1: What is the purpose of the Pension Boards' Ministers' Financial Vitality Initiative (MVFI), and why should I apply?
MFVI is an intentional investment by the Pension Boards in the financial vitality of authorized ministers in the United Church of Christ. The Pension Boards recognizes that many clergy are pouring themselves into various ministry settings and often do not have the time and energy to invest in their personal financial wellness. This program will help eligible participants develop a holistic approach toward managing finances, including reducing debt. This program is also designed to strengthen financial management literacy skills and give ministers the tools and cash incentives they need to move toward a financially vital future.

The MFVI Program engages a selection of 60 UCC authorized ministers each year to commit to a three-year personal finance education, including a yearly financial incentive, and no-cost financial planning and counseling through EY Navigate^TM (Ernst & Young).

2: What is MFVI's application criteria?
To qualify as an applicant, you must meet the following criteria:

• Ministerial authorization and standing in the United Church of Christ
• Endorsement from the Association/Conference Minister in which ministerial standing is held
• Endorsement from a lay leader in your ministry setting who will serve as a mentor in achieving established financial goals and milestones
• Seminary or other educational debt, or personal debt
• Willingness to engage key lay leaders and your ministry setting in education on financial stewardship, and to set a baseline goal for increased giving
• Invest reasonable time and energy into MFVI
  
  

3: What are the components MFVI?
MFVI consists of a required three-year financial education that will include meetings with a certified financial planner through Ernst & Young's EY Navigate^TM Financial Planner Line (1.877.927.1047), and an established lay financial mentor that you identify to keep you accountable throughout the program. As a participant, you will have access to several online resource tools and financial worksheets. We ask for a commitment from participants to utilize their learnings to enhance the stewardship capacity of their various ministry settings. Any authorized UCC minister is eligible to apply. Participants also receive a yearly cash incentive award for the completion of programmatic milestones. 

4: As a UCC authorized minister, what outcomes should I expect to come away with after the three years in MFVI?
The goal for MFVI program participants is to strengthen their ability to make confident, well-informed money-related decisions resulting in financial security for both the short- and long- term.

5: What are some of the benefits of participation in MFVI Program?
MFVI participants will have access to:

• A cohort of 60 pastoral leaders from various ministry settings in the life of the church
• Confidential financial counseling and coaching from certified Ernst and Young financial planners
• Access to EY Navigate^TM, an online tool from Ernst & Young where participants can learn about financial planning topics; evaluate personal financial situations with calculators; take questionnaires; or utilize other personal assessment tools; and create a financial wellness plan
• Financial incentives for achieving milestones and learning goals
• Regular social media engagement
  
  

6: How often will Ernst & Young financial planners be available? What are the boundaries to using this service? Can I get help with my church's finances?

The EY Navigate^TM Financial Planner Line is an important part of the MFVI Program. With EY Navigate^TM, you have unlimited, toll-free access to financial counseling over the phone. EY financial planners will help answer your financial questions, and educate you on all your money-related needs and goals. There is no limit on the number of calls you can make. The specific purpose of the MFVI Program is to focus on the personal financial vitality of authorized UCC ministers with the hope that these tools can strengthen their leadership around church stewardship. However, EY Navigate^TM cannot be used to manage church finances.

The financial planners deliver independent, objective, and confidential financial education and counseling, and can assist with the following personal financial services:

• Planning for retirement
• Determining how much to save
• Making investment decisions
• Understanding tax issues
• Budgeting
• Insurance needs and options
• Buying a home or car
• Financing college education, and more
  
  

7: What are some of the financial wellness tools offered through MFVI?
As an MFVI participant, you will have access to a dedicated financial wellness website — EY Navigate^TM, a comprehensive and financial resource tool that will provide:

• Guided financial education
  • EY Financial Wellness Assessment with prescriptive action items
  • Step-by-step guidance maps for managing life events
  • User-friendly, interactive calculators
  • Media library with on-demand webinars and short animated videos
  • Chat support
• One-on-one financial counseling
  • Dedicated phone support with experienced, credentialed financial counselors through EY Navigate^TM Financial Planner Line
  • Personal financial reports
  • Collaborative browsing support through the EY Navigate^TM website 
    
    

For more information about MFVI, please contact Joaquin Labour-Acosta at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..