Local churches offer workshop to help South Cobbers find "financial peace"

With the New Year comes the typical resolutions – to start dieting, to start exercising and to stop smoking. But in this challenging economy, one resolution leads the pack: gaining control over personal finances.

In fact, on Jan. 1, was among the top searches on engines such as Yahoo and Google.

Recognizing the need in the community, and are teaming together to offer Dave Ramsey's popular "Financial Peace University" beginning this Sunday, Jan. 9.

"We want to be a blessing to the community," says the Rev. Brett DeHart, who pastors Austell First United Methodist. "We're hoping, especially in this economy, that the course will help people to improve their mindset about debt – about getting out of debt and staying out of debt."

DeHart, who has taken the course himself, blames much of today's debt on what he calls the "instant lifestyle."

"Like so many people in my generation, I wanted the same lifestyle that my parents had," he says. "What I didn't realize was that they had taken 20 years to accumulate those things. Our generation tends to buy it all up front and put it on a credit card. Over time, we end up in bondage to debt because of poor choices that we've made. We end up leading a mediocre lifestyle because we were unwilling to delay gratification when we were younger."

The Rev. David Pierce, pastor of Austell Presbyterian Church, agrees. He and his wife will not only be hosting Financial Peace University, they will be going taking it for the first time.

"Our son has taken this course," he says. "It really helped him to get the right start in his young marriage."

"I think it's a really good thing," he adds. "It sets people free. It helps the church because people are free to be more generous to the church and to the community – but most importantly, they are free to live their own lives."

Both pastors point out that the course is geared toward the South Cobb community, not just the church.

"The first class is free," says DeHart. "We want people to feel welcome. They can come to the first class and decide whether or not this is something that they're ready for. There's no pressure."

For those who choose to continue the course, the investment is $99. This covers the course book and workbook, all 13 lessons on CD, the envelope system, access to the online resource center and a lifetime membership that allows participants to retake the course free at any time.

The course will be held at Austell Presbyterian Church. The classes will meet every Sunday evening from 5 to 7 p.m., and will run from Jan. 9 through April 3. The church is located at 5895 Love Street in Austell.

Those interested in registering for the course or in finding out more should contact Brett DeHart at brett@blessaustell.com.

For South Cobb residents who live closer to Smyrna, will also be hosting Financial Peace University. Contact Pastor Jim Moon at 770-333-1775.