Back in my church shopping days, which thanks to Him are gone, an important criteria was the health of the finances of the church. My feeling is that if the church is first focused on the leading of the Holy Spirit, then it won’t have overextended itself for man’s goals such as “programs”, building projects, etc. but rather on what I feel is the purpose of a church, and that is growth in the Lord for the flock, and in the great commission - to bring all to a greater knowledge of Christ Jesus. This doesn’t necessarily mean lots of money poured into it.
I tried to look at what the monthly gifts and offerings were compared to budgeted items. What are budgeted items - how much of the budget goes straight to missionaries? How often, if ever, do you hear from the pulpit the need to give to the church. IMHO, the less said, the healthier the church in its focus on Christ.
I strongly feel that if a church body is focused on where the Lord Himself is leading, then He will bestow His grace on the financial means to accomplish that - and He will do it without begging from the pulpit, or pressure put on the flock. And, the budget will reflect whether the direction is man-driven, or God-driven.
Amen!!!