Ministry Leaders

There are many non-profit organizations, ministries, churches, and mission sending organizations that wonder whether they are "doing" the right thing with their retirement plan.

Our future is a matter of heart. Your heart.

As Envoy continues to grow, serving more churches and ministries across the country and the world, we know planning for a future of service is not easy. It is made even harder when the financial services' industry insists on using green lines and toppling walls to encourage the masses to change the way they look at retirement.

There is a difference between law or regulation, opinion, and best practice.

For example, an issue arises and you check in with your attorney or CPA. They give you an answer and you go merrily on your way. Merrily on your way until you discover that your valued professional gave you THEIR opinion, not the law or current regulation.

Isn’t it amazing how much easier things are when you are on the right track?

Often times we think of tracks as a footprint or trace of anything that is left behind after an animal or vehicle has left an area. But tracks can also be thought of as the regular or normal ways we do or have done things.

A long time ago, Seneca, a Greek sage said, “Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.”

In a sad story told in the book Girl Interrupted, the lead character, Susanna Kaysen recounts her time in the hospital in this exchange, “I told her once I wasn’t good at anything. She told me survival is a talent.”

The “Pacemaker Doctor” showed up.

We are now almost 3 weeks into the 48 Hours that changed our lives, or “rocked our world” as my Grandson says. On a Sunday morning at 7:30, Judy, my wife of 53 impactful years, fainted while standing at her bathroom sink. The result was a nasty gash just above her nose. Oh yes, we were packed and heading to Germany that afternoon.

I came face to face with one of my leadership and interpersonal flaws this week.

When I find myself faced with an issue I’d rather duck, the issue suddenly becomes, “What will I do?” As I reflect a bit further, it becomes clear that the “What will I do about it?” becomes the next really big issue.

10 days ago our life took a dramatic turn.

Within 48 hours Judy and I went from packed and ready to leave for Germany to open heart surgery. Now that was totally unexpected and a severe shock to both of us. I’ve often heard the phrase, “My world was turned upside down.” I now know what that phrase means.

As Judy fainted she called out to me. “Bruce, come quick.”

It was Sunday morning about 7:30AM. We were dressed for church and packed for a trip to Germany. We were scheduled to leave on the 5:15PM Lufthansa flight from Denver to Frankfurt.

Today we welcome Dan Busby, President of Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), to the blog. Please read on as Dan shares about verifiable accountability and why it is important in our churches and ministries.