Church Leadership Lab

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 Middle"
• Why addressing the emotional needs of people with scripture is vital.
• The annual "State of the Bible USA" report.

Join us as we dive into understanding how Americans view the bible & technology with Dr. John Plake.

>>VIEW SHOW NOTES HERE<<

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 change.

Join us as we dive into how to navigate change in ministry with Josh Denhart.

>>DOWNLOAD "THE GUIDE TO HEALTHY CHURCH OPERATIONS" HERE<<

>>VIEW SHOW NOTES HERE<<

Listen to the previous episode with Josh:

Apple: https://apple.co/3Uolx6J
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4aZjFs9
YouTube: https://bit.ly/4di8RqH

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 healthy relationships strengthen healthy churches with J.P. De Grance.

>>DOWNLOAD "THE GUIDE TO HEALTHY CHURCH OPERATIONS" HERE<<

>>VIEW SHOW NOTES HERE<<

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 and Empower the Next Generation.
• Why Personal Growth and Self-Discovery Matter.

Key Discussion Points:

• How to Automate Personal Interactions: Discover how automation can enhance personal interactions within the church, making engagement more meaningful and continuous without feeling impersonal.
• How to Engage Gen Z with Technology: Learn strategies for using technology to connect with Gen Z, making ministry relevant and impactful.
• How to Address Societal Issues in Youth Ministry: Understand the best ways to tackle pressing societal issues that today's students face.
• Why Involving Younger Generations in Church Decisions Matters: Explore the benefits of involving Gen Z and Gen Alpha in church decision-making processes to foster empowerment and active participation.

Join us as we dive into Patrick Weikle's insights on reaching Gen Z and using technology in the right ways.

>>DOWNLOAD "THE GUIDE TO HEALTHY CHURCH OPERATIONS" HERE<<

>>VIEW SHOW NOTES HERE<<

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 visuals.
• Ways to empower artists and creatives in your church.
• The future of Church Motion Graphics.

Join us as we jump into how to improve church communication with visual engagement with Kendall Conner.

>>DOWNLOAD "THE GUIDE TO HEALTHY CHURCH OPERATIONS" HERE<<

>>VIEW SHOW NOTES HERE<<

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 your church to help individuals progress and take on more responsibility.
• Why you need mentors who are further in their ministry journey.

Join us as we dive into living a fulfilled life as a church leader with Pastor Travis Spencer.

>>DOWNLOAD "THE GUIDE TO HEALTHY CHURCH OPERATIONS" HERE<<

>>VIEW SHOW NOTES HERE<<

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 us as we dive into keys to impactful donor engagement with Dirk Smith.

>>DOWNLOAD "THE GUIDE TO HEALTHY CHURCH OPERATIONS" HERE<<

>>VIEW SHOW NOTES HERE <<

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 volunteers.
• Why you must utilize EQ in volunteer management.
• How to gain role clarity and use spiritual gifts in volunteering.
• Tips for sustaining volunteer engagement and avoiding burnout.

Join us as we dive into this conversation about recruiting & equipping invested volunteers with Josh Denhart.

>>DOWNLOAD "THE GUIDE TO HEALTHY CHURCH OPERATIONS" HERE<<

>>VIEW SHOW NOTES HERE<<

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 as we dive into Mission Work For the Modern Church with John Darnell.

>>SHOW NOTES<<

Download The Guide to Healthy Church Operations: DOWNLOAD HERE

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 churches can be a beacon of hope and support in the area of mental health.

Join us as we dive into what building an effective care ministry looks like with Laura Howe.

>> SHOW NOTES <<