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Purpose. To define the Stewardship Dilemma", identify contributing factors and their implications, and explore a solution.. 3. Defining The Stewardship Dilemma. The struggle within individuals, pastors and churches between the importance of biblical financial stewardship that facilitates spiritua
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1. And The Good $ense Stewardship Movement
2. Purpose To define the “Stewardship Dilemma”, identify contributing factors and their implications, and explore
a solution.
3. 3 Defining The Stewardship Dilemma The struggle within individuals, pastors and churches between the importance of biblical financial stewardship that facilitates spiritual growth and the difficulty of understanding, pursuing and practicing it.
4. 4 The “Pull of The Culture” Says Things bring happiness
Debt is expected and unavoidable
A little more money will solve my problems
5. 5 The “Mind and Heart of God” Says A person’s life does not consist of the abundance of their possessions Lk. 12:15
The borrower is servant to the lender Prov. 22:7
…rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstancesI Thess. 5:16-18
6. 6 The Core Truths Of Biblically-Based Stewardship
God created everything - Gen 1:1
God owns everything - Ps. 24:1
We are trustees - I Cor. 4:2
7. 7 Therefore We Are To Become. . . Diligent Earners - Col. 3:23
Generous Givers - II Cor. 8:1-5; 9:6-7
Wise Savers - Prov. 21:20
Cautious Debtors - Prov. 22:27; Ps. 37:21
Prudent Consumers - Lk. 12:15
8. 8 The Personal Dilemma Lack of parental training, school teaching
Absence of church teaching
Tragic results
Lack of freedom to respond to God’s call
Personal debt at all-time high
Savings at 70-year low
Personal bankruptcies at record levels
Chief cause of marital discord
9. 9 The Pastoral Dilemma Lack of training
Lack of helpful resources
Subject often seems intimidating
Concern over congregational reaction
Tragic results:
Failure to teach the whole Word of God
Congregation remains untaught and vulnerable
Church is under resourced
10. 10 The Church Dilemma Giving as a percent of income has been declining for the past three decades
Only 8% of “born agains” tithe to a local church
16% of Christians don’t give anything to a local church
Source: Barna
11. 11 The Stewardship Dilemma Is a Spiritual Growth Issue The Bible deals extensively with money, more than 2,300 verses
We can’t serve two masters -Matt.6:24
The deceitfulness of riches will choke out God’s word - Matt. 13:22
Where our treasure is our heart will be - Matt. 6:21
12. 12 Willow Creek’s Response To This Dilemma Eighteen years ago, requests for financial counseling exceeded pastoral capabilities
Good $ense financial stewardship ministry established to teach, equip and counsel
Became an essential vehicle for establishing biblical stewardship as a core value
13. 13 Marks Of The Good $ense Ministry Applies biblical truth to facilitate life-change and remove money as a barrier to spiritual growth
Grace laden, culturally relevant and easily understood concepts
Empowers the local church to address “its” stewardship dilemma
14. 14 Results of Good $ense Ministry at Willow Creek Church
Congregation supports the church mission
High level of serving both within and beyond the church
Ministries being supported, expanded
No church debt
Capital campaign goal exceeded by 60%
15. 15 Why A Good $ense Stewardship Movement ? Churches began asking Willow for stewardship information
WCA survey and other research indicated stewardship as a top church need
Good $ense Workshops sparked further requests for resources
16. Good $ense Stewardship Movement A ministry of the Willow Creek Association devoted to proclaiming and advancing the value of biblically based stewardship by empowering local church leaders so that biblical stewardship becomes normative
17. 17 Good $ense Movement Objectives To help local churches raise up and train stewardship leaders
To facilitate church exchange of information and best practices
To be a repository of stewardship information to empower the local church
18. 18 Good $ense Movement Strategy to Assist Churches Adapt proven materials that facilitate biblical stewardship practices
Support the implementation of Good $ense ministries
Equip stewardship leaders to optimize their church’s potential
19. 19 The Good $ense Kit Is A Foundational Tool Contains everything needed to launch year-round ministry
Three primary components in the kit
Everything in the kit may be purchased individually
20. 20 Good $ense Kit Vision Video / Implementation Guide
For staff and lay leaders
15 minute video provides rationale for Good $ense
Guide is a step-by-step blueprint for year-round ministry
21. 21 Good $ense Kit Budget Course
For everyone in church
Teaches biblical principles related to money
Trains to budget and track expenses
Deals with earning, giving, saving, debt and lifestyle
22. 22 Good $ense Kit Counselor Training Workshop
Trains volunteers to provide free, confidential budget counseling
Teaches five stages of counseling process
Interpersonal skills training
Counselors learn to successfully complete a Good $ense case
23. 23 Good $ense Ministry Support Teacher / Leader Training
Coaching on the Good $ense website
Teaching assistance
E-Newsletter
Lists of stewardship references and resources
24. 24 For Information About The Good $ense Movement
Web site at: www.GoodSenseMinistry.com
Good $ense Movement at:Phone: 224-512-1833Email: goodsensebus@willowcreek.org