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  • Ministry Money Problems? Break the Shame and Find Freedom
    2025/09/10
    Why do pastors struggle with money? In this eye-opening conversation with financial coach Justin Bennett, we uncover the unique ministry money problems that pastors face in silence.
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    1分未満
  • Quick Guide To Healthy Habits For Pastors And Ministers
    2025/08/27
    Show Notes Feeling overwhelmed in ministry? You're not alone. In this powerful conversation, Robert Bass, host of the Healthy Christian Podcast, shares proven strategies for developing healthy habits for pastors that prevent burnout and create sustainable ministry success. Robert brings a unique perspective as a former tennis player, mechanic, and personal trainer turned pastor. He reveals why most ministry leaders struggle with balance and offers practical solutions for physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. For the episode transcript, click here. 00:00:00 - Guest Introduction & Welcome 00:00:55 - Robert Bass\'s Journey to Ministry 00:01:30 - Starting the Healthy Christian Podcast 00:02:05 - Defining True Health for Christians 00:02:59 - Common Barriers to Health in Ministry 00:03:53 - The Impact of Busyness and Balance 00:06:03 - Financial Stress and Ministry Effectiveness 00:06:54 - The Principle of Tithing and Perspective 00:08:13 - Time Management and Prioritizing Relationships 00:11:35 - Practical Habits for Ministry Leaders 00:13:02 - The \'Ideal Week\' and Setting Boundaries 00:16:57 - Stewarding the Body as a Gift 00:19:28 - Integrating Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Health 00:21:34 - Stories of Transformation 00:23:29 - Taking the First Step Toward Health 00:23:51 - Slowing Down to Catch Up to God 00:27:09 - Resources and Closing Remarks What You'll Learn Why "busy" should be a bad word in ministry The difference between time WITH God vs. doing things FOR God How to implement the "Ideal Week" strategy for better time management Why your body is a gift that requires intentional stewardship The connection between financial stress and ministry effectiveness One powerful quote to remember when feeling overwhelmed Key Quote "Slow down to catch up to God" - A transformative principle for overwhelmed ministers Guest Bio Robert Bass is the host of the Healthy Christian Podcast and author of the Hidden Fruit Book. His mission is empowering believers to live fulfilled lives by integrating biblical principles with practical wellness steps, particularly helping pastors avoid burnout and lead from wholeness. Resources Mentioned Books Hidden Fruit Book by Robert Bass Focus: Fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience) Free offer: Visit hiddenfruitbook.com and enter code "sample" Concepts/Frameworks The Ideal Week - Time management strategy for ministry leaders Mentioned as being taught by Michael Hyatt Navy SEALs principle: "Slow is smooth and smooth is fast" Scripture References Walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) - "Walk in the spirit and you won't fulfill the desires of the flesh" Body as temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19) Tithing principles Quotes "Slow down to catch up to God" - Key principle for overwhelmed ministers "Fear is afraid of pen and paper" - Encouragement for dealing with the stress and unknown Practical Tools Mentioned Calendar evaluation and planning Intentional meal breaks away from the workspace Exercise scheduling Time tithing practice (36-day fast at beginning of year) Related Concepts for Further Study Physical fitness as spiritual discipline Michael Hyatt's productivity methods Stewardship principles in ministry Work-life balance for church leaders Connect with Robert Bass Podcast: The Healthy Christian Podcast Website: hiddenfruitbook.com Social Media: @Robert A. Bass (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) Book offer: Use code "sample" at hiddenfruitbook.com for free copy Next Steps Start small today—take a five-minute walk, schedule time with God, or evaluate your calendar. Remember: something is better than nothing when building healthy habits for sustainable ministry.
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    29 分
  • Funding Your Faith: Grant Writing 101 for Pastors and Churches
    2025/08/13
    A Complete Guide with Ken McQuiller Show Notes Are you leaving money on the table? Many churches and ministries could be accessing grant funding but don't know where to start. In this comprehensive episode, Ken McQuiller—CEO of Nonprofit Missionary and grant writing expert—reveals how faith-based organizations can unlock funding opportunities that complement traditional tithes and offerings. Ken shares his journey from a "lazy urban missionary" who learned grant writing through trial and error to helping organizations secure over $1 million in funding. Discover the three primary sources of grants, practical tools for finding opportunities, and why being faith-based doesn't disqualify you from funding. From afterschool programs and food pantries to workforce development and senior ministry, learn which church initiatives qualify for grants and how to navigate the application process successfully. Ken addresses common misconceptions, ethical considerations, and shares real success stories of churches transforming their community impact through strategic grant funding. Whether you're a pastor curious about grants or ready to dive into applications, this episode provides the roadmap you need to explore this underutilized funding source. 00:00:00 - Introduction to Ken McQuiller 00:01:08 - Ken\'s Journey into Grant Writing 00:04:39 - Understanding Grants for Churches 00:08:55 - Finding and Applying for Grants 00:16:25 - Common Misconceptions and Mistakes 00:23:09 - Ethical Considerations and Success Stories 00:32:50 - Final Advice and Contact Information Click here for the Episode 37 Transcript for Funding Your Faith: Grant Writing 101 for Pastors and Churches What You'll Learn The three primary sources of grant funding (foundations, corporate, and government) Practical tools and strategies for finding grant opportunities Why faith-based organizations CAN receive grants despite common misconceptions Which church programs and initiatives are most likely to qualify for funding Step-by-step process for researching and applying for grants How to build relationships with funders before applying Common mistakes churches make in grant applications Ethical considerations when evaluating potential funders Why grants typically fund 10-20% of program budgets (not 100%) Financial tracking and reporting requirements for grant recipients Key Quotes "For me, I think that grants is probably one of the most underutilized resources by the church. Every church is doing something in the community... and whatever that might be, there are probably a grant or two available for that." - Ken McQuiller "We are unapologetically faith-based. And so when foundations are looking us up and they're looking at our website, that is the first thing that they see and yet they still give to us. So it is possible." - Ken McQuiller "Don't give up. What you're doing is so important to our community, and not just for the community, but for the kingdom of God. And I know it's hard to find funding, but I know what it looks like on the other side, so keep going." - Ken McQuiller About Our Guest Ken McQuiller is the CEO and founder of Nonprofit Missionary, a grant writing business that helps faith-based and community-centered organizations secure funding. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Ken holds a master's degree in nonprofit administration and serves as an associate pastor at the Meeting Place Church. Over the past seven years, he has helped six nonprofits secure over $1 million in funding, transforming volunteer-run programs into organizations with paid staff. Ken is a devoted husband to Shelby and proud father of four, with a passion for helping mission-driven leaders turn vision into strategy and strategy into impact. Resources Mentioned Grant Research Tools: Instrumental - Paid grant search service with faith-based filter Foundation Center Online (Candid) - "The Google of Grant...
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    31 分
  • Pastors, Stress is Stealing Your Money (Steps to Create Healthy Boundaries)
    2025/08/01
    Show Notes In this powerful second part of our conversation with Dr. Ioana Popa, we dive into practical solutions for ministry leaders struggling with financial stress and burnout. Dr. Popa shares her holistic framework for preventing burnout while maintaining healthy money boundaries, revealing how unmet emotional needs sabotage financial decisions and why traditional approaches often fail in ministry contexts. Discover the "beach ball effect" of suppressing financial needs, learn why your wallet and calendar are mirrors of your heart, and get actionable steps for creating sustainable daily rhythms that protect both your ministry effectiveness and family relationships. From the "couch analogy" for managing time and resources to establishing "mini vacations" throughout your day, this episode provides the practical framework ministry leaders need to thrive financially and emotionally. 00:01:00 - Welcome to the Pastors & Money Podcast 00:02:00 - Financial Mindsets and Practical Solutions 00:03:00 - The Brick Illustration and Healthy Financial Boundaries 00:04:00 - Understanding the Connection Between Emotional Needs and Financial Health 00:06:00 - The Importance of Healthy Money Boundaries 00:07:00 - The Beach Ball Analogy: Managing Emotional and Physical Needs 00:08:00 - A Holistic Approach to Healthy Money Boundaries for Pastors 00:10:00 - Managing Emotions and Mind for Better Financial Decisions 00:12:00 - Physical Health and Financial Boundaries 00:15:00 - The Couch Analogy: Managing Time and Financial Resources 00:17:00 - Creating Intentional Financial and Time Boundaries 00:19:00 - Protecting Family Relationships While Setting Healthy Money Boundaries 00:23:00 - Regenerating and Avoiding Burnout 00:26:00 - Resources and Closing Remarks What You'll Learn How suppressed needs (whether financial, relational, physical, etc.) create a "beach ball effect" that eventually explodes Why your wallet and calendar reveal the true condition of your heart The connection between unmet emotional needs and poor money decisions How to apply a holistic body-mind-heart-soul approach to financial wellness Practical strategies for setting healthy boundaries around time and money The "couch analogy" for understanding resource allocation and transition times Why your family is your first ministry and how to protect those relationships A simple 4-times-daily rhythm for preventing burnout while maintaining boundaries How to create intentional "spontaneous giving" budgets that serve others without sacrificing stability Key Quotes "When we don't take care of some needs, they're really gonna pop up like a beach ball. How long can we hold it under water? It is just gonna pop even more with vengeance." - Dr. Ioana Popa "Your wallet and your calendar is kind of like a mirror, right? You can see your priorities, you can see where your heart is. Well, if your heart's in trouble, it's gonna show up in your finances." - Joy Suzanne Hunt "Whatever you say yes to, you actually say no to something else. So think of it as a room, like, if I'm gonna bring two more couches in this already crowded room, where am I gonna move around?" - Dr. Ioana Popa "Time is the only non-renewable resource. You can go make more money... But time is all you got. We all get the same amount." - Joy Suzanne Hunt About Our Guest Dr. Ioana Popa is a national board-certified life and leadership coach, physician, psychiatrist, and spiritual care provider with a Master's in Theology. As co-founder of Team for the Soul and host of the Thriving in Christ Podcast, Dr. Ioana helps Christian professionals and ministry leaders prevent burnout and build sustainable habits for kingdom work. Her approach uniquely integrates science, psychology, and Christian faith through programs like Renewal in Action and one-on-one coaching. Resources Mentioned Team for the Soul: teamforthesoul.com
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    29 分
  • Why Ministry Leaders Struggle with Money (Burnout Makes it Worse)
    2025/07/16
    Discover the three phases of stress response that ministry leaders experience, why the "hidden burnout" phase is so dangerous, and how unmet emotional needs drive poor money decisions.
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    1分未満
  • 3 Steps to Fight Ministry Burnout and Get Energized Again
    2025/07/09
    Ministry burnout has reached crisis levels, with many pastors leaving the field due to physical, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion. But what if the solution started with something as simple as a 15-minute workout? In this conversation with fitness coach and pastor Steve McKinney, we explore the powerful connection between physical health and ministry effectiveness. Steve shares his practical "Three W" system that's helping pastors prevent ministry burnout while staying strong, focused, and resilient in their calling - without adding hours to an already packed schedule. Resources in this Episode: ep033 with Steve McKinney Fitnessandmore.net The Gospel of Fitness by Steve McKinney Atomic Habits by James Clear John Ridge's "One Minute Pause" - A brief detachment prayer/meditation that says "Jesus, I give everyone and everything to you" Prayer of Agur (from Proverbs 30:8-9) - "Don't give me so much that I forget you Lord, or so little that I have to steal from you. Just give me what I need." Transcript: The Reality of Ministry Burnout and Physical Health Steve McKinney: [00:00:00] When people are trying to choke you, you're not thinking about people who are mad at you, you're thinking about surviving. So that's the beauty of that. Once again, I'm removing those thoughts from my brain. Joy Hunt: Last week, we heard Steve McKinney's incredible story about how he turned his garage gym into a mission field, blending his passion for fitness with pastoral ministry. If you missed that conversation, I'd encourage you to go back and listen. It's a powerful example of finding evangelism opportunities in unexpected places and why we as pastors need to be involved in the community, not just in the church. Now, this podcast is about money, but my heart is to help pastors stay healthy in ministry. And here's the thing: our physical health directly impacts our financial health. When we're constantly stressed and exhausted, we make poor money decisions. It's hard to budget wisely, teach stewardship effectively, or even stay in ministry long enough to build financial stability when we're running on empty. Today, Steve is back to share something [00:01:00] every pastor needs to hear: his practical three-W system for staying physically and emotionally healthy in ministry. The Ministry Burnout Crisis: Why Pastor Health Matters With Pastor burnout at an all-time high and a shortage of pastors in the pipeline, we can't afford to ignore the connection between our physical health, our financial health, and our ministry effectiveness. Steve breaks down his 15-minute workout system. Explains why walking after dinner is a game changer. And shows us how physical discipline helps us take every thought captive. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the idea of adding fitness to your already packed schedule, this conversation will change your perspective. It definitely changed mine. Joy Suzanne: 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 [00:02:00] here's the show. Meet Steve McKinney: Pastor and Fitness Coach Joy Hunt: Steve McKinney is a bestselling author, fitness coach, and Brazilian Jiujitsu black belt dedicated to. Helping people age strong and live healthier lives. As the owner of Fitness and More Incorporated, he has helped countless individuals transform their bodies through his unique three-W approach to fitness. And why is he on this podcast? Well, Steve is also a church pastor, integrating faith and mindset into his approach to wellness. His book, the Gospel of Fitness, breaks down the Science of Strength training and Nutrition in a way that's practical, sustainable, and life-changing.
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    1分未満
  • How One Pastor Turned His Garage Into a Gym Ministry
    2025/06/25
    In this episode, Steve McKinney, a bestselling author, fitness coach, Brazilian Jiujitsu black belt, and pastor, shares his journey of integrating his passion for fitness with his faith and how it became a gym ministry. He discusses the importance of aging gracefully, maintaining physical health, and how his unique three W approach to fitness can transform lives. Steve also touches on the challenges of maintaining healthy eating habits in ministry and emphasizes the significance of self-care for effective leadership. Resources from this Episode: The Gospel of Fitness by Steve McKinney (available on Amazon) Fitness and More WebsitePart Two of Steve's Interview Transcript: 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 Hunt: Today we have an incredible guest on the show, someone who truly embodies strength, resilience, and faith. Steve McKinney is a bestselling author, fitness coach, and Brazilian Jiujitsu black belt dedicated to. Helping people age strong and live healthier lives. As the owner of Fitness and More Incorporated, he has helped countless individuals transform their bodies through his unique three W approach to fitness. And why is he [00:01:00] on this podcast? Well, Steve is also a church pastor, integrating faith and mindset into his approach to wellness. His book, the Gospel of Fitness, breaks down the Science of Strength training and Nutrition in a way that's practical, sustainable, and life-changing. Well, Steve, welcome to the podcast. Steve McKinney: It's great to be here. Joy, thank you for having me. I'm excited about being here and talking today. The Beginning of a Gym Ministry: From K-Mart Weights to Life-Changing Faith Joy Hunt: So Steve, you've had quite a journey from converting your garage into a gym to becoming a personal trainer, a fitness business owner, and author alongside your ministry. So could you share a bit about your background and how you came to blend your passion for fitness with your faith and your ministry work? Steve McKinney: Absolutely. So, for me, I just always loved lifting weights. I mean, since my childhood. I talk about this in the book, but my grandfather bought me a set of weights when I was nine years old from a place called Kmart. Now, if there's any... Joy Hunt: I used to work there. Steve McKinney: I was gonna say not a lot of people know Kmart, but some [00:02:00] do. And so I always get a laugh out of that whenever I mention it. But they were these plastic weights that he bought me, and I went home and bought this book by a guy named Franco Colombo. And I lifted weights six days a week. Now, I'm nine years old, so I'm not making any gains, but I'm loving it. I'm just loving it! And so then we fast forward. I lifted weights for a long period. Back then, I wasn't walking with the Lord. Both of my parents got sick when they were younger. My father passed away at 49 from cancer. My mother died at 49 on Christmas morning; she died in my arms. Now, the interesting thing about that is her dying words were served. Jesus, tell your brother to serve Jesus. So, at the time, I didn't even know what that meant, and I was trying to go back to church at the time, and it just didn't work. There's a point in time where, you know, we hit that rock bottom moment. I was on my knees. I remember exactly where I was when I just said, "Jesus, you know I've heard a lot about you, but I don't even know if you're real. But if you are, would you show me?" And nothing happened at that moment, but as I was driving to [00:03:00] work a few weeks later, I knew something had changed. Building Community Through Fitness Ministry
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    27 分
  • Creating Spiritual Disciplines and Attention-Rich Communities in a Distracted World
    2025/06/11
    In part two of our conversation with fighter pilot and attention coach Wes Woodhouse, we dive into practical ways ministers can create attention-rich environments that foster deep spiritual disciplines in a distracted world. Learn how to lead by example, establish routines that enhance creativity, and build communities that value presence over distraction. Discover why setting boundaries with technology isn't just good for you—it's essential for effective ministry in today's attention-starved world. Resources: Part one of Focus Like a Fighter Pilot WesWoodhouse.com Interview Transcript: 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 Hunt: Today we're continuing my conversation with Wes Woodhouse about attention focus and how we can apply fighter pilot techniques to our spiritual disciplines. If you missed part one, I encourage you to go back and listen as we explored the growing attention gap in our society and how it's affecting our spiritual lives. Let me reintroduce Wes. He's a husband, father, marathon runner, and fighter pilot. His mission is to build up the next generation of [00:01:00] leaders armed to take on the dynamic challenges of the attention age. In 2020, he founded Vector Atlas, a leadership development and attention cultivation agency where he leads a mastermind of committed men, grounded in wise counsel and accountability, striving to live a life of purpose. As an attention performance coach, he helps leaders maximize their potential by focusing on what is most important. In our first episode was shared how his experience as a fighter pilot taught him the critical importance of focused attention and how those same principles can help us. In our spiritual walk, ~~we discussed how the distractions of modern life are creating an attention gap.~~ ~~We discussed how the distractions of modern life are creating an attention gap that affects our ability. I gotta try that again.~~ We discussed how the distractions of modern life are creating an attention gap that affects our ability to connect deeply with God and others. In the second part of our conversation, we'll be exploring practical ways to help our congregations develop better focus habits, how to create environments that foster deep spiritual connection, and how to build communities that value presence. Let's jump back into our conversation with Westwood House. Creating Routines for Spiritual Disciplines [00:02:00] Joy Hunt: Right, exactly. So thinking about from a spiritual disciplines, and just our spiritual life perspective, then, you know, sometimes that might look like, do you have a routine of when you do your quiet time or how you set up so that when you start, you can start, instead of sitting down and getting ready to get ready to get ready, Wes Woodhouse: Yeah. Joy Hunt: do you have a, it may not always work out to be a consistent si time of day. Some people's. Life and number of kids they have is not conducive to that. Wes Woodhouse: right. Joy Hunt: do you have something that can anchor you back into that today? I did my Bible study sitting at jury duty, Wes Woodhouse: Yeah. Joy Hunt: which by the way was very distracting. Talk about attention 'cause they've got the TVs on and Wes Woodhouse: Yeah. Joy Hunt: How loud can I make my headphones where I'll still hear if they call my name? You know, but, so that I'm not hearing the whatever home remodeling show that's playing on the TVs. But I was like, okay, we're just gonna pick up and take this routine that I normally do [00:03:00] sitting at my desk and I'm just gonna do it sitting in a room full of 200 people instead.
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    13 分