NEXT SUNDAY

Shaping the Churches of Tomorrow, Today

Welcome to Next Sunday, more than just a podcast—it's your vibrant community of forward-thinking church leaders. Our episodes are crafted to serve as a dynamic field guide for bridging generations, cultivating generosity, and inspiring transformation within the church. Together, we will tackle challenges head-on, celebrate our victories, and possibly ruffle a few feathers because what happens next Sunday could change everything.

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BI-WEEKLY EPISODES: A NEW EPISODE IS RELEASED EVERY OTHER TUESDAY

MOST RECENT EPISODE

The Hidden Truth About Church Giving

In this episode of the Next Sunday Podcast, hosts Jim Sheppard and Frank Bealer dive deep into the patterns of church giving and why generosity in churches matters more today than ever before. As they share stories, data, and decades of insight, listeners will discover surprising truths about how financial generosity shapes ministry impact, discipleship, and the future of the local church. If you’ve ever wondered how church giving works behind the scenes, or why generosity in churches seems concentrated in just a small group of people, this episode is a must-listen.

Jim Sheppard and Frank Bealer kick things off with a lighthearted story about spotting a man walking a possum on a pink leash in Florida, proof that unexpected moments are often the ones that stick with us. But quickly, they pivot to the real topic: generosity inside churches. Jim Sheppard, who has studied giving patterns across three decades, explains how financial data tells a story about discipleship. He reveals that in most churches, as few as 8% of households provide as much as 60% of all giving. This concentration has major implications for church health, ministry expansion, and leadership planning.

Throughout the episode, the hosts explore why generosity is not just about budgets but about spiritual growth. Jim Sheppard emphasizes that numbers reflect spiritual realities, when giving dips, something is happening inside the life of a congregation. When it spikes, something transformative has taken place. This episode challenges leaders to stop treating giving as purely transactional and instead focus on discipleship that fosters lasting generosity.

Listeners will also learn about the pitfalls of ignoring generosity development. Jim Sheppard and Frank Bealer point out that church budgets may be met, but if members aren’t being discipled into generosity, the church is missing the greater purpose. They highlight the critical role of teaching, consistent messaging, and practical systems that guide new believers and long-time members alike into a lifestyle of generosity.

From biblical examples like King David’s billion-dollar gift to the widow’s two coins, to modern challenges like declining giving percentages across America, this episode is packed with insights. Jim Sheppard and Frank Bealer remind us that all givers are equal in value, but not all gifts are equal in impact. The church must honor all forms of generosity while also equipping its most faithful givers to lead with consistency.

As the conversation unfolds, practical advice emerges. Should churches focus on non-givers or those giving very little? Jim argues for starting with the latter, the group that’s already given something, no matter how small. Why? Because they’ve already taken a step toward generosity and can be discipled more effectively.

The episode closes with encouragement: churches don’t have to overhaul everything at once. Start somewhere. Create systems. Teach generosity regularly. Celebrate all givers while equipping the faithful few to lead. By prioritizing generosity as discipleship, the church can not only meet budgets but also multiply impact in the community and beyond.

This engaging and thought-provoking episode with Jim Sheppard and Frank Bealer will challenge pastors, church leaders, and anyone passionate about the future of the church to rethink how generosity is taught, celebrated, and sustained.

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The Harsh Truth About Post-COVID Church Leadership

Posted 09/30/25

On this episode of The Next Sunday Podcast, hosts Jim Sheppard and Frank Bealer dive deep into the new rules of church leadership in a post-COVID world. The conversation explores how pastors and ministry leaders are navigating the realities of church leadership post-COVID while also preparing for the next generation of believers.

In today’s post-post-COVID landscape, leaders are being asked to be emotionally available, culturally fluent, theologically sound, digitally competent, and excellent at running the business side of the church, all while being “always on.” But is this realistic? Jim Sheppard and Frank Bealer unpack what expectations are truly fair for church leaders and how churches can adapt to the new rhythm of attendance and engagement.

The discussion highlights one of the biggest shifts facing ministry today: people are attending church less often, while expecting more from their leaders when they do engage. Regular attenders may only show up one or two times a month, leaving pastors with the challenge of creating consistent touchpoints and meaningful discipleship in fewer interactions.

Jim Sheppard and Frank Bealer argue that church leadership post-COVID is not about stirring the pot with controversy but about adjusting expectations, building healthy guardrails, and leading with wisdom across multiple generations. They explore how the pandemic accelerated trends that were already emerging, such as lower attendance frequency, generational divides in church culture, and the growing hunger of Gen Z for authentic faith experiences.

A highlight of the episode is their optimism about the future. Gen Z and Millennials, they note, are carrying physical Bibles more consistently than older generations, showing a renewed passion for scripture and discipleship. They share stories of revival movements on college campuses, bold young leaders stepping into ministry, and national movements like Unite College that are shaping the next generation of pastors and church planters.

The conversation also addresses the leadership crisis in seminaries, where traditional training models may not be preparing pastors adequately for the complexity of leading modern churches. The hosts emphasize the need for hybrid education, mentorship, and residency programs to raise up capable leaders who can thrive in today’s environment.

Finally, Jim Sheppard and Frank Bealer turn toward one of the most pressing issues: burnout. They candidly discuss how the relentless job description of senior pastors, emotional counselor, organizational leader, teacher, and digital strategist all at once, is pushing many toward exhaustion. They advocate for “prehab over rehab,” through ministries like the 10:10 Project, to deal with deep issues like family wounds and unhealthy expectations before they take leaders out of ministry entirely.

This episode will resonate with pastors, ministry staff, seminary students, and church members alike who want to understand the future of church leadership and the challenges leaders face in a shifting cultural landscape. Whether you’re leading a megachurch or a small congregation, Frank and Jim provide practical wisdom, inspiring stories, and a clear call to reimagine how we measure discipleship and leadership health in the years ahead.

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The Surprising Reason Church Campaigns Fail

Posted 09/30/25

Church fundraising campaigns. Church capital campaigns. These terms carry weight for pastors and leaders everywhere. But what happens when your church capital campaign doesn’t hit the goal?

In this episode of the Next Sunday Podcast, hosts Jim Sheppard and Frank Bealer unpack the realities, challenges, and hidden lessons behind a campaign that falls short, and why it’s not the end of the story.

Church fundraising campaigns and church capital campaigns can reveal more than dollars and pledge cards. They surface issues of trust, leadership, participation, and vision. Frank Bealer and Jim Sheppard dive deep into the vital distinction between participation and dollars raised, why low engagement is more concerning than low giving, and how to conduct a proper “autopsy” when things don’t go as planned.

Listeners will hear real-world stories of campaigns that missed the goal and the surprising insights that came from them. From long-time faithful members who simply didn’t understand the vision, to staff culture challenges that quietly undermine participation, this episode is packed with hard truths every pastor and church leader needs to hear.

Jim Sheppard shares candidly from decades of experience helping churches navigate these challenges. He explains why “campaign fatigue” is usually a sign of “vision fatigue,” and why trust is the currency of generosity. Frank Bealer adds pastoral perspective, pointing out the emotional toll leaders feel when campaigns underperform and the importance of gathering feedback without defensiveness.

Key lessons from this episode include:

- How to quickly and respectfully conduct a campaign autopsy.
- Why staff participation is the hidden indicator of future success.
- How unclear vision, staff disengagement, or misaligned projects can derail even well-run campaigns.
- Why churches must look beneath the surface numbers to uncover deeper cultural issues.
- How to move forward with grace, humility, and stronger leadership practices.

Listeners will also learn practical steps: asking the right questions of faithful members who didn’t participate, commissioning neutral leaders to gather honest feedback, and identifying whether the issue is messaging, vision, or culture.

Ultimately, Frank Bealer and Jim Sheppard remind leaders that falling short on a fundraising campaign doesn’t mean failure. It’s a chance to recalibrate vision, strengthen trust, and build healthier staff and congregational culture. With humility and honesty, a disappointing outcome can become the foundation for long-term growth and generosity.

Whether you’re planning your first church capital campaign or reflecting on one that didn’t go as expected, this conversation will equip you to lead with clarity, courage, and renewed hope.

The Next Sunday Podcast is designed for pastors, executive leaders, and church staff who want to navigate the realities of ministry leadership with wisdom and practical tools.

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The Vision Every Church Gets Wrong

Posted 09/16/25

You’ve cast the vision. You’ve shared the heart. But the congregation isn’t moving as fast as you are—and that can be frustrating. This episode is for leaders who are running at full speed while their people are still warming up. We explore how to discern between a “no” and a “not yet,” the danger of outrunning your own team, and what spiritual leadership looks like when progress feels delayed. We’ll also offer practical tools for aligning vision pace with church readiness, so you can lead boldly without burning out.

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Frank Bealer

Frank is a distinguished leader and innovator in organizational leadership, church ministry, and family-centered development. As the Co-Founder of Phase Franchise Partners, Frank has demonstrated a profound commitment to creating environments that support family growth and community engagement.

He also serves as an advisor and Chief Strategy Officer at Generis. Frank leverages his diverse background to serve churches and non-profit organizations to help maximize their potential through effective stewardship and generosity strategies.

Frank is a devoted husband and father to six children with many other notable professional endeavors that have informed his extensive leadership. His family is at the heart of everything he does, inspiring his work and his dedication to creating positive change in the lives of others.

Jim Sheppard

Jim Sheppard is CEO & Principal of Generis, a consulting firm passionate about helping churches inspire and cultivate generosity through giving development, coaching, and strategy.

Jim is a student of generosity and is passionate about spreading it throughout the Church. For the last 30+ years, he has devoted his life to coaching pastors especially in navigating the resource limitations that restrict their ministry potential. Jim understands the financial challenges that churches face today; annual giving, debt, capital projects, and planned giving. He is a positive force in bridging these needs with the power of spiritually motivated stewardship. Cumulatively, Jim has partnered with his clients to raise over $2 billion for local church ministry. Jim is a frequent writer and speaker on generosity and ministry funding. He is co-author of Contagious Generosity: Creating A Culture Of Giving In Your Church.

Jim and his wife, Nancy, live in the Atlanta, GA area and they have two married daughters. He is actively involved in his church where he serves as an elder and provides guidance to the Generosity Ministry Team.

NEXT SUNDAY

The Hidden Truth About Church Giving

The Harsh Truth About Post-COVID Church Leadership

The Surprising Reason Church Campaigns Fail

The Vision Every Church Gets Wrong

FRANK BEALER &

JIM SHEPARD

Frank Bealer

Jim Sheppard

Accelerating Generosity Towards God-Inspired Vision