Church Leadership Lab

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

In this episode, we sit down with Bill Van Kirk, Campus Pastor at Spring Lake Church, digital communications leader, and certified ministry coach.

We explore practical ways churches can build a digital ministry strategy that connects people beyond Sunday.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Why your website is a digital front door
• Using technology for discipleship all week
• Repurposing sermons into weekday devotionals
• Leveraging stories and testimonies online
• Building a team for digital ministry

Join us as we dive into How to Build a Digital Strategy That Reaches Beyond Sunday with Bill Van Kirk.

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4ihYg20

In this episode, we sit down with Joanna la Fleur, podcaster, TV host, and executive director of Word Made Digital.

We explore how churches can tell better stories with limited resources and make the Good News compelling in the digital age.

In this conversation, we discuss:
• Storytelling that fits church budgets
• Authentic content for younger generations
• Proven digital tools and practical tips
• Collecting and sharing impactful church stories
• Measuring success in local church outreach

Join us as we dive into How Churches Can Tell Better Stories with Limited Resources with Joanna la Fleur.

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/49QWi6n

In this episode, we sit down with Preston Hocker, a pastor of 20+ years and experienced protection specialist.

We explore how churches can prioritize safety while maintaining a welcoming and inviting atmosphere.

In this conversation, we discuss:
• Building a safety-minded church culture
• Practical steps for church security teams
• Best practices for creating safe environments
• Technology for kids ministry safety
• Training staff and volunteers effectively

Join us as we dive into How Churches Can Prioritize Safety While Staying Inviting with Preston Hocker.

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

Disclaimer: This episode is for educational and informational purposes only. The conversation shared by the hosts and guest is not intended to replace professional training, legal guidance, or consultation with qualified experts. Kendall Conner, Jessica Moore, the Church Leadership Lab Podcast, and Ministry Brands are not safety or security professionals. Every church’s situation is unique. Please seek guidance from trusted experts and local authorities regarding safety decisions. 

In this episode, hosts Kendall Conner and Jessica Moore explore practical ways that churches can inspire generosity and make the most of Giving Tuesday for their year-end campaigns.

In this conversation, we discuss:
• What Giving Tuesday means for churches
• Leveraging stories of impact to inspire giving
• Effective church communications for generosity
• Utilizing digital giving tools and platforms
• Thanking and engaging givers for future generosity

Join us as we dive into How Ministries Can Inspire Generosity On Giving Tuesday with Kendall Conner.

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/47AtcW9