Making good financial decisions isn’t just about having the right products in place; it starts with understanding how money works and how choices impact your life. That’s why financial education—workshops, seminars and more—have been a mainstay for Thrivent’s clients since the 1960s.
One of the earliest examples was Lutheran Brotherhood’s (LB) Women’s Financial Forum. The first forum—held in Madison, Wisconsin, in October 1965—featured local clergy, attorneys and financial consultants offering advice. More than 450 women learned about wills, estate planning, money management and other aspects of Christian stewardship. The concept was immensely popular.
As the program grew, men asked for similar educational experiences so they could improve their own financial health and that of their families. LB changed the program name in 1968 to Family Financial Forum. It ran through the early 1980s, and forums were hosted by district representatives and volunteers.
These forums set the stage for more educational programming that continues today with a variety of opportunities. Stay up to date on all the
It’s a legacy of educating Christians on how to manage their financial lives and prepare for the future.
Lauren Gaines is Thrivent’s corporate historian and archives manager.
