setting investment goals, asset allocation, risk management, and the power of compounding. Join us for practical insights that will empower you to take charge the funds the Lord has called you to steward.
Internal Controls to Protect the Church’s Finances
Speaker: Tony Neal, CPA
Safeguarding your church’s financial integrity is paramount. We will discuss essential internal controls that your church should implement to protect its finances. We will look at transparent accounting procedures to prevent fraud, how to be compliant with legal regulations, and practical insights and strategies to maintain trust within your congregation. Learn how your church can thrive financially while maintaining accountability and good stewardship of your resources.
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) Made Easy
Speaker: Pam Mills, Vice President of Trust Services
When you reach retirement age you have some giving options that are not available to you when you are younger. Learn how you and your church members can give to the church directly from their IRA. This breakout will show you how easy the process is so you and others can make gifts from your IRA to your church. We will also talk about the benefits and reasons you should consider making a QCD gift.
Strategy to Maximize Your Church’s Reserve Funds
Speaker: Foundation Development Team Sam Warner, Nathan Russell, and John Bryan
Unlock the potential of your church’s reserve funds with this enlightening breakout session. Discover effective strategies and best practices to prudently manage and grow your church’s financial reserves. Join us to learn how to strike the right balance between saving for the future and using funds wisely in the present, allowing your church to thrive and serve your community for years to come.
Get Ready For
Church Financial Conference 2024 (CFC24)
Is your church finance team following best practices? Join us at one of our Church Financial Conferences in 2024 (CFC24) to discover creative giving solutions for your church members, budgeting strategies to advance kingdom work, pastor compensation recommendations that demonstrate the value of pastoral ministry, and practical guidance for navigating financial and tax matters above reproach.
Ideal Compensation Package for Pastors
Speaker: Greg Love, GuideStone Representative
Discover how to create a balanced and equitable package that not only supports your pastor but also ensures the long-term health and growth of the church. Topics covered will include salary structure, housing allowance, retirement benefits, health insurance, and additional blessings. Join us to gain valuable insights into addressing the unique financial needs of pastors while fostering a thriving church community.
Personal Investing and Retirement Planning
Speaker: Greg Love, CPA
Unlock the secrets to securing your financial future. Whether you’re just starting or looking to optimize your existing strategy, we’ll cover essential topics such as setting investment goals, asset allocation, risk management, and the power of compounding. Join us for practical insights that will empower you to take charge the funds the Lord has called you to steward.
Internal Controls to Protect the Church’s Finances
Speaker: Tony Neal
Safeguarding your church’s financial integrity is paramount. We will discuss essential internal controls that your church should implement to protect its finances. We will look at transparent accounting procedures to prevent fraud, how to be compliant with legal regulations, and practical insights and strategies to maintain trust within your congregation. Learn how your church can thrive financially while maintaining accountability and good stewardship of your resources.
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) Made Easy
Speaker: Pam Mills, Vice President of Trust Services
When you reach retirement age you have some giving options that are not available to you when you are younger. Learn how you and your church members can give to the church directly from their IRA. This breakout will show you how easy the process is so you and others can make gifts from your IRA to your church. We will also talk about the benefits and reasons you should consider making a QCD gift. – speaker, Pam Mills
Strategy to Maximize Your Church’s Reserve Funds
Speaker: Foundation Development Team Sam Warner, Nathan Russell, and John Bryan
Unlock the potential of your church’s reserve funds with this enlightening breakout session. Discover effective strategies and best practices to prudently manage and grow your church’s financial reserves. Join us to learn how to strike the right balance between saving for the future and using funds wisely in the present, allowing your church to thrive and serve your community for years to come.
Seminar Speakers
Pam Mills
Vice President of Trust Services Georgia Baptist Foundation
With a long history of working alongside individual donors as they seek ways to support Kingdom work, Pam serves as the primary point of contact for planned giving donors. She smooths the path for non-cash gifts to ministry by helping churches and individuals utilize our gift clearing service and leads our estate administration team. Pam considers it a privilege to listen to the hearts of generous givers and help them follow their calling to multiple ministry efforts.
Sam Warner
Vice President of Development Georgia Baptist Foundation
Finding his calling in the local church, Sam took an active role in ministry finances from the start. Over the years, he has advised congregations and church leaders on faithful stewardship strategy, and he shares his enthusiasm for God’s gifts by enabling ministries to multiply their efforts. Helping ministries manage funds and individuals invest through planned giving are cherished aspects of his daily work.
Nathan Russell
Associate Development Officer Georgia Baptist Foundation
Having served as a worship leader in his local church and having worked as an insurance professional, Nathan brings experience from both the ministry and business worlds to the Foundation. As the Associate Development Officer for South Georgia, Nathan is passionate about helping Baptist churches, organizations, and individuals be faithful stewards of all that God has blessed them with.
John Bryan
Regional Development Officer Georgia Baptist Foundation
John has served multiple churches as a senior pastor in Georgia as well as many interim pastorates across our state. He was formerly the Lead Missionary for Stewardship with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. He is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Seminary and earned a Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary.
Tony Neal
Executive Pastor and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
After 20 years of serving as a State Missionary of Administration and Financial Services for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, Tony started Church Financial Services, LLC to continue consulting Georgia Baptist churches as a CPA. Tony serves full-time as Executive Pastor at First Baptist Church Blairsville.
GuideStone
Financial Services & Insurance Solutions
GuideStone provides diversified benefits, investments and protection guided by Christian values. For more than 100 years, GuideStone has been helping to secure and enhance the livelihoods of those who serve sacrifically on the spiritual frontlines.
Register for a Seminar Today!
Dates and Locations
Feb 8, Hazlehurst
Feb 22, Moultrie
Mar 7, Bogart
Mar 21, Cartersville
Apr 18, Warner Robins
