What if your church disappeared tomorrow—would your city notice? In this episode of Salty Talk, we’re joined by Chris Winn from Community Life Church in Shawnee, Kansas. With over 40 years of ministry experience and a heart for his city, Chris shares how asking one tough question changed the direction of his church forever.

He walks us through the practical (and sometimes messy) journey of partnering with local government, serving alongside non-believers, and creating a community-wide volunteer system that has gained attention across the region.

Whether you're leading a large congregation or a church of 100, this episode will challenge your definition of "impact" and remind you that obedience often starts small—and always multiplies.

How do you measure success when you’re serving people instead of selling a product? In this follow-up to the previous conversation on ministry metrics, the Salty Talk crew digs into the heart (and grit) of setting and measuring goals in community ministry.

From tracking meals served to navigating the tension between big numbers and real impact, this episode is packed with honest, practical insight. Hosts Jerome, Erica, and Becky get real about balancing leadership expectations with the messy, grassroots nature of local outreach—and how humility, collaboration, and clarity can guide ministry goals that actually reflect God’s heart.

Bonus: The team also shares stories, wins, flops, and the occasional mic-drop one-liner you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of Salty Talk, hosts Becky, Jerome, and Erica dive into a tricky element of community ministry: how to measure success. From failed events and unexpected wins to long-term transformation and small but powerful stories, this honest conversation explores what it really looks like to lead local outreach with both strategy and soul.

Whether you're a seasoned community minister or just starting out, you'll find encouragement in the real talk about expectations, metrics, leadership alignment, and why the most meaningful moments often can’t be measured at all.

Erica also shares a personal update on her cancer journey and how God’s faithfulness continues to lead the way.

We’re back with part two of our conversation on church collaboration—and this time, we’re digging even deeper. Join hosts Becky, Jerome, and Erica as they swap real-life stories and practical advice about what it takes to build meaningful partnerships between churches of all sizes and styles.

Hear how cross-church efforts are meeting community needs, why intentional humility matters, and how you can take the first step in your city. From inviting others to the table, to checking our own egos, to cheering on neighboring churches (even when no one’s watching)—this is what healthy collaboration looks like.

In this episode, co-hosts Jerome, Erica, and Becky explore the realities, challenges, and rewards of church-to-church collaboration. From awkward cold calls and territorial reputations to humbling rejections and beautiful partnerships, they break down what it looks like to pursue unity among churches of all sizes and styles.

Erica shares practical insights on approaching other churches with humility, curiosity, and a heart for real relationships—not just programming. Listeners are reminded that collaboration isn't about perfection; it's about persistence, love, and a shared commitment to lifting up the community together.

In this episode, the Salty Talk team welcomes guest Mike Lindeman, Community Minister at NorthStar Church in Atlanta, to discuss what it really looks like to serve local schools with consistency, compassion, and no strings attached.

With over a decade of experience building sustainable school partnerships, Mike shares stories, strategies, and encouragement for churches looking to make a long-term difference in their local education systems. Hosts Becky, Erica, and Jerome add their own perspectives from across the country, highlighting the beauty of diverse approaches united by one goal: showing up in schools to demonstrate the love of Christ.

In this honest and energizing episode of Salty Talk, co-hosts Jerome, Erica, and Becky tackle the real and relatable topic of compassion fatigue that is so prevalent in the world of service work.

Drawing from their own experiences as community ministers, parents, and people who wear many hats, the team explores what compassion fatigue looks like, why it shows up, and how to guard against it with healthy boundaries and rhythms of rest. With plenty of laughter, real talk, and encouragement, this episode reminds us that it's okay not to be okay, but it's essential to protect your heart while serving others.

Whether you’re a church leader, nonprofit worker, or simply someone who cares a lot, this conversation is a must-listen.

Fresh off the 2025 Community Minister Network Summit in Louisville, KY, Jerome and Becky are joined by special guest Carissa Figgins for a real, refreshing recap of what made this year’s gathering so powerful. From unexpected ministry connections to vulnerable conversations about fear, advocacy, and the gospel, this episode is a heartfelt look at what happens when local outreach leaders get in the same room.

Carissa shares her experiences on training volunteers, addressing practical issues like Narcan Training and CPR, and learning to lead not just through tasks but by casting a Kingdom-focused vision. Together, the trio also explores the importance of not shrinking back from dark or difficult spaces—because Jesus followers are called to light them up.

In this episode, the Salty Talk team dives into what it really looks like when churches come together to respond to crisis—specifically wildfires in Southern California. Guest Paula from Shepherd Church shares how her team mobilized local churches, nonprofits, and even government leaders to serve families affected by the fires. The conversation explores the beauty and challenges of disaster relief work and how critical pre-existing partnerships are when quick, coordinated responses are needed most.

This isn’t just about rebuilding homes; it’s about reimagining how the Church collaborates, leads, and serves in times of real need. From fundraising miracles to humanizing relief efforts, this episode offers encouragement, practical wisdom, and a glimpse into how churches across all sizes and denominations can work together as the hands and feet of Jesus.

In this foundational episode of Salty Talk, hosts Becky, Jerome, and Erica welcome special guests Kent and Mary Lee, the founders of the Community Minister Network. Together, they unpack the origin story of the Network, share the heart behind the movement, and reflect on why community ministry is one of the most vital—yet often isolating—roles in the Church today.

From building citywide church collaborations to discovering that community ministers across the U.S. share the same wins and struggles, this episode celebrates the power of connection. Listeners will hear how the Network got started, what the research revealed, and why now is the time to link arms and lead together.