I recently had a discussion with another Christian Financial Planner about joining the Christian Financial Planners Association (CFPA), and I am not sure how I feel about these Christian professional associations and designations. Here are some questions for everyone to respond to:
Is there a difference in a Christian Financial Planner and a Financial Planner who is a Christian? Does my membership in associations like the CFPA matter to potential Christian clients? What about in your profession (minus D-rock and E-rock)-- is there a sub-culture of Christian practitioners? Do they market themselves to other Christians, and if they do, does it sound like they can help them better than a non-Christian planner?
Questions? Comments? Cheap-shots?
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2 comments:
jp,
I think you know what some of my answers to your questions would be. So, i won't waste time.
however, i do wish I had something similar in my field. I wish that there was a group of men I could rely on to give me advice from a biblical perspective that was very specific to my industry. If I had a similar group I would probably join. As long as it did not cost an arm and a leg.
Now, I don't think that we as christians need to neccessarily market ourselves as "Christian ...." (fill in the blank). Our lives and our companies need to reflect the biblical principals and values that we hold dear. Part of that is being excellent at whatever we do. The best way you can show your Christianity is by being the best Financial planner there is. If you make your clients lots of money and do it ethically and legally then I think this is what the essence of being a "Christian" is about. It is not about having a cross on the wall behind your desk or having a bible strategically placed in your office somewhere. It is about about reflecting Christ in your dealings with your employees, customers, and vendors. (Much easier said that done.)
Sadly, some people use the designation "christian whatever" in order to target customers.
Christians are just another market segment to may people, and so they advertise to us. In our area we have a separate "christian yellowpages" for "christian" businesses. I know of people who have joined churches (or attend churches) so they can make contacts for insurance and real estate.
I don't think there is anything inherently evil about an organization like the one you mentioned...but I am always leery of anyone who markets themself as anything other than a Christian who happens to be a FP.
JGray
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