Breaking the Silence
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Equipping Our Churches to Talk Confidently About Money
Article by Steve Haines, Partnership Development Manager (North England), Christians Against Poverty.
As we approach the beginning of Lent this month, many of us are looking for ways to deepen our discipleship journey. Often, we focus on prayer, fasting, or study—but there is another area of our lives that is ripe for spiritual growth: our relationship with money.
In January I had the joy of meeting a number of Cheshire church leaders in my role as CAP’s partnership development manager in the North. We came together with a shared mission: to break the silence and isolation around personal finances and debt.
Confronting the taboo
Money is often a quiet taboo in our pews. Yet, Jesus spoke about money more than almost any other topic. He knew that our finances are deeply tied to our hearts.
Right now, there are people in our congregations carrying a heavy, silent burden. CAP research reveals that 5.3* million UK adults felt Christmas piled extra financial pressure on already stretched budgets. In the North West alone, 30%** of adults experience daily anxiety about their finances. If we don’t talk about money in church, we leave our brothers and sisters to face that anxiety alone.
Deepening our discipleship means bringing every corner of our lives into the light. When we talk confidently about money, we create a culture of transparency and grace.
Money and Debt
My meeting last month brought churches together to plan a service which will help local people out of unmanageable debt and its devastating impacts. During my ten years at CAP I’ve seen the way local churches have connected with local people, helping them escape the trap of poverty and walking alongside them into a future with freedom and with hope – and in some cases, with a new found faith in Jesus and a new home in the church community. Witnessing the way churches use CAP services to transform lives is a wonderful thing and something I’m grateful that I get to be part of.
You may have seen CAP’s Church Impact Report for Liverpool City Region released last year, which shone a light on just this - everyday churches who are making a lasting impact on people’s lives. If you haven’t already read this then prepare to be inspired!
Equip Your Parish
Many churches want to equip their congregations to talk about money not as a source of shame, but as a key part of their pastoral care and spiritual maturity. Here are some ways you can start those conversations in your parish:
Normalise the Conversation: Talk about financial health from the pulpit, in your parish newsletters or with one another in church meetings. Please use CAP’s Church Impact Report to help you. Acknowledging that times are tough for those inside the church can be the permission someone needs to ask for help.
CAP offers free Speakers to deliver a church talk about our work and impact, find out more at capuk.org/churchtalks.
Share Practical Wisdom: Stewardship is a spiritual principle. At CAP we see first hand the freedom that comes from people gaining confidence in stewarding their own money. In fact, 72% of people who attended a money coaching workshop at their church said they felt more confident about managing their money afterwards. capuk.org/moneycoaching
Use CAP’s Free Resources for Churches: Access a range of free church resources online including guides, videos, articles and more. All created to help you explore what the Bible says about poverty and provide simple, practical ways that you can respond as a church community. capuk.org/get-involved/church-resources
Seek help: If you or anyone in your church is struggling with debt, please call CAP’s free helpline on 0800 328 0006 to speak to one of our friendly advisors. There’s always hope.
Methodology
*December 2024 Opinium polling Polling commissioned by CAP and conducted by Opinium. Total sample size was 2000 UK adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between December 3rd - 6th 2024. The survey was carried out online.
**September 2025 Opinium polling. Polling commissioned by CAP and conducted by Opinium. Total sample size was 2000 UK adults. Fieldwork was undertaken on 29th August 2025 - 2nd September 2025. The survey was carried out online.
Christians Against Poverty
Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is a UK charity working with over 1000 affiliated churches to deliver free debt help, budgeting guidance, support to find work, life skills groups and more. Visit capuk.org to find out more.
CAP is committed to its services being accessible and inclusive. We support people from all faiths. We do not discriminate by age, gender reassignment, being married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant or on maternity leave, disability, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
Contact
Local contact: Steve Haines
CAP’s Partnership Development Manager in the North of England
stevehaines@capuk.org
TEL: 07465 993183