Information for churches
Credit Action has a long history of working with churches. Keith Tondeur founded the charity in the early 1990s with support from the Jubilee Centre in response to the growing number of people that came to him with money issues. He was struck by the devastating effect of debt on people's lives. As a Christian, Keith saw that money was a key theme within Jesus' teaching. He recognised that the church had much to offer in supporting people in financial difficulty and promoting good stewardship of money and resources. Credit Action initially developed an on-the-ground presence through its church based volunteer network which, in 2006, was transferred to Stewardship Money. Although we no longer have a volunteer network, we recognise that the church has a valuable part to play in helping people both inside and outside the church with money and we are keen to ensure that church based money management projects have the support and tools they need.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from 
darkness for the prisoners
Isaiah 61:1
Why get involved?
Not many Christians realise that Jesus spoke more about money than virtually any other subject. He taught that how we manage our money and how we respond to others in need is of vital importance.
People in financial difficulty are often desperate, held captive by their debts and unable to see a way out. By helping people caught up in the trap of over-indebtedness we are offering real hope to people by setting them free of the control that money can exert. It is usually the case that the debt problem is only the tip of the iceberg. The church can provide an important extra dimension by caring for the individual's related personal traumas and spiritual needs.
Starting up
If you have a heart for those struggling with debt and are looking for ways that you can help your community to manage their money and avoid debt, we at Credit Action would love to discuss the types of projects that you could consider. Take a look at the information for organisations page for some of the ways that community groups and churches can help people with debt and what Credit Action can do to support you with your money projects. Ideas listed range from simple, low-cost posters to setting up a debt advice centre or credit union.
One of the most powerful forums that the church has for equipping and inspiring people to action, in both their own finances and in helping others, is through Christian teaching on money and possessions.
Bible study notes for Keith's book, Your Money and Your Life, and for Your Money Counts, produced by Credit Action and the Family Matters Institute, are available via our publications page.
Stewardship Money have a wide range of resources for churches including sermon notes, prayers and intercession, magazine articles, reflections and small group and children's activities on their Red 2 Black website: www.red2black.org.uk. Further resources for churches are also available on the Stewardship Money website: www.stewardship.org.uk/money.
For further ideas on how the church can help others and case studies of projects that other churches have set up, you may find Credit Action's Guide for Churches publication useful. This is also available via our publications page.
To read some case studies about projects that other churches have set up, click here.
Useful Organisations
There are a number of christian organisations providing money education and advice support and resources.
Stewardship - www.stewardship.org.uk/money
Stewardship is the national Christian financial support services charity. Their money education team, Stewardship Money, provide resources and training for churches to support preaching and money ministries within their churches.
Community Money Advice - www.communitymoneyadvice.com
Community Money Advice (CMA) help churches and other organisations set up advice centres and provide on going support to them.
Christians Against Poverty - www.capuk.org
Christians Against Poverty is a national debt counselling charity with a network of centres based in local churches.
Crown Financial Ministries - www.crownuk.org
Crown Financial Ministries is a Christian money education charity who work to make the Bible's teaching on money, wealth and possessions accessible to all through study resources, practical guidance and their volunteer network.
Evangelical Alliance - Life Beyond Debt - www.eauk.org/lifebeyonddebt/
Life Beyond Debt is the Evangelical Alliance's response to the current economic crisis and brings together resources from many of the leading Christian organisations that work in money and debt advice.
Church of England debt resources - www.cofe.anglican.org/debt
This website brings together resources for churches and church leaders to respond to issues of debt. It includes prayers, preaching resources and downloads.
