Why Your Church Is Broke.... It's Probably Not What You Think

In this episode, Jeff Hoglen addresses a common challenge faced by church leaders: How to fund growth amid limited resources. He explores the core issues behind stagnant finances and practical solutions grounded in diagnosis, leadership, and strategic planning.

Key Topics:

The importance of diagnosing the real problem: culture, allocation, or revenue
How to shift from a budget conversation to a discipleship and formation conversation
The significance of a strong culture of generosity and consistent teaching on giving
Aligning church expenses directly with mission-driven priorities
Practical steps for leveraging networks, asking for partnership, and running effective vision campaigns
The role of bivocational models in sustainable church growth
Developing high-capacity leaders to foster generosity and discipleship
The example of Nehemiah’s strategic approach to community rebuilding

Jeff Hoglen explains why most advice skips crucial diagnosis and how that leads to spinning wheels
He discusses the three core church financial problems and how to identify them
How to build a culture of generosity that sustains growth over time
Practical tips for reallocating budgets to maximize mission impact
The power of network asking and running vision campaigns with clarity
The long-term benefits of investing in leaders and developing people rather than just focusing on fundraising

Church Plantology by Peyton Jones

In this episode:

Timestamps:
00:00 - How churches can fund growth when resources are tight
00:33 - The mistake of jumping straight to solutions without diagnosis
01:02 - The three key problems: culture, allocation, and revenue
01:30 - Why a discipleship approach is essential for generosity
02:25 - Jesus’ emphasis on money as a spiritual indicator
03:35 - Shifting from a budget talk to a formation conversation
04:26 - Building a strong, consistent culture of generosity
04:56 - How to evaluate and realign church expenses with mission
06:45 - When to consider bivocational models for sustainability
07:13 - The power of marketplace engagement and partnership asking
08:36 - The story of Nehemiah as a model for strategic planning
09:27 - Running clear, vision-driven campaigns that inspire giving
10:47 - How to craft a compelling vision that fuels generosity
11:17 - Developing leaders to foster long-term growth and giving
12:34 - The importance of investing in high-capacity people
13:31 - Summarizing the path: diagnose, build culture, realign resources, and ask boldly
14:28 - Final encouragement and call to action

Resources & Links:

CP on Facebook

ChurchPlanting.com

Connect with Jeff Hoglen:

JeffHoglen.com

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