Financial Coaching

Are you in debt and struggling with how to become debt free? Have you tried budgeting before, but just can't stick to it? Do you feel unequipped to lead your family financially due to not being taught how to manage finances? Do you wish you could be more generous to the church, missionaries, and those in need? Do you need help making financial goals and planning for the future?

As a church, we want to help you live in financial freedom and joy. It may require courage and humility to reach out for help, but we believe you will be really glad you reached out once you begin to see the impact working with a coach can make. Our Financial Coaching Ministry offers individual or couple's coaching and financial classes. 

How does coaching work?
Our Financial Coaching ministry will do group events and classes from time to time, but our bread and butter is one-on-one coaching, or two-on-one for a couple. You and your coach will meet regularly to evaluate your financial situation, make goals and a plan, monitor progress, and problem solve.

How many meetings will we have?
You and your coach will typically meet 2-3 times in the first month to build a foundation and then 1-2 times per month after that. Most financial coaching that makes a lasting impact lasts 6-12 months total. The last several months are often simply check-ins, celebrating met goals, and updates.

Is it really a good idea to let someone else in to my personal finances?
We know it can be difficult to open up about financial struggles. It can be an area of shame, and the thought of talking about it may be scary. However, it is our hope and prayer that talking about it with a coach will be healing. Shame will dominate us until we are able to face it, talk about it, and apply the gospel to it. Our coaches are not just wise financially, but are also mature Christians. They are just as passionate about showing grace and helping you apply the gospel to your life as they are about celebrating financial wins. They are trained not only in numbers, but also in being trustworthy, confidential, and gospel-centered. We hope and pray that if you receive coaching through Sojourn, you will not only get help financially, but also experience the love and grace of Jesus through your coach.

What makes a good financial coach?
A good financial coach has gifting in teaching, but is also a great listener. They also understand and have personally applied wise financial principles. They have a passion for helping others and are patient, generous, humble, and grace-filled. A good financial coach does not only teach with words, but models by example. This means that they personally apply what they teach, such as budgeting principles and the value of generosity.  Finally, and perhaps most importantly, a good financial coach is a gospel loving person. They are able to apply the good news of Jesus to every area of life, including finances.

How can I get more info or express interest? 
Fill out the Interest Form at the bottom of the page. 

"Finances. That’s always a fun personal subject to talk about. Oh, and add the heavy weight of horrible budgeting, bank overdrafts, living paycheck to paycheck, and the desire to be free of this unhealthy lifestyle. The shame I felt especially with the prospect of getting married soon weighed so heavy on my heart like shackles. I needed help, but the thought of someone getting in my very personal, shameful, financial business wasn’t appetizing to me. Well, I just had to remember that I’m approved by God. Because of the gospel I have nothing to prove, no one to impress, and no identity in my finances, but identity in Christ. ...
I needed help, and I knew someone I could reach out to. Taking the initiative was difficult. Swallowing my pride. I was initially uncomfortable opening up. But I was soon relieved with a nonjudgemental, welcoming, ambitious attitude to tackle this beast called budgeting. And that’s exactly what we did. We TACKLED my finances. I soon felt comfortable handling finances. The worry of wondering "what’s in my bank account," "what bills are still left to pay," and "do I have enough to cover those said bills" died. It died! I felt invigorated! I KNEW what was in my bank. Every dollar had a name. It had its place.
My coach and I  were meeting weekly at different restaurants and breakfast spots. ... The coaching was practical and the environments added a level of ease and comfort. Eventually, as I got on top of my finances, we met twice a month. There was less of a need to be coached as I gained knowledge, wisdom, and the skills needed to to handle finances healthily. I learned to have an emergency fund, to put money aside for things that pop up every once in a while (like car maintenance or birthday gifts), and how to tackle debt properly. This lasted for maybe three months. It was one of the wisest decisions I’ve made in my life.
The BIGGEST benefit became tangible in my relationship with my wife (girlfriend at the time). I had a serious and transparent conversation with her about my finances... We had a budget for our dates and it was a big relief not only to me, but to her (who is more frugal than I). Fast forward about a year, and who would have guessed that I’d be handling the finances in our marriage? She saw how I handled finances while dating, and she knows that I am handling them well now. That’s God's grace. The gospel reminded me that I can come to the throne with my failings, sin, and yes, even my financial struggles. Not only that, but God created the body, the church, for community. To carry one another’s burdens. And by His grace, the burden and weight of financial anxiety has been lifted off of me in doing this."      - Marcus