In this episode of Stewardship Leader, the third in a three-part series, Dr. Russell James joins Leo Sabo to discuss practical ways to apply biblical principles to fundraising. Drawing on insights from his book, "The Biblical Fundraiser In Modern Practice: Helping Christians Enjoy Their Wealth," Dr. James provides guidance on engaging donors, designing meaningful giving opportunities, and helping supporters see their wealth as a tool for kingdom impact. He emphasizes the importance of enjoying wealth through good works and generosity, rather than hoarding it. The conversation also covers the distinction between income and wealth, and how ministries can better handle non-cash gifts.

Key Takeaways

Emphasize reaching out to wealth holders as a unique ministry.

Overcome barriers by learning about wealth management and tax laws.

Utilize donor-advised funds for managing complex non-cash gifts.

Encourage impact investing to align wealth with good works.

Use technology wisely to foster genuine ministry relationships.

Cultivate a culture of joyful giving rather than obligation.

Empower donors to feel like active participants in good works.

Focus on building long-term advising relationships with donors.

Avoid leadership ego to enhance donor involvement and impact.

Apply biblical teachings to fundraising for greater effectiveness.

Resources

Dr. Russell James’ website - https://encouragegenerosity.com/
Joyful Wealth Management with Dr. Russell James and Dr. Eddie Thompson - Podcast
Books by Dr. Russell James:
The Biblical Fundraiser in Modern Practice: Helping Christians Enjoy Their Wealth
The Biblical Fundraiser in Ancient Words: The Historical Ministry of Major Gift Fundraising
Joyful Wealth Management: A Bible Study Discussion Guide

In this episode of Stewardship Leader, the second episode of a three-part series, Dr. Russell James joins Leo Sabo to discuss practical ways to apply biblical principles in fundraising. Drawing on insights from his book, "The Biblical Fundraiser In Modern Practice: Helping Christians Enjoy Their Wealth," Dr. James provides guidance on engaging donors, designing meaningful giving opportunities, and helping supporters see their wealth as a tool for kingdom impact. He emphasizes the importance of enjoying wealth through good works and generosity, rather than hoarding it. The conversation also covers the distinction between income and wealth, and how ministries can better handle non-cash gifts.

Key Takeaways

-Enjoy wealth by doing good and being generous.
-Wealth should be used for kingdom impact, not hoarded.
-Income and wealth are distinct; focus on wealth sharing.
-Non-cash gifts are crucial for effective fundraising.
--Biblical principles guide effective wealth management.
-Engaging donors requires understanding their
wealth.
-Generosity reflects personal character and values.
-Asset donor stories inspire wealth sharing.
-Long-term relationships lead to major gifts.
-Ministries should balance mission with measurable results.

In this first episode of a three-part series on Stewardship Leader, Leo Sabo and Dr. Russell James discuss the biblical foundation of fundraising, focusing on the role of wealth holders in Christian ministry. Dr. James shares insights from his book, "The Biblical Fundraiser In Modern Practice: Helping Christians Enjoy Their Wealth," exploring how understanding God's perspective on generosity can transform donor engagement. The conversation delves into the importance of coming alongside wealth holders as authorized messengers, emphasizing a relational approach to fundraising that aligns with biblical teachings.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding God's perspective on generosity can transform donor engagement.

Wealth holders should be approached as authorized messengers, not targets.

Biblical teachings emphasize relational fundraising over transactional approaches.

In this episode of Stewardship Leader, Leo Sabo interviews John Pizaferro, founder of My Well Ministry, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping churches save money on processing fees and reinvest those funds into their ministries. John shares his inspiration for starting My Well, the importance of transparency in financial stewardship, and how their nonprofit model allows for innovative technology solutions that benefit churches. The conversation also touches on the significance of data ownership, the impact of excessive profits in the church giving space, and the eternal return on investment that comes from supporting ministry work.

Key Takeaways:

-John was inspired to start My Well after hearing a story about a well-drilling business owner who served God through his work.
-My Well helps churches save money on processing fees, allowing them to reinvest in ministry.
-The nonprofit model allows My Well to focus on innovation without the pressure of shareholder profits.
-Effortless integration and donor migration are crucial for churches to simplify their giving systems.
-Customer support is essential for churches transitioning to new giving platforms.
-Transparency in pricing and no hidden fees are core values for My Well.
-Data ownership is vital for churches to maintain control over their donor information.
-Churches need to be aware of the companies they partner with to avoid being taken advantage of.
-Excessive profits from church donations can hinder ministry work.
-Eternal ROI is defined by the impact of saved funds on ministry and missions.

In this episode, Leo Sabo and Jeremy Williams discuss the essential elements of launching and sustaining a stewardship and generosity ministry within the church. They emphasize the importance of prayer, leadership alignment, and personal testimonies in fostering a culture of stewardship. The discussion also covers navigating theological differences, identifying early wins, and the critical role of a stewardship champion. They highlight the need for an appropriate curriculum and the importance of measuring the ministry's effectiveness to ensure it meets the congregation's needs.

Key Takeaways:

Prayer and alignment with church leadership are crucial.

Personal testimonies can effectively communicate the importance of stewardship.

Data and stories should be balanced to show the need for financial education.

Different generations have unique giving motivations.

The current economic climate affects many church members' financial situations.

Navigating theological differences requires grace and patience.

Creating a culture of stewardship takes time and intentionality.

Early wins are essential for sustaining momentum in stewardship ministries.

A stewardship champion is critical for driving the ministry forward.

Staff and volunteers need to be aligned and trained in stewardship principles.

Choosing the right curriculum is vital for meeting diverse needs.

In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we discuss the importance of stewardship and generosity in churches with guests Danny Stokes and DeWayne McNally. We explore how engagement in giving reflects the spiritual health of a congregation, the significance of understanding different generational motivations for giving, and the role of data in guiding church leaders. You'll also learn the importance of effective communication, pastoral care for lapsed givers, and the development of high-capacity givers as leaders within the church. Ultimately, this conversation will help you transition from a fundraising approach to a discipleship-based approach in church giving.

Key Takeaways:

Generosity reflects discipleship.

Engagement in giving reveals spiritual health.

Data helps churches understand giving patterns.

Different generations have unique giving motivations.

Pastoral care is essential for lapsed givers.

High-capacity givers should be nurtured as leaders.

Churches need to communicate effectively about giving.

Understanding demographics aids in targeted communication.

Building relationships with givers fosters generosity.

Discipleship in giving is crucial for church health.

Resources

MortarStone

MortarStone Coaching

Mortarstone LinkedIn

In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we’re talking with Andrew Brooks and John Warren from Subsplash to discuss how technology can transform generosity in the church. They share insights from working with over 20,000 churches, highlight the challenges of adopting new digital tools, and explore the importance of transparency, storytelling, and discipleship in cultivating generosity.

Key Takeaways:

Subsplash’s Mission & Vision – To glorify God, proclaim Jesus as Lord, and equip every church with tools that advance the gospel.

Technology for Ministry Impact – From mobile apps to giving platforms, Subsplash provides scalable, high-quality tools designed specifically for churches.

Challenges Churches Face – Resistance to adopting technology, lack of intentionality in tech implementation, and an aging donor base.

Opportunities for Growth – Meeting younger generations’ giving preferences, integrating giving into a discipleship journey, and using technology to scale ministry impact.

The Role of Transparency – Churches that clearly communicate how gifts are used see stronger engagement and trust from their congregations.

Subsplash Giving & GrowCurve – A giving platform designed to lower processing fees over time and return savings back to churches.

Stories That Inspire Generosity – Real-life examples of churches transforming communities through transparent and mission-focused giving.

Resources

Learn more about Subsplash

Resources

Learn more about Generis
Generosity Potential Assessment Calculator
The Offering Moment EBook

Resources

Matt’s website: mattaboutmoney.com
Money & Marriage by Matt Bell
Sound Mind Investing

Resources

A Greater Way to Give Ministry
Helping Hands Ministry