What does it take to build a healthy ministry behind the scenes? In this episode, Gavin Smith is joined by Zach Cochran, Vice President for Operations at The Gospel Coalition, to explore the often-overlooked role of operations in advancing gospel ministry.

The conversation explores the unique calling of the "number two" leader, the importance of trust, integrity and consistency, and why operational leaders are often called to absorb pressure while enabling others to flourish.

Whether you're a church leader, operations manager, administrator or volunteer, this episode offers practical wisdom on building healthy teams, leading through change, and creating the structures that help churches faithfully fulfil their mission.

In this episode you'll discover:

A thoughtful conversation for anyone passionate about strengthening the local church through faithful leadership and healthy organisational culture.

A church's online presence is often the very first welcome someone receives, long before they ever walk through its doors. In this episode, Jon Wright, Trustee of The Church Office, and Adrian Semerene, church pastor, explore how churches can make the most of their digital presence. Together they discuss websites, social media, live-streamed services, and digital communication, sharing practical ideas to help churches engage their communities, strengthen relationships, and faithfully reflect the life and mission of the church online.

Martyn's Law is bringing new responsibilities for many churches and Christian organisations. In this episode, Anna Wood, one of The Church Office Trustees, and Becky Thomas, Director of Governance at the FIEC, join us to unpack what the legislation means, who it applies to, and the practical steps churches can take now to improve safety, prepare their teams, and respond well in an emergency. Whether your church falls within the scope of the legislation or not, this conversation will help you think proactively about protecting people and being prepared.

In our latest The Church Office podcast, Jon Wright is joined by Penny Clarke, one of the Directors of the UK Church Administrators Network (UCAN).

Listen in as they discuss what UCAN is, their experiences of being part of UCAN and how you can get involved!

In this episode, Gavin is joined by Rachel Slough to explore the important subject of managing change in churches. Rachel shares practical wisdom and honest insight into why change can feel challenging, how leaders can guide people well through transition, and the importance of communication, culture, and trust along the way. Together they discuss the realities churches face when navigating growth, vision, and new seasons of ministry. This conversation offers encouragement and practical tools for church leaders, administrators, and teams seeking to lead change with wisdom, care, and confidence.

In this episode, Gavin is joined by Mark Jones from Edward Connor Solicitors to discuss some of the key employment law changes coming in April and October 2026. Mark explains what these updates could mean for churches, including changes to statutory sick pay, family leave, redundancy consultation, tribunal time limits, and wider workplace responsibilities. This conversation offers a clear and practical overview for church leaders, trustees, operations managers, and administrators who want to serve their staff teams well, review their policies, and prepare wisely for the changes ahead.

In this podcast, Gavin speaks with Andy Laws, the new Operations Manager at Slade Evangelical Church in London. Andy shares their church’s experience of undergoing a Back Office Review with The Church Office and the impact it has had on their operations. If you’d like to find out more about booking a Back Office Review for your church,  please e-mail us at [email protected]

What does it take to support a network of churches reaching a city like London with the gospel?

In this episode, Gavin Smith is joined by Matthew Dalton, Chief Operations Officer at Co-Mission, a growing network of churches across London. Together, they explore how a relational network, supported by a strong central team, can enable local churches to thrive in their mission. Matthew shares insights on the importance of systems that serve people, fostering unity across diverse congregations, and the challenges of church planting.

A thoughtful and practical conversation for anyone involved in church leadership, operations, or network ministry.

In this episode, we’re joined by James Brumwell, Executive Lead at Gas Street Church in Birmingham, as we explore the operational side of mission and ministry. Together, we dig into what it really takes behind the scenes to help bring light to a city. James shares practical insights on building systems, leading teams, and creating structures that support meaningful, lasting impact in the community.

https://gasstreet.church/theengineroom

Finding funding for your church building or ministry can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, we’re joined by Andrew Clark from Church Grants, a platform dedicated to helping churches discover relevant funding opportunities.

We explore how churches can access grants, where to start, and what funders are really looking for. If you’ve ever wondered how to fund a building project, expand your ministry, or simply navigate the world of church funding, this episode is packed with practical insight.

🔗 Learn more: www.churchgrants.co.uk