As Middle Tennessee transforms with explosive population growth and shifting demographics, what does that mean for the future of the church?

Join Mike and special guest Lewis McMullen from the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board as they unpack how migration trends, cultural shifts, and local community dynamics are reshaping ministry in the region. From the surprising role of small towns like Fayetteville to the changing face of East Nashville, this episode is packed with insight on how churches must adapt — or risk fading into irrelevance.

Whether you're a pastor, planter, or church leader, this conversation will challenge you to stop thinking like a chaplain to the status quo and start thinking like a missionary.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes focused on equipping leaders for a changing world. Visit EngageChurchNetwork.com for more resources!

In this episode of the Engage Church Network Podcast, Mike Glenn sits down with Matt Pearson, Lead Pastor of West Franklin Baptist Church, for a candid and practical conversation on the art and reality of preaching. With a PhD in preaching and over a decade of pastoral experience, Matt brings both academic insight and real-world wisdom to the table.

Together, Mike and Matt unpack the difference between what seminaries teach and what actually happens in the pulpit each week. They dive into topics like exegeting your congregation, crafting relevant sermons, handling the pressure of weekly preaching, and what it means to truly shepherd your people.

Whether you're a seasoned pastor or just starting out, this episode is filled with encouragement, laughter, and wisdom from two leaders who are passionate about the local church and the power of the Word.

👉 Visit EngageChurchNetwork.com for more resources!

In this episode of the Engage Church Network Podcast, Mike Glenn, President of Engage Church Network, sits down with Dr. Thomas West, Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church Nashville. From church planting in post-Christian London to leading in the heart of Music City, Dr. West shares powerful insights on the changing landscape of ministry in the West. Together, they explore what it means to pastor in a secular culture, how long-term discipleship is reshaping evangelism, and why the American South may need to reimagine its understanding of the gospel.

They also discuss The Gospel Way Catechism—a new resource designed to equip believers to engage digital culture with clarity, depth, and conviction.👉 Visit EngageChurchNetwork.com for more resources!

🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.

In this episode of the Engage Church Network Podcast, Mike Glenn, President of Engage Church Network, sits down with longtime friend and former colleague Chris Brooks. Chris shares his journey from leading a successful young adult ministry at Brentwood Baptist Church to pioneering a local micro church movement focused on real-life discipleship, hospitality, and spiritual family. Together, they explore the limitations of institutional church models, the impact of COVID on ministry, and the power of simplicity in disciple-making. This conversation offers a compelling look at how churches can return to the core mission of equipping ordinary people to live out the gospel in their everyday lives.👉 Visit EngageChurchNetwork.com for more resources!

🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.

In this episode of the Engage Church Network Podcast, Mike Glenn sits down with Katie Allred to talk about the rapidly evolving world of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and how it is impacting churches, pastors, and the way we communicate.

Katie — founder of ChurchCommunications.com, University of Florida professor, and longtime friend of Mike — shares insights from her new book AI Prompts for Church Leaders. Together, they explore practical ways pastors can embrace AI for sermon writing, communication, and administration, while remaining rooted in the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

They dive into why pastors shouldn’t fear AI, how it can be used ethically and wisely, and the exciting future of ministry innovation.

If you're curious about how AI tools like ChatGPT can serve your church, or how technology is reshaping ministry, this conversation is for you.

👉 Visit EngageChurchNetwork.com for more resources!

🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.

Easter has passed—but your work as a pastor isn’t done.

In this honest and refreshing episode, Mike Glenn from the Engage Church Network speaks directly to pastors and ministry leaders who are feeling drained after one of the busiest seasons of the year.

Through personal stories and biblical insight, Mike offers a timely reminder: you can’t pour from an empty cup. Drawing wisdom from the post-resurrection disciples and the story of Elijah, this conversation is all about rest, recovery, and reflection.

👉 What to do the week after Easter

👉 Why some sermons “fail” but still change lives

👉 How to Sabbath when the work never stops

📖 The spiritual power of quiet, Scripture, and friendship

Whether your Easter service was full or you’re still wondering if it made a difference—this message is for you. Subscribe for more leadership conversations from Engage Church Network.

🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.

In this powerful episode of the Engage Church Network Podcast, Mike Glenn sits down with Ben Anderson, the Senior Pastor at Christ Church Nashville, to talk about the unique calling of leading in the very place you were raised.

Ben shares what it’s like to return to his home church—not just as a member, but now as the shepherd. From the weight of being fully known to the beauty of generational trust, this conversation explores the tension, grace, and growth that come with pastoring in your hometown.

They also dive into:

✅ How the church often affirms a calling before we see it ourselves

✅ The evolving expectations of ministry in a post-COVID world

✅ Leading with wisdom, humility, and vision in a city that never stops changing

Whether you're a pastor, a leader, or someone discerning your next step in ministry—this episode is full of encouragement and insight.

Subscribe for more leadership conversations from Engage Church Network.

🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.

#EngageChurchNetwork #MikeGlenn #BenAnderson #ChristChurchNashville #ChurchLeadership #FaithInCulture #MinistryMatters #PastorLife #LeadershipPodcast

Surviving Monday: Finding Strength After Sunday | Engage Church Network Podcast

In this powerful episode, we’re joined by a licensed therapist from The Refuge Center for Counseling to explore what it means to survive Monday—the emotional drop-off many pastors and leaders experience after the intensity of Sunday ministry.

With honesty and deep wisdom, our guest unpacks:

The meaning of emotional and mental health

How cognitive dissonance affects leaders

Why inner alignment matters more than ever

The importance of emotional vocabulary and safe community

How pastors can create healthy rhythms to sustain their calling

Plus, hear more about the work of The Refuge Center, a Christ-centered nonprofit counseling center offering care on a sliding scale—meeting people where they are with excellence and compassion.

📍 This episode was recorded live at the Engage Church Network’s IDENTITY Workshop.

👉 Learn more about The Refuge Center: https://refugecenter.org

👉 Connect with Engage Church Network: https://engagechurchnetwork.com

In this powerful and heartfelt message, Mike Glenn, President of the Engage Church Network and former Senior Pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church, shares his vision for equipping the next generation of church leaders. After 32 years in the pulpit, Mike now devotes his time to preparing pastors instead of repairing pastors — and it all starts here in Middle Tennessee.

From planting churches the right way to mentoring young leaders with true "air cover," Mike challenges pastors to step into a Paul-to-Timothy mindset. He reminds us that half of a pastor’s job is to identify, train, and launch future leaders — not just manage the present.

Whether you're a pastor, church planter, ministry leader, or just passionate about the future of the Church, this talk will both convict and encourage you.

📍 Topics Covered:

Why the Church needs a leadership pipeline now more than ever

How Middle Tennessee has become a new mission field

The difference between repairing and preparing pastors

Why 50% of seminary grads leave ministry within 5 years

What it means to provide "air cover" for young leaders

And why Jesus left us a cross, not a flag

📌 Subscribe for more conversations and leadership resources from the Engage Church Network.

#MikeGlenn #ChurchLeadership #EngageChurchNetwork #ChurchPlanting #PastorMentorship #NextGenMinistry #ChristianLeadership #MiddleTennesseeChurches #Discipleship #PaulAndTimothy

In this talk from the Surviving Monday conference (February 2025), Mike Glenn shares why spiritual retreat days are essential for pastors and their staff — and how to make them a priority. Ministry is a marathon, not a sprint, and without intentional rest and renewal, burnout is inevitable.

Glenn offers practical steps for creating space for prayer, reflection, and personal connection with God, showing how these rhythms can transform church culture from the inside out. Whether you’re a pastor or a church leader, this talk will inspire you to embrace rest as a vital part of your calling.