Articles for tag: Financial Planning

December 26, 2017

Giving & Fundraising Stewardship & Generosity

Don”t Drop the Ball!

By Michael C. Mack A 2015 research study revealed that small group participants gave an average of $1,886 more per year to their churches than those not in groups. As a small groups guy, that statistic makes me smile. You”re probably not shocked by this finding. It makes sense that the more connected and involved people are in the life of the church, the more buy in they will have to the church”s vision and the more they will tend to give. But I think there”s more to it. LD Campbell, who was senior minister of First Church, Burlington, Kentucky,

August 27, 2015

Christian Standard

Family & Relationships Marriage

What to Cover In Premarital Counseling

By Gary Zustiak When I do premarital counseling, I require a five-session commitment from the couple. Here”s what I cover in those sessions: Session 1: Basic Information I get to know the couple by asking how they met, how long they”ve dated, and how long their engagement is. I have them answer the five questions from H. Norman Wright”s book, Before You Say “I Do.” Then I ask them to list 10 ways their families are similar and 10 ways they”re different. Family Systems Therapy has found a number of characteristics, behaviors, ideals, and other factors are passed down from

January 4, 2014

Christian Standard

Money & Debt Stewardship & Generosity

Living on Less

By E.G. “Jay” Link What does God want us to do with all he”s given us, especially when that is so much more than we need? Deciding on the answer to that question requires some changes in how we view and how we use what we have. Recently I received an e-mail with the subject line, “You can live on less when you have more to live for.” This profound and thought-provoking statement so struck me that I literally stopped my expeditious handling of all my e-mails and just pondered it. This is not a statement about an involuntary “belt-tightening”;

August 11, 2011

Christian Standard

Money & Debt Stewardship & Generosity

College Offers Online Course with Dave Ramsey

Last week, Rochester (MI) College announced a new partnership with financial guru and radio personality Dave Ramsey to offer a seven-week online course in personal financial management. The class, which begins Aug. 29, carries three college credits and features Ramsey, other financial planning experts, college students, and Rochester College faculty members. “Our Personal Financial Management course covers real-life issues every college student needs to understand in order to graduate on sound financial footing and be set up to win with money,” says the college. “It’s entertaining, relevant, and most of all, challenges how students view money. They will complete this