Kill the Debt, Keep the Mission: A Simple Church Plan Anyone Can Run
If your people are living with “too much month at the end of the money,” discipleship suffers. Get Out of Debt Here! is a church-ready resource that shows members (and small groups) how to crush consumer debt quickly using a clear, biblical, and doable plan—so they can breathe, give, and serve with freedom. It’s built for action this month, not financial degrees or guilt trips.
Why this matters now
Financial stress is a top reason families disengage from church life and hold back generosity—not from lack of love, but lack of margin. Giving people a trusted path out of debt is pastoral care and mission fuel. This guide connects your discipleship environment (Sunday, groups, classes) with a practical framework people can actually finish: a short series with worksheets and a proven “snowball” payoff method that builds momentum week by week. Your role: curate, encourage, and celebrate stories of progress.
What’s inside
A six-week plan you can run with individuals, couples, or small groups—printable or online.
Aggressive Payment Plan (APP)—the debt “snowball”: attack one balance at a time and roll freed payments forward.
Step-by-step worksheets for listing debts, sequencing payoffs, and tracking wins.
Links to extended tools for ongoing stewardship teaching beyond the six weeks.
Use it this month: 5-step mini-playbook
Pick your on-ramp. Announce a 6-week “Debt-Free Sprint” in worship and groups; collect interest via a quick sign-up form.
Kickoff night (Week 0). 45 minutes: cast vision, preview the APP steps, and have participants list every debt with minimums.
Sequence the snowball. In Session 1, sort debts from smallest balance to largest; commit to rolling every freed payment to the next.
Weekly rhythm. Teach the short lesson, assign one practical action (cancel a subscription, sell one item, call a creditor).
Celebrate momentum. Share “first debt paid!” stories each Sunday; invite graduates to help lead the next round.
Safety/Privacy note: Protect congregant confidentiality. Share impact stories without naming amounts or personally identifiable financial details.
Pro Tips
Start small, finish fast. Early wins beat perfect math—motivation is the multiplier.
Bundle care. Pair the class with budgeting help and benevolence guardrails so people have support, not shame.
Tell the why. Tie freedom from debt to freedom for generosity, service, and mission—then show where giving changes lives.
Block 20 minutes on your calendar to schedule the kickoff and send the invite today—your people will thank you in six weeks.
Mark Emerson
Associate Executive Director, markemerson@ibsa.org