Jauary 2012 Pastor's Pen by Pastor James D. Thomas
Beginning January 15 Sydenstricker will offer a brand new program, the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University. This course is different from others in several ways. It is not a "churchy" kind of program. We will be dealing with real financial issues that come to play in your life. Fortunately, Dave Ramsey, is a devoted Christian and brings his beliefs into his financial discussion. You will enjoy learning financial principles from such a great layman of faith!
From the beginning we will ad- dress financial concerns of things like debt. Today, most Americans carry huge amounts of consumer debt on credit cards, automobiles, education, and even household appliances and mattresses. We often look at purchases based on what we can afford monthly rather than what we can really afford. We do not save for education as we should and we really do not save up for a rainy day as we need to. Dave will teach you how to do that!
He will also explain the financial aspects of insurance, mutual funds, investments, and mortgages. Learn how to buy bargains and how to establish and live within a household budget.
There are 13 sessions in all. Each session costs your family less than $8 and you will certainly get more than that in value. Personally, I have not seen a program offered in church which gives this kind of value as far as direct return of your investment. The last time I led the Financial Peace University during the 13 weeks of our class, the class as a whole reduced their debt by more than $50,000. Think how that kind of debt reduction would change your personal lifestyle.
Why would I, as a pastor be concerned with this? Well, I cannot begin to tell you how much of my counseling, both individual and couples, have had a significant financial component. Removing that financial component from life's major issues helps people. Also, from a practical sense; broke peo- ple don’t give much money to the church. If people aren’t giving to the church there is no money for mission and ministry. Since it is my job to see that mission and ministry happen I benefit from people learning how not to be broke. Helping you helps the church. Helping the church helps me. So, of course there is a selfish component to offering this class. But, what I love to see the most is how people respond to being financially free! Freedom makes people happier and more joyful. It gives color to our sometimes drab existence. It relieves burdens and eases life’s pressures. I offer the class because it's worth it.
Dave Ramsey is a personal money management expert. He has a popular national radio program and is the author of multiple New York Times bestsellers. His own story is a rags-to-riches, back-to-rags, back-to-riches saga. He's funny. He’s smart. He’s practical. Best of all, if you follow his system it will work!
Happy New Year,
Jim