Church Leadership Lab

In this episode, we sit down with Emily B. Cummins, author, speaker, podcast host, and chief of staff at Church of Hope in Ocala, Florida.

We explore what it means to step confidently into the leader God has called you to be, embracing the ongoing journey of becoming.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Navigating self-doubt and identity in leadership
• Embracing the process of becoming
• Communicating vision during change and conflict
• Building healthy rhythms and self-awareness
• Empowering others to discover their calling
• Key practices for leading healthy churches

Join us as we dive into becoming the leader God called you to be with Emily Cummins.

SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/456ccHU

In this episode, we sit down with Holly Tate, executive coach, growth strategist, and founder of the Ready Network.

We explore practical strategies for church growth and discover frameworks that move beyond theory and actually work in the real world, with insights that can help your team go from stuck to strategic.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Why churches feel stuck in growth
• The impact of external and internal challenges
• The Ready Framework for strategic planning
• Building action plans with clear ownership
• Evaluating what’s working using key metrics
• Healthy rhythms for sustainable church growth

Join us as we dive into practical strategies for church growth that actually work with Holly Tate.

SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/3SqVpYn

In this episode, we sit down with Phil Bowdle, creative ministry leader, best-selling author, and VP of Marketing at Slingshot Group.

We explore strategies for rethinking church communication to ensure clarity and effective engagement.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Prioritizing what matters in church communication
• Clarity versus creativity in messaging
• Avoiding announcement overload
• Engaging your audience beyond Sunday
• Building story-driven content
• Scalable systems for any size church

Join us as we dive into rethinking church communication for maximum clarity with Phil Bowdle.

SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/3H47vnW

In this episode, we sit down with Russ Ewell, executive minister at Bay Area Christian Church, author, social entrepreneur, and advocate for individuals with special needs and disabilities. 

Russ shares his powerful personal journey and how it led him to champion a church culture where everyone can belong, particularly those who are often overlooked in traditional ministry settings.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• The personal experiences that ignited Russ’s mission
• The vital need for accessible worship environments
• Practical strategies for creating inclusive children's ministries
• Leveraging technology for greater accessibility
• Building a spiritually vibrant culture that values every person

Join us as we dive into Creating Belonging in the Church Through Innovation and Inclusion with Russ Ewell.

SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/42WSWuR

In this episode, Kendall Conner and Jessica Moore dive into practical tips for attracting and keeping passionate volunteers at your church.

Volunteers are the heartbeat of every ministry, yet many leaders struggle with the constant challenge of recruiting and retaining them. The good news? It doesn’t have to be this way.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Casting vision to motivate volunteers
• Creating clear and easy volunteer on-ramps
• The power of personal and specific invitations
• Publicly celebrating and appreciating volunteers
• Matching volunteers with their unique gifts
• Building strong volunteer team culture

Join us as we dive into Practical Tips for Attracting Volunteers at Your Church with Kendall Conner and Jessica Moore.

SHOWNOTES: https://bit.ly/4m35yYR

In this episode, we sit down with Greg Atkinson, best-selling author, international keynote speaker, and founder of Entre Church.

We explore how entrepreneurial thinking can help churches reimagine missional engagement and create sustainable impact in their communities.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Creative outreach methods through entrepreneurship.
• Rethinking church finances beyond the offering plate.
• Practical ideas for church-based businesses.
• Leveraging church facilities for community use.
• Encouraging bi-vocational church leaders.
• Essential tools for efficient church operations.

Join us as we dive into rethinking missional engagement through entrepreneurship with Greg Atkinson.

SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/438n9qM

In this episode, we sit down with Jaime Montano, Senior Motion Graphics Designer at Ministry Brands and creative mind behind thousands of worship backgrounds used in churches worldwide.

We explore how visual media can enhance worship experiences and create more engaging, intentional environments for congregations.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• The evolution of church media and visuals
• Best practices for screens and projectors
• Starting points for media in worship services
• Choosing motion backgrounds with intentionality
• Benefits of visuals for both sermons and announcements
• Keeping volunteers engaged in media ministry

Join us as we dive into using visual media to craft more engaging worship services with Jaime Montano.

SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/3EgfQ6K

This week on the Church Leadership Lab podcast, we're taking a break from our usual format to honor the significance of Holy Week. As we pause to reflect on this sacred time, we're reminded of the incredible hope that we have through Christ’s resurrection.

Ministry leaders, we know this can be a busy time for you. The Easter season often comes with extra events, long to-do lists, and high expectations. As much as we understand that this can be a hectic time, we want to remind you to take a moment for yourself to truly connect with God this week. We believe that God wants to do something fresh in you this Easter—not just through you.

From all of us at Church Leadership Lab and the team at Ministry Brands, thank you for your faithfulness in serving your church and community. We see you. We’re praying for you. And we’re grateful for your leadership in this powerful season.

Wishing you a Holy Week filled with peace, purpose, and the joy of resurrection.

We’ll return next week with more inspiring conversations to equip and encourage you in ministry—because the best is yet to come.

SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/4jsYqDz

In this episode, we sit down with Micah Pritchard, a seasoned leader with a strong background in software development and team leadership, currently at Service Reef.

We explore how churches can effectively mobilize their congregations for missions and the impact it can have both locally and globally.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Defining missions within the church context.
• Importance of discipleship through mission trips.
• Balancing local and global missions opportunities.
• Effective strategies for planning mission trips.
• Engaging and equipping volunteers for missions.

Join us as we dive into mobilizing your congregation for missions with Micah Pritchard.‍

SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/3EgfQ6K

In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Carter, a seasoned leader with over 17 years of experience in helping ministries creating safe environments for attendees, volunteers, and children.

We explore the importance of safety measures in church environments and how ministry leaders can effectively implement these practices.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• The importance of volunteer background checks.
• Ensuring safety in kids ministry.
• Handling large events safely.
• The role of policies when it comes to church safety.
• Balancing being welcoming while also secure.

Join us as we dive into creating safe ministry environments for families with Ryan Carter.

SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/43HezQJ