Thursday, 19 July 2012 13:05

By Mike Christopherson
Over the past 14 months I have had the opportunity to meet with many pastors and parishioners throughout the diocese to discuss various aspects of planned giving. That experience has been most helpful to me in gaining an understanding of how people view planned giving and how they actually implement it. For many, the term may be new but the implementation and application has been in practice for some time in many parishes. Others have dispelled the perception that making a planned gift was a very complicated activity when, in many instances, it was discovered to be relatively simple!
Yes, if one has been blessed with financial wealth, it can be complicated, but that’s why you have an attorney, wealth advisor, financial advisor, or other professional that you employ for this purpose. For most of us, though, regardless of our financial wealth, the process is very simple. Making a change to your insurance beneficiary can be accomplished with the completion of a few forms obtained from your insurance agent or your respective insurance carrier.
While there may be some associated cost, the addition or a change in a bequest in your will can be accomplished with a visit to your attorney’s office. If you are interested in leaving a gift to the church while still receiving an income stream in your later years, a Charitable Gift Annuity can be completed quickly and with no cost to complete the process.
The same is true with a Seminarian Burse in which you may wish to memorialize or honor a living or deceased loved one. This has the added advantage that it can be added to at any time and in any amount by those who also may wish to honor the same individual. Many opportunities exist and can be executed with a minimal amount of time and little or no cost. If one of these may be of interest to you, a simple phone call to the Office of Development and Planned Giving can provide you with more information.
Remembering the church with your passing is for everyone. One does not have to be blessed with great wealth to be able to return to God a portion of the gifts He has bestowed upon us. Our stewardship is not just for the here and now – it can extend to all eternity and represent our gratefulness and the final “thank you.” Make your stewardship live forever by crafting a plan that will allow you to keep supporting the good of the church long after you pass from this world!

Want more info about remembering the church?
For assistance in exploring the many opportunities to Remember the Church, please contact Mike Christopherson at (316) 440-1733 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .