Financial wisdom for young leaders

by Karen Krueger

Guidance for young leaders to “save your bacon and help you be a good steward of your God-given resources” is the point of a list peppered with realistic tidbits by Bishop Mike Rinehart* of the Gulf Coast Synod. But when talking with a young adult in my own household about budgeting, it came in handy too.

There are lots of ways to talk about finances, but this article starts with tithing. He mentions what stats indicate, like: “you’re in debt up to your eyeballs with school loans” and “a couple of nasty credit cards… got the better of you.” But practically, “If you’re married, talk about it with your spouse.” And for pastors particularly, you are now “in the generosity business.”

How about considering a used car despite the almost irresistible “gleam of a new vehicle?” Then of course, there’s the hard-to-fathom retirement savings. A sample budget wraps it up.

In case it’s helpful to our young rostered folks or as a tool to talk with other young adults you know, check out “10 Financial Tips for Young Leaders.”

* “10 Financial Tips for Young Leaders” by Bishop Rinehart was posted to Connections: Stories of Ministry within the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, ELCA (April 25, 2017)