EPISODE DESCRIPTION

In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and Bill Van Kirk dig into one of the most overlooked but consequential tools in modern ministry: your church's website. They unpack what it truly means to make a strong digital first impression, offering a practical five-point framework called FIRST — Fast, Interactive, Responsive, Secure, and Turnkey Automated.

Key Topics Covered

• Fast — Why tolerable load times have dropped to two seconds and what a dedicated server actually does
• Interactive — How engagement elements keep visitors on your site longer
• Responsive — Why 96% of internet users are on phones and what happens when your site isn't built for them
• Secure — Trust signals that make visitors feel safe giving online
• Turnkey Automation — How to serve people 24/7 without adding staff

Key Quote
"Not having a church website is kind of like not having a front door of your church. People show up to the parking lot, they see your sign, and they're like — where do I go?"

Scripture References
1 Corinthians 9:22 — "I have become all things to all people so that by all means I might save some."

Takeaway
Your church website is not a digital brochure — it is the first interaction most new people will have with your ministry. The FIRST framework gives ministry leaders a clear, practical standard to audit and improve their digital front door today.

Stay Connected
Website: leadministry.com | Facebook: LeadVolunteers | Instagram: @leadvolunteers

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and Bill Van Kirk open a brand-new month of content on digital ministry with a foundational challenge every church leader needs to hear. They examine why so many churches are invisible to the very people they're trying to reach, offering a compelling framework for understanding why methods must change even as the message never does.

Key Topics Covered

• Why churches die — Changing the unchanging message vs. refusing to change methods that are entirely free to change.
• The digital dating parallel — How people pre-vet a church online, averaging 10 digital experiences before a first visit.
• First-time guest audit — A practical challenge to view your own church website through the eyes of someone who has never been there.

Key Quote
"Churches die for one of two reasons: they change that which should never change, or they are unwilling to change that which they are free to change. Date the method. Marry the message."

Scripture References
1 Corinthians 9:22 — "I have become all things to all people so that by all means I might save some."

Takeaway
Digital ministry is not about chasing trends — it is about bringing the gospel to where people actually live. Your online presence is your front door, and people are standing at it before they ever show up on Sunday.

Stay Connected
Website: leadministry.com | Facebook: LeadVolunteers | Instagram: @leadvolunteers

Episode Description

In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and Bill Van

Kirk close out the Lead Events month by tackling the most overlooked phase

of any event: recovery. They introduce a three-part framework — reserves,

boundaries, and recovery — to help ministry leaders survive the full event

cycle without burning out. From doubling up on Sunday prep weeks in advance

to neutralizing last-minute changes with a 97-cent notebook, this episode

is packed with battle-tested strategies. If you have ever finished an event

only to realize you had nothing left for Sunday, your family, or yourself,

this episode will change how you plan every future event.

Key Topics Covered

*The Event Cycle* — Events have a beginning, middle, and end — and the end

includes recovery, not just cleanup

*Burnout as the Villain* — A powerful analogy of burnout as the ominous

character in the movie of your ministry life

*Building Reserves* — Doubling up on regular ministry prep (Sunday school,

midweek, Bible studies) weeks before the event so the tank is not empty

afterward

*Setting Boundaries* — How to neutralize well-meaning but disruptive voices

during and leading up to the event

*The Book Strategy* — A 97-cent spiral notebook that captures suggestions

during the event without derailing execution

*Neutralizing the Senior Pastor* — How to diplomatically set a planning

cutoff date and protect your team from last-minute audibles

*The Coke-Can Blood Rule* — If it will not result in a Coke-can-sized loss

of blood or death, it can wait for the book

*Recovery Planning* — Scheduling vacation 11 months in advance, the same

day the event date is set

*Flex Time* — Understanding your labor rights and church policies to

protect post-event rest

*Standing Your Ground* — Why bold boundaries protect both you and your team

from burnout

Key Quote

"The event officially ends when I have taken my vacation."

Scripture References

None directly cited in this episode.

Takeaway

The full event cycle includes what happens after the event — and your

recovery is not optional. Build reserves by prepping ahead, set firm

boundaries around planning cutoffs and mid-event interference, and schedule

your recovery time the same day you schedule the event. Your ministry

cannot sustain what your body and soul cannot survive.

Call to Action

We hope this episode encourages and equips you. Share it with a friend and

stay tuned for more resources each week.

Stay Connected for More Resources

Visit our website: http://leadministry.com

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadVolunteers

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadvolunteers

Episode Description

In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and Bill Van

Kirk lay out the essential do's and don'ts of ministry events. They cover

the three resource budgets every church must manage (financial, human, and

facilities), then dive into practical rules for promotion, delegation,

planning, and follow-up. From leveraging free local promotion through mom

groups to building a task-card system for event setup, this episode is

packed with actionable strategies. If you have ever over-recruited,

under-planned, or measured success by the wrong numbers, this episode will

sharpen how you approach every future event.

Key Topics Covered

*Three Resource Budgets* — Financial budget, human resource budget, and

facilities budget — all three must be managed for sustainable events

*Free Local Promotion* — Leveraging mom groups, community boards, radio

stations, TV event listings, and school backpack fliers

*Social Media Strategy* — Creating Facebook events, building a social media

team for forced virality, and why organic reach beats glossy mailers

*Don't Dump, Delegate* — The difference between tossing a task at someone

and equipping them with detailed job descriptions

*The Do and Done Pile* — A task-card system that gives untrained volunteers

clear direction during setup and teardown

*Volunteer Value* — Why every volunteer role must feel essential and

meaningful, not like standing around

*Plan Months in Advance* — The brain-dump planning session and why

procrastination is a rookie error

*Measure What Matters* — Tracking first-time guests who return, not just

total attendance

*Strategic Follow-Up* — Inviting people back into the life of the church

through intentional next steps, not generic thank-you mailers

Key Quote

*"Don't dump duties in an ambiguous way to volunteers. Delegate by using

detailed job descriptions."*

Takeaway

Great events are not accidental. They require managing three budgets,

promoting through free local channels, delegating with clarity, planning

months ahead, and measuring the right outcomes. Build systems once and

refine them every year.

Call to Action

We hope this episode encourages and equips you. Share it with a friend and

stay tuned for more resources each week.

Stay Connected for More Resources

Visit our website: http://leadministry.com

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadVolunteers

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadvolunteers

Episode Description

In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and Vance Martin

from Slingshot Group tackle a critical issue for ministry leaders: how to

plan events without burning out. Building on last week's 3x3 Framework,

they introduce five planning principles designed to protect your team and

your energy. From breaking tasks into smaller pieces to documenting as you

go, this episode provides a practical playbook for sustainable event

planning. If you have ever felt crushed by an event that was supposed to be

life-giving, this episode will show you a better way forward.

Key Topics Covered

*Doable Hard vs. Destructive Hard* — The critical distinction between

healthy challenge and unsustainable strain

*Break Everything Into Smaller Pieces* — Why defining every task is the

first step to organized execution

*Start Dates and Done Dates* — How to avoid due date deception by planning

when work begins, not just when it is due

*Pre-Event Milestones* — Treating planning deadlines and marketing launches

as events on the calendar

*Fill Open Time Wisely* — Redistributing workload into slower seasons

instead of stacking it into brutal ones

*Give Away Tasks and Leadership* — Why organization enables delegation and

the best events are led by teams, not heroes

*Document as You Go* — Building reusable templates and using post-event

evaluations like the Six Thinking Hats framework

*Gantt Charts for Ministry* — Using project management tools to visualize

timelines and assign ownership

Key Quote

"What gets defined gets done."

Scripture References

None directly cited in this episode.

Takeaway

Stop treating event planning as a sprint you survive. Start treating it as

a system you build. Break down tasks, set start dates, create milestones,

distribute the workload, and document everything so next year is easier

than this year.

Call to Action

We hope this episode encourages and equips you. Share it with a friend and

stay tuned for more resources each week.

Stay Connected for More Resources

Visit our website: http://leadministry.com

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadVolunteers

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadvolunteers

Episode Description

In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart welcomes back

Vance Martin from Slingshot Group to introduce the 3x3 Framework for

Strategic Events. They explore why events miss the mark — through

misalignment, mismanagement, and mistiming — and offer a powerful new lens

for event planning. The framework identifies three cultures to target

(kids, parents, volunteers), three purposes to fulfill (find, fun,

formation), and three event types to deploy (show up, show out, showdown).

If you have ever felt like your events serve some people but leave others

behind, this episode will give you a practical grid to design events that

serve everyone.

Key Topics Covered

*The Three Misses* — Why events fail through misalignment (no purpose),

mismanagement (no team), and mistiming (no margin)

*Three Cultures to Target* — Kids, parents, and volunteers each need

distinct event attention

*Three Event Purposes* — Find (outreach), fun (connection and belonging),

and formation (discipleship and equipping)

*Three Event Types* — Show up (low-pressure), show out (structured), and

showdown (high-energy, wide-reach)

*The 3x3 Grid* — How to plot your annual calendar using colored sticky

notes to ensure balanced investment across all groups

*Events as Recruiting Tools* — How one-time serve opportunities at events

become gateways to long-term volunteer teams

Key Quote

"A killer event shouldn't kill you, and it shouldn't kill your team."

Takeaway

Stop planning events in isolation. Use the 3x3 Grid to ensure you are

intentionally serving all three cultures — kids, parents, and volunteers —

with the right purpose and the right format. Plot it visually, step back,

and see where the gaps are.

Call to Action

We hope this episode encourages and equips you. Share it with a friend and

stay tuned for more resources each week.

Stay Connected for More Resources

Visit our website: http://leadministry.com

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadVolunteers

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadvolunteers

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Episode Description

In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and Bill Van Kirk explore why every ministry event should lead somewhere — not end at a dead end. They unpack the concept of events as stepping stones across a river, moving people from first-time guests to committed members. They also introduce a breadcrumb analogy, showing how a thoughtful sequence of events can guide families through a clear pathway toward deeper engagement. If you have ever planned an event and wondered what comes next, this episode will equip you with a strategic framework for year-round event planning.

Key Topics Covered

Events as Stepping Stones — Why each event should connect to the next, creating a natural pathway from guest to committed member

The Breadcrumb Strategy — How to lay out a series of appealing events that guide people through a forest of unfamiliarity toward deeper church involvement

Building Familiarity — Practical ways to reduce the "deer in the headlights" experience for newcomers at your church

The Six Parts of an Event (Airplane Model) — Leadership, volunteers, promotion, going live, follow-up, and recovery

Gathering Contact Information — Why collecting info at events is non-negotiable for effective follow-up

Calendar Strategy — How to space events at a natural human rhythm, avoiding gaps that are too large or too small

Key Quote

"The event isn't the event. The event is meeting their deepest needs. An event is nothing but an excuse to develop relationships and a level of consistency."

Scripture References

Psalm 34:8 — "Taste and see that the Lord is good." (referenced in breadcrumb analogy)

Takeaway

Stop thinking of events as standalone experiences. Start viewing them as strategic stepping stones that move people from their first visit toward genuine connection with the body of Christ. Map your entire year of events and make sure each one promotes the next.

Call to Action

We hope this episode encourages and equips you. Share it with a friend and stay tuned for more resources each week.

Stay Connected for More Resources

Visit our website: http://leadministry.com

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadVolunteers

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadvolunteers

Episode Description

In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart tells the story behind a simple but powerful outreach tool: a mobile block party trailer. He explains how one shared resource empowered everyday church members to love their neighbors, host gatherings, and start meaningful conversations without burning out leaders or volunteers.

If your church wants outreach that is relational, repeatable, and sustainable, this episode offers a practical model that works in real neighborhoods.

Key Topics Covered

The block party trailer concept – Outreach that scales through people

Earning the right to be heard – Building relationships before invitations

Sustainable outreach systems – High impact without burnout

Key Quote

“One simple trailer created hundreds of meaningful conversations.”

Scripture References

Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before others.”

1 Peter 3:15 – “Always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that you have.”

Takeaway

Outreach does not have to be complicated or exhausting. When churches equip people with simple tools and clear vision, relational impact multiplies naturally.

Call to Action

We hope this episode encourages and equips you. Share it with a friend and stay tuned for more resources each week.

Stay Connected for More Resources

Visit our website: http://leadministry.com

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadVolunteers

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadvolunteers

Episode Description

In this bonus episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart shares how churches are gaining unprecedented access to public schools by serving real community needs. Drawing from his background as a science educator, Josh explains a practical outreach approach that builds trust, creates goodwill, and opens doors for the gospel.

If your church has felt shut out of public schools or unsure how to begin those conversations, this episode offers a clear, proven path forward rooted in service and wisdom.

Key Topics Covered

Why churches lost access to public schools – Understanding the relational gap

Good works and goodwill – Earning the right to be heard again

The Day of Science – A bridge building outreach model

Key Quote

“We must serve our way into the hearts of people.”

Scripture References

Joshua 3:7 – “I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel.”

1 Peter 3:15 – “Always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that you have.”

Takeaway

Access to public schools is not gained through arguments but through service. When churches meet real needs with excellence, doors reopen and trust is restored.

Call to Action

We hope this episode encourages and equips you. Share it with a friend and stay tuned for more resources each week.

Stay Connected for More Resources

Visit our website: http://leadministry.com

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadVolunteers

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadvolunteers

Episode Description

In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart explores how churches can host high impact outreach events without exhausting their leaders or volunteers. He introduces a practical outreach model built around clarity, simplicity, and gospel faithfulness.

If you have ever wondered whether live outreach events are worth the cost, effort, or risk, this episode will equip you with a framework for doing them in a sustainable and effective way.

Key Topics Covered

Burnout and outreach – Why many events cost more than they give back

A killer event that does not kill your team – Designing for sustainability

The Amazing Chemistry Show – A practical outreach model that works

Key Quote

“A killer event doesn’t have to kill you or your team.”

Scripture References

Joshua 3:7 – “I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel.”

Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”

Takeaway

Effective outreach does not require chaos, exhaustion, or embarrassment. When events are designed with the gospel, the audience, and volunteers in mind, outreach becomes energizing instead of draining.

Call to Action

We hope this episode encourages and equips you. Share it with a friend and stay tuned for more resources each week.

Stay Connected for More Resources

Visit our website: http://leadministry.com

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadVolunteers

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadvolunteers