Introduction:

In this episode of the Church Circle Podcast, hosts Brian Caddell and Reuben Rohard sit down in person at Bayside Church to reflect on their journey building Church Circle. From the early days of vision and Zoom calls to real-life meetups and studio recordings, they share raw insights on leadership, creativity, and the friendships that make it all sustainable.

Takeaways:

• Building anything great takes time, trust, and people who believe in the vision.

• Shared experiences—online and in person—create deep, lasting leadership chemistry.

• Vulnerability and laughter are just as essential as strategy when building community.

• Every meaningful ministry starts with a “why,” but it grows through “who.”

• Don’t overlook the power of hospitality in making leaders feel seen and supported.

Key Moments:

03:22 - Brian and Reuben talk about what it meant to finally meet in person after months of collaboration online.
10:10 - they unpack the “backstage” moments that built their trust—Airbnb mishaps, deep dinners, and unexpected bonding.
18:45 - the conversation turns to how Church Circle evolved from a dream into a functioning community with real people and purpose.
25:33 - they highlight the importance of having safe spaces to lead creatively without the pressure to perform.
36:50 - Brian shares a vulnerable moment about leading with intentionality even in difficult seasons.
45:03 - they close with an invitation to Church Circle and ways listeners can get involved.

Practical Tips:

• Lean into your ministry relationships beyond the screen—meet up in person when possible.

• Create environments where leaders can show up as themselves, not just their roles.

• When launching something new, focus more on the community than the content.

• Look for creative ways to “do life together,” even as digital teams.

• Take the risk of building slow and honest, not fast and flashy.