Why churches are a hotbed for finance education?

Christian Science Monitor: Why churches are a hotbed for finance education

Personal finance classes offered by churches are often well-attended by the congregation. Some of the things that make these classes successful can be helpful to people who don't attend church, too.

Over the last few years, I couldn’t help but notice that several churches in my local area have run personal finance programs of various kinds, such as Financial Peace University and so on. Having sat in on a few of them, I can certainly say that they’re often well-attended, with enthusiastic people taking notes and often asking good questions, too.

This left me wondering why churches are such a hotbed for personal finance education. I’m not so much interested in the reasons why churches would host such events, but why churches happen to be the place where such events find great success. More importantly, is there anything useful in that relationship that could be applied to those who seek financial success without such groups?

In order to figure this out, I’ve had conversations with a few different pastors and a lot of different church members over the past year along these lines. Why does your church host personal finance programs? Do you feel they’re successful? Why do you feel that they’re successful?

The answers were actually pretty consistent – and fairly insightful. ...

Comments

[Dave]

The whole article takes what I perceive to be a cynical tone that comes across as, dare I say, pompous. Oh sure I dare.

Why do churches host marriage seminars? Because people in solid marriages give more to the church?

Why do churches host worship seminars? Because comtemporary worship draws people who give more to the church?

How about going for the simple reason? Churches are looking to be relevent. What issues are causing the most pain amongst the members of churches, and how can those be addressed scripturally. Financial Peace has been around for nearly 20 years. Sounds like someone might be just a bit jealous of someone elses overnight success after years and years of hard work.

Maybe Mr. Hamm (apropos?) could leave his cynicism at the door next time he wants to grace us with his opinion.

[Michael W. Kruse]

You picked that up too. ;-)

How about, churches genuinely care about people in their congregations and communities, and since finances are such a major problem for so many people, they offer practical help with spiritual support?