Underground Network hosts a monthly Groundwork class. UG members spend one Sunday each month in a classroom environment to focus on leadership, according to Sheri Lee. Photo courtesy of Underground Network
Money has been a long controversial topic within the Church — as it is with most humans, regardless of faith. Sometimes money talks are seen as too personal, and asking for generosity within a micro church can come across as demanding.
Underground Network believes discussing the subject of money should drop taboo connotations, according to their June 4 webinar on discussing money within a micro church context.
“Sometimes, we think of money as a whole other subject, but really, it is an extension of our discipleship,” Jeremy Stephens, founding member and coach for Tampa Underground, said.
A key point in discussing money is to frame it as a part of any believer’s journey to becoming more Christ-like. The culture of giving within the micro church network, Stephens said, should be “freedom-based” and “image-of-God-based” so the body of Christ can host “healthy, Biblical conversations about money.”
Joined by a diverse group of micro church leaders over a video call, Stephens encouraged the body of Christ to consider the importance of bringing up generosity.
“As micro church leaders, if we don’t have hard conversations — tough conversations, slightly awkward conversations — then we are not offering the gift of generosity to our people,” Stephens said.
Despite how easy it may be to feel as though a leader is overstepping or ordering someone around, it is important to not avoid the topic and create a gap in open communication among believers, according to Stephens.
Micro church leaders associated with the Underground Network gather at an annual retreat. The yearly community retreat brought leaders together to fellowship and cast vision. Photo by Underground Network
A Culture of Generosity
Cultivating a culture of generosity is the first step in the process, Stephens said. Before there is a direct conversation, a micro church should make sure that a connection to Jesus is clear — Stephens advises members to focus on each individual’s status as an image bearer of God.
“We need to mimic his self-giving sacrificial love and translate it into finances,” said Stephens. “We need to have creative and free expression of devotion to Jesus through generosity.”
Stephens emphasized the importance of freedom over force when giving. In the micro church, believers have the opportunity to stray from constraints constructed by traditional organizations. The body of Christ doesn’t need to tell its members how to be generous, Stephens said, but members need to ask for Spirit-led help from each other.
“This [Culture] is all the backdrop before we even bring up the subject of money,” Stephens said.
An Underground Network micro church studies together. The Perch House house church provides a Bible study for its members. Photo by Underground Network
Four-point conversations
Stephens lists four points for micro church leaders to emphasize during their generosity conversations.
“Remind your hearts that God has been generous to you, around you and through you in many ways,” Stephens said as the first point in the discussion. “Remind the heart of what it has felt.”
Along with reminding hearts, it is important to renew minds — this can be done by developing a Biblical mindset about giving, Stephens said as his second point.
“Agree [as a micro church] to come to the Bible not to justify what we believe about money but to renew our minds,” Stephens said.
Approaching the topic of generosity and money-handling with the belief that we, as 21st-century humans, don't know what we’re doing helps to create a “humble, desperate curiosity” that breaks from the patterns of the world. It is always important to contrast worldly-accepted, popular ideas with the Bible, according to Stephens.
For the third step, Stephens said releasing the soul by confessing potential threats to a generous lifestyle is important for both holding members of a micro church accountable and acting in unity. Believers should normalize acknowledging fear and shame around the subject of finances.
“Help people put words to their fear,” Stephens said.
Finally, Stephens said, redirect your strength.
“You’re already being generous somewhere,” Stephens said. Part of growing in generosity is redirecting our strengths to align with Jesus.
To learn more about topics like this or Underground Network’s micro church involvement, visit their website to sign up for coaching or webinars like this one.
Lucy is a life-long learner and a lover of all things creative. A current student at Oral Roberts University, she is studying Writing with a double minor in Art and Media; she plans to graduate in 2026. She wishes to use her passion for storytelling and the written word to tell wide-reaching stories that unify and encourage those in all walks of life.
