The GFC – A Christian Response
The past 12 months have been unprecented in its economic volatility and there are further tough and unknown times ahead. The effects are impacting Christian ministries, churches, schools and institutions in unexpected ways, with further impacts coming.
Peter Murphy, CEO of Christian Super will be at MOBC’s Sunday morning celebration on 26th July to talk about key issues arising from these economic times and how Christian faith can respond to the
challenges.
Peter writes….
‘For many within the $1.2 trillion superannuation industry the main response to the Global Financial Crisis has been “what is it and how do we manage it?” As CEO of Christian Super, I witness on a daily basis the impact of the global financial crisis from a range of perspectives: government fiscal and monetary policy responses, changes to international banking regulations, economic stimulus packages, declining retirement savings, people delaying retirement or re-entering the workforce, ministries folding from lack of funding, and so on.
As a Christian, I also see another side of this event: families coming together to support their parents, churches depending on God to provide, unemployed people realising their significance is in God and not their job, people connecting their faith with their wallets, charities receiving increased donor giving, and the church playing a greater role in local communities than it has done for years, supporting people in tough financial situations. From a Christian perspective now is the time to re-establish (or in some cases establish) good stewardship principles that will empower us to cope with any fluctuations in our economy. The Bible exhorts us to live lives transformed by our connection with a living God who has given us great principles contained in His word on how to live including stewarding the resources that He has given us under His charge.’
About Peter Murphy:
Peter Murphy is the relatively new CEO of Christian Super (since early 2008) driving a fast growing team of professional investors and customer service staff supporting nearly 19,000 members. Previous to his appointment to Christian Super, Peter held several senior management roles within Christian faith based organizations and prior to that spent 8 years in funds management with Macquarie Bank.
Peter knows firsthand the complex environment and challenges that Christian ministries, schools and institutions face as he has served as a Director, Company Secretary and Business Manager for 3 large schools. Peter also has knowledge of the Aged Care sector from his role as Company Secretary for Baptist Community Services. One of Peter’s previous roles was as a finance director of a Christian ministry and Peter has also served in a voluntary capacity on a number of denominational Boards. Presently Peter is on the Advisory Committee for Crossover Australia.
Peter’s greatest joy is being marred to Edwina who is a Church History Lecturer at Morling College and his two energetic children, Joel & Lara.
