
Behind the Seal
ECFA's blue seal has been a symbol of trust and accountability for over four decades, but what does that mean? Is it the seal alone that inspires confidence, or is it the nonprofits and churches behind the seal?
Tune in to conversations between ECFA's President and CEO, Michael Martin, and prominent leaders. Together, we'll share stories from behind the scenes of various Christ-centered ministries and churches, highlighting how trust serves as the foundation of it all.
Latest episodes

Sep 28, 2023 • 58min
Healthy Governance is Living Authentically | Rob Hoskins & David Branker, One Hope Ministries
Rob Hoskins and David Branker of One Hope Ministries have developed a reputation as a ministry with excellence in board and leader relationships, staff culture, and Christ-centered vision. Intentionality underscores all parts of their culture as leadership seeks intergenerational accountability. To live for Christ in your personal life and your public life, if they all look the same, is the most authentic you can be!One Hope Ministries: https://onehope.net/

Sep 14, 2023 • 44min
Women will Manage the Largest Generational Wealth Transfer | Julie Wilson, Women Doing Well
Women Doing Well's purpose is to activate women towards purposeful generosity. 95% of women will, at some point in their life, be the primary financial decision maker for their family, yet a larger percentage do not feel confident and equipped to to handle what God has given to them.https://womendoingwell.org/

Aug 24, 2023 • 44min
Restoring a Leader for their Next Chapter | William Vanderbloemen
What do job interviews reveal about the current character of a candidate? William Vanderbloemen and his search firm have a unique knowledge of the staff at many Christian organizations and churches because they interviewed and recruited many of them! What do they look for when talking to a potential church or ministry leader? Ownership, transparency, excuses. No one is perfect, and how we approach our past failures defines our aim not to repeat them.Learn more about Vanderbloemen at https://www.vanderbloemen.comCatch all the BTS podcast episodes and videos at https://www.ecfa.org/Content/Podcast

Aug 11, 2023 • 59min
100 Years of Preparing Leaders, God Willing, 100 More | Mark Yarbrough, DTS
Mark Yarbrough was a student, professor, and now President of Dallas Theological Seminary. For 100 years, DTS has held the word of God high in training young men and women to go into ministry and shepherd flocks worldwide.What's next for Pastors? How do cultural influences challenge private seminaries? How does a seminary take on the challenge of teaching integrity to future leaders?Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.ecfa.org/podcast=========================ECFA Links:=========================ChurchEXCEL (Free Resources): https://www.ecfa.church/ChurchExcel.aspxBecome Accredited: https://www.ecfa.org/JoinECFA.aspxThe Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship™: https://www.ecfa.org/Standards.aspxAbout ECFA: https://www.ecfa.org/About.aspx=========================Connect With Us:=========================Church and Nonprofit PULSE Email: http://eepurl.com/lekpfFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/accountabilityLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/evangelical-council-for-financial-accountability/Podcast: https://www.ecfa.org/podcast=========================Please be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on NOTIFICATIONS. Thanks again for watching!=========================Disclosure: This video is provided as general educational information and with the understanding that ECFA is not rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice or service. Professional advice on specific issues should be sought from an accountant, lawyer, or other professional. Opinions presented are those of the speakers and not necessarily the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

Jul 27, 2023 • 56min
The Pain in Pastoring | Sam Chand, SRC Consulting
Raised as a Pastor's kid, then going in the ministry himself for over 35 years, Sam Chand has seen the changes in the church firsthand. His book, Leadership Pains, dials into the challenges that have resulted in failure among pastors. He's come alongside leaders as a first responder after a fall.Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.ecfa.org/podcast=========================ECFA Links:=========================ChurchEXCEL (Free Resources): https://www.ecfa.church/ChurchExcel.aspxBecome Accredited: https://www.ecfa.org/JoinECFA.aspxThe Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship™: https://www.ecfa.org/Standards.aspxAbout ECFA: https://www.ecfa.org/About.aspx=========================Connect With Us:=========================Church and Nonprofit PULSE Email: http://eepurl.com/lekpfFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/accountabilityLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/evangelical-council-for-financial-accountability/Podcast: https://www.ecfa.org/podcast=========================Please be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on NOTIFICATIONS. Thanks again for watching!=========================Disclosure: This video is provided as general educational information and with the understanding that ECFA is not rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice or service. Professional advice on specific issues should be sought from an accountant, lawyer, or other professional. Opinions presented are those of the speakers and not necessarily the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

Jul 13, 2023 • 52min
Best Workplaces Have Trust | Al Lopus, Best Christian Workplaces
Best Christian Workplaces Co-Founder and Board Chair Al Lopus has seen it all. Anonymous surveys reveal the heart of health in organizations. He shares telling signs of unhealth and examples of leaders who took it head on, even as they were the problem.Check out the Flourishing Culture Leadership Podcast here: https://workplaces.org/podcast

Jun 29, 2023 • 57min
The Tough Questions, The Needed Answers | Brian Kreeger
Ministry Lead Brian Kreeger worked hard. He was doing the Lord's work at all costs. Listen to his reflections from The Courageous Ask, a book considering how a leader finds support from his board, friends, and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.Connect with Brianhttps://www.briankreeger.com/ECFA's Lessons from the Boardroomhttps://www.ecfa.org/lessonsnonprofitboardroom/Default.aspx

Jun 15, 2023 • 48min
Global and Biblical Perspective on Leaders | Gary Hoag, Global Trust Partners
Gary Hoag sees and hears about the global church every day. As CEO of Global Trust Partners, birthed from the heartbeat of ECFA, Gary witnesses how ministry work is done worldwide and how different cultures and governments perceive financial integrity, good governance, and leadership. Biblically, Gary has spent time as a New Testament scholar considering the Jerusalem council and its leadership structure.The three books Gary mentions from ECFA Press:http://www.thechoicebook.orghttp://www.sowerbook.orghttp://www.ecfa.org/TheCouncil

Jun 1, 2023 • 47min
The Lord's Calling You to Lead, Answer Humbly | Jacob Bland, Youth for Christ
Jacob Bland answered the call. As a young leader in a storied ministry, his wisdom in humbly leading and balancing a young family is relatable for so many of us. The relationship between Youth For Christ's Board of Directors and senior leadership is thoughtful, caring, and saturated in prayer. The God-honoring succession transition Jacob stepped into is one we all hope can be repeated in our own churches and ministries.Check out more from Youth For Christ: https://yfc.net

May 18, 2023 • 54min
Where the Soul Goes, All Will Follow | Steve Macchia, Leadership Transformations
The spiritual formation of Christian Leaders can get deprioritized in the face of other metrics of success. Steve Macchia has spent his career teaching the importance of a nurtured soul. As he says, where the soul goes, so goes the leader. Check out more of Steve's writing here: https://www.stevemacchia.com/