Distilled: Church Finance Made Simple

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 leaders can simplify financial oversight without becoming accountants. Instead of getting lost in complicated reports, they introduce a simple framework that helps pastors understand the financial health of their church at a glance. The framework focuses on four core questions: How much did we get? How much did we keep? How much do we have? And how many people gave? By tracking these numbers consistently month-to-month and comparing trends across a 13-month window, pastors can gain a clear pulse on their church’s financial health. The goal isn’t mastering accounting theory. It’s creating clarity so leaders can steward resources wisely and focus their energy on ministry. KEY TAKEAWAY You don’t need to understand every financial detail to lead well. Tracking a few consistent numbers over time can give pastors a clear view of their church’s financial health. RESOURCES MENTIONED * The “Core Four” episode of Distilled (deep dive into Get, Keep, Have, and Gave)

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 systems. This conversation reframes church finances as a tool to fuel mission, not compete with it. By aligning every dollar with the church’s purpose and adopting a higher-level, “CFO mindset,” leaders can move out of the weeds of bookkeeping and into strategic, forward-looking decision-making. Through practical examples and real stories, Dan and Kira show how understanding your finances empowers better stewardship, builds trust, and ultimately accelerates ministry impact, not slows it down. ONE KEY TAKEAWAY If you want more ministry, you have to identify where you’re stuck in “more math.” Take time this week to pinpoint the areas where finances are creating confusion, friction, or distraction, whether that’s clunky systems, lack of clarity, or avoidance altogether. Awareness is the first step toward building systems that actually support your mission. RESOURCES MENTIONED * Parable (church financial systems & support) [https://liveyourparable.com/accounting-for-churches/?pa_utm_source=distilled&pa_utm_medium=episode-summary] * Distilled Podcast (for ongoing church finance insights)

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 conducted—spanning 661 churches, millions of households, and nearly $18 billion in donations. The data reveals a surprising tension: while overall giving and participation are rising, median giving is declining. In other words, more people are giving—but fewer are growing into consistent, mature givers. This conversation explores what’s driving that shift, including the rise of early-stage givers, increased reliance on top donors, and changing year-end giving patterns. More importantly, it challenges church leaders to rethink generosity—not as a funding strategy, but as a discipleship journey. ONE KEY TAKEAWAY You don’t have a giving problem—you have a discipleship opportunity. Without intentional guidance, new givers won’t naturally grow into consistent, generous stewards. RESOURCES MENTIONED * Mortarstone Annual Generosity Report [https://mortarstone.com//annual-generosity-report-landing?utm_source=internal_email&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=generosity-promo] * Mortarstone Annual Giving Webinar [https://mortarstone.com/events/2025-annual-giving-webinar] * Church Finance Made Simple resource hub [https://churchfinancemadesimple.com]

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 cultivating the culture that sustains it. Craig explains how healthy church funding follows a natural rhythm similar to farming: prepare, plant, grow, harvest, and rest. When churches intentionally move through these seasons, generosity becomes discipleship rather than pressure. The conversation explores what each season looks like in practice, why pastors often skip key stages like preparing and resting, and how churches can align their ministry calendar with a healthier rhythm of generosity. Whether you're leading a church or shaping its financial strategy, this episode offers a practical framework for building a sustainable culture of generosity. ---------------------------------------- KEY TAKEAWAY Healthy church generosity isn’t built through constant fundraising—it grows when churches intentionally walk through the five seasons of funding: prepare, plant, grow, harvest, and rest. RESOURCES MENTIONED * Injoy Stewardship [https://injoystewardship.com/] * 2026 Stewardship Planning Resource from Injoy Stewardship [https://stewardshipplan.injoystewardship.com/]

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 funding plan". Craig reveals why a budget without a funding plan is like a "car without wheels" and why your leadership meetings need a "vision shift" from scarcity to abundance. If you've ever had to say "no" to a ministry dream because of a spreadsheet, this conversation is for you. One Key Takeaway: The 1:1 Rule - For every hour you spend on your budget, you must spend an equal hour on how you are going to fund it. Resources Mentioned: * Free 2026 Stewardship Plan: https://stewardshipplan.injoystewardship.com/ [https://stewardshipplan.injoystewardship.com/] * Pastor Roundtable (March 3rd): Focusing on building and construction. https://pastorroundtable.injoystewardship.com/ [https://pastorroundtable.injoystewardship.com/]