Distilled: Church Finance Made Simple
by Live Your Parable
Get your church MBA just 10 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.
Episodes
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Ep. 41: The Financial Control Your Church is Missing
Summary Your church may have good people, solid intentions, and trusted leaders, but that doesn’t always mean your financial systems are as protected as you think. In this episode of Distilled: Church Finance Made Simple, Dan and Kira talk with Nathan Davis from Capin Crouse about the financial...
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Ep.40: Stop Fundraising. Start Discipling.
Summary What if generosity isn’t really a money issue at all? In this episode of Distilled: Church Finance Made Simple, Dan, Kira, and Leo Sabo continue their conversation about financial discipleship and why churches should stop treating generosity primarily as fundraising. Leo challenges…
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Ep. 39: Your Church Doesn’t Need Another Giving Push
Summary Many churches treat money problems as financial problems—but Leo Sabo, President and CEO of Christian Stewardship Network, argues they’re often spiritual problems first. In part one of this conversation, Leo joins Dan and Kira to unpack the difference between financial education and...
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Ep. 38: More Money Won't Fix Your Ministry Budget
“If we just had more money, we could do more ministry.” It’s a common thought—but sometimes the real issue isn’t how much money is coming in. It’s where the money is already going. In this episode of Distilled: Church Finance Made Simple, Dan, Kira, and Morgan unpack how churches can...
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Ep. 37: 8 Church Budgeting Mistakes That Pull Money Off Mission
Episode Summary If someone looked at your church’s spending from the past year, could they tell what your church cares about most? A church budget is more than a spreadsheet, an annual requirement, or a set of spending limits. It is a mission map—one that reveals whether your church’s dollars are...
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Ep. 36: Is Your Budget Funding the Mission or Fighting It?
Summary What should a healthy church budget actually look like? In this episode of Distilled, Dan and Greg unpack practical church budget percentages using Parable’s 90-70-10-10-10 framework. They explain why churches should budget with margin, how staffing and facility costs work together, and...
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Ep. 35: Could Someone Steal From Your Church?
Episode Summary Church financial theft rarely begins with a mastermind and an elaborate scheme. More often, it starts with a trusted person, a financial pressure, and a system without enough accountability. In this episode of Distilled: Church Finance Made Simple, we unpack why trust alone is not…
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Ep. 34: Is Venmo Putting Your Church At Risk?
Summary: Venmo, Cash App, and Zelle can make church giving feel quick and easy—but convenience can come with hidden risks. In this episode, Dan and Greg from Parable unpack why peer-to-peer payment apps can create tangled bookkeeping, donor tracking issues, tax confusion, privacy concerns, and...
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Ep. 33: 3 Mid-Year Church Money Moves That Could Make or Break the Year
Episode Summary In 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…
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Ep. 32: Every Dollar On Mission. How to Actually Understand Your Church Finances Pt.2
Summary Many pastors feel overwhelmed when they look at their church’s financial reports. Spreadsheets are full of unfamiliar categories, long account lists, and numbers that feel difficult to interpret. In this episode of Distilled: Church Finances Made Simple, Dan and Kira explain how church...
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Ep. 31: Less Math. More Ministry. How to Actually Understand Your Church Finances Pt.1
Episode Summary In 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...
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Ep. 30: What $18 Billion in Church Giving Reveals (That Most Pastors Are Missing)
Episode Summary What can $18 billion in real church giving data teach us about generosity? In this episode of Distilled: Church Finance Made Simple, Kira and Dan sit down with DeWayne McNally from Mortarstone to unpack insights from one of the most comprehensive generosity studies ever...
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Ep. 29: The 5 Seasons of Church Funding Most Pastors Skip
pisode Summary In 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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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,...
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Ep. 20: Head, Heart, and Hands: Turning Budgets into Discipleship
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,...
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Ep. 19: Budgeting as Discipleship: Aligning Finances with God’s Mission
Episode Summary In this episode of Distilled, Kira and Dan welcome back Joseph Plagge from Martus Solutions to explore how church budgeting goes far beyond numbers—it’s a spiritual discipline rooted in stewardship. Together, they unpack why budgeting should be seen as an act of faithfulness and...
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Ep. 18: From Fear to Fuel: Reframing Church Budgeting as Mission
Episode Summary Budgeting 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...
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Ep. 17: The Generosity Gap: What 300 Churches Revealed About Finances
Episode Summary In this episode of Distilled, Dan and Kira share insights from Parable’s 2025 Summer Church Finance Survey of over 300 churches. While most pastors believe their congregations trust their financial leadership, the survey revealed a major gap: churches rarely talk about money,...
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Ep. 16: Subsidies Shrink, Strategies Shift: Navigating Health Benefits Under the Big Beautiful Bill with Stewarded
Episode Summary: In this episode of Distilled: Church Finances Made Simple, we’re joined by Gabe Pelphrey, Principal at Stewarded, to unpack the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and its impact on health benefits for churches and nonprofits. Gabe breaks down what’s changing in the health insurance...
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Ep. 15: 3 Mid-Year Moves Every Pastor Should Make
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...
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Ep. 14: The Coming Revolution in Church Econonmics
The American church’s reliance on tithes and offerings as its primary source of income is no longer enough to sustain long-term ministry. In this episode, Dan Pourbaix and Greg Daley of Parable speak with Mark DeYmaz, pastor and CEO of The Church Economist, about the financial disruption already...
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Ep. 13: Keep Every Dollar on Mission: Maximize Your Church’s Impact
Every dollar your church spends is either fueling your mission—or distracting from it. In this episode of Distilled, Kira Echeandia and Dan Pourbaix sit down with Parable founder Greg Daley and Church Economics expert Mark DeYmaz to unpack what it means to keep every dollar on mission. They…
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Ep. 12: The Real Threat to Church Finances
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...
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Ep.11: The System Behind the Mission Pt. 1
In this episode of Distilled, Dan and Kira kick off a two-part series exploring how to align your church’s finances with its mission. Dan explains what a financial operating system is, why every church already has one—intentional or not—and how Parable’s PFOS helps churches move from confusion to...
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Ep. 10: The Future of Church Finance Starts With Your Voice
In this episode of Distilled, Greg Daley, founder and visionary of Parable, joins host Dan Pourbaix to announce and unpack Parable’s bold new nationwide initiative: a survey designed to hear directly from church leaders about what’s really happening in church finances. Together, they explore the...
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E.9: Designated Giving Without Derailing the Vision
In this episode of Distilled: Church Finances Made Simple, Kira and Dan unpack the often-misunderstood world of donor-restricted funds. From designated giving to the tension between generosity and governance, they explore how churches can honor donor intent without drifting from mission. You'll...
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Ep.8: How to Build an Effective Chart of Accounts
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...
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Ep.7: Finding Hidden Money in Your Church Pt.3
Is your church’s budget fueling growth—or holding it back? In this final episode of Finding Money in Your Church Finances, we unpack a powerful lesson from The Pumpkin Plan. Just like farmers who grow record-breaking pumpkins, thriving churches focus their resources where they’ll have the most...
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Ep.6: Finding Hidden Money in Your Church Pt. 2
In part two of our Finding Hidden Money in Your Church series, we dive into a simple yet powerful tool that every pastor should use when prioritizing church finances. The key takeaway? Good is the enemy of great. Many churches unintentionally fund "good" things at the expense of their core…
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Ep.5: Finding Hidden Money in Your Church Pt.1
In this episode of Distilled: Church Finances Made Simple, Kira and Dan kick off a three-part series on making your church budget go farther. They tackle a critical question: Can church leaders really find extra money in their budget, or is that just a gimmicky statement? Spoiler alert—there may...
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Ep.4: 4 Numbers Every Pastor Needs to Know
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...
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Ep.3: Unlocking New Revenue Streams for Your Church
Summary: In this conversation, Greg and Dan discuss innovative approaches to church funding, emphasizing the importance of exploring additional revenue streams beyond traditional giving. The discussion highlights various creative ideas for generating income, such as utilizing church spaces for...
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Ep. 2: The Missing Piece to Church Finance
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...
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Ep. 1: Protecting Your Church's Money
Welcome to the First Episode of Distilled: Church Finance Made Simple! We’re thrilled to kick off this journey with you! On Distilled, we tackle complex church financial topics and transform them into simple, actionable steps you can take to steward your church's resources wisely. In This…
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Pre-Season: Talking About Giving in Church: The #3 Mistake
In the final episode of our 3-part series on the top mistakes churches make when talking about money, we dive into the third and often-overlooked misstep: not tying giving to impact and life change. Especially with younger generations, people want to know their giving makes a difference. Join us…
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Pre-Season: Talking About Giving in Church: The #2 Mistake
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...
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Pre-Season: Talking About Giving in Church: The #1 Mistake
In this episode, we explore the most common mistake churches make regarding finances—avoiding the topic altogether. Join Dan & Kira as they unpack why talking about money is not just about budgets or fundraising but about discipleship. Learn practical ways to lead your congregation into a...
About this show
Get your church MBA just 10 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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Live Your Parable
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