And The Good $ense Stewardship Movement

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And The Good ense Stewardship Movement
STEWARDSHIP DILEMMA
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Purpose

• To define the Stewardship Dilemma, identify
  contributing factors and their implications, and
  explore
• a solution.

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Defining The Stewardship Dilemma

• The struggle within individuals, pastors and
  churches between the importance of biblical
  financial stewardship that facilitates spiritual
  growth and the difficulty of understanding,
  pursuing and practicing it.

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The Pull of The Culture Says

• Things bring happiness
• Debt is expected and unavoidable
• A little more money will solve my problems

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The Mind and Heart of God Says

• A persons life does not consist of the abundance
  of their possessions Lk. 1215
• The borrower is servant to the lender Prov.
  227
• rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in
  all circumstancesI Thess. 516-18

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The Core Truths Of Biblically-Based Stewardship

• God created everything - Gen 11
• God owns everything - Ps. 241
• We are trustees - I Cor. 42

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Therefore We Are To Become. . .

• Diligent Earners - Col. 323
• Generous Givers - II Cor. 81-5 96-7
• Wise Savers - Prov. 2120
• Cautious Debtors - Prov. 2227 Ps. 3721
• Prudent Consumers - Lk. 1215

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The Personal Dilemma

• Lack of parental training, school teaching
• Absence of church teaching
• Tragic results
• Lack of freedom to respond to Gods call
• Personal debt at all-time high
• Savings at 70-year low
• Personal bankruptcies at record levels
• Chief cause of marital discord

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The Pastoral Dilemma

• Lack of training
• Lack of helpful resources
• Subject often seems intimidating
• Concern over congregational reaction
• Tragic results
• Failure to teach the whole Word of God
• Congregation remains untaught and vulnerable
• Church is under resourced

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The Church Dilemma

• Giving as a percent of income has been declining
  for the past three decades
• Only 8 of born agains tithe to a local church
• 16 of Christians dont give anything to a local
  church
• Source Barna

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The Stewardship Dilemma Is a Spiritual Growth
Issue

• The Bible deals extensively with money, more than
  2,300 verses
• We cant serve two masters -Matt.624
• The deceitfulness of riches will choke out Gods
  word - Matt. 1322
• Where our treasure is our heart will be - Matt.
  621

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Willow Creeks Response To This Dilemma

• Eighteen years ago, requests for financial
  counseling exceeded pastoral capabilities
• Good ense financial stewardship ministry
  established to teach, equip and counsel
• Became an essential vehicle for establishing
  biblical stewardship as a core value

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Marks Of The Good ense Ministry

• Applies biblical truth to facilitate life-change
  and remove money as a barrier to spiritual growth
• Grace laden, culturally relevant and easily
  understood concepts
• Empowers the local church to address its
  stewardship dilemma

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Results of Good ense Ministry at Willow Creek
Church

• Congregation supports the church mission
• High level of serving both within and beyond the
  church
• Ministries being supported, expanded
• No church debt
• Capital campaign goal exceeded by 60

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Why A Good ense Stewardship Movement ?

• Churches began asking Willow for stewardship
  information
• WCA survey and other research indicated
  stewardship as a top church need
• Good ense Workshops sparked further requests for
  resources

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Good ense Stewardship Movement

• A ministry of the Willow Creek Association
  devoted to proclaiming and advancing the value of
  biblically based stewardship by empowering local
  church leaders so that biblical stewardship
  becomes normative

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Good ense Movement Objectives

• To help local churches raise up and train
  stewardship leaders
• To facilitate church exchange of information and
  best practices
• To be a repository of stewardship information to
  empower the local church

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Good ense Movement Strategy to Assist Churches

• Adapt proven materials that facilitate biblical
  stewardship practices
• Support the implementation of Good ense
  ministries
• Equip stewardship leaders to optimize their
  churchs potential

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The Good ense Kit Is A Foundational Tool

• Contains everything needed to launch year-round
  ministry
• Three primary components in the kit
• Everything in the kit may be purchased
  individually

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Good ense Kit

• Vision Video / Implementation Guide
• For staff and lay leaders
• 15 minute video provides rationale for Good ense
• Guide is a step-by-step blueprint for year-round
  ministry

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Good ense Kit

• Budget Course
• For everyone in church
• Teaches biblical principles related to money
• Trains to budget and track expenses
• Deals with earning, giving, saving, debt and
  lifestyle

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Good ense Kit

• Counselor Training Workshop
• Trains volunteers to provide free, confidential
  budget counseling
• Teaches five stages of counseling process
• Interpersonal skills training
• Counselors learn to successfully complete a Good
  ense case

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Good ense Ministry Support

• Teacher / Leader Training
• Coaching on the Good ense website
• Teaching assistance
• E-Newsletter
• Lists of stewardship references and resources

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For Information About The Good ense Movement

• Web site at www.GoodSenseMinistry.com
• Good ense Movement atPhone
  224-512-1833Email goodsensebus_at_willowcreek.org