Distilled: Church Finance Made Simple

Episode SummaryIn this episode of Distilled: Church Finance Made Simple, Kira and Dan unpack what it really means to move from “less math” to “more ministry.” Many pastors feel stuck managing finances instead of leading people, but the real issue isn’t just money, it’s a lack of clarity and systems.This conversation reframes church finances as a tool to fuel mission, not compete with it. By aligning every dollar with the church’s purpose and adopting a higher-level, “CFO mindset,” leaders can move out of the weeds of bookkeeping and into strategic, forward-looking decision-making.Through practical examples and real stories, Dan and Kira show how understanding your finances empowers better stewardship, builds trust, and ultimately accelerates ministry impact, not slows it down.One Key TakeawayIf you want more ministry, you have to identify where you’re stuck in “more math.”Take time this week to pinpoint the areas where finances are creating confusion, friction, or distraction, whether that’s clunky systems, lack of clarity, or avoidance altogether. Awareness is the first step toward building systems that actually support your mission.Resources MentionedParable (church financial systems & support)Distilled Podcast (for ongoing church finance insights)

Episode SummaryWhat can $18 billion in real church giving data teach us about generosity?In this episode of Distilled: Church Finance Made Simple, Kira and Dan sit down with DeWayne McNally from Mortarstone to unpack insights from one of the most comprehensive generosity studies ever conducted—spanning 661 churches, millions of households, and nearly $18 billion in donations.The data reveals a surprising tension: while overall giving and participation are rising, median giving is declining. In other words, more people are giving—but fewer are growing into consistent, mature givers.This conversation explores what’s driving that shift, including the rise of early-stage givers, increased reliance on top donors, and changing year-end giving patterns. More importantly, it challenges church leaders to rethink generosity—not as a funding strategy, but as a discipleship journey.One Key TakeawayYou don’t have a giving problem—you have a discipleship opportunity.Without intentional guidance, new givers won’t naturally grow into consistent, generous stewards.Resources MentionedMortarstone Annual Generosity ReportMortarstone Annual Giving WebinarChurch Finance Made Simple resource hub

pisode SummaryIn this episode of Distilled, Kira Echeandia and Dan Pourbaix sit down with Craig Fatt from Injoy Stewardship to unpack a powerful framework for church generosity: the five seasons of church funding.Too often, churches operate in constant “harvest mode”—asking for giving without cultivating the culture that sustains it. Craig explains how healthy church funding follows a natural rhythm similar to farming: prepare, plant, grow, harvest, and rest. When churches intentionally move through these seasons, generosity becomes discipleship rather than pressure.The conversation explores what each season looks like in practice, why pastors often skip key stages like preparing and resting, and how churches can align their ministry calendar with a healthier rhythm of generosity.Whether you're leading a church or shaping its financial strategy, this episode offers a practical framework for building a sustainable culture of generosity.Key TakeawayHealthy church generosity isn’t built through constant fundraising—it grows when churches intentionally walk through the five seasons of funding: prepare, plant, grow, harvest, and rest.Resources MentionedInjoy Stewardship2026 Stewardship Planning Resource from Injoy Stewardship

Summary:Most pastors spend hours figuring out where ministry money should go, but almost zero time ensuring that money actually happens. In this episode of Distilled, Dan and Kira are joined by Craig Fatt from INJOY Stewardship Solutions to bridge the gap between "having a budget" and "having a funding plan". Craig reveals why a budget without a funding plan is like a "car without wheels" and why your leadership meetings need a "vision shift" from scarcity to abundance. If you've ever had to say "no" to a ministry dream because of a spreadsheet, this conversation is for you.One Key Takeaway: The 1:1 Rule - For every hour you spend on your budget, you must spend an equal hour on how you are going to fund it.Resources Mentioned:Free 2026 Stewardship Plan: https://stewardshipplan.injoystewardship.com/Pastor Roundtable (March 3rd): Focusing on building and construction. https://pastorroundtable.injoystewardship.com/

Episode Summary:In this episode of Distilled Church Finance Made Simple, Dustin Alexander and Jim Sheppard of Generis discuss the critical role of high-level financial oversight in the church. The conversation highlights the value of a fractional CFO, who provides the "financial architecture" and long-term foresight that smaller or mid-sized churches often lack but cannot afford full-time. By leveraging fractional staffing, churches gain objective expertise and a broader frame of reference from someone working with multiple congregations. The experts also explore common "financial landmines," such as overextending on building mortgages and mismanaging payroll-to-income ratios based on a church's specific ministry model.One Key Takeaway:The CFO serves as a "financial architect" rather than just a reporter. While a controller or director of finance focuses on presenting historical financial statements, a CFO is responsible for long-term forecasting and identifying potential "red lights" before a church makes irreversible decisions, such as taking on a large mortgage or overstaffing.

Episode Summary:In this episode of Distilled: Church Finance Made Simple, we kick off a 3-part series with Jim Sheppard, Chairman and Principal of Generis, to unpack one of the most misunderstood roles in church leadership: the CFO.This conversation moves beyond spreadsheets and day-to-day accounting to explore financial foresight—how churches can build the financial architecture needed to support long-term vision, growth, and mission. Jim shares insights from decades of experience in both the corporate world and church ministry, helping pastors understand why the CFO role is fundamentally different from bookkeeping or controlling, and why it’s critical for a church’s future health.One Key Takeaway:A church CFO isn’t focused on yesterday’s numbers—they’re focused on tomorrow’s mission. The true role of a CFO is long-term financial leadership: ensuring the church has the structure, reserves, and strategy in place today to support where God is calling it in the years ahead.Resources Mentioned:- Generis – A generosity and stewardship consulting firm serving churches and nonprofits- Contagious Generosity – Book co-authored by Jim Sheppard

Episode Summary:This episode continues the conversation with Mark Venti of Overflow and Generosity University, addressing the common pastoral struggle of talking about money in the church, especially amid congregational skepticism. Mark Venti highlights that Jesus spoke about money frequently, emphasizing stewardship and giving as matters of the heart, not just financial literacy. To overcome fear and build trust, pastors are encouraged to be both bold and vulnerable, reframing the conversation from needing something from the congregation to offering something to them—namely, the blessings and freedom that come from good stewardship and discipleship. A practical strategy offered is to utilize trusted outside voices, such as board members or lay leaders, to share financial transparency and reinforce the message.One Key Takeaway:The most important action item for any pastor is to talk about money unashamedly and boldly, focusing on stewardship and giving as acts of discipleship that benefit the congregation, rather than focusing solely on church needs.Resources Mentioned:Generosity University

This episode features Mark Venti of Overflow and Generosity University (Gen U) on why church giving often stalls. Mark, a former pastor, believes stagnant growth is due to low trust, pastors being hesitant to discuss money, and a lack of discipleship for younger generations.The solution involves a three-pronged approach:Teach biblical principles on giving.Bring in neutral voices (like financial experts) to address money with credibility.Provide financial literacy to help members get out of debt, as being financially strapped is the biggest barrier to tithing.Mark discourages relying on annual fundraising events as "bailouts." He asserts that focusing on increasing the percentage of tithers will provide consistent income, aligning with the biblical economy.Key Takeaway: Pastors must boldly teach the tithe and simultaneously provide financial literacy to unlock generous giving within their congregations.Resources Mentioned: Generosity University

Episode Summary:In this episode of Distilled, Dan and Kira sit down with DeWayne from MortarStone for the third and final conversation in their year-end giving series. Together, they unpack why nonprofits consistently outperform churches in year-end fundraising—and what church leaders can do to change that.DeWayne highlights the key differences: bold asks, impact-driven storytelling, and strong donor recognition. The discussion dives deeper into how generosity isn’t just a financial issue—it’s a discipleship one. From telling better stories about transformed lives to engaging different generations of givers, this episode equips pastors to align their financial conversations with their mission all year long.One Key Takeaway: Start discipling your people around generosity—not just asking for gifts. Year-end giving isn’t a campaign to plan; it’s a continuation of a discipleship journey that should be woven throughout the year.Resources Mentioned:MortarStone's Year-End Giving Resource⁠⁠⁠⁠Parable Budgeting University⁠⁠Parable's Year-End Giving Guide⁠⁠Get in Touch with MortarStone⁠

Episode Summary: This episode, featuring DeWayne from Mortarstone, focuses on why churches must segment their givers instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach. DeWayne explains that a giver's age, generation, and financial capacity—whether they're a top giver or someone giving their first $20—significantly changes their perspective and ability to give. Treating everyone the same can lead to disengagement and discomfort. To effectively disciple people in generosity, church leaders need to tailor their communication and stories to specific segments.One Key Takeaway: Identify and communicate with your giver segments to personalize the discipleship of generosity. An easy starting point is to understand your segments by using a tool like MortarStone's free Basic version, which will allow you to see the different segments of givers in your congregation and tailor your messaging accordingly.Resources Mentioned:MortarStone's Year-End Giving Resource⁠⁠Parable Budgeting University⁠Parable's Year-End Giving Guide⁠⁠Get in Touch with MortarStone⁠

Episode Summary:Host Dan and Kira discuss the critical need for churches to start planning their year-end giving strategy immediately with Mortarstone's Chief of Staff, DeWayne McNally. The major challenge for churches is that their congregations are already receiving communications from nonprofits, which treat year-end giving as their "Super Bowl". Nonprofits are effective because they focus on gifts from wealth and assets, not just cash flow. Since complex gifts like real estate or stock transfers take time, churches must begin making targeted asks and discipleship conversations early in the year. Churches must segment their givers (new vs. top givers) to help them take the next step in generosity. For overwhelmed Executive Pastors (XPs), the advice is to build a team with expertise in communications and financial planning to lead this effort.One Key Takeaway:Plan now, execute well, and ask your people to contribute to the mission by thinking about assets, not just cash flow. Resources Mentioned:MortarStone's Year-End Giving ResourceParable Budgeting UniversityParable's Year-End Giving GuideGet in Touch with MortarStone

Episode Summary:Budgeting doesn’t have to be a burden—it can be an act of discipleship. In this final conversation of our three-part series with Joseph Plagge from Martus Solutions, we explore the “head, heart, and hands” model of stewardship. Together, we unpack how budgets reflect priorities, how collaboration keeps teams engaged throughout the year, and why celebrating wins makes financial stewardship life-giving. If you’ve ever felt like budgeting was just about crunching numbers, this episode will reframe it as a ministry tool that builds trust, deepens faith, and fuels mission.One Key Takeaway:Budgeting isn’t a once-a-year exercise—it’s a culture of collaboration, celebration, and trust that keeps every dollar on mission.Resources Mentioned:Parable Budgeting ToolkitParable Budgeting University (four-week online cohort)One-on-one budgeting services with ParableMartus Solutions – collaborative church budgeting and forecasting software

Episode SummaryIn this episode of Distilled, Kira and Dan welcome back Joseph Plagge from Martus Solutions to explore how church budgeting goes far beyond numbers—it’s a spiritual discipline rooted in stewardship. Together, they unpack why budgeting should be seen as an act of faithfulness and worship, not just an administrative task. By reframing budgets as tools for discipleship, pastors and leaders can align resources with God’s greater mission, prioritize what truly matters, and move beyond simply maintaining operations.One Key TakeawayBudgets aren’t just financial documents—they’re discipleship tools. When churches plan with eternity in mind, their financial decisions reflect obedience, worship, and alignment with God’s mission.Resources MentionedParable Budgeting University – A four-week live online program to help pastors create a mission-aligned budget.Church Budgeting Toolkit – Practical resources for your next budget season.Martus Solutions – Budgeting Season Prep Kit

Episode SummaryBudgeting season doesn’t have to feel like a plunge into the unknown. In this episode of Distilled, we sit down with Joseph Plagge from Martus Solutions to talk about how pastors and ministry leaders can move past the fear and frustration often associated with budgeting. Joseph shares practical ways to reframe budgeting from a dreaded spreadsheet exercise into a mission-driven opportunity—one that fuels ministry impact and discipleship.From simplifying financial language, to training ministry leaders, to even making budgeting season fun (yes, snacks are involved), this conversation helps you see budgets as more than numbers—they’re ministry plans in action.One Key TakeawayBudgeting is not just about filling out spreadsheets—it’s about aligning dollars with mission. When ministry leaders are equipped and engaged, budgets become powerful tools that tell the story of lives changed and resources stewarded for the kingdom.Resources MentionedMartus Solutions – Your Budget Season Prep Kit → Get the prep kitParable Church Budgeting Toolkit → Download the toolkitParable Budgeting University → Learn more & enroll

Episode SummaryIn this episode of Distilled, Dan and Kira share insights from Parable’s 2025 Summer Church Finance Survey of over 300 churches. While most pastors believe their congregations trust their financial leadership, the survey revealed a major gap: churches rarely talk about money, disciple in generosity, or equip leaders to manage finances confidently. Dan and Kira discuss why finances have become taboo in churches, how this impacts giving, and why transparency, discipleship, and clear systems are essential for building trust. They also offer practical steps pastors can take to grow in financial confidence and put every dollar on mission.One Key TakeawayTalking about money isn’t optional—it’s discipleship. When pastors lead confidently and equip their people, generosity grows and trust deepens.Resources MentionedParable Budgeting University – Four-week program for building a mission-driven budgetDistilled episode: The Four Numbers Every Pastor Needs to KnowConversation with Bob Lotich – Inspiring GenerosityGenerosity University – Tools for discipling in biblical generosityChurch Finance Survey – Benchmark your church’s finances

Episode Summary:In this episode of Distilled: Church Finances Made Simple, we’re joined by Gabe Pelphrey, Principal at Stewarded, to unpack the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and its impact on health benefits for churches and nonprofits. Gabe breaks down what’s changing in the health insurance landscape—including the removal of COVID-era subsidies, new opportunities with ICHRAs and QSEHRAs, and expanded options for cafeteria plans and HSAs. If rising renewal costs have you rethinking your church’s health benefits strategy, this episode gives you practical insights to navigate the shift and take care of your team well.One Key Takeaway: Don’t settle for a “group insurance or nothing” mindset. There are now more creative, affordable, and flexible ways for churches to provide quality coverage—start exploring all your options.Resources Mentioned: Stewarded.io – Learn more about ICHRAs, QSEHRAs, and health insurance strategies for churches and nonprofits

Summary:In this episode of Distilled, Kira and Dan break down three critical mid-year financial review steps every church leader should take to set up for a strong finish. If your church operates on a calendar year budget, this is the perfect time to evaluate income, cash flow, and your ministry “wish list.” Dan shares practical tips and tools that help pastors and church finance teams make intentional, informed decisions that align with mission and vision—without defaulting to short-term thinking or reactive spending.From assessing year-to-date giving and donor trends to reviewing your cash position and clarifying spending priorities, this episode is packed with wisdom and ready-to-use resources to help you steward the rest of your year well.One Key Takeaway:Pick one area—income, cash, or your wish list—and start today.Whether you dig into giving trends, evaluate your cash flow, or organize and prioritize your ministry wish list, taking one intentional step now will set your church up for a stronger year-end and more mission-focused decision-making.Resources Mentioned: ⁠Income Analysis & Projection Tool⁠ – Input your historical and current giving data to project year-end income.⁠Expense Review Tool⁠ – Evaluate your spending to catch hidden expenses and get back on track.⁠MortarStone⁠ – Donor analytics software to help you understand giving patterns, identify lapses, and plan discipleship strategies.⁠Core Four Episode⁠ – A previous Distilled episode on the four numbers every church needs to know.All tools and episode archives available at:⁠ churchfinancemadesimple.com⁠

The American church’s reliance on tithes and offerings as its primary source of income is no longer enough to sustain long-term ministry. In this episode, Dan Pourbaix and Greg Daley of Parable speak with Mark DeYmaz, pastor and CEO of The Church Economist, about the financial disruption already underway—and what churches must do to adapt.Mark explains that thriving churches are expanding beyond traditional giving by embracing new models of revenue generation. These include launching for-profit businesses, securing grants and external donations, and leveraging their existing assets to fund ministry. This shift isn’t just about generating income—it’s about increasing missional impact, engaging more people in meaningful work, and bringing life back to communities.The conversation dives into the theological, sociological, and technological realities that are forcing this change and offers practical ideas for church leaders who want to stay ahead of the curve.One Key TakeawayChurches must diversify their funding models now to remain sustainable and impactful in the 21st century. This requires rethinking stewardship and intentionally exploring new sources of income that align with the church’s mission.Resources MentionedBooks by Mark DeYmazDisruptionThe Coming Revolution in Church EconomicsThe Church Economistwww.churcheconomists.com – Offers tools like:Church Economics Assessment (free 6–7 minute tool)Sustainability Sprint – Helps churches build a customized funding roadmapLearn More About Parable

Every dollar your church spends is either fueling your mission—or distracting from it.In this episode of Distilled, Kira Echeandia and Dan Pourbaix sit down with Parable founder Greg Daley and Church Economics expert Mark DeYmaz to unpack what it means to keep every dollar on mission. They explore why churches often lose financial focus as they grow, where the disconnect happens between mission and budget, and what pastors can do to align their finances with their calling.Whether you're a lead pastor, executive pastor, or church finance leader, this episode will help you rethink how to steward your resources for maximum kingdom impact.One Key Takeaway:Good stewardship requires intentionality. Faith isn't passive—it calls for thoughtful action. Aligning your budget with your mission is how you move from doing good things to doing the best things.Resources Mentioned:Church Budgeting Toolkit (free download)Parable Bookkeeping & AccountingChurch Economics by Mark DeYmaz

Inflation, recession, declining giving—these are real concerns for church leaders. But what if they’re not the biggest threat to your church’s financial health? In this episode of Distilled, Dan Pourbaix sits down with Greg Daley (Founder & CEO of Parable) and Mark DeYmaz (Pastor, Author, and CEO of ChurchEconomist) to uncover what’s really holding churches back: an outdated economic model.You’ll hear real stories and practical insight into how churches are unlocking tens—even hundreds—of thousands of dollars by shifting to a 21st-century model of funding. From rethinking outdated programs to leveraging new income streams, this conversation is packed with ideas to help your church stop surviving and start thriving.One Key Takeaway: Churches that thrive in today’s economy aren’t just reacting—they’re rethinking how they fund the mission, moving beyond tithes and offerings to unlock new income streams and opportunities.Resources Mentioned:Parable – Your Church Finance TeamChurchEconomist with Mark DeYmazBook: The Coming Revolution in Church Economics by Mark DeYmaz Book: Disruption by Mark DeYmaz