SPOTLIGHT
Penn State Aftermath: Time to Review Fiduciary Responsibility
By David S. Bell
The recent events involving the abrupt dismissal of two Penn State leaders – Joe Paterno, the iconic head football coach, and Graham Spanier, the seasoned university president – should cause most non-profit leaders to review their own practices. Even as I write, I am certain that more news will be forthcoming from State College, Pennsylvania. I am not focusing on the particulars of the allegations that led to the sequence of successive events. However, I do note the uncanny connection between a few PowerPoint slides that I routinely discuss in a pastoral leadership seminar and the apparent unraveling of Penn State’s leaders. read more

Fund management, investments, and stewardship services to help individuals, churches, and other United Methodist ministries.
"Laying a good foundation for the future." I Timothy 6:19
Publications
We are pleased to offer publication designed to help you and your church better understand and prepare for your financial future. It is our desire to make available tools that help you get the most from the financial resources now while also planning for your future.
All About Charitable Remainder Trust
answers to questions about a generous way to benefit your family and favorite ministries Practical insight and answers to questions about this generous opportunity that can benefit family and favorite ministries. A charitable remainder trust can provide income to you and/or other income beneficiaries for life or a period of up to 20 years. This pamphlet helps readers understand the benefits of having a charitable remainder trust. view sample
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A Gift That Gives Back
answers to your questions about charitable gift annuities This pamphlet will help readers discover a great opportunity to help the church or other ministry while providing a simple, guaranteed source of income. Gift annuities deliver competitive rates without the necessity for complicated investment strategies. view sample
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Giving
Growing Joyful Stewards in Your Congregation Each issue of Giving is designed to help leaders and givers grow in the grace one finds in being generous toward God. In addition to providing cutting-edge stewardship articles, this journal outlines a basic annual financial campaign, "New Love, New Mercy: The Spiritual and Stewardship Discipline of Repentance." This program is suitable for the Lenten season and for fall campaigns. Includes a planning schedule, suggested timeline (with scripture references), sample giving cards, bulletin inserts and letters of invitation. |
Miracle Sunday
a focused one-day capital campaign strategy for your church Dr. Wayne C. Barrett, CFP ® Discover an intensive fund-raising campaign culminating in a major offering received on one day, known as “Miracle Sunday.” This booklet outlines the entire process from beginning to end, including a communication strategy and timeline that you can use to implement your own "Miracle Sunday" fund-raising event at your church. This approach is especially helpful during tough economic times.
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Secrets of Effective Giving in Small and Medium Sized Churches DVD
This short DVD effectively highlights how the small church is different, but can still be successful. |
A Stewardship Education DVD
Includes the “Ten Commandments of Commitment Campaigns” by Wayne Barrett, CFT (58:58 min) & “Encouraging the Joy of Generous Giving” by David S. Bell (48:08 min) |
The Thoughtful Christian's Guide to Investing Church Funds
Dr. Wayne C. Barrett, CFP ® This resource provides valuable ideas to help understand the risks and returns of investing church endowments, memorial funds, building funds, parsonage sale proceeds and many more investment challenges.. |
Use Your Will Power!
connecting your faith, values, and legacy This pamphlet is filled with helpful information about incorporating faith and values into estate planning. This valuable tool will help readers know how to exercise their "will power" to include provision for church and ministry organizations within a will. view sample
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Where It's At
a survivors’ guide to the location and distribution of personal property This is a helpful resource everyone should have.The easy fill-in-the-blank process will lead you through identifying everything from the location of your will to contact information for insurance and investments, and even preferences regarding your funeral.This booklet will help to ensure that your loved-ones have the information they need to carry out your wishes upon your death.
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