Christian Parent, Crazy World

When spiritual heroes fall, what happens to our faith—and that of our children? Financial manipulation and abuse within the church can leave deep wounds, shaking the foundation of trust and faith for entire families.
In this powerful episode of Christian Parent/Crazy World, host Catherine tackles one of the most urgent and painful issues affecting Christian families today: how to respond when trusted church leaders become charlatans, using their position for financial—or even sexual—exploitation. With real-life stories, audio clips, and biblical insight, this episode equips parents to guide their children through disappointment without abandoning the truth of the Gospel.
Joining Catherine is featured guest Clifton Payne Jr., pastor, writer, Hebrew University scholar, and author of What the Bible Really Says About Tithing and Giving: It’s Different Than You Think. Having left the faith for fourteen years after witnessing financial abuse firsthand, Clifton Payne Jr. brings both scholarly expertise and personal experience to this heart-wrenching discussion.
What You’ll Discover in This Episode:
Financial Abuse—A Widespread Scandal: Hear stories of pastors manipulating the vulnerable, including Clifton Payne Jr.’s grandmother and infamous televangelists promising “seed money” blessings for thousand-dollar gifts.
Charlatans Across Denominations: It’s not just one stream of Christianity; financial and sexual misconduct strike churches everywhere—from charismatic circles to mainline denominations to the Catholic church.
The Impact on Faith and Family: Discover why these betrayals don’t just hurt individuals—they threaten the faith of the next generation. Catherine lays bare how hypocrisy often drives children and parents alike away from church and sometimes, from God.
Biblical Wisdom for Difficult Days: Get to the heart of the Bible’s teachings on money, tithing, and generosity. Clifton Payne Jr. strips away manipulation, revealing how God’s desire for our hearts is profoundly different from the “prosperity gospel” sales pitch.
Honest Conversations at Home: Learn how to talk with your children about church scandals—without letting cynicism win. Public harm requires public correction, and as Christian parents, we are called to shepherd our homes by telling the truth.
Why This Matters:
This episode will challenge, grieve, and encourage you to see beyond the headlines and scandals. It’s a reminder that our faith must be rooted in Christ, not in flawed messengers. When parents grapple honestly with church failures and model God-honoring generosity, they provide children with a foundation that lasts beyond any scandal.
Modern Application:
Christian parents, are you prepared to shepherd your children through disappointment in the church? Are you modeling discernment, generosity, and faith that isn’t shaken by human failure?
About the Guest:
Clifton Payne Jr. is a pastor, writer, and biblical scholar with advanced study at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. His experiences with church financial abuse and long journey back to faith uniquely equip him to address manipulative money tactics and help families find biblical clarity in confusing times. His book, What the Bible Really Says About Tithing and Giving: It’s Different Than You Think, is available on Amazon and other major booksellers.
EPISODE LINKS:
Clifton Payne Jr.’s Book: What the Bible Really Says About Tithing and Giving: It’s Different Than You Think
Subscribe to Catherine's resources for Christian parents on her website.
Mike Winger’s Expose on Shawn Bolz & Bethel Church: The Skeletons in Bethel’s Closet Are Now Going to Speak
Televangelists: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Call to Action:
How are you preparing your children to discern truth in a world full of spiritual counterfeits? What honest conversations could you start this week—even in the face of heartbreak—to root their faith in Jesus, not fallen heroes?
Tune in next week as Catherine and Clifton Payne Jr. dig deeper into what the Bible really teaches about tithing and giving—setting your family free from confusion and manipulation.
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Few burdens weigh heavier on Christian parents than the relentless stress of financial uncertainty. How do we model faith, provide for our families, and cultivate peace amid mounting bills and pressure from every side?
With over 60% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck and credit card interest rates soaring to 20% and above, there’s never been a more vital time for families to find clarity, freedom, and a biblical approach to their finances. Catherine and Jade Durham—both Lee University grads—openly discuss how financial stress affects marriages, emotional health, and even our ability to be godly parents in an ungodly world.
In this episode of Christian Parent/Crazy World, host Catherine tackles one of the most pressing—and anxiety-inducing—challenges for families today: navigating debt, financial stress, and economic uncertainty with wisdom and hope.
Joining the conversation is Jade Durham, a certified personal financial counselor and vice president of Trinity Debt Management. With decades of experience guiding families toward clarity and freedom, Jade brings a comforting blend of empathy, practical advice, and spiritual perspective to the money challenges many listeners face.
What You’ll Discover in This Episode:
The Hidden Weight of Money Stress
Learn how financial worries go far beyond bank statements, influencing marriages, parenting, emotional health, and even spiritual well-being.
Breaking the Debt Cycle—Gracefully
Jade Durham explains why so many well-meaning parents find themselves buried in debt—and why there’s no shame in seeking help or making a fresh start.
Real Stories, Real Freedom
Hear moving anecdotes of clients who, facing eviction, medical bills, or family upheaval, have found hope, restored dignity, and practical pathways to financial recovery.
Spiritual Roots of Financial Stewardship
Explore Trinity’s unique, biblically grounded approach to debt management, including a commitment to prayerful compassion, nonprofit ethics, and keeping faith at the center of every financial plan.
Tools for Change
Get actionable steps for budgeting, teaching kids about money early, rebuilding credit, and setting goals that align with both spiritual and financial health.
Why This Matters:
Financial pressure can make Christian parenting feel impossible. But this episode reminds us: God cares about every area of our lives—including our wallets. With faith, support, and the right tools, it is possible to break free from anxiety, model true stewardship, and open up new dreams for your family’s future.
A Call to Action:
What steps can you take this week to invite God into your family’s finances? Is it time for an honest budget conversation, reaching out for help, or simply asking for God’s guidance and peace in seasons of stress?
About the Guest:
Jade Durham is a certified personal financial counselor and Vice President of Trinity Debt Management, a nonprofit agency helping thousands reclaim their financial future with integrity and biblical values. Her warm, client-centered approach has changed countless lives.

Resources & Next Steps:
Visit trinitycredit.org to learn more about faith-based debt solutions
Need support? Call Trinity at 1-800-793-8548
Free Parenting Resources at Catherine Segars Website
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org

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Letting Go Isn’t Losing—It’s Trusting God with Your Children’s Future
How do you faithfully release your children into the world while still nurturing connection and influence? In this profoundly honest episode, host Catherine is joined by Jaime Hampton of the Praying Christian Women Podcast to tackle one of the most challenging—and transformative—realities of parenting: letting go.
For Christian parents, “letting go” isn’t about giving up; it’s about surrendering control, deepening trust, and transferring ownership of our children’s faith from our hands into God’s. Drawing from personal experience and biblical wisdom, Catherine and Jaime explore four distinct phases of parenting, revealing how to step back while keeping communication and relationship strong.
What You’ll Discover in This Episode:
The Four Phases of Parenting
Caregiver: From diapers to first steps, parents meet every need.
Cop: Setting boundaries and keeping children safe before they fully understand.
Coach: Explaining the “why” behind rules as children mature.
Counselor: Giving advice only when asked, respecting your adult child’s autonomy while remaining a trusted source of wisdom.
Jesus as the Model for Letting Go: In a powerful discussion on John 17, Jaime and Catherine reflect on how Jesus prepared His disciples, equipped them, and ultimately sent them out, because “greater works than these you will do.” Christ’s example gives parents a biblical blueprint for releasing children in faith, not fear.
Prayer—The Invisible Influence: Letting go doesn’t mean the end of parental influence. As Catherine says, “Our greatest influence over the lives of our kids happens on our knees.” Whether praying through a prodigal season or releasing a child to public school, parents have spiritual authority to intercede for their children, guided by God’s wisdom and timing.
MEET THE GUEST: Jaime Hampton is a wife and mother of three who recently relocated from Alaska to Utah with her family, embracing the challenges of a new climate and culture. With her eldest in college and two younger kids in school, Jaime co-hosts the Praying Christian Women podcast with her longtime friend and prayer partner, Alana Terry. Their show began as an outgrowth of their honest coffee-time conversations about faith and prayer, offering encouragement for women to grow spiritually.
EPISODE RESOURCES:
The Praying Christian Women Podcast
Jaime’s Website, Instagram, Substack
Catherine’s Website & Resources
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Prayer can feel perplexing—especially for Believers who want their words to shape eternity for their children and families. But what if you learned that unanswered prayers aren’t a sign of God’s absence, but an invitation to “lay the tracks” for His will on earth?
In this episode, Catherine joins forces with prayer advocate and author Jaime Hampton, co-host of the Praying Christian Women Podcast, to explore the deepest mysteries and highest privileges of prayer, guided by the wisdom of Watchman Nee’s landmark book Let Us Pray.
Together, they uncover why some prayers feel fruitless, how to discern God’s heart, and what it takes to persevere through spiritual bottlenecks. Drawing from personal stories—including Catherine’s journey to miraculous parenthood and Jaime’s awakening to the power of partnership in faith—they offer honest, hope-filled wisdom for anyone longing to pray with purpose.

🔑 Key Takeaways
Prayer is Partnership: Prayer isn't about persuading God to bless our plans—it's about joining in His will and agreeing with what He already wants to do.
Persistence Matters: God “waits until men and women agree with Him, and then He will work.” Perseverance and faith-filled persistence can be the difference between breakthrough and missed opportunity.
God’s Will—and Yours: There are prayers according to our will, and prayers according to God’s will. Discovering which is which comes through intimacy, listening, time in scripture, and honest reflection.
Authority Against the Enemy: As Christians, we’re given authority to stand in prayer against the one who steals, kills, and destroys—the enemy, not God. Outrage directed at spiritual opposition fuels powerful prayer.
Your Prayers Unlock Destiny: Anecdotes from Catherine’s own life show that prayer can literally change the trajectory of a family, bringing children and miracles that only God could author.
Prayerlessness Is a Bottleneck: Prayerlessness hinders the movement of God’s “train”—His plans require the tracks our prayers lay. Will you be the bottleneck or the channel of grace?
Real Spiritual Warfare: Effective prayer means entering the heavenly courtroom with God’s Word as our legal defense, standing firm for what He has promised.

"Prayer doesn’t alter God’s plans; it achieves what He’s already foreordained. Without persistent, faith-filled prayer, His resolutions may go suspended."
– Watchman Nee (Let Us Pray)

🎧 Tune In & Reflect
Are you willing to be God’s partner in prayer—laying the tracks for His will in your family’s life? Or will you let unanswered prayers and spiritual discouragement be the bottleneck to His miraculous work?
MEET THE GUEST: Jaime Hampton is a wife and mother of three who recently relocated from Alaska to Utah with her family, embracing the challenges of a new climate and culture. With her eldest in college and two younger kids in school, Jaime co-hosts the Praying Christian Women podcast with her longtime friend and prayer partner, Alana Terry. Their show began as an outgrowth of their honest coffee-time conversations about faith and prayer, offering encouragement for women to grow spiritually.
EPISODE RESOURCES:
Let Us Pray by Watchman Nee
The Praying Christian Women Podcast
Jaime’s Website, Instagram, Substack
Catherine’s Website & Resources
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Want to memorize more Scripture with your kids this year than ever before? You don’t need a seminary degree, a flawless routine, or a photographic memory—just a melody, a little intention, and a willingness to make God’s Word a part of your family’s everyday life.
In this inspiring “Best Of” New Year’s episode of Christian Parent/Crazy World, Catherine welcomes special guest Zac Fitzsimmons, a gifted singer-songwriter and worship leader whose heart for God’s Word and knack for turning Scripture into unforgettable songs have helped countless families hide God’s Word in their hearts.
What You’ll Discover in This Episode:
A Simple, Powerful Way to Memorize Scripture: Catherine reveals her family’s surprisingly simple—yet incredibly effective—method for learning Scripture together: setting Bible verses to music. No perfection or superhuman recall required; just sing along as you fold laundry, do dishes, or carpool.
Meet Zac Fitzsimmons: Psalm Songwriter, Worship Leader, Dad: Guest Zac Fitzsimmons, whose musical talents began at age 15 and blossomed into a life of leading worship and setting entire psalms to melody, shares his journey and explains why full, word-for-word renditions of Scripture make such a powerful educational tool.
Zac performs live acoustic versions of Psalm 1 and Psalm 8: This incredible artist offers a moving example of how entire chapters can be memorized, meditated upon, and made meaningful through melody.
The Science & Soul Behind Singing the Bible: Learn why music is a “supersonic power” for memory—moving truths from short-term to long-term storage in the brain. Whether you’re a parent who’s forgotten where you put your phone (again!) or a child learning a new psalm, a good melody makes all the difference.
Tips for Busy, Imperfect Parents
Take small “bites”—learn Scripture in short, daily repetitions.
Use sign language or hand motions alongside melody to anchor memorization.
Leverage idle moments—while driving, during chores, or winding down at bedtime.
Reframe your expectations: even one verse a month adds up!
Notable Moments & Quotes:
“If you can remember the theme song to The Beverly Hillbillies, you can remember God’s Word.”
“Scripture flows deeper through a melody—first into our heads, then into our hearts.”
The memorable “Jello” method: how repetition turns memory from liquid to solid.
Parents, what’s your first Scripture verse or passage you want to memorize together this year? Share your story and join the movement—because Christian parenting may be crazy, but you don’t have to do it alone.
EPISODE RESOURCES:
You can email Catherine to offer feedback and tell her about your Bible memory plan for the new year at [email protected].
Zac Fitzsimmons Bio: Zac is a Christian singer/songwriter from Minnesota, USA. He has led congregations in musical worship for over twenty years and is most known for his ongoing endeavor of writing music and melodies to the Psalms word for word from the English Standard Version of the Bible. These songs are being discovered by people worldwide as valuable tools for soaking in the scriptures in a new way and aiding in scripture memorization. You can find links to the audio, lyric videos and chord charts at www.psalmsongswordforword.com
You can also find Zac on YouTube and Instagram.
To receive downloads of Zac & Catherine’s live perform of Psalm 8, Zac’s performance of Psalm 1, and all of Catherine’s Scripture songs, and pro tips for memorizing the Bible, subscribe at Catherine’s website: https://catherinesegars.com/resources
See Catherine’s complimentary article on Crosswalk: “Learn More Scripture This Year with This #1 Proven Method”
SCRIPTURE SONG ARTISTS:
The Corner Room
Seeds Family Worship
King Things
Esther Mui
Benjamin NG
The Bigsby Show (for the books of the Bible and the 12 Disciples)
SIGN LANGUAGE RESOURCES:
Hands Speak, Signs Savvy, ASL Dictionary


Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.