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Christian Debt Consolidation Pros and Cons

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Daniel Cohen
UpdatedSep 18, 2024
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    5 min read
Key Takeaways:
  • Review how Christian Debt Consolidation Works.
  • Examine what makes Christian Debt Consolidation different.
  • Be careful to check out any debt consolidation firm's reputation.
  • Start your FREE debt assessment

What Can A Christian Debt Consolidation Company Do For You?

Christian debt consolidation is used to describe different types of Christian debt solutions. The goal of all the different Christian debt consolidation firms is to help you become debt free; however, different Christian debt consolidation firms use different methods to help you.

"Christian debt consolidation" is used by firms that offer the following services:

  1. Christian debt counseling
  2. Christian debt relief
  3. Christian debt settlement
  4. Christian debt consolidation loans
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If you are struggling with debt, contact one of Bills.com's pre-screened debt providers for a free, no-hassle debt relief quote.

How does Christian Debt Christian Debt Consolidation Work?

Christian debt consolidators use the same methods to help people get out of debt that are used by other debt consolidation firms. Christian debt consolidation firms and other debt consolidation firms make similar claims about how their programs work and the kind of results you can expect.

  • Christian Credit Counseling- A Christian Credit Counseling firm works on your debt the exact same way that any other credit counseling firm does, by offering financial counseling and budget review, then by working to get lower interest rates for you from your creditors.
  • Christian Debt Settlement- A Christian Debt Settlement firm negotiates with your creditors to get them to agree that you can settle your debt for less than you owe. You choose to stop making payments directly to your creditors, while you save up the money to pay for your settlements. This is no different than what any reputable debt settlement firm does.
  • Christian Debt Consolidation Loans- A Christian Debt Consolidation loan combines multiple debts into one loan with one monthly payment. The benefit would be consolidating high interest debt into a loan with lower interest. As with any debt solution, reducing the costs to repay your debt won't solve your debt problem unless you commit to not running up new debt.

How Does Christian Debt Consolidation Help You?

If you find the right Christian debt consolidation solution, then it can help you become debt free in a way that is consistent with your goals. Just as with any debt consolidation program, you need to ask yourself:

  • What size monthly payment you can afford.
  • How important the program's impact on your credit is to you.
  • How quickly you want to become debt free.

What Makes Christian Debt Consolidation Different?

If Christian debt consolidation firms work the same way, charge comparable fees, and achieve the same results as other debt consolidation firms, what makes them different?

There are a few main differences between Christian debt consolidation and other debt consolidation firms, including:

  1. The language they use- Christian debt consolidators ground their presentation in religious language, often referencing God. Some emphasize how debt can throw your life out of balance and cause you to become more focused on money issues than on God.
  2. Educational Materials Provided- Some Christian debt consolidation firms, especially the ones that focus on financial education and budgeting advice make greater references to specific biblical texts and thoughts, when offering their financial advice.
  3. Appeal of Working With Like-minded People- If you are a Christian, you may value working with someone who shares your worldview. You may feel more secure because you expect a Christian debt consolidator will behave ethically and forthrightly. This is probably the most important factor to the majority of people who hire a Christian debt consolidation firm.

Christian Debt Consolidation Scams

Beware of a wolf in sheep's clothing. Firms that advertise as Christian debt consolidators are not necessarily more ethical, harder working, or more honest than any other debt consolidator. Actually, some firms rely on your looking for Christian debt help to cause you to lower you guard when you find a Christian debt consolidation firm.

The unethical "Christian" companies rely on your being more trusting when you feel you are working with a fellow Christian. Don't be any less diligent about checking out a Christian debt consolidation firm than you would be checking out any other firm you consider doing business with, so you avoid a Christian debt consolidation scam.

Selling Your Information

There are actually some firms that you will find online that advertise themselves as Christian debt consolidators that actually don't even work on debt cases. Instead, they take your name and the information you give them and sell it to other firms that do the casework, firms that often aren't Christian debt relief firms. Before you hire any debt relief firm find out if they handle your case in-house, farm some work out to another firm, or just sell your information to the highest bidder in the debt relief field.

Summary

If you are considering hiring a debt relief firm, it is most important for you to find the:

  • Right debt solution
  • Right company to work out on that solution

It may be important to you to find a Christian debt consolidation firm. You may also prefer to work with other Christian businesses, when possible, such as Christian auto-mechanics and Christian insurance salesmen. If you restrict your debt relief solutions to Christian debt consolidation firms, make sure that you check out the firm's reputation and determine that their history is consistent with the salesperson's presentation. Don't be lulled into a false sense of security.

If finding the best debt consolidation firm is most important to you, then don't restrict your search to only Christian debt relief firms. Compare different firms and the presentations they offer. You may find that the most honest and straightforward firm, the one that is willing to tell you the pros and cons of their program, is not a Christian debt consolidation firm.

Unsure What Kind of Debt Consolidation is Right for You?

When you use the Bills.com Debt Navigator, in just a few minutes you will receive a recommendation about what debt relief solution is best for you. The Debt Navigator is a free tool, has no effect on your credit score, and offers you a recommendation based on the priorities you provide.

Get rid of your debt faster with debt relief

Get rid of your debt faster with debt relief

Take the first step towards a debt-free life with personalized debt reduction strategies.

Choose your debt amount

$25,000
$1,000$100,000

Or speak to a debt consultant  844-731-0836

Dealing with debt

Debt is used to buy a home, pay for bills, buy a car, or pay for a college education. According to the NY Federal Reserve total household debt as of Q1 2024 was $17.69 trillion. Auto loan debt was $1.62 trillion and credit card was $1.12 trillion.

According to data gathered by Urban.org from a sample of credit reports, about 26% of people in the US have some kind of debt in collections. The median debt in collections is $1,739. Student loans and auto loans are common types of debt. Of people holding student debt, approximately 10% had student loans in collections. The national Auto/Retail debt delinquency rate was 4%.

Each state has its rate of delinquency and share of debts in collections. For example, in Minnesota credit card delinquency rate was 2%, and the median credit card debt was $453.

Avoiding collections isn’t always possible. A sudden loss of employment, death in the family, or sickness can lead to financial hardship. Fortunately, there are many ways to deal with debt including an aggressive payment plan, debt consolidation loan, or a negotiated settlement.

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2 Comments

PPaula, May, 2012
I learned the hard way that just because a company advertises that it is a "Christian Debt Relief" firm does not mean it is ethical or trustworthy.
pp, Mar, 2012
RE:Christian Debt Consolidation
2201 N.W. Corporate Blvd Suite #202
Boca Raton, FL 33431
This company has been giving me the run around for four months about getting my $800 refund back for completing their debt consolidation program. Everytime I call, I get a different story about why they still haven't sent me my refund. Truth be known, I don't think I will ever get it. I have done everything they asked me to..completed the program with Consumer's Alliance out of Carlsbad, Ca., sent all necessary paper work — 3 times — showing everything was paid off. Now they are saying that Consumer's Alliance never sent them the deposit money and they are going to have to go to court to get it. DON'T DO BUSINESS WITH EITHER OF THESE COMPANIES. YOU WILL BE SORRY. So much for "Christian" anything. When you try to talk with anyone about it @ the company (PATRICE or SUSAN M) you either get a voicemail and they never call you back, or they get angry when you ask them anything they are uncomfortable answering. Someone (IRS??) needs to investigate them.