Christian Finance Magazine

[zwillis]

New Christian Finance Magazine Seeks Funding for its Spring launch. I'm posting our press release to give better explanation.

New Christian Magazine Delves Into the Financial Realm Head-First

Faith and Finance magazine will be launching in the spring of 2008 to reach those desiring more than just the mediocre as their money and faith confront each other head-on.

Sierra Vista, AZ (Bluehost) December 13, 2007 -- The collision of finances and faith has finally happened in more than the simple privacy of homes; it has reached American in the eye of the public. Faith and Finance magazine will be launching in the spring of 2008 to reach those desiring more than just the mediocre as their money and faith confront each other head-on.

Faith and Finance magazine seeks to help transform Christians into the people they are called to be. No longer bound by debt, Christian's effect on the world would be truly limitless. Proverbs 4:7 says, "The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring, get understanding." Through the insight Faith and Finance magazine offers, readers will be able to pay off debt quicker, make wiser investments, and be a blessing to people and communities around them. With an expected readership of over 2 million in the first year, imagine what can happen.

According to Barna Research, thirty-three percent of U.S. born-again Christians say it is impossible for them to get ahead in life because of the financial debt they have incurred. The media is swarming over the reports of pastor's lavish living and church's spending. Yet, in the midst of it all, Faith and Finance magazine offers hope; we combine the wisdom of over 20 writers that include Bob Barber, Matt Chipman, Thomas Cloud Jr., William McDuffie, Jim Paris, DeWayne Reeves, Mark Sanborn, Tim Sanders, Robert Tamasy, and so many more.

The coming generation is searching for a balance of their faith and the hope of their futures in regards to their money as the realization of the lack of Social Security, housing markets in turmoil, the constant threat of war, and the stock market's seeming instability become as real as the air they breath. It is obvious that faith and finances are more intertwined than ever. In this new world of faith and finance, God is calling His people back to a Holy standard.

Zane Willis is the Executive Founder and Publisher of Faith and Finance. He has numerous years of marketing experience and holds a B.A. in graphic design.

[akula]

weird, weird people
I can't beleive you're exploiting people's faith to sell some sort of financial pornography

[Cognition]

weird, weird people
I can't beleive you're exploiting people's faith to sell some sort of financial pornography

Where is the exploitation? How is communicating financial education from a Biblical perspective deemed as 'financial pornography'?

[akula]

gr8 question
the misrepresentation is that by associating the financial information with religion, the publisher is representing that his information is somehow more accurate, or more reliable, or more relevant..when in actuality, it's obviously going to be of vastly inferior quality to a secular magazine like Smart Money (because the religious content that's gonna be in the mag is irrelevant from the perspective of money management, but is gonna take up most of the space)

in that way, his point of differentiation (Christian Finance) exploits people's trust that what ever comes from religion is good for them

[Cognition]

the misrepresentation is that by associating the financial information with religion, the publisher is representing that his information is somehow more accurate, or more reliable, or more relevant..when in actuality, it's obviously going to be of vastly inferior quality to a secular magazine like Smart Money (because the religious content that's gonna be in the mag is irrelevant from the perspective of money management, but is gonna take up most of the space)

How do you know the content is going to be of 'vastly inferior quality' when you haven't even read the information to begin with?

How do you know that 'the religious content that's gonna be in the mag is irrelevant from the perspective of money management'? Again, the publisher hasn't disclosed even a "sample" of the content - so how do you know that the content will be irrelevant?

in that way, his point of differentiation (Christian Finance) exploits people's trust that what ever comes from religion is good for them

Incorrect. His point of differentiation is targeted to existing Christians who already regard the Holy Bible [with its several instances of principles on prosperity, investing, and basic personal finance management] as a legitimate, credible authority on such issues.

No one's trust can be exploited by resource of information [in this case, the Holy Bible] that has been proven repeatedly in their own personal lives.

Seems to me that you are making personal vendetta fueled assumptions about this 'irrelevant religious content' without having read it.

[BusinessAdviser]

After reading the posts to this thread to this point, I would have to ask the relationship between the two topics: Christianity and finance. Is there a link between the two ... some type of correlation, common ground, or synergy? Or is this an attempt to just bring two subjects together both of which certain individuals might have an interest? If the latter of these is the case, is there a true conviction on the part of the publisher to merely provide two subjects of interest through one common source, or is it, as Akula suggests, an attempt to cater to a group of people who will embrace the publication for its self-proclaimed religious affiliation rather than its quality?

[Cognition]

After reading the posts to this thread to this point, I would have to ask the relationship between the two topics: Christianity and finance. Is there a link between the two ... some type of correlation, common ground, or synergy?

Yes, there is a link. A definite link.

There are several instances where the Holy Bible provides timeless principles and insight into personal finance management, basic investing, and prosperity, much like the Babylonian principles presented in George Clayson's classic book, The Richest Man in Babylon.

If the masses of poorly financially educated individuals here in the U.S. [and abroad] managed their finances and adhered to the basic investing principles presented in the Scriptures [which are thousands of years old], we would not witness the countless instances of families buried in bad consumer debt, little savings, and poor financial decisions.

Or is this an attempt to just bring two subjects together both of which certain individuals might have an interest? If the latter of these is the case, is there a true conviction on the part of the publisher to merely provide two subjects of interest through one common source, or is it, as Akula suggests, an attempt to cater to a group of people who will embrace the publication for its self-proclaimed religious affiliation rather than its quality?

The group of people whom the publication is hoping to cater to [evangelical and fundamentalist Christians] recongnize that its target market regard the Holy Bible as a credible resource and would be more open to advice and council given on personal finance mangement from a primarily Biblical perspective [given that it is written well].

Again, I think Akula is simply making an assumption that any publisher who regards 'religion' as a credible resource to resolve an alleged social or economic issue, is out to 'exploit' individuals. That is simply not the case, and clearly the thinking of an individual with an apparent opposition to religion in general.

Furthermore, I am amazed how Akula could possibly deem the content, and quite publically, of this publication [if their startup is successful] as 'irrelevant', and hasn't had the opportunity to even read it.

[BusinessAdviser]

Yes, there is a link. A definite link.

There are several instances where the Holy Bible provides timeless principles and insight into personal finance management, basic investing, and prosperity, much like the Babylonian principles presented in George Clayson's classic book, The Richest Man in Babylon.

If the masses of poorly financially educated individuals here in the U.S. [and abroad] managed their finances and adhered to the basic investing principles presented in the Scriptures [which are thousands of years old], we would not witness the countless instances of families buried in bad consumer debt, little savings, and poor financial decisions.



The group of people whom the publication is hoping to cater to [evangelical and fundamentalist Christians] recongnize that its target market regard the Holy Bible as a credible resource and would be more open to advice and council given on personal finance mangement from a primarily Biblical perspective [given that it is written well].

Again, I think Akula is simply making an assumption that any publisher who regards 'religion' as a credible resource to resolve an alleged social or economic issue, is out to 'exploit' individuals. That is simply not the case, and clearly the thinking of an individual with an apparent opposition to religion in general.

So it is my understanding then that you are aiding in the production of this publication. Is that correct?

[Cognition]

So it is my understanding then that you are aiding in the production of this publication. Is that correct?

I have nothing to do with this publication. Just like you, this is my first time hearing about such a publication.

[BusinessAdviser]

I have nothing to do with this publication. Just like you, this is my first time hearing about such a publication.

Well, that is where the problem lies then.

There is only one person, as far as I know at this point, who can answer all of the questions that I posted - specifically regarding the intent of the publisher.

My thought, due to your defense of the publisher's intent without any knowledge whatsoever, is to lump you into a comparable category into which you are trying, rightfully or not, to lump Akula - a category of those who make an assumption that any publisher who includes religion in a work is NOT out to exploit individuals, and who clearly think with a seemingly-automatic acceptance of anything with a cross next to it.

I am not taking a position as to whether this publication is exploitation or not, I am just able, as an outsider, to realize that you are as guilty here of the same crime of which you are accusing Akula. In fact, I would suggest that you are exactly the type of person who the publisher COULD be trying to exploit, if that is HIS purpose.

[Cognition]

Well, that is where the problem lies then.

There is only one person, as far as I know at this point, who can answer all of the questions that I posted - specifically regarding the intent of the publisher.

Actually, you're wrong. You asked if there was a link between Christianity and finance. My answer was 'yes, there is', according to the Holy Bible. You don't need the publisher to answer that one for you. It could be easily answered by Christian who has enough Biblical knowledge to know that, needless to say many Bible scholars and theologians out there who will tell you the same.

My thought, due to your defense of the publisher's intent without any knowledge whatsoever

I haven't defended any 'intent' by the publisher. I only questioned Akula on the criteria [or lack of it] for his conclusions about the material being 'irrelevant' and a medium to 'exploit' people's trust.

I know you're too intelligent to equate my inquiry of Akula's assumptions with 'defending' the publisher's OP. Right?

I am not taking a position as to whether this publication is exploitation or not, I am just able, as an outsider, to realize that you are as guilty here of the same crime of which you are accusing Akula.

Incorrect. I only questioned Akula. I only asked to see the evidence on how he came up with his 'conclusions' at the former of this thread. I would like to see his assumptions [whether they are inaccurate generalizations or not] substantiated with credible evidence.

I await.

[akula]

How do you know the content is going to be of 'vastly inferior quality' when you haven't even read the information to begin with?

How do you know that 'the religious content that's gonna be in the mag is irrelevant from the perspective of money management'? Again, the publisher hasn't disclosed even a "sample" of the content - so how do you know that the content will be irrelevant?



Incorrect. His point of differentiation is targeted to existing Christians who already regard the Holy Bible [with its several instances of principles on prosperity, investing, and basic personal finance management] as a legitimate, credible authority on such issues.

No one's trust can be exploited by resource of information [in this case, the Holy Bible] that has been proven repeatedly in their own personal lives.

Seems to me that you are making personal vendetta fueled assumptions about this 'irrelevant religious content' without having read it.

Well, sure sure..let's stick up for the underdog!
Look..my take on things is rational, reasoned and subjective. Theologists ought to write about religion, and financial planners ought to write about finance. So, when you have a theologist writing about finance, you'll get the same result as a financial planner writing about religion.

Of course the publication is gonna be rubbish (from a financial advice perspective). Why wouldn't it be? There is no reason why a magazine like this would be able to publish good financial content. All the good financial advisers write for mainstream secular publications (because that's where they can earn the income and the reputation), and something niche like this would either attract unqualified, or mediocre writers.

And so, again, I think it's pretty sad that faithful people are gonna be sold rubbish misrepresented as good financial advice because it's "christian"..and the only audience that would be dumb enough to buy something like this, would be the vulnerable people who don't know the difference between good and bad financial advice. I know plenty of smart christians who are interested in personal finance, and they buy stuff from reputable financial publishers (i.e. joints that only write about financial matters)..and not some evangelical chop shop pretending to be something that it's not.

If I wanted to learn about the value of sharing, I'm gonna go to mass, and not find answers in some rag that's got ads for mortgages on the other side of the page.

[Cognition]

Look..my take on things is rational, reasoned and subjective.

Subjective? You sure could have fooled me.

Theologists ought to write about religion, and financial planners ought to write about finance. So, when you have a theologist writing about finance, you'll get the same result as a financial planner writing about religion.

Who said the writers and contributors to this publication aren't well versed in personal finance AND who also recognize the parallel between the Biblical principles on investing and financial management?

Why does it have to be 'either' or 'or' in your case?

I happen to know one former financial planner [an investment banker] who recently dedicated himself to theology and pastorship. Does his newly founded profession as a Bible teacher make null and void of the decades of education and experience he's had in the financial industry?

Of course the publication is gonna be rubbish (from a financial advice perspective).

There you go again - you and your unsubstantiated assumptions. [Read my last paragraph.]

the only audience that would be dumb enough to buy something like this, would be the vulnerable people who don't know the difference between good and bad financial advice.

Unfortunately, you're going to have people like that from all backgrounds, cultures, and religious persuasions. PLENTY of educated people are 'exploited' [who you call 'dumb'] EVERYDAY by newly college-graduated, pinstripe suit wearing SALESPEOPLE that call themselves financial planners, who know next to nothing about investing, but are partially succesful in pushing out financial products for the most reputable firms out there.

[BusinessAdviser]

Actually, you're wrong. You asked if there was a link between Christianity and finance. My answer was 'yes, there is', according to the Holy Bible. You don't need the publisher to answer that one for you. It could be easily answered by Christian who has enough Biblical knowledge to know that, needless to say many Bible scholars and theologians out there who will tell you the same.



I haven't defended any 'intent' by the publisher. I only questioned Akula on the criteria [or lack of it] for his conclusions about the material being 'irrelevant' and a medium to 'exploit' people's trust.



Incorrect. I only questioned Akula. I only asked to see the evidence on how he came up with his 'conclusions' at the former of this thread. I would like to see his assumptions [whether they are inaccurate generalizations or not] substantiated with credible evidence.

I await.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Now you ARE coming off as quite abrasive. If you want to get down to it, you ARE wrong.

I asked, "[I]s there a true conviction on the part of the publisher to merely provide two subjects of interest through one common source, or is it ... an attempt to cater to a group of people who will embrace the publication for its self-proclaimed religious affiliation rather than its quality?"

After you attempted to answer this question, I asked whether YOU were aiding the publication (so as to be in a position to comment on the "true conviction on the part of the publisher"), and you responded, "I have nothing to do with this publication. Just like you, this is my first time hearing about such a publication."

I responded, "There is only one person, as far as I know at this point, who can answer all of the questions that I posted - specifically regarding the intent of the publisher."

Your response to this specific comment, "Actually, you're wrong."

Therefore, it is quite clear that, as I responded, the publisher, NOT YOU, is the only person who can answer the question regarding THE PUBLISHER'S INTENT. Unless you can read minds, then ACTUALLY, I'M NOT WRONG.

I could go on further, but I think that it is already blatantly obvious to anyone who reads this thread that you have taken personal offense to Akula's suggestion, that you claim to be able to read minds (by trying to defend the publisher's subjective interest for the publication without ever having prior knowledge of the publication), and thus by doing so are really harming your credibility.

A better response would have been to say that, in short, there are references in the Bible to finances and that you hope that the publisher's purpose for bringing the two together in a publication was to provide quality reading material tailored to meet the interests of Christians seeking financial advice from a Biblical standpoint, not that the publisher was hoping to make a quick buck passing a cheap financial publication off as a Christian publication and marketing to those most susceptible to such exploitations.

However, as soon as you became the "god" of this thread, declaring others right and wrong, you really began to look more like a "self-righteous ass." Be crystal clear before you go around accusing others of being right or wrong. There is no gray area, so as soon as you make a mistake, you kill your credibility. A "respectfully disagree" will often do the trick.

[akula]

well, I think it's great that you're so interested in this discussion. I don't know the original poster so I don't care either way whether he succeeds or fails. The thing that I do care about is the quality of financial information that's published in the market - in the same way that you care about the quality of religious information that's published in the same market.

In other words, how would you feel about that financial planner friend of yours with minimal theological training, to join this mag and start spouting his interpretations about the bible? You'd feel about it the same way as I feel about unqualified people writing about finance.

Most importantly, the issue is one of consumer protection. A magazine like "Christian Finance" would escape accountability to peer review both from the christian and finance communities. If the mag writes crap about religion and get questioned by the christians, the publisher will say "we're not really a religious publications, so our standards are lower than yours"..and if the mag writes crap about tax planning, they'll say "we're not really a finance publisher, so again, our standards are lower than MorningStar". either way..you get crap commentary on religion, I get crap commentary on finance and the community as a whole gets sold a dud

Subjective? You sure could have fooled me.



Who said the writers and contributors to this publication aren't well versed in personal finance AND who also recognize the parallel between the Biblical principles on investing and financial management?

Why does it have to be 'either' or 'or' in your case?

I happen to know one former financial planner [an investment banker] who recently dedicated himself to theology and pastorship. Does his newly founded profession as a Bible teacher make null and void of the decades of education and experience he's had in the financial industry?



There you go again - you and your unsubstantiated assumptions. [Read my last paragraph.]



Unfortunately, you're going to have people like that from all backgrounds, cultures, and religious persuasions. PLENTY of educated people are 'exploited' [who you call 'dumb'] EVERYDAY by newly college-graduated, pinstripe suit wearing SALESPEOPLE that call themselves financial planners, who know next to nothing about investing, but are partially succesful in pushing out financial products for the most reputable firms out there.