New York Annual Conference Adult Education Program

1. New York Annual ConferenceAdult Education Program Financial Planning with a Christian Perspective It Works : Bequests Now = $3.9 Million, up 680% Prepared by: Ed Ruppmann

2. Objective • Empower our congregation to tithe • Develop Endowment Fund raising programs • Improve Church Operating Budget cash flow • Achieve measurable increase in apportionment receipts.

3. Sower Seeds of Faith & Finance • Develop new approach to raise faith consciousness at local Church level • Start by commitment of time and talent. • Show Pastor and congregation the way • In time, donations and bequests will follow. • Convince skeptics “the more you give the more you receive.”

4. Sower Seeds of Faith & Finance • What is Christian Stewardship? • GAIN all you can SAVE all you can GIVE all you can • Recognizes all life as a trust from God • Responsible management of all God-given resources • Dedicate a worthy portion of your time, abilities and money for the advancement of Christ’s mission • Giving is rewarding and enriches your soul • Therefore we lead by example and it will be so: “the more you give the more you receive.”

5. Sower Seeds of Faith & Finance • Our Stewardship Philosophy: • We must do more for our congregation. • We must demonstrate that we truly care and share our members financial burden. • We care so much that we will provide free financial planning and elder care/estate planning services at up to 50% discounts. • When we help our congregation get on solid ground it’s a “win-win-win” for everyone.

6. Sower Seeds of Faith & Finance • Our Stewardship Philosophy Works: • We have educated over 800 laity and clergy. • We have improved our members livelihood. • In turn, people have increased their giving. In the last 9 Months: • Bequests have grown from 1/2 Million to $3.9 MILLION - UP 680% in 6 years. • Free will offerings have grown from $12 thousand to over$61 THOUSAND - UP 63% in 3 years. • We have provided financial education to 300+ MORE PEOPLE - UP 220% • It’s truly a “win-win-win” for everyone.

7. Sower Seeds of Faith & Finance • Our Stewardship Philosophy Works: • We have several testimonials from pastors. • From Rev. Betsy Ott – Ronkonkoma UMC • “You're doing a wonderful job. FYI our giving here has gone up in the past year and we are increasing in the number of pledgers. There is a much better sense of stewardship as a way of life and of the need for stability in giving so the church has stability in funding ministries.” • It’s truly a “win-win-win” for everyone.

8. Sower Seeds of Faith & Finance • What’s unique about this program? • Not a sales pitch • Entirely voluntary – you decide who implements plan • Plan for yourself • Don’t allow others to make poor decisions for you • Get a free 1st or 2nd opinion

9. Sower Seeds of Faith & Finance • Provide Financial Education Programs • Did you know: • Medicaid eligibility requires spending your life savings and selling your house to qualify. • At 65, 50% will require nursing home stays at a average cost of $100,000 per year. • Most people do not save enough for retirement. • People work 11,250 days, retirement plan 1 day. • At 65+, 55% of US population have income including Social Security below $15,000 per year.

10. Sower Seeds of Faith & Finance • Provide Financial Education Programs • Did you know: • Without financial aid, most parents could not send their child to college. • College costs are growing at 8 + % each year. • Health care costs are climbing at double digit rates. • Disposable income has been flat over the last 3 years and for senior citizens it is declining. • Disposable income donated to the Church is down but somehow many not-for-profits are thriving.

11. Sower Seeds of Faith & Finance • Provide Financial Education Programs • Did you know: • US Govt. estate tax is up to 55% plus 16% NYS estate tax, Income tax average* is 30+% Capital Gains tax is 15%-8%. • Giving appreciated stock to the Church is tax free - it’s a “win win” for you and your Church.. • Leaving a bequest to the Church can eliminate estate taxes. • Most people and lawyers do not think about leaving money to the Church when preparing a will. *Marginal Rates for NY/CT Metro area including State taxes.

12. Sower Seeds of Faith & Finance • Provide Financial Education Programs • How do we change the mind set? • We must educate our congregations about their finances • Offer free individual financial & estate planning • Highlight areas of concern and develop a plan • Implement a plan that enhances financial security • Financial stability will lead to capacity and willingness to tithe and consider planned giving.

13. Sower Seeds of Faith & Finance • Provide Financial Education Programs • How do we begin? Select a Church/Cluster and: • Educate Pastor, Finance & Trustee Chairperson • Explain the planning process • Highlight appropriate savings vehicles • Discuss importance of starting early • Impact of inflation and taxation on savings

14. Sower Seeds of Faith & Finance • Provide Financial Education Programs • How do we begin? Select a Church and: • Appoint coordinators to bring congregation together and offer similar services to all Church members • Promote awareness that our Church provides valuable services at no cost to the congregation • Promote seminar, insert fliers in Bulletin and mail invitations to Church members. • Conduct seminars at cluster level (3-6 Church groups) • Then we pray that people show up.

15. Sower Seeds of Faith & Finance • Provide Financial Education Programs • What’s next? For those who are interested: • Construct personal financial plans that examine their unique individual needs. Individuals need to: • Provide income and expense data • Provide net worth data • Provide insurance coverage data • Provide risk appetite information • Discuss Elder Care and Estate Planning concerns

16. Sower Seeds of Faith & Finance • Provide Financial Education Programs • Develop Financial Needs Analysis Plan • How much can I save with no change in life style? • How much do I need to save for college? • Will I have retirement savings to last until age 90? • Can I reduce insurance costs & invest the difference? • Are investment plans consistent with risk appetite? • How can I protect my life savings from Medicaid? • How can I transfer my life savings to my family and Church without paying 50+% tax to Uncle Sam?

17. Sower Seeds of Faith & Finance • Provide Financial Education Programs • Execute the Financial Needs Analysis Plan Short Term: • Develop individual financial plans free of charge • Plan completion will compel goodwill thinking • Gladly accept a one time donation to our Church or Conference • Increased savings potential will create stability • Financial stability will increase tithing & planned giving

18. Sower Seeds of Faith & Finance • Provide Financial Education Programs • Execute the Financial Needs Analysis Plan Long Term: • Increased savings potential will create stability • Financial stability will increase tithing • Elder Care Plans will compel one time donations • Estate Plans will permit bequest potential • Creation of secure retirement will allow bequest potential, providing Endowment Fund growth for years to come

19. Sower Seeds of Faith & Finance • Provide Financial Education Programs • Conclusion: • “The more you give, the more you receive.” • Encourage sharing professional talents and skills within your congregation • This is a “win-win-win” for everyone; • Conference and Church Benefit, • Clergy and Congregation Benefit, • Professionals providing services Benefit

20. Sower Seeds of Faith & Finance • How Do I Sign Up: • Check Seminar Sign Up Sheet. • Coordinate a seminar for your church - talk to your pastor and set a date on the church calendar. Seminars are 3 hours. • Communicate importance of event to leadership. • Appoint a coordinator, preferably laity • Insert flyers into bulletin 4 weeks before seminar. • Talk it up – need an average of 20 families to insure success. • Any questions call Ed Ruppmann on 516 364-1151.