J I M B's O N LI N E R M E M O
TO: Onliners interested in "Small Christ-Centered Ministries" FROM: Jim B
See alter ego " Brad Pendable " belowRE: Introduction to this Web Site DATE: November 2008
P E R S P E C T I V E:
Welcome to the "Home Page" of this Web Site as we share via this J I M B's O N LI N E R M E M O format . Please note alter ego Brad Pendable and his "Nest of Bees" remarks. You will notice that we purposely do NOT have a lot of graphics here as we primarily want to communicate in writing with you fellow Onliners who are involved with perhaps beginning "Small Christ-Centered Ministries - SmallMins" --- who we, incidentally, define as those of you who handle less than $500.000 per annum. But of extra SPECIAL interest to us is those of you that handle $99,999 or less per annum -- that we respectfully reference as needy "Mom-Pop" Ministries. Of course, your Ministry might be any of the following: Churches, Missionary Organizations, Schools or any other "Christ-Centered " endeavor.
A little background first ----- please see Jim B's bio info as he has personally served the following type of "Christ-Centered Ministries" in the indicated capacities since 1958. Jim B formally retired in 1994, but tries to stay active in his retirement years as he provides the information found when you GO HERE. He functions from these two perspectives:
>> "Insider Looking Out"
-- Paid "Helper-Consultant" to the "Ministry Finance Team" of a local Church in Fresno, Cal. Please GO HERE for information about my current over 10 year assignment there. Let me know at Jim@bcidot.org if you would like to contact anyone at this Church.
-- Volunteer Treasurer of the Evangelical Christian Credit Union - ECCU in Southern Calif for most of the 1980s
-- Volunteer via applicable Internet resources
-- Volunteer Church Treasurer - a Church in Spokane, Wash and another in Whittier, Calif
>> "Outsider Looking In"
-- Paid "Auditor-Certified Public Accountant - CPA" for over 30 years
-- Volunteer participate within various groups
So why this website, you ask?
P U R P O S E
Before you delve into the details of our website "Purpose or Mission" statement below, please digest the following:
What
Any "Decision Maker" within any sized "Christ-Centered Ministries", or endeavor, MUST be trained and have current resources so they know internally if there is money to be righteously spent in their area of responsibility.
Why
Because they MUST "Plan before they Spend." Or they need to have timely and reliable written information that are compliant with the Ministry's goals and objective. Such data further enables them to be a good steward of resources so they do not inappropriately spend money or go into debt.
When
At least weekly someone MUST do the needed trust worthy finance record keeping so the "Decision Maker" knows the most up-to date and applicable finance status and activity information.
How
Ideally, they MUST make full use of the appropriate modern-day safe tools and technology. Much of this is now provided via the Internet, computers (especially laptops), and related local or remote Online resources. Plus they need to have credibility with their constituency and be externally accountable for these financial resources.
Our purpose, or what Jim B and Brad Pendable want to accomplish via this Website , is to function as if we were a "Ministry Finance savvy CPA Missionary" who provides "no fee charged" Online assistance to you who are interested. Since the late 1980s Jim B has tried to stay abreast of the applicable Computer and Internet resources mentioned below so we want "SmallMins" to make full use of:
CONTEMPORARY RESOURCES (Primarily the Internet) which includes the appropriate use of at least the following::
1> Cutting edge technology when using lap tops ---- especially via applicable Computer systems. and a fast connection to the Internet.
2> Older versions of the software product known as QuickBooks Pro - QBs ---- plus the appropriate software that combines People and Donation information. Be sure you understand the overall Internet and Computer resources (like the Compasses mentioned here) as you timely have relevant financial reports (like the Charts mentioned here) for making "Spending Control" decisions.
3> Any available Online/Web tool. This includes receiving donations Online, plus making full use of the Online Payment options and depositing a Staffer's net pay electronically. But it especially includes the weekly process of going Online and obtaining the equivalent of your "Bank and/or Credit Card Statements." Please Click Here for more information as you use such data as your primary source of financial transactions that go into your QBs accounting system. Please Click Here and look over some of the sample financial reports resulting from this process as used by those within Brad's referenced Bee Colony below.
4> Online Forums that enable finance people within such a Bee Colony to interact and learn from one another. Plus also be able to access computer desktops of others for valuable collaborative purposes.The intent is to remotely help you get going via a variety of resources, as we direct you to "HELPERs" who, via the Internet, either assist you to finalize your transactions or they regularly "look over your shoulder." Again, our target is especially those of you who are comfortable using the Internet, especially via a mobile lap top . We especially want you "SmallMins" to seriously look into the use of the eFINFAX accounting system that emphasizes the BuxBox "Spending Control" features that we thoroughly discuss in a dialog with a HOMER when you go to 2000.
Please note below information about Jim B 's alter ego Brad Pendable via his "Brad's Onliner Memo" with regard to BRAD's NEST OF BEES :
Ministry Finance Team Helps
B R A D 's ON L I N E R M E M O- - -
TO: Onliner Taylor FROM: Brad Pendable - CPA
RE: Introduction to the "BRAD's NEST OF BEES" ORIGINATED: January 2008
Welcome to "BRADS NEST OF BEES". I am a supposed CPA (Certified Public Accountant ) who functions as a specialized Missionary, primarily via this website resource. The ministry is targeted to "Small Christian Ministries," as they meaningfully use the Internet, plus related resources, to be righteous stewards of their unique finances. This resource includes some "HONEY HOMER BEE HELPERS" who have been trained to give assistance to those who become a part of this "COLONY OF BEES" community. In this "BRAD's ONLINER MEMO", I provide you with more details about all of this as I interact with "Onliner Taylor". My prayer is that this "BRADS NEST OF BEES" will be of relevant assistance.
| OUR PURPOSE | WHY "NEST OF BEES" | WHO WE ASSIST | ASSISTANCE EMPHASIS | ASSISTANCE SPECIFICS | INFO ABOUT BRAD | SITEMAP
Hi Brad. I recently came across this Website. .... why do you have a "NEST OF BEES" or any sort of "BEES" emphasis? What does this have to do with your overall objective that you briefly mention above?
Via Brad@rpfin.org :
Thank you, Taylor, for contacting us. Indeed, this requires an explanation. When this endeavor started it became apparent that we were using a number of words, terms, or phrases, that started with the letter "B". See Glossary content. So we began to think that perhaps what we wanted to accomplish should have a "BEE" or a "NEST OF BEES" approach and, like some of the Lord's parables, we should have an allegorical thrust. So we did some research about "BEES." To us it is relevant that the Lord created "BEES" to function effectively as a team within a "NEST OF BEES, or BEE-HIVE". The following features greatly impressed us:
01> The overall unified "NEST OF BEES, or BEE-HIVE" objective, or purpose, is for the "BEES" to produce honey.
02> In doing this, the "BEES" need to function together as a well organized group or via a "COLONY OF BEES" community.
03> A "BEE" is a God created being who has a variety of assigned tasks, or each "BEE" has a well defined & understood job description
04> The Lord provides the necessary resources (pollen, etc.) to accomplish the honey producing purpose of the "COLONY OF BEES" community..
05> Like any effective entity, the "NEST OF BEES, or BEE-HIVE" has supervisors (QUEEN BEES, if you please) who look at the overall endeavor, or at the big picture -- which reminds us of the needed Ministry Finance Team of a Ministry
06> Plus, of course, there are also (WORKERS and DRONE BEES) who care for the detailed functions, or the "nitty gritty", as the endeavor is ultimately completed. BeeTees (Bookkeeper and/or Treasurers)You will find more details about all of this at "NEST OF BEES" . Please also note: BEES are small beings -- we serve small Christian Entities , or Ministries, of different kinds as identified per our Bee Colony. The end product of most BEES is honey - which connotes in our hearts to meeting man's spiritual needs. HONEY BEE HOMER helpers are "BUSY or HONEY BEES." One of our resources will be the "BRADS BLOG" Part of the resources within this Website will be periodic editorials within context of "BEES IN BRAD's BONNET."
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Via Taylor:
OK most interesting .... please tell me more about the overall thrust of this Web Site, Brad.
Via Brad@rpfin.org :
OK .... please digest the following:PURPOSE: the mission of this Web Site is to provide "no fee charged" assistance (some refer to this as "Pro Bono" services) to interested Small Christian Ministries via primarily a "Ministry Finance" savvy CPA Brad Pendable, as he emphasizes the full and appropriate use of Contemporary Resources to efficiently handle their finances in ways that please the Lord. The intent is to remotely help you get going via a variety of "BEE" resources, or direct you to "Busy Bees" who, via the Internet, either help you (or do it themselves) finalize your transactions or they regularly "look over your shoulder."
CHRISTIAN ENTITIES: Here we primarily mean just beginning, or quite new, smaller Christ-centered Ministries who generally handle $500,000 or less per year. Or even "Mom-Pop" Ministries who handle $99,999 or less per year. Our target is especially those of you who are comfortable using the Internet, often via a Lap Top . We might also provide "money record keeping" assistance to Believers in their pursuit of God-honoring "money spending controls" and management.
Jim B and I especially want you all to be aware of the eFINFAX accounting system (that emphasizes the BuxBox feature) for you Smaller Ministries that I spell out quite thoroughly in a dialog with a HOMER when you go to 2000.CONTEMPORARY RESOURCES (Primarily the Internet) which includes the appropriate use of at least the following::
1> Cutting edge technology (CAUTION: You can get a "deep gash" if you do not have the "cutting edge" know-how ) when using mobile lap top computers---- especially when using the Internet via a fast connection and the applicable Computer systems.
2> Older versions of the software product known as QuickBooks Pro ---- plus the appropriate software that combines People and Donation information. Then be sure you understand the overall Internet and Computer resources (like the Compasses mentioned here) as you timely have relevant financial reports (like the Charts mentioned here) for making "Spending Control" decisions.
3> Any available Online/Web tool. This includes receiving net pay electronically or donations Online - plus making full use of the Online Payment options. But it especially includes the weekly process of going Online and obtaining the equivalent of your "Bank Account and/or Credit Card Statements." Please Click Here for more information as you use such data as your primary source of financial transactions that go into your QuickBooks Pro accounting system. Please Click Here and look over some of the sample financial reports resulting from this process as used by those within the Bee Colony.
4> Online Forums that enable finance people at our Bee Colony to interact and learn from one another. Plus also be able to access computer desktops of others for collaborative purposes.
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Thank you, Brad; now please tell me more about yourself; what is your background?
Via Brad@rpfin.org :
Thank you for asking. I am a virtually deaf hypothetical staff member of a supposed Ministry called "Go Ye Ministries" ---- which is a Christ-centered Evangelical Church with Christian Schools, a Camp or Retreat facility, plus some Radio/TV Ministries. I am their CFO (Chief Financial Officer).
But you no doubt are mostly interested in the fact that I am also their specialized Missionary as I am under their direction/control and fully financially and prayerfully supported by them. A major ministry goal of theirs is for me ( as a specially trained CPA ) to remotely assist other Christian Entities as they manage their fiscal affairs. Why --- because all too often " Bookkeepers and/or Treasurers" - BeeTees, if you please, often have little formal accounting training. Particularly as they must account for restricted monies at Ministries with their applicable principles and practices. Click Here for some information about the peculiarities of what is called Ministry Fund Accounting. A fundamental goal of "Go Ye Ministry " is to be the very best possible steward of its finances (even be a model, if you please) so that others can benefit from what we are doing or what we have learned from our internal experiences.I refer to myself herein in the first person, but actually Brad Pendable, or Bradley D. Pendable (how about when you use my initials: B. D. Pendable) is the pen-name, or alter-ego, if you please, of Jim B .
There is this Brad emphasis because Jim B's primary background is as an External Auditor-CPA, serving any type of Christian Ministry, or the bulk of his experience is as an "Outsider Looking In" so he basically views things from that perspective.
But my thrust as Brad Pendable is as a Church staffer (not as a outside CPA-Auditor) who provides assistance to any of you as an "Insider Looking Out" ---- but, of course, I am someone with limited communication means. I want to be available to help as I share my staff member ""Insider Looking Out" experiences --- primarily via the resources here. Unfortunately, since I am virtually deaf, I am not able to effectively use the phone as it is awkward for me to interact with people face-to-face. With this in mind, I find this way of providing "Insider Looking Out" assistance in writing to be VERY meaningful to me personally..
Jim B allows me to use his Online resources, like the Website contents of www.bcidot.org and www.qbuxbox.org. I also make use of a "Invitation to view a Desktop" collaboration/connection tool which allows me to invite you to the desktop, at no cost to you, and communicate with you in writing. If absolutely necessary, Jim B will talk with you by phone about any of these matters.
My means of current assistance (especially to those of you who are new or just starting) includes at least the following:a> By reference to links within various Websites, I serve as a remote Coach as I help get you going or help you revise your way of doing things, etc. Somewhat like what Jim B has outlined when you Click Here. Of course, I also point you to other "Helpers."
b> As we make full use of applicable accounting software such as QuickBooks per its "Fund Accounting" methods so that the leadership is provided with essential financial information. Please Click Here for access to samples of such reports that enable them to make appropriate financial decisions. Please also Click Here and learn about some "Spending Control" resources. Be sure and Go Here and read my dialog with Alex about the eFINFAXi accounting system.
c> I make use of applicable Online Tutorials and/or presentations. Click Here for an example.
d> Plus I can share the content of my computer desktop with you via the afore-mentioned collaboration tool. When we use this tool, you will remember that we interact only in writing and not via the phone, etc.
e> I plan to be an Administrator/Moderator of an "Online Forum" where mostly you can interact and learn from one another. Click Here and Here for examples of helpful "Online Forums".
f> As indicated below, I share most of my staff member ""Insider Looking Out" experiences one-way to you via BRADs BLOG. Any two-way inter-action is via Email to/from Brad@rpfin.org---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Via Taylor:
According to your statement above, you do not charge any fees for these services. Please explain.
Via Brad@rpfin.org :
Well, as Missionary I want to be of service with no financial expectation of any type from you - who often have limited finances and need to make maximum use of volunteers. The Lord is meeting my needs. I am well aware that usually someone is more responsive when they sacrificially pay for services rendered, but I will simply trust the Lord for effectiveness as I serve within this overall setting.
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Via Taylor:
Sounds great! Now please tell me more about "BRADs BLOG"
Via Brad@rpfin.org :
BRADS BLOG will soon be underway as we take the initiative in getting information to you as I periodically share relevant topics that are derived from my staff member ""Insider Looking Out" experiences. I might even share Missionary prayer items with you in this way. It will not come to you as the usual BLOG feed, but functions in the manner described when you go here: Brads Blog Yahoo Forum
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Via Taylor:
Wow !! I certainly am one who needs the kind of help from a Missionary that you describe here, Brad. So I suppose I need to begin our relationship by contacting you by Email at Brad@rpfin.org. Is this the first step?
Via Brad@rpfin.org :
That is correct, Of course, initially, I am interested in you knowing that we are for real and that we really want to help. But we'll get into that when you connect up, etc. I look forward to that step !
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We, of course, provide you with additional www.rpfin.org content as listed when you go to our Sitemap
Fresno, California
Please contact Brad Pendable by Email at Brad@rpfin.org| OUR PURPOSE | WHY "NEST OF BEES" | WHO WE ASSIST | ASSISTANCE EMPHASIS | ASSISTANCE SPECIFICS | INFO ABOUT BRAD | SITEMAP
Please note that Jim B maintains the following Web Sites:
01>> "HELPS TO MINISTRY FINANCE TEAMS ". The Web Site's categories are shown below:
HOME | ABOUT US | OUR PURPOSE | SITEMAP | COMPUTER FUND ACCTG | HELPS )
02>> "Jesus Savior Pilot Me" "SPENDING CONTROLS"
UPTD: December 13, 2008
Fresno, California
by Email please contact Jim B at Jim@bcidot.org or Brad Pendable at Brad@rpfin.org