The following is an overview of the Good $ense ministry components and resources available to help your church implement a stewardship ministry.

FREED-UP FINANCIAL LIVING

This six hour, DVD based course is our new core curriculum designed for everyone in the congregation, regardless of their financial situation.The course looks at the five financial areas of life (earning, giving, saving, debt and spending), explores what the bible says and what the culture says about each of them, and then trains participants in the basic tools with which to implement those principles into their daily lives. And it does it in a grace-filled manner - no guilt or judgement allowed. Just God's truth communicated in a compelling way.

Folks complete the course with a personalized Spending Plan in their hand, the knowledge in their heads to implement it and the motivation in their hearts to follow through. The DVD format is excellent for use by small groups or even individuals.

A Facilitator's Guide comes with the course and additional Facilitator Training is available on an optional basis. Further information about Freed-Up can be found at here.

THE GOOD $ENSE BUDGET COURSE

The Budget Course is the original 6 hour, teacher-led G$ core curriculum. The Freed-Up Financial Living course on DVD is the updated and revised version of it. Looking back, a better name for the Budget Course might have been "Principles and Practices for God-honoring Money Management" or "You, Money and Peace, Joy and Freedom"...you get the idea.

Numerous churches continue to use the Budget Course where a gifted teacher is available. THE COURSE IS ALSO AVAILABLE IN SPANISH (and, in fact, has been translated by our international affiliates into numerous other languages).

GOOD $ENSE COUNSELOR TRAINING

This resource trains volunteer counselors to provide free, confidential and biblically-based budget counseling to those seeking additional insight into their situation or who are in financial difficulty.Budget counselors are often integrated with other support ministries, such as benevolence.

FREED-UP FROM DEBT -- This two hour course delves deeply into the issue of consumer debt and participants leave with a personalized debt reduction plan.

FREED-UP IN LATER LIFE -- This two hour workshop (for persons of all ages) explores common assumptions about "retirement," looks at a Biblical perspective, raises the key questions to be answered and discusses the whole issue of preparing financially for later life after full-time employment.

STEWARDSHIP MESSAGES FOR THE PASTOR -- A selection of stewardship messages that can be used in conjunction with upcoming Good $ense workshops and throughout the year to reinforce a stewardship culture within the congregation.

Workshops under Development -- You are invited to contact us at goodsensebus@willowcreek.com regarding workshops that may be under development and available for beta testing.

Power and blessing to you in your stewardship ministry efforts!!

                       The Good $ense Team