Explore every episode of the podcast Stewardship Leader
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who’s Discipling Gen Z About Investing and Why the Church Must Engage | 13 Jan 2026 | 00:36:56 | |
Key Takeaways Church leaders often overlook the topic of investing. Gen Z is starting to invest earlier than any previous generation. Gamification of investing platforms can lead to risky behaviors. Teaching biblical principles of stewardship is crucial for young investors. Young people have the valuable asset of time for compounding investments. Social media influences can mislead young investors. The church has a responsibility to educate on financial matters. Investing should be approached with a long-term perspective. Engaging young people requires going to them, not waiting for them to come to us. Financial education should be practical and relatable to younger audiences. Resources Matt Bell’s Website - https://mattaboutmoney.com Learn about the Christian Stewardship Network - https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/ | |||
| Conquering Your Fear of Investing | 07 Jan 2026 | 00:34:55 | |
Key Takeaways The Bible provides wisdom on investing and finances. Investing is not just about getting rich quickly. Fear and greed can negatively impact financial decisions. A steady, long-term approach to investing is beneficial. Understanding market history helps manage emotional responses. Dollar cost averaging can ease the emotional burden of investing. Target date funds simplify the investment process for beginners. Educating congregations on investing is essential for stewardship leaders. Personal inventory of one's investing knowledge is crucial. Resources are available for those seeking to learn more about investing. Resources Matt Bell’s Website - https://mattaboutmoney.com Learn about the Christian Stewardship Network - https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/ | |||
| Financial Transparency in Marriage | 22 Jul 2025 | 00:31:01 | |
Resources Matt’s website: mattaboutmoney.com | |||
| How To Be A Better Presenter | 26 Mar 2020 | 00:31:15 | |
We have the privilege to present and teach on one of the most important topics we face in our generation. It is the topic of money and possessions and how they impact our daily lives, our relationship with God, and our relationship with each other. Should we not do the very best job possible? In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we discuss the keys to being a better presenter so that your message has a powerful and transformational impact. | |||
| What Content Is Best for Your Stewardship Ministry? | 17 Mar 2020 | 00:12:54 | |
With many options for stewardship content out there and more being developed every day, what should you be offering through your stewardship ministry? In this episode of Stewardship Insights, we discuss some content options and give you some insight into how you should be going about choosing the best stewardship content to disciple your people. | |||
| The Value of A Stewardship Ministry Regardless of Your Giving | 03 Mar 2020 | 00:11:01 | |
Your church members’ giving may be more than enough to meet budget, but does that mean you don’t have a need for teaching on stewardship and generosity? In this episode of Stewardship Insights, we discuss the value of having a stewardship ministry regardless of your giving. | |||
| Thriving In Love & Money with Shaunti Feldhahn | 27 Feb 2020 | 00:49:00 | |
THINGS YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE “Only 23% of people talk about money openly, while 77% avoid it or are defensive about this topic.” “The average pastor is part of the 77% that would rather avoid talking about money.” “Pastors, especially stewardship pastors, can help transform the conversation about money by helping the marriages in your church to have the conversation around money.” “You” processed this decision, but “we” didn’t. It’s time for me to do on the outside what you just did on the inside.” “Read one chapter in this book and then discuss it with your spouse, and suddenly, you don’t need a therapist. You just got a personalized look into how your spouse thinks and feels.” THINGS YOU WILL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE The 5 distinct factors that tend to be running beneath the surface of money issues in marriage. 1. There’s a resistance for a couple to be one in their marriage due to selfishness and a desire for independence. 2. Each person in the marriage has different values and sees the other’s choice of values as the wrong values. 3. Men and women tend to have two different sets of underlining sets of fears, worries, and insecurities; their individual financial cliffs. In their attempt to push away from their own financial cliffs, they inadvertently pull their spouse closer to the edge of their own different financial cliffs. 4. Couples have different and often opposite ways of processing through money decisions, which causes stress and anxiety around financial decisions. 5. Couples have strong reactions based on faulty assumptions often due to our past experiences related to money. Resources Thriving In Love & Money book & workbook. | |||
| How to Get Staff Buy-In | 18 Feb 2020 | 00:09:23 | |
One of the greatest challenges and missed opportunities to your ministry is getting your church staff to understand and buy into the message of stewardship and generosity. You know that if they REALLY get stewardship, it will have a significant and transforming impact on your people, your church, and your culture. So why don’t they buy-in? In this episode of Stewardship Insights, we talk about the biggest reasons for not getting staff buy-in and what you can do to begin turning that tide. | |||
| Revealing the Symptoms of Mammon's Influence | 13 Feb 2020 | 00:45:37 | |
Perhaps the most significant negative influence modern-day Christianity faces today is the influence of the spirit of mammon. In our wealth-driven society, no other spirit is as prevalent, nor seems to be more potent than this spirit. In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we reveal the ten symptoms of mammon’s influence, to help you understand its power and how you can overcome it. | |||
| What Programs Should You Offer Through Your Stewardship Ministry? | 04 Feb 2020 | 00:13:49 | |
You’ve got a real passion for helping people to learn and live out God’s Biblical principles of finance. But, knowing what programs you should offer to accomplish this can be difficult. In this episode of Stewardship Insights, we explore the components that should be part of every stewardship ministry’s programs. | |||
| Dear Senior Pastor, | 30 Jan 2020 | 00:14:01 | |
The responsibility of spiritual leaders, especially senior pastors, can be a heavy burden to carry. This weight becomes even more burdensome when people in their churches do not produce good fruit. Wouldn’t it be great to know what causes unfruitfulness in God’s people? In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we’ll discover what Jesus said causes a lack of fruit in the people of God, and what church leaders, especially senior pastors, can do to about it. | |||
| Should Your Church Have An Estate Planning Program? | 21 Jan 2020 | 00:09:46 | |
Did you know that 60% of Americans die without a Will or a Trust to direct what should happen to their assets? What, if anything, should the church do to better prepare people for this final stewardship decision? In this episode of Stewardship Insights, we explore the church's role and its opportunity through estate planning. | |||
| Strategies for Greater Ministry Impact | 16 Jan 2020 | 00:40:36 | |
Good communication, great content, and more opportunities are things we all want in our ministries. To maximize the opportunities we have we need to plan, execute, learn, and then do it again. What worked in the past most likely won’t work as well in the future. In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we discuss why it’s important to apply creative and innovative ways to share the stewardship message. | |||
| A Greater Way to Give powered by Helping Hands Ministries | 15 Jul 2025 | 00:32:58 | |
| Understanding and Equipping the Next Generation | 07 Jan 2020 | 00:11:30 | |
Millennials get a bad rap for being self-centered, entitled, lazy, and privileged. I think there may be some truth to that, but what past generation didn't behave similarly at their age? I believe our focus on the negative may have caused us to miss some of the best things about this next generation. In this episode of Stewardship Insights, I'm joined by a millennial to get her perspective and to learn how we, as stewardship leaders, can make a big difference in the lives of this next generation. | |||
| Measuring the Impact of Your Ministry Programs | 24 Dec 2019 | 00:10:14 | |
A healthy stewardship ministry offers a variety of programs that meet the needs of its church members. How do you know if the programs you offer are effective? Having high attendance is a good sign that people are interested in the topic, but it’s no guarantee that the program is serving people well. For that to occur you have to do more. In this episode of Stewardship Insights, Leo Sabo and David Thompson discuss 4 ways to measure the impact of your ministry program, and how to use that information to help your people grow in their stewardship and generosity. | |||
| Answering the Call to Stewardship Ministry | 19 Dec 2019 | 00:42:15 | |
The call to serve in stewardship ministry is often filled with doubt and apprehension. Teaching on the topic of money is challenging enough, but much more when you have to do it in a church setting. In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we talk with Paola Easton, the Stewardship Pastor & Finance Director at Birmingham City Church in Birmingham, England. Her journey to becoming a stewardship pastor and guide BCC to becoming a more generous church will encourage, inspire, and renew your passion for serving in this vital ministry of stewardship and generosity. | |||
| Recruiting Great Stewardship Volunteers | 10 Dec 2019 | 00:12:44 | |
According to Ephesians 4, the work of ministry done to edify the body of Christ is to be done by the saints, who are to be equipped by those in leadership. Because of this, our roles as stewardship ministry leaders is to recruit and equip great volunteers who will serve faithfully. In this episode of Stewardship Insight, Chris Goulard and Leo Sabo share some essential things to consider as you recruit and train stewardship volunteers. | |||
| Generosity or Stewardship? Which should you focus on first? | 05 Dec 2019 | 00:19:24 | |
THINGS YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE “In the church world, the 80/20 rule applies to generosity…20% of the people provide a majority of the funds needed to keep the church alive.” "What’s my motivation? Am I more concerned about my physical needs or their spiritual health?” “As more resources and more organizations offer churches a service for increasing giving, it’s easy to just focus on the money.” “Those of us who have experience with giving know it’s not about the math. GOd’s math is different than our math.” “Most people have a deep desire to please God by tithing and giving consistently, but they simply could not see a way they could do it.” THINGS YOU WILL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE The two questions a church leader teaching on generosity should ask. Our motivation for teaching on generosity will determine our approach. A balanced approach to discipleship includes stewardship and generosity. Resources CSN Stewardship Impact Workshop | |||
| Partnering with Other Ministries for Maximum Effectiveness | 26 Nov 2019 | 00:10:29 | |
Reaching every member of your church with the message of Financial Stewardship is a challenge. Even if you’re doing weekend announcements, email blasts, or every other type of marketing strategy, getting every member to hear and respond is next to impossible. That’s why partnering with other ministries in your church is so crucial. In this episode of Stewardship Insights, Dave Briggs and Leo Sabo discuss the benefits and impact of partnering with the other ministries in your church for maximum effectiveness. | |||
| The Methodical Approach to Building A Stewardship Ministry | 21 Nov 2019 | 00:38:53 | |
Whether you're stepping into an existing stewardship ministry or building one from the ground up, it takes patience and diligence to design an effective ministry that's going to change the culture of a church. In this episode of Stewardship Leader, Dave Briggs, shares his approach to building the ministry at Central Christian Church in Mesa, Arizona, where he is the Stewardship Director. | |||
| Group Coaching - An Alternative to the One-on-one Coaching Program | 12 Nov 2019 | 00:11:53 | |
No matter what ministry programs you use in your stewardship ministry, there are always a few people that need more one-on-one time to succeed. Therefore, a financial coaching ministry is a necessary part of your ministry. In this episode of Stewardship Insights, we look at the group coaching model as an alternative to one-on-one coaching. | |||
| Building A Comprehensive Stewardship Ministry | 07 Nov 2019 | 00:39:15 | |
Imagine being reasonably new to stewardship and being asked to start a new stewardship ministry at your church? That’s precisely what happened to Steve Carter, the Stewardship Pastor at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. In this engaging episode of Stewardship Leader, you’ll learn the step to building a comprehensive stewardship ministry, and hopefully, gain some insights that will help you in your own stewardship ministry building journey. | |||
| From Stingy to Generous to Discipling Others In Generosity | 24 Oct 2019 | 00:39:04 | |
In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we're talking with Blair Graham, stewardship pastor at The Summit Church in Raleigh Durham, NC. Blair is passionate about using finances to lead people to a deeper relationship with Jesus. You'll appreciate his approach to starting the stewardship ministry at The Summit and how it developed over the first few years, and the insight he shared about running an effective stewardship ministry. Things you'll hear in this episode. "I began to wrestle with what it meant to be all in for Jesus." “We went from non-givers to tithers overnight.” "I had some marching orders and kind of a vision, but I didn't have a strategy on what to do to build a stewardship ministry." "Attending the CSN Forum completely changed the direction, the trajectory, and the plan for The Summit Church Stewardship Ministry." "Most of the stewardship leaders attending the CSN Forum were a few years ahead of me. Learning from them saved me from making huge mistakes and wasting time trying things that would not have worked." “My biggest failure in ministry was bringing on a person that was not qualified to lead.” Things you will learn from this episode Committing to taking one or two small things you could use at your church and apply them consistently will allow you over time to build an effective stewardship ministry at your church. Using online giving receipts to communicate and disciple members about stewardship. Connecting with other stewardship leaders can help you in building your stewardship ministry. Resources The Stewardship Digest | |||
| Called to Create - Faith Driven Entrepreneur for Teens | 01 Jul 2025 | 00:51:56 | |
| Why Your Church Needs A Stewardship Ministry | 15 Oct 2019 | 00:08:51 | |
There's a real need for God's people to understand and apply Biblical financial principles to their lives. But, since most churches offer no ministry in this area, many people are left to learn this important topic from the world. In this first episode of 'Stewardship Insights,' we discuss a few reasons why you should have a stewardship ministry and how a stewardship leader can influence their senior leaders to embrace and support this ministry in their churches. | |||
| The Fundamentals of Stewardship Ministry | 10 Oct 2019 | 00:32:43 | |
In this episode of Stewardship Leader, Chris Goulard, a 15-year stewardship veteran, shares the early days and some of the fundamentals that went into building the Stewardship Ministry at Saddleback Church in Orange County, California. You’ll learn great insights into what it takes to start and run a thriving stewardship ministry that transforms your culture into a culture of generosity and good stewardship. | |||
| The Evolution of Gateway's Stewardship Ministry | 26 Sep 2019 | 00:45:49 | |
Things you’ll hear on this episode “It just shows that there’s no one size fits all, that you don’t put stewardship in a box and say, Ok, if everyone runs this one thing then it is going to be perfect.” “What I get to do is help make sure that we have the culture resonating through our church.” “We do it in different ways. How we do it looks different, but why we do it is always the same.” “When a church first begins a stewardship ministry, the reason they start is because of the felt need of the congregation.” “If you’re a stewardship leader, you empowering a volunteer to run a major program is super honoring for the volunteer. They will want to do an excellent job.” “How do we take this DNA of stewardship ministry and make sure it’s in every campus?” “We know the vision of from the Lord to our senior leader is large, so we have to figure out what is a model long-term, that gonna grow.” “Now, I believe the essence of stewardship is a relationship with God.” “Stewardship ministry is not the get out of debt ministry, it’s not the build a budget ministry, it’s not the invest and financial independence and retire early ministry. This ministry is about a relationship with God.” “I didn’t hear a good, clear, biblical, theologically sound message on giving until I was 37 years old, and I grew up in the church.” “Our role as pastors is to equip the saints for the work of ministry.” Resources Gateway Network | |||
| A New Season For CSN | 12 Sep 2019 | 00:30:47 | |
In this first episode of Stewardship Leader, host and CSN president, Leo Sabo, discusses the past and future of CSN with Pastor George Thompson, a CSN Champion and the host of the Christian Stewardship Podcast for the past 2 years. Learn what new and exciting things CSN is doing and what the future holds for those connected to this great network. | |||
| Leveraging Data and Artificial Intelligence to Better Disciple and Care for People | 17 Jun 2025 | 00:51:31 | |
| The Role of Fasting in Stewardship and Generosity | 03 Jun 2025 | 00:52:50 | |
Resources Download Teaching Notes | |||
| Teaching Generosity to the Next Generation | 20 May 2025 | 00:44:25 | |
| Kingdom Finances: The 3 Keys to True Financial Success | 06 May 2025 | 00:45:28 | |
Resources Generous Life Ministry | |||
| How to Create A Transformative Financial Workshop in Your Church | 29 Apr 2025 | 00:44:25 | |
| Improving Your Financial Coaching Ministry - Small Shifts that Create Large Results | 22 Apr 2025 | 00:53:52 | |
Center for Financial Discipleship | |||
| Purposeful Investing: The Future of Investing | 17 Feb 2025 | 00:48:18 | |
| Transforming Fundraising with Biblical Wisdom with Dr. Russell James - Part 3 | 25 Nov 2025 | 00:38:55 | |
In this episode of Stewardship Leader, the third in a three-part series, Dr. Russell James joins Leo Sabo to discuss practical ways to apply biblical principles to fundraising. Drawing on insights from his book, "The Biblical Fundraiser In Modern Practice: Helping Christians Enjoy Their Wealth," Dr. James provides guidance on engaging donors, designing meaningful giving opportunities, and helping supporters see their wealth as a tool for kingdom impact. He emphasizes the importance of enjoying wealth through good works and generosity, rather than hoarding it. The conversation also covers the distinction between income and wealth, and how ministries can better handle non-cash gifts. Key Takeaways Emphasize reaching out to wealth holders as a unique ministry. Overcome barriers by learning about wealth management and tax laws. Utilize donor-advised funds for managing complex non-cash gifts. Encourage impact investing to align wealth with good works. Use technology wisely to foster genuine ministry relationships. Cultivate a culture of joyful giving rather than obligation. Empower donors to feel like active participants in good works. Focus on building long-term advising relationships with donors. Avoid leadership ego to enhance donor involvement and impact. Apply biblical teachings to fundraising for greater effectiveness. Resources Dr. Russell James’ website - https://encouragegenerosity.com/ | |||
| Purposeful Investing: Christian Investing Marketplace | 11 Feb 2025 | 00:54:53 | |
Dr Shane Enete’s book Company stock screeners inspireinsight.com | |||
| Purposeful Investing: The Philosophies and Strategies of Investing | 04 Feb 2025 | 00:43:13 | |
| Purposeful Investing: The Past, Present, and Future of Investing | 28 Jan 2025 | 00:38:50 | |
| At The Heart of Generosity: What Jesus Actually Said About Money | 21 Jan 2025 | 00:43:19 | |
John’s Website - https://generousheart.com/ | |||
| Better Budgeting for Greater Impact | 14 Jan 2025 | 00:00:31 | |
| The Generosity Pledge | 07 Jan 2025 | 00:42:30 | |
Generosity Pledge Card | |||
| Happily Generous: The Secret To Living A Priceless Life | 12 Nov 2024 | 00:43:33 | |
| Evangelical Giving is Down: What Every Church and Non-Profit Leader Needs to Know | 05 Nov 2024 | 01:00:56 | |
Resources Grey Matter Research Website | |||
| Ministering to Those With Financial Surplus | 27 Aug 2024 | 00:36:50 | |
Often overlooked in stewardship discussions, those with abundant resources face their own spiritual and practical struggles. In this episode, we’re again joined by Greg Gless, Generous Life Pastor at ResLife Church in Grandville, MI, to explore the unique challenges and opportunities that come with ministering to individuals and families who have a financial surplus. You’ll learn how Greg and his team have grown a community of generous people by focusing on what matters most: discipleship. ResLife Church - Real Life | |||
| Ministering to Those Struggling Financially | 13 Aug 2024 | 00:35:34 | |
What does it look like for a church to effectively minister to people when they are in financial distress? Should churches provide financial assistance? To whom, and for what needs? How can church leaders ensure that the help they’re providing isn’t hurting or treating the symptoms rather than the root issues? In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we’re talking with Gregg Gless, the Generous Life Pastor at ResLife Church in Grandville, MI, about their REAL Life Mentoring ministry specifically tailored for those who are struggling financially. You’ll learn how REAL provides people the opportunity to grow spiritually and practically. ResLife Church - Real Life | |||
| Transforming Fundraising with Biblical Wisdom with Dr. Russell James - Part 2 | 18 Nov 2025 | 00:38:37 | |
In this episode of Stewardship Leader, the second episode of a three-part series, Dr. Russell James joins Leo Sabo to discuss practical ways to apply biblical principles in fundraising. Drawing on insights from his book, "The Biblical Fundraiser In Modern Practice: Helping Christians Enjoy Their Wealth," Dr. James provides guidance on engaging donors, designing meaningful giving opportunities, and helping supporters see their wealth as a tool for kingdom impact. He emphasizes the importance of enjoying wealth through good works and generosity, rather than hoarding it. The conversation also covers the distinction between income and wealth, and how ministries can better handle non-cash gifts. Key Takeaways -Enjoy wealth by doing good and being generous. | |||
| Introducing The Generous Life App | 30 Jul 2024 | 00:34:43 | |
The Generous Life App aims to inspire and equip the world's largest gathering of generous Christians. It is more than just a financial tool. It's a community of like-minded Christians united in their journey toward financial freedom and kingdom impact. With its user-friendly interface, Generous Life allows members to manage their money, set financial goals, and connect with others for advice and support. This app provides budgeting tools, resources, and financial stewardship education tailored specifically for the Christian community. In this episode, we're talking with its founder, Greg Gless, to learn about the features and benefits of the app and a unique opportunity for our CSN community. Generous Life Links: Web App - www.GenerousLifeApp.com Download the app: Apple Store and Google Play Store | |||
| Insights from The Christian Financial Health Report - Part 2 | 09 Jul 2024 | 00:00:31 | |
How do Christians think about money and giving? A new report created by the Institute For Financial Health reveals essential data about Christians’ perspectives on these topics. It provides cutting-edge insights into the areas of generosity, debt, savings, budgeting, retirement, church teachings, and professional guidance. In this second podcast, we’re again talking with the Institute’s founder, Art Rainer, the creator of The Christian Financial Health Report, to discuss its findings and how these can assist church leaders and those who minister in financial discipleship in helping people improve their financial health. Ministry Resources Christian Financial Health Report Are you a pastor or church leader? At Christian Stewardship Network, we are passionate about teaching the biblical perspective on finances so that you can teach your church with authority, confidence, and integrity. Our network is a group of passionate Christ-followers with a burden to teach and equip God's people in stewardship and generosity. Sign up for our mailing list to get new content directly to your inbox! Become a member of our network to access our entire library of online courses, participate in monthly network calls, and more! CSN is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Help us reach more churches with the message of stewardship and generosity, Support our mission through giving. | |||