Welcome to the Pastoral Finance Blog.
Here, you'll find practical financial insights tailored for pastors and ministry leaders. These articles are a free resource designed to help you navigate everything from tax planning to retirement, side hustles, and church financial management.
Looking for something specific? Use the search bar below to explore our library of content.
7 of the Biggest Financial Blind Spots for Pastors in Their 50s
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.
Why Pastors Cannot Afford Not to Have Ongoing Financial Planning
Most pastors rely on a one-time financial plan without realizing it becomes outdated almost immediately.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.
The Truth About Love Offerings: What Pastors and Churches Need to Know About Taxes
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.
Preaching Generosity When Your Own Finances Feel Tight
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.
When the Church Isn’t Contributing to Your Retirement: How to Start the Right Conversation
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.
Understanding the 5 Buckets of a Pastor’s Financial Plan
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’re Ready for What’s Next. But Is Your Church and Your Finances Ready Too?
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.
The Year-End Financial Checklist Every Pastor Needs
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.
Pastor are You Financially Healthy? A Simple Checkup for Pastors
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.
5 Financial Myths Many Pastors Believe and Why They’re So Costly
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.
Pastor, Are You Ready to Quit? What Can You Do When Ministry Feels Unsustainable?
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.
Why Waiting to Live Could Be the Worst Financial Plan
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.
The Cost of Chasing Returns: Why Moving from One Hot Investment to the Next Rarely Works
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.
Will I Ever Be Ready to Retire?
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.
Your Church Isn’t Your Retirement Plan
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.
Are 529 Plans More Attractive After the 2025 Tax Bill? What Parents and Grandparents Need to Know
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.
Read the Fine Print: What Pastors Need to Know Before Rolling Over Their 403(b)
Rolling over your church 403(b) could cost you tax benefits and more. Before you move your money, here’s what every pastor should know and ask.
Roth IRA vs. 403(b) for Ministers: Which Should You Prioritize?
Choosing between a Roth IRA and a 403(b) can be confusing for pastors. This guide breaks down what matters most like church match, tax treatment, and how to use strategies like the Backdoor Roth effectively.
Should Pastors Pay Off Their Mortgage Early? Key Considerations for Ministers
Wondering if you should pay off your mortgage early as a pastor? This guide explains how clergy housing allowance, retirement planning, and financial trade-offs impact your decision.
The 90-Minute Financial Reset
Feeling financially foggy? In just 90 minutes, you can clear your mind, get organized, and build a plan you actually believe in. No spreadsheets. No shame. Just one focused evening to reset and position yourself for your next step with confidence.