Your Questions Answered Regarding Trust Services
- What is Trust Services?
- How did Trust Services get started?
- How has Trust Services
benefited the Church?
- How can Trust Services help me develop a good estate plan?
- What does Trust Services charge?
- Do I have to be rich to use Trust Services?
- Is Trust Services available even if I don't give to the church?
- Can I have a part in finishing God's work even if I pass to my rest
before His Second Coming?
- What is a will?
- What is a trust?
- Will making a will hasten my demise?
- What should a Christian consider in their will?
- How can I be sure I can be confident in the Trust Services department?
- How can I contact a Trust Services representative?
The article, "Praise God-My House Is in Order," told three experiences of people who made provision for their families and for God's work. Some of your questions about the Trust Services Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and how they might serve you are answered here.
1. What is Trust Services?
Trust Services is a highly specialized department at every level of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which helps church members and friends of the church provide continuing support of God's work through wills, trusts, annuities and other special gifts.
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2. How did Trust Services get started?
Seventh-day Adventists believe the concept of Trust Services originated with God. The scriptures tell us to "guard what was committed to your trust." This instruction, given to Timothy regarding spiritual matters, also teaches us that wealth comes from God and is to be used for His glory. What a tragedy if the goods we leave behind are squandered without meaning or direction!
In this regard, Ellen G. White gave very pointed council regarding the responsibilities of Christians (See Councils on Stewardship, pp. 323-335; Testimonies, Volume 1, pp. 199-200; Volume 3, pp116-130; Volume 4, pp. 81-82, 476-485, Volume 5, pp. 154-156). Her own life set the example: Her will carefully provided not only for her immediate family and other loved ones, but established a trust to oversee publication and distribution of her writings work that continues today.
Many other Seventh-day Adventist pioneers remembered the Church in their wills, primarily through annuities in the 1930s and through trusts beginning in the1940s. In 1961 an annual council action gave new emphasis to the Trust Services area, and in 1965, Robert Osborn, who was also Associate Treasurer of the General Conference was elected Director of Trust Services. Under his leadership many of the policies and procedures were developed. In 1968, A.C. McKee became the first full time Director of Trust Services, and under his leadership, Trust Services expanded to many of the church's world divisions.
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3. How has Trust Services
benefited the Church?
During the five years from 1994-1999, Trust Services generated about $212.9 million to further God's work. Since 1968, more than $750 million dollars has blessed the Lord's cause as a result of the dedication and careful estate planning of church members and other friends of the church.
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4. How can Trust Services help me develop a good estate plan?
Trust Services can be an effective team member to accomplish your objectives. Trust Services personnel, along with other legal and financial professionals you may choose, will help you integrate your goals for family, other loved ones and God's cause in full harmony with good professional ethics.
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5. What does Trust Services charge?
In most cases, Trust Services will provide assistance without any charge.
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6. Do I have to be rich to use Trust Services?
No. Especially on the conference level, Trust Services is designed to assist with various levels of service, most all members of the church, especially when they wish to use a portion of their resources to further God's Work.
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7. Is Trust Services available even if I don't give to the church?
In many cases, Yes. Certainly initial consultations are available to all regardless of resources or charitable intent. Please make contact with your local Trust Services representative to review the details of your case.
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8. Can I have a part in finishing God's work even if I pass to my rest before
His Second Coming?
Yes. Ellen G. White, an authoritative source for the Seventh-day Adventist church stated "You may now, while alive, make diligent faithful work, that after your death gifts and offering may come into the treasury of the cause of God." The Gospel Herald,
December 4, 1904.
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9. What is a will?
A will is a legal document that provides for the disposition of your assets at death. Another important purpose is the naming of a guardian for your minor children. A properly dated, signed and witnessed will can assure that your wishes will be honored.
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10. What is a trust?
There are two major general types of trusts, revocable and irrevocable. A revocable trust allows the individual [grantor] to withdraw any or all assets as well as to have full enjoyment of the property during his or her lifetime. At death, the assets flow efficiently to the beneficiaries, saving probate and administrative costs. On the other hand, irrevocable trusts are charitable remainder unitrusts and charitable remainder annuity trusts. Although the principal cannot be withdrawn, additional benefits accrue through immediate income tax deduction for the gift that ultimately passes to the church.
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11. Will making a will hasten my demise?
Absolutely not. In fact, making a will can give peace of mind that promotes your well being. "Death will not come one day sooner, brethren, because you
have made your will." (Counsels on Stewardship, p. 328).
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12. What should a Christian consider in their will?
In planning for disposition of assets, Christians should have concern for one's family and loved ones, as well as for God's work and those less fortunate than themselves.
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13. How can I be sure I can be confident in the Trust Services department?
The Trust Services department is an accredited organization with the North American Division of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Accreditation is secured by meeting rigorous standards and submitting to audits by the General Conference Auditing Service. Further, all employees who have discretionary duties must complete a certification course, pass a test, finish a course of professional reading, serve an internship in an accredited office and attend annual continuing education courses. All Trust Services personnel are legally, morally and ethically committed to respect all confidential communications.
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14. How can I contact a Trust Services representative?
The most direct route is to contact the Trust Services personnel of the entity you wish to be the primary beneficiary of your estate plan: your conference (to benefit your local church or conference activities) union, college, any institution or church ministry, or the General Conference (to benefit the North American Division or world-wide activities). For referrals to Trust Services, link to Trust Services Personnel or call 1-877-WillPlan.
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