Weeds in the Garden
By Verne Hargrave
The growing danger of fraud taking root in the church
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Auditors have been routinely recommending that their clients implement stronger fraud prevention measures beginning by performing a fraud risk assessment. But, for the most part, this is not taking place in the church environment. Most business administrators are stretched for time as it is and cannot squeeze one more thing into their tightly packed schedules. Also, because the task is so immense, and the ways a church can be abused are so varied, most business administrators would not even know where to begin, even if they had the time; fraud protection is complicated.
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The purpose of this short book is to help break this logjam created by these very common reasons for not taking anti-fraud steps. As you make your way through its pages, please keep three things in mind. First, it was my intention to keep the book short. Creating a huge manual might scare off time-starved administrators. Second, the book can be the starting point of a church’s fraud prevention measures; the basis on which to perform a fraud risk assessment. Third, it is organized in such a way as to take some of the complications out of the process. After two chapters which define and describe fraud, come ten chapters, each represented by a question every church should ask of itself. Each question represents an important aspect in fraud prevention.
Church fraud prevention is not really about protecting cash and property. Even though the church’s people are much more important than its bank accounts, the ultimate purpose is also not the protection of the employees and volunteers who handle the church’s finances. The main function of fraud prevention in the church is protection of the Lord’s name and the unimpeded furtherance of His work.
Reviews...
“Weeds in the Garden is timely, critical, and a must read for all Pastors, church leaders (Elders & Deacons), and church administrative staff. Excellence and best practices is not an option – it is a Biblical mandate and a reflection of our Lord. Verne has provided solid reasoning and practical applications to take your church to that level of excellence the Lord expects.”
Rolla Wm. Goodyear
“Weeds in the Garden is an excellent resource for church administrators . The author has excelled in communicating the need to commit to doing our work in the right way. You will be encouraged and challenged to become a more effective administrator in the kingdom’s work. This is a must read for pastors, administrators, and other church leaders who are responsible for doing the business of the church.”
Judy Stamey, Ph.D., FCBA
“The subject of fraud in congregations is one that most would prefer to avoid or presume will never happen here. The evidence to the contrary has never been clearer. Verne Hargave masterfully presents the realities in a concise, easy-to-understand format and offers practical responses and safeguards every congregation should consider. Any church leader responsible for the financial health of a congregation should heed these suggestions.”
Simeon May, CPA