Articles

Originally published in the Spring 2026 Bridge Magazine, Rev. Gabriel Lopez shares a personal story of real connection and participation as opposed to surface level invitation and inclusion.

Two foundational elements of your financial life—financial institutions and credit systems—shape how you manage, access, and grow your resources. Learning how to navigate them is not just about completing tasks; it is about gaining stability, expanding your opportunities, and building a stronger financial future.

If you have served in ministry for any length of time, you probably know the basics of housing allowance. It is a unique tax benefit available to qualified ministers — a portion of your income that can be excluded from taxable income if it is used for housing. But here is something that does not get talked about nearly enough: the housing allowance is not just a tax break for right now. Used thoughtfully, it can be a powerful tool for long-term financial health, especially in retirement.

As one might imagine, we frequently receive calls and emails asking about the specific investments that back our various products. Although account holders don’t own these underlying investments (or experience the associated risk of their price movements), the asset allocation is of interest to members when assessing the potential for annual Good Experience Credits (GECs)...