
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

May 11, 2023 • 36min
A Literal Employee Handbook for a Healthy Team | Jedd Medefind, CAFO
CAFO Leadership released a document to staff that spells out how to have a balanced and healthy work, personal, and spiritual life. It's working! They call it the Strategic Plan for Thriving Souls. As Jedd Medefind discusses, good fruit comes from good roots. Find Jedd's Podcast here: https://resources.cafo.org/series/justice-and-the-inner-life/and the Thriving Souls Plan here: https://cafo.org/souls/

May 4, 2023 • 46min
S.O.S. For Our Souls | Mindy Caliguire, Soul Care
Mindy Caliguire leads Soulcare.com and frames Soul Care as a personal resolve to build a life deeply connected to God—the path to true flourishing. Most important, her work imagines the “what if?” of a future where the new norm is one in which leaders thrive, integrity thrives, and churches and ministries thrive because of better soul care.Take the integrity assessment! https://www.soulcare.com/integrity

Apr 27, 2023 • 53min
Shadow Side of Why We Are What We Are | Gary McIntosh, Church Growth Network
Our motivations are a shadow to us and others. Not always good or bad, but present. Know them, Redeem them.Gary L. McIntosh is President of the Church Growth Network and Professor of Christian Ministry and Leadership at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He has forty years of experience consulting non-profit organizations, coaching of leaders, and seminar presentations.Find more of Gary's work at https://www.churchgrowthnetwork.com/

Apr 13, 2023 • 43min
Processing Leadership Failures. Start by Looking Within | Glenn Packiam, Rockharbor Church
Good and Bad Leadership can push us towards knowing the Lord deeper. Glen shares how to find new wells to drink from, to stay resilient as a Christian leader in these times.Check out all Glenn's writing and podcast here : https://www.glennpackiam.com/

Apr 6, 2023 • 44min
Executive Pastor’s Role in Leadership Integrity | David Fletcher | XPastor
Over 2/3's of larger churches in America have an Executive Pastor. There is opportunity to be effective and efficient in church business, all while increasing integrity with a pastor's heart. David Fletcher of Xpastor.org shares the trends and practical insights all churches can benefit from.Register for the Free Workshop from XPastor and ECFA at www.xpastor.org

Mar 30, 2023 • 40min
Legal Risks for Unhealthy Leaders | Erika Cole | The Church Attorney
What are the legal risks of unhealthy leadership? Erika Cole, The Church Attorney, gives insight to how important a pastor's role is and how that can be isolating, taxing, and can lead to pastoral burnout. The importance to stay spiritually and emotionally healthy as a pastor seems obvious, but the legal ramifications of un-health can affect entire churches and communities. Find Erika's courses and Podcast at www.erikacole.com

Mar 16, 2023 • 56min
Avoiding Burnout and Other Integrity Traps | Carey Niewhof
You don't know what you don't know, and those unseen traps can catch any of us. Carey has spoken with thousands of leaders and lived through a burnout period in his own life, so glean the wisdom and warnings for a full life of healthy leadership.On-Demand Courses on Leadership, Productivity, and More from Carey Nieuwhof: https://careynieuwhof.com/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.aspxSeven Standards of Responsible Stewardship: https://www.ecfa.org/Standards.aspxAbout ECFA: https://www.ecfa.org/About.aspx

Mar 2, 2023 • 46min
Why the Soul of Every Leader Needs Rest | Ruth Haley Barton | Transforming Center
You are not made for work alone. Embrace the rhythms your Creator designed for you. You are not made for the Sabbath; the Sabbath is made for you.Ruth Haley Barton | CEO Transforming Centerhttps://transformingcenter.org/

Feb 16, 2023 • 49min
Research Insights on Healthy Leadership | David Kinnaman | Barna Group
Change, change is the only constant. That's what thousands of interviews and surveys confirm about Christian culture in the U.S. With access to this data The Barna Group has a finger on the pulse of the big C church and its Pastors. David Kinnaman reveals the trends he sees and how pastors without healthy leadership practices have a higher probability to leave the ministry. David Kinnaman and The Barna Group: https://www.barna.com/Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.ecfa.org/podcast

Apr 28, 2022 • 1h 3min
Leading a Dangerously Soft-hearted Ministry | Edgar Sandoval, World Vision
Edgar Sandoval's amazing story of hardship, hard work, and surrender is filled with God's continued work in each of us and this world! As CEO of World Vision, a large, tenured Christian Humanitarian Aid Organization, Edgar discusses the organization's willingness to respond to dangerous situations because of soft hearts, calling it the "right kind of dangerous". As generations change, Edgar describes focusing on holding the values that started World Vision, as he says, "the fruits are in the roots, and our roots are in the church, we were started by a youth pastor." From his personal story to pursuing diversity to how leadership sets the tone for stewardship - you won't want to miss this one.Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.ecfa.org/podcastWatch the video version: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheECFAWorld Vision: https://www.worldvision.org/=========================ECFA Links:=========================ChurchEXCEL (Free Resources): https://www.ecfa.church/ChurchExcel.aspxBecome accredited: https://www.ecfa.org/JoinECFA.aspxSeven Standards of Responsible Stewardship: https://www.ecfa.org/Standards.aspxAbout ECFA: https://www.ecfa.org/About.aspx=========================Connect With Us:=========================Church and Nonprofit eNewsletter: 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.Video Topics: NCF, National Christian Foundation, Giving Strategy, eternity, eternal impact, leadership, church, Christian, Christ, God, bible, scripture, church plant, missions, ministry, mission, congregation, worship, money, giving, tithing, tithe, give, finances, financial accountability, governance, stewardship, budgeting, budget, podcast, nonprofits, nonprofit, audit, transparency, trust