What Would Happen if the People in Our Churches were Debt-Free?
Many people who attend our churches are struggling with money. Based on statistics gathered by the US Census in 2009, we know that Americans are currently carrying $2.5 trillion in consumer debt — nearly $8,100 per man, woman, boy and girl. It is estimated that 40 to 70% of our church attendees are struggling with their finances and debt. What do you think would happen if people in our churches became debt-free?
This is the dream of Joe Sangl, my newest sponsorship partner and founder of I Was Broke. Now I’m Not. After Joe and his family got out of debt in only 14 months, he became passionate about helping others accomplish far more than they ever thought possible through money management. The IWBNIN team travels the nation helping families get out of debt and helping churches equip their congregations to give. I asked Joe what a debt-free congregation looks like, here’s his response:
- Less stress
- Freedom to pursue some God-given dreams
- Ability to fund some shared God-given dreams between the people and their church
Let’s put some numbers to it. The average family is paying monthly payments to non-house debt of $500 to $1,250 per month (or $6,000 to $15,000 per year). If just 100 families in your church who are struggling with debt became debt-free and gave one-fourth of it away to your church, it would equal $150,000 to $375,000 per year in additional giving. Plus, Joe says, “When people are financially free, they are much more likely to go do exactly what they have been put on Earth to do — regardless of income potential.”
Joe’s blog is filled with the success stories of families who have become debt-free through IWBNIN strategies and benefitted from their resources. A full partnership with IWBNIN includes:
- Live training with financial leaders to become one-on-one coaches
- Assistance in developing a money message series
- Delivering one of the messages in the series
- Teaching the Financial Learning Experience, a two-hour inspiring and practical equipping session to help individuals develop a debt freedom plan
- Opportunity to continue the journey using the I Was Broke. Now I’m Not. group study — a six-week discipleship study
- Ongoing support for 12 months to firmly establish the personal finance ministry
IWBNIN also offers all their services at a great value when compared to similar financial ministries. For more information, and to receive a free podcast from Joe entitled “Equipping Your Church To Give”, fill out the contact form.
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This is a sponsored post from I Was Broke. Now I’m Not., one of my ministry partners on TonyMorganLive.com. I used to serve with Joe at NewSpring Church. I believe in what he’s doing.
Altough I don`t live in USA, I do want to be debt free.
It will be interesting if it was actually possible for us to take all these money and give it to the church or a charity agency!
I mean, will I do it when I`m bedt free?
Hopefully I stant to my commitment to trust God for my needs and keep giving as much as I can.
Blessings from El Salvador!
Colossians 3:2 says “Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.” Many other passages come to mind but I totally agree with the post and the content of it. My wife and I have taken “D.R. Financial peace” it dramatically changed our lives, this looks fantastic as well. American culture wants TOO much, BIG this and that, WE get ourselves into debt, we drive ourselves away from peace and away from God actually from all the desires of materialism. God’s been showing me this lately. Really good stuff.
M_
What would happen if our churches modeled debt-free living? For instance, what if we taught our people by declaring not to be in debt as a church? It may mean we’re cramped for a while or add more services, but so many of our churches go into debt at the drop of a hat to get the building or land…the lesson begins with us.
My wife and I have been intentionally attacking our debt since February of this year and have already paid down about $4K. We are looking forward to the day when we have a maximum amount of money to invest in kingdom purposes. As a pastor, I’ve got to lead the way for the people God has entrusted to me. Great post. In a recent post on my blog at http://www.davidhpeterson.com, I mentioned it. Thanks!
I agree with Patrick. It needs to be model by church leadership in the church finances and their personal finances.
I’ve seen time and time again where a church embarks on a building project by borrowing money to finance it, Then in the middle of it they go through a split. Now the smaller congregation is stuck with a load of debt they can barely handle.
I’m a part of the Assemblies of God fellowship and they are starting to looking deeper into the finances and spending habits of people seeking ministerial credentials. Not to block people out of ministry, but to make sure they can handle their own finances before being trusted with the churches.
Oh, and one more pet peeve… Bible colleges. Yes we need to be trained in the Word of God. But graduates are coming out of them with tens of thousands of dollars in debt. How are they make those payments? Especially when in most cases their first positions are in small churches that can’t pay that much!
The borrower is servant to the lender; you can’t serve both God and money. I think every Christian has the duty to pursue debt free living so that we can truly only serve God. The church has some responsibility to both teach and model this. But each individual needs to understand their duty to God to remain free and do what they have to do in their own lives, as God directs.
Above all, follow God’s direction and he will guide you. I faced a huge crossroads earlier this year when God called me into ministry and away from my corporate paycheck, while our family is still carrying debt accrued years ago. We trusted God and He has helped us pay off thousands in debt, even when we have no regular stream of income. Praise God!