More to Life - Significance

Are you looking to find more in your life? One boomer commented after early retirement, "We have been to the moon and back, is that all there is"? It would appear that when we give ourselves to the work of the Lord, our life suddenly takes on new meaning and long range (eternal) significance. In Romans 12:1 Paul urges fellow believers "offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — which is your spiritual worship." What does it mean to offer our bodies as living sacrifices?

Choose What to Accumulate

In America, we live in a society, which rewards those who are able to achieve. This is often measured by the things accumulated — all of which will rust, decay and burn. Many may not readily understand what you are called to do. Remember, the word sacrifice implies we will need to give up something. What are the things that God is asking you to give to Him? However, Jesus assures us only when we let the seeds of our agenda die in the ground, and allow His agenda to prevail in our life, does our fruit grow, 30X, 60X, 100X or even be multiplied by 5000.

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God's Provision What things do you need to sustain a reasonable western lifestyle? God is calling you to be effective in ministry, not necessarily asking you live below the poverty line in order to serve Him. It is reasonable to expect provision for shelter, food and clothing. You also need to consider health care needs, savings and investments for your future, and ways to recharge yourself on a periodic basis.

The Role of your Assets in Ministry You may be asking: "What role do my current assets play in providing for my ministry efforts?" Upon careful evaluation, you may find you are in a financial position, which enables you to provide for your retirement in future years. Right now, you realize you only need to find ways to provide funding for current travel and ministry funds, but living expenses you can handle. Others will find they need more expenses covered if they transition into ministry, perhaps for housing, health care, food, or travel. In essence, you currently may have enough assets to provide the long-term flexibility you desire. Most people refer to this as having their "retirement" funded. Return to top

Which Retirement? The entire boomer generation, Christian and Non-Christian, is challenging the conventional view of retirement. The Lord has planted it in our hearts to change the world, and He is not done with us yet. Naturally, your ability to consider your early "retirement" and eventual "retirement" funded depends upon your age, your lifestyle expectations and the value of your current assets, which could be designated for the future.

Fact Finding for your Current Financial State To evaluate your current financial position, a financial advisor could run basic calculations for you. If you would rather run these calculations yourself, there are websites available with basic financial planning programs. For a complete picture of your financial position, especially anytime your financial goals, needs or priorities change, it is advised that you work through the financial planning process. This process carefully considers your current financial position, whether this position will enable you to meet your goals, needs, and priorities ... your mission, and if not, what changes need to be made. Return to top

What Does It All Mean? The Bible has a lot to say about seeking advice. Finishers Project has developed a dynamic partnership with Master's Advisors, Inc. Master's is a team of Christian financial advisors who have designed and constructed specific strategies for persons looking to serve part-time, short-term or in long-term, full-time kingdom work. Their first commitment is to the Master first, therefore they pledge to bring a kingdom building perspective to financial planning. There is no fee for exploratory conversations. It is a safe place to obtain advice. You can learn more about the services they provide at www.mastersadvisors.com.

What Are My Next Steps? It is best to seek the assistance of a kingdom-minded financial advisor as their advice will more likely guide you to fulfill your life's mission. You may choose to explore working with Master's Financial or select your own financial advisor. With a net worth between $500,000 and $1,000,000 your eventual retirement is likely funded. You may be in a position to provide for a portion of your living expenses as you answer a call to ministry. Probably you will need to consider raising additional support to fulfill your ministry intentions and dreams. It is best to seek the assistance of a kingdom-minded financial advisor as their advice will more likely guide you to fulfill your life's mission. You may choose to explore working with Master's Financial or select your own financial advisor. Knowing you have a group of supporters behind you both prayerfully and financially during your ministry, including those potentially difficult times, can provide you great encouragement. Listed in the resource section below is a list of recommended books on fund raising. Return to top

Professional Advice To evaluate your current financial position, a financial advisor could run basic calculations for you. For a complete picture of your financial position, you should work through the Financial Planning Process with a like-minded professional to develop a plan that will allow you to accomplish the goals God has given you. Master's Financial Advisors is a safe place to explore options at no obligation or risk.

Raising Funds: If you find that you will need to supplement your own assets with financial support from other believers, the following three highly regarded books on the topic of raising ministry support might be helpful to you. Many moving into missions from a career find that raising support is very quick as they call upon a life-time of relationships.

Resources: The four most popular and well regarded books on the subject are listed here in date order. Click on each for an summary of the principles discussed in each and a link to the publishers web site for ordering. These are also available at your local Christian bookstore.) Friend Raising, Building A Missionary Support Team That Lasts,   Betty Barnett, c1991, YWAM Publishing. People Raising, A Practical Guide to Raising Support,   William Dillon, c1993, Moody Press. Getting Sent, A Relational Approach to Support Raising,   Pete Sommer, c1999, InterVarsity Press. Funding Your Ministry, Whether You're Gifted or Not!,   Scott Morton, c1999, Dawson Media. Our research of over 600 evangelical boomers shows the two biggest barriers to serving in missions is indecision as to whether this is God's will and money. For the issue of fundraising you are in the right place. Also see sections on calling and spiritual gifts for insight on the first issue.

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