Meet Empower Ministry

The Isaacson Foundation, doing business as Empower Ministry, exists to help every Christian leader succeed — free of charge, forever. Founded on the belief that ministry is the most important work in the world, we are working to bridge the gap between the unique demands of church leadership and proven business principles. Our mission is to develop a team of quality people to equip Christian leaders to live out their God-given potential to advance the Kingdom.

We are seeking four directors to help lead key functions of our startup foundation. Our five-year strategic plan is focused on helping visionary lead pastors build teams to operationalize their vision with excellence. We will do so through collaboration networks, strategic planning, connecting lead pastors with the right executive pastors, building the best-in-class (and free-of-charge) resource center, helping churches articulate their unique brand identities, and integrating with priority impact partners. Rooted in Christian faith and exclusively focused on Eternal Return on Investment (EROI), we measure our success by one thing: more souls spending eternity in Heaven.

About the Director of Finance

The Isaacson Foundation (Empower Ministry) is a faith-based, non-profit organization on a mission to develop a quality team to equip Christian leaders to live out their God-given potential to advance the Kingdom. We’re on a mission to develop a resource center for ministry leaders that will be free-of-charge forever. We are focused on Eternal Return on Investment (EROI®).

Empower Ministry is seeking a Director of Finance to fill two distinct purposes: first, to serve the foundation’s internal financial needs; second, to help equip churches throughout the Kingdom with the financial tools, resources, and vendor partnerships needed to succeed.

As part of a start-up organization and team, the Director of Finance is expected to be hands-on with all roles and responsibilities. It is important to note that day-to-day accounting and bookkeeping are performed by a third-party partner; this position provides strategic oversight and ensures quality and compliance. If/when capacity and resources warrant, this person would gradually develop a mission-aligned finance team.

Roles include oversight of the foundation’s financial reporting, close, internal controls, audit, and risk management; advanced financial modeling for churches and for internal use; developing and managing financial resources that help church teams of all sizes, including vendor relationships; and financial planning and analysis. This will be an evolving position, meaning the percentage of time spent on each role will shift based on organizational needs.

The ideal candidate will have 10+ years of progressive financial experience. While not required, 5+ years of experience as an executive pastor or a similar pastoral role is preferred.

Travel is expected approximately once per month.

The Director of Finance’s Responsibilities Include:

Foundation Financial Reporting Oversight and Close

• Oversee third-party accounting partner, including month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes; manage the relationship through performance oversight, issue resolution, and ensuring deliverables meet foundation standards and timelines.
• Review and ensure timely, accurate financial statements for the foundation.
• Establish accounting policies, procedures, and documentation consistent with GAAP and nonprofit best practices; ensure third-party partner maintains appropriate classification and tracking of revenue and expenses.
• Prepare leadership- and board-ready financial reporting packages, including clear narratives on performance, risks, and key decisions.

Internal Controls, Audit Coordination, and Risk Management

• Design and maintain internal controls and finance policies, including approvals and segregation of duties; ensure third-party partner executes accordingly, including reconciliations and audit trails.
• Serve as primary liaison for external auditors and coordinate annual audit activities, requests, and timelines.
• Support risk management efforts tied to finance operations, including vendor/payment controls and finance-related process integrity.
• Maintain a compliance and reporting calendar for finance deliverables, deadlines, and required documentation.

Advanced Financial Modeling

• Develop, maintain, and enhance financial models.
• For use by church leaders to plan for organizational growth through stages of development.
• From newly planted to mega churches in a variety of markets.
• For ministry expansion, capital investments, headcount planning, and more—accounting for tithes, capital campaigns, etc.
• For internal use by the foundation, including long-range planning scenarios that support operating needs, resourcing decisions, and mission impact.
• Collaborate with internal team, ministry leaders, and third parties to make models into actionable tools.

Financial Resource Management for Churches

• Analyze existing resources in the church/ministry industry and elsewhere to identify proven ones as well as gaps/opportunities—including, but not limited to:
• Strategic planning: Long-term and short-term.
• Facility expansion: Planning, project management, vendor partnerships.
• Fundraising: Recurring/weekly and capital campaign-related.
• Prioritize, develop, and enhance financial resources based on top church needs and EML (Empower Ministry Leadership) Network feedback—everything from job descriptions for finance-related church positions to tools that help ministry leaders with financial planning and decision-making.
• Identify and cultivate partnerships with mission-aligned organizations that offer proven financial tools and resources, ensuring availability to ministries at scale.

Financial Planning and Analysis

• Create budgets and forecasts.
• Develop, manage, and enhance reports, analyses, and dashboards.
• Translate variances into business impacts and actionable steps.
• Lead cash planning and cash flow forecasting to support operating needs, planned giving, and partnership commitments.
• Track foundation payout and compliance obligations relevant to the foundation’s entity type, including planning, documentation, and coordination of annual filing requirements with external parties.
• Recommend solutions and deliver improvements for cash flow, working capital, systems, tools, and processes.

Secondary Responsibilities:

General Management

• If capacity warrants, manage team recruitment, mentorship, skills development, collaboration, etc.
• Advance a culture of faithful financial stewardship at the foundation and throughout the Kingdom.
• Maintain alignment with the organization’s mission, vision, purpose, and core values across all touchpoints.
• Manage relationships with finance-related vendors and service providers as needed (e.g., audit, tax, banking, payroll, finance tools).
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement of finance systems and workflows and execute implementations as needed.

Continuing Education

• Finance and Technology: To stay current to keep the organization at the cutting edge.
• Faith: To remain grounded in the mission.
• Management/skills: To develop capabilities to better serve the team, ministry leaders, and the Kingdom.

What You Bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Director of Finance:

Education and Experience

• A master’s degree is preferred in accounting, finance, statistics, economics, or business administration.
• Certifications are expected, though not required—CFA, CPA, CMA, FPAC.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 10+ years of progressive finance experience.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders, influencing decisions, and presenting financial insights.
• Ministry or non-profit experience preferred.
• Experience as an executive pastor, business administrator, or similar pastoral role highly valued.
• Strong knowledge of adult learning principles and instructional design.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate across teams and build relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Personal Characteristics and Qualifications

• Above all, we prioritize character, integrity, measurable results, and a strong commitment to family values.
• Driven, competitive leader—high initiative, high accountability, and comfortable with ambiguity.
• Faith Alignment: Agreement with the foundation’s Christian mission, vision, purpose, core values, and beliefs, with a heart for serving ministry leaders.
• A leader who embraces AI, change management, and innovation—helping churches leverage new tools so pastors can focus more on ministry.
• Conservative and biblically grounded; committed to loving all people while upholding biblical convictions.
• No history of scandals.
• Approach rooted in grace, love, and restoration.
• Must align with the vision and execute with measurable results.
• Strong sense of calling and purpose.

Faith Alignment

• Agreement with the foundation’s Christian mission, vision, purpose, core values, and beliefs, with a heart for serving ministry leaders.

What it’s like to live in Gallatin, TN

The Isaacson Foundation/Empower Ministry is located in Reader’s Digest’s nicest place in America (2017)—Gallatin, Tennessee. The foundation office is just five minutes from Hendersonville, Tennessee, which is another outstanding town. Gallatin is a growing suburb that is 25 minutes northeast of Nashville. In terms of living accommodations, there is something for everyone—very affluent suburban neighborhoods, convenient condo/apartment living options, and many rural homes right in Gallatin; plus, city living is a short drive away in Nashville. A significant portion of Gallatin is a lake/golf community. There are seven golf courses and five marinas in Sumner County. While rankings fluctuate, Sumner County consistently ranks among the wealthiest and safest counties in Tennessee, both within the top three. There are more than a dozen private schools in Sumner County, plus many well-funded public schools.