In this episode, we sit down with Nathan Nelson, pastor of mission and outreach at Bethany Community Church in Seattle who brings extensive experience in church-based community development and short-term missions. We explore transforming short-term missions for lasting global impact and ensuring genuine kingdom impact. In this conversation, we discuss: Why long-term partnerships and strategic visits are more impactful. How to reimagine short-term missions for your church The importance of intent...
Jun 26, 2024•44 min
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. John Plake, Chief Innovation Officer at the American Bible Society who also brings 30+ years of full-time ministry experience as a pastor, missionary, professor, and researcher. We explore new research John and his team have cultivated on how Americans engage with the Bible and technology. In this conversation, we discuss: New research on how Americans view the Bible. The role technology plays in Bible engagement. How church leaders can shepherd "The Movable...
Jun 19, 2024•46 min
In this episode, we sit down again with Josh Denhart, former children's pastor and founder of Lead Ministry, a master course & download system to help ministry leaders. In this episode, we explore effective strategies for navigating change in ministry and discuss: Why empathy is essential during change. How to handle pushback from change initiatives. Understanding the gradual versus disruptive change approaches. How to discern timing for change. What to listen for when sharing the vision for...
Jun 12, 2024•38 min
In this episode, we sit down with J.P. De Gance, founder and president of Communio. We explore how healthy relationships and marriages positively impact churches and the transformative impact that can have on communities and beyond. In this conversation, we discuss: Why churches should normalize investing in the health of marriages. How to coach effective communication skills. Ways to address brokenness in relationships. The role the church plays in addressing trauma. Join us as we dive into how...
Jun 05, 2024•41 min
In this episode, we sit down with Patrick Weikle, the lead youth pastor at United City Church in Humble, Texas, and co-owner of Simply Strategic Ministry. We delve into the nuances of reaching Gen Z and the effective use of technology in ministry. Episode Highlights: Why Youth Ministry Needs to Evolve. How to Personalize Church Assimilation Processes. Why Technology, AI, and Short-form Content Are Crucial. Why Authenticity and Self-Awareness Are Essential In Ministry. How the Church Can Engage a...
May 29, 2024•1 hr
In this episode, we sit down with Kendall Conner, a ministry-focused creative with 20+ years of experience both serving as a creative pastor and supporting ministries with creative resources at Church Motion Graphics. We explore how visual engagement can enhance church communication and cut through the noise. In this conversation, we discuss: Why visuals are a powerful tool in capturing attention. The power of analyzing tasks and automating where possible. How to create a sense of awe with visua...
May 22, 2024•44 min
In this episode, we sit down with Pastor Travis Spencer, author of "Wonderful: How to Live a Fulfilled Life in a Very Full World" and Lead Pastor of The Fields Church, a multi-site church in Illinois. We explore the keys to fulfillment and longevity in church leadership and discuss: How to prioritize personal health and avoid burnout in ministry. Discerning your calling and being open to new roles in ministry. Why you need a supportive team in difficult seasons. Create a pathway for growth in yo...
May 15, 2024•38 min
In this episode, we sit down with Dirk Smith, Vice President at Eastern European Mission and an expert in donor engagement and fundraising. We explore effective strategies for engaging donors and fostering deep connections that can significantly impact generosity in the church. In this conversation, we discuss: Importance of relationships in fundraising. Impactful storytelling for donor engagement. Navigating donor communications with technology. Shifting from scarcity to abundance mindset. Join...
May 08, 2024•53 min
In this episode, we sit down with Josh Denhart, former children's pastor and founder of Lead Ministry, a master course & download system to help ministry leaders. We explore how to recruit volunteers who are invested in the ministry, why most churches struggle with the 80/20 rule, and how to balance the needs of the ministry with the capacity of volunteers. In addition, we discuss: How to craft personalized volunteer recruitment strategies. The key to building lasting relationships with volu...
May 01, 2024•45 min
In this episode, we sit down with John Darnell, CEO of Global Outreach, and discuss the shifts and changes in mission work today. We dig into the importance of supporting missionaries and how churches can increase their involvement. Additionally, we discuss: Navigating recent shifts in mission work. Why it's important to broaden the definition of mission work. How support for missionaries goes beyond financial contributions. How to cultivate a heart for the nations in the local church. Join us a...
Apr 24, 2024•43 min
In this episode, we sit down with Laura Howe, founder of Hope Made Strong and advocate for mental health and effective care ministry in the church. We explore the crucial interplay between care ministry and mental health within the church community. Building a culture of care within the church. The distinctions between care ministry vs. discipleship. The role of boundaries in maintaining the mental & emotional health of church leaders. Using the Good Samaritan as a care ministry model. How c...
Apr 17, 2024•48 min
In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Simmons, founding and lead pastor of Rolling Hills Community Church and president of Justice and Mercy International. Under Jeff's leadership, Rolling Hills has grown from 15 people in a bible study to several thousand across five campuses in the Nashville area. In our conversation, we look at how church leaders can become effective and wise stewards of the money and resources entrusted to us by God. We discuss things like: Creative ways to maximize resourc...
Apr 10, 2024•38 min
In this episode, we sit down with Kris Crim, Director of Operations and former Director of Prevention for the Memphis Child Advocacy Center. Kris specializes in child sexual abuse prevention and response training. We tackle the crucial topic of preventing child abuse within the church and learn from Kris's valuable insights and experiences. In this conversation, we discuss: Recognizing signs of child abuse. Creating church child protection policies. Education's role in abuse prevention. Legal ob...
Apr 03, 2024•43 min
In this episode, we sit down with Shaila Visser, the National Director of Alpha Canada and global Senior Vice-President for Alpha International. We discuss the topic of evangelism, examine the recent shift in perspective on whether we should evangelize, and explore how church leaders can grow in awareness of the work God is already doing with people. In this conversation, we cover: How to understand what evangelism IS and ISN'T. The role of awareness and availability in evangelism. Why views of ...
Mar 27, 2024•44 min
In this episode, we sit down with Blue Van Dyke, former Executive Pastor, International Marketplace Executive, Venture Capitalist, and the founder of The StudioC. We explore the importance of alignment and engagement within the church, focusing on how to effectively communicate through member engagement and messaging strategies while leveraging technology and data to connect and better shepherd people. In this conversation, we discuss: What actual member engagement looks like Using data for pers...
Mar 20, 2024•47 min
In this episode, we sit down with James Whitford, founder of Watered Gardens Ministries and the True Charity Initiative. We explore how churches can transform their approach to serving the poor with dignity and sustainability. In this conversation, we discuss: Transitioning from relief to development. The harm of dependency in charity. Building long-term community relationships. Educating on effective charity. Socioeconomic diversity in churches. Join us as we dive into how the church can effect...
Mar 13, 2024•50 min
In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Brown, CEO of Open Doors USA, and an advocate for the persecuted church around the globe. With extensive experience in shepherding teams for Kingdom impact, he’s passionate about helping U.S. believers grow their faith as they connect with their persecuted family around the globe. In this conversation, we discuss: How the church in the US can gain awareness of global persecution. Why persecution is contributing to the growth of the global church. What churc...
Mar 06, 2024•40 min
In this episode, we sit down with Joanna la Fleur, speaker, podcaster, TV host, and communications consultant. We look at the current digital landscape and how it's impacting ministry as well as the opportunities in front of us to reach more people. In this conversation, we discuss: Reaching people amid digital life. Strategic social media use for church growth. Embracing AI for church leadership efficiency. Live streaming services vs. genuine experiences. The role of criticism in growth and hos...
Feb 28, 2024•46 min
In this episode, we hear teaching from the most recent Healthy Church Summit. Mark MacDonald teaches how you can find the common thread running through your ministry and then be known for it. Hear from Jenni Catron as she helps us manage and steward our time well to accomplish what matters most. Watch the Healthy Church Summit on demand: Watch Here Download the “My Trust Building Checklist” from Jenni Catron the 4Sight Group team: Download Here Get the “Be Known For Something Guide” from Mark Ma...
Feb 21, 2024•31 min
In this episode, we sit down with the co-founder of Missional Labs, Stephen Mulder. Stephen brings a passion for leadership development, the local church, and entrepreneurship together to support innovative, mission-minded leaders and startup organizations, working on the frontiers of evangelism, discipleship, and church planting In this conversation, we discuss: Challenges of technology in discipleship. Cultivating innovation within the Church. Empowering ventures in global missions. Encouragin...
Feb 14, 2024•51 min
In this episode, we sit down with Robert Blair, Executive Vice President of Payments here at Ministry Brands. Robert brings decades of experience in financial services and tech to create the best digital tools that help churches grow in generosity. In this conversation, we discuss: The state of church giving in 2024 Strategies for increasing generosity in churches Overcoming barriers to digital giving Common traits among churches with growing generosity Join us as we dive into the state of churc...
Feb 07, 2024•29 min
In this episode, we sit down with Russ Ewell, Executive Minister of the Bay Area Christian Church, entrepreneur, and author of "Not Who You Think He Is: Dropping Your Assumptions and Discovering God for Yourself". With over 40 years of ministry experience, Russ is passionate about reaching out to a growing demographic of people called the "nones" as well as using technology to make church more accessible for all. In this conversation, we discuss: Utilizing tech for inclusive church experiences. ...
Jan 31, 2024•50 min
In this episode, we sit down with Miriam Dicks, CEO and founder of the 180 management group. She brings over 20 years of experience in transforming organizations for optimal performance both in the corporate world and in ministry. As a seasoned professional in operations management, consulting, teaching, and leadership roles, Miriam has a wealth of knowledge to share about fostering intentional leadership cultures. In this conversation, we discuss: How to be intentional with the culture you want...
Jan 24, 2024•54 min
In this episode, Kacie and Scott discuss the all to common challenge that faces church leaders: Managing Your Time. There is much to do and not much time to do it which can cause tension and stress in ministry. They talk through the problem that exists and about a virtual event coming up that is designed to help. Register For the Healthy Church Summit here 👉 https://bit.ly/3TTFlQN
Jan 17, 2024•20 min
In this episode, we sit down with Ron Baker, lead pastor at Vital Point Church in Ontario, Canada, a multisite church that's intentionally planting sites in small towns. He's a seasoned pastor and church planter who's embraced his church's unique kingdom assignment. In this conversation, we discuss: Understanding and pursuing your unique kingdom assignment. Why they've embraced planting sites in small towns. Overcoming comparisons among church leaders. How they're engaging younger generations wi...
Jan 10, 2024•54 min
In this episode, we sit down with Kyle Johnson, who has spent the last few decades leading teams both in the corporate world and the church. He brings a wealth of experience in team-building and operational excellence to help organizations grow and thrive authentically. In this conversation, we discuss: Authenticity in church leadership. Handling underperforming team members. Building a healthy and sustainable team culture. Aligning the three trusts for greater impact. Join us as we dive into bu...
Jan 03, 2024•51 min
Earlier this year Scott & Kacie sat down at The Church Network Conference and answered several questions from church leaders navigating ministry today. Things like: How do we increase mobile app adoption? Should we embrace AI? Reject it? Be cautious? What are ways to improve our data quality in our chMS? Ways to improve generosity Join us as they answer these questions (and more) and discuss all things church & tech! >>SHOW NOTES<<...
Dec 27, 2023•32 min
In this episode, we sit down with Stan Jantz, prolific author, longtime leader in the Christian Publishing world, and CEO of the Come and See Foundation whose mission is to share the authentic Jesus with 1 billion people through compelling storytelling. In this conversation, we discuss: The transformative power of biblical storytelling. Engaging younger generations through media. The global reach and impact of "The Chosen." Expanding discipleship through innovative methods. Join us as we dive in...
Dec 20, 2023•48 min
In this episode, we sit down with Nathan Gaddis, President of Design 373 which provides digital strategies to help churches increase their digital presence and go where people in their community are gathered. In this conversation, we discuss: Engaging your community through social media. Why you may need to pivot your social strategy in 2024. Pitfalls of comparative social media strategies. Utilizing social media beyond advertising. Join us as we have a conversation about rethinking your church'...
Dec 13, 2023•50 min
In this episode, we sit down with Brad Hill who has been solving technology challenges for the church for over 20 years. He was the co-founder of Ministry Brands and now serves on the executive team at Gloo. In this conversation, we discuss: Technology's evolving role in ministry. AI's potential for the church. Framework for churches adopting new tech. The importance of relationships amidst technology. Gloo's recent A.I. hackathon Join us as we dive into the future of technology for churches wit...
Dec 06, 2023•42 min
