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

Why Great Leaders Know When to Pass the Baton

In this special two-part episode Frank and Jim dive deep into the real-life story of succession at Generis—a transition that saw Jim moving from his long-held CEO role to Chairman, while Frank stepped up as the new leader of the organization.In their candid and often lighthearted conversation, Frank and Jim share behind-the-scenes insights into what it takes to execute a smooth leadership transition.

They explore not just the logistical side—like communication plans, practical decision-making, and when to “pass the baton”—but also the critical, often overlooked, relational dynamics of trust, respect, and letting go of control.Drawing on personal experiences, lessons from church leadership, and practical wisdom from experts in succession, this episode offers actionable guidance and encouragement for anyone navigating leadership change.

Whether you’re part of a church, nonprofit, or business, you’ll find relevant takeaways on how intentionality, transparency, and a healthy organizational culture can make all the difference.

Tune in to hear how generational leadership handoffs don’t have to be messy, and how, when done right, they set the stage for an exciting new chapter.

PLAY EPISODE

Why Great Leaders Know When to Pass the Baton

Posted 05/13/25

What if the end of your leadership wasn’t an ending at all, but the beginning of something even better?

In this week's episode of Next Sunday, Jim and Frank open up about one of the most pivotal moments in any organization: the leadership handoff. With over three decades at the helm of Generis, Jim shares what it really takes to step aside with purpose, while Frank unpacks the call he felt stepping into the CEO role—not as a promotion, but as a divine assignment. This isn’t just about titles or transitions. It’s about legacy, trust, and the sacred work of stewarding a mission into the future.

In this Episode:
- Why great leaders prepare for transition long before it's needed
- The spiritual and emotional weight of handing off leadership
- How legacy-minded succession can unlock a church’s next season of growth

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The #1 Reason Church Plants Fail

Posted 04/29/25

Nearly 70% of church plants fail within their first four years. But the reason behind these failures isn’t what most people think.

In this episode, Jim Sheppard and Frank Bealer explore why funding, rather than a lack of vision, is the main reason church plants struggle to survive. They dive deep into research from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), break down the financial realities of starting a church, and share strategies to help church planters secure the resources they need for long-term success.

In this Episode:
- What the research says about funding and church plant survival
- Breaking down real church planting costs—what’s essential and what’s surprising
- The funding sources church planters rely on and why diversification matters

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Why Most Teams Never Reach Their Full Potential

Posted 04/15/25

Why do so many church leaders feel stuck—like their teams aren’t reaching their full potential? In this episode of Next Sunday, Jim Sheppard and Frank Bealer explore the unseen barriers that hold pastors and ministry leaders back. Whether it’s fear, burnout, misalignment, or something deeper, they dive into the challenges that keep leadership from thriving and share practical strategies to overcome them.

In this episode:
- The leadership missteps Jim and Frank wish they had caught sooner—and how they’d lead differently today
- How misalignment shows up in teams and what to do when your staff is “rowing in different directions”
- Why rebuilding trust is the key to healthier church culture—and where to start

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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

Why Great Leaders Know When to Pass the Baton

Why Great Leaders Know When to Pass the Baton

The #1 Reason Church Plants Fail

Why Most Teams Never Reach Their Full Potential

FRANK BEALER &

JIM SHEPARD

Frank Bealer

Jim Sheppard

Accelerating Generosity Towards God-Inspired Vision