12 Things To Do In 2013- Estate Planning Myths

12 Things to do in 2013- #9 -Laurie Valentine

Don't believe these estate planning myths: 

-You don’t need a Will if you and your spouse own everything in joint names.

-It is best to leave everything to your children, rather than make provision for both your children and  

 grandchildren in your estate plan.

-Creating an estate plan that “avoids” probate will avoid death taxes.

-Only wealthy people include gifts to charitable organizations in their estate plan.

-Your spouse has authority to deal with all of your jointly-owned assets if you become incapacitated.

To dispel these myths and learn how to create an estate plan that protects your family and allows you to be a wise steward of all with which God has blessed you go to www.kentuckybaptistfoundation.org/pg

For more information, please call us at (502) 489-3533 or toll free in KY at 1(866) 489-3533

The information in this article is provided as general information and is not intended as legal or tax advice. For advice and assistance in specific cases, you should seek the advice of an attorney or other professional adviser.

Back to Basics

By: Barry G. Allen- President & CEO

September is the beginning of the fiscal year of the KBF. It’s also the beginning of the church year for many churches and the beginning of the school year for many schools. So, it’s a normal time to get back to the basics and start a new process with a new focus and with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

The first basics upon which the KBF board and staff has focused in this new fiscal year are the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20 and the Acts 1:8 challenge. A few days after our Lord gave His disciples the Great Commission, and as He was about to depart from them and to return to the Father, He left to His disciples then, and to us His disciples today, the challenge to be His witnesses not only at home but also to the ends of the earth.

I like how GuideStone Financial Resources president O.S. Hawkins summed up the Lord’s explicit commission to us His disciples. We are “to make” new disciples by leading people to Jesus Christ; we are “to mark” these new disciples through baptism; and we are “to mature” them by “teaching them to observe” all those things Christ commanded.

Inherent in the mission of the KBF is discipleship, and specifically, “to mature” Jesus’ disciples. And, at the heart of discipleship is financial stewardship. And, that aspect of financial stewardship to which the KBF is committed to facilitate the maturation process is estate stewardship. Since we believe for most Christians estate planning is the single most important act of stewardship one will ever perform, our mission is “to mature” Kentucky Baptists, who are disciples of Jesus Christ, in the Christian discipline of estate stewardship.

The most effective way to mature Kentucky Baptists is to equip Kentucky Baptist churches in how to encourage, educate, enable and engage their adult members in estate stewardship. So, as we enter this new year together, let’s get back to the basics of discipleship, which includes stewarding from one’s estate a portion of that which the Lord has entrusted to us. And, please give your KBF the privilege of assisting you and your church.

For more information, please call us at (502) 489-3533 or toll free in KY at 1(866) 489-3533

The information in this article is provided as general information and is not intended as legal or tax advice. For advice and assistance in specific cases, you should seek the advice of an attorney or other professional adviser.

12 Things To Do In 2013- A Child Called Charity

12 Things To Do In 2013 #8- Barry Allen

When you are asked the question "who are your dependents?" you typically think first of your children. But what about your church and other charitable organizations that depend upon your financial support as well? Are they not your dependents, as well? I would answer "yes" they are. 

Therefore, as you prayerfully consider the disposition of the estate the Lord has entrusted to you, include a provision for "your child called charity," which would be your church and the other charitable causes near and dear to your heart. If you have 3 children, instead of dividing your estate among the 3, divide it among the 4, your 3 plus your "child called charity." The portion directed to "your child called charity" should be divided among the charitable interests which have been dependent upon your support during your lifetime. 

Call Laurie Valentine or me toll free for more information about "a child called charity."

(502) 489-3533 or toll free in KY at 1(866) 489-3533

The information in this article is provided as general information and is not intended as legal or tax advice. For advice and assistance in specific cases, you should seek the advice of an attorney or other professional adviser.

KBF Travel and Seminars

The Kentucky Baptist Foundation has a busy Fall ahead! Barry Allen and Laurie Valentine will be traveling throughout the state presenting seminars and talks about how churches and individuals can benefit from Christian Estate Planning and philanthropy. Here is a list of locations and dates. If you would like to schedule a seminar at your Kentucky Baptist church or Association, call us!

Sep 15- Estate Planning Mistakes & Solutions Seminar 

Latonia Baptist Church, Latonia- following morning worship service w/lunch provided

Sep 17 Barry Allen speaks at Enterprise Association annual meeting 

Paintsville First Baptist Church, Paintsville- 6:30PM ET

Sep 22 Estate Planning Mistakes & Solutions Seminar 

Plum Creek Baptist Church, Taylorsville- 7PM ET

Oct 12 Fore Talk Conference (end of life issues) 

Walnut Street Baptist Church, Louisville- 8AM ET

Oct 14 Barry Allen speaks at the Lincoln Co Association annual meeting

Mt Salem Baptist Church, Hustonville- 7:00PM ET

Oct 17 Remembering Your Church in Your Estate Plan Seminar
Calvary Baptist Church, Lexington- 6:30PM ET

Oct 20 Ways To Make Gifts Seminar 

Latonia Baptist Church, Latonia-following morning worship service w/lunch provided 

Oct 20 Barry Allen speaks at the Knox Association annual meeting

Calvary Baptist Church, Corbin- 7:00PM ET 

For more information, please call us at (502) 489-3533 or toll free in KY at 1(866) 489-3533

The information in this article is provided as general information and is not intended as legal or tax advice. For advice and assistance in specific cases, you should seek the advice of an attorney or other professional adviser.

I Have a Dream Too

By: Barry G. Allen- President & CEO

August 28 was the 50th anniversary of the late Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. I read the text of that speech every year on the anniversary date and reflect upon the power of its message for all generations. As I was reading and reflecting this year, it occurred to me I have a dream as well. Here’s what I would include in my “I have a dream” speech.

I have a dream that every adult Kentucky Baptist would have a greater propensity to become a more Kingdom-minded steward. As such, we would acknowledge with all our hearts that God is the owner of all things, and we are His stewards in the use of that which He has entrusted us. We would shift our priorities to let God, not money or anything else, be first in our lives so God would work more effectively in our lives. We would demonstrate our dependence upon and dedication to God through our giving. And, we would give generously, thoughtfully, thankfully and cheerfully. By connecting the dots between what we claim we believe the Bible teaches and applying those truths in our lives, we would learn to exchange what we cannot keep for what we cannot lose. We would recognize we do not have to be financially wealthy to make a worthy gift to our Lord. We could enjoy the resources He has entrusted to us, we would share them to help others and we would make eternal investments that touch peoples’ lives and connect them to Jesus Christ.

I have a dream that every Kentucky Baptist church would take more seriously its discipleship duty to challenge its older generation to leave a legacy gift of their love for Christ and His mission in this world, to sensitize and teach its younger generation how to live according to biblical principles of financial stewardship and to incorporate legacy giving into its on-going stewardship education and expectations.

I have a dream that more and more Kentucky Baptist individuals and churches will call upon the KBF to assist in educating, encouraging and enabling Kingdom-minded stewardship. We await your call.

For more information, please call us at (502) 489-3533 or toll free in KY at 1(866) 489-3533

The information in this article is provided as general information and is not intended as legal or tax advice. For advice and assistance in specific cases, you should seek the advice of an attorney or other professional adviser.