ionships to serve the interests of the Church and its followers. "Throughout history, the Vatican has invested in nations, influenced wars, and amassed fortunes that enable them to fulfill their goals and objectives. Today, denominations, fellowships, and churches have an obligation to take advantage of the tools available to them in ordeFrom TIME Magazine to CNN's Anderson Cooper, the mainstream media is examining and calling into question the emerging ministry of some Christian churches: encouraging congregates to find inspiration in the Bible that will lead to economic development and legacy. Dr. Rodney Sampson, General Overseer of Public Affairs for the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International, eschews that criticism, saying, "The American dream should be available to everyone. If I prefer to use the Bible as a source of inspiration and instruction to achieve that dream, that's my prerogative. Just as the latest book by Suze Orman or Michael Gerber is a resource for some people to achieve financial stability and wealth, others look to the Bible as a resource and guide."

But Sampson says the debate about the Christian church's role in encouraging financial stability is only one facet of a larger issue: the calling and relevance of the church and faith-and-family organizations in the 21st century. "The church is an integral part of any community, and as such, has a tremendous amount of influence," he says. "The question becomes, should the church use that influence to better the lives of its congregates? I believe the answer is unequivocally yes."

Sampson cites the Roman Catholic Church as an extreme example of a church organization developing relationships to serve the interests of the Church and its followers. "Throughout history, the Vatican has invested in nations, influenced wars, and amassed fortunes that enable them to fulfill their goals and objectives. Today, denominations, fellowships, and churches have an obligation to take advantage of the tools available to them in order

ptist Church Fellowship International, eschews that criticism, saying, "The American dream should be available to everyone. If I prefer to use the Bible as a source of inspiration and instruction to achieve that dream, that's my prerogative. Just as the latest book by Suze Orman or Michael Gerber is a resource for some people to achieve financial stability and wealth, others look to the Bible as a resource and guide."

But Sampson says the debate about the Christian church's role in encouraging financial stability is only one facet of a larger issue: the calling and relevance of the church and faith-and-family organizations in the 21st century. "The church is an integral part of any community, and as such, has a tremendous amount of influence," he says. "The question becomes, should the church use that influence to better the lives of its congregates? I believe the answer is unequivocally yes."

Sampson cites the Roman Catholic Church as an extreme example of a church organization developing relationships to serve the interests of the Church and its followers. "Throughout history, the Vatican has invested in nations, influenced wars, and amassed fortunes that enable them to fulfill their goals and objectives. Today, denominations, fellowships, and churches have an obligation to take advantage of the tools available to them in orde

nancial stability and wealth, others look to the Bible as a resource and guide."

But Sampson says the debate about the Christian church's role in encouraging financial stability is only one facet of a larger issue: the calling and relevance of the church and faith-and-family organizations in the 21st century. "The church is an integral part of any community, and as such, has a tremendous amount of influence," he says. "The question becomes, should the church use that influence to better the lives of its congregates? I believe the answer is unequivocally yes."

Sampson cites the Roman Catholic Church as an extreme example of a church organization developing relationships to serve the interests of the Church and its followers. "Throughout history, the Vatican has invested in nations, influenced wars, and amassed fortunes that enable them to fulfill their goals and objectives. Today, denominations, fellowships, and churches have an obligation to take advantage of the tools available to them in orde

ral part of any community, and as such, has a tremendous amount of influence," he says. "The question becomes, should the church use that influence to better the lives of its congregates? I believe the answer is unequivocally yes."

Sampson cites the Roman Catholic Church as an extreme example of a church organization developing relationships to serve the interests of the Church and its followers. "Throughout history, the Vatican has invested in nations, influenced wars, and amassed fortunes that enable them to fulfill their goals and objectives. Today, denominations, fellowships, and churches have an obligation to take advantage of the tools available to them in orde

ionships to serve the interests of the Church and its followers. "Throughout history, the Vatican has invested in nations, influenced wars, and amassed fortunes that enable them to fulfill their goals and objectives. Today, denominations, fellowships, and churches have an obligation to take advantage of the tools available to them in order to transform their communities and improve the lives of their congregates."

If properly structured, Sampson says that churches can help facilitate community partnerships, economic partnerships, and business partnerships, as well as use their clout to influence public policy - all of which will benefit those served by the churches. "Corporations recognize the buying power of the faith and family market, and churches can leverage their influence so that everyone wins," he says. For example, in exchange for church event sponsorships, companies gain access to their target market and churches have the resources to meet the needs of their members.

Led by Bishop Paul S. Morton, the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International represents 2,000 churches and millions of constituents worldwide, and recognizes their potential as an agent for social change and empowerment. "After all," says Sampson, "the Civil Rights Movement and human rights movements were organized and fought through the Black church in America." Their annual conference, to be held June 24-29, 2007, in Atlanta, is expected to draw more than 4,000 church leaders, 30,000 families, and thousands of business and community organizations. With the theme of "Embrace the Next Dimension," Sampson says the conference "combines the synergy of empowerment, education, faith, fa