Q&A: ryan bowman, lccm's financial coach

LCCM works in partnership with Ryan Bowman, owner of Bowman Financial Solutions. Ryan provides financial coaching to members of LCCM’s upLIFT program, which supports people as they work toward achieving greater sustainability in their lives. He has worked with over 1,000 people through classes, presentations, speaking engagements and coaching.
​Ryan and his wife, will host a Financial Peace University class that will run for 9 weeks starting Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 6-8 pm at South Lebanon Community Church, 13 E. Evergreen Road, Lebanon. If you’re considering it, follow this link or contact Ryan for more information: 717-926-1095 | [email protected]

Q: Tell us how you got into financial coaching and where you coach today.

 A: My wife Amy and I married young with a lot of love, but very little money and absolutely no understanding of biblical financial principles. Some very poor financial decisions early on led to debt and ongoing stress in our marriage and family. This was a common theme in our marriage and household for about 13 years. I know how to make a lot of financial mistakes. Poor money management is a symptom of a lot more going on.
 In 2011, a friend from church introduced me to Dave Ramsey’s teachings and Financial Peace University. We were to co-coordinate an FPU class, but he had to step away just a few days before the class began, Amy and I jumped in. We both read The Total Money Makeover in less than two days, and our financial journey, as well as our lives truly changed with those decisions.
 In 2018, I attended Ramsey Solutions Financial Coaching Management training in Franklin, Tennessee, and became a financial coach. Today, I own a financial coaching business, helping individuals, couples, families, and businesses build clear, sustainable financial plans both locally and through online video coaching nationwide.

Q: What are some common challenges and goals that people have when they set out to improve financially?

A. Breaking old habits takes discipline, especially when it comes to money. Budgeting isn’t something you can take a break from—it’s how you intentionally direct your money where you want it to go and protect it from being mismanaged. Committing to a budget every month, no matter what, is essential.
​For couples, finances work best when they’re handled together. Marriage is built on trust, openness, and unity, and budgeting as a team reflects that oneness. Planning together can be incredibly rewarding when you learn to value and understand each other’s different perspectives. And for single individuals, you need to have an accountability partner that can speak truth into your life.
 Common challenges include having no written plan, starting a budget but not sticking with it (not executing the budget through paycheck planning), being derailed by unexpected expenses, tension between partners, and emotional spending driven by stress or comfort.

Q: What tends to move the needle for most people once they get started? What keeps them stuck?

A. When people commit to the plan we build together, real change follows. The system works because it plans for emergencies and the unexpected, helping people stay consistent and accountable. While breaking long-term habits is hard, trusting the coach and the process accelerates lasting change and leads to real financial wins. Once you start stacking wins, you start to see hope and hope is such a powerful tool to help you drive meaningful change.
 What I love most is seeing God’s faithfulness throughout the journey. Prayer is central, and it’s amazing to watch God work through generosity, surprise payments, and unexpected income—blessings no one could have planned or predicted.
People can get stuck when they lose hope or don’t have a plan they trust in. No one is ever going to be perfect with their plan and progress, so it’s important to even understand stuck can be temporary.

Q: From a biblical perspective, what advice would you give to churches that want to start a financial coaching ministry?

A. Finances are deeply connected to our lives—so much so that Jesus spoke about money in 30–40% of His teachings, second only to the Kingdom of God. With over 2,000 verses on finances, it’s clearly important.
When we stop chasing money and instead steward it God’s way, it opens doors to share Christ’s love and impact others. While many avoid talking about money, it’s too important not to. Where our heart is, our money follows—and when handled well, money becomes a tool to further God’s Kingdom.
 This can be a powerful blessing to a church community. Partner with trusted organizations and wise, empathetic coaches, because money is a difficult topic filled with pride and feelings of failure. No one grows up wanting to mishandle their finances or struggle to have enough. Maybe even start with a Financial Peace University class for your church members and see who continues the passion as well.