Good $ense Budget Course
Leader's Guide
Step One - Providing the Community of Christ Foundational Message
A Disciple's Generous Response
Introduce the six principles of
A Disciple's
Generous Response. This provides the context within which Good $ense
ministry will be most meaningful for Community of Christ members and friends.
Resources include PowerPoint presentations and
information about tracts (A Disciple's
Generous Response,
Tithing,
World Mission Tithes) and the book
Becoming
a Generous Disciple--Six Principles to Live By that explore personal
generosity and financial stewardship as an individual's response to God's grace
and love.
Step Two - Introduction to the Willow Creek--Good $ense Web
Site
Learn more about Good $ense at www.goodsenseministry.com
(Willow Creek).
Key orientation and support sections of this Web site include
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Step Three - Creating the Audience
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Offer this ministry "for and with" the
congregation to include members, friends, family, neighborhood, community, and
other churches
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This class is for everyone--not just people in debt
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Reach out especially to offer this to young adults and
others who are not currently active with the church
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It will nearly always be best to offer a separate class for
high school and college students.
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Invite seekers and others without a church home
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Encourage married and committed couples to attend together
or at least complete the pre-work together
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A separate session could be created for pre-marital
counseling
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Step Four - Ordering Resources
All resources are conveniently available directly from Willow Creek. See
"ORDER HERE" instructions below.
A complete Good $ense kit is provided to each mission center for
$150.00 (less than half price). E-mail the
Presiding Bishopric's office to
request reimbursement for the difference.
--Implementation Guide and Video (VHS)
--Budget Course Participant and Leader Guides, PowerPoint CD and Video
Vignettes (VHS) — DVD Vignettes can be
ordered separately for $31.99 (discounted price)
--Counselor Course Participant and Leader Guides, PowerPoint CD and
Video Vignettes (VHS)
It does NOT contain the DVDS of Dick Towner teaching the Budget Course,
with the PowerPoint presentations and the Video vignettes imbedded on the
DVDs.
Good $ense Budget Course – Expanded Edition $99.00
(discounted price)
--Leader Guide
--Participant Guide
--Video Vignettes DVD
--PowerPoint CD-ROM
--DVDs of Dick Towner (the originator of the material) teaching the
Budget Course, in which he uses the PowerPoint presentations and the Video
vignettes. These are also imbedded on this DVD.
--Financial Freedom ---4 CDs teaching/preaching series
Good $ense Budget Course – Small Group Edition $19.99
(discounted price)
--Participant Guide
--DVDs of Dick Towner (the originator of the material) teaching the
Budget Course, in which he uses the PowerPoint presentations and the Video
vignettes. These are also imbedded on this DVD.
--Facilitator's Guide
(PDF 213k) is available online to download.
The following resources can be ordered individually:
- Budget course participant guide - $9.59 (discounted price;
quantity discounts also available) — June 19
and after price - $12.00
- Budget course leader guide - $47.99 (discounted price)
Not sure what to order?
The Complete Kit is designed as a reference and usage piece for mission
centers that are going to implement the entire ministry. The idea is that
there are several team members who "champion" the ministry and are willing to
teach classes and provide follow-up support. It contains everything a group
needs to implement the ministry except the DVDs of Dick Towner teaching
the course. (Also, the DVD of the Budget Course drama clips can now be ordered
separately.)
The Expanded Edition provides for a combination of teaching and
facilitating with a separate PowerPoint CD-ROM and the video vignettes on DVD.
The Small Group Edition is designed as a "turn key" resource where someone
is interested in facilitating a group but does not feel comfortable actually
teaching the class. The Budget Course Leader's Guide (purchased separately) allows the facilitator to
follow along with Dick Towner and see what is presented.
ORDER HERE: Online at
Willow Creek or
call 1-800-570-9812 in the United States.
NOTE: Orders placed by the Mission
Center are eligible for a 20% discount. The Willow Creek membership
number will be provided to the MCFO. Orders can be mailed to any
location requested. All purchases must be made with a credit card.
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Team teaching has significant benefits.
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Consider the pros and cons of a one-day versus
multi-session class.
Seven-session
Format (pdf, 21kb)
Six-session Format
Two-session Format
One- to Three-day
Retreats
One-day Workshop
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Consider linking the Good $ense course with another
event such as Bible School.
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Select a location/facility.
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Consider the need for and availability of childcare
provided by a
registered
youth worker.
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Determine the charge per participant (paid in advance) to
cover expenses such as the book, supplies, meals, childcare, etc.
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Publicize extensively. Use the orientation video
from the Good $ense kit. See
Promotional Assistance.
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Encourage committed couples to attend together by offering
a discount.
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Determine the number of attendees and order needed
resources.
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Participant pre-work is very important. Mail copies
in advance to registrants.
Pre-work
(PDF, 270kb)
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Have someone with technical skills available to help with
computer hook-up and video presentation or
opt for a low-tech teaching approach.
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Create an evaluation form.
Budget Course participant evaluation sample
(MS Word, 30.5kb)
Teacher training evaluation sample
(MS Word, 28kb)
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Prepare a course orientation/overview. (sample)
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Prepare A Disciple's Generous Response introduction to
establish the foundational principles for a Community of Christ
class. (PowerPoint presentations and
tracts)
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Provide participants with a folder for handouts and
worksheets:
Personal
Action Step Reference Log (MS Word, 26kb)
"A
Conversation with Tony Campolo," (pdf, 1.23mb)
Giving, Vol. 4, 2002
Note on copies:
"Reprinted by
permission. Copyright 2002 Ecumenical Stewardship Center."
A Disciple's Generous Response
tract
Tithing
tract
World Mission Tithes
tract
Evaluation Plan
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Step Six - Once Class Has Begun
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Balance the need to cover all material with people's need
to dialogue. Only extend time allotted if ALL participants
agree. (Note: Times stated in the leader's guide do NOT
provide for discussion or extemporaneous comments.)
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Begin and end on time.
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Have "counselors" present to help participants
as needed during work sessions. (See page 54 of the Implementation
Guide.)
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Ensure confidentiality.
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Step Seven - Follow Up
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Encourage accountability partnerships. These may be
developed with others who have or have not taken the Good $ense
class.
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Make phone calls and send personalized notes of
encouragement.
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Consider an extra follow-up session a certain number of
weeks later to talk about struggles and successes, provide additional
support, and receive feedback.
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Offer one-on-one mentoring from trained counselors if
available.
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Provide participants with the Practical
Application Checklist (pdf 6kb).
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Provide participants with the Debt
Consolidation Process (Word 21kb) or consider offering the
Debt Reduction Workshop.
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Step Eight - Provide Feedback
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