Debt-Free College Strategies for Ministry Families

In episode 19 of the Pastors & Money Podcast, we conclude our three-part series on how parents in ministry can prepare their pastor's kid to earn a college degree debt-free. This episode focuses on practical strategies for current college students or those about to begin college. Topics discussed include adjusting mindsets, reassessing career goals, exploring affordable education options, maximizing scholarships and work-study opportunities, managing budget and expenses, and planning post-graduation finances. Hunt also emphasizes the importance of mentorship and faith-driven financial management. Resources and tips are provided to help families commit to avoiding additional student loans, thus ensuring a financially stable future.

Related Episodes:

Part 1: Early years through middle school planning

Part 2: Second half of high school planning

Resources from this Episode:

"Debt Free Degree" by Anthony O'Neil

Every Dollar budgeting app

Financial Peace University course

Scholarships for Pastors Kids

How to Create a Budget for Beginners

Find a Financial/Career Coach

Transcript:

Helping Pastor's Kids Navigate College Debt-Free

Welcome to the Pastors & Money Podcast. I'm Joy Suzanne Hunt, pastor and financial coach, bringing you conversations about personal finance, church finance and how we disciple our churches in the areas of finance and stewardship. You can find the episode show notes, and more at pastorsandmoney.com. And here's the show. [00:00:00]

Introduction and Biblical Mentorship

Hi there, and welcome to episode number 19 of the Pastors and Money Podcast. Today, we're wrapping up our three part series on college education for ministry families. And our first two episodes, we focused on preparing ahead to avoid student debt. But what if you're currently in college or your student is, or they're about to start?

That's what we'll tackle today. Before we dive in, I've been reflecting on a powerful pattern of [00:01:00] mentorship in the Book of Acts. I love the Book of Acts. It's just one of my favorites, but we see Barnabas going out of his way to find Paul and bring him into the ministry at Antioch. And then later we see Paul and Barnabas doing the same thing with John Mark, bringing him along on their first missionary journey. And this pattern makes me wonder. Who are we bringing alongside us in ministry today? It doesn't have to be a formal mentorship.

Sometimes that's the right thing. Sometimes it's not, maybe it's asking someone to help you set up for an event or having them shadow you while you do hospital visits or while you plan out a banquet. Maybe it's letting them be your armor bearer at a conference or outreach. These seemingly small opportunities to serve and learn can be the starting point for developing future ministry leaders.

So my challenge to you is to think about that. Well, think about who are you bringing alongside? In ministry today. Now let's dive into some practical solutions for college students. [00:02:00]

Core Strategies for Pastor's Kids in College

This is the final episode in our three part series on sending your PK to college debt free. Today, we're focusing on strategies for current college students or those about to start college. So this applies to you if you have a student who is in school already in college already, or about to start. It also applies to you if you are a pastor or studying to be a pastor and you are in college right now, and you realize, Hey, I see so many people around me graduating with crippling student loan debt. I don't. Don't want any of that? What do I do? I'm already in school. If you or your student is already in college and facing debt, don't lose hope. It's not too late to make a change. Let's go ahead and dive in.

Mindset and Financial Management for Students

So first we need to address mindset.

Debt-Free College Strategies for Ministry Families

This is part three of our three-part series on helping your PK graduate college without debt. The first two episodes covered how to prepare ahead — but what if you're already in college, or your student is about to start? This episode is for you. Joy walks you through practical, real-world strategies for current college students who want to stop the debt cycle now, manage what they already owe, and set themselves up to graduate with freedom instead of financial baggage.

Related Episodes:

• Part 1: Early years through middle school planning
• Part 2: Second half of high school planning

What You'll Learn

• Why committing to no new debt — starting right now — is the single most important mindset shift a current college student can make
• How to honestly evaluate whether your degree and school are actually worth the cost
• Practical ways to reduce your biggest college expenses, including housing, textbooks, and daily spending
• How to increase your income through scholarships, work-study, internships, and side hustles while you're still in school
• What to do with existing student loans so they don't become a burden that follows you into ministry

Key Quotes

• "If taking on debt is still an option, you won't see the other options available to you."
• "The purpose of college is not to get a college experience — it's to get the preparation necessary for a job you love and that will pay."
• "Those sacrifices are temporary. They're for a purpose — so you can graduate without carrying the burden of decisions from four years ago."
• "With faith, planning, and perseverance, financial freedom is possible."

Practical Takeaways

• Make "no new debt" your non-negotiable stance starting today — write it down and commit to it before next semester begins
• Fill out the FAFSA now (and every year) — and keep searching for scholarships even after you've already started college
• Download the EveryDollar app and build a simple budget this week that includes saving for next semester's tuition
• Book a meeting with your financial aid office and career center — they're two of the most underused resources on any campus

Resources from this Episode:

• "Debt Free Degree" by Anthony O'Neil
• Every Dollar budgeting app
• Financial Peace University course
• Scholarships for Pastors Kids
• How to Create a Budget for Beginners
• Find a Financial/Career Coach

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review — it helps us get the word out and invite more people into these conversations.

Connect with Pastors & Money

Email: [email protected]

Instagram/Facebook: @pastorsandmoney

Website: pastorsandmoney.com/podcast

The Pastors & Money Podcast helps pastors, ministry leaders, and churches start thriving financially using money as a tool to fuel God's mission in our churches and families.

Want to be a guest on Pastors & Money Podcast? Send Joy Hunt a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/pastorsandmoney

Sending Your Pastor's Kid to College Debt-Free: Maximizing the High School Years

In episode 18 of the Pastors & Money Podcast, we continue the three-part series on sending your pastor's kid to college debt-free. This episode dives into strategic planning specific to the high school years, emphasizing mindset, college choice, and practical tips. Joy draws parallels with the biblical story of Joseph, highlighting that faith and strategic action go hand in hand. She covers essential topics such as college funding plans, financial literacy, scholarship applications, community colleges, trade schools, and work-study programs. The aim is to guide families to make informed financial decisions and set clear expectations, ensuring a debt-free degree is within reach.

00:00 Introduction to the Pastors & Money Podcast00:36 Episode 18: Debt-Free College Series00:54 Biblical Parallels and Financial Stewardship02:21 High School Strategies for Debt-Free College02:55 Mindset and Commitment: Key to Debt-Free Education05:16 Creating a Comprehensive College Funding Plan09:02 Teaching Financial Literacy to Teens14:39 Choosing the Right College21:08 Scholarship and Financial Aid Strategies25:53 Practical Tips for Saving Money28:05 Conclusion and Next Steps

Resources from this Episode

Books and Courses:

Debt-Free Degree by Anthony O'Neil

Financial Peace University

Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

Foundations in Personal Finance (school/homeschool curriculum)

Tools and Apps:

EveryDollar app

Spreadsheets for budgeting

Envelope system for tracking income/expenses

Test Prep Resources:

Magoosh SAT & ACT Prep (I used their test prep for the GRE and got a perfect score on the verbal!)

Free Downloads/Links Mentioned:

College funding plan template (see here)

Scholarships for Pastor's Kids and Missionary Kids

Contact/Additional Help:

Book a Debt-free College Strategy Session at pastorsandmoney.com/collegestrategy

How to Send Your Pastor's Kid to College Debt Free - Part 2

Introduction

Joy Suzanne: [00:00:00] Welcome to the Pastors & Money Podcast. I'm Joy Suzanne Hunt, pastor and financial coach, bringing you conversations about personal finance, church finance and how we disciple our churches in the areas of finance and stewardship. You can find the episode show notes, and more at pastorsandmoney.com. And here's the show.

Joy Suzanne: Hi there, and welcome to episode number 18 of the Pastors and Money Podcast. Today, we're continuing our three part series on sending your pastor's kid to college debt-free. In part one, we laid the foundation with early preparation strategies and today we'll focus specifically on maximizing those crucial high school years.

Biblical Foundation: Joseph's Example

Before we dive in, I've been thinking about the parallels between planning for college. And the story of Joseph in [00:01:00] Egypt. When God showed Joseph, there would be seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. Joseph didn't just have faith that God would provide, though.

He absolutely did have that faith. He also took action, created a detailed, strategic plan, and worked diligently to implement it. His story shows us that trusting God and taking practical action aren't opposites. They go hand in hand.

Now I know some of you might be thinking that's great, but we're not exactly in a season of abundance right now. I get it. Ministry salaries often don't leave a lot of room for saving and some of you may feel like you're already in those lean years, but here's the thing, whether we're in a season of plenty or barely making ends meet the principles are the same. We trust God to provide.

Planning Through All Seasons

And we also need to be wise stewards and do our part with whatever resources he's given us. No matter how small they might seem. Some of that strategic planning and preparation can be things that don't cost you, as the parent,

This is part two of our three-part series on helping your PK graduate college without debt. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the cost of higher education or wondered if debt-free is even possible on a ministry salary, this episode is for you. Joy walks you through the crucial high school years—when strategic planning can make all the difference between your student starting their adult life with freedom or buried under student loan payments.

00:00 Introduction to the Pastors & Money Podcast

00:36 Episode 18: Debt-Free College Series

00:54 Biblical Parallels and Financial Stewardship

02:21 High School Strategies for Debt-Free College

02:55 Mindset and Commitment: Key to Debt-Free Education

05:16 Creating a Comprehensive College Funding Plan

09:02 Teaching Financial Literacy to Teens

14:39 Choosing the Right College

21:08 Scholarship and Financial Aid Strategies

25:53 Practical Tips for Saving Money

28:05 Conclusion and Next Steps

What You'll Discover

• How the story of Joseph in Egypt shows us that trusting God and taking practical action go hand in hand—and why this matters for college planning
• Why making student loans "not an option" will actually unlock creative solutions you can't see when debt feels like the easy answer
• The two most important factors that determine whether your student graduates debt-free (hint: one costs nothing and the other might surprise you)
• How to have honest conversations with your teen about money, expectations, and what you can (or can't) contribute—without guilt or shame
• Why choosing the "right" college has less to do with reputation and everything to do with whether your student can actually afford to graduate

Key Quotes

• "Trusting God and taking practical action aren't opposites. They go hand in hand."
• "You are not morally or ethically obligated to pay for university education for your child. But you are obligated to guide them through the process."
• "If student loans are an option, then you won't see other possibilities. When a problem comes up, you'll just say, 'I guess I have to take out more debt.'"
• "College is about getting a marketable degree that qualifies you for a career. The goal is employment, not just education."
• "With faith, planning, and perseverance, a debt-free degree is possible for your PK."

Practical Takeaways

• Download the college funding plan worksheet from the show notes and start mapping out potential costs, savings, and scholarship opportunities
• Schedule a family meeting this week to discuss college expectations—what you can contribute, what guardrails you're setting, and what your student needs to know now
• Research three options together: your local community college, an in-state public university, and any trade schools that align with potential career paths
• Set a weekly scholarship application goal for your high schooler (even if it's just 2-3 per week—those small ones add up!)
• Look into ACT/SAT test prep courses now—better scores mean more scholarship opportunities and that's money in the bank

Resources from this EpisodeBooks and Courses:

• Debt-Free Degree by Anthony O'Neil
• Financial Peace University
• Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
• Foundations in Personal Finance (school/homeschool curriculum)

Tools and Apps:

• EveryDollar app
• Spreadsheets for budgeting
• Envelope system for tracking income/expenses

Test Prep Resources:

• Magoosh SAT & ACT Prep (I used their test prep for the GRE and got a perfect score on the verbal!)

Free Downloads/Links Mentioned:

• College funding plan template (see here)
• Scholarships for Pastor's Kids and Missionary Kids

Contact/Additional Help:

• Book a Debt-free College Strategy Session at pastorsandmoney.com/collegestrategy

Want personalized help creating your family's debt-free college strategy? Schedule a strategy session at pastorsandmoney.com/collegestrategy to sit down with a financial coach and map out your specific plan.

Coming up in Part 3: What to do if your student is already in college—or if you're the student trying to figure 

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review — it helps us get the word out and invite more people into these conversations.

Connect with Pastors & Money

Email: [email protected]

Instagram/Facebook: @pastorsandmoney

Website: pastorsandmoney.com/podcast

The Pastors & Money Podcast helps pastors, ministry leaders, and churches start thriving financially using money as a tool to fuel God's mission in our churches and families.

Want to be a guest on Pastors & Money Podcast? Send Joy Hunt a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/pastorsandmoney

In this episode, we discuss strategies to help ministry parents equip their pastor's kid with the skills required to earn a debt-free college degree. This episode is the first part of a three-part series that offers practical advice and personal experiences on how to navigate college funding. Key topics include the significance of establishing a financial and spiritual legacy, educating children on financial principles from an early age, and the importance of academic and extracurricular preparation. Joy also emphasizes the necessity of planning early, avoiding student loans, and leveraging community support. Additionally, the episode features a spotlight on missionaries Amy and Roli Dela Cruz and their impactful work at the Asia Pacific Theological Seminary.

Resources from this Episode:

Debt-Free Degree by Anthony O'Neill: https://books2read.com/debtfreedegree

Smart Money Smart Kids by Rachel Cruz and Dave Ramsey: https://books2read.com/smartmoneysmartkids

Smart Money Smart Kids course (available inside the Ramsey Plus membership): Ramseyplus.com

Foundations in Personal Finance course (available as a school curriculum and homeschool curriculum): https://store.ramseysolutions.com/youth/education/

Financial Peace University (for help with the Baby Steps): Join our next Financial Peace University Class! https://pastorsandmoney.com/financial-peace-university/

Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/dave-ramsey-7-baby-steps

The Ramsey Show podcast (for inspiring debt-free stories): ramseysolutions.com

Scholarships and grants specific for missionary kids and pastors' kids

Schools that offer tuition discounts for pastor's kids and missionary kids

Transcript

How to Send Your Pastor's Kid to College Debt-Free: The Early Years

Joy Suzanne: [00:00:00] Welcome to the Pastors & Money Podcast. I'm Joy Suzanne Hunt, pastor and financial coach, bringing you conversations about personal finance, church finance and how we disciple our churches in the areas of finance and stewardship. You can find the episode show notes, and more at pastorsandmoney.com. And here's the show.

Introducing the 3-Part Series on Sending Your Pastor's Kid to College Debt-Free

Joy Suzanne: Hi there. Welcome to episode number 17 of the Pastors and Money Podcast. Today, we're tackling a topic that keeps many ministry parents up at night: how to send your pastors' kids to college without drowning in debt. This is part one of a three-part series where I'll share both my own experience and practical solutions. I took out student loans for my ministry education, but if I could go back I'd do it differently. That [00:01:00] burden of debt affected my ability to serve fully in ministry for years after graduation. But before we did.

The Importance of Legacy and Generational Impact

But before we dive into strategies for college funding, I've been thinking about legacy lately. Not just the financial legacy we leave our children, but the spiritual legacy we pass on through generations.

We've all seen ministry families where parents were so focused on serving the church that their own households suffered. I don't mean that they went through hard times or that they made sacrifices. Those are part of life and part of our calling. But they suffered from misplaced priorities and a lack of a healthy foundation as a family. Scripture is clear: our family is our first ministry. If we can't manage our own household well, how can we manage God's church?

When we prioritize our family's well-being, including their financial future, we're not just securing our children's legacy. We're modeling healthy boundaries and family life for our entire church. Our church members are watching how we balance ministry and family life. And they'll follow our example for better or [00:02:00] for worse. Creating a plan for our children's education is just part of being faithful stewards of our first ministry.

This is part one of a three-part series where Joy tackles a topic that keeps many ministry parents awake at night: sending your kids to college without the crushing weight of student loans. As someone who took out loans for her own ministry education and felt that burden for years afterward, Joy knows firsthand why this matters—and she's here to show you it's absolutely possible to do it differently.

This episode focuses on the early years, from when your kids are little all the way through middle school and early high school. Whether you're starting with a toddler or realizing you need to catch up with a teenager, you'll find practical steps to begin right where you are.

What You'll Discover

• Why believing debt-free college is possible changes everything—if you don't believe it can happen, you'll miss opportunities that could make it a reality
• How to build a strong financial foundation in your own life first —before saving a single dollar for college, there are critical steps that will actually position you to help your kids succeed
• The give-save-spend model that shapes kids into wise stewards —teaching your children to handle money well from an early age creates habits that will serve them for a lifetime
• Why your family is your first ministry —and how prioritizing your children's future (including their education) models healthy boundaries for your entire church
• How to prepare academically and build a unique personal brand —from grades to extracurriculars to work experience, you'll learn what actually matters when colleges and scholarship boards look at your student

Key Quotes

• "Scripture is clear: our family is our first ministry. If we can't manage our own household well, how can we manage God's church?"
• "If you don't think it's possible for your kid to graduate debt-free, or if they don't think it's possible, they're not going to do it and you're not going to do it."
• "The purpose of college is to learn information and skills that will qualify them for a job that will earn a salary. It's not for the experience or the atmosphere or the campus or the dorms."
• "Investing in education is about more than just dollars and cents. It's about kingdom impact across generations."
• "You as a parent are not actually obligated morally to pay for your child's education, but what you can do—regardless of if you can contribute a single penny—there's still a lot you can do to help your kid go to school debt-free."

Practical Takeaways

• Start teaching the give-save-spend model today using piggy banks, envelopes, or simple savings accounts—even young children can learn to prioritize giving first, then saving, then spending
• Get your own financial house in order first by working through Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps: save $1,000, pay off debt, build a 3-6 month emergency fund, invest 15% for retirement, then start saving for college
• Set up a 529 plan or Educational Savings Account (ESA) if you're ready to start saving—and ask grandparents to contribute birthday or Christmas money instead of toys your little ones won't remember
• Encourage your kids to work as soon as they're able through chores with commission (not allowance), part-time jobs, or entrepreneurship—they need to connect work with earning money
• Start applying for scholarships early —look for opportunities specific to pastors' kids and missionary kids, and begin the scholarship search as early as middle school

Resources from this Episode:

1. Debt-Free Degree by Anthony O'Neill: https://books2read.com/debtfreedegree
2. Smart Money Smart Kids by Rachel Cruz and Dave Ramsey: https://books2read.com/smartmoneysmartkids
3. Smart Money Smart Kids course (available inside the Ramsey Plus membership): Ramseyplus.com
4. Foundations in Personal Finance course (available as a school curriculum and homeschool curriculum): https://store.ramseysolutions.com/youth/education/
5. Financial Peace University (for help with the Baby Steps): Join our next Financial Peace University Class! https://pastorsandmoney.com/financial-peace-university/
6. Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/dave-ramsey-7-baby-steps
7. The Ramsey Show podcast (for inspiring debt-free stories): ramseysolutions.com
8. Scholarships and grants specific for missionary kids and pastors' kids
9. Schools that offer tuition discounts for pastor's kids and missionary kids

Missionary Spotlight

This episode features Roli and Amy de la Cruz, missionaries serving at Asia Pacific Theological Seminary in Baguio City, Philippines. For over six decades, APTS has been training leaders from 50 countries across six continents—leaders who return home to reach the unreached. It's a beautiful reminder that education creates ripples of kingdom impact across generations.

Coming up next: Part 2 of this series will cover the late high school years—those critical final steps before your student heads to campus.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review — it helps us get the word out and invite more people into these conversations.

Connect with Pastors & Money

Email: [email protected]

Instagram/Facebook: @pastorsandmoney

Website: pastorsandmoney.com/podcast

The Pastors & Money Podcast helps pastors, ministry leaders, and churches start thriving financially using money as a tool to fuel God's mission in our churches and families.

Want to be a guest on Pastors & Money Podcast? Send Joy Hunt a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/pastorsandmoney

Michael shares his remarkable journey to discern God's call, leaving behind a lucrative career, and embracing financial uncertainties while learning to trust in divine provision. The episode delves into the concept of Sabbath as an act of trust, personal reflections on financial surrender, and the importance of a supportive community.

Michael Jaquith is a PhD chemist who walked away from a six-figure corporate career to help men discover abundant life. As a husband and father of six living in rural northern Idaho, Michael understands what it means to step out in faith when everything feels financially uncertain. Through his ministry, Catholic Life Coach for Men, he combines analytical thinking, psychology, and timeless faith principles to help men move from feeling stuck and powerless to living with clarity and purpose.

00:00 Introduction to Pastors & Money Podcast

01:00 Reflecting on the Practice of Sabbath

02:48 Introducing Dr. Michael Jaquith

03:26 Michael's Journey from Corporate to Coaching

05:58 Challenges and Trust in God's Provision

08:43 Balancing Faith and Financial Realities

14:48 The Struggle of Trust and Humility

18:00 Navigating Business Failures with Faith

18:53 Seeking Help and Embracing Growth

20:12 The Importance of Humility in Seeking Help

22:14 Trusting God's Plan and Finding the Right Mentor

26:07 Surrendering Financial Future to God

29:40 Encouragement for Pastors and Church Leaders

30:37 Connecting with Michael and Final Thoughts

What You'll Learn

• How to discern between God's call and your own fear when making major life decisions
• Why trusting God's provision gets easier each time you practice it (even when the bank account disagrees)
• The difference between healthy responsibility and pride-driven control in your finances
• How to find the mentors and community you desperately need (even when it feels uncomfortable)
• What it really means to surrender your financial future without abandoning wisdom

Key Quotes

"God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called."

"Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It's thinking of yourself less."

"I must take responsibility as if it depends on me, but never forget it actually depends on God."

"Consider the generations of old—who has ever trusted the Lord and been disappointed?"

"We cannot do this alone. The message of our society right now is be alone, but we are not meant to do this alone."

Practical Takeaways

Try the discernment exercise Michael uses: Draw a line down the middle of a piece of paper. Write your question at the top ("Should I..." or "Is it time to..."). Spend an hour in prayer writing everything that comes to mind on both sides. Then look at what you've written—are you weighing the infinite against the finite?

Pray the prayer of surrender: Instead of telling God your plan and asking Him to bless it, try praying "Lord, I don't know what to do. I know that you do. I'm just going to let all of it go. You tell me what to do." Then listen.

Hunt for help like you mean it: Stop doing the "kid looking for ketchup in the fridge" approach to finding mentorship. Be as intentional about finding godly counsel as a hunter searching for elk in the woods—every sense attuned, determined to find what you need.

Start a financial trust journal: When God provides in unexpected ways (especially when the budget doesn't match the bank account), write it down. You'll need these stories the next time fear creeps in.

Resources:

• Catholic Life Coach for Men podcast and website: https://catholiclifecoachformen.com/
• Manly Strengths Assessment: https://catholiclifecoachformen.com/manly-strengths-assessment-signup/

Connecting with Michael Jaquith

Website: Catholic Life Coach for Men

Podcast: Catholic Life Coach for Men (available wherever you listen to podcasts)

Free Assessment: Manly Strengths Assessment at catholiclifecoachformen.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review — it helps us get the word out and invite more people into these conversations.

Connect with Pastors & Money

Email: [email protected]

Instagram/Facebook: @pastorsandmoney

Website: pastorsandmoney.com/podcast

The Pastors & Money Podcast helps pastors, ministry leaders, and churches start thriving financially using money as a tool to fuel God's mission in our churches and families.

Want to be a guest on Pastors & Money Podcast? Send Joy Hunt a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/pastorsandmoney

The statistics are sobering: 57% of pastors can't even pay their bills. Many are crushed under student loan debt, approaching retirement with nothing saved, or watching their kids prepare for college with empty savings accounts. But here's the good news - there are creative, practical ways to support your church leaders financially that go far beyond the typical appreciation dinner. Joy shares actionable ideas that church boards and lead pastors can implement today, even without increasing salaries.

00:00 Introduction to Pastors & Money Podcast

00:36 The Financial Challenges Facing Pastors

01:41 Supporting Church Leaders Without Salary Increases

02:23 Financial Education and Planning

07:44 Retirement and Long-Term Financial Security

09:24 Health and Wellness Benefits

11:40 Housing and Daily Living Expenses

13:56 Professional Development and Ministry Resources

15:18 Work-Life Balance and Appreciation

17:06 Debt Management for Younger Pastors

17:57 Conclusion and Call to Action

What You'll Learn

• How to provide meaningful financial support to your staff without breaking the church budget
• Why investing in your pastors' financial health actually strengthens your entire church
• Creative ways to leverage the skills and resources already sitting in your congregation
• The difference between short-term appreciation and long-term financial security for ministry families
• Practical tools and programs that can transform your staff's relationship with money
• 
  

Key Quotes

"These aren't just numbers. These are real struggles affecting the very people who pour their lives into serving our churches and communities."

"When we take care of our pastors and our church staff, we're not just being good employers. We are investing in the health and vitality of our church."

"Be creative. Look around your congregation. What resources and talents and businesses do you have represented right there in your church family? There might be ways to meet your staff's needs that you haven't even thought of yet."

"They can't pour from an empty cup."

"A financially healthy church staff leads to a healthy church overall, and that's something we can all get behind."

Practical Takeaways

Offer Financial Peace University to your team - either through your church's class, at another location, or via Zoom. This biblical approach to money management has been life-changing for countless people.

Gift a Ramsey Plus subscription to each staff member. This includes Financial Peace University plus audiobooks, courses, and the Every Dollar budgeting app.

Bring in a financial coach to speak during staff meetings on topics tailored to your team's specific needs. Ongoing education makes a real difference.

Look around your congregation and identify the skills, businesses, and resources you already have. Get creative about meeting your staff's needs through community connections.

If possible, start or contribute to a retirement plan (401k or 403B) for your staff. Even small contributions add up over time and show you're thinking about their long-term security.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Financial Education Tools:Financial Peace University (financialpeace.com)
• Ramsey+ subscription (ramseyplus.com)
• EveryDollar budgeting app (free and premium versions) (Use my referral link for $10 off: https://pastorsandmoney.com/everydollar)
• Know Yourself, Know Your Money course (available inside RamseyPlus)
• Smart Money Smart Kids course (available inside RamseyPlus)
• Financial coaching (Find a coach at pastorsandmoney.com/coachfinder)
• Professional Development:churchfinances.org (for church bookkeeping training)
• Church Boom's coaching programs (https://www.churchboom.org/)
• Church Boom University subscription (https://www.churchboom.org/resources/church-boom-university)

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review — it helps us get the word out and invite more people into these conversations.

Connect with Pastors & Money

Email: [email protected]

Instagram/Facebook: @pastorsandmoney

Website: pastorsandmoney.com/podcast

The Pastors & Money Podcast helps pastors, ministry leaders, and churches start thriving financially using money as a tool to fuel God's mission in our churches and families.

Want to be a guest on Pastors & Money Podcast? Send Joy Hunt a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/pastorsandmoney

Scott Maderer is a stewardship coach who helps Christian leaders stop feeling overwhelmed and start living out their calling with confidence. As the author of Inspired Living and host of the Inspired Stewardship Podcast, Scott has walked alongside clients in 19 countries, helping them discover that managing their time well isn't about doing more—it's about doing what matters most.

00:00 Introduction to Pastors & Money Podcast

00:50 Missionary Spotlight: Colette and Juan Carlos Gonzalez

06:25 Reflections on Faith and Time Management

08:20 Interview with Scott Maderer: Stewardship and Time Management

10:51 Challenges and Strategies for Pastors

16:25 Focusing on Energy and Delegation

20:40 Identifying Priorities and Delegating Tasks

22:24 Prioritizing What Truly Matters

23:06 The Power of Calendar Audits

24:07 Mission Critical Tasks and Delegation

26:36 Understanding the Eisenhower Matrix

29:09 Effective Communication and Boundaries

30:44 Establishing Productive Routines

35:26 Taking Small Steps Towards Change

39:22 Resources for Delegation and Assistance

41:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

What You'll Learn

• How to shift from constantly feeling behind to making real progress on what God's called you to do
• Why being busy doesn't mean you're being effective—and how to tell the difference
• The one shift that transforms your ministry: paying attention to your energy, not just your calendar
• How to identify what only you can do versus what you need to delegate
• Why the routines you've been avoiding might be the secret to finally keeping your head above water

Key Quotes

• "Busy just means I'm doing a lot. It doesn't mean I'm doing anything important, anything necessary, anything that actually serves me or anyone else."
• "The things that give you energy—you probably have a gifting in that area. You probably have a calling in that area."
• "We always talk about priorities, plural. Truth is, by definition, the word priority is singular for a reason, because it means the one thing that is the most important."
• "Teaching someone how to do the bulletin takes time and energy, probably more than just knocking it out yourself. But in the long run, it saves you time and energy."
• "A lot of times what's keeping us from fixing the problem is the belief that we don't have the power to fix the problem."

Practical Takeaways

This week, try one of these simple steps to reclaim your time and energy:

Do a 15-minute calendar audit. For just one week, jot down what you're actually doing every 15-30 minutes. You'll be amazed at what's eating up your hours without you even realizing it.

Find one thing to delegate or dump. Look at your to-do list and identify just one task you can either give to someone else or stop doing altogether. The goal isn't perfection—it's proving to yourself that you can make a change.

Create a simple work shutdown routine. Before you leave the office each day, spend 10 minutes checking tomorrow's calendar, planning your top priorities, and closing out today. This helps you actually be present when you get home instead of mentally still being at church.

Track your energy, not just your time. Notice which tasks leave you energized versus drained. The energizing ones are probably where God's wired you to spend more time—so start looking for ways to do more of those and less of the draining stuff.

Resources from this Episode:

1. Inspired Living: Assemble the Puzzle of Your Calling by Mastering Your Time, Your Talent, and Your Treasures by Scott Maderer
2. Inspired Stewardship Podcast
3. DISC personality model
4. Full Focus Planner (fullfocus.co)
5. OkayRelax Virtual Assistant Service (OkayRelax.com. Try it with 10% off using promo code: REFQJ9JP9P43C)
6. Scott Maderer's website with Resources for Pastors
7. Monthly Group Coaching Call and Q&A

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The Pastors & Money Podcast helps pastors, ministry leaders, and churches start thriving financially using money as a tool to fuel God's mission in our churches and families.

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