Calculating a tithe for employees is easy because they receive a paycheck. Doing so for business owners is more difficult because there are so many organization models, income sources, and accounting system standards. The result has been that business owners are left to themselves to identify their own methods for calculating a tithe. I hope this attempt at identifying factors for business owners to consider is the beginning of a discussion that helps many to do what our Lord challenged us to in Malachi 3:10-12.

Many of us who work in ministry have lives that are out of balance! Ministries often need more people but can't afford them, we're called to the greatest task on earth and want to give it our all, and more. But at what price do we push ourselves further than we should? Many are watching us-- neighbors, friends, and family-- and our relationships with them often suffer. There are tools that can help! Let's look at a few.

A pastor’s time is one of his or her most valuable resources. Because it is finite (even pastors only get twenty-four hours in their day), it is important to choose a communication strategy that helps balance the demands of email, instant messages, and text messages with the demands of personal time with God, family, staff, and message preparation.

Well coordinated ministry teams are rare! Ministry staff members are most often best characterized as entrepreneurial competitors who try to be diplomatic and work with each other-- sort of. Why is that? How can we help our staff work together in a well-coordinated fashion?

Another pastor or ministry team member had to resign in shame because of a sexual indiscretion. We hear of a new one almost weekly. The enemy cheers! Many people, however, are hurt and confused. “How could this happen to ________?” Fill in the blank; each one is a tragedy. How do these happen? Many begin on a computer! Chat rooms, email, and— more than any other contributing factor: internet pornography. We found a ministry with a solution that is almost guaranteed to work...