In This Issue:
Dick's Column | Transforming Truths | News You Can Use | Your Point of View
Spotlight | Market Indicators | Ministry Builders | Resources

Dick's Column

Dear G$ Friends and Colleagues,

Currently two things, the grip of Chicago winter and the approach of Christmas, are creating within me a variety of emotions. Counter intuitively, each has both its bone-chilling and its heart-warming effect. The bone-chilling effect of Chicago winter needs no explanation! But as I gaze at snow covered ground and ice covered lake I also feel my heart warmed by the rhythm of the seasons and the promise of new life that will spring from what now appears to be the death of winter.

Likewise the heart-warming effects of Christmas need no explanation. But for me (and I suspect for many others) there is also a chilling aspect of Christmas. At the very time of the year when relationships could and should be of highest priority, over-busyness and over-spending combine to become a toxic potion that at best neutralizes and at worse poisons our relationships – both with God and others.

So what are we to do? One thing that’s a given is to model a sane schedule and within-the-budget gifting pattern that serves as an example to others. Easily said but not always easily done. Another thought is that in this season we all go by the name Emmanuel – which means “God with us.” Jesus was God with us and since Pentecost God has been with us in the form of His spirit. So we can all legitimately be named Emmanuel! And doing so can remind us that God is with us as we make decisions about shopping and giving and use of our time. Hey, Emmanuel, I’m glad you’re reading this newsletter!

In closing let me share a list of Christmas wishes I have for you in 2010:
• A God-inspired vision for your stewardship ministry
• Strong support of the senior pastor for that vision
• A prayerfully developed strategy for fulfilling the vision
• A gifted, enthusiastic and motivated stewardship team
• Receptive hearts to the messages you have to convey

Be encouraged. Your ministry is helping “people who have walked in darkness to see a great light.” As a result of your ministry, I wonder this Christmas:
• How many will be making wiser gift purchases?
• How many will be avoiding over spending?
• How many will consider more deeply the needs of others less fortunate?
• How many will enjoy Christmas with less financial stress?
• How many will be walking closer with God?

My guess is the number is greater than you realize. Your ministry is a tremendous gift to those it has served. May you be blessed as you have been a blessing.

Your partner in the stewardship challenge,

Dick Towner
Executive Director
Good $ense Stewardship Movement

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News You Can Use

GARY MOORE & THE FINANCIAL SEMINARY

Here’s the first few lines of Gary’s article this month. I hope they’ll whet your appetite to enough to have you read the whole article.

…Last month’s column did a little preaching about the new philosophy of political-economics recently developed by secular libertarians. We focused on Ayn Rand who termed us Christians “sacrificial animals,” as well as Nobel economist Milton Friedman who taught the only social responsibility of a business is to make money.

Had either actually worked in the canyons of capitalism, or Wall Street, they might have better understood that even modern capitalism begins with us: 1) sacrificing consumption, 2) and saving in a way that 3) creates a more abundant life for others as ourselves. Obviously, sacrifice, saving and ethical wealth creation are central concepts of the Christian faith. Trust lubricates the process. Lose them and you lose the foundations of the abundant life, as we learned in the recent credit crisis.

Click here for the full article.

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Capitalism – “Sacred Enterprise.”

With all the scandals on Wall Street the author of this very intriguing article suggests that, “… the debate over bank stabilization has metastasized into a frontal attack on the principles of capitalism itself.” The article goes on to articulate a theology of capitalism and the need for an updated version of the moral case for it. Just making the case that capitalism works (the efficiency argument) is not sufficient rationale! [Read the article here.]

Dick’s comment: This is somewhat heavy reading but good stuff for stewardship leaders to be conversant about if we are to have credibility with those in high places in the marketplace. I think it has something to do with informed citizenship as well!

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The Myth of Mutual Funds

The authors of this article begin by saying, “You’ve come to believe that mutual funds are a smart place to put your money. They’re not.” The article goes on to make a convincing case for “boring index funds.” You can read the article here. John Bogel who created the Vanguard index funds adds fuel to the fire in his address at the 7th Annual John Templeton Lecture Series when in which he stated, “The mutual fund industry is the paradigm of what’s gone wrong with capitalism.”

Dick’s comment: While Good $ense doesn’t get into giving specific investment advice, as stewardship leaders we should understand basic principles of investing and be knowledgeable of pro and con arguments such as expressed in these articles. And while we’re on the topic of investing, note there’s a new two hour G$ interactive workshop, Freed-Up For Later Life, in which retirement is discussed from a biblical perspective and principles of investing for the long term are covered. It’s good stuff!

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Is a College Education Still Worth the Investment?

The author suggests that the exploding costs and related debt associated with getting a college degree, along with fewer attractive new jobs for college grads, should prompt parents and students to consider whether four or more years of college is the best approach to post-high school education. Read the article here.

Dick’s comment: Having spent 16 years in higher education administration and teaching, I have the strong opinion that finances aside, a significant percentage of college enrollees (notice I didn’t say students) really don’t know why they’re there and probably shouldn’t be. Throw in the financial argument and the case for considering alternatives right out of high school can be pretty strong.

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The New American Dream: Renting

An article in the August 15th Weekend Edition of the WSJ suggests that, “It’s time to accept that home ownership is not a realistic goal for many people and to curtail the enormous government programs fueling this ambition.”

Dick’s comment: No questions about it, there are emotional and sometimes financial benefits to home ownership. But we’ve always warned that there are lots of circumstances that should be in place before purchasing a home becomes the wise thing to do. Factors like affordability, sufficient down payment, some assurance you’ll be in the home for at least 4-5 years, available time to devote to upkeep, etc. are important. Something worse than not owning a home is owning one you can’t afford!

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Resources

Good $ense Training next April

We’ve just completed our December training of Good $ense Counselors/Coaches and Freed-Up Facilitators. It’s always a joy to do so and to come to know leaders that are giving themselves to bring about financial and spiritual life change in others . Our next training dates are April 9 and 10, 2010. You can get information here and here.

FREE Supplemental Freed-Up Resources

If you haven’t already, be sure to avail yourself of the FREE resources located here. If you’re just starting or want to expand your stewardship ministry you may find the Implementation Guide particularly helpful.

Integrate Freed-Up Financial Living with a 40 Day Bible Study!

Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale has developed an excellent Guide that integrates a 40 day bible study entitled Generous Life * with the Freed-Up Financial living content. Using the bible study while presenting the 6 session Freed-Up course over a 6 week period would be means of deepening the Freed-Up teaching even further. We’ll provide the Guide free of charge.
*By Brian Kluth of Maximum Generosity

Christian Stewardship Network (CSN)

The Christian Stewardship Network is having its annual Forum February 1-3 at South East Christian Church in Louisville, KY. If you’re a stewardship staff person it would be an excellent opportunity to interact and learn with likeminded colleagues. CSN also has a Generous Church Survey which is a diagnostic tool to determine where your congregation is in relationship to 10 key attributes of a generous church. You are encouraged to check it out.

Here's a Small Christmas Gift

When placing your next G$ order, use the discount code GSMLLC and receive an additional 5% discount. Merry Christmas!