Distilled: Church Finance Made Simple

Episode SummaryIn this episode of Distilled: Church Finance Made Simple, Kira and Morgan unpack 3 Mid-Year Church Money Moves That Could Make or Break the Year. The conversation walks church leaders through how to pause at the halfway point of the year, review giving trends, check cash health, and realign spending with ministry priorities. Instead of treating a mid-year financial review like a dusty accounting chore, this episode reframes it as a stewardship moment: a chance to avoid December surprises, make confident pivots, and ensure the budget still serves the mission.One Key TakeawayA mid-year financial review is not just about the numbers. It is about making sure every dollar is helping your church move toward lives changed, ministry done well, and financially healthy decisions for the second half of the year.Resources MentionedThe episode mentions Parable’s budgeting and church financial toolkits, built from experience serving over 500 churches. Listeners can download them at:liveyourparable.com/financial-summit

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)

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

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: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 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

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

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

In this episode of Distilled: Church Finances Made Simple, Dan and Kira recap their time at the Exponential Conference in Florida—featuring Santa hats, snow yeti pajama pants, and a missing tiny Jesus figurine—before diving into something that may sound boring, but is actually foundational for church financial clarity: the Chart of Accounts (COA).Dan breaks down what a Chart of Accounts is, why it matters, and how simplifying it can relieve burdens for ministry leaders, empower wise financial decisions, and keep every dollar aligned with your mission and vision. Whether you’re a pastor or ministry leader, you’ll walk away with a better understanding of how to use your COA to clearly communicate your church’s priorities—not just to your team, but also to your congregation.One Key Takeaway:Look at your Chart of Accounts and ask: is it simple, clear, and aligned with our mission and vision? If not—simplify it. Your financial reports should tell the story of your church’s priorities.Resources Mentioned:Learn how Parable can help you simplify and align your COA by reach out to their team.

Episode Summary:In this episode of Distilled: Church Finance Made Simple, Dan Pourbaix breaks down the four essential financial numbers every pastor should track to ensure the financial and spiritual health of their church. These key metrics—income received, expenses, savings, and donor engagement—provide crucial insights into both financial stability and the congregation’s commitment to the church’s mission. Dan shares practical strategies for monitoring these numbers and explains how they can help pastors make better-informed decisions.Key Takeaways:Every pastor should track four key financial numbers: get, keep, have, and gave.Understanding these numbers provides a clear picture of the church’s financial health.Tracking giving trends can reveal deeper issues within the congregation.Financial data should be viewed in context over time for better decision-making.Healthy savings can prevent financial crises and keep the church on mission.Giving patterns can reflect the spiritual engagement of the congregation.Pastors should regularly review these metrics with their leadership team.Utilizing financial tracking tools can simplify the process and increase accuracy.Resources & Next Steps:Free Download: Church Financial Metrics Tracking SpreadsheetDownload the Church Financial Toolkit for additional resources.Learn more about Parable’s bookkeeping services for expert financial support.Have questions or feedback? Reach out to us at marketing@liveyourpareble.comConnect With Us:Subscribe for more insights on church finance.Leave a review to help others find the show.Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for more financial tips.About the Show:Distilled: Church Finance Made Simple is your go-to resource for cutting through the complexity of church finances. Each episode delivers practical wisdom to help pastors and church leaders steward their resources well—so you can focus on what truly matters: your mission.

In this conversation, Greg and Dan discuss the critical missing piece in church finance, emphasizing the importance of strategic finance. They explore how strategic finance can help churches align their financial resources with their mission, make informed decisions, and plan for the future. The discussion also covers churches' various options for obtaining strategic financial help, including hiring staff, utilizing volunteers, or partnering with specialized companies. The episode concludes with actionable takeaways for pastors, including a recommendation to complete a financial leadership assessment. TakeawaysThe missing piece in church finance is strategic finance.Strategic finance involves aligning funds with the church's mission. Budgeting is essential for future planning and resource allocation.Without a budget, funds can be misallocated and wasted.Churches often need fractional financial help rather than full-time staff.Volunteers can provide valuable financial assistance but may lack consistency.Hiring a specialized company can offer broader insights and experience.Understanding financial health is crucial for church growth and sustainability.Pastors should prioritize strategic financial questions in their planning.Utilizing resources like financial assessments can improve stewardship.

The #2 Church Mistake About Money: Forgetting the "Why" In this episode, we address the second biggest mistake churches make when talking about money—not tying giving to the church’s mission and vision. Instead of simply sharing numbers, discover how to inspire your congregation by telling the stories of life change that their giving makes possible. We’ll share practical tips for painting a compelling picture of where your church is headed and how giving fuels that journey. What You’ll Learn: Why sharing numbers alone falls short of inspiring generosity How to connect giving to your church’s mission and vision Practical ways to highlight stories of life change and impact Additional Resources: Parable’s Ultimate Guide to Year-End Giving: Maximize year-end generosity with this comprehensive guide full of tips and strategies. Download now Your church’s story is powerful—don’t miss the opportunity to invite your congregation to be part of it. Subscribe for more episodes packed with insights to help your church thrive!