How to Reignite Volunteer Culture in a Post-Pandemic, Next-Gen Church

Volunteerism is down. Engagement is inconsistent. The church landscape has shifted, and leaders everywhere are feeling the weight. But this isn’t the end of the Church. It’s the refining of it.

In this episode of Crowned for Ministry, Joshua McElhaney dives into what’s really driving the volunteer crisis, why the old models aren’t working, and how leaders can rebuild using the 3H Model: Heart, Head, and Hands.

You’ll learn:
✅ Why volunteer rates have dropped by 50% in just three years
✅ What no longer works in recruiting and retaining volunteers
✅ How to re-engage Millennials and Gen Z with clarity, purpose, and empowerment
✅ Practical strategies to form leaders, not just fill roles

If you’re ready to stop managing decline and start building from formation, this episode is for you.

Learn more: www.formedleadership.com
Follow @joshuamcelhaney | @crownedforministry

You feel called — but overlooked.
Passionate — but paralyzed.
Ready — but uninvited.

In this honest and powerful episode, Joshua McElhaney shares his journey through the silent seasons — the hidden places where God shapes real leaders before they’re ever seen by others.

Drawing from the lives of David, Joseph, and Paul, we explore the purpose of hiddenness: forging character, purifying motives, developing endurance, and preparing you for doors only God can open.

If you're walking through a season where your calling feels stuck, this episode will give you fresh hope, perspective, and strength to endure.

You’re not failing.
You’re not forgotten.
You’re being formed.

It’s been a little while, but we’re back with Part Two of our series on the 3H Model for Biblical Leadership! In this episode of Crowned for Ministry, we’re diving into The Head of Leadership—the wisdom, discernment, and strategic thinking every leader needs to lead effectively.

Having a heart for leadership is essential, but without a renewed mind, clear vision, and godly wisdom, even the best intentions can lead us astray. We’ll explore what Scripture says about transforming our minds (Romans 12:2), making wise decisions, and developing the discernment to navigate leadership challenges.

Join me as we break down practical steps to grow in wisdom, avoid distractions, and lead with divine strategy. If you’re ready to move beyond just good intentions and step into intentional, Spirit-led leadership, this episode is for you!

In this inspiring episode of Crowned for Ministry, host Joshua McElhaney kicks off a transformative series on the 3H Model of Biblical Leadership. Join him as he delves into the first component: the Heart of Leadership. Discover why leading from the heart is foundational to effective ministry, influencing your decisions, relationships, and overall vision.

Joshua shares personal experiences from his ministry journey, highlighting the difference between authority based on titles and genuine influence rooted in love and connection. Drawing from Proverbs 4:23, he emphasizes the importance of guarding our hearts to foster a leadership style that reflects God’s compassion and grace.

Listen as Joshua explores Jesus’ example of heart-centered leadership, the practical steps to cultivate a heart for God and others, and how to embody these principles in your daily life. Through personal stories and actionable advice, you'll be encouraged to lead with purpose, humility, and love.

Tune in for an episode that not only defines what it means to lead from the heart but also inspires you to embrace a leadership model that can transform lives—both yours and those you lead. Don't miss the next episode, where we’ll dive into the second H: the Head of Leadership. Remember, you are Crowned for Ministry!

In Episode Eight of Crowned for Ministry, we dive into the heart of authentic leadership with “The Fire of Sacrifice.” True, impactful leadership isn’t built on charisma or personal ambition—it’s forged at the altar of surrender. In this episode, we explore how Biblical leaders like Moses, David, Elijah, and Paul embodied the principles of humility, sacrifice, and reliance on God’s will.

Join me as we unpack the essential elements of leading with authenticity: the importance of sacrifice, prayer, sanctification, and submission. We’ll reflect on powerful lessons from Scripture and how they apply to modern-day leadership in the Kingdom of God. This episode challenges us to align our ambitions with God’s greater plan, ensuring that we lead with a heart fully devoted to His purpose. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will empower you to lead with the fire of sacrifice and make a lasting impact for God’s Kingdom.

In this episode of Crowned for Ministry, we dive deep into a powerful but often overlooked principle in leadership: alignment. What does it really mean to lead from under authority, and why is it so crucial in the Kingdom of God? Using the story of Joshua’s service under Moses and Elisha’s guidance of King Joash, we’ll explore how aligning yourself with spiritual authority unlocks greater influence and purpose.

Whether you’re leading a ministry, serving in your local church, or navigating your personal calling, this episode will show you how submission and service are foundational to stepping into the fullness of your God-given potential.

Tune in to discover why your greatest strength as a leader comes when you align with the vision God has placed over you.

In this episode of Crowned for Ministry, the Podcast, we’re unpacking what it means to be anointed but not yet appointed. Drawing from the powerful story of Joseph and the doubts of John the Baptist, I’ll also share my personal journey from 2019 when I faced the same question: “God, what happened to the promises you gave me?” If you’re in a season of waiting, feeling like your dreams are on hold, this episode is for you. We’ll talk about trusting God’s process, the importance of faith and patience, and how God uses the waiting room to prepare us for our calling. Tune in and be encouraged to keep walking in faith, even when the throne feels far away.

In this powerful episode of Crowned for Ministry, host Joshua McElhaney takes listeners on a deeply personal journey through the highs and lows of his calling. After spending years in ministry, longing for the recognition of the "throne," Joshua opens up about the painful reality of feeling overlooked, forgotten, and forced to resign from a position he thought was the pinnacle of his purpose.

But in 2023, after a transformative year of wrestling with God and rediscovering his true calling, Joshua came to a groundbreaking realization: the cave—where he had felt hidden and unappreciated—wasn’t a detour. It was the calling. Through this honest reflection, Joshua shares how God realigned his heart to understand that ministry is not about titles or positions, but about faithful service and growth, even in the shadows.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overlooked, or like your calling has been delayed, this episode will encourage and empower you. Join Joshua as he unpacks the lessons from his journey and how God uses our cave moments to prepare us for something far greater than we could imagine.

In this episode of Crowned for Ministry: The Podcast, we’re concluding our powerful series on Narcissistic Christianity with a deep dive into what it means to walk in freedom. Overcoming Narcissistic Christianity isn’t a one-time event—it’s a daily journey of rejecting self-centeredness and embracing a life led by the Holy Spirit.

Join me, Joshua McElhaney, as we explore how to maintain that newfound freedom through spiritual disciplines, reliance on God, and daily surrender. We’ll also look at the story of the Israelites in the wilderness and how their struggle to walk in freedom mirrors our own spiritual journey.

If you’re ready to live a life marked by true freedom, this episode is for you. Tune in, and let’s discover together what it means to walk by the Spirit and leave behind the old patterns of Narcissistic Christianity.

In this thought-provoking episode of Crowned for Ministry, host Joshua McElhaney dives into the concept of Narcissistic Christianity—a subtle yet dangerous shift where faith becomes more about self than about God. Together with his co-host, Joshua unpacks the five stages that can lead believers away from authentic discipleship:

From the misuse of scripture to the rise of celebrity pastors, we explore how these stages can distort the true essence of the Christian faith. Whether you’re a leader or a follower, this episode will challenge you to examine where your focus lies and encourage you to keep Christ at the center of it all.

Tune in as we discuss how to safeguard against these pitfalls, hold each other accountable, and maintain a humble, God-centered walk in today’s culture.