Double Your Dollars for C2FM

News October 22, 2018

The Clergy and Church Financial Ministry (C2FM) is making a difference for Missouri’s pastoral leaders. On #GivingTuesday (November 27) you can join the cause with an online gift at www.mumf.org/giving-tuesday. Even better – every dollar will be matched by a grant from the Lilly Endowment.

“Our one-day goal is to raise $5,000,” states Myles Hinkel, the Director of Development for the Missouri UM Foundation. “The Lilly matching challenge really increases the impact of every gift.”

Each gift funds the direct aid component of the C2FM program. “Student debt is a huge challenge for many of our younger pastors,” says C2FM director Chris Bouchard. “When we can come alongside with some financial coaching and some debt relief, it can often make the difference between success and burn-out.”

C2FM has already awarded over $169,000 in direct aid and provided over 420 hours of financial coaching. Over 220 pastors have utilized at least one C2FM service. “I feel truly blessed and honored to work with these dedicated leaders,” states Bouchard. “Even more gratifying is seeing a pastor gain renewed confidence that, in turn, impacts a whole congregation.”

Reverend David Stewart partnered with C2FM to start a new financial ministry in his congregation. “We actually have some unchurched people who had a need and … have become part of the class,” states Stewart. “When you begin to have those conversations, people open their hearts up and … God can do something amazing.”

Giving Tuesday is a national and even global phenomenon that harnesses the power of social media to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity. It is also a mindful counter-weight to the more commercial excesses of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

As David Atkins, executive director of the Missouri United Methodist Foundation which sponsors C2FM notes, “United Methodist congregations preach, teach, nurture, and model generous living in communities across Missouri. We hope that C2FM and Giving Tuesday can become a new tradition within our connection.”