Before reviewing Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University (FPU), let me describe myself first:

  • I’ve read The Total Money Makeover and Complete Guide to Money.
  • As a pastor, I’ve led FPU twice.
  • I listen regularly to Dave’s radio show.
  • My family scrupulously follows Dave’s Baby Steps.

Yet, FPU isn’t exactly breathed-out Scripture, so it has room for improvement. If you’ve considered using the program, perhaps I could offer some pastoral insights.

Strengths

Bottom line, Dave’s an incredible teacher—his humor and candor demystify financial complexities. Although I could say more, these three strengths are the most significant.

FPU Prioritizes Heart Issues

Before we can solve money problems, we have to solve “us” problems—Jesus, after all, connects our hearts with our money (Mat. 6:21). And Dave absolutely nails the core issues: contentment and communication. Time and again couples confess they’ve yet to experience a calm, coordinated talk about money. Dave’s budget planning (complete with time controls and relationship rules) creates communication where there has been none. FPU equips couples to address heart problems first and money problems by extension.

In my opinion, most of these financial/relationship problems stem from male leadership that’s asleep at the wheel. Yes, husbands, I’m looking straight at you. Husbands assure their wives they don’t need the help, but do nothing. Or, they “delegate” finances to their wives but scoff at her suggestions. More than 50 people have inquired about our FPU classes. Two have been men—just saying.

FPU Offers Piggyback Evangelism

Dave’s brand is immense — he boasts the third most popular radio show in America. Even though many of those millions won’t attend church, they’ll eagerly sign up for FPU. Evangelistic pastors can piggyback off Dave’s colossal name-recognition.

Two suggestions. First, host the class away from your church building. Participants are more comfortable and more likely to invite their friends to a neutral location. Second, be intentional about the timing of a gospel message. Remember, guests came for Dave’s financial advice, not your Bible interpretations. I’ve heard some complaints that Dave’s gospel presentation could be more pointed. Be gracious. Dave’s a businessman, not a preacher. Besides, all the raw material is there for an evangelistically-minded coordinator.

FPU Works

Not much elaboration needed. Class members minimize risk and maximize long-term savings—quickly. Dave might not wield infallibility, but I’ve never heard of anybody going broke following the Baby Steps. Most importantly, I’ve seen the program restore marriages, reduce stress, and confirm that “there is great gain in godliness with contentment” (1 Tim. 6:6).

Weaknesses

Again, I want to emphasize that the program’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. Nevertheless, if your ministry plans to invest into FPU, you should be aware of a few flaws.

Undue Group Pressure

Some of the small-group questions place undue pressure on the participants. For example, Lesson #2’s small group session asks the class members respond to this question, “Just for the next eight weeks are you willing to commit yourself to the principles—even if you have disagreements? Why or why not?” How are class members supposed to respond? “You know, now that I’ve paid almost $100 and arranged childcare for 9 straight weeks, and with my wife sitting next to me and these strangers staring at me, no, I will not follow this program, especially when I disagree.” My class members see right through questions like these; instead of answering, they sit in silence.

 Fuzzy Bible Interpretations

Dave occasionally offers some head-scratching theological statements, which is unfortunate because his biblical interpretations are generally spot-on. Yet, there are enough odd ones to warrant concern. For example, in Lesson #8, Dave twice attempts to tie Luke 9:58 with his talk about mortgages: “Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” I’ve watched the video several times; I’m still confused how to connect mortgages and Jesus’s encouragement to count the cost of discipleship. In other examples, Dave softens imprecision with a disclaimer along the lines of, “I’m just a simple guy.” I would give Dave the same advice about theology that he gives about money—Don’t use any part of the Bible you don’t understand, educate yourself, and if you need help, seek advice from a pastor with the heart of a teacher. My point: simplicity is a poor excuse for imprecision, whether it’s financial or biblical.

Expensive for Small Ministries

The upfront cost is steep — here was our start-up budget: Leader Packet ($249), Advertising ($350); and Pre-Purchase 15 Class Memberships ($93 a piece). And last I checked, Dave’s organization maintains a no-refund policy. Whether you’re a church of 50 or 5000, the cost is the same. Although Dave’s customer service team is efficient, professional, and responsive, I’d suggest that they alter some policies for church-plants and small ministries. Perhaps, half-price leadership kits for church-plants? The no-return policy was the hard one for us, and Dave’s service representative comforted me with this—“We know you’ll love the program, so when you offer it again, you’ll have a head start.” Um… thanks?

Conclusion

Materialism insidiously grabs us. And that’s why I appreciate Dave’s emphasis on giving: “We live like no one else, so later we can give like no one else.” Pastors should not, I repeat, NOT, institute FPU so their weekly offerings will rise—materialism insidiously grabs pastors, too. FPU is an opportunity to serve your community, to evangelize the lost, and to give your people the financial tools to live sacrificially. Part of true discipleship is self-denial, and FPU teaches just that in a culture of perpetual self-fulfillment.