In episode 477 of the Church Solutions Podcast, host Phil Thompson welcomes Larry O’Nan, a seasoned ministry consultant and passionate advocate for biblical stewardship. With over five decades of experience—including 18 years on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ—Larry brings a wealth of insight into helping church leaders and attenders understand the true meaning of stewardship.
More Than Just Money
Far too often, churches equate stewardship with fundraising. As Larry points out, “Stewardship is not about money—it’s about managing the affairs of someone else.” That “someone else,” of course, is God. It’s a radical shift in mindset: money given to the church is not the church’s money to own, but God’s resources to steward wisely.
Accountability Starts at the Top
Phil and Larry dive into an often-overlooked issue: pastoral accountability in handling church resources. Larry warns against a dangerous assumption—that once funds are given, they become “ours” to manage freely. Instead, leaders must operate with transparency and spiritual maturity. Hidden accounts, poorly designed endowments, or unqualified leaders in charge of finances can spell disaster, not only ethically but operationally.
“Once you start hiding, you start playing games with Satan’s plan—not God’s plan,” Larry states.
Spiritual Maturity > Financial Expertise
Too often, churches turn to business professionals with accounting experience to manage funds without evaluating their spiritual readiness. While financial skills matter, Larry stresses that spiritual maturity and a biblical understanding of stewardship are just as vital.
Pastors: Lead by Living It
Phil notes a common challenge: many pastors simply aren’t good at managing their personal finances and feel uncomfortable preaching on money. Larry’s advice? Repent and realign. If you’re not stewarding your own time, money, or resources well, it’s difficult—if not impossible—to lead your congregation effectively in those areas.
“You’ve just declared you’re a lousy steward,” Larry says bluntly but lovingly to leaders who ignore personal stewardship.
Larry encourages pastors to model stewardship in their own lives and guide their church members toward holistic biblical living—not just tithing. And that includes equipping people with tools, like:
- Crown Financial
- Compass—Finances God’s Way
- Financial Peace University
Introducing: Intentional Living and Giving
Larry’s latest book, Intentional Living and Giving, offers practical, biblically-rooted guidance on living a life aligned with God’s purposes. It also includes a 10-week small group study designed to help churches move beyond giving campaigns to genuine transformation.
This isn’t a “how-to budget” manual—it’s a guide to living generously and joyfully as stewards of all that God entrusts to us.
“This is transformation on steroids,” says Larry. “It will change not just your giving, but your entire perspective on resources, relationships, and ministry.”
You can purchase Intentional Living and Giving at LarryOnan.com or on major booksellers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
🎙 Also Mentioned on the Podcast: Upcoming Free Webinar
Don’t forget to register for the upcoming free webinar hosted by StreamingChurch.tv:
- Title: From Chaos to Clarity: Failure-proof Your Stream
- Date: June 24, 2025
- Time: 12:00 PM EST
- Where: webinar.streamingchurch.tv
The webinar will offer practical tips for churches on streamlining video production, organizing tech setups, and training volunteers effectively to avoid Sunday morning chaos.
🔗 Final Thoughts
Churches thrive when leaders embrace stewardship as a lifestyle, not just a budget line item. Larry O’Nan’s challenge to pastors is simple: start with yourself, then lead others. With the right mindset, tools, and transparency, churches can unlock not just financial health—but missional impact.
Listen to the full podcast episode wherever you get your podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe to the Church Solutions Podcast for more conversations that equip church leaders with practical tools for ministry.