Year Of The Comeback Update

5 04 2012

We are two months removed from the end of our sermon series “The Year Of The Comeback”. Finances was one of the major things we focused on for this year and we wanted to give a monthly update to our church that would give some encouragement, tips, tools or insights.  This year’s update is on “saving for the vacation of your dreams”.  This past December, after 4 years of saving as a family, we went on our dream vacation to Disney World.  It was AMAZING!  And we did it all with ZERO DEBT!!! That is even MORE amazing.  Here is a video from me and my family talking about saving for the vacation of your dreams.

Make sure and check out Joe Sangl’s blog HERE for some GREAT financial wisdom.  Also check out the web-site “I was broke now I’m not” HERE, for some GREAT tips, tools and insight on money management.

Part of the comeback,

Jeff


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Categories : Element Church, Finances, Updates, Video

FREE Financial Learning Experience (FLE)

17 01 2012

Coming up this Monday night, January 23rd at 6:30 PM, we are offering a FREE Financial Learning Experience (FLE) with Joe Sangl.  Joe, in my opinion, is THE BEST communicator and teacher out there on money management!

The reason we are offering this is, as I say in nearly ever sermon we do on money, we don’t want something FROM you we want something FOR you.  The FLE is a high energy, fun event where Joe will walk you through some very simple and strategic money management techniques.  Whether you are LOST financially, or even if you’re doing pretty good, you will benefit from Joe’s teaching.  If you put into practice the principles Joe teaches, you will see a MAJOR effect on your financial situation.

We are also taking away excuses for this event.  Not only is the event FREE, but we are also offering FREE childcare for you and your family.  There is NO reason why you should not be attending this event.  I’ve been to it three times before, and I’m going again!  You can sign up online by going HERE or at Community Central on Sunday morning.

When:  Monday, January 23rd at 6:30 PM

Where:  Element Church (600 E. Carlson, Cheyenne)

Who:  ANYONE

Why:  To live out God’s BEST for us in money management, REGARDLESS of income potential.

How:  Sign up HERE online or at Community Central at Element Church on Sunday.


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Categories : Community, Element Church, Finances, Updates

Giving Made Easy

17 05 2011

We announced on Sunday our newest and latest opportunity to financially partner with Element Church to help people experience LIFE to its fullest in Christ.  Element now has a secure, convenient and consistent giving opportunity for you through online giving.  This is not a blog about WHY we give or the Biblical truth about giving to God’s church.  I’ll save that for another time and another day.  This is though, a way you can choose to give to God’s Kingdom through Element Church.

We understand that in these times we live in, very few people carry their checkbook and even fewer carry cash.  We are a paperless society and we need to address that as a church.  We’ve had online giving through PayPal in the past, but with our new set up, it links directly to our bank account and to our financial management software that keeps track of your giving records here at Element.

So you might ask: Why should I give online?  Here are some of the key reasons we believe this could work for you.

1.  Online giving is secure & convenient.  You can give anytime and anywhere you have internet access.

2.  Consistency — While on vacation or away from town on business, you can still give to the mission and vision of your local church.

3.  MORE consistency:  You can set up an auto draft on specific dates or days of the month based on your pay period.  You can set up auto draft straight from your checking account, or with your debit/credit card.  (I have already set up my auto draft for my giving to happen on the 1st and 16th of each month when I get paid.  I LOVE it!  It is truly giving made easy!)

4.  You can get immediate online access to view current AND past contributions.

5.  You have the ability to print your giving statement anytime and anywhere.

6.  You can give to 3 specific funds in Element Church online:  Regular tithes & offerings, missions or IMPACT.

Setting it up is INCREDIBLY easy as well.  It will take you less than 5 minutes and here is all you need to do.  Click HERE to create an account and just follow the instructions.  If you do happen to have any questions or run into a snag along they way, PLEASE email our church office info@elementweb.net or call us 307-635-1316.  We hope this new option will help keep you connected financially to Element Church and God’s Kingdom.

To all you who are currently giving, we PRAISE GOD for you!  Every dollar you give is helping people experience LIFE and making an IMPACT in our community!  Thank you for trusting us with the resources God has given you.

Giving,

Jeff


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FREE Financial Learning Experience

9 02 2011

Coming up on Monday night, February 28th we are offering a FREE Financial Learning Experience (FLE) with Joe Sangl.  Joe, in my opinion, is THE BEST communicator and teacher out there on money management!

The reason we are offering this is, as I say in nearly ever sermon we do on money, we don’t want something FROM you we want something FOR you.  The FLE is a high energy, fun event where Joe will walk you through some very simple and strategic money management techniques.  Whether you are LOST financially, or even if you’re doing pretty good, you will benefit from Joe’s teaching.  If you put into the practice the principles Joe teaches, you will see a MAJOR effect on your financial situation.

We are also taking away excuses for this event.  Not only is the event FREE, but we are also offering FREE childcare and FREE dinner for you and your family.  There is NO reason why you should not be attending this event.  I’ve been to it twice before, and I’m going again!  You can sign up online by going HERE or by marking the appropriate box on your connection card on Sunday.

When:  Monday, February 28th

Where:  Element Church North Campus (600 E. Carlson, Cheyenne)

Who:  ANYONE

Why:  To get better at money management REGARDLESS of income potential.

How:  Sign up HERE online or on your connection card on Sundays.


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Categories : Element Church, Finances, Updates

Looking For Financial Freedom?

5 01 2011

Joe Sangl just posted his upcoming teaching schedule and thought I’d throw this out there already.  I know that many of you have come out of the Christmas season doing EXACTLY what you told yourself you wouldn’t do again.  You overspent and financed your Christmas gifts.  Some of you already are dreading the looming credit card bill that will arrive this month.  You’re not on a budget, you don’t have a plan, you want to be generous but you CAN’T because you’ve spent everything you own.  You can’t do what you’ve always dreamed of doing or what God has DESIGNED you to do because you’re in debt, in the dumps and in despair.  Well…DON’T LOSE HEART!  There is HOPE for your financial future.

Coming up in February, we are doing a series called “E:Trade:  Investing your money for the BEST return”  For the whole month we’ll be talking about being GREAT stewards of what God has entrusted us with.  The awesome news is, God talks about money management.  God gives us eternal principles that set us up to live a life that is blessed and a checkbook that is balanced.  I am SO excited about this series and the FREEDOM it can and WILL bring to peoples lives.

Along with the series, we are once again bringing in Joe Sangl to teach his Financial Learning Experience (FLE) to our congregation.  Joe blogged about his schedule HERE.  Joe is the author of several books.  ”I Was Broke, Now I’m Not”  ”Funded and Free” (with Casey Graham) and “What Everyone Should Know About Money…”  As far as I’m concerned, Joe is the BEST teacher on money management out there.  Not just the best “Christian” teacher.  THE BEST teacher on money management.  This dude is on a MISSION and he is FIRED UP!  (Listen to him for 30 seconds and you’ll catch that)  On Monday evening, February 28th, Joe will be teaching his FLE.  This opportunity is FREE and WE will provide childcare AND a meal for you and your family.

This is our first announcement of it, but if you want to pre-register early just email us info@elementweb.net.  Let us know your name, contact info, how many will be attending (we encourage couples to attend together), and how many kids you’ll need childcare for.  Whether you’re in a financial mess, you need a financial pick me up or just want a refresher on good money management, THIS is the event for you.  Don’t miss it.  Freedom IS possible!

Till the end,

Jeff


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Categories : Element Church, Finances, Updates

Jesus, The Church and Money

20 09 2010

Pastor Michael Lukaszewski from Oak Leaf Church in Georgia had a GREAT post on giving today.  Wanted to share it below:

Jesus said that where your treasure is, there your heart will be.  In other words, our hearts and our wallets are connected.  This is common sense really, because you can tell what I value by simply observing where I spend money.

There are many “Christians” (and I put the term in quote because I think there are a lot of people who consider themselves to be Christians but they are actually not) who say they love Jesus and love the church, but who give nothing.

Can I be honest?  If you don’t give to your church, then your heart is not there.  If you don’t sacrificially give like both the Old and New Testament describe, then no matter how much you say the church matters to you, it’s simply not true.  Your heart is where your money is.  You can try to justify things by talking about how you’re trying to get out of debt, how you’ll give when such and such happens, and how you give in “other” ways, but the reality of the situation is that you’re disobeying God.

You can get mad at me and accuse me of making it all about money, but I am simply echoing the words of Jesus.  The New Testament teaches that we are to be systematic, generous, intentional givers.  Not casual, give when you can, I’ll pray for you and be with you in spirit Christians.

I don’t give in order to buy God off or to earn the favor of God.  I give out of a spirit of worship, gratitude and thanks for what God has done for me.  I want my kids to be generous people, not selfish brats, and they are gonna follow my example.  It’s not a burden or obligation for me; it’s an honor.  I give because I’m PROUD of what God is doing at Oak Leaf Church and I want to support the local church.  And I give because God’s Word clearly tells me to give.

If you’re not giving, then I want to challenge you to obey God and start giving right away.

(I couldn’t have said it better)


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Categories : Discipleship, Element Church, Finances

Debt Freedom…It’s REAL

27 07 2010

Tony Morgan, who is Pastor of Ministries at West Ridge Church in Georgia, as well as a strategist, coach, writer, speaker and consultant who equips leaders and churches to impact their communities for Christ, mentioned Element Church on his blog today.  Tony was talking about Joe Sangl and the impact his ministry is having on churches AND church attenders across the country from his Financial Learning Experience.  Joe, his book I Was Broke Now I’m Not, and his WILDLY popular website josephsangl.com, have been instrumental in personally helping my family get organized and free in our finances.  Here is what Tony had to say on his blog:

Recently, I shared the dream of Joe Sangl for all of the people in our churches to become debt free. Check out the post.

I asked him to share some stories of churches where he has taught the “Financial Learning Experience (FLE)”, an interactive part of his ministry, I Was Broke, Now I’m Not. Here’s a small sample of the impact of Joe’s programs at a few churches.

NewSpring Church – Anderson, SC (Pastor Perry Noble)

  • Over 7,300 have participated in the FLE, 1-on-1 financial counseling, or I Was Broke Now I’m Not group study.
  • Giving has increased substantially and literally hundreds have become debt-free.

The Cove Church – Mooresville, NC (Pastor Mike Madding)

  • 1,083 adults participated in the FLE.
  • Taught an additional 239 high school students.
  • Pastor Mike Madding called it a “financial revival” and said,  “What an amazing thing God did. Thank you for following God and pursuing His plan for your life. You are making a very real difference in people’s lives. God has used you to give our people hope and a path out of the financial chaos of their lives.”

Element Church – Cheyenne, WY (Pastor Jeff Maness)

  • Taught the FLE twice.
  • Giving increased immediately by 18% in 2009 and 20% in 2010 and many are achieving debt freedom.

Joe often says, “When people become financially free, they are much more likely to go do exactly what they have been put on Earth to do!”  That is what I Was Broke Now I’m Not is all about. For more stories of financial freedom experienced by churches and families, visit Joe’s blog.

To learn more about partnering with Joe, fill out the contact form and a member of their team will be in touch with you to start the conversation.

——–

I can’t agree more with Tony.  If you are personally struggling with debt and financial struggles, you need to read Joe’s book I Was Broke Now I’m Not RIGHT NOW!  Get on his (wildly popular) web-site and download his free budgeting tools and start using them NOW.  If you are a church pastor wondering if you should book Joe for a weekend training event, wonder no longer.  (And NO Joe did not ask me to post this)  I post this because IT STINKIN’ WORKS.  When you put God first in your finances and then TELL your money where to go each month by using a budget, you start to experience financial freedom.

One family from Element took the Financial Learning Experience (FLE) this past January, then submitted to the 90 day challenge at Element Church.  In 90 days they paid off $16,000 in consumer debt.  They are now moving on paying off their car loans, and soon will be completely debt free (home mortgage remaining).  PRAISE GOD!  The look in their eyes knowing debt freedom is ATTAINABLE was awesome!

Another couple, who was WAY over their heads in consumer and medical debt, attended the FLE and started their journey toward debt freedom.  They sold just about everything they could afford that they owned, paid off one car loan completely, settled on much of their overdue consumer debt, started paying down their medical debt, and as of today are headed toward debt freedom (home mortgage remaining) by December of 2011.  WOO HOO! And that is just two out of MANY people who have been helped in our church by Joe’s ministry.

Thanks Joe for all your work in helping people achieve far more than they ever dreamed possible with their money!  Keep chasing your dream!

Till the end,

Jeff


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Categories : Blog Link, Element Church, Finances, Updates

Financial Learning Experience

20 01 2010

Hey Element Church!  Don’t forget, we are hosting Joe Sangl and the Financial Learning Experience this Saturday @ Element Church.  Joe is the author of the book I Was Broke, Now I’m Not and What Everyone Should Know About Money.  Joe was with us last year and was a HUGE help to so many people who attended the event.  Whether you feel like you have a good grasp on handling money or not, this event will be VERY beneficial for you.  If you are struggling with financial planning and budgeting, you NEED to come this Saturday.  You can still sign up by clicking HERE.  Also, if you are a part of Element Church, you DO have a GREAT grasp on financial management, and would like to serve your church by being trained as a financial counselor, you can attend the financial counselor training session on Saturday afternoon.  The Financial Learning Experience is from 9 AM – Noon on Saturday and the Financial Counselor Training is from 1 PM – 5 PM on Saturday.  We have a great group signed up so far and would LOVE to have you be a part of this.

Till the end,

Jeff


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Categories : Element Church, Finances, Updates

Putting feet to your faith

27 07 2009

IMG00831Had an AWESOME experience this week with the generosity of an Element family to another.  It truly is putting feet to faith and helping out someone in need.  We have a family in Elemnet who is working their way out of a major debt load.  They are doing things the right way.  Giving faithfully of their tithe to God’s church.  MAJOR spending cutbacks.  Selling possessions and getting on a healthy and balanced budget.  They had to get rid of a vehicle that was WAY over their budget so they were in need of another family vehicle.  Well, another Element family heard of their situation and felt led to help out.

One of the spouses had just received a work vehicle and so they were not in need of a mini-van they owned and was paid for.  So what did they do with it?  SOLD IT…just kidding.  They gave it to the family in need.  Straight up, no strings attached, putting feet to their faith generosity.  THEN today at church, they dropped a check on them to pay for new tires.  WHAT?  I LOVE IT!  That is what it’s all about folks.  It is so cool seeing people follow the prompting of God and being generous when He asks.

Inspired,

Jeff


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Categories : Element Church, Finances

Seeking…

21 07 2009

As you know, if you’re an Elementer, we are finishing off some space next to our welcome center into a coffee shop called The Well.  The Well is going to GREATLY increase ministry space for our youth ministry, AND, provide much needed relief of traffic flow and fellowship space on Sunday mornings in betwen services.  The Well is going to be a full service coffee shop and we really see it being a benefit to expanding our impact of our personal ministries, but also utilizing proceeds to increase our impact in the community and to community organizations.

In order to be full service, we needed a water line into that area.  Well, there isn’t one.  There were a couple options of tapping in to water at our bathrooms and running water up into the ceiling, all the way over, down the wall, and to The Well.  That was going to be super labor intensive and expensive.  We do have an Elementer who is a plumber that is helping us with the project, but even so, it was going to be a HUGE deal.

Well, we have some next door neighbors in our facility that we knew had water just on the other side of the wall.  We thought and prayed over what to do with the water situation.  We eventually said, “We know we want and feel like we should do a full service coffee shop.  To do that we need water.  What if we asked our neighbors if we could just tap into their water?  What’s the worst they could say?  ‘No!’”  We didn’t know how it could work, figuring out how much water we used and they used would be impossible.  BUT, we thought we should at least ask.

Yesterday, the General walks over and pops the big question.  All we had to offer them was free coffee and soda from The Well.  Their response?  “You can definitely tap into our water.  That’s not an issue at all.”  AND “Use as MUCH WATER AS YOU NEED!”  WHAT?  Talk about a GOD thing.  I was reminded of this Scripture.

Matthew 6:31-33  31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

I wanna be found seeking.  If we continue to seek, our Heavenly Father who already knows ALL our needs will give us EVERYTHING we need.

Seeking,

Jeff


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