Stewardship Leader

Christian Stewardship Network
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Daily

Stewardship Leader is the podcast for pastors, stewardship leaders, executive pastors, and church leaders who want to cultivate a biblical culture of stewardship and generosity in their churches. Hosted by Leo Sabo, President of the Christian Stewardship Network, each episode features practical conversations with trusted ministry leaders, pastors, researchers, and generosity practitioners who are helping churches disciple people toward financial faithfulness. Together, we explore the theology of stewardship, the principles of generosity, financial discipleship, church culture, leadership, and the strategies that move stewardship beyond fundraising and into lifelong spiritual formation. Whether you're launching a stewardship ministry, strengthening an existing one, or simply looking to lead with greater biblical clarity and confidence, Stewardship Leader will equip and encourage you to build disciples who faithfully manage all that God has entrusted to them.

  1. 1d ago

    The Fruit of Discipleship: Stewardship and Generosity

    What if generosity isn't primarily something Christians need to be taught to do, but the natural fruit of becoming more like Christ? In this episode of Stewardship Leader, Leo Sabo welcomes back Jeff Ward, COO of Simple, for a conversation about the connection between discipleship, stewardship, and generosity. Jeff shares how God used lessons from his parents, early marriage, missionary support, and experiences in India to shape his understanding that everything belongs to God and that giving is an opportunity to participate in His work. Together, Leo and Jeff explore the joy of spontaneous generosity, why faithful stewardship sometimes means not giving, how well-intentioned generosity can unintentionally create dependency, and why churches should remove unnecessary barriers when people are prompted to give. Ultimately, the conversation points back to a foundational truth: generosity is not simply a financial behavior. It is an expression of worship and a fruit of a life increasingly surrendered to Christ. Key Takeaways Generosity naturally flows from discipleship because becoming more like Christ means becoming more like the God who gives. God doesn't simply give us gifts; He gives us Himself, making generosity an expression of worship rather than guilt or obligation. A generous heart is often formed through small experiences, faithful examples, and relationships over a lifetime. Giving shouldn't be measured simply by whether the amount increases from year to year; generosity is ultimately about listening and responding to God. Planned giving is important, but leaving room for spontaneous generosity allows us to respond when God presents unexpected opportunities. Everything belongs to God, which means generosity is first a stewardship decision: the steward must listen to the Owner. Sometimes faithful stewardship means not giving, even when a legitimate need exists. Removing unnecessary friction from giving helps people follow through when they feel prompted to be generous. Well-intentioned generosity can sometimes create dependency and prevent others from experiencing the dignity and joy of giving themselves. Churches and ministry leaders should consider whether their generosity is truly helping people grow or unintentionally discouraging local stewardship. Discipling people toward generosity begins by teaching God's ownership, His worthiness, and His generous character. The ultimate goal isn't simply to produce people who give more, but disciples who increasingly surrender everything God has entrusted to them for His glory. Resources Simple Website - simpledonation.comConnect with Jeff Ward - jeff@simpledonation.comBecome a CSN member - https://membership.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/Learn about the Christian Stewardship Network - https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/

  2. Aug 4

    Discipleship that Reproduces: From Haiti to India

    What does discipleship that truly reproduces look like? In this episode, Leo Sabo sits down with Jeff Ward, COO of Simple, to explore the experiences that shaped Jeff's passion for disciple-making—from a life-changing encounter with God on a mission trip to Haiti to years spent training pastors and church planters in India. Together, they discuss why information alone doesn't produce mature disciples, the importance of modeling a life of faith, and how Jesus' example of living alongside His disciples remains the pattern for the church today. Whether you're leading a stewardship ministry, serving as a pastor, or investing in the lives of others, this conversation will challenge you to think beyond teaching and toward a discipleship that reproduces itself from one generation of believers to the next. Key Takeaways Mission trips often transform the person serving as much as those being served. The ultimate purpose of missions is to see God receive worship from every nation, tribe, and tongue. Healthy churches are built through disciples who reproduce, not simply through evangelistic events. Information alone does not produce mature disciples—transformation requires modeling and application. Jesus made disciples by living life alongside people, not just by teaching them. Discipleship happens "as you go," through everyday relationships and ordinary moments. Modeling faith often teaches more than formal instruction. Practical examples of marriage, generosity, humility, and evangelism become powerful discipleship tools. Reproducing disciples intentionally invest in others who will, in turn, disciple others. Faith that is not lived out will not naturally reproduce. Vulnerability and humility create trust and point people toward God's grace. Church leaders should model confession, repentance, and dependence on Christ rather than projecting perfection. Stewardship and generosity are natural outcomes of growing into the likeness of Christ. The goal of discipleship is not simply informed believers but faithful followers who make more disciples. Resources Simple Website - simpledonation.comConnect with Jeff Ward - jeff@simpledonation.com Stewardology Podcast - https://stewardologypodcast.com/ Learn about the Christian Stewardship Network - https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/Become a CSN member - https://membership.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/

  3. Jul 14

    From Data to Discipleship: How Churches Build Generous People

    In this second episode of our conversation with DeWayne McNally from MortarStone, we move from understanding the generosity data to putting it into action. Together, we explore why generosity is fundamentally a discipleship issue, how churches can intentionally guide people from a first gift to lifelong generosity, and what the healthiest churches are doing to build a year-round culture of stewardship. If you're a pastor or church leader looking to move beyond simply encouraging giving to equipping generous disciples, this episode offers practical strategies grounded in both biblical principles and real church data. Key Takeaways Generosity is ultimately a discipleship issue, not merely a giving issue. Healthy churches intentionally help people take their next spiritual step, including stewardship. Financial generosity is often an indicator of broader spiritual engagement. Churches should celebrate and intentionally disciple first-time givers into consistent generosity. Thanking and encouraging givers at each stage of their journey significantly increases long-term engagement. Churches that outperform others have a year-round stewardship strategy, not just an annual giving emphasis. Weekly giving moments are often more influential than occasional stewardship sermon series. Communication should be tailored to different generations and stages of the giving journey. Churches should cast a vision larger than the budget, inviting people to participate in God's mission. Stewardship ministry should focus on what God wants for people, not what the church wants from people. Effective stewardship combines biblical teaching with practical financial equipping. The senior pastor must actively champion stewardship for it to become part of the church's culture. Resources Mortarstone Website - mortarstone.comGet the Annual Giving Report - Access Here Learn about the Christian Stewardship Network - https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/Become a CSN member - https://membership.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/

  4. Jul 7

    What Church Giving Data Reveals: Participation Is Up, But Something Is Missing

    What do the latest generosity trends reveal about the health of discipleship in our churches? In this episode, Leo Sabo is joined by DeWayne McNally from MortarStone to unpack insights from the latest Annual Giving Report, based on giving data from more than 600 churches and over 2.5 million givers. Together they explore encouraging trends like increasing participation among younger generations while also confronting deeper concerns, including declining median giving, poor giver retention, and the growing dependence on a small percentage of donors. More importantly, they discuss what these trends reveal about the state of stewardship discipleship and why churches must move beyond fundraising to intentionally disciple people toward faithful stewardship and biblical generosity. Key Takeaways Giving is finally outpacing inflation, providing encouraging news for churches. Participation in giving is increasing, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z. Younger generations are giving more frequently, but their average gifts remain significantly smaller than those of previous generations. The greatest challenge facing churches today is not fundraising—it is stewardship discipleship. Most churches lack a comprehensive discipleship strategy that helps people grow from first-time givers to generous disciples. Fifty percent of people who gave in 2022 did not give again to the same church by 2025, revealing a significant retention challenge. Many churches excel at welcoming first-time guests but fail to acknowledge and encourage first-time givers. Churches need a shared theology and common language around stewardship, tithing, offerings, and generosity. Financial stewardship should be taught consistently, not just during annual giving campaigns. Stories of generosity should reflect every stage of the giving journey, not just large gifts from wealthy donors. Security and contentment are discipleship issues that directly influence generosity. Churches must intentionally disciple younger generations if they hope to sustain future ministry. Dependence on a small percentage of high-capacity donors continues to increase and presents a long-term risk. Stewardship conversations are ultimately about heart transformation, not simply meeting a budget. Resources Mortarstone Website - https://mortarstone.com/Get the Annual Giving Report - https://mortarstone.com/annual-generosity-report-landing Learn about the Christian Stewardship Network - https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/Become a CSN member - https://membership.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/

  5. Jun 23

    How to Have Conversations That Actually Change Financial Behavior

    In part two of this conversation with financial behavior coach DonJay Rice, Leo Sabo explores how church leaders, stewardship champions, and financial coaches can have conversations that actually lead to lasting change. DonJay introduces the Six Stages of Change, the Four F's (Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn), and the principles of Motivational Interviewing to help leaders better understand what is happening beneath the surface when people struggle with money. Rather than focusing on giving advice or fixing problems, this episode equips listeners to ask better questions, recognize emotional responses, and create safe environments where real transformation can take place. If you've ever wondered why some people seem ready to change but never follow through, this conversation offers practical insights that can improve every coaching, counseling, and discipleship conversation. Key Takeaways Lasting change begins with understanding people, not simply solving financial problems. Coaches and church leaders must learn to manage their own emotions before helping others navigate theirs. People move through six distinct stages of change, and each stage requires a different coaching approach. Pushing someone to change before they are ready can actually move them backward. Relapse is a normal part of growth and should be met with grace rather than judgment. Many coaching frustrations stem from misunderstanding where someone is in the change process. The "Fawn" response often causes people to agree to action steps they never intend to complete. Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn are common emotional responses that can surface during financial conversations. Emotional overwhelm is often mistaken for resistance or lack of commitment. Motivational Interviewing helps people discover their own reasons for change rather than being told what to do. Curiosity is one of the most powerful tools a coach can develop. Replacing "what" and "why" questions with phrases like "tell me about" or "help me understand" creates safer and more productive conversations. Trauma affects a significant percentage of people and should be considered in every coaching environment. Small environmental details—such as seating arrangements, room setup, and body language—can influence trust and openness. Better questions often lead to better outcomes than better advice. Resources DonJay’s Website (sign up for his newsletter) - Drumbeatofwealth.comConnect with DonJay - donjay@drumbeatofhealth.com, Instagram, LinkedIn Learn about the Christian Stewardship Network - https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/Become a CSN member - https://membership.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/

  6. Jun 16

    Why Behavior, Not Budgeting, Is the Real Money Issue

    Why do so many people struggle financially even after taking budgeting classes, reading personal finance books, and learning biblical principles about money? In this episode, Leo Sabo sits down with financial behavior coach DonJay Rice to explore the deeper issues that drive financial decisions. Together, they unpack the powerful role emotions, fear, shame, and past experiences play in shaping money behaviors. DonJay explains why knowledge alone rarely produces lasting change, why willpower often fails, and how understanding the "why" behind financial decisions can unlock real transformation. This conversation will challenge church leaders, coaches, and individuals alike to look beyond budgets and begin addressing the heart-level issues that influence financial stewardship. Key Takeaways Financial problems are often behavior problems, not knowledge problems. The emotional side of the brain processes information faster than the logical side, often driving financial decisions before reason can catch up. Budgeting is important, but budgeting alone rarely changes deeply rooted money behaviors. More financial education can create the illusion of progress without producing actual behavior change. Willpower and restriction often backfire, making unwanted behaviors stronger rather than weaker. Christians frequently carry unique forms of shame around money, generosity, and financial stewardship. Many financial behaviors are rooted in deeper fears such as rejection, conflict, inadequacy, insecurity, or lack of control. The same financial behavior can be driven by completely different emotional causes, making curiosity more important than assumptions. The "180 Effect" reminds coaches and church leaders not to assume they know why someone behaves the way they do. Visualization can be a powerful tool for rewiring financial habits and preparing for healthier decisions before temptation arises. Lasting financial transformation happens when we address both behavior and discipleship, not just budgets and numbers. Resources DonJay’s Website (sign up for his newsletter) - Drumbeatofwealth.comConnect with DonJay - Instagram, LinkedIn Learn about the Christian Stewardship Network - https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/Become a CSN member - https://membership.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/

  7. Jun 2

    From Giving Campaign to Generosity Culture - Building Something That Lasts

    In the final episode of this three-part series with Bob Lotich from SeedTime.com, Leo Sabo and Bob explore how churches can move beyond short-term giving campaigns and build a lasting culture of generosity. Together, they discuss the difference between emotional fundraising and true discipleship, why stewardship transformation happens best in “living rooms, not pulpits,” and how churches can guide people from financial stress to financial freedom and generosity. This episode is a practical and deeply pastoral conversation about building churches marked by faithful stewardship, trust, and long-term Kingdom impact. Key Takeaways Giving campaigns can produce short-term results, but discipleship produces long-term transformation Churches should focus on building a culture of generosity, not just funding needs Emotional giving can move people temporarily, but transformed hearts create lasting generosity Stewardship discipleship must move beyond inspiration into practical transformation Financial transformation is a journey: financial stress financial stability financial generosity Churches must meet people where they are financially and spiritually People rarely resist generosity—they often just don’t know how to get there Healthy stewardship ministry focuses on what leaders want for people, not from people The “living room” posture creates space for: honesty mentorship transformation peer-to-peer discipleship Stewardship teaching should remove shame and guilt while inspiring joyful generosity God’s goal is not pressured giving, but cheerful, transformed givers Long-term generosity culture is built through: systems education inspiration grace intentional discipleship Resources SeedTime.comBook: Simple Money, Rich Life by Bob Lotich Learn about the Christian Stewardship Network - https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/Become a CSN member - https://membership.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/

  8. May 19

    How a Middle-Class Couple Gave Away $1 Million by Age 40

    In this first episode of a three-part series, Leo Sabo sits down with Bob Lotich of SeedTime.com to explore Bob and Linda’s remarkable journey from financial chaos to radical generosity. Bob shares how a breaking point with just $7 to his name became the catalyst for a complete transformation in the way they viewed money, stewardship, and success. Together, they discuss surrender, generosity, the shift from “net worth” to “net given,” and practical ways believers can begin building a lifestyle of faithful stewardship rooted in God’s Kingdom. Key Takeaways Financial brokenness often becomes the starting point for true stewardship transformation Stewardship begins with surrendering control and trusting God with the outcome Money is deeply connected to identity, security, and trust Tracking “net given” instead of just “net worth” reframes financial success through an eternal lens Accumulation alone is a poor scoreboard for Kingdom-minded believers The “Seed Account” creates intentionality and joy around generosity Giving becomes easier when it is planned first instead of treated as leftover money Small, consistent increases in generosity can lead to significant long-term transformation The “1% Challenge” is a practical and accessible starting point for new givers Generosity is not measured by amount, but by faithfulness and obedience Stewardship is a daily posture of dependence on God, not a one-time financial decision True financial freedom comes from open-handed trust, not accumulation Resources SeedTime.comBook: Simple Money, Rich Lifeby Bob Lotich Learn about the Christian Stewardship Network - https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/Become a CSN member - https://membership.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/

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About

Stewardship Leader is the podcast for pastors, stewardship leaders, executive pastors, and church leaders who want to cultivate a biblical culture of stewardship and generosity in their churches. Hosted by Leo Sabo, President of the Christian Stewardship Network, each episode features practical conversations with trusted ministry leaders, pastors, researchers, and generosity practitioners who are helping churches disciple people toward financial faithfulness. Together, we explore the theology of stewardship, the principles of generosity, financial discipleship, church culture, leadership, and the strategies that move stewardship beyond fundraising and into lifelong spiritual formation. Whether you're launching a stewardship ministry, strengthening an existing one, or simply looking to lead with greater biblical clarity and confidence, Stewardship Leader will equip and encourage you to build disciples who faithfully manage all that God has entrusted to them.

Information

  • Creator
    Christian Stewardship Network
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    139
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Christian Stewardship Network
  • Show Website
    Stewardship Leader

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