In this episode, we sit down with Ben Stapley, executive pastor, speaker, creative director, and church consultant with over 20 years of experience in leadership and communication.

We explore practical strategies for planning a memorable Easter church service that truly connects with the community.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Welcoming first-time Easter guests
• Selecting impactful worship music
• Sharing compelling stories and testimonies
• Engaging families and children at Easter
• Fostering an invite culture in churches

Join us as we dive into Planning A Memorable Easter Church Service for Your Community with Ben Stapley.

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4a29Ev0

Learn more about Ministry Brands Amplify: https://bit.ly/4rmKCOs

In this episode, we sit down with Greg Atkinson, entrepreneur, best-selling author, and church secret shopper with 30 years of experience in organizational leadership.

We explore proven strategies for how churches can reach and keep first-time guests, moving them from visitors to engaged members.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• The importance of a welcoming guest experience
• Secret shopper insights for church improvement
• Practical tips for guest follow-up and assimilation
• Digital tools to connect with newcomers
• The impact of intentionality on church growth
• Creating a culture of kindness and hospitality

Join us as we dive into How Churches Can Reach and Keep First-Time Guests with Greg Atkinson.

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/45UUTJb

In this episode, we sit down with Nicole Lucas, creative arts pastor, leadership coach, and founder of The Creative Level.

We explore why clarity is essential for healthy church staffs and teams, and practical ways leaders can foster clear communication and thriving cultures.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Why clarity matters for church teams
• Spotting and fixing misalignment issues
• The role of language in shaping culture
• Building healthy communication habits
• Managing creative and tech teams effectively
• Practical steps for planning worship services

Join us as we dive into How to Bring Clarity to Your Church Staff and Teams with Nicole Lucas.

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4sLiy90

In this episode, we sit down with Jason Young, leadership consultant, executive coach, speaker, professor, and author with over 25 years of experience helping organizations and churches build thriving, people-first cultures.

We explore the essential elements of creating a healthy volunteer culture that attracts and retains leaders in the church.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Motivating volunteers beyond tasks
• Creating magnetic and joyful team environments
• Designing impactful first serve experiences
• Effective volunteer training strategies
• Retaining volunteers and preventing burnout
• Prioritizing people over roles

Join us as we dive into Building a Healthy Volunteer Culture That Attracts and Retains Leaders with Jason Young.

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/452Y557

In this episode, hosts Kendall Conner and Jessica Moore explore essential healthy habits for ministry leaders as they look ahead to a new year.

The conversation focuses on simple, sustainable rhythms that help leaders stay grounded, avoid burnout, and lead with greater health – spiritually, relationally, and emotionally – in every season of ministry.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Building a sustainable devotional rhythm
• The importance of honest, life-giving friendships
• Stewarding your physical health intentionally
• Prioritizing family in your leadership life
• Using technology to lighten your workload
• Finding mentors and investing in younger leaders

Join us as we dive into Healthy Habits For Ministry Leaders with Kendall Conner & Jessica Moore.

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/49r9Pkn

This week, we’re pressing pause on our regular Church Leadership Lab episodes to share something a little different. Our hosts, Kendall Conner and Jess Moore, have a short, meaningful Christmas message just for our podcast community.

This time of year is filled with celebration, reflection, and a powerful reminder of the hope we have in Christ. For ministry leaders, it also comes with extra services, long nights, and full schedules. As you guide your church through the Christmas season, we encourage you to pause, breathe, and make space to personally encounter the joy and peace this season represents. God is moving through your leadership—but He also wants to connect with you.

Take a moment to listen to this special Christmas message, then get ready for us to jump back into another great episode next week.

Plus, we share a preview of what’s ahead as we close out the year and step into a new one!

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3L8gnv1

In this episode, we sit down with Dennis Choy, executive coach, speaker, and General Manager of Design and Project Management at HouseRight. He brings over 30 years of ministry experience, including leadership roles at Saddleback Church, Skyline Church, and North Coast Church, where he helped build teams, departments, and leaders for long-term impact.

We explore practical strategies for building and sustaining strong tech volunteer teams, especially for the long haul.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Building a healthy tech volunteer culture
• Screening and placing volunteers effectively
• Addressing burnout and team longevity
• Spiritual check-ins for volunteers
• Keys to fostering healthy church teams

Join us as we dive into Strategies to Keep Tech Volunteers for the Long Haul with Dennis Choy.

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4q9h31X

In this episode, we sit down with Adam Erickson, filmmaker, church storyteller, educator, and founder of Smartphone Storytellers, a free platform training churches and nonprofits to share stories with just a smartphone.

We explore how churches can build a culture of digital storytelling to highlight real-life impact and encourage healthy ministry growth.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Why stories matter in church settings
• Overcoming barriers to effective storytelling
• Practical tips for smartphone video creation
• Finding and mining great individual stories
• Building volunteer teams for storytelling
• Embracing imperfection in sharing testimonies

Join us as we dive into Building a Culture of Digital Storytelling in the Church with Adam Erickson.

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4iSdGKH

In this episode, we sit down with Arthur James, seasoned educator, bi-vocational pastor, church planter, and author of "Preaching Through Pain."

We unpack practical ways church leaders can avoid burnout during busy ministry seasons and find renewed purpose and strength.

In this conversation, we discuss:
• Finding balance versus busyness in ministry
• Leading from a place of overflow
• Delegating and equipping others for ministry
• Healthy rhythms for pastors and leaders
• The role of physical and spiritual health
• Embracing technology without burnout

Join us as we dive into How Church Leaders Can Avoid Burnout in a Busy Ministry Season with Arthur James.

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3XxpAj7

This week, we are pressing pause on our regular Church Leadership Lab episodes to share something a little different. Hosts, Kendall Conner and Jess Moore recorded a short, meaningful Thanksgiving message just for our podcast community.

We know this season brings full tables, full schedules, and full hearts. Ministry leaders, as you serve your church and gather with family, remember to slow down and let your own soul be renewed. God is at work through you, but He is also at work in you.

Take a moment to listen to this special Thanksgiving message, then get ready for us to jump back into another great episode next week.

Bonus: We even share a few recommended episodes to check out while you rest!

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3XjDepY