As you step into 2026, your church is once again setting vision, planning ministry, and making the numbers line up with your goals. This article shows how a ministry-focused budget can tell the story of your impact, inviting people into generosity while building stable support for year-round ministry. You will explore five core foundations, from narrative budgeting and healthy oversight to reserves, debt, and collaborative planning, so that every dollar clearly connects to discipleship and outreach. Then you will see how to use Easter, your highest-attendance Sunday, as the launchpad for a simple, pastoral plan that turns seasonal momentum into steady, mid‑year engagement and long-term financial health.