After the building faith and finances course:
now what?
Growing in your financial and spiritual convictions requires ongoing effort. The same is true for church-wide growth. Participating in the Building Faith and Finances course can ignite convictions, inspire hope, and set a tone, but churches must continue cultivate the growth to see long-term results. Here are some suggestions for what churches or groups can do after participating in Building Faith and Finances:
Continue biblical teaching on the subjects of money, wealth, and related topics. These kinds of lessons are not standard fare at most churches. In some cases, churches only teach on the subjects when asking for more money. Break the cycle of awkwardness and avoidance by regularly teaching on these subjects. If these subjects are taught with the spirit of helping your members and building up the whole, it will be appreciated!
These subjects can be the focus of entire messages or covered here and there within sermons primarily focused on other topics. Remember that doing well financially is a spiritual matter, not just a practical one. See the sermon ideas page for ideas.
Have Building Faith and Finances participants share about what they’ve learned and decisions they’ve made. This is good to do immediately after the course and a few months later after people have had a chance to put things into practice. This shouldn’t be limited to cost-cutting decisions, but should include decisions regarding mindset changes, generosity, hard work, investments, etc.
Develop a church culture that values financial growth and generosity. Do members of your congregation believe the church cares about their finances? Because finances are such a big part of people’s lives, it’s important to care! How can you and your church leadership foster a culture of financial growth and generosity?
Direct those with serious debt and/or bad financial habits to resources. The Building Faith and Finances course is to help all Christians to do well financially and spiritually, but some people need specialized financial help. Your members might need the assistance of a qualified accountant, attorney, or counselor. Some may need to attend a debt reduction group like Financial Peace University or similar class someone in your church might host.
Promote shepherding in the area of finances. Train the leadership in your church to promote financial growth in a spiritual manner. Who is unemployed or underemployed and could use some encouragement? Who could take their career or business to the next level and still remain spiritually strong? Who is in turmoil, who needs simplification and balance in their life? Who in particular could grow in their generosity and good deeds and “take hold of the life that is truly life”?
Look to improve the financial health and habits of your church corporation. Consider implementing best practices on a corporate level. If members can do well to boost integrity, frugality, and generosity, so can your church corporation!
Start a community service ministry or improve your existing ministry. The church can encourage service and generosity by providing structure for your members.
Look to meet needs within your ministry. Galatians 6:10 says to “do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Don’t forget to help the needy among your own membership!
Host Building Faith and Finances again! For members who missed the course and want to participate, you could form a small group to do the course. After a few years, consider hosting the course for your church again!