Permanent Funds Ministry

The Ministry of Permanent Funds

Premise:
The entire realm of planned giving is becoming more known in the general population as one generation known for its hard work and modest lifestyles plans for an unprecedented transfer of wealth to the next generation. Both the giving and the receiving generations are in great need of assistance in this transfer.
Churches not only an opportunity, but a responsibility to be of assistance to its members as they attempt to make a spiritual statement with their accumulated assets just have they have with their discretionary income over the years.

Plan:
Introduce the church’s efforts in planned giving under the concept of the “Ministry of Permanent Funds.” This would not call for any legal change, but would introduce a working phrase which makes clear from the outset that the purpose, the only purpose, for the church to have permanent funds or a foundation is the for sake of ministry.
What is recommended for consideration is bringing into being an ad hoc group of members who would see the developing of new gifts as their quiet ministry within the church. While this group, the Permanent Funds Committee, would relate and report to the Session, it would not have terms of service, but would reflect a sense

Proposal:
The Permanent Funds Committee would bring into being a variety of educational opportunities designed to keep planned giving before the congregation in a quiet, but steady manner. These efforts would include, but not be limited to the following:
1. Become edified themselves along with others wanting to learn more about some of the basics of planned giving, split interest gifts, life income plans and the use of wills for making faith statements.
2. Develop a list of those persons associated with the congregation who professionally deal with these issues: attorneys, CPAs, estate planners, financial advisors etc.
3. Bring those persons together about every six months for encouragement in the use of their professional skills assisting members with planned gifts. Sharing the good news of those doing this along with keeping abreast of the resources available to the church and them such as Texas Presbyterian Foundation.
4. Regularly publish stories and reports in the church newsletter about those who have made provisions for the congregation in their estates and what this means to them. Some would, of course, be told confidentially.
5. Provide a winsome “minute for mission” about every six months telling the good news of such efforts.
6. Insert a letter from the Permanent Funds Committee into one of the quarterly reports which members receive concerning their regular giving reminding them of the joy of making an expression of faith from their accumulated assets just as they are doing from their income.
7. Make short presentations to as many groups within the church as appropriate to tell them the story of the foundation and its ministry within the church.
8. Call upon those members who request further information.
9. Make the professional staff aware of this ministry in such a fashion that they want to learn more and will see this as a supportive and supplemental part of their other responsibilities.
10. Conduct seminars as appropriate using outside resources as needed.
11. Bring into being a group that has been identified as having made provisions for the congregation in their plans. There are ways to do this that can make it available to persons of all income levels.

Kim Warner, Vice President
Texas Presbyterian Foundation
1-800-955-3155