Dr. Michael Shafer is a seasoned pastor and the Executive Director of G6 Allies, a ministry dedicated to equipping pastors and their families with the tools they need to be resilient leaders who build healthy churches.

He’s also the creator of Stocks for Pastors, a financial education platform that helps ministry leaders invest wisely and build long-term financial confidence. Dr. Shafer teaches the same biblically grounded investing strategies he has used personally for more than 15 years to supplement his ministry income. His passion is to help pastors defeat the financial challenges that often come with ministry so they can pursue their calling with clarity and peace of mind.

We have the opportunity to learn more about the heart and soul of G6 Allies as well as Stock for Pastors on today’s 95Podcast. His passion for supporting and serving the local church leader is contagious!

Description

Dale Sellers talks with Michael Shafer, founder of G6 Allies and pastor of G6 Church, about carrying pastors’ burdens, healing from ministry wounds, practical coaching, and building financial resilience. They dig into reconciliation and forgiveness, the toll of ministry busyness, bivocational income strategies, and a simple, repeatable approach to investing (Stocks for Pastors) grounded in Proverbs 13:11.[1]

Key Points In Brief

• G6 Allies’ mission: carry pastors’ burdens (Galatians 6:2) through confidential coaching, care, cohorts, and practical resources.[1]
• Michael’s story: unjust termination became the catalyst for G6 Allies and an “accidental” church plant; healing required community, mentors, and forgiveness.[1]
• Coaching over counseling: goal-focused “100-day” plans to shed overload, implement Sabbath, and pursue 1–2 high-impact priorities.[1]
• Financial reality: many pastors are underpaid, transient, underprepared for retirement; some exempt from Social Security without offsets.[1]
• Side income without “cheating the call”: a few minutes a week can build supplemental income; pastors don’t have to be broke.[1]
• Investing approach: small, consistent, repeatable wins; avoid get‑rich‑quick; base on Proverbs 13:11 (“gather little by little”).[1]
• Healthier leadership: stop comparison, narrow to the few things your church can do well, and honor Sabbath rhythms.[1]

Key Takeaways

• Pain can become purpose when processed with wise mentors and a forgiving posture.[1]
• Unforgiveness turns into bitterness that bleeds into preaching, counseling, and family; deal with it proactively.[1]
• Financial stewardship is pastoral care for your household; build bivocational margin where possible.[1]
• Simplicity wins: trim ministry to what God actually called your church to do, not what the megachurch down the road offers.[1]
• Sustainable growth comes “little by little,” not by haste or hype.[1]

Notable Quotes

• “Everyone needs an ally.”[1]
• “If you hold on to unforgiveness, it turns into bitterness…and it permeates everything.”[1]
• “Pastors don’t have to be broke.”[1]
• “He who gathers little by little will cause it to increase.” — Proverbs 13:11[1]
• “Stop comparing yourself. Do the one or two things God called you to do well.”[1]

Next Steps

• For pastors
  • Identify and forgive one unresolved hurt; share the step with a trusted mentor this week.[1]
  • Block a weekly Sabbath and protect it for the next 8 weeks.[1]
  • Choose 1 priority for a 100‑day focus; list 2–3 weekly lead measures and track them.[1]
  • Start a simple investing plan or side‑income track that takes minutes per week.[1]
• For churches
  • Fund pastoral health intentionally: counseling, coaching, retreat, or sabbatical budget line.[1]
  • Right‑size ministries: keep the few things you do well; sunset the rest.[1]

Link To Podcast Audio: 95Podcast 303

 

Link To Podcast YouTube:

• Q & A Transcript (Curated)

  • Q: Why “G6 Allies”?A: From Galatians 6:2—carry one another’s burdens. Pastors need a safe ally for confidential processing and forward movement.[1]
  • Q: Coaching or counseling?A: More coaching. We listen, then set goals and lead measures for a 100‑day focus.[1]
  • Q: What about money and retirement?A: Many pastors are behind due to low pay, moves, and Social Security exemptions. Build bivocational margin and invest consistently.[1]
  • Q: Isn’t a side hustle “cheating the call”?A: No—stewardship includes caring for your family’s needs. Side income can be time‑light and values‑aligned.[1]
  • Q: How to heal from leadership wounds?A: Seek mentors, pursue forgiveness, and let God repurpose pain into mission.[1]
  • Q: What’s the investing philosophy?A: Small, repeatable wins with high win rate, minutes per week, and no get‑rich‑quick mentality—Proverbs 13:11.[1]