.: FinanceCare

Christmas

A top-ranked “budget buster” for many of us is our spending on gifts...and we probably don’t know it! Have you ever added up all the gifts during a year; not just Christmas but all the other events too? It may surprise you! Let’s see....birthdays, Valentine’s Day, anniversary, Mother’s and Father’s Day, Easter, weddings, baby showers. More...

Master the MoneyTrap

St. Andrew FinanceCare Ministry seeks to help people understand how to handle their money according to God's principles so that they may become faithful stewards of the Master's resources and learn true contentment. Whether you are experiencing financial challenge from debt, or have sound finances but feeling suffocated by materialism that is robbing your spiritual vitality in your relationships, the ministry has resources to offer you.

Philippians 4:11-12, "For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity."

Individual Debt/Budget Counseling

Confidential, individual Budget Counseling is available to help people who may be in financial trouble or who want to personally understand how to apply God's principles in their lives in a one-on-one setting. Budget counselors have been trained and certified through Crown Financial Ministries' Budget Counselor Training program. There is no cost, and no financial products are sold. Voluntary donations of $5 - $25 to St. Andrew UMC are accepted.

Budget Counseling Focus is Four-fold

1. To encourage counselees to mature spiritually as Jesus' disciples and discover the joy of incorporating God-honoring financial management principles into their lives.
2. To help people who are in financial trouble develop a budget and debt repayment plan and establish positive habits for management of their personal finances so that they may reach a point where they achieve financial stability.
3. To identify people who are doing all they can to make ends meet but due to circumstances beyond their control are unable to meet their financial obligations and direct them to appropriate church ministries or people to provide appropriate forms of financial assistance.
4. To assist people who have a financial surplus in recognizing their God-given responsibilities for stewardship and to identify opportunities to fulfill those responsibilities.

What to Expect in a Budget Counseling Session

1. Counseling Process
• If you are married, both husband and wife should plan on attending together, otherwise very little can be accomplished.
• The budget counselor will discuss biblical stewardship and will explain what God expects from His children. Our budget counselors are serving under the authority of their local church.
• The budget counselor will assist you in evaluating your present spending pattern and help you work towards a balanced spending plan.
• Once the spending plan is agreed upon, the budget counselor will act as an accountability partner with you and will inform you of other studies that will enhance your understanding of biblical stewardship.
2. Information Needed
• You may be asked to bring your checkbook register, income tax forms, paycheck stubs, bank statements, current bills, or other related information.
3. Meeting Location
• You will be asked to meet in a neutral location at St. Andrew where there is privacy and sufficient table space to work on your budget.
4. Session Length
• Sessions run between 1 and 2 hours. More than one session is usually required to complete the planning process.

Please note: Topics like investing, insurance, financial planning, and other related areas are not covered, other than to include these categories in a written spending plan if needed. If you are specifically looking for this type of help, we suggest that you contact a professional near you.

For more information or appointments, contact Bill Brewer, Director at 214-291-8082 or bbrewer@standrewumc.org.

Education & Bible Studies

Available education resources include:

• Crown Financial Ministries Bible Studies
• Budgeting and Debt Reduction Workshops

For more information contact Bill Brewer, Director at 214-291-8082 or bbrewer@standrewumc.org.

FinanceCare Worksheets and Articles

Organizing your finances is the first step in your journey to financial freedom. Use the worksheets and articles in the following link:

• Crown Library Worksheets and Articles
  
  

For more information contact Bill Brewer, Director at 214-291-8082 or bbrewer@standrewumc.org.