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 janv. 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 janv. 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/ | |||
| 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/ | |||
| 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. | |||
| Transforming Fundraising with Biblical Wisdom with Dr. Russell James - Part 1 | 11 nov. 2025 | 00:35:49 | |
In this first episode of a three-part series on Stewardship Leader, Leo Sabo and Dr. Russell James discuss the biblical foundation of fundraising, focusing on the role of wealth holders in Christian ministry. Dr. James shares insights from his book, "The Biblical Fundraiser In Modern Practice: Helping Christians Enjoy Their Wealth," exploring how understanding God's perspective on generosity can transform donor engagement. The conversation delves into the importance of coming alongside wealth holders as authorized messengers, emphasizing a relational approach to fundraising that aligns with biblical teachings. Key Takeaways: Understanding God's perspective on generosity can transform donor engagement. Wealth holders should be approached as authorized messengers, not targets. Biblical teachings emphasize relational fundraising over transactional approaches. | |||
| Innovation with Integrity: How My Well Helps Churches Steward Tech for the Kingdom | 04 nov. 2025 | 00:30:40 | |
In this episode of Stewardship Leader, Leo Sabo interviews John Pizaferro, founder of My Well Ministry, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping churches save money on processing fees and reinvest those funds into their ministries. John shares his inspiration for starting My Well, the importance of transparency in financial stewardship, and how their nonprofit model allows for innovative technology solutions that benefit churches. The conversation also touches on the significance of data ownership, the impact of excessive profits in the church giving space, and the eternal return on investment that comes from supporting ministry work. Key Takeaways: -John was inspired to start My Well after hearing a story about a well-drilling business owner who served God through his work. | |||
| How to Launch a Stewardship and Generosity Ministry That Sticks | 21 oct. 2025 | 00:50:38 | |
In this episode, Leo Sabo and Jeremy Williams discuss the essential elements of launching and sustaining a stewardship and generosity ministry within the church. They emphasize the importance of prayer, leadership alignment, and personal testimonies in fostering a culture of stewardship. The discussion also covers navigating theological differences, identifying early wins, and the critical role of a stewardship champion. They highlight the need for an appropriate curriculum and the importance of measuring the ministry's effectiveness to ensure it meets the congregation's needs. Key Takeaways: Prayer and alignment with church leadership are crucial. Personal testimonies can effectively communicate the importance of stewardship. Data and stories should be balanced to show the need for financial education. Different generations have unique giving motivations. The current economic climate affects many church members' financial situations. Navigating theological differences requires grace and patience. Creating a culture of stewardship takes time and intentionality. Early wins are essential for sustaining momentum in stewardship ministries. A stewardship champion is critical for driving the ministry forward. Staff and volunteers need to be aligned and trained in stewardship principles. Choosing the right curriculum is vital for meeting diverse needs. | |||
| What Giving Reveals About Spiritual Health And The Opportunities For Discipleship | 30 sept. 2025 | 00:42:07 | |
In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we discuss the importance of stewardship and generosity in churches with guests Danny Stokes and DeWayne McNally. We explore how engagement in giving reflects the spiritual health of a congregation, the significance of understanding different generational motivations for giving, and the role of data in guiding church leaders. You'll also learn the importance of effective communication, pastoral care for lapsed givers, and the development of high-capacity givers as leaders within the church. Ultimately, this conversation will help you transition from a fundraising approach to a discipleship-based approach in church giving. Key Takeaways: Generosity reflects discipleship. Engagement in giving reveals spiritual health. Data helps churches understand giving patterns. Different generations have unique giving motivations. Pastoral care is essential for lapsed givers. High-capacity givers should be nurtured as leaders. Churches need to communicate effectively about giving. Understanding demographics aids in targeted communication. Building relationships with givers fosters generosity. Discipleship in giving is crucial for church health. Resources | |||
| Discipleship, Trust, and the Future of Church Giving | 12 août 2025 | 00:43:22 | |
In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we’re talking with Andrew Brooks and John Warren from Subsplash to discuss how technology can transform generosity in the church. They share insights from working with over 20,000 churches, highlight the challenges of adopting new digital tools, and explore the importance of transparency, storytelling, and discipleship in cultivating generosity. Key Takeaways: Subsplash’s Mission & Vision – To glorify God, proclaim Jesus as Lord, and equip every church with tools that advance the gospel. Technology for Ministry Impact – From mobile apps to giving platforms, Subsplash provides scalable, high-quality tools designed specifically for churches. Challenges Churches Face – Resistance to adopting technology, lack of intentionality in tech implementation, and an aging donor base. Opportunities for Growth – Meeting younger generations’ giving preferences, integrating giving into a discipleship journey, and using technology to scale ministry impact. The Role of Transparency – Churches that clearly communicate how gifts are used see stronger engagement and trust from their congregations. Subsplash Giving & GrowCurve – A giving platform designed to lower processing fees over time and return savings back to churches. Stories That Inspire Generosity – Real-life examples of churches transforming communities through transparent and mission-focused giving. Resources Learn more about Subsplash | |||
| Unlocking Generosity in Church Leadership | 05 août 2025 | 00:46:50 | |
Resources Learn more about Generis | |||
| Financial Transparency in Marriage | 22 juil. 2025 | 00:31:01 | |
Resources Matt’s website: mattaboutmoney.com | |||
| A Greater Way to Give powered by Helping Hands Ministries | 15 juil. 2025 | 00:32:58 | |
| Called to Create - Faith Driven Entrepreneur for Teens | 01 juil. 2025 | 00:51:56 | |
| Leveraging Data and Artificial Intelligence to Better Disciple and Care for People | 17 juin 2025 | 00:51:31 | |
| The Role of Fasting in Stewardship and Generosity | 03 juin 2025 | 00:52:50 | |
Resources Download Teaching Notes | |||
| Teaching Generosity to the Next Generation | 20 mai 2025 | 00:44:25 | |
| Kingdom Finances: The 3 Keys to True Financial Success | 06 mai 2025 | 00:45:28 | |
Resources Generous Life Ministry | |||
| How to Create A Transformative Financial Workshop in Your Church | 29 avr. 2025 | 00:44:25 | |
| Improving Your Financial Coaching Ministry - Small Shifts that Create Large Results | 22 avr. 2025 | 00:53:52 | |
Center for Financial Discipleship | |||
| Purposeful Investing: The Future of Investing | 17 févr. 2025 | 00:48:18 | |
| Purposeful Investing: Christian Investing Marketplace | 11 févr. 2025 | 00:54:53 | |
Dr Shane Enete’s book Company stock screeners inspireinsight.com | |||
| Purposeful Investing: The Philosophies and Strategies of Investing | 04 févr. 2025 | 00:43:13 | |
| Purposeful Investing: The Past, Present, and Future of Investing | 28 janv. 2025 | 00:38:50 | |
| At The Heart of Generosity: What Jesus Actually Said About Money | 21 janv. 2025 | 00:43:19 | |
John’s Website - https://generousheart.com/ | |||
| Better Budgeting for Greater Impact | 14 janv. 2025 | 00:00:31 | |
| The Generosity Pledge | 07 janv. 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 août 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 août 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 | |||
| Introducing The Generous Life App | 30 juil. 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 juil. 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. | |||
| Insights from The Christian Financial Health Report | 09 juil. 2024 | 00:42:38 | |
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 podcast, we’re 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. | |||
| Teaching Your Kids About Money with Matt Bell-Part 2 | 02 juil. 2024 | 00:39:01 | |
Managing money comes with challenges, and none of us feel like we’re doing it perfectly. That’s why so many parents feel like they’re not qualified or financially wise enough to teach their kids about money. In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we’re continuing our conversation with financial teacher and author Matt Bell. Matt has spent years teaching others how to manage money well, and through his book Trusted: Preparing Your Kids for a Lifetime of God-Honoring Money Management, he continues this work by focusing on and teaching parents how they can impart Biblical and practical financial wisdom to their kids. | |||
| Teaching Your Kids About Money with Matt Bell | 26 juin 2024 | 00:48:48 | |
Managing money comes with challenges, and none of us feel like we’re doing
it perfectly. That’s why so many parents feel like they’re not qualified or
financially wise enough to teach their kids about money. In this episode of
Stewardship Leader, we’re talking with financial teacher and author Matt
Bell. Matt has spent years teaching others how to manage money well, and
through his book Trusted: Preparing Your Kids for a Lifetime of
God-Honoring Money Management, he continues this work by focusing on and
teaching parents how they can impart Biblical and practical financial
wisdom to their kids. If you want to know how to impart Biblical and
practical financial wisdom to your kids, this episode and the next are for
you. | |||
| Generosity Isn't About A Transaction It's About Transformation | 11 juin 2024 | 00:39:45 | |
Talking about generosity in the Church should be about transformation, not a transaction. Giving is not primarily for the benefit of the Church or God's work but for the benefit of each believer and their relationship with God. It is not about fundraising; it's about discipleship. In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we're talking with Jim Sheppard, the CEO and Principal of Generis, about the vital need for discipleship in finances and how deeply connected it is to our faith and service to God and His Kingdom. | |||
| Money Scripts and Marriage | 21 mai 2024 | 00:45:37 | |
Financial discipleship is essential to helping people develop a Biblical view of money and possessions. Many programs, such as small group studies and video-taught classes, will provide the knowledge and wisdom necessary for people to mature as stewards of God’s resources. But, sometimes, the financial strain is more difficult and requires a one-on-one approach. This episode of Stewardship Leader is the second of three, focusing on financial coaching as a discipleship ministry. We are joined by Courtney Markley, a financial coach and advocate for building a trained network of financial coaches to serve God’s people in every church and beyond with a Biblical view of money. Contact Courtney - courtney@markleycoachinggroup.com CSN Membership - https://membership.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/ | |||
| Understanding the Psychology of Money | 14 mai 2024 | 00:52:05 | |
Financial discipleship is essential to helping people develop a Biblical view of money and possessions. Many programs, such as small group studies and video-taught classes, will provide the knowledge and wisdom necessary for people to mature as stewards of God’s resources. But, sometimes, the financial strain is more difficult and requires a one-on-one approach. This episode of Stewardship Leader is the second of three, focusing on financial coaching as a discipleship ministry. We are joined by Courtney Markley, a financial coach and advocate for building a trained network of financial coaches to serve God’s people in every church and beyond with a Biblical view of money. Contact Courtney - courtney@markleycoachinggroup.com Courtney’s Website - https://www.markleycoachinggroup.com/ CSN Membership - https://membership.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/ | |||
| Financial Coaching as a Discipleship Ministry | 07 mai 2024 | 00:56:25 | |
Financial discipleship is essential to helping people develop a Biblical view of money and possessions. Many programs, such as small group studies and video-taught classes, will provide the knowledge and wisdom necessary for people to mature as stewards of God’s resources. But, sometimes, the financial strain is more difficult and requires a one-on-one approach. This episode of Stewardship Leader is the first of three that will focus on financial coaching as a discipleship ministry. We are joined by Courtney Markley, a financial coach and advocate for building a trained network of financial coaches to serve God’s people in every church and beyond with a Biblical view of money. Contact Courtney - courtney@markleycoachinggroup.com CSN Membership - https://membership.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/ | |||
| Episode 74: Reasons Your People Aren't Giving and What You Can Do About It | 23 avr. 2024 | 00:53:08 | |
A troubling church statistic that seems not to be improving is the number of people not giving anything measurable to their church. Have you asked yourself why a significant number of your congregation isn’t giving? We have, too! To answer that question, Dave Briggs, the Stewardship Director at Central Christian Church in Phoenix, AZ, decided to do a year-long study to better understand this phenomenon. He joins us in this podcast to share his findings and offer some things church leaders can do to reverse this trend. | |||
| The Real Facts About Generosity In The Church | 13 févr. 2024 | 00:52:04 | |
Get ready to unlock the potential of giving in the Church with MortarStone’s 2023 Annual Generosity Report. In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we’re discussing some of the findings from this insightful report to help church leaders get a better understanding of the significant shifts and trends in generosity in the Church. We believe this information is crucial to the future of the Church and beneficial for church leaders for helping people grow in their commitment to God and funding God’s kingdom.
MortarStone
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/mortarstone/
CSN Forum - https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/forum | |||
| 2023 Stewardship Survey - Findings and Recommendations | 02 janv. 2024 | 00:51:27 | |
For the second year, CSN and Vision 2 have collaborated to develop the Stewardship Survey to understand what churches are dealing with and to develop recommendations and resources to help them disciple their congregations in stewardship and generosity. In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we discuss our findings and provide recommendations to assist you with your ministry efforts. | |||
| Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD): An Important Tool to Increase Good Stewardship & Generosity | 01 nov. 2023 | 00:31:05 | |
Helping our congregations to live as good stewards and generous people is a responsibility church leaders should take seriously. Oftentimes, it is a lack of financial education that prevents people from growing in this area of their faith. Thankfully, there are people in our midst, like Stephen Hartley, our guest in today’s episode, who are passionate and willing to provide the education and knowledge our people need. In this episode, we’re talking about a not-well-known tool, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), available to seniors that will help them better steward their resources and perhaps increase their generosity.
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| Stewardship Spotlight: Greg Gless | 17 oct. 2023 | 00:35:34 | |
In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we have another leader in the
stewardship spotlight. We’re talking with Greg Gless from ResLife Church in
Grandville, Michigan. Greg is the Generous Life Pastor and oversees the
stewardship and generosity ministry at ResLife Church. His God-story of
coming into and serving in this ministry is inspiring, as is his impact in
serving the people at ResLife and beyond. You will enjoy hearing Greg and
his story. | |||
| Estate Planning: A Valuable Ministry Opportunity | 03 oct. 2023 | 00:29:34 | |
Planned giving is more than just a useful service that a church or ministry should provide to its members. It is a powerful tool that enables them to leave a legacy, ensuring that the work of the ministry continues to thrive long after we are gone. In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we’re talking with Dave Hess from Financial Planning Ministry about the significant impact this ministry is having in helping families and funding future ministries. You’ll also learn how you can get an inside look at their process and learn more about their partnership opportunities. | |||
| Next Level Generosity: A Ministry for the Wealthy | 19 sept. 2023 | 00:41:25 | |
Pastors need to know that there’s more to stewardship ministry than helping people get out of debt or develop a budget. A natural outflow of good stewardship is generosity. As Christians become affluent by practicing good stewardship, a need for more intentional and strategic generosity becomes equally important. In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we’re talking with David Thoroughman from MortarStone about a ministry to the wealthy, helping those whom God has entrusted with wealth in giving strategically and wisely to the Church and Kingdom causes. | |||
| SIMPLE - Submitting to and Supporting the Mission of the Church | 06 sept. 2023 | 00:33:19 | |
An effective financial discipleship ministry requires a strategy with many moving parts. A crucial part is being able to understand the generosity of your congregation and ensure your people’s ability to give is made as simple as possible. In this episode, we’re talking with Taylor Brooks, the founder and CEO of Simple (formerly known as Simple Donation), to find out how he and his team submit to and support the mission of the Church through software and personal service. | |||
| Building a Volunteer Leadership Team for Your Stewardship and Generosity Ministry | 22 août 2023 | 00:39:39 | |
When building a robust and effective Stewardship and Generosity Ministry at your church, you must take into consideration the ministri’s ability to scale and grow into the future. In this episode, we’re talking with Chris Goulard, the Pastor of Strategic Advancement at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, about building a volunteer leadership team to ensure the long-term growth and health of the ministry. You will learn when is the right time to build your team, how to recruit, some of the roles and responsibilities on the team, the benefits and challenges of having a leadership team, and much more. | |||
| Economic Uncertainty and Its Impact on Church Giving | 26 juil. 2023 | 00:44:16 | |
During economic uncertainty, people start adjusting their financial
choices, including their generosity. The reality for most church members is
that they are working with fewer resources than before due to inflation. At
the same time, given their limited resources, they're trying to achieve
what they believe is the greatest good possible through their giving. And,
according to giving data a significant number are choosing to give to
religious causes other than their church. In this episode, we're talking
with Carl Tierney from Vision 2 to understand how churches can improve both
their communication around giving and the financial discipleship of their
members. | |||
| Should Your Church Offer A 90-Day Tithe Challenge? | 11 juil. 2023 | 00:51:15 | |
Tithing is a Biblical principle and practice that began as early as the Garden of Eden. It is the practice of returning the first portion (a tenth) to God as an act of worship and obedience. Unfortunately, this topic can be contentious and divisive even in some faith communities. In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we discuss this topic with Donna Nicholson Stief, the Director of Stewardship at LCBC Church, and learn the what, the why, and the how of their 90-Day Tithe Challenge. | |||