ISSUE 22 | JANUARY 2012 | CENTRALCOMMUNITYCHURCH.CA DECODING YOUR FINANCES BIBLICAL BASICS ON HOW TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE A Beautiful Collision HOW TWO CHURCHES ARE POISED TO MAKE A HUGE IMPACT AT BROCK UNIVERSITY TOGETHER Confessions Of A Pastor MUSINGS ABOUT MONEY AND THE CHURCH FROM A LEAD PASTOR Niagara Falls Campus Launch Who HATES TO TALK ABOUT MONEY campus pastor Justin driedger talks about What it Will take to launch our neW campus on Jan 28th WE are putting the call out WE are looking for talented neW musicians to be A part of the central team at all 4 of our campuses if you are interested in being A part of the team simply come and meet one of our Worship leaders in the lobby ON Sunday January 15 & 22 to start the process. Need To Know 10 partnership Why partnership matters and how to become a partner at Central. BY EMILY SLUYS 8 12 confessions OF A pastor A BEAUTIFUL COLLISION A candid and honest look at life, faith and church from the The launch of our new Collide perspective of Lead Pastor Bill student ministry partnership with Markham. Southridge on campus at Brock. BY BILL MARKHAM WELCOME TO CENTRAL BY ROY OLENDE 2012 is now here. We are starting off the New Year as a church with a look at money. This particular subject matter tends to elicit an extreme range of emotions from us and is generally uncomfortable to deal with as a whole church in a public 19 way, but I’m not convinced it should be that way. niagara falls campus launch Everything you need to know about Last fall, my wife and I took the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class that our church was offering and two our official Niagara Falls campus 23 Information words could sum up that thirteen week experience: LIFE CHANGING. Dave talks about money with refreshing cander, launch on Jan 28th. financial peace matter-of-factness and honesty that can be both alarming and empowering. One of the things that he brought to our Getting control of your money. A attention early in the course has stuck with me. While talking about the stigma money has in churches, he quoted the BY JUSTIN drIEDGER preview of our winter Financial 16 famous verse in 1Timothy 6 where Paul says “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil”. Like most of you, I’ve heard Peace University class. JANUARY calendar that verse a thousand times, but Dave highlighted one key phrase “the LOVE of money.” He went on say that money BY MIKE HICKS Your one-stop-shop for all the wasn’t the problem, it was the love of it that was the real problem. I had never thought of that distinction before. major events happening this 24 month at Central. In our churches we often shy away from talking about money, but at Central this month, we are going to face that subject neW staff introduction head on. Not because we want to make money a big priority around here, rather, we want to put money in its rightful An introduction to our newest staff place and teach you how to manage it and make it work for you, not you always working for it. member Natalie Vanderwier as she explains her new role and thoughts 26 28 We are starting a new cycle of FPU (Financial Peace Class) and I want to encourage you to consider taking the class, even on Central. Why I love kids camp for your information if you are great with money and feel as though you need no help. Dave Ramsey has devoted his life to understing money A short speech written to his class Important information about the from a biblical perspective and his course will challenge, inspire and motivate you to master money in your life. BY NATALIE VAndERWIER by one of our campers explaining church, its finances and families. why he loves kids camp. Andrew Plett Print & Publications Director BY ASHLEY BERTI Editor In Chief 30 Real Life STAFF DIRECTORY Contact information for the staff 11 14 at Central Community Church. the day Was perfect FROM UNDERDOG TO CHAMPION A LifeGroup’s call to make a How the story of the ‘67 Jets can 31 difference in our world. teach us a new lesson about handling our personal finances. campus contact+information BY LorI PUNTon Campus contact, information and BY DAVE RAMSEY weekend experience times. CONFESSIONS OF A PASTOR MUSINGS ON FAITH, LIFE AND OUR CHURCH {Shhhhhhhh} “There are few things that cause awkward discomfort in churches like the subject of money.” I hate talking about money. One reason and you need to STICK TO IT! If you have never done this, then pick is because I don’t like conflict and this up the book from the library and allow Dave to show you how. An- other great option for you is to join the Financial Peace University subject tends to bring the worst out of that we offer here at Central. A new class starts in January. When people. The other reason is that I am not you are able to manage your finances, it gives you the freedom to naturally financially savvy. have fun and to be generous which is the greatest joy of all when it comes to our money. Ramsey offers hope by telling you, from his I have had to learn the hard way, to be very disciplined in this personal experience and the experiences of others, that YOU CAN area of my life because when I am not, I bring unnecessary MAKE IT! This book gives the wisdom you need, but addition- pain and frustration into my existence. (Especially when I ally gives testimony after testimony of people who were $80,000 am trying to pay off all the bills that I racked up over Christ- in debt or $120,000 in debt and became debt free by following mas). One thing that I have found to be helpful is reading Ramsey’s advice. It is a great read! And his principles, if applied, books from experts who explore ways to navigate this dif- can bring financial peace. ficult subject and find financial freedom. One such book is Dave Ramsey’s book, “The Total Money Makeover” which From my life experience, I can tell you with integrity that whenever also has a workbook that goes along. Although some may feel I have honored God with my resources, He has always provided. that his methods are overly simplistic, I believe that they of- Sometimes it has been through miraculous intervention, but most fer an amazing platform for getting yourself out of financial often it has come through my discipline and refusal to buy into our bondage and the stress associated with it. cultural lie that I am defined by my stuff. I have learned that when I put God first in ALL areas of my life, I win. Ramsey gives a step-by-step approach to getting out of debt, saving and investing for the future. But he gives you more. Karlene and I have learned to be generous and to invest and this has People in financial trouble need more than a method; they brought us great joy. We are constantly looking at ways to ‘tighten need hope. Dave’s mantra: “If you live like no one else, later our belt’ so that we can have the freedom to live the way we believe you can live like no one else.” He begins by talking about the God has called us to live. I believe wholeheartedly in the words Paul major myths surrounding money and how believing them gave his young apprentice Timothy: “But godliness with content- will cripple your ability to find freedom. He encourages you ment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we to be honest about your situation and be willing to take the can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will hard steps to walk out of the dungeon of debt. Ramsey gives be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation very practical advice on how to make this happen. Here is a and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge quick overview of his “baby steps” to financial freedom: people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered Baby Step 1: Save $1,000 cash as an emergency fund. I know from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, this may seem impossible to you, but he gives great ideas on man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, how to make this happen. Baby Step 2: Pay off your debt. In- faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the stead of being overwhelmed by your debt, break it down into faith. Take hold of the eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6:6-12 manageable monthly payments and discipline yourself to pay them off.B aby Step 3: Save three to six months expenses May God give you this wisdom and courage to become a great stew- in an emergency fund that you do not touch, unless it is a ard of His resources! major emergency. baby step 4: Begin to attack your mortgage and create a strategy to pay it off. Baby Step 5: Invest in your retirement, children’s education, and smart assets.