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

Failing to Live Up to Your Potential? Watch this...

Are you a pastor silently battling financial stress while standing in front of your congregation each week, urging them to live generously? You’re not alone—and in this powerful episode of the Next Sunday Podcast, hosts Jim Sheppard and Frank Bealer unpack the real, often hidden struggle of pastor debt and financial stress in ministry. These two key phrases—pastor debt and financial stress in ministry—are the unspoken burdens that many leaders carry, often in silence.

Joined by GENERIS Chairman Jim Sheppard and CEO Frank Bealer, this candid conversation addresses the often-taboo topic of pastors leading churches while privately drowning in personal debt—especially seminary debt. They explore how financial strain affects a pastor’s confidence, message, and credibility when preaching about stewardship, tithing, and generosity.

This episode dives deep into the complexity of leading a congregation while experiencing financial stress in ministry, a scenario made even more challenging when pastors feel they cannot authentically teach about pastor debt without hypocrisy. Jim and Frank share from over three decades of experience, offering practical tools, mindset shifts, and honest encouragement for pastors to lead with both transparency and integrity—even when their own finances aren’t perfect.

Through humor, storytelling, and Scripture, the episode tackles critical questions:

- Can a pastor with a “2 out of 10” financial life still preach on giving?
- How should spiritual leaders approach transparency without oversharing?
- What role does shame and guilt play in blocking breakthrough in financial health?

Listeners will walk away with a renewed sense of hope and a blueprint to move from financial shame to freedom. Jim shares a seven-point framework to help pastors break free from the guilt of debt, embrace growth, and begin a new journey of financial health. Whether it's through Financial Peace University, personalized budget counseling, or modeling incremental steps of generosity, the episode emphasizes transformation over perfection.

Frank adds dimension by sharing a powerful story about a pastor who switched from online to in-person giving so his children could witness the act of generosity firsthand. These real-life examples underscore that leading in financial weakness can sometimes be more impactful than leading from strength.

This episode is a must-listen for any pastor who feels trapped in debt, unsure of how to teach generosity with conviction. It also serves as a vital resource for elder boards, ministry teams, and church leadership looking to support their pastors not just spiritually—but practically.

If you’re ready to trade silent defeat for empowered, grace-filled leadership, this conversation is your first step.

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Failing to Live Up to Your Potential? Watch this...

Posted 07/22/25

In today’s episode of the Next Sunday Podcast, hosts Frank Bealer and Jim Sheppard dive deep into the Parable of the Talents—not just as a message on financial stewardship, but as a profound call to personal mission and kingdom responsibility. This conversation redefines what it means to multiply what God has entrusted to us, urging listeners to consider how they are stewarding not only their money but also their time, gifts, and opportunities.

Too often, the Parable of the Talents is restricted to lessons about money and giving. However, Frank and Jim explore the broader implications of this parable, revealing how it also speaks to leadership, growth, calling, and the discipline of risk. Jim unpacks how the parable is the only place in the New Testament where Jesus says, "Well done, good and faithful servant," emphasizing the weight of that commendation and what it takes to hear it.

Listeners will be challenged to reflect on what they may be “burying”—whether it’s a gift, opportunity, or calling—and how fear or discontentment might be holding them back. Jim shares poignant stories, including a family Depression-era tale about money buried in a coffee can, illustrating how holding back can cost us kingdom impact.

This episode also explores the emotional and spiritual tension many leaders feel: “What if I’m built for more, but I’m not living it out?” The conversation moves beyond platitudes, offering grounded encouragement on how to pursue faithful risk, kingdom innovation, and mission-focused leadership. They connect Colossians 3:23—“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord”—with the parable’s core theme, making this a well-rounded spiritual blueprint for growth.

Whether you’re a business leader, pastor, stay-at-home parent, or emerging creative, this episode speaks to the deep longing for purpose and meaning in your work and calling. Jim and Frank encourage listeners to find their unique “lane,” embrace their God-given portion, and stop comparing themselves to others.

You’ll leave this episode feeling empowered to stop striving and start stewarding—multiplying what God has entrusted to you for His glory. If you’ve ever wondered how to live out your purpose more faithfully, this conversation offers wisdom, insight, and a dose of practical theology that’s both inspiring and actionable.

Parable of the Talents, faith and leadership, Christian stewardship, kingdom calling, spiritual growth, faithful risk, biblical leadership

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Don't Make Another Big Decision Until You Watch This

Posted 07/08/25

Welcome to the Next Sunday podcast, where we dive deeper than the surface of leadership clichés and explore the spiritual tools that actually shape our lives. In this episode, host Jim Shepherd turns the tables and interviews our guest—and usually co-host—Frank Bueller, about his passion for discernment. Frank’s personal journey of faith and leadership has led him to write a new 30-day devotional, “Developing Discernment,” and today he shares the story behind it.Together, Jim and Frank unpack what discernment really means, why it matters more than ever for leaders facing “good versus good” decisions, and how the practice of discernment isn’t just for the spiritually elite—it’s for all of us. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by too many choices or pressured to make quick decisions, this conversation will encourage you to slow down, seek God’s guidance, and lead not just well, but wisely. Whether you’re leading a team, a church, or simply navigating your own next steps, get ready for honest stories, practical wisdom, and a reminder that discernment is a spiritual lifeline, not just a nifty leadership skill.

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Why Your Church DOESN'T Attract Big Givers

Posted 06/24/25

In this episode of The Next Sunday Podcast, hosts Jim Shepherd and Frank dive deep into a critical conversation on church and nonprofit collaboration, exploring why church and nonprofit partnerships often fail and how they can thrive. If you’re a church leader, nonprofit executive, or a passionate donor, this conversation offers actionable strategies to break the cycle of competition and embrace healthy ministry partnerships. From the very start, Jim and Frank tackle the prevalent scarcity mindset in ministry leadership, unpacking why this fear-based thinking stifles growth and generosity.

The scarcity mindset not only limits financial resources but also hampers life-changing opportunities for both churches and nonprofits. You’ll hear compelling real-life stories about how high-capacity givers think, why they choose to support certain causes, and how churches can reframe their messaging to inspire generosity.Jim shares a powerful example of a ministry leader struggling with whether to “protect” donor lists or embrace collaborative fundraising.

The conversation highlights why healthy ministry partnerships are essential for long-term success and how breaking down silos can unleash unprecedented kingdom impact.If you’ve ever wondered why donors seem to give generously to nonprofits but hesitate with their local church, this episode provides critical insight. Jim and Frank explore how clear, inspiring vision casting within the church can attract and retain high-capacity givers. They also discuss why churches must celebrate and embrace the broader calling of their members—even when that means supporting outside ministries.This episode answers essential questions:

- How can churches overcome the scarcity mindset?
- What does it look like to develop healthy ministry partnerships?
- How can nonprofits better steward their relationships with churches?
- Why is collaboration the future of ministry success?

Whether you’re navigating a building campaign, developing donor relationships, or simply trying to foster generosity in your community, this episode equips you with practical solutions.Tune in now and learn why embracing church and nonprofit collaboration is not just good stewardship—it’s the future of kingdom growth.

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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

Failing to Live Up to Your Potential? Watch this...

Failing to Live Up to Your Potential? Watch this...

Don't Make Another Big Decision Until You Watch This

Why Your Church DOESN'T Attract Big Givers

FRANK BEALER &

JIM SHEPARD

Frank Bealer

Jim Sheppard

Accelerating Generosity Towards God-Inspired Vision