Tune in to the
Stewardship Leader Podcast
The Stewardship Leader Podcast
Tune in to our Christian Stewardship Network Podcast with host, and CSN President, Leo Sabo. Each episode focuses on topical aspects of stewardship and generosity, featuring interviews with church and stewardship leaders and relevant content to equip and inspire. Building an effective Stewardship and Generosity Ministry takes time, dedication, and gaining knowledge and insight from those who have done it. Join us for the Stewardship Leader podcast and take your ministry to the next level.
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LATEST EPISODES
The Evolution of Stewardship and Generosity Content
Discipleship takes time and effort from both the one that does the discipling and the one that’s being discipled. When it comes to financial discipleship, it is no different. Helping people to understand and apply the Biblical principles of managing money and teaching them the tools to live it out can be long and challenging. In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we’re talking with Steve Carter from Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY, about stewardship and generosity content and how it has evolved and changed, in part because of the changes in how people learn and apply information today. We also dive into some of the most popular content that’s available to churches and additional content that you may need to create yourself, to use in discipling your people.
Inspiring Generosity Through the Offering Moment and Beyond
Generosity is a core principle of Christianity, and yet it seems to be one of the most difficult areas for believers to understand and regularly engage in. Just about every week, churches all over the world have some kind of giving or offering moment to encourage giving, and still, what we know is that a significant, perhaps as much as 50% of churchgoers, give very little, if anything at all. In this episode, we’re talking with Rodney Ross from Life Church to discuss ways to invite people to take their next step in generosity and trust God in their finances through the offering moment and beyond.
Speaking on Stewardship and Generosity - A Lead Pastor's Perspective
Pastors are responsible for teaching God's word to their congregation every week. It's an important task and, at times, challenging, especially when the topic is on money and giving. It is no wonder most pastors avoid teaching on the subject. In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we're talking with David Ashcraft, the founding pastor of LCBC Church (Lives Changed by Christ) in Manheim, PA, about his perspective on stewardship and generosity to learn how he taught his congregation for nearly 32 years how to be good stewards and faithful givers.
Beyond the Metrics: Why Giving Data Matters to the Ministry of the Church
Whether a pastor should know the giving of his congregation is a hotly debated topic. Though most do not want to know what people give individually, knowing some metrics is vital for at least two crucial reasons. In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we’re discussing the why, the who, and the what of giving data and why it matters to your church ministry. Joining us is Ken Schafer, Stewardship Minister at Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, TN, and campaign and generosity consultant with Generis.
Teaching Your Kids How To Manage Money with Matt Bell
Legacy is what we leave behind to our kids. It may include material possessions or a financial inheritance, but of greater worth are the values and lessons we pass on to them. When it comes to money, kids need guidance and wisdom, something every parent wants to provide but feels inadequate to teach their kids. In this episode, we’re talking with Matt Bell, the author of Trusted: Preparing Your Kids for a Lifetime of God-Honoring Money Management, to learn the why, what, and how of teaching our kids godly financial principles.
Stewardship Spotlight - Rodney Ross
In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we have another leader in the stewardship spotlight. We’re talking with Rodney Ross from Life Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Rodney is the Central Team Leader of Giving and Generosity and oversees the stewardship and generosity ministry at Life Church. His start in the ministry and the role he’s currently serving started with an act of tithing. While on the church website giving his tithe, he became aware of an opportunity to serve at his church. Now, many years later, Rodney says he is in his dream job, serving his church in the area of his passion and equipping staff and members as they take the next step in their stewardship and generosity journey.
Stewardship Spotlight - Jeff Ward
In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we have another leader in the stewardship spotlight. We’re talking with Jeff Ward, a seasoned stewardship leader and the COO of Simple Donation. Jeff is passionate about helping churches learn how to disciple their people in Biblical stewardship. Through his organization, Simple Donation, he encourages churches to use technology and tools to meet people’s needs and encourage their spiritual growth.
Inaugural Stewardship Survey 2022 - Findings and Recommendations
We’ve witnessed considerable changes in church attendance, demographics, and giving since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though these changes have been challenging, we also believe there are great opportunities ahead if the right steps are taken. CSN, in collaboration with Vision 2, has initiated a Stewardship Survey to understand what churches are dealing with and to develop recommendations and resources to help churches navigate this new normal. In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we discuss our findings and provide recommendations in 8 specific areas for stewardship and generosity ministries.
Discipleship without Stewardship is Impossible
Jesus’ commandment to his disciples in Matthew 28:19-20, what we know as the Great Commission, was to share the gospel and make disciples. These instructions were not just for the 12 that Jesus chose but for all disciples past, present, and future, and central to our roles as disciples is faithful stewardship. In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we’ll look at one of the most compelling sections of Scripture that reveal God’s plan and purpose for us as disciples and faithful stewards.
The Value of Planned Giving to Your People and Your Ministry
Most pastors lack the understanding of planned giving, resulting in missed opportunities to help and care for people and fund the ministry of the church. In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we are speaking with Dave Hess, the Vice President of Consultant Development at Financial Planning Ministry (FPM), to share the tremendous value estate planning and planned giving is to God’s people and the Church. For the past 40 years, FPM has been serving churches, Christian colleges, and para-church ministries by helping their families create and maintain their estate plans to ensure an efficient and cost-effective transfer of their estate to their loved ones and the ministries they wish to support.
Stewardship Spotlight - Vinnie Hu
In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we have another leader in the stewardship spotlight. We’re talking with Vinnie Hu, the Director of Financial Health and Stewardship at Hoboken Grace Community Church in Hoboken, NJ. Vinnie’s stewardship journey and his calling into the ministry is a story of surrender and of putting God first. As Vinnie says it, “throughout my life, whenever God has called me to do something, it’s not because he wants something from me, it's because he wants something for me, and usually, that prize is God himself.”
Stewardship Spotlight - Brenda Leisinger
In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we have another leader in the stewardship spotlight. We’re talking with Brenda Leisinger, the Director of the Generous Life Ministry at Cuyahoga Valley Community Church in Broadview Heights, Ohio. Brenda’s entry into stewardship and generosity ministry though unexpected, demonstrates that when we submit to God’s plan and faithfully do our part, He will always guide us to a greater purpose.
Good Sense Coaches Training
Financial coaching is an area of ministry that takes a lot of effort, time, and manpower. To do it well, you have to have good volunteers and a great system to ensure the best opportunity for each client to succeed. In this episode, we’re talking with James Lenhoff from Good Sense Movement about their Coaches Training, a comprehensive online program that provides the features and benefits to prepare coaches to guide their clients from financial bondage to financial freedom successfully.
Stewardship Spotlight - John Jones
In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we’re featuring another leader in the stewardship spotlight. We’re talking with John Jones, the Director of Engagement and Generosity at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, in Fort Lauderdale, FL, about his journey from serving as an executive pastor for 20 years to leading in stewardship ministry. You will find his stewardship and generosity story encouraging and insightful!
Stewardship Spotlight - Donna Nicholson Stief
In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we’re featuring another leader in the stewardship spotlight. We’re talking with Donna Nicholson Stief, the Director of Stewardship at LCBC (Lives Changed By Christ) in Anaheim, PA, about her journey from an executive working in the professional credit and collection industry to leading in stewardship ministry. You will find her stewardship and generosity story encouraging and her wisdom invaluable!
The Power of Intentionality in Making Financial Decisions
It is so simple today to spend money. Not only has the process of spending become almost instantaneous through Apple Pay, Venmo, Zelle, and many others, but the opportunities to do so are endless. Spending isn’t a problem unless it’s done without full knowledge and based on emotions and to seek instant gratification. In today’s episode, we’re talking with James Lenhoff, the National Sales Director at Good Sense Movement and the co-founder of Wealthquest, about the power of intentionality in financial decisions. After 22 years of working with people and helping them navigate their finances, James has seen the impact intentionality has on spending decisions.
Stewardship Spotlight - Amber George
In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we’re featuring another leader in the stewardship spotlight. We’re talking with Amber George, the Director of Kingdom Living Ministry and the Operations Pastor at Crossroads Church in Fredericksburg, VA, about her journey from a well-paying government job to full-time ministry. Her stewardship and generosity story will encourage you, and her perspective and wisdom will inspire you!
The CSN Membership Site is Here!
The Christian Stewardship Network has always been about supporting church leaders and stewardship champions whose calling is to teach and equip God’s people with his financial principles. For the past 20+ years, we’ve been coming together at the CSN Annual Forum. This has always been a special time together, but not nearly enough to grow and help one another build healthy stewardship ministries in our churches. With the launch of our CSN membership site, we’re aiming to change all that.
Stewardship Spotlight - Ken Schafer
In this episode of Stewardship Leader we are interviewing Ken Schafer, a stewardship pastor at Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, TN. Ken’s personal testimony and his journey of stewardship and generosity have been refined through a business interest, working for Ramsey Solutions, and as a stewardship pastor. We hope you will be inspired and helped through his shared experience.
Generous Giving: Inspiring People to Greater Generosity
In Acts 10:35, Paul quotes Jesus as having said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” That’s a short but extremely profound and revealing statement, and if you’ve ever made a gift for the right reason and from your heart you’ve experienced this truth. In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we’re talking with Todd Harper, the co-founder of Generous Giving, and April Chapman, Generous Giving’s Chief Executive Officer, about the incredible privilege we have to be generous. Their 22-Hour Journey of Generosity (JOG) event has been transforming generous givers into extravagant givers for many years, and they’d love to help you and your church community experience it for yourself.