On October 1, more than 80 clergy, laity and their supporters gathered to celebrate their graduation from the 18-month Financial Leadership Academy (FLA) program. The FLA, a program of the Mid-Atlantic Faith Foundation (MAFF), empowers participants to lead their congregations in bold, faithful mission from a standpoint of financial strength and confidence.

The graduation ceremony was held at the beautiful Eden Resort in Lancaster, PA, a now-familiar place for the scholars who gathered there five times over the course of eighteen months, each time for a two-day learning session on topics ranging from the spirituality of personal finances to nonprofit fundraising.

After a shared meal, coach and MAFF board member Marsha Johnson opened the celebration in prayer, and one of the graduates led the group in songs of praise. The ceremony continued with words of encouragement and congratulations from MAFF board members and the scholars’ episcopal leaders.

Bishop LaTrelle Easterling of the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conferences greeted the group with a video message, emphasizing the missional import of stewardship: “I want us to be clear, the church is never seeking bean counters nor those who would simply hoard the resources entrusted through tithes and offerings. No, God is calling for faithful, bold, prophetic leaders who understand that every gift placed in our hands is to be used to serve the present age.”

Rev. Dawn Taylor-Storm, EPA&GNJ’s Director of Connectional Ministries, shared words on behalf of Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi. She, too, focused on stewardship as an aspect of discipleship: “Through your time in this program,” she said, “you have deepened your understanding of what it means to be disciples who give generously and then to help others to see stewardship not as a task, but as a way of life.”

West District Lay Leader Susan Grimm Mattox also shared her excitement about how the graduates will use what they’ve learned. She expressed hope that more laity will participate in the program in the future: “It’s not clergy. It’s not laity. If we want to move forward, it’s got to be together.”

Annabel Lusardi, Acting Executive Director of the MAFF, reminded the scholars, “You are walking out of here stronger, smarter, bolder, better equipped than any of us could have imagined,” and called them to, “Look around your communities and dream BIG! Take risks for the kingdom of God.”

Even at the ceremony itself, graduates were seeking ways to participate in God’s abundance. A juice glass filled with cash sat atop one of the banquet tables—the fruit of a spontaneous idea to collect money to support tuition for seminarians who will enroll in future years of the academy.

After the speeches, the graduates were called forward to receive their certificates. The celebration ended with more music and a closing blessing. Scholars lingered to take pictures with their coaches and cohorts and to share conversation with friends they’d met and grown with over the course of the program.

Among the FLA’s graduating scholars this year were 26 individuals from Eastern Pennsylvania and four from Greater New Jersey. They testify to the transformational power of the program.

Pastor Jesse Ruch of Marlton UMC says, “FLA gave me great tools and ideas that have shaped my own personal financial journey, the ways in which I lead in my local church, and how I understand church finances as a whole. I found the experience very powerful and my time in FLA has already paid dividends that far outweighed the investment to attend.”

Pastor Karen Bartkowski of Conshohocken UMC says, “FLA filled in a lot of important knowledge gaps that seminary never covered. The whole experience made me more confident in speaking about money in church and an awareness how it is such a vital component of discipleship and spiritual growth. My local church is better equipped for this time and the future because I participated in FLA.”

If you are interested in learning more about the Financial Leadership Academy and its transformational potential, visit Mid-Atlantic Faith Foundation | Financial Leadership Academy.