Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of meeting with new candidates for ordination in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church.
The process of becoming ordained as an elder in full connection takes several years. It’s a journey filled with formative steps that support the candidate’s discernment, preparation and understanding needed to fulfill their call to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a clergyperson.
During the candidate retreat, I discussed financial wellness as a vital part of the journey to ordained ministry. A key takeaway from the session is that financial awareness, planning and stewardship — or lack thereof — are the greatest assets or threats to their call to serve.
Luke 14:28-30 teaches us, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?”
I don’t believe I shared any new information with them. Yet, when it comes to finances, it is always a good practice to revisit how we are learning and growing to be the most effective stewards we can be. By doing so, we can best use the blessings and resources with which we have been entrusted.
The handling of finances should be a spiritual discipline in the same way prayer, service and study are practiced, and future clergy are not the only ones who need to be reminded. A recent study revealed that household debt grew by $351 million (2.2%) to $16.51 trillion during the third quarter of 2022.
Everyone can benefit from a refresher on the importance of communicating with a spouse about finances, closely tracking expenses and saving money. We can be better stewards by exercising restraint in purchasing wants vs. needs, seeking professional counsel for financial planning and working to reduce our amount of debt. In this new year, may you continue to make examining and understanding your finances a priority.
As always, the Florida United Methodist Foundation remains available to help guide you to resources that can help you, your church and your household explore building your tower.
Together, we can become faithful stewards of our resources and see each of our towers to completion.
Ed New is the president of the Florida United Methodist Foundation.