SPECIAL EDITION | 2008 | WWW.KINGDOMADVISORS.ORG
ON PURPOSE
INTENTIONAL ADVISING FOR THE CHRISTIAN FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Changing to Meet The Need Opportunity Ministry Training Funding ing
tter ed this le e s s e r d d a tely, w e that I ciate: immedia years of lease not e ors Asso P is iv . t v u c d o e A y ff gdom bers. E rst five are with Dear Kin ws to sh m Advisors Mem explain. In our fi ately e n g in it approxim onths, gdo me o d exc t t in n e 6 K a L 1 t . ic y o t r m n a me dram s Associates and rom our vocabula membership fro the past several m trade I have so or sf our ially a et over om Advis bership and due ly by increasing d g rowth. Y dvisors as essent ially hear in g K l a t to n m n e e a m m d A no init m ating s abun se, is phe sitioned Kingdo rofessionals who ked the r u o are elimin od has blessed u c f o cial p . This, hen as ,G ave po any finan ociation. They t existence cial professionals victed that we h m t a h t an con ade ass as been 1,500 fin me increasingly ioning h f us as another tr y business?” it s o p o t c a e e to m gdom think o ult of th I have b s add valu ered Kin h . The res ors immediately r n id o s io is n t v o d ia c c A s asso alway Advis gdom eir fait we have ingdom does Kin egrate th s t a w in , o ys e t o H t a “ about K ic ls mun siona nt. Surve a estion s e m u e f o q m c o p e r t o p lo t a e l ed as legitim ess dev wanted financia or busin ed to be position ssion we hristian g e r C in p t d e e im k p r n of e a d ip t at all th ization that equ er been about m y, we nee leveraged positio and o t li n a s e a r w in This organ h the quip that, as nev g throug to be an l. This h enable, e nfirmed Advisors dvice and counse this past year co nt is God workin m Advisors is to he work of the a ut veme ting t ingdo into their embers througho . The mo ts. Our role at K a church suppor t n e m e m v r of a mo es of their clien nt than with ou support o differe v n li in e e r y a h r t t e t is c min impa f fear, ways, w ciates to n many h levels o unity ig h e our Asso at movement. I Th t disguise. ut also an oppor . r th e e in c w g la o p in p t s e s m b e le us l ark verbial b cial professiona model, it allows o in the m r y p r t e is h t in n e We m es may b enge for the fina pported ministry e to offer them. im t ic m econo we hav ably su h a chall y excited roubled reate bot erting to a charit enefit from what I am ver c . n y t io t in a Today’s t a ort the t iz v er . By con sional who can b ruit to an organ ed to do to supp and unc e r , y o t f e ie b x n e d c a re fes en iste never ex tian financial pro nt as opposed to n: “What do w e that has is io r m t s e h ? e v e” every C t the mo nswering one qu arketplac r o m p e p h u to serve t s sider if a o in be able t fully con s for focus on aithfully serving r e n y a a c r e p w e want to f as or as Also, ple Kingdom Advis are rs we are is move o . h t n is t v io u d it o A s b a om ing to ant tran at you al Kingd y import not substitute giv missionaries th r e v individu , y r e gation d v ake this Please do ch, ministries an any sense of obli sed m . y e ll w ia s c a n not feel our chur ay for us rt us fina the enclo am Please pr have you suppo urrently doing. Y r. Also, please do nancially. Read h you. I ec eve uld times fi hem wit is goodness g t s in God wo iving that you ar now more than s g u n c e is ll rt rg gh cha py to d hare H any othe need your suppo ally going throu than hap pportunities to s e r o m e n g o o ar supportin us if you are pers y questions, we providing many n t a is r e o d v p o a to sup t that G if you h and trus in need. ion and t y a ll m a r u o f in in ont erately for you c at is desp h t praying ld r o e to a w and grac hrist,
C Yours in
. Blue Ronald W t Presiden
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C O N T E N T S The mission of OnPurpose is to deliver engaging content to Christian financial professionals so they are equipped to integrate their faith into their practices and serve their clients by delivering faith-based advice.
FEATURES Such a Time as This 4 For Over the five year history of Kingdom Advisors, we have learned much and have much to celebrate. From sixteen original founding members to an army of 1,500 with more than 60 communities nationwide, the Kingdom Advisors’ story has been remarkable.
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Responding to God’s Call
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Meeting the Need, Embracing the Opportunity
Kingdom Advisors’ commitment to the vision of serving and ministering to Christian financial professionals has never been stronger, especially in the economic times in which we find ourselves today. Kingdom Advisors is uniquely positioned to help and support those professionals desiring to fulfill God’s call on their lives.
Building on our history and recognizing our unique opportunity, Kingdom Advisors is making core operational changes to a new Ministry Model, a new Training Model, and a new Funding Model. Offering a wealth of free resources, eliminating membership dues and expanding training opportunities are some of the bold initiatives on the horizon of our ministry.
Kingdom Advisor Testimony with Steven G. Scalici
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Kingdom Advisor Testimony with Randy Schroeder
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Kingdom Advisor Testimony with John W. Moore
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The Pathway of a Kingdom Advisor
ON PURPOSE
I N T E N T I O N A L A DV I S I N G F O R T H E C H R I S T I A N F I N A N C I A L A D V I S O R
KINGDOMADVISORS.ORG
Ron Blue President
Tony Stinson
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Chief Operating Officer
Kristen Burnett
What This Means To You Ron Blue Answers
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Chief Financial Officer
Rob West Editor in Chief
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Q
What is your vision for Kingdom Advisors 5 years out?
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Why is a ministry model the best model for Kingdom Advisors to use going forward to serve Christian financial professionals?
Scott Titus Editor
Kathie Wheat
A Look Toward the Future
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Editor
Kenny Ng Art Director Kingdom Advisors 5605 Glenridge Dr., Suite 450 Atlanta, GA 30342 Tel: 404-497-7680 Fax: 404-497-7685
F E A T U R E
A R T I C L E
For Such aTime as This… W
hen like-minded people, who share a deep faith and passion for helping others, come together, God can do amazing work. That is just what happened five years ago, when the organization’s foundation expanded to what has become the largest national network of Christian financial professionals. Kingdom Advisors’ roots were planted in 1997, when Larry Burkett, co-founder of Crown Financial Ministries, brought together 16 close friends and fellow professionals with a commitment to incorporating Biblical wisdom into their advice and counsel who formed the Christian Financial Planning Institute (CFPI). They began to prayerfully consider and plan for the creation of an organization that would help Christian financial professionals become passionate about experiencing purpose in their work, and also draw upon their faith when counseling clients. This core group shared a common vision: to create a network of Christian financial professionals trained to release the life-changing principles of Biblical stewardship. In 2003, they set forth on a mission to advance this vision by creating a new organization that would take the lead in reaching out to the financial professional community and would challenge them in attaining this objective. Originally known as the Christian Financial Professionals Network (CFPN) under the leadership of Ron Blue, the organization began to grow and thrive over the next four years, and in 2007 was re-named Kingdom Advisors with an even sharper focus on equipping and training Christian financial professionals. The initial organization was formed as a membership association dedicated to engaging, equipping and empowering Christian financial professionals to embrace the Kingdom Advisors vision and bring it to life in their personal and professional lives. With a focus
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on serving the financial professional community, Kingdom Advisors continues to strive to expand the knowledge and understanding of Biblical financial wisdom so that these unique professionals are prepared and resourced to integrate these principles in their practices and client counsel. Ultimately, Kingdom Advisors is helping Christian financial professionals to realize and activate their spiritual calling for Kingdom influence and impact. Kingdom Advisors supports this process through: • Inspirational and practical training that empowers professionals to integrate their faith and financial vocation. • Kingdom Advisors Communities and Study Groups that locally network professionals across the country for encouragement, support and accountability, helping them to implement their Kingdom Advisors training. • Annual conferences that bring together the Kingdom Advisors network for further inspiration, training and encouragement.
S T O R Y
God is blessing our efforts and the development of Kingdom Advisors. Today, there is an army of 1,500 Christian financial professionals in more than 60 communities nationwide who are engaged in pursuing this mission. They are finding purpose and meaning in their vocation, and are excited about the eternal impact they are having as they counsel their clients and work alongside their colleagues to live out their faith in their marketplace. Kingdom Advisors has assembled a phenomenal staff and support team, raised over $4 million in charitable support to fulfill the vision, and built a world-class training ministry. One of the most telling signs that Kingdom Advisors is meeting the needs of Christian financial professionals is that, on average, we continue to receive satisfaction and approval ratings of 98 percent from our members. Kingdom Advisors continues to challenge Christian financial professionals to consider their faith on a professional level, renew their commitment to faithful stewardship, and to respond to the opportunity to minister and serve their clients through their professional practice and counsel.
• Regional conferences that help local Communities form a broader network for support, and offer opportunities for professionals to meet for valuable networking and coaching. • A Kingdom Advisors qualification process that identifies competent, capable Christian financial professionals who are trained to assist clients by providing Biblically-based financial advice.
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RESPONDING RESPONDING Kingdom Advisors’ commitment to the vision of serving and ministering to Christian financial professionals has never been stronger, especially in the economic times in which we find ourselves today. We have been actively strategizing and preparing for our next level of growth and development, and we are excited about the exciting steps God has given us to move forward for the future. Imagine a “perfect storm” of circumstances that we believe God has orchestrated for such a time as this: (i) the current economic crisis with tremendous confusion and fear amongst clients and financial professionals, and (ii) a ministry which is uniquely positioned to provide the answers and security through timeless Biblical wisdom which so many are seeking. The opportunity for Kingdom Advisors has never been greater to equip and motivate Christian financial professionals to respond in faith to this unprecedented moment in history, to move beyond their own fears and concerns, and to help their clients do the same. Today’s turbulent economic environment has energized Kingdom Advisors’ faith in the timeless, unchanging Biblical financial wisdom, and the belief that, now more than ever, this wisdom will be embraced by a public that is desperately searching for answers to uncertain and seemingly hopeless financial situations. Kingdom Advisors has always emphasized that financial professionals should advise clients on a holistic basis – seeing themselves as trusted advisors with their clients’ financial advice and life counsel. We believe financial professionals can help clients build a stable foundation regardless of economic circumstance if they help their clients understand God is sovereign and in total control, that He will always provide for our needs, and that Biblical wisdom is always true. We also know that financial professionals themselves need continual help and support living out the calling God has placed on their lives, and Kingdom Advisors stands ready to partner with them on their journey. Christian financial professionals desire to deepen their Biblical understanding
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KINGDOM ADVISOR TESTIMONY Steven G. Scalici
TO GOD’S CALL of what is happening in the global marketplace so they can become more effective in making a Kingdom impact through their work. They also need Biblical and practical financial wisdom, in addition to networking opportunities to create community in order to help them transform their practices and their clients’ lives for Kingdom impact. In order to better help Christian financial professionals on this journey, and to further minister and support them in a challenging financial environment, Kingdom Advisors has spent much of this year evaluating the needs of our members and how we can help them best serve their clients. We have done extensive research reviewing the qualitative impact of Kingdom Advisors, and we have sought the feedback and counsel of our members through interviews and various focus groups discussions. The results make it clear that a growing movement of Christian financial professionals who have responded to God’s call to integrate their faith and their profession is emerging all across the country, and Christian financial professionals are hungry for resources to help them fulfill that calling. The implication of our findings is a confirmed sense of God’s direction for Kingdom Advisors to modify and enhance our structure and the way we carry out our calling as a ministry. Now is the time for Kingdom Advisors to step out in faith, embrace change and approach our vision in new and exciting ways. It is also the time for Christian financial professionals to take the next step in their journey with Kingdom Advisors – to progress from an initial calling to live their life with Kingdom purpose, to a fully integrated life with lasting Kingdom impact, to delivering Biblically-wise life and financial counsel to clients, and to ultimately mentoring and discipling other financial professionals to follow the same pathway. If we all take the next step together in this journey and bring others alongside us as we progress, we together can change the world. A renewed sense of urgency and a growing movement has arisen among Christian financial professionals and Kingdom Advisors – an urgency and movement sharply focused on ministering, serving, equipping, and energizing financial professionals to realize and grasp the incredible opportunity God has given us to affect this world through Biblical financial wisdom and advice. Kingdom Advisors is responding to God’s calling, we challenge you to do the same!
Steven G. Scalici, CFP®, Senior Vice President of Treasure Coast Financial Services, helps individuals and families discover and plan for their financial and life goals with investment management, financial planning and insurance planning services. Nearly five years ago, he learned about Kingdom Advisors and its resources to support advisors as they integrate their faith and their work. Today, he is upfront and open about his focus on incorporating a Biblical worldview into financial counsel. “Among the first few things I talk about with new clients are the importance of controlling debt and the role of generosity in their financial plan so they are invested in the Kingdom for eternal impact,” Steve says. After completing Kingdom Advisors Core Training and viewing his work as a ministry, Steve further integrated his faith and his vocation as the host of “God’s Money,” a radio show on financial topics that airs on his local Christian radio station. He indicates, “Especially during tough times, I don’t know how people find the strength to stay positive about the future if they don’t have faith in Christ. When wealth declines, God is reminding us that our resources are really His resources and He owns it all. By sharing this perspective, I’ve seen others take comfort in the belief that God will take of all their needs.” Steve is passionate about telling other financial professionals about the Kingdom Advisors movement because he knows first hand the positive results of involvement. He says, “Every time I completed a Core Training session, I had an ‘aha’ moment when it became crystal clear that I can integrate my faith and my work, I can put Christ first in all things and this can work for the betterment of me as an advisor, and for my clients and my community.” Today, five West Palm Beach study groups comprised of 50 Kingdom Advisors Associates meet monthly to learn from each other through fellowship and personal testimonies. Steve notes, “One of our Associates who has more than 30 years experience, is very knowledgeable and very well respected nationally. He’s ‘seen it all.’ Yet, after participating in the Kingdom Advisors training he remarked that the experience changed his life.” Steve has taken an active leadership role in this growing community by serving as a “reproducer” and doing his part to support the Kingdom Advisors mission: to create an army of Christian financials professionals passionate about integrating faith and practice. He shares, “I could have been satisfied applying what I learned from Kingdom Advisors to my firm and counseled a lot of clients to make decisions for Kingdom purposes. But God showed that I needed to look outside my immediate sphere of influence, and encourage colleagues to step out in faith, too. Helping create a bigger army of Qualified Kingdom Advisors and watching colleagues get excited about integrating their faith into their work keeps me motivated.”
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Embracing the
MEETING THE NEED,
Luke 12:48 reminds us, “... to whom much is given, from him much will be required.” For over 5 years, God has richly blessed and provided for Kingdom Advisors in ways never imagined. Kingdom Advisors has successfully reached out to financial professionals all across the country, while building a core network of professionals who have embraced Kingdom Advisors’ vision establishing a solid organizational foundation. Now, for such a time as this, Kingdom Advisors firmly recognizes our increased responsibility to build upon our successful history, and to step out in new ways and directions to better minister to and serve today’s needs of Christian financial professionals – and ultimately to maximize the opportunities God has given us for Kingdom impact.
OPPORTUNITY
Kingdom Advisors is excited to share with you three core enhancements to our ministry that we believe will allow us to reach and impact more financial professionals with the timely message God has given us. While these changes are significant, we believe God will bless our sharper focus on becoming more ministry-minded.
A NEW MINISTRY MODEL Kingdom Advisors is transitioning from a membership association to a ministry with the objective to expand our reach, engagement, and impact on Christian financial professionals. Current members and future professionals who connect with us will now become “Associates” of Kingdom Advisors, and professionals can associate with us at no cost. Kingdom Advisors is investing in Christian financial professionals and planting a seed we trust God to nurture and develop. As part of this new ministry model, our focus is to become a resource provider to professionals rather than merely a benefit provider. Thus, our desire is to support and resource professionals who embrace their vocational calling from God, and who then are intentional about putting action to that calling. For instance, Kingdom Advisors’ educational materials, meetings, conferences and web-based communications will continue to strongly challenge and encourage Christian financial professionals to live out their unique calling in their business, with their clients, and within their community. Kingdom Advisors also has a renewed focus on helping our Associates understand their individual role and ownership responsibility to keep this “movement” alive and growing. One way we will see this reflected is through what happens locally in communities all across the country with the continued expansion of local leaders that guide Kingdom Advisors Communities and Study Groups. Kingdom Advisors Associates will also have easy access to a wide range of expanded resources, which are designed d to engage and challenge them to live out their faith for Kingdom ngdom impact. Associates will receive even more resources with h timely, important and influential content to help them shape their heir practices and to guide and counsel their clients with Biblical wisdom. Kingdom Advisors is refocusing our resources to more intentionally support this objective se through our frequent publications of eNews, OnPurpose magazine, InFocus audio magazine, our free video training, weekly video coaching emails from Ron Blue, conference calls, web-based coaching, and much more.
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LOCAL COMMUNITY Local Networking, Encouragement and Equipping
Local Study Groups Community Events Coaching / Mentoring Program
CONFERENCE CALLS Teleconferences with Nationally Known Speakers
Monthly Speakers Series Calls Coaching Calls with Ron Blue Community Group Calls
No charge for Kingdom Advisors Associates charge for $ Nominal Kingdom Advisors Assocates
K Kingdom Advisors ASSOCIATE PACKAGE A
TRAINING Live, Web-Based And Locally-Facilitated Training
Associate Training Series
$
Becoming a Kingdom Servant Series
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Becoming a Kingdom Advisor Series Becoming a Kingdom Leader Series
CONFERENCES World-class Conferences
$ $
Annual Conference Regional Conference
ON-LINE COMMUNITY Online Source for Community and Content
Associates-Only Landing Page Video Coaching Library Economic Uncertainty Master Your Money
PUBLICATIONS
KINGDOM ADVISOR TESTIMONY Randy Schroeder Randy Schroeder, Managing Director for Ronald Blue & Co.’s branch office in Houston, is a Qualified Kingdom Advisor who fulfilled a personal mission that has been important to him since college: integrating his faith and his vocation. “As a young man, I was taught to pour my life into the two things that last forever—the word of God and the souls of men. I believe I’m on a mission with God to create a ripple effect where advisors impact their clients, who then impact their families, churches and communities,” Randy says with great passion. He personally serves a core group of 30 client families with financial consulting, estate planning and investment management. His role as a financial professional offers a unique platform to discuss Biblical principles with his clients, helping them understand how this wisdom impacts all areas of their lives. Randy says, “Using a Christian worldview, we talk about money and how to keep it in proper perspective. Some clients are believers and some are not, so there is often an evangelical flavor to this counsel.” His eternal perspective has deepened client relationships beyond financial affairs, and his clients often seek counsel in other areas of their lives. Randy shares, “Recently a client said to me, ‘You know me better than just about anyone else, so can you advise me whether or not I should serve on my church’s elder board?’ What a demonstration of the value of integrating my faith with my vocation!” Another client wanted to make a significant charitable contribution before the year-end of 2008, despite the financial crisis. She became Randy’s client after inheriting substantial wealth, and wasn’t experienced in how to view and handle money. She relied on Randy to help her understand that God owns everything and she is a steward. Randy notes, “The industry teaches asset preservation. If I held that secular worldview, I would have counseled her to keep her assets and discouraged her from giving them away. The Kingdom would have missed out on the benefits of her charitable giving. That’s why I feel blessed to have integrated my faith into my work. It helps me better guide my clients in so many areas of their lives.” In fact, Randy believes so strongly in the value of the Kingdom Advisors ministry that he has embraced the role of serving others as a “reproducer,” sharing the mission of Kingdom Advisors, and our resources and benefits with other local financial professionals. He does this through fellowship, vision casting and discussion about what is happening in his local Kingdom Advisors Community in Houston. He has hosted several meetings of Christian financial professionals at his firm, and encourages fellow professionals to become active and engaged in the various Kingdom Advisors study groups across the city. “Yes, it’s rewarding to develop diversified portfolios, design estate plans and help people retire comfortably. But that doesn’t begin to compare to the joy an advisor experiences when a client thanks you from the depth of their heart for the eternal impact you are having on their life,” Randy beams.
eNews OnPurpose Magazine InFocus Audio
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Kingdom Advisors understands that a ministry with impact must effectively and with focused intention deliver a compelling and life-changing message. That message for us is what God’s word says to the Christian financial professional about their work, their life, their practice, and their clients – this is the Kingdom Advisors training. As a result, we are placing a priority emphasis on our new training model that helps develop leaders and provides ongoing opportunities for equipping and empowering by: • Offering a clear training pathway for the integration of faith and practice; • Making the core principles of faith-based professional financial advice available to more people; • Making the financial entry points more accessible and affordable for Associates to participate in a variety of training opportunities; • Providing expanded training opportunities and content for ongoing professional development to new Associates and Associates who are already trained; • Developing specialized training courses for Associates to enhance their ability to integrate their faith into their specific areas of interest; • Offering multiple training formats, including live training with Ron Blue, web-based training and locally facilitated training formats.
Becoming a Kingdom Servant - $495 Vision Training Overview Worldview & Wisdom
TRAINING MODELS: Self Study: Associate Training:
Associate Training Introduction to Kingdom Advisors
No Cost
Introduction to Kingdom Advisors Training
Kingdom Servant: $495 Kingdom Advisor: $995 Servant and Advisor: $1,395
Introduction to Developing Generous Clients - NCF
(when purchased together)
Introduction to Calling Bob Reccord
Local Facilitated Training: Add $200 for outside facilitator / no charge for local facilitator
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Work & Retirement The Ministry of Biblical Financial Advice Life Planning Goal Setting Biblical Stewardship Giving Decision Making
Live Training with Ron Blue: Kingdom Servant & Kingdom Advisor: $2,995 (Sessions held twice a year in Atlanta)
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What is Kingdom Advisors Qualification?
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K I N G D O M A DV I S O R T E S T I M O N Y John W. Moore
ADVISORS LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Becoming a Kingdom Leader - $Varies Calling: Bob Reccord
Becoming a Kingdom Advisor - $995 Biblical Perspective on Practical Management • Building a Business • Leadership
Biblical Perspective on Professional Counsel • Borrowing, Debt & Bankruptcy • Insurance • Taxes • A Biblical Perspective on Investing • Wealth Transfer • Net Worth & Retirement
A Biblical Perspective on Life Counsel • Cash Flow & Lifestyle • Your Kids Can Master Their Money
Disciple - Making: Coming Soon Developing Generous Clients: NCF - Coming Soon “Halftime” Training Coming Soon Building a Business II Coming Soon Ken Boa Series Coming Soon Succession Planning Coming Soon KA Study Group Leadership Coming Soon KA Leadership Training Facility Coming Soon Mentoring / Coaching Coming Soon
More than 20 years ago, John W. Moore, owner of John Moore and Associates in Albuquerque, New Mexico, decided to earn a reputation as the source for Christian financial advice in his community. He researched all the resources he could find regarding Biblical financial principles, read several of Ron Blue’s books, and made a connection through a local radio station to teach financial seminars at an area church. “I progressed from being knowledgeable about Biblical financial principles to intentionally applying that wisdom to client counsel. That transition was fully realized after I completed the Core Training from Kingdom Advisors. Now, rather than possibly bringing up Biblical principles when we are well into a client relationship, it is a ‘front and center’ discussion at our first meeting with both Christian and non-Christian prospects,” John says. This kind of open and intentional dialogue has expanded his counsel beyond purely financial decisions into areas that have lasting effects on clients’ desires to impact the Kingdom. One of his clients, in his retirement years and very involved in a local ministry, wanted to make a gift to a ministry that represented 10 percent of his net worth. John notes, “A traditional advisor would probably advise against such a large donation because they are focused on preservation of assets, rather than proper stewardship of assets.” However, John and his team reviewed the client’s portfolio, ran financial projections and determined that he could make his contribution using a donor advised fund to facilitate a tax-efficient gift of appreciated securities. John says, “Our clients know that we enhance our professional experience with Biblical financial principles, so they are confident we will guide them in how they can live comfortably while stepping out in faith and sharing their God-given resources. It’s rewarding to see the joy they experience when they fulfill their passion for giving while remaining confident that God will take care of their needs.” John adds with enthusiasm, “Once I embraced the vision of Kingdom Advisors, it uniquely equipped me to pursue the passion God filled me with to guide other advisors down the path of integrating faith and work. It’s enabled me to reach out into the community and fulfill God’s vision for our city.” As John continues to lead the development of the Albuquerque Community of Kingdom Advisors, a growing number of financial professionals attend their monthly study group meetings where a Qualified Kingdom Advisor’s practice is highlighted through personal testimonies. These personal stories share how Kingdom Advisors is helping them to fulfill their calling, to grow their business and to serve their clients. John concludes, “The peer-to-peer networking opportunities that Kingdom Advisors facilitates are invaluable. Friendships have developed among professionals who talk frequently about Biblical stewardship, share best practices and discuss client issues. It’s so exciting for me to see colleagues grow in their personal faith and have their eyes opened to the eternal benefits of integrating that faith into their business.”
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THE PATHWAY OF A KINGDOM ADVISOR We have identified a consistent pathway for financial professionals who desire to truly integrate their faith into their practice for Kingdom impact. It has been exciting to watch the progression and development of so many Kingdom Advisors Associates who progress through the pathway and begin duplicating themselves in others. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, the pathway begins with an initial desire to live a life of purpose and meaning. As that desire grows, the financial professional begins to reorder the priorities of their life to reflect eternal significance. This reordering then leads to a recognition of their unique work and role in the lives of those they serve.
Kingdom Advisors have great confidence in delivering biblically wise advice that is unchanging and solidly grounded. Through this confidence, they become skilled at offering life counsel from an eternal perspective and ultimately move to mentoring and developing others to follow the same pathway.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
Called to a Life of Purpose and Meaning A “Kingdom Mentality” Called to a Fully Integrated Life “Kingdom Priorities”
KINGDOM SERVANT
Called to a Unique Work “Kingdom Impact” Confident in Delivering Biblically Wise Professional Advice
KINGDOM ADVISOR
Competent at Offering Life Counsel From an Eternal Perspective Committed to Reproducing Your Life in Others
KINGDOM LEADER
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WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU Kingdom Advisors Associates Benefit From Continued Affiliation
As of December 1, 2008: • You are a Kingdom Advisors Associate and are a part of a large, nationwide professional ministry (Qualified Members will continue as Qualified Kingdom Advisors).
A NEW FUNDING MODEL The heart of Kingdom Advisors is to minister and to serve Christian financial professionals. Our new ministry and training models will allow us to better accomplish this mission by engaging more professionals with us, and by reducing the barriers for professionals to engage and grow with us. This ministry platform requires Kingdom Advisors to develop a new funding model to support these changes – a model that is more dependent on God’s faithful provision, and on the financial ownership of our Associates. One of the most significant changes is that current membership dues will no longer be required to access many of the resources of Kingdom Advisors; however, fees will be required for participating in certain core resources, such as our Kingdom Advisors training model and our Annual and Regional Conferences. This new funding model allows Kingdom Advisors to resource Christian financial professionals at their point of need and interest, while also making it attractive and affordable for even more professionals to explore the many ways Kingdom Advisors can minister to and support them in their journey to integrate their faith and their vocation. However, training and conference fees will not completely provide for the financial needs of this new Kingdom Advisors ministry model. Kingdom Advisors Associates and other partners will be given the opportunity to charitably support Kingdom Advisors, and we will need this financial support as we move forward. We ask our Associates to prayerfully consider the impact the ministry has on fulfilling their calling with passion and purpose. We believe Associates will be empowered to exercise their crucial ownership of Kingdom Advisors, which will significantly determine our ministry’s future and sustainability. Most importantly, we believe our new funding model will enable Kingdom Advisors to better minister to all financial professionals who are serious about making their faith count in their work and world, regardless of personal financial challenges and circumstance. Now more than ever, Kingdom Advisors is responding to God’s call by focusing on how we can best utilize, shape and share the significant resources He has already sown into our ministry, and by creating a strong and stable ministry platform for God to use and flow through for future generations.
• Commitments to Founder, Charter and Champion Associates will be honored. • You have access to many more resources, in addition to a wider variety of expanded resources for your personal and professional development. • You will no longer pay membership dues and, if Qualified, Qualified member dues. • Qualified Kingdom Advisors will receive more streamlined application and renewal processes. • You can register to participate in new Kingdom Advisors training opportunities at the new pricing; this new model will be implemented in early 2009.
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Why is a ministry model the best model for Q W K Kingdom Advisors to use going forward to sserve Christian financial professionals?
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This was not at all the image we wanted to communicate, bbecause as we have always considered Kingdom Advisors to be in integral to financial professionals’ success at integrating their ffaith into their professional life and advice. It became clear tthat in reality we are a ministry supporting Christian financial p professionals. This was not a funding decision, but rather a p positioning decision.
Q What is your vision for
Kingdom Advisors 5 years out?
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My vision is to see a thriving network comprised of at least 10,000 Qualified Kingdom Advisors. The number itself doesn’t deliver the meaning of that vision; it’s the Kingdom impact that will result from om ssuc such uch h a llarge arg rgge ne netw network twor orkk th that at is impo important. port r ant. I am confident deent that ttha hatt as fi fin nancial nan anci cial professionals experience the h ca call calling llin ingg that trained integrate their faith that God God has has on their theiir lives, live li ves, s, are are ttra rain ned to integrat atee th the eir fait ith h in intoo their skilled t eiir professional th prrof ofeession onal al advice, aadv dvic ice, e, and aare ree sski killlllled ki ed at offering eeri ring ng financial nan n a ci cial al counsel cou oun nsel from an eternall perspective, are going happen. f i many things hii i to h For instance, assume that each advisor has 50 trusted client relationships. Those 10,000 advisors would serve more than 500,000 families. When 500,000 families, believers and nonbelievers, receive Biblical wisdom through trusted professional advice, our culture will be changed. Randy Alcorn said to me, “If there were 10,000 Qualified Kingdom Advisors, it would change the face of evangelism in America.” I believe that to be true and I believe that is what God has called Kingdom Advisors to facilitate.
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ON PURPOSE
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SPECIAL EDITION
I our first five years of existence, God blessed us abundantly In bby increasing our membership from 16 to 1,500 advisors. That is phenomenal growth! Yet, over the past several m months, as we surveyed and talked personally with advisors, it became apparent that we had positioned Kingdom A Advisors as essentially a trade organization. The result of that oorganizational brand positioning has been that advisors, who ccame in contact with us through an awareness event, email ccommunication or a Kingdom Advisors member, immediately cconsidered us “in competition” with all of the other trade aassociations to which they already belong. As a result, the le legitimate question they asked was, “How does Kingdom A Advisors add value to my business?”
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2008
A As a ministry we will, of course, be funded by charitable ccontributions; however, our mission is much bigger than ssimply developing funding. Our mission is to communicate tto and deliver to Christian financial professionals our value p proposition: Kingdom Advisors is a critical resource to help tthem fulfill the calling that God has given to them in their p professional life. This decision has been made with much counsel and prayer, and I have never been more excited about what the future holds for Kingdom Advisors. I believe that the timing is absolutely right for us to make this switch because many advisors need all the support they can get in these difficult economic times. Kingdom Advisors will be a trusted, valuable resource for advisors regardless of what they are able to contribute financially. Our mission is to support Christian financial professionals in fulfilling their God-given calling. The result will be enhanced Kingdom impact for all eternity.
A LOOK TOWARD
THE FUTURE Kingdom Advisors has given careful consideration and prayer to this significant and bold transition and we are incredibly excited as we look ahead to the future. More than ever, Kingdom Advisors is focused on ministering and serving Christian financial professionals wherever they may find themselves, spiritually and professionally. We are ready and eager to move forward in new ways to take our mission and turn it into reality. Our vision holds true: to bring the compelling message of Biblical financial stewardship to a growing network of engaged Christian financial professionals who are:
Called and empowered by God in their lives and work, and who embrace the opportunity they have to impact the Kingdom; Confident in delivering Biblicallybased financial wisdom; Competent and educated in all methods of financial counsel; Credible and trustworthy individuals and professionals; and Committed to changing financial paradigms from “growth and greed” to “growth and give.”
Today’s troubled economic and cultural times may well be a proverbial blessing in disguise. The high levels of fear, anxiety and uncertainty have made it easier than ever to engage and connect other financial professionals to join this growing “movement” as there are so many questions, yet so few answers this world provides. Now is your opportunity to take ownership of the Kingdom Advisors ministry and experience the impact that we can all have together. We encourage you as a Kingdom Advisors Associate to think about your colleagues and other financial professionals to whom we can minister – both personally and professionally – through Kingdom Advisors resources and opportunities. We challenge you to prayerfully ask for God’s guidance in finding the right time and the right opportunity to connect them to Kingdom Advisors and to this exciting movement of God. Associates are also challenged to prayerfully consider how they or their business can charitably contribute to the renewed vision, opening the door for as yet untouched colleagues to participate in helping us release the power of Biblical stewardship in their world. Your contribution will allow us to minister to financial professionals at a time when there is tremendous need, as well as unleash the potential for Kingdom impact in and through their practices. Please pray with the entire Kingdom Advisors ministry as it completes this transition and rises up to better serve the professional advisor community nationwide. Visit www.kingdomadvisors.org/transition for more information.
KINGDOMADVISORS.ORG
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KINGDOM ADVISORS 2009 ANNUAL CONFERENCE As a Christian financial professional, you more than anyone know the extraordinary role that you play in the lives of your clients. At Kingdom Advisors, we are committed to equipping you to maximize the opportunity you have to realize Kingdom impact as you serve clients every day. Our 2009 Annual Conference, “Shine Through”, now in its 5th year, is your opportunity to join hundreds of other professionals from the Kingdom Advisors community to grow in your faith, network with other professionals and learn new ideas for your clients and practice. FEBRUARY 11 TO 13, 2009 • OMINI HOTEL AT CNN CENTER • ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Ron R Blue
Joseph J h Stowell
Bob B b Doll
• More than 15 breakout workshops on practice management, discipleship, investing, charitable giving, spiritual growth and more Kingdom Advisors 5605 Glenridge Dr., Suite 450 Atlanta, GA 30342
FIRST CLASS PRESORTED U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #3259 ATLANTA, GA
• The introduction of case studies to our breakout line-up
David D id Swanson
Dennis D i Rainey
Ravi R i Zacharias
• Network with committed Christian financial professionals • A special presentation from Bob Doll, Vice Chairman and Global Chief Investment Officer for Equities, on the current market and economic environment
These are just a few of the special events and sessions we have planned for you. Early registration is available today at www.KingdomAdvisors.org/2009
5605 GLENRIDGE DR., SUITE 450 • ATLANTA, GA 30342 KingdomAdvisors.org T: 404-497-7680 • F: 404-497-7685