Shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness and delight—a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts are fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens doors and welcomes the creatures in whom he delights. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be.

—Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. —Galatians 6:9-10

Contact: shalom@crcna.org, 1-877-279-9994

Financial ShalomSupporting and Sustaining Pastors for Ministry

What is the Financial Shalom project? A recent survey of Christian Reformed Church pastors revealed that many pastors have high levels of anxiety about finances, income, loans, and debt levels. They expressed how worries about their financial future affect their ministry.

As a covenant family, the Christian Reformed Church in North America desires that all of our pastors be kept in good health. This includes emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, and financial health.

To meet this expressed need, we launched a three-year project aimed at improving financial security and shalom for pastors. The Financial Shalom project provides training and resources to improve the financial literacy of pastors and congregations. It also includes grants to help pastors meet immediate needs.

The project has been made possible through a $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.’s National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders.

How will the Financial Shalom project support my pastor today?The mission of the Financial Shalom Fund is to provide assistance to ministers of the Word and commissioned pastors within the CRCNA who face financial challenges that impede their well-being and their ministry.

STUDENT LOANS

Pastors with significant student loan debt may apply for a grant.

CRIT ICAL F INANCIAL NEEDS

Pastors with specific financial burdens such as health bills, medical emergencies, mortgage payments, debts, or other unforeseen financial crises can apply for a grant.

CHRIST IAN DAY SCHOOL TUIT ION

Pastors who send their children to Christian day schools and do not receive any tuition assistance from their church can apply for a grant for tuition expenses.

SALARY SUPPLEMENT

The salary supplement funds a pastor up to an additional $12,000 a year ($1,000/month) for two years. The local church also matches the salary supplement in a laddered approach; the church gradually contributes more to the supplement till it provides the entire increase at the end of the two-year period.

RETIREMENT SAVINGS

The fund assists CRC churches and commissioned pastors in setting up a retirement vehicle (SIMPLE IRA, IRA, 401K in the United States, or Registered Retirement Savings Plan in Canada) that best fits their situation. We do not manage the plan but assist in its creation by funding some of the initial setup fees.

How will the Financial Shalom project sustain my church and pastor? One aim of the Financial Shalom project is to strengthen the long-term financial literacy and management skills of pastors and congregations by offering the following:

RESOURCES

• A wide variety of financial resources specific to pastors and their churches are available on the Network (crcna.org/Network).

• Check out ChurchExcel.org/CRCNA—a resource hub featuring valuable financial information from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). Your free subscription includes access to tax guides, webinars, podcasts, ebooks, and much more. (Materials available in English, Spanish, and Korean).

• Grants to cover some of the costs of personal consultation with a financial professional.

TRAINING PROGRAMS

• Church Stewardship Training: Stewardship programs are offered by Barnabas Foundation (US) and Christian Stewardship Services (Canada) at no cost to the church.

• Personal Financial Management Program: Pastors are encouraged to engage in personal financial management training. Scholarships are available for pastors and spouses to participate.

• Bivocational Ministry Training Program: Pastors considering bivocational ministry may apply for scholarships to help with costs of training and assessments. (Available soon.)

For detailed information, please visit: