Navigating Through the Valley of Financial Uncertainty

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New Manual Provides Fresh Approach to Financial Management

Lafayette, IN, January 27, 2010 — In times of economic uncertainty, people need more than just a quick fix to their problems — they need effective approaches, new information, and a new reorientation to financial decisions. In her new nonfiction, “Shepherd’s Guide through the Valley of Debt and Financial Change: A Comprehensive Manual for Financial Management, Counseling and Spiritual Guidance” (published by AuthorHouse), author, financial consultant, minister and college professor, Dr. Flora L. Williams provides readers with a guide to financial management, counseling theories and techniques, spiritual guidance in economic behavior and responses to the economic downturn.

In “The Shepherd’s Guide,” Williams provides technical information, practical solutions, illustrations, and inspiration for a faith-based journey to financial abundance. Content and case studies are based on Dr. Williams’ 32 years of teaching and research and 25 years directing a financial clinic; while there she  gained experience as a financial planner and counselor. Her study at Bethany Seminary and her ministry also served as inspirations. Shepherds for which the manual is designed are professionals and volunteers who want to improve their excellence and expertise and become skilled in areas where they heretofore were ill-equipped but now are the most pressing needs of people today. Shepherds can no longer be complacent or ignorant about vital financial areas in times of instability or uncertainty. In order to be “shepherds,” these pastors, financial advisors, social workers, study group leaders, youth ministers, mentors, financial counselors, lay leaders, Christian counselors and educators must have proper knowledge of financial management to most effectively help those they are advising. Williams writes:

The financial predicaments and possibilities increase the shepherds’ skills in helping people as well as helping themselves with financial decisions. Shepherds may not readily see predicaments in other people …Many shepherds know so little about financial counseling because the church and seminaries encourage them to ignore the issues for themselves and for people under their care. Customarily, people do not seek counseling from shepherds in financial crisis or decision-making. They perceive the shepherd does not know financial principles or practice them. These issues can no longer be ignored.

“The Shepherd’s Guide” is unique by being the next step in training for depth and breadth. The book addresses the most relevant issues today, often ignored by existing literature, such as goal-setting, 14 budget/spending plans for the client’s unique problems, ways to analyze spending and lifestyle, overcoming addictions, divorce decisions, reducing expenses credit/debt, housing and food, working with youth, working with the poor, funding college, funeral planning, family communication, premarital planning, family type organization, giving more and retirement options. Williams’ beliefs are expressed:

We must mobilize the resources within a person, within the family, and within the community around them. The book is transformative and gives new orientations to handle money and wealth. It provides theories, facts, actions, principles, case studies, and alternatives in vital areas of financial management. It resolves conflicts between culture’s hold on economic behavior and following one’s unique goals. It provides professionals, lay leaders and the reader with tools to be renewed, to have hope and courage.

About the Author

Williams is Professor Emerita at Purdue University, family economist, financial counselor, master of divinity, ordained minister, registered financial consultant, church musician, wife and mother of three children and three grandchildren. She started the major of financial counseling and planning at Purdue University and the award-winning (2001) financial counseling clinic. Included in those years are teaching at the University of California, Davis, Jia Tong University in Shanghai, China, and the Viscosa Federal University in Brazil where she initiated the graduate program in family economics, consumer affairs, and financial counseling. She wrote the material and testing for certifying consumer credit counselors. She has trained financial counselors around the world. She has served on boards of directors for international organizations, has written 21 books, and presented over 100 papers and articles in numerous countries. For more information please visit: http://www.shepherdsguidetofinances.com or http://www.authorhouse.com

AuthorHouse is the premier book publisher for emerging, self-published authors. For more information, please visit http://www.authorhouse.com.

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