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About

Who We Are

The Good Sense Movement is a non-profit organization that exists to equip churches to ignite heart transformation and freedom through Biblical stewardship.

Our tagline, “Transforming Finances! Transforming Lives!” expresses our belief that stewardship is a key component of Christian discipleship. As believers live out the wisdom of God’s Word in the area of finances, they grow closer to God.

What We Do

We believe that the church is God’s primary plan for discipling believers. As a result, we focus on equipping churches to disciple their congregations through stewardship programs and financial coaching.

Why We Do It

We believe that money is the chief rival God in today’s culture. Jesus said that we cannot serve both God and money and that our hearts will follow where we put our treasures (Matthew 6:21-24). So honoring and serving God with our finances leads to following God with our whole lives, while serving ourselves with our finances leads to a life that wanders from God.

We further believe that the church has been silent too long on the key topic of financial stewardship. Believers are learning financial principles, and if the church isn’t teaching them, then their primary source of information is the world. Our culture teaches us to love money and materialism, but God tells us that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). The church must counter the pull of the culture to disciple believers in this key area.

In many churches, stewardship translates to “put more in the offering plate”. Stewardship campaigns encourage believers to give to a building program, to pledge a level of annual giving, etc. As a result, believers come to equate the idea of stewardship specifically with giving, and often feel pressure or guilt when the topic of stewardship comes up. We want to help churches disciple their congregations in a more holistic view of stewardship, incorporating all we do with our finances.

How We Do It

We equip churches in multiple ways. Our FreedUp app and program enables churches to disciple their congregations through an all-church approach, including resources for small groups, weekend teaching series, and couples. This program engages the entire congregation by providing teaching tailored to people in multiple different financial conditions, not just those experiencing financial crisis.

Complementing the FreedUp app is a training program that enables churches to create and equip a budget coaching ministry by training budget coaches. Our training prepares coaches to walk alongside those who are in financial crisis, guiding them toward financial freedom and kingdom impact with their resources.

Because our focus is on equipping churches, we offer consulting to help churches develop a stewardship program that fits their congregation.

What We Teach

We believe that the heart of Christian stewardship is a mindset that everything belongs to God (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16; Psalm 24:1-2; Hebrews 1:3). As a result, we are trustees or stewards of resources that God owns, and he expects us to use those resources for his purposes (Matthew 25:14-30).

Money and possessions can become a rival god or an idol in the believer’s life. Jesus calls us to be on guard against greed (Luke 12:15). An attitude of contentment and gratitude guards the believer against this (Philippians 4:12-13).

Because we are stewards of God’s possessions, stewardship incorporates all we do with money, not just giving. Here are the Big Ideas of stewardship:

What We Value

The Good Sense Movement is committed to working with churches of all denominations and collaborating with like-minded, faith-based organizations to equip individuals to be responsible and God-honoring with their finances. Our consulting and resources are guided by the following core values:

  • Transformational life impact: We want to transform more than just financial management. We long to see hearts and lives renewed and fully committed to God, and we believe that financial stewardship is a key component of full devotion. Our tagline is “Transformed Finances! Transformed Lives!” – and we mean it!
  • Integration of Biblical principles and basic financial tools: We combine the “what” and “why” of stewardship from Scripture with a clear “how” using basic financial tools. We take care to create simple tools that align with Scriptural principles of stewardship.
  • Grace-filled approach: God’s grace is available to cover all our sins – great and small! We recognize and confess our failures, and then rejoice in gratitude for God’s cleansing and forgiveness (1 John 1:9). As a result, guilt and shame have no place in our teaching and resources.
  • Cultural relevance and practical application: We present Biblical truth and practical teaching in a way that matters in the context of our culture and addresses key financial principles

Our History

The Good Sense Movement began as a financial stewardship ministry at Willow Creek Community Church in the early 1990s. Birthed by a group of volunteers, the ministry aimed to teach, train, and support the congregation in the area of personal finances using Biblical principles.

In 1992 the ministry further entered a new phase of growth, developing new resources and training experiences that helped thousands in the congregation begin to honor God with the management of their financial resources. In 1999, the Willow Creek Association began adapting the Good Sense resources and training experiences for use by other churches. Since their launch in 2002, these resources have helped over 5,000 churches and organizations train their people in Christian stewardship.

The Good Sense Movement became an independent 501(c)(3) organization in 2011. Most recently, Good Sense has partnered with Crossroads Church of Cincinnati to develop the FreedUp® app and program.  FreedUp fills the gaps in most stewardship training programs by addressing the entire congregation regardless of financial position.  The program helps participants achieve stability, clarity, and legacy by targeting practical steps for different financial situations.  Check it out at getfreedup.com!

Our Partners

Christian Stewardship Network (CSN)

Christian Stewardship Network is a community of pastors and church leaders who understand that their congregations need discipling in the area of Biblical financial stewardship. Financial decisions are spiritual decisions and heart decisions, so the church needs to address this key area of discipleship. But talking about money can be challenging and difficult, so most pastors avoid the subject.

CSN provides multiple resources to help equip pastors in this area, including a stewardship impact workshop, an annual Forum, monthly webinars, and consulting services.

Visit the CSN site

Estate Planning Ministry

EPM is a ministry devoted to providing people with educational resources and affordable, user-driven tools in furtherance of their estate planning and overall financial stewardship. “Our legacies are more than dollars and cents; a legacy is the totality of all we leave with the world when we depart, monetary assets, values, and hard earned wisdom. EPM believes that in accordance with Biblical Stewardship, every individual is obligated to actively develop and craft his or her legacy.”

Don't know where to start?

Wondering about starting a stewardship program? Not sure if you need one? Don’t know where to begin? Let us help!

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