Our churches are involved with several different financial management ministries designed to build relationships and foster sustainable learning.
The Wesley Mission Center in Mansfield offers Faith and Finance (https://www.chalmers.org/our-work/us-church-training/why-faith-and-finances), a twelve-week faith basic financial class aimed to help low-income families by teaching long-term money management skills. The ministry also provides childcare, meals and mentors for students to encourage participation. Charlene Hurst is the Program Director at the Wesley Mission center and she is happy to share the Wesley Mission Center experience with any church who might have questions.
Contact her at charleneh@wesleymissioncenter.org .
Rev. Sheila Fiorella shares this information about Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University: My husband Russ and I have facilitated Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University 3 times over the last 5 years. We also led his College Foundations course at the Wesley Foundation at the University of Texas at Arlington. Each time we facilitated a class, we would hear from older folks in the group, "I wish I had known about this when I was younger." Not only have we witnessed people in their 30's through 60's pay off all of their credit card debt and start saving for retirement, but we have seen young college students pay cash for their reliable used cars and not go into student loan debt. Russ and I have followed Dave's "Baby Steps" at home and we have also implemented the principles of Financial Peace in matters related to our church's budget. For example, Epworth UMC moved from a deficit of nearly $50,000 in 2014 and barely paying anything toward Connectional Giving to currently running a surplus of approximately $10,000 in 2016 with 100% of Connectional Mission Giving paid in 2015 and on track to do it again in 2016 and beyond. I cannot speak highly enough of the impact of Financial Peace University for those who are serious about changing their life using biblical principles and common practical sense. If you would like more information on how this program has been used to build relationships that encourage individual transformation, contact Rev. Fiorella at wataugapastor@gmail.com.
Another option several CTC churches have utilized is "Common Sense" led by Rev. Amy Tate-Almy. This workshop is appropriate for both church members wanting to grow in their stewardship and as an outreach ministry through mission or benevolence ministry. Contact Amy directly through the information on this flier for more information.