Next Sunday

Trust in the Church is at an all-time low – how did we get here, and what can we do about it?

Frank and Jim share the concerning truth of the decline of trust in the American church, discussing the staggering drop in public confidence and leadership challenges that arise from it. 

In this Episode:

• Why trust is like a bank account, and how leaders often make inadvertent withdrawals
• The alarming drop in trust towards the church – from 60% in the 70’s to 32% today
• The cost of hiding the truth, and the power of an apology in rebuilding trust

In 1968, 55% of people ages 18-24 lived with their parents. In 2023, that number has grown to 71%.

This week, Jim and Frank discuss the critical issue of staying connected with young adults as societal changes and shifts in the timing of traditional life milestones leave them isolated in ministry. They delve into the alarming statistics and share practical strategies for maintaining relationships with students to ensure they stay engaged with their faith and community.

We'll explore how to balance the practical and spiritual aspects of nurturing young adults, including:

• The shift in young adult life stages, and its impact on ministry
• Importance of consistent communication and relationship building with college students
• A strategy that bridges the gap between youth and adult ministry

Since February, we've seen four high-profile pastoral moral failures that are impacting countless lives. 

When moral failure happens, it's like a bomb drops and there's endless collateral damage that all the shrapnel hits, leaving innocent individuals to pick up the pieces. 

What can we learn from these moral failures and how can we, as leaders, finish well?

This week, Jim and Frank discuss the challenges leaders and pastors face, the burdens they carry, and the critical need for guardrails and accountability. By looking at biblical principles, we aim to guide and inspire leaders to stay grounded and maintain a pure heart before God.

Join us as we discuss:

• The importance of establishing guardrails and accountability systems to prevent moral failures in leadership
• Spiritual and practical measures to maintain self-awareness and avoid blind spots
• Strategies for nonprofit governance and the importance of clear expectations and accountability in decision-making

54% of Christians report reading the Bible less than once a month, if at all.

This week, Jim and Frank discuss how to approach and interpret the Bible, especially when understanding finances, giving, and generosity. It should be more than just finding convenient answers to our own preconceived ideas. By looking at biblical principles, we aim to inspire more meaningful engagement with scripture and, through that, a deeper relationship with God. 

Join us as we discuss:

• The importance of daily scripture reading and how it influences our understanding of God
• The challenges and perceptions around preaching on money and how pastors can approach it in a transformational way by focusing on scripture
• Strategies for church leaders to support their congregations in reading and interpreting scripture correctly

Over the next 20-30 years, several TRILLIONS will be transferred through inheritance. The average millennial expects to receive $350,000 of inherited wealth from their parents… but what if the parents disagree? And the bigger question… what if the inheritance doesn’t honor God?

This week, Jim and Frank dive into the MASSIVE upcoming wealth transfer between the baby boomers and the next generation, exploring its implications for modern-day church leadership and training. We’ll explore how to balance the practical and spiritual aspects of wealth management during this huge transitionary period.

Join us as we discuss:

• Understanding Biblical principles of stewardship and their application to the wealth transfer
• The Importance of preparing your heirs to receive and manage wealth wisely
• The Role of the church in supporting families through these complex transitions

Is it true that being rich makes it hard to get into heaven? What was Jesus really saying?

This week, Jim and Frank speak about the story of Zacchaeus and the Rich Young Ruler, examining what their encounters with Jesus reveal about our relationship with money. These stories give biblical lessons that will transform your approach to giving and stewardship in the modern church.

Hear practical steps for church leaders to address these complicated struggles, ensuring they resonate with both new and mature believers through these 3 ideas:

• Understanding the difference between transactional and transformational giving
• Approaching the topic of money with a focus on the heart transformation
• Building a culture of generosity in your congregation without being heavy-handed

Luke 16 might contain the most misunderstood Parable about stewardship in the Bible.

In this episode of Next Sunday, Jim and Frank go deep into one of the most challenging teachings of Jesus – the parable of the unjust steward. They unpack Luke 16, a part of scripture that pushes us to reconsider our relationship with money and stewardship.

We'll explore how to balance the practical and spiritual aspects of stewardship, including:

• Understanding stewardship and managing resources in the best interest of the master
• The importance of being shrewd and the internal struggle to multiply versus trusting
• Navigating the tension between earthly possessions and eternal treasures as believers

How do we connect with a generation living so differently than our own? 

Engaging with Gen Z can be a challenge, and many churches are struggling to incorporate these individuals into leadership and discipling. In this episode, Jim and Frank highlight how to encourage Gen Z to be a part of the church body and how they can be mentored, but also learned from.

Join us as we discuss:

• What Gen Z is CRAVING in the church
• How to grow Gen Z into leaders
• What we can learn from the younger generations in our churches

71% of people identified trust as a significant factor in whether they give or don’t give. 

This week, we invite you to join us in a deep and engaging discussion that challenges conventional views on giving, and how to earn trust from givers.

We'll touch on how true generosity is more than just the act of a financial contribution — it’s about cultivating a spirit of giving that resonates from the heart and faith-driven trust. By shifting the focus from monetary transactions to personal transformation, we aim to inspire a more meaningful dialogue around church giving and community involvement.

Join us as we discuss:

• The shift from a transactional mindset to heartfelt generosity through personal giving stories and meaningful connections
• The pivotal shift from "what we want from you" to "what we want for you” in light of Philippians 4:17
• Strategies for fostering trust and authenticity among church leaders and congregations

Giving is always a journey — the higher you get, the better the view. 

Tithing and generosity is a deeply spiritual but often misunderstood topic within the Christian church. Delving into what it truly means to be a ‘cheerful’ giver, Jim and Frank debunk common myths about giving and remind us of the joy that comes from truly understanding God's intentions for financial stewardship.

Whether you're a new believer or a seasoned member of the church, this episode offers valuable lessons on integrating the tithe and offering into Sunday service and the peace that comes with trust over treasure. Discover the transformative power of generosity and how it can elevate your relationship with your faith and the community.

Join us as we unravel:

• The biblical perspective on being a 'cheerful giver' versus giving out of obligation
• Generosity as a spiritual journey and the financial, spiritual, and mental challenges that accompany different stages of tithing and giving
• Insights into how shifting your view on money can transform your spiritual journey and lead to genuine joy in giving