Distilled: Church Finance Made Simple

Episode Summary: In this episode of Distilled: Church Finances Made Simple , we’re joined by Gabe Pelphrey, Principal at Stewarded, to unpack the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and its impact on health benefits for churches and nonprofits. Gabe breaks down what’s changing in the health insurance landscape—including the removal of COVID-era subsidies, new opportunities with ICHRAs and QSEHRAs, and expand...

Summary: In this episode of Distilled , Kira and Dan break down three critical mid-year financial review steps every church leader should take to set up for a strong finish. If your church operates on a calendar year budget, this is the perfect time to evaluate income, cash flow, and your ministry “wish list.” Dan shares practical tips and tools that help pastors and church finance teams make inte...

The American church’s reliance on tithes and offerings as its primary source of income is no longer enough to sustain long-term ministry. In this episode, Dan Pourbaix and Greg Daley of Parable speak with Mark DeYmaz, pastor and CEO of The Church Economist, about the financial disruption already underway—and what churches must do to adapt. Mark explains that thriving churches are expanding beyond...

Every dollar your church spends is either fueling your mission—or distracting from it. In this episode of Distilled , Kira Echeandia and Dan Pourbaix sit down with Parable founder Greg Daley and Church Economics expert Mark DeYmaz to unpack what it means to keep every dollar on mission. They explore why churches often lose financial focus as they grow, where the disconnect happens between mission...

Inflation, recession, declining giving—these are real concerns for church leaders. But what if they’re not the biggest threat to your church’s financial health? In this episode of Distilled, Dan Pourbaix sits down with Greg Daley (Founder & CEO of Parable) and Mark DeYmaz (Pastor, Author, and CEO of ChurchEconomist) to uncover what’s really holding churches back: an outdated economic model. Yo...

In this episode of  Distilled , Dan and Kira kick off a two-part series exploring how to align your church’s finances with its mission. Dan explains what a financial operating system is, why every church already has one—intentional or not—and how Parable’s PFOS helps churches move from confusion to clarity by streamlining tools, policies, and strategy. One Key Takeaway:  An unintentional financial...

In this episode of Distilled , Greg Daley, founder and visionary of Parable, joins host Dan Pourbaix to announce and unpack Parable’s bold new nationwide initiative: a survey designed to hear directly from church leaders about what’s really happening in church finances. Together, they explore the three key areas the survey is focused on— financial management , stewardship development , and account...

In this episode of Distilled: Church Finances Made Simple , Kira and Dan unpack the often-misunderstood world of donor-restricted funds. From designated giving to the tension between generosity and governance, they explore how churches can honor donor intent without drifting from mission. You'll hear practical strategies for managing designated gifts, avoiding common missteps, and guiding your giv...

In this episode of Distilled: Church Finances Made Simple , Dan and Kira recap their time at the Exponential Conference in Florida—featuring Santa hats, snow yeti pajama pants, and a missing tiny Jesus figurine—before diving into something that may sound boring, but is actually foundational for church financial clarity: the Chart of Accounts (COA). Dan breaks down what a Chart of Accounts is, why...

Is your church’s budget fueling growth—or holding it back? In this final episode of Finding Money in Your Church Finances , we unpack a powerful lesson from The Pumpkin Plan . Just like farmers who grow record-breaking pumpkins, thriving churches focus their resources where they’ll have the most impact. Join us as we discuss: Why strategic pruning leads to financial health How to identify expenses...

In part two of our Finding Hidden Money in Your Church series, we dive into a simple yet powerful tool that every pastor should use when prioritizing church finances. The key takeaway? Good is the enemy of great. Many churches unintentionally fund "good" things at the expense of their core mission. Today’s episode will help you assess your spending and realign your budget with what truly drives im...

In this episode of Distilled: Church Finances Made Simple , Kira and Dan kick off a three-part series on making your church budget go farther. They tackle a critical question: Can church leaders really find extra money in their budget, or is that just a gimmicky statement? Spoiler alert—there may not be a hidden pot of gold, but there are strategic ways to free up resources for mission-critical ex...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Distilled: Church Finance Made Simple , Dan Pourbaix breaks down the four essential financial numbers every pastor should track to ensure the financial and spiritual health of their church. These key metrics—income received, expenses, savings, and donor engagement—provide crucial insights into both financial stability and the congregation’s commitment to the chu...

Summary: In this conversation, Greg and Dan discuss innovative approaches to church funding, emphasizing the importance of exploring additional revenue streams beyond traditional giving. The discussion highlights various creative ideas for generating income, such as utilizing church spaces for events, forming partnerships with business leaders, and leveraging existing resources. The conversation c...

In this conversation, Greg and Dan discuss the critical missing piece in church finance, emphasizing the importance of strategic finance. They explore how strategic finance can help churches align their financial resources with their mission, make informed decisions, and plan for the future. The discussion also covers churches' various options for obtaining strategic financial help, including hiri...

Welcome to the First Episode of Distilled: Church Finance Made Simple! We’re thrilled to kick off this journey with you! On Distilled, we tackle complex church financial topics and transform them into simple, actionable steps you can take to steward your church's resources wisely. In This Episode: Greg Daley, Chief Visionary of Parable Bookkeeping & Accounting for Churches, joins us to discuss...

In the final episode of our 3-part series on the top mistakes churches make when talking about money, we dive into the third and often-overlooked misstep: not tying giving to impact and life change. Especially with younger generations, people want to know their giving makes a difference. Join us as we explore how pastors can connect financial giving to tangible stories of transformation. Discover...

The #2 Church Mistake About Money: Forgetting the "Why" In this episode, we address the second biggest mistake churches make when talking about money—not tying giving to the church’s mission and vision. Instead of simply sharing numbers, discover how to inspire your congregation by telling the stories of life change that their giving makes possible. We’ll share practical tips for painting a compel...

In this episode, we explore the most common mistake churches make regarding finances—avoiding the topic altogether. Join Dan & Kira as they unpack why talking about money is not just about budgets or fundraising but about discipleship. Learn practical ways to lead your congregation into a healthier, gospel-centered perspective on stewardship and generosity. What You’ll Learn: Why avoiding the...