I am seeking to develop a financial discipleship model for churches that serve people of color. The $68 trillion wealth transfer tsunami is heading directly toward Black America, and it will hit in approximately 25 years (2045). Only 3% of Black families will be part of that wealth transfer. The social, political, and religious implications of this are startling. Covid-19 makes the wealth gap situation worse, and there are ministry implications. Those that minister to people of color must ask, “what does this all mean?” “How can my church engage in the call for justice? The church can serve as change agent if it works to increase these communities’ financial literacy, ownership, and legacy. The book implies these goals into one phrase: know more, own more, and pass down more. These objectives are biblical: ? Financial literacy Hosea 4:6 “destroyed by lack of knowledge.” ? Ownership Numbers 33:53 “possesses the land.” ? Legacy and Inheritance Proverbs 13:22 says, “Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for good people.” God’s desire/will is to manage money appropriately and leave an inheritance. Therefore, the church can play a vital role in community transformation if it sees the wealth gap issue and these goals through a missional lens. Addressing the wealth gap would need pastors with a mindset to BUILD PEOPLE OVER BUILDINGS. The church must shift from attracting more people toward building healthier people. Pastors must make the first turn (Malachi 4:6). Secondly, the church must ADDRESS WEALTH DISPARITY OR PEOPLE WILL LEAVE. Many of the poorest Americans are abandoning churches en masse. Research findings by political scientist Ryan P. Burge, Eastern Illinois University, point to wealth disparity as an issue. It is time the church widens its ministry lens. The local church should be the epicenter for financial healing. The Old Testament exodus can be compared to the New Testament’s concept of discipleship. True discipleship is a healing ministry. A disciple of Jesus trusts and follows Him and obeys His teachings. When Jesus said to “go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:18-20), it was a call to model Jesus’ example to operate in the same love, the same community, and within the same power. Post COVID-19, people will be more attracted to a faith that includes God delivering and healing people from financial bondage. There is a model for economic empowerment at the end of Acts 4. Likewise, Joel 2:25 speaks to God’s activity to restore what was eaten through his people. The church is primarily concerned with stewardship to increase generosity. PASTORS NEED TO GET BIGGER THAN GIVING! Financial healing is discipleship see 2 Thessalonians 3 the church must show them how to use their hands, generate income, save money and prosper. I seek to take this general audience work and enter the academy for The Doctor of Philosophy in Practical Theology.Show more
