While Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker wrestles with the legislature and labor unions over the right course to achieve financial peace for the state of Wisconsin, about 400 Madison area residents are meeting Thursday nights at Blackhawk Church to find financial peace for their family budgets.
It’s called Financial Peace University, a 13 week series of video lessons created by radio talk show host Dave Ramsey. “We know people live in an upside down world, living on more than they’re making,” said Blackhawk’s executive pastor Greg Bergman. “FPU is a practical series of lessons that offer solutions.”
About 40 people tested the FPU program at Blackhawk Church last fall, including senior pastor Chris Dolson. The church, located at 9620 Brader Way on the west edge of Madison (in Middleton actually), is Madison’s largest. So a weekly class that is attended by more people than make up the total membership of most area churches is not too much of a stretch. Yet Bergman says because sign up for the class can be done through Dave Ramsey’s website, there are people attending who have never been to Blackhawk before.
A Variety of Locations
The website indicates that there are 17 other locations in the Madison area offering FPU. Many are churches, but the classes are also offered at Wisconsin Air Guard at Truax Field, and the Country Financial office in Sun Prairie.
Bergman said that offering the class through a church makes sense because the staff see evidence of the need for the program on a regular basis. “It’s unusual for a marrying couple to have their financial act together,” he said. A pastor friend told him about a survey that indicated people are commonly living on 113% of their income.
And the program is working. “In many homes there’s a conversation going on about money that wasn’t going on before,” he said. “They tell us, ‘we’re talking about it for the first time in our marriage.'”
It’s Important to Talk
Talking about finances can be very difficult. Just look at what’s going on at the capitol this week. But it’s also very important, whether it’s a family budget or a state budget.
madisonchristians.com believes it’s important for churches and non-profit organizations to also understand the financial changes that are taking place in society and consider the impact on their budgets. That’s why we’re co-sponsoring a workshop called “Funding Your Vision in the New Economy,” Friday, March 11, 2011. More information here.