Saving money is hard. It requires discipline and a willingness to forego something you really want now so you have money when you really need it in the future.
Sarah and Lewis, clients of Chandel Strickland, a financial professional with Thrivent, are a perfect example of the importance of responsible financial management. The parents of active children who are competitive athletes, the family just did not have time for their finances….so they thought. In addition, Sarah felt constant stress because of her lack of clarity regarding her family’s finances. But when Strickland reached out to her to offer her financial services, Sarah insisted she didn’t have the time. Strickland was persistent, and in their initial meeting, set up an accountability system the couple desperately needed. After a year of working together, Sarah was in an accident that required emergency surgery. Lewis called Strickland the next day to thank her. “If it weren’t for your financial advice and encouragement,” he said, “we would not be in the financial place to handle this situation.”
As Strickland said, “Through developing a plan that protects against the certainty of the uncertain, this family can move forward without financial stress weighing them down.”
That’s the beauty of financial planning, made even better by the Christian focus Thrivent maintains as the bedrock of all it does. Its business philosophy is that it is a membership organization of Christians that helps them be wise with money and live generously. The result is stronger members, families, and communities.
Conceived within the Lutheran Church, Thrivent is on a mission to help families make the most of all they’ve been given. “This history is important,” explained Strickland, “because it speaks to our core values of helping the entire church, regardless of denomination, thrive so that we can impact our family and community. We believe money is a tool, not a goal. We also believe that generosity is an expression of our faith.”
Offering services such as advice, investments, insurance, banking, and giving, Thrivent is a unique approach to money management that encourages members to use money judiciously as a tool for betterment rather than seeing it as an end result. It’s not about the money – it’s about what you can do with it. Christians can appreciate this concept, as the Bible warns many times about the dangers of the love of the money and the importance of sound financial management.
Strickland explained it well. “For me, this is a ministry of teaching stewardship. God expects us to be good stewards over everything he has given us. I don’t take lightly the opportunity to help families achieve all that God has for them. People are looking for someone they can trust with what they have, and I work to constantly build the foundation of trust.”
Strickland didn’t always plan on this route in life, but heeded the call when it came. “My background is in finance and accounting in oil and gas. I previously helped a multi–national company plan and prepare for their financial future. Three years ago I decided to move in the direction that I felt God calling me. If you had told me I’d be a financial advisor, I’d have called your bluff. But as I entertained the idea, I felt more and more at peace that this was the career for me. I’m able to bring all of myself to work every day, and now I’m able to help families and impact generations.”
Learn more about Thrivent at www.thrivent.com/ or contact Chandel Strickland directly at connect.thrivent.com/chandel-strickland/
