Distilled: Church Finance Made Simple

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Get your church MBA in just five minutes at a time! On Distilled, we break down complex church financial topics into simple, actionable insights that you can use today in your church. Brought to you by Parable Bookkeeping and Accounting, we make managing church finances easier, one episode at a time.

  1. Ep. 28: Why Your Church Needs a Funding Plan

    FEB 23

    Ep. 28: Why Your Church Needs a Funding Plan

    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/

    11 min
  2. Ep. 27: What is the benefit of a Church CFO?

    JAN 15

    Ep. 27: What is the benefit of a Church CFO?

    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.

    11 min
  3. Ep. 26: What is a Church CFO?

    JAN 15

    Ep. 26: What is a Church CFO?

    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

    12 min
  4. Ep. 25: What If They Don’t Trust the Church with Money?

    12/10/2025

    Ep. 25: What If They Don’t Trust the Church with Money?

    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

    11 min
  5. Ep. 24: Why Your Giving Isn't Growing

    12/03/2025

    Ep. 24: Why Your Giving Isn't Growing

    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

    10 min
  6. Ep. 23: Turning Giving Into Discipleship - What Churches Can Learn from Nonprofits

    11/12/2025

    Ep. 23: Turning Giving Into Discipleship - What Churches Can Learn from Nonprofits

    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 University⁠⁠ Parable's Year-End Giving Guide⁠⁠ Get in Touch with MortarStone⁠

    10 min
  7. Ep. 22: Beyond the Blanket Ask - How to Segment Your Givers

    11/04/2025

    Ep. 22: Beyond the Blanket Ask - How to Segment Your Givers

    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 Resource⁠ ⁠Parable Budgeting University⁠Parable's Year-End Giving Guide⁠⁠Get in Touch with MortarStone⁠

    11 min
  8. Ep. 21: Too Late for Year-End Giving? Why Pastors Need to Act NOW

    10/27/2025

    Ep. 21: Too Late for Year-End Giving? Why Pastors Need to Act NOW

    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 Resource Parable Budgeting University Parable's Year-End Giving GuideGet in Touch with MortarStone

    10 min
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Get your church MBA in just five minutes at a time! On Distilled, we break down complex church financial topics into simple, actionable insights that you can use today in your church. Brought to you by Parable Bookkeeping and Accounting, we make managing church finances easier, one episode at a time.

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