Financial Stewards

Strategic Excellence Program for Pastors:

Equipping Pastors to Become Excellent Financial Stewards

inancial wellness is something that is always in the forefront of every Pastor’s heart and mind: wellness not only for their congregation, but also for their family,” says Rev. Daryl M. Washington, Sr. Pastor of St. Mary’s Baptist Church. “Stewardship is the foundation for pastors and churches, ” he continues. So, when names were submitted by Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin, DCBC Executive Director/Minister, to take part in the Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board’s (MMBB) Strategic Excellence Program for Pastors, Rev. Washington and his wife, First

“F Lady Jo’Ann Washington, and Rev. Cynthia J. Rioland, First Lady and Executive Pastor of Paramount Baptist and her husband, Rev. Kenneth Rioland, Sr. Pastor of Paramount, were very excited to participate. The program, funded by the Lilly Foundation, was held February 1 and 2 in Orlando, Florida, for pastors from around the country and their spouses. It is designed to help pastors become better stewards of their finances,as well as of theirchurch’s finances. “Participants were afforded the opportunity to connect and share candidly with one another and had some very real and honest

discussions about the multifaceted dynamics of stewardship. Clergy taxes, budgeting, investments and retirement were some of the financial matters discussed over the course of two days,” explains Rev. Cynthia Rioland.

It has been found that many pastors retire only to discover that they do not have the means to live comfortably. Rev. Rioland and her husband recalled that they were asked thought-provoking questions that caused them to reevaluate their spending habits. Time was also spentworkingin small groups, which proved beneficial as participants worked on financial worksheets and questionnaires. “We could feel the Holy Spirit shifting our outlook on faith and finances as couples shared how they would hold each other accountable to reach the goals they set for their individual households,” adds Rev. Washington.

The Strategic Excellence Program for Pastors is a three-year program that will meet with each couple once a quarter via Zoom to get updates on their financial progress. The journey will include discussions of God and money for the churches in matters of clergy taxes, budgeting and investments, to name a few. In addition, each couple was assigned a financial planner to assist in goal setting.

“We are excited to take this three-year journey and grateful to the District of Columbia Baptist Convention for the opportunity to participate in this meaningful experience. Thank you also to MMBB and the Lilly Foundation for making it all possible. We are looking forward to receiving the blessings that God has in store for us, and we will share with the DCBC convention, as financial wellness will also bless members churches,” says Rev. Washington.

This feedback on the Strategic Excellence Program for Pastors is provided by Rev. Cynthia J. Rioland, First Lady and Executive Pastor at Paramount Baptist Church and her husband, Kenneth Rioland, Sr. Pastor of Paramount, and Rev. Daryl M. Washington, Sr. Pastor of St. Mary’s Baptist Church, and his wife, First Lady Jo’Ann Washington.

Empower 501: Foundations for Christian Coaching

The next DCBC Coaching Ministry session, “Empower 501: Foundations for Christian Coaching, ” will be held online. Class dates and times are as follows: • Monday, June 6, 1–4:30 p.m. • Tuesday, June 7, 8:30 a.m. –4:30 p.m. • Wednesday, June 8, 8:30 a.m. –12 noon