Made to Flourish 
The information in this column was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 10/29/2021. To update the information in this column, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
Summary
One area where many struggle to make a connection - and where pastors often don't know how to equip their congregations - is integrating the Christian faith with work and economic wisdom.
Most of our lives are spent working (whether paid or unpaid), but rarely do churches consistently address this topic head on. By failing to do so, churches miss the opportunity to minister to their congregations right where they live. In addition, we may be ignoring an area where many people seal off their faith from their lives. We believe pastors have a key role to play in the faith and work movement because Christians miss out on something crucial when their church does not support them in this integration.
Because of this, we seek to develop flourishing pastors who are leading the local church with integrity of heart and skillful hands.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Made to Flourish
10901 Lowell Ave
Suite 130
Overland Park, KS 66210
Website: madetoflourish.org
Phone: 800-583-5240
Email: info@madetoflourish.org
Organization details
EIN: 474062077
CEO/President: Matt Rusten / Tom Nelson
Chairman:
Board size: 8
Founder: Tom Nelson
Ruling year: 2015
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 2020
Purpose
We have a longing to take the gospel in all its fullness to all dimensions of human reality. Our desire is for everyone to grow in their faith and embrace the life-changing truth of the gospel in every aspect of their lives. We equip pastors with a more integral theological foundation of faith, work, and economic wisdom. We assist pastors and leaders in integrating faith, work and economic wisdom in their churches. We connect pastors in local networks for mutual learning and encouragement.
Mission statement
We empower pastors and their churches to integrate faith, work, and economic wisdom for the flourishing of their communities.
Statement of faith
Biblical Story:
We believe the grand narrative of the Bible informs our lives and directs our mission.
The biblical storyline has four major sections: creation, fall, redemption, and consummation. A coherent understanding of the grand narrative of the Bible is vital to understand God's purposes and our partnership with him in his work in the world. Creation defines God's integral design for his world and describes the way the world "ought to be." The fall of humankind disintegrates every aspect of God's good design, causing a rupture in four relationships: our relationship with God, our relationship with others, our relationship with ourselves, and our relationship to the rest of the created order - this is the world "as it is." In redemption, God is renewing and reconciling all things, healing the four relationships and setting the world right. This is the world as it "can be." At the consummation of all things, God will bring to completion all that he started in creation, bringing to fulfillment his work of redemption when all things will once again bring glory to him. This is the world as it "will be." These four sections are interdependent and inform each other, and ultimately, provide a lens to interpret all of reality.
Mission of God:
We believe God invites us to participate in his redemption of individuals and the renewal of all things.
Since the fall, God has been on a mission to renew all things. To do this, he chose a family (the family of Abraham) who became the nation of Israel, the people of God. In covenant with his people, God commissioned them to participate in his mission, bearing witness to him in word and deed. Though Israel often failed, the mission of God did not. The mission of God is fully revealed in the gospel, in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Through faith in Christ, we are justified and united with the triune God, and welcomed into the family of God, his church. As children of God, we are commissioned to serve as ambassadors of reconciliation and live as agents of redemption, proclaiming the gospel of God's grace to individuals and working together for the renewal of all things. We recognize renewal in this world is always incomplete, and we await the fullness of the kingdom when Christ returns.
Personal Wholeness:
We believe personal wholeness is essential for human flourishing and effective leadership.
God's redemptive story moves from integration in creation to disintegration in the fall to reintegration in redemption. Just as the fall led to separation from God in every area of life, so also redemption and reconciliation lead to the reintegration of all things. God begins a project in all who are justified to become increasingly restored in the image of their creator. The Christian life is more than moral conformity. It involves the formation of our whole person into Christlikeness.
By grace and in cooperation with the Spirit, we become more like Jesus, who perfectly modeled wholeness, demonstrating a life of justice, compassion, humility, integrity, truthfulness, and sexual chastity - as Jesus affirmed, celibacy for the single man or woman and a lifelong union of male and female in marriage. He also embodied generosity, kindness, self-denial, hospitality, peacemaking, non-retaliation, doing good, forgiveness, joy, contentment, and love, combined in a life of worship, praise, and faithfulness to God. These qualities define servant leadership, which Christ himself modeled, and also calls us to exemplify.
Goodness of Work:
We believe engaging in work that leads to human flourishing is a primary way we image God.
God is a worker, and his work is both intrinsically good and for the good of all creation. Since humans were created in his image, work is a key component of human dignity, even in a fallen world, and a primary way we worship God and love our neighbor. Work, whether paid or unpaid, includes all meaningful and moral activity apart from leisure and rest. Work is fundamentally about contribution, not compensation, adding value to others. God forms us through our daily work as we collaborate with one another to serve the common good in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Economic Wisdom:
We believe growing in economic wisdom is essential for glorifying God and loving our neighbor.
Good intentions to serve our neighbors must be combined with sound economics if we seek to help others without hurting them. Wisdom is the biblical category for skillful living, which aligns with the moral design of God's world. Economic wisdom, then, is the skillful application of economic principles that align with God's moral order.
God's design for the economic lives of his people is embedded throughout the Bible, and is a concrete expression of his call to reflect him and love our neighbor. Several principles follow. In creation, we are given stewardship over the world so our work would make it flourish for God's glory. Since all humans are stewards, we recognize that those in need are also fellow stewards with productive potential. Through economic exchange, we work together and create value for one another. Economic systems should be grounded in human dignity and moral character, in line with a biblically robust understanding of how humans flourish. In applying economic wisdom, we should practice and encourage responsible action. As a result, we must not merely rely on good intentions alone, but ask and measure whether our economic actions are truly helping others.
Local Church:
We believe the local church is uniquely designed and empowered to promote human flourishing.
The church is a creation of the Holy Spirit, designed to reveal God's glory to the world. While the church is a universal reality, Scripture most often talks about the church as a local community in place and time. Because of this reality, the church is a foretaste of the coming kingdom - a called out community empowered by the Holy Spirit and commissioned to be a counterculture for the common good. The church's mission is to join God in the renewal of all things, including individuals, institutions, cultures, and all of creation.
God has designed the church to be led by pastors, who are in turn called to equip congregants in how they can join God's mission in all of life, serving in a variety of vocations and occupations. When the church functions as it was created, it is a powerful cultural agent that brings human flourishing.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
A
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Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Leadership Training
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 843 of 1022 | 18 of 24 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 896 of 1024 | 21 of 24 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 998 of 1024 | 23 of 24 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 234 of 1022 | 6 of 24 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 11% | 19% | 21% | 2% | 3% | 1% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 7% | 15% | 20% | 2% | 3% | 1% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 92% | 81% | 93% | 98% | 100% | 100% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 8% | 5% | 3% | 3% | 4% | 4% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 8% | 19% | 7% | 2% | 0% | 0% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 77% | 71% | 83% | 81% | 75% | 70% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 95% | 307% | 729% | 57% | 62% | 36% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 74% | 219% | 603% | 46% | 47% | 25% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 5% | -207% | -629% | 43% | 38% | 64% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 9% | -249% | -201% | 50% | 50% | 100% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 12% | 24% | 15% | 16% | 21% | 26% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.50 | 2.68 | 2.24 | 0.65 | 0.80 | 0.54 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.14 | 1.06 | 1.02 | 1.01 | 1.02 | 1.05 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.04 | 2.83 | 2.27 | 0.66 | 0.82 | 0.56 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 8.46 | 39.27 | 87.25 | 69.80 | 27.77 | 30.17 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.11 | 0.03 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.04 | 0.03 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.24 | 4.13 | 5.22 | 17.92 | 14.13 | 20.60 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 13% | 27% | 4% | 1% | 4% | 3% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 44% | 27% | 43% | 151% | 121% | 181% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Cash | $512,933 | $1,393,025 | $4,127,552 | $2,076,274 | $1,013,467 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $500 | $16,934 | $29,481 | $0 | $0 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $513,433 | $1,409,959 | $4,157,033 | $2,076,274 | $1,013,467 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $23,610 | $15,793 | $22,943 | $30,146 | $29,299 |
| Other long-term assets | $6,083 | $6,233 | $20,000 | $20,000 | $22,019 |
| Total long-term assets | $29,693 | $22,026 | $42,943 | $50,146 | $51,318 |
| Total assets | $543,126 | $1,431,985 | $4,199,976 | $2,126,420 | $1,064,785 |
| Liabilities | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $13,075 | $16,160 | $59,554 | $74,764 | $33,588 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $13,075 | $16,160 | $59,554 | $74,764 | $33,588 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $135,612 | $40,025 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $135,612 | $40,025 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $148,687 | $56,185 | $59,554 | $74,764 | $33,588 |
| Net assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Without donor restrictions | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| With donor restrictions | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net assets | $394,439 | $1,375,800 | $4,140,422 | $2,051,656 | $1,031,197 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Total contributions | $381,898 | $409,948 | $4,740,732 | $2,707,537 | $1,600,000 |
| Program service revenue | $67,304 | $20,090 | $77,250 | $2,431 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $10,540 | $7,106 | $9,009 | $5,289 | $1,971 |
| Other revenue | $13,853 | $2,711 | $5,184 | $4,998 | $0 |
| Total other revenue | $91,697 | $29,907 | $91,443 | $12,718 | $1,971 |
| Total revenue | $473,595 | $439,855 | $4,832,175 | $2,720,255 | $1,601,971 |
| Expenses | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Program services | $1,035,737 | $2,651,890 | $2,224,537 | $1,277,052 | $401,571 |
| Management and general | $347,567 | $466,513 | $436,067 | $352,092 | $147,723 |
| Fundraising | $71,652 | $86,074 | $82,805 | $70,652 | $21,480 |
| Total expenses | $1,454,956 | $3,204,477 | $2,743,409 | $1,699,796 | $570,774 |
| Change in net assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($981,361) | ($2,764,622) | $2,088,766 | $1,020,459 | $1,031,197 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($981,361) | ($2,764,622) | $2,088,766 | $1,020,459 | $1,031,197 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Kevin Harlan | VP of Philanthropy | $196,793 |
| Matthew Rusten | Executive Director | $166,674 |
| Eric Jimenez | Director of Communications | $137,805 |
| Tom Nelson | President | $97,942 |
Compensation data as of: 12/31/2019
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 10/29/2021. To update the information below, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
History
After years of pastoring, Tom Nelson realized he committed what he calls "pastoral malpractice," neglecting to disciple his congregants in the whole of their lives. Inspired by the critical gains of the faith and work movement, he aimed to help pastors around the country avoid the same mistake.
In 2015, Nelson and a team of church, business, and private sector partners launched Made to Flourish in order to "empower a growing network of pastors" to better engage, equip, and encourage each other as they integrate a more robust theology of faith, work, and economics into their churches.
Program accomplishments
23 city networks
50 states represented
3,673 pastors in our community
600+ pastor boxes sent in 12 months