Robert Keogh initiates his article by noting that everyone one us want to make sure we are trusting the right financial institution with our hard-earned money, but the growing number of products and services make it increasingly difficult for consumers to compare apples with apples. (www.news.com.au)
Every Christian family that relocates from one city to another, from city to a regional community or even one part of a city to another, recognises the validity of this statement when deciding upon which church to make their new spiritual home.
He introduces his six pointers to an ability of being able to simply compare when seeking the best financial institution for your individual needs and lifestyle.
These six pointers therefore provides a very opportune happenstance when seeking out a church for your family's needs and lifestyle.
All Church Lifestyle Surveys for at least two decades in Australia have confirmed over and again that Christians have little denominational loyalty. They look around and select a spiritual home that meets what they consider to be the optimum for their family. If they have primary age and or teenage children, they look for a church has an effective primary aged ministry and or a vibrant youth ministry.
It creates some interest when meeting Christians who have lived in numerous geographical locations and in each one, have made their church commitment to a different denominational church for these very realistic and common sense reasons.
One such family we know have worshipped over 30 years in different cities Presbyterian, Lutheran and Anglican churches. Another Uniting, Baptist and then Pentecostal. The list goes on and on. People can live with different theological emphasis but find it much more problematic when there is a dearth of ministry in their areas of practical needs.
Here are the six pointers:
Security
In the financial institution you choose to house your money needs to be trustworthy, safe, reliable and a creditable organisation. Translate that to the church scene, the church you're considering likewise should have those qualities. People run churches, there are those within churches who behind the scenes display aggressive authority power plays and its important to talk to people about what's happening behind the scene.
Service
In financial institutions customer service is critical, and so too in churches. Is it friendly and welcoming, did anyone talk to you after the service, were you invited to be shown around the church facilities and have explained the various services provided by the congregation and its agencies.
Convenience
Your financial institution emphasises convenience, Internet and phone banking, a handy ATM and the like. Likewise any local congregation, how convenient are its services or are they only available at limited time slots which are most inconvenient to your needs. They might suit 75% of those congregants but not to you, therefore is that church the right one for your working and family needs.
Features
The financial institutions products offered need to meet your individual needs, so make sure there is a good selection of packages that suit your lifestyle. So too in church life, and as a committed Christian, you too want to get involved and become part of the ministry of that church to its congregation and community. If those opportunities are unavailable to you, look elsewhere as a church nearby will gladly have you and your family on board.
Interest Rates and Fees
The article advisers to find an institution that will provide a strong return on your savings, while charging low fees on borrowed funds. Relating that to church life, it is imperative that the church has a Mission focus for its finances for if its not looking outwards there are problems afoot internally. Check out the church finances and its annual statements, ask around about the effective use of the tithes and offerings given by the congregants.
How to Compare?
These five financial considerations are tools to use to assess the banking institution you've selected and make use of online tools to help you compare financial products and services. It lists a number of these. A friend of mine when visiting the US when to a city where a major international church ministry existed and in a department store in that city, asked several of the staff (in general conversation) about that church. None of them had heard of it. In effect, that church had a magnificent international PR hype program bringing in millions of dollars but did little on the ground in their own community.
Ask around the community to ascertain about the various churches you have an interest in. You might be very surprised by the answers and review your considerations. Some Congregational leaderships are so theologically pure they've totally ignored the demands of the Scriptures of those in genuine need. Alternatively, they are so socially minded they've become a welfare club and have lost their first, second and third love for the Salvation message of Jesus Christ.
There you are – the six pointers ! Having said that, I realise, it's always easier said than done to ascertain these things. But having said that, not to do any due diligence sees families become so disenchanted that they leave church altogether. When a new family arrives at your church door, welcome them and illustrate the love of Jesus to them and how your situation might serve them and how they might enjoy involvement.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html
