ACFA News - Chairman's Newsletter

Chairmans Newsletter Summer 2011

How was it in the days of the prophet Elijah? Pretty much like the UK today- a nation that had lost its focus on God, a famine (recession) of epic physical and spiritual proportions, and a marginalised prophet (church) preaching a message few wanted to hear… until Mount Carmel and the ‘fire of God’. Who is listening to the ‘still small voice of God’ in the midst of our turmoil?

Our message of biblical financial planning principles and freedom from debt is incredibly important- the children’s money boxes Crown Financial encapsulate this by 3 connected boxes –‘Give: Save: Spend’ –it’s that simple! ACFA have commented on the ‘Greek debt’ issue and as I write there is a continued jousting match between ‘amoral’ financial markets and ‘over indebted’ western governments. I had the privilege of talking on various BBC local radio stations on a Sunday morning in June on Greek and Euro crises –half the interviewers were sympathetic but in response to a hostile question ‘How can a 3000 year old book (referring to Solomon’s Proverbs) have relevance today?’ my retort was ‘What will happen if we don’t listen to its message!’ – then giving the example that Greece’s economic (if not political) decisions are now being made by Eurocrats in Germany and France: truly ‘the borrower is the servant of the lender’!

As we know, the living standards of the population are generally decreasing at the present time (as are those of many financial advisers!) but this is the very time when the public need our advice more than ever before- let’s be those advisers who actively contact clients in the lean times!

What is ACFA up to? We have again had a stall at New Wine Shepton Mallet for 2 weeks (along with Mark and Rhoda Lloydbottom of Crown Financial) which was well received and has resulted in 17 referrals, and increased hits on our website plus at least 2 new ACFA members. Thanks to Arwyn Bailey, Tim Woodward, Graham Cleveland and main organiser Mark Crofts who gave up their time. Thanks too for Rhoda bringing me a pillow and a towel- camping is not like staying in a hotel!! Some fantastic conversations from ‘how does my giving affect working tax credit’, through to ‘how can I encourage my husband to practice generosity’ and meeting some city high flyers. For me, I frequently sensed the strong presence of God just being on the stall. Should referrals from ACFA be fruitful may I ask you please to donate 10% of the initial fees to ACFA- we do need the money if we are to be ‘higher profile’. We hope to be represented elsewhere over the next year or so.

The ACFA Conference 1st & 2nd November- ‘Justice in Financial Planning’ - An action packed program has been arranged and application packs will be going out in the next week or so along with a ‘give-away’ DVD set of highlights from last year. The benefit of Christian (advisers) meeting together cannot be understated as Proverbs 27 v17 states ‘As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another’. Hence, please make the effort to meet in Derbyshire –it will be worth any extra travelling effort! How about inviting a colleague- perhaps a curious ‘not yet a Christian’ colleague? The details will also be available on email format for forwarding / inviting too.

Articles for all!- We continue to tap the considerable ‘buried treasure’ amongst the members by attaching articles which are linked to our website- the idea is to encourage writers/writing, to add quality input for our website, and generate interest and quality referrals. Please email me if you are inwardly moved enough to ‘put pen to paper’ by an area of planning or a money injustice.

Arwyn Bailey writes a moving personal account on ‘Long term care / Later Life planning’

Andrew Meade tells us ‘Why you need a Will and what happens if you die without one’

Next year’s committee!- We are looking, subject to agreement at the ‘Annual Vision meeting’, for Derek Williams to become Chairman (again!), Arwyn Bailey and myself to deal with Marketing and Media, Mark Hassell to organise the conference, and Mark Crofts will retire after 4 busy years. This means that we need a new committee member who we would expect to initially serve as Treasurer- if you feel God is nudging you then please email me.

Richest blessings
Aidan Vaughan- Chairman
aidan@mplltd.co.uk