Episode 63: What Does Extravagant Generosity Look Like for Your City?
Jun 17, 2020
Show notes
In this episode of the Generosity Podcast, Todd McMichen is joined by David Dykes, lead pastor of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, TX. During their conversation they discuss how the church should be known as the most generous organization in the city.
Best Quotes
“We challenge our members to go into the community and do, not random acts of kindness, but intentional acts of kindness in Jesus’ name.”
“Even though we do this every year, people are still just shocked when you do these acts of kindness and don’t want anything in return.”
“We are trying to show the community God’s love and not just be a fortress where Christians come and retreat and have a holy huddle.”
“It costs us about $45,000 to pay off $4.5 million dollars in medical debt.”
“The way we give now has changed. Way more than 50% of our offering comes in online now.”
“Your giving to God is an act of worship.”
David Orlo Dykes grew up in South Alabama where he came to know the Lord as a child and started preaching when he was 17. He is a graduate of Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama, having received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1975. He received his Master of Divinity degree and Doctor of Ministry degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. His doctoral emphasis was on evangelism and church growth. He received post-doctoral training at Cambridge University, Cambridge, England.
Dr. Dykes has been preaching since 1970 and pastored churches in Alabama before coming to pastor Green Acres Baptist Church in 1991. He has personally led mission teams to over thirty foreign countries. His passion is training leaders around the world using a healthy church series he has written. He has has published articles in Moody Monthly, Church Administration and Guideposts, and is the author of fourteen books.
Dr. Dykes has served as a trustee for The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, East Texas Baptist University, The University of Mobile, Baptist Child and Family Services, and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention. David enjoys leading educational tours to Israel and has visited the Holy Land over 25 times.
Episode 62: Millennials Radical Approach to Money and Generosity
Jun 10, 2020
Show notes
In this episode of the Generosity Podcast, Todd McMichen is joined by John Cortines, co-author of God and Money and True Riches, and COO of Generous Giving. During their conversation they discuss how John’s life purpose was unexpectedly and radically changed.
Best Quotes
“God took a couple of knuckleheads with really bad theologies of money and made it unavoidable to get a new perspective.”
“If we approach our finances with an attitude of pride, anything we do from there is not going to be very helpful from a spiritual standpoint.”
“If we can connect the gospel to our perspective of generosity that’s a totally different place to come from.”
“Any of us can bring the hammer down about how we handle money, but when there is an opportunity to issue an invitation to greater freedom, that is the angle that I have seen resonate so deeply with people’s hearts.”
“You step into greater giving, and you do it in response to God’s call, and that is a journey. It is not a one-time decision.”
“Don’t forget about money in terms of a preaching schedule.”
“This is an important topic of discipleship that Jesus even held up as a primary competitor for our hearts affections – you can’t serve God and money.”
John Cortines is the COO of Generous Giving, an organization that invites people to experience the freedom, purpose, and joy of a transformed relationship with God and money. John began his career as a Petroleum Engineer. While at Harvard Business School, he experienced a radical transformation which culminated in a decision to leave behind a lucrative post-MBA job to work, speak, and write full-time on generosity.
John is coauthor of two books on biblical generosity which together have over 50,000 copies in circulation.
John’s greatest blessing is being married to his beautiful and gracious wife, Megan, and together raising their three children, Jack, Anna, and Lydia, as well as their flock of egg-laying hens. John holds a MBA, MS in Geophysics, and BS in Chemical Engineering.
Episode 61: The #1 Money Issue for Couples
Jun 03, 2020
Show notes
In this episode of the Generosity Podcast, Todd McMichen is joined by Shaunti Feldhahn, a social researcher, best-selling author, and speaker. During their conversation they discuss the #1 challenges couples face when it comes to money.
Best Quotes
“The biggest obstacle is the absolute inability of most husbands and wives to sit down at the kitchen table and talk about money.”
“77% of couples cannot talk about money without awkwardness or avoidance.”
“When a couple is avoiding talking about money, or having conflict about money, it’s not about the money.”
“One of the biggest issues we found is that we are resisting being one in marriage in general and it is coming out in how we handle money.”
“The greatest hinderance to generosity – inside or outside the church – is the inability of the husband and wife to sit around the table and talk about money.”
“We found that the people who had more cushion but couldn’t talk about it, their relationship was worse off than people who didn’t have the cushion but could come together to have a conversation.”
“Once you understand what is going on in your own heart and your spouse’s suddenly money becomes an opportunity for connection instead of conflict.”
Shaunti Feldhahn received her graduate degree from Harvard University and was an analyst on Wall Street before unexpectedly becoming a social researcher, best-selling author, and popular speaker.Today, she applies her analytical skills to investigating eye-opening, life-changing truths about relationships, both at home and in the workplace. Her groundbreaking research-based books, such as For Women Only, have sold more than 2 million copies in 23 languages; her books and DVD studies are popular in homes, counseling centers, and corporations worldwide.Shaunti (often with her husband, Jeff) speaks at 50+ events each year around the world, sharing her findings with a wide range of audiences such as churches, corporate conventions, women’s conferences, universities, arena events, marriage seminars, youth camps and cruises (yes, those are particularly painful…). Her research and commentary are regularly featured in media as diverse as The Today Show, Focus on the Family, The New York Timesand MomLife Today. Shaunti, Jeff, and their two children live in Atlanta and enjoy every minute of living life at warp speed.
Episode 60: How a Financial Planner Can Help a Pastor
May 27, 2020
Show notes
In this episode of the Generosity Podcast, Todd McMichen is joined by Harry Pearson, the founder of OneAscent. During their conversation they discuss how financial planning ministry can help a staff team and church ministry.
Best Quotes
“Do you know if your current investments are aligned with what you said was important?”
“God has walked us through this process to identify that less than 1% of faith-based families are actually aligning their investments with their values and the number one reason is because they are unaware.”
“I’ve never met someone who was giving that wasn’t content with life.”
“God gives us the gift to get our eyes off of ourselves and on to His creation.”
“God, if You are the owner of all things, how do You want me to deploy Your income back into this world?”
“OneAscent exists to empower those advisors to build the Kingdom and serve families in a way that is intimate, that is excellent, that is grounded in truth.”
“Most clients are unaware that they are investing in, profiting from, and helping promote and propel companies forward that do not align with their deepest core values.”
Harry Pearson, is the CEO and co-founder of OneAscent. He’s held many leadership positions in the financial services industry but is most passionate about empowering advisors to build the Kingdom. With 24 years’ experience, Harry incorporates his big firm experience with the freedom and solutions needed to help families integrate their values with their Investments, Planning, stewardship, and generosity. He leads a Kingdom Advisor monthly study group and has been a longtime Champion and advocate for growing Kingdom Advisors and helping others do the same.
After obtaining a B.A. in Finance from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1996, Harry joined Ameriprise in early 1997. In 2002, he opened his own Ameriprise franchise, which has expanded to include five advisors and five support staff. He left Ameriprise February 2016 to launch OneAscent which is built to serve advisors and now has 16 advisors in 7 states. Additionally, Harry has both Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) designations.
Harry is an active member of Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church, where he has served in a variety of leadership roles, including that of an ordained ruling elder since 2007 . Harry and his wife, Laura have been married for 26 years and have four children and 3 grandchildren.
Episode 59: How a Pastoral Team Can Raise a Generous Church
May 20, 2020
Show notes
In this episode of the Generosity Podcast, Todd McMichen is joined by Jeff Kahler, the Director of Stewardship and Advancement at LCBC, a multi-campus church across central Pennsylvania. During their conversation they discuss the critical role of a pastor and his team to create a lasting generous culture.
Best Quotes
“I had direct feedback from senior leadership and direct access to senior leadership right away and that was very important.”
“Before we even think about going out to our local church body and the congregation, we have church staff who really need some education and have their own work to do in their personal finances.”
“It was eye-opening for God to reveal to us and really holding us back from doing a lot until our staff was bought in.”
“Instead of trying to create another silo within the church that is fighting for time and announcements, we started coming along ministries and saying how we could add value to them as a stewardship ministry.”
“Find somebody you know and trust that will have the big picture in mind of what you are trying to accomplish in the area of stewardship.”
“A thoughtful, slower approach is better than diving into the deep end of the pool.”
“It’s important to find another church who is similar in how you deliver ministry and how you “do church” so to speak.”
“As a senior leader, don’t just say this is what we are going to do and push it down stream. Own it. You have to be authentic.”
“When you preach on generosity, the larger church body will know if you are living it out.”
Jeff and his family have attended LCBC Church for the last ten years, and Jeff joined the staff in April 2016. Jeff serves on the LCBC Senior Leadership Team as the Director of Stewardship & Advancement. Jeff’s previous ‘work’ history includes public accounting, private equity, a partner in a commercial printing company and humanitarian work with orphans in Kenya. Jeff and his wife Holly have three beautiful daughters.Jeff enjoys strategic organizational leadership topics, spending time outdoors with friends and family, triathlons, hunting and fishing. He loves adding value to people’s lives and being part of a team working towards a common goal that is bigger than ourselves.
Episode 58: Turning Stewardship Into Outreach
May 13, 2020
Show notes
In this episode of the Generosity Podcast, Todd McMichen is joined by George Thompson, the Pastor of Finance and Stewardship at Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood, CA. During their conversation they discuss the stewardship ministry God has built at Faithful Central Bible.
Best Quotes
“There is a 90% chance that the people who are most successful do not work in the financial industry at all.”
“Every person has a spiritual gift and they may not be operating in it.”
“Every person has stewardship over three areas of their life: time, talent, and treasure.”
“When you serve, you tithe your time.”
“There are so many people that God has put a business on their heart, but they don’t know how to run it.”
“Even the classes that we teach here at the church, 30% of the people who come do not go to our church.”
“If there was a time to do something, it is right now.”
“When things go down, the first place they are going to go is the church, so we need to already have everything prepared.”
George B. Thompson is a pastor, a nationally recognized financial expert, and a motivational speaker. He is the author of several books: Millionaires In Training, Set-4-Life, The Wealth Cycle, and co-author of The Total Package. With passion, charisma, and infectious energy, George delivers practical content in his publications that all expound on easy-to-learn biblical principles on how to achieve your goals, build and maintain wealth, while having fun in the process. His main goal is to inspire readers and participants to achieve immediate results. George has been a pastor at Faithful Central Bible Church for 14 years and in ministry for over 20. He is an asset to the body of Christ and the financial industry preaching biblical truths and believes that for one to be successful, achieve financial freedom, and realize dreams, needed are two critical tools: a Godly plan to guide you and a strategic biblical system to navigate the plan. George also leads Faithful Centrals Development Corporation Champions for Progress. His ministry affiliations include ministerial licensing from West Angeles Church of God in Christ, licensing and ordination from Faithful Central Bible Church. He currently serves as a Champion for the Christian Stewardship Network (CSN) and hosts the CSN Podcasts. He also serves on staff as the Pastor of Stewardship and Finance at Faithful Central Bible Church under the direction of Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer in Inglewood California. Pastor George is a graduate of Pepperdine University, holds a B.A. in Business Communications, is a Certified Estate Planner (CEP), and holds Professional Designation in Personal Financial Planning (PFP) from U.C.L.A. He currently resides in Inglewood, California with his wife Kimberley and three lovely children: twin boys George III, Alexander and daughter Grace.
Episode 57: A Fresh New Resource to Help Today’s Stewards
May 06, 2020
Show notes
In this episode of the Generosity Podcast, Todd McMichen is joined by Michael Blue, the Executive Director and General Counsel for the Ron Blue Institute. During their conversation they discuss financial hope for a stressful steward.
Best Quotes
“We need financial literacy, but what we need behind it is an understanding of why we do this and God’s Word speaks to that.”
“Prioritizing family and time with God above everything else is key, and it will minister to your congregation and your family.”
“In law you are always moving to the next deal, but God’s pace is often slower and that keeps us dependent on Him and waiting.”
“A caution for pastors is that when you look at the marketplace and the professionalism and pace that it holds, people end up exhausted and burnt out, so I don’t know if it is the best thing to mimic.”
“If God gives me every breath that I have, then I am turning everything I have — my money, my time, my talents — back to His glory.”
“My giving decisions are just as spiritual as my spending decisions and my saving decisions, because each of them have a tendency to point toward what I believe about God and how I want to relate to God.”
“The pie has simplified all of our uses of money into five broad categories – live, give, owe debt, owe taxes, grow.”
“The future of stewardship and generosity in churches are people that are actually doing what they say they believe.”
Michael Blue serves as the Executive Director and General Counsel for the Ron Blue Institute for Financial Planning. Prior to his role with the Ron Blue Institute, Michael worked as a financial planner and as an attorney. Michael also holds a Master’s degree in theological studies from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary which comes in handy while serving on the teaching team at his local church. Michael lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and three boys.
Episode 56: How God Uses Business People to Fund Kingdom Vision
Mar 25, 2020
Show notes
In this episode of the Generosity Podcast, Todd McMichen is joined by John Rinehart, the Founder and Team Leader of Gospel Patrons. During their conversation they discuss the practical fuel of vision.
Best Quotes
“A gospel patron is the business leader behind the move of God that nobody knows.”
“The way the Son of God’s ministry moved forward was through partnership with generous people who were gifted differently but had to go all in and that’s how your ministry is going to advance Jesus.”
“This is how God works. He is always going to raise someone up to proclaim the gospel, and to partner with them He is going to raise up someone who a patron of the gospel, and when they come together God does explosive things.”
“If you are raising money consistently for your ministry, it is easy to think of the pie as limited or small. There are a lot of people who could be gospel patrons or would be had they had the vision.”
“God has enough money for you to do everything He wants you to do, and the money is in the hands of believers.”
“American evangelical Christians have enough money to complete the Great Commission in our lifetime.”
“There are lots of people in the church who think they should give more, who know they should give more, but just don’t want to.”
JOHN RINEHART is an author, speaker, and the founder of Gospel Patrons. His first book Gospel Patrons tells three stories from history about business leaders who were behind the scenes fueling amazing movements of God. His second book Giving Together is about how we become those kinds of people. John speaks widely at conferences and churches, primarily to business and ministry leaders.John has a business degree from Biola University and a Masters of Divinity from Talbot School of Theology. He lives in Orange County, California with his wife and two children. To learn more or to contact John, visit: gospelpatrons.org
Episode 54: How to Become a Personal Fundraiser
Mar 11, 2020
Show notes
In this episode of the Generosity Podcast, Todd McMichen is joined by Scott Morton, international funding coach for Navigators, author, trainer, and speake.. During their conversation they discuss the topic of personal fundraising.
Best Quotes
“God’s will done in God’s way never lacks God’s supplies—but it requires a wise Biblical fundraising plan!”
“Social media is not a good way to have sustained long term fundraising for a missionary or pastor.”
“Just because a fundraising tactic works doesn’t make it right.”
“If God has called you to ministry, why would He not put people around you?”
“The main obstacle around the world is fear. Fear of what people might think, of offending, of losing friends.”
“There’s plenty of money out there in any culture, it’s just a matter of how to present a dazzling vision so people want to give.”
“Visibility is important, but asking raises money.”
“You must speak about money and you must teach about money year round.”
Scott Morton serves as International Funding Coach for The Navigators. For fourteen years, he led Navigator campus and marketplace ministries, where he worked with students, business people, and missionaries both stateside and overseas. Then, for 13 years he served as Vice President of The Navigators US Development Ministry. Scott is committed to helping gospel-workers succeed at funding their ministries—whether pastors, overseas missionaries or stateside workers. He also enjoys helping people grow in their spiritual journeys through small-group Bible studies and one-on-one mentoring. He is author of Funding Your Ministry (Navpress.com), Down to Earth Discipling (Navpress.com) and Blindspots–leading your team and ministry to full funding (Cmmpress.org). His new book, What the Bible Actually Says About Money—31 Meditations (www.scottmorton.net), has recently been released. It is a 31-day devotional on the topic of money and includes some surprises. He and his wife, Alma, live in Colorado Springs, and have two married daughters, a son, and four grandchildren. Scott’s hobby is birdwatching.
Episode 53: What is a Generosity Overflow Experience?
Mar 04, 2020
Show notes
In this episode of the Generosity Podcast, Todd McMichen is joined by Patrick Johnson, founder and president of Generous Church. During their conversation they discuss how a generosity retreat can affect your church.
Best Quotes
“Sustained transformational generosity happens when leaders go first.”
“We created an overflow experience to be a unique experience for leaders in a church to experience a new way to look at and practice generosity to get them inspired to go out and lead as leaders.”
“We are enslaved to our surplus and don’t even realize it.”
“Anytime Christian renewal happens it starts with prayer and fasting.”
“When you get people in the room and there is no ask, and you lay generosity on the table in a non-threatening way, we’ve seen some tremendous life change.”
“We want to multiply through community and do things that are transferable.”
Patrick is the founder of GenerousChurch and has a passion to see a revolution of whole-life generosity flourish in churches. Over the last 15 years, he’s partnered with Leadership Network, the Wesleyan Denomination, Converge and other church networks to equip leaders to unleash generous disciples. Leveraging the power of Scripture and story, the products and experiences that he’s created have been used by over 2,000 churches to transform the hearts and minds of Jesus-followers toward generosity as a way of living versus an act of giving.
Currently, Patrick directs the vision of GenerousChurch and lives in Prairie Village, KS with his wife, Jennifer, and their children.
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