Some have said that much of what happens in life boils down to relationships and they are a two-way street. Both might sound like cliches, but I believe they are based on core truths and realities that directly impact how effective we can be in our endeavors.
The relationship doors swing heavily on communications, which is why we consider it a discipline or core value at CIF. When we work with church staff members and volunteers, the best results are achieved when the calls and emails are flowing, questions are being asked and solutions are found.
For Church Loans, there are many stages in the process which can take weeks. From our many decades of experience, we try to communicate clearly about expectations, how things typically go and possible roadblocks that can pop up.
Some of what happens occurs behind the scenes as we help churches with requirements and deadlines to keep a project or purchase moving. Our staff often ask the question, “What’s in the best interest of this church or ministry and how can we best serve them to move in that direction?”
I am excited to see these church stories being told because our investors, many of them churches, also need to hear how their dollars are being put to work. One of our recent messages and challenges to both current and prospective constituents was to make their money a missionary for God’s Kingdom work. That is what churches and individuals are doing at CIF, joining us in this calling to provide faith-based financial solutions that serve Kingdom expansion!
With quality communication comes greater understanding, connection and appreciation. It is a joy to serve in this way, and we hope that your involvement with CIF and its mission is both satisfying and missionally fulfilling. As one executive pastor who helped lead a church project said, “It’s more than just the rate, it’s everything else (that CIF does.)”
The third pillar or core service we offer is Consulting, which can involve capital campaigns for church projects and purchases. We bring a special approach to this work that is both God-honoring and effective. I love watching how teams at churches pull together entire congregations to turn their visions into reality.
I’d like to close with a quote from Simon Sinek – “A small team, committed to a cause bigger than themselves can achieve absolutely anything.”
We have seen churches through all seasons of life and ministry, and we want these ministries to continue and thrive.
“When choosing a financial pathway, we love it when churches compare our nonprofit ministry-centered approach to our for-profit friends. This is where we believe CIF’s value rises to the top.” What is good value? That is a question many people ask when they consider a product or service, from a restaurant to real estate or… Continue Reading
“As we serve churches, we are a team that supports other teams of people, congregations, elders and pastors, all of them partners in this work.” I was privileged recently to hear some heartwarming comments and appreciation from a church elder in a congregation we have served since the mid-1960s. What a blessing that we have… Continue Reading
“Facilities are a tool, albeit a powerful one, that opens doors to greater ministry.” A recent column by Bob Osborne with EFCA West makes a case for “Why guests don’t want to come back” to our churches. Many on the inside might believe that it is the guest who is the issue. It can’t have… Continue Reading