Information for ChurchesThere are many churches and christian groups playing a significant role in turning individuals' lives around through money outreach ministries such as budget coaching, debt advice and money education outreach. Credit Action is passionate about supporting churches who are running or seeking to set up a money outreach ministry. |
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If you are in the early stages of looking at how your church can help people with debt and money worries, have a look at our 'Where do we start?' webpage or download our church factsheet. You could also book a Credit Action speaker to run a session on 'How the church can help people with money and debt'. Helping people with money issues doesn't have to be complicated but it has the potential to be life-changing for the people you help.
Credit Action can offer a range of support for both new and existing money outreach ministries including:
- Training - our Personal Budget Coach Training (PBCT) equips volunteers to work alongside individuals, helping them to develop an accurate, meaningful budget. Many churches offer a budget coaching service. This is a lighter option than setting up a debt advice centre which is an intensive and highly regulated area. However, it can be highly effective, providing the first line of support for individuals who are worried about their money but who may or may not need formal debt advice.
- Credit Action Community - this is a support network for those who are involved in, interested in or thinking about setting up a money outreach ministry. It offers a listening ear for questions, mentoring and news. New joiners also receive a free pack of resources. Click here to find out more and sign up.
- Credit Action Community On-line - this is a password protected area of the Credit Action website for members of the Credit Action Community. It offers resources, opportunity to discuss common issues and to find out or share news. To gain access, join the Community. If you already have access, you can log in here: http://communityvoice.creditaction.org.uk/login.html.
- The Money Course - this is a practical four week 'plug and play' money management course for churches to run in their local communities and congregations. It combines practical budgeting skills with biblical principles of money. Like others in the Alpha range, it comes from a Christian perspective but is suitable for use with those of no or other faiths.
- Community Voice Forum - this is an collaboration between Credit Action, Community Money Advice, Christians Against Poverty, Stewardship and Crown Financial Ministries. It offers those involved in various money ministries the opportunity to raise and campaign on issues of money and debt, influencing not just individual lives but helping to prevent others from finding themselves in the same situation.
- Resources - our moneymanuals range of guides offer down-to-earth information for people in a variety of situations including students, single parents and those in debt. Printed copies can be ordered from the Credit Action office or on-line and they are free to download.
- Tools - tools such as Assisted Debt Remedy can be a valuable resource for churches seeking to help individuals in debt. Debt Remedy is the online debt counselling tool from our sister charity, the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS). In addition to being able to input a budget, it also provides a diagnostic based on the same decision logic that the CCCS counsellors use. Click here to find out more.
- Money education - contact us if you would like us to run a budgeting workshop for your congregation or local community.
- Articles and events - please contact us if you would like us to write an article, or provide a speaker or a stand for an event.
Why should the church get involved?
Money is a large and unavoidable part of our lives. The bible has much to say about our attitude to money, how we manage it, what we give and how we treat others. As we see how people 'have pierced themselves with many griefs' through the pursuit of money (1 Timothy 6 10), it is clear that biblical wisdom on money has great relevance to our secular society.
The effects of debt are crippling, holding individuals prisoner, and disproportionately affect the poorer in society. This offers us a powerful opportunity to bring freedom to those who are struggling with debt and to demonstrate the all-encompassing, unconditional love of Jesus.
