NEW YORK, NY (1/27/22)—MMBB is pleased to announce the introduction of MMBB Financial Wellness Institute (FWI), a convenient new way for MMBB members to learn about money matters. It’s a visually engaging and interactive online learning experience designed for both clergy and lay staff. This practical and dynamic e-curriculum is provided at no cost to MMBB members.
“The goals of our Financial Wellness Institute include increasing the financial know-how of pastors and congregations, and helping viewers to achieve financial wellness,” comments MMBB CEO Louis P. Barbarin. “The video education series is a tool to build the skills pastors need to have healthy conversations around money within their congregations. Above all else, we feel the courses demonstrate that becoming financially literate can be enjoyable and stimulating.”
FWI courses use animated videos, quizzes, resources and assessments to share strategies, tactics and tips viewers can use right now. Each course provides learning modules that only take a few minutes to view. The first three courses are:
- Debt Management
- Understanding Compensation
- Building a Financial Foundation in Retirement
The genesis of FWI came from strategic discussions about creative ways to empower MMBB members with the knowledge they need to create financial wellness. When MMBB’s pastoral research revealed pastors have more than twice as much debt stress as the general population, staff prioritized debt management as the first FWI course. That’s why MMBB is excited to provide an innovative and well-crafted online learning hub to help members take charge of their finances.
During the week of January 24, 2022, members are receiving email invites to sign up for the curriculum. Users can take courses in any order they wish at their own pace. MMBB believes this online curriculum will provide great value for members.
MMBB Financial Services is the non-profit financial steward for more than 18,000 members and 5,000 churches and faith-based employers in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. As part of our ministry support, we provide flexible, affordable retirement benefit plans and certified financial planning guidance. As pioneers in providing employee retirement benefits, we manage $3 billion in assets. MMBB carries forward a 100-plus-year tradition of offering competitive returns and experienced management advice to meet the unique needs of the religious community, so people of faith can focus on what matters most – their churches, congregations and communities.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.