Where We Were
The Pastor’s Wallet turned 10 years old this past Saturday, September 5. When I started this journey, I was a stay-at-home mom with dreams of becoming a financial planner to help people with this very important, yet equally intimidating, area of life. So much has happened since then! Here’s a snapshot of the last 10 years:
2016: Pastor’s Wallet launches
2018: Both kids in school full-time
2019: Start working at the most wonderful company in the world, Guide Financial Planning
2020: Become a homeschool mom (thank you, coronavirus); Earn a Master’s in Family Financial Planning & Counseling
2021: Publish The Pastor’s Wallet Complete Guide to the Clergy Housing Allowance; Pass the Certified Financial Planner exam; Become a registered financial advisor
2022: Develop long covid
2023: Earn Certified Financial Planner designation
2024: Earn Certified Kingdom Advisor designation
2025: Move across the country
During the past 10 years, I have written almost 300 blog posts; Pastor’s Wallet has been viewed over 1.2 million times; I have spoken at numerous webinars and in-person events; and I have provided financial planning and educational consultations for many of you as individuals. I have learned that I love financial planning for pastors. You truly are my favorite clients, and I am glad that God led me to you.
Where We Are
You may have noticed in the timeline above that I developed long covid at the beginning of 2022. It has drastically changed my life, and by extension, Pastor’s Wallet. One effect of long covid is that writing is very difficult for me. For the last 4 ½ years, I have barely had the capacity to do anything with the blog.
I really appreciate those of you who have been praying for me over the years, and I owe you a health update. My condition isn’t improving, but I have limited my life sufficiently and found some helpful treatments (thank you to the reader who recommended hyperbaric oxygen therapy—it has been life-changing!) so that I can live a semblance of a normal life. It has been very hard.
My motto has become Job 1:21, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised,” and I cling to Jesus’ explanation of the man born blind in John 9:3, “…this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” I pray the same for me. Interestingly, I was reading Andrew Murray’s Absolute Surrender the very month I contracted the virus that started this journey. Though I am not enjoying the journey, I know that a lot of good has come from it and God has done some important work in me.
Where We Are Going
I’m sorry that I haven’t been able to do much for Pastor’s Wallet since getting sick. I’m working on getting some help so that I can do more for you. I have ideas, including revamping the website, starting a video podcast, and offering webinars. I have always been an idea person, but I have learned intimately what Proverbs 16:9 means when it says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
I can’t make any promises regarding what the future holds for Pastor’s Wallet. I will do for you whatever the Lord enables me to do. (So if you want more, ask him to heal me!) No matter what, I consider it an honor to support you and play even the smallest part in your ministry of advancing God’s kingdom.
3 Responses
Mark Roby
September 7, 2026As a former missionary returning to ministry after being laid off by the corporate world during COVID, your blog has been a blessing to me. Thank you for your timely insights.
Perhaps I can be of service to you. Have you heard of Dr. Peter McCullough, MD, MPH and the Wellness Company? They have a products that break down the spike protein and have led the way in COVID research. His persecution after speaking the truth to power during the COVID era has proved beneficial to many thanks to his research. You may find his products helpful. (This is a personal opinion, not a recommendation of our mission organization. Thanks.)
May God bless you, your health, and your ministry.
Pastor Garry Castner
September 7, 2026Pastor’s wallet has been a blessing to me an my accountant! Sorry about your long covid. I really don’t know about that. Praying for a full recovery and for the future of this blog. God bless you for all you do!
David Baker
September 7, 2026Wow! I’m happy to claim your Genesis on my 60th birthday! I have now turned 70 as of this past Saturday, and your posts thru out the past 10 years have been quite literally life-saving! Stepping into retirement is scary as you’re quite sure there’s not enough of a nest egg prepared for these days when a paycheck is not coming.
Right as I retired from the ministry position I had for over 22 years, I was asked to fill in as the music guy for a church of about half the size of my previous place, and that morphed into a full time position. The paycheck is smaller, but there is Social Security income and that bridges the gap.
Looking back, I wish I had someone like you to express to me the importance of making consistent retirement withholdings during my beginning years of ministry! And also to speak into churches the importance of setting the right retirement vehicles for their young, seemingly unaware ministers that they are bringing onto their staff.
You don’t get into ministerial positions to get wealthy. (Well, maybe some do… sigh.) But at least putting the snowball into motion and getting it on the right mountain to roll down is something that every beginning minister needs to be able to do!
But!! Your ministry to me as I was about to step into retirement was critical! So thank you for your timing! (And yeah, I know God was the one who orchestrated that!!)
I’m sorry you’re dealing with the ongoing long COVID junk! COVID almost took my daughter, but did take the baby she was carrying. Prayers will certainly be going up on your behalf! There’s a whole new generation of pastors and ministers who needs to hear what you have to say!! Your job is not over!!
God bless you, Amy!!