Archives: Insights

A leadership-level editorial explainer Editorial Introduction Financial stewardship in churches is not primarily a technical exercise. It is a leadership responsibility shaped by values, governance, and long-term care for a congregation’s mission. This page explains how churches typically approach financial stewardship at a conceptual level—how leaders frame responsibility, make decisions, and weigh tradeoffs—without prescribing actions or … Read More

A listening-based research brief from U.S. church leaders Above-the-Fold Editorial Introduction Church finance is entering a more complex chapter in 2026—marked by economic uncertainty, shifting giving patterns, and growing operational pressure on leadership teams. This research reflects the voices of 113 U.S.-based church leaders, offering a grounded view of how churches are thinking and planning for … Read More

Executive Summary After two decades of working with churches across the United States, I believe 2026 will be a pivotal year — not because the economy will suddenly stabilize, or because interest rates will fall dramatically, but because churches themselves are preparing to rebuild with greater clarity, maturity, and purpose. The challenges of 2025 taught … Read More

Over the past 26 years, I’ve reviewed tens of thousands of church financials, met thousands of pastors, and sat across from leaders navigating everything from building expansions to crises of foreclosure. After more than 2,000 church loans, clear lessons have emerged — about stewardship, about people, and about how churches grow, struggle, rebuild, and thrive. … Read More

Key Takeaways AI can improve speed and accuracy, but not replace judgment.Churches should expect AI to assist with document checks and pattern recognition, while human underwriters remain responsible for every final decision. Trust depends on transparency, not technology.Any lender using AI must clearly explain what the system does, how it’s supervised, and how decisions are … Read More

Faith, Finance, and the Test of Endurance The story of 2025 was not one of decline; it was one of discernment. When interest rates remained higher than many expected, churches discovered that vision alone could not move mountains—discipline had to pick up the shovel. Across the country, ministries paused projects, adjusted budgets, and relearned the … Read More