Most pastors reach their 50s with decades of faithful ministry behind them but with growing uncertainty about their financial future. This post breaks down the seven biggest blind spots pastors overlook at this stage of life, including retirement gaps, Social Security strategy, housing allowance issues, Medicare timelines, and more. Understanding these now can change your entire next season.

Most pastors rely on a one-time financial plan without realizing it becomes outdated almost immediately. This post explains why ongoing financial planning matters and how it helps pastors gain clarity and confidence as their lives and ministries shift.

A “love offering” is meant to bless your pastor but if the church organizes it, the IRS might see it as taxable income. Many pastors and treasurers are unaware of how love offerings should be handled, reported, and designated. This post breaks down what the law actually says, how to distinguish a true gift from taxable compensation, and how to protect both your pastor and your church from unintentional mistakes. Generosity should bless, not burden and with the right process, it still can.

During this season of giving, many pastors are encouraging their churches to live generously. But behind the scenes, some are quietly struggling to make their own finances stretch. This honest reflection explores the tension between leading generosity and living through financial pressure — and how pastors can find peace in both.

Most pastors assume their church is contributing to their retirement until they find out it’s not. For many who’ve only worked in ministry, the idea of an employer match or automatic contribution is completely foreign. In this post, we’ll unpack how to start a healthy, informed conversation with your church board about retirement contributions, what’s normal in the broader workplace (typically 4–6%), and how to build a plan that honors both your calling and your future.

Moving to a new church can be one of the most exciting and stressful seasons in a pastor’s life. But it can also be one of the most financially vulnerable. From housing allowance paperwork to delayed paychecks, even seasoned pastors can overlook critical details that lead to unnecessary stress. Here’s how to prepare wisely and keep your finances steady when ministry takes you somewhere new.

Most pastors think about money in two simple ways: what goes out and whether there’s anything left. But good stewardship needs structure. Discover the five financial “buckets” every pastor should understand to bring order, clarity, and peace to their money.

You’ve spent your life preparing messages. But how much time have you spent preparing for your last one?
Every pastor faces transition eventually. Whether it’s retirement, rest, or a new calling, planning ahead—financially and spiritually—can protect your family, bless your church, and help you step confidently into what’s next.

Most pastors end the year exhausted but not necessarily ready. This simple checklist will help you review housing allowance, payroll, benefits, giving, and taxes so you can finish the year with clarity and start the next one with confidence.

Every pastor needs a financial checkup just like a physical one. These seven questions help you assess your financial health and build lasting stability in ministry and life.

Pastors are quick to spot bad theology, but many unknowingly live by financial myths that cost them dearly. These myths can undermine retirement security, family stability, and the ability to finish ministry well. Discover five of the most common financial myths pastors believe and learn practical, faith-driven wisdom to build a stronger financial foundation for life and ministry.

Many pastors today feel the weight of a calling that seems impossible to carry. If you feel burned out, boxed in, or financially stuck, you're not alone. This guide offers faith-filled, practical help for pastors navigating exhaustion and uncertainty.

Many pastors live with intense financial discipline, pushing every joy into “someday.” Bills are paid, savings are growing, giving is steady but life feels like it is slipping by. True financial wisdom is not about choosing between today and tomorrow. It is about learning how to honor both.

Chasing the hottest investments feels smart in the moment but often leaves you behind. Research shows the average investor underperforms because of poor timing and emotional decisions. Learn why steady, consistent investing usually wins in the long run.

Many pastors unknowingly sabotage their retirement by withdrawing money in the wrong order. Housing allowance, 403(b) distributions, Roth IRAs, and Social Security all interact in unique ways for clergy. Learn why a thoughtful withdrawal plan matters and how avoiding this common mistake can protect your future.

Will I Ever Be Ready to Retire?
Retirement looks different for pastors. It’s not about escaping a job, but stepping into a new season of ministry with clarity and purpose. This post explores the spiritual, emotional, and financial questions pastors must wrestle with as they consider what retirement really means—and how to plan for it with confidence.

What happens when your paycheck was set up wrong… and no one realized it until the IRS did? For pastors, compensation errors aren’t just accounting issues—they can lead to legal risks, broken trust, and years of regret. This post walks through the most common church payroll mistakes, why they happen, and what pastors and boards must do to protect both the mission and the messenger.

Too many pastors are quietly banking on goodwill, parsonage access, or a future board’s generosity to carry them through retirement. But what happens when the leadership changes, the promises weren’t written down, and the church can’t afford to do what they hoped it could?

In this post, we confront the myth that “the church will take care of me,” and offer five practical, pastor-specific steps to start building a secure future now.

The 2025 tax law expanded 529 plans in meaningful ways. Whether you're saving for private school or college, these updates open new doors for smart planning.

A generous new $6,000 deduction for seniors, plus changes to Roth conversions and Social Security breakeven math, could make earlier retirement income more strategic