immanuelbrookfield.org

Many people today are worried about money.

How much is enough for retirement? What can I do about those high-interest credit cards? How can I pay for college? Even those people who know how to put together a budget – and a surprising number of people don’t – would like to get a better handle on how to stretch their dollars these days.

Plan an event (or series of events) to teach members of your neighborhood how to handle their finances. Then get the word out! Make your target audience as specific or as broad as you choose (and depending on your selection of presenters). This type of event would be beneficial for single men and women who are just starting out, for teens, and for seniors living on fixed incomes. Tailor your audience to the type of speaker you enlist.

Invite experts who work in the financial world, from within your church or the community, to teach classes on topics such as saving money, getting out of debt, learning about investment strategies, and planning for large purchases.

If you choose a to present your event from a Christian perspective, there are prepackaged financial course kits available that explore financial issues from a Christian perspective. Crown Financial Ministries (www.crown.org), and Willow Creek’s Good $ense Ministry (www.goodsenseministry.org) are two such ministries that provide solid financial curricula.

Instant Intentions

The topic of tithing may come up at this event. Or if it doesn’t, bring it up yourself! It’s a great way to talk about biblical issues in a natural setting.

-          From the book, Field Guide to Neighborhood Outreach by Group Publishing, 2007.