the one about money

... we got to talk about it

Likewise Worship
July 15, 2025

Sometimes, it just feels like we can’t talk about money as someone in ministry. But for many, money can feel like the biggest weight and challenge. Financial stress among worship leaders can compound when there’s no one to talk to… read on…

In Today’s Email

The Money Struggle
Financial Encouragement/Coaching
Crosson on God’s Provision

The Money Struggle

According to the 2024 Guidestone Pastoral Wellness Survey, 1 in 3 pastors reported that finances create the biggest challenge to their overall wellness. The reason? Rising costs and insufficient income.

Now, in many cases, senior pastors make more money than worship leaders. The only reason for bringing that up is to suggest that for the worship leader, that number may be even higher.

According to the same study, 48% say they have less than $5,000 in savings and 49% report taking on debt to pay for emergencies.

GuideStone President, Hance Dilbeck, had this to say about pastors and financial well-being:

“The findings about pastors’ financial wellness are especially pivotal because financial wellness impacts other areas of wellness… Helping pastors get to a better place financially has so many positive effects on their families and their ability to do the vital ministry work to which they are called and for which so many others rely on them.”

Why choose this as a newsletter topic? Because at Likewise Worship, we agree. Being financially healthy is part of being a healthy leader. And when the leader is healthy, the family is healthy, and the ministry can be healthy.

But for some reason, this is one of the most difficult things to talk about. But if it doesn’t get talked about, the chances of overcoming this source of stress are small.

If you’re feeling the burden and stress of finances - you are not alone.

The report also had this to say:

The survey findings revealed that many pastors struggle with their level of financial knowledge. Fewer than half said they were somewhat or very well prepared for financial matters by their college, seminary, or first employer in ministry, while 48% said they put off thinking about financial matters because they don’t feel knowledgeable in that area.

In many cases, no one prepares us to manage the financial part of our life.

If you resonate with the financial struggles mentioned in this email, we would love to encourage you. Everyone’s situation is so different and nuanced.

See below to read about how we would love to walk alongside you!

Financial Encouragement/Coaching

If finances are a source of stress for you, we’d love to be an encouragement to you.

On our staff is a trained financial coach with 13 years of on-staff worship leading experience.

First, we would love to listen and understand. Sometimes, it’s difficult to talk with church staff or people in your congregation about this challenge. Often, it’s just helpful to have someone who is a total third party to talk about it with.

Beyond that, we would be happy to recommend resources or even help you better understand and create a plan for your finances to help you relieve some of that stress.

Most of all - we want to remind you that you aren’t alone and that these challenges can be overcome.

If you’re interested in sitting down with someone from our team, email [email protected]!

Finances are intensely personal. We get that. But it’s a long road to walk alone!

We’re happy to help and encourage!

Crosson on God’s Provision

“All our increase and provision can be traced back to God’s hand.”

— Russ Crosson

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Gatherings - Looking to connect with other leaders? Come to our free monthly hangs with local leaders in select US cities or join us quarterly online!
One on One - Looking to process your ministry, your faith, or your challenges with a third-party you can trust? Set up a meeting with a member of our team.
Vocal Coaching - Feeling stuck or discouraged vocally? We offer professional in-house voice coaching specifically to worship leaders. Best part? We raise funds so we can give you a BIG discount. Schedule a consultation with our team!