James L. Elrod Jr.’s career in finance has spanned thirty-five-years, including significant time in the nonprofit sector. He has served on the boards of a variety of organizations, including Christ Church Greenwich and Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. He serves on the faculty at Yale Divinity School, teaching nonprofit finance. Prior books include Merging Health Care Institutions and Hospital Financing and Refinancing Under Prospective Payment (American Hospital Publishing). He lives in Riverside, Connecticut.

<p>"Elrod’s book is a valuable primer for church leaders on the basics of church finances, reporting, and funds management. He offers important parameters for measuring success and reframes congregational financial practices in light of what most nonprofit agencies now embrace, due to the intense competition for gifts and easy availability of online charitable comparisons. Elrod challenges church leaders to continual reflection on the missional effectiveness." - The Living Church</p>

“The topics Jim Elrod addresses [in his book] are challenging, and the insights fresh and timely, . . . while his words are understandable and approachable. Financial sustainability is not easy or simple, but it need not be mysterious or overwhelming. This book would be a great group-read for congregational leaders and their pastors so that all can face their community’s financial futures together and unafraid.” —Sarah Birmingham Drummond, Founding Dean, Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School

“For anyone who cares deeply about the mission and vitality of the Church and finds its financial challenges daunting, Jim Elrod’s book could not have arrived at a better time. Creating Financially Sustainable Congregations is immediately engaging, wise, practical, and hopeful. I found myself silently proclaiming, ‘Yes! Exactly!’ at each unfolding insight in every chapter.” —Kerry Alys Robinson, Author of Imagining Abundance: Fundraising, Philanthropy, and A Spiritual Call to Service, Partner, Leadership Roundtable