Kutzler: The ministry and vision of Crown Financial Ministries is about teaching principles of finance according to God’s standards. Howard Dayton, CEO of Crown Financial Ministries, says that a healthy Christian is a giving Christian.

Bennett: Dayton says that 43 percent of American families spend more than they earn each year. In fact, most spend about 10 percent more than they earn. George Barna says that only 3 to 4 percent of the nation’s evangelical community tithe. So Howard, why is there such a disconnect in funding God’s work?

Dayton: In my view, many churches haven’t taught the fundamentals of giving; but more than that, they haven’t taught about what God says about handling money. If anything, the average Christian has been taught about the 10 percent, but the other 90 percent has been unaddressed.

It is key for the church to have pastors preaching not only giving from the pulpit, so God’s people can handle money God’s way. We live, as you know, in a consumer culture that doesn’t elevate giving the way it should be.

Kutzler: Finances can be one of those topics that Christians hate to hear preached because it’s such a sensitive issue, yet it is an issue of discipleship.

Dayton: That’s right. And personally, I think that the pastor should have this mindset: “Let me do something for my congregation before I ask something from my congregation.”

I encourage pastors that when they teach on money, don’t just teach on giving. We should be regularly teaching people on the blessings of giving, the responsibilities to give, but don’t always connect it with the ask—it’s a part of Christian discipleship. It should be one of the most exciting, vibrant parts of a Christian’s life.

Bennett: Howard, how does Crown Financial Ministries reach out to the local church?

Dayton: We have an annual conference for pastors where we do equip the pastors to equip their local congregations to handle money God’s way. We have a small group study that we offer the local church. We have sermons that we can provide to pastors. We have a video series. We have trained 20,000 money map coaches, and these are people who help people in the congregation get their budget together and help then get out of debt.

CS: For further information on Crown Financial Ministries, contact Minnesota Area Director Leif Erickson at (651) 238-3030 or through their local Web site at www.crown.org/city/home.asp?sid=109. To read more about the national organization, visit www.crown.org.