TRUSTED FINANCIAL GUIDANCE FOR MINISTRY LEADERS
Helping Pastors & Churches Build a Strong Financial Future
At Shepherd’s Wallet Financial Services, we provide personalized financial guidance designed exclusively for pastors, churches, and faith-based organizations
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SIMPLIFYING TAX RULES FOR PASTORS
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HELPING ENSURE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SECURITY
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BUILDING SUSTAINABLE CHURCH RETIREMENT PLANS
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KINGDOM-MINDED STEWARDSHIP GUIDANCE
✔ SIMPLIFYING TAX RULES FOR PASTORS ✔ HELPING ENSURE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SECURITY ✔ BUILDING SUSTAINABLE CHURCH RETIREMENT PLANS ✔ KINGDOM-MINDED STEWARDSHIP GUIDANCE
FINANCIAL ARMOR BEARERS FOR PASTORS
Foundations in Faith
The path to Shepherd’s Wallet was shaped by three key mentors. Pastor Pete Bertolero and Pastor Andy White demonstrated the sacrificial nature of pastoral ministry, while financial advisor John Leonard, now retired, saw potential in Seth and mentored him in serving clients with excellence. Through their influence, Seth developed both a heart for ministry and a passion for financial services.
Starting with the acquisition of John's practice, Seth grew to manage multiple securities and tax practices. Yet it was in the fall of 2023 he received what he believes was divine inspiration to focus specifically on serving pastors and churches - combining his financial training with his decades of ministry experience.
Seeds of Change
The Shepherd’s Wallet story began in 2016, when Seth Scott had a pivotal conversation with his pastor that changed his perspective on work, family, and purpose. At the time, he was deeply involved in local government and various community commitments. With a six-month-old son at home, he received a gentle but firm wake-up call: "You're too busy to be a dad."
This conversation planted the seed for a transformation that would take several years to fully unfold. Seth began exploring entrepreneurship, including an early—and ultimately unsuccessful—venture into real estate investing. While these experiences were valuable lessons, they didn’t feel like his true calling. It wasn’t until he discovered financial services that everything clicked. In 2021, after years of searching and self-reflection, he made the leap—leaving his government job behind to fully commit to helping those in need of financial services. With a few years under his belt, in 2023, he decided to assist pastors and faith-based organizations in navigating their financial futures.
This journey, filled with both challenges and growth, ultimately led to the founding of Shepherd’s Wallet, a movement built on the principles of stewardship, purpose-driven work, and faith-centered financial guidance.
The Heart of Our Name
The name "Heartwood" carries deep meaning for our mission. Just as heartwood is the dense inner core that gives a tree its stability, we aim to provide the financial foundation that allows pastors and churches to branch out and bear fruit in their ministries. The imagery also speaks to our belief in the power of financial education to change family trees - transforming not just one generation, but creating lasting financial and spiritual legacies.
Through over 20 years of experience in ministry, we’ve witnessed firsthand the unique financial challenges pastors face.
We've seen too many stories of pastors reaching retirement age without adequate resources, forced to continue working when they should be able to rest from their labors. These situations fuel our passion to help ensure those who have given their lives to ministry can retire with dignity and security.
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COMPLEX TAX SITUATIONS AS SELF-EMPLOYED MINISTERS
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THE DELICATE BALANCE OF MINISTRY & FINANCIAL STABILITY
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CRITICAL DECISIONS ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY PARTICIPATION
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MANAGING CHURCH FINANCES RESPONSIBLY
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HOUSING ALLOWANCE OPTIMIZATION
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RETIREMENT PLANNING WITH CHURCH-SPECIFIC OPTIONS
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NAVIGATING COMPENSATION STRUCTURES FOR PASTORS
Helping Ministry Leaders Achieve Financial Stability
Our mission is to help those who serve others achieve financial security and stewardship-driven success.
VISION
We envision a world where pastors and churches can focus entirely on their ministry, knowing their finances are stewarded wisely and sustainably.
✔ Simplifying tax rules for pastors
✔ Helping ensure long-term financial security
✔ Building sustainable church retirement plans
✔
SIMPLIFYING TAX RULES FOR PASTORS
✔
HELPING ENSURE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SECURITY
✔
BUILDING SUSTAINABLE CHURCH RETIREMENT PLANS
✔
KINGDOM-MINDED STEWARDSHIP GUIDANCE
✔ SIMPLIFYING TAX RULES FOR PASTORS ✔ HELPING ENSURE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SECURITY ✔ BUILDING SUSTAINABLE CHURCH RETIREMENT PLANS ✔ KINGDOM-MINDED STEWARDSHIP GUIDANCE
OUR APPROACH
We serve pastors & churches through four core services:
Financial Planning for Pastors
From tax strategies to long-term financial security, we provide customized financial planning to help pastors maximize their income and benefits.
Retirement Plans for Churches
We help churches establish tax-advantaged retirement plans for their staff, helping ensure financial stability for those who serve.
Financial Planning for Churches & Nonprofits
We guide churches and faith-based nonprofits in budgeting, investment strategies, and financial sustainability to help support their mission.
Educational Seminars & Workshops
Through in-depth workshops and training, we equip pastors and church leaders with the financial knowledge toward making wise decisions.
Our work is guided by several key principles:
Education & Empowerment
We equip pastors and church leaders with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions, believing financial literacy is essential for long-term stewardship.
Kingdom-Minded Stewardship
We help churches establish secure and tax-advantaged retirement plans for their staff, helping ensure financial stability for those who serve.
Customized Financial Strategies
Every church and pastor faces unique financial challenges. We provide tailored solutions designed to fit the specific needs of ministry leaders and faith-based organizations.
Long-Term Partnerships
We build lasting relationships with pastors and churches, offering continuous support rather than one-time transactions, helping ensure financial stability for years to come.
Work-Life Integration
At Shepherd’s Wallet Financial Services, we believe in practicing what we preach. Our business is structured to honor both family and ministry commitments. This isn't just about work-life balance - it's about creating a sustainable model that allows us to serve excellently while maintaining healthy families and communities. This philosophy shapes how we operate and how we serve our clients.
Success Through Service
Our impact is best illustrated through our clients' success. We work closely with pastors to help maximize their unique benefits while minimizing administrative burden on churches. For example, we help churches establish 403(b)(9) plans at minimal cost, helping to ensure pastors can take advantage of housing allowances even in retirement. We've seen how small changes in how pastors are paid - without affecting church budgets - can help create significant tax benefits and long-term financial stability.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
“Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisors they succeed.”
PROVERBS 15:22
To enhance the quality of our services, we have established an Advisory Council consisting of esteemed individuals from various fields, including current and retired financial professionals, ministry leaders, and members of the community. These respected individuals provide valuable insights, mentorship, and diverse perspectives that help us better serve our clients.
*Members of our Advisory Council are neither employees nor affiliates of Shepherd’s Wallet Financial Services.
Nathaniel Moore
CFP®, CKA® PRESIDENT |AGAPE PLANNING PARTNERS
Rev. Andrew White
LEAD PASTOR | THE LEGACY CHRISTIAN CHURCH, CLOVIS CA
John Leonard
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER | FINANCIAL ADVISOR, RETIRED
Ted Edminster
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER | FINANCIAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, RETIRED
Looking Forward
Our vision for the future is simple yet profound: to help as many pastors as we can, everywhere we can. We recognize the need for specialized financial guidance in ministry is vast, while the number of professionals focused on serving this unique population is small.
We remain rooted in 1 Timothy 5:17: "The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching." Our role is to provide financial covering for those who provide spiritual covering, allowing God’s shepherds to focus on their calling with peace of mind, knowing their financial legacy is well cared for.
Whether through direct service to clients or by empowering other financial professionals to better serve the ministry community, we're committed to making a lasting impact in the lives of those who have dedicated themselves to kingdom work. We view every aspect of our business as belonging to God, and our focus is on how we can leverage our influence, assets, and reputation to further His kingdom.
DISCOVER YOUR FINANCIAL PATH
Ready to Align Your Finances with Your Goals?
Shepherd’s Wallet Financial Services is here to help educate, guide, and empower you.
SETH SCOTT, AAMS™
/ Founder & Lead Financial Planner
✔ CHURCH BOARD MEMBER
✔ 20+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS A WORSHIP LEADER
✔ SPECIALIZED IN PASTORAL FINANCES