Engage Church Network

How can pastors and local churches move beyond their walls and truly impact their communities? In this episode, Mike Glenn, president of the Engaged Church Network, sits down with Daryl Crouch, a longtime pastor and now leader of Everyone’s Wilson, to discuss the shift from traditional ministry to city-focused mission work. Daryl shares his journey from pastoring for 28 years to leading a regional...

In this episode of the Engaged Church Network Podcast, Mike Glenn sits down with Darren Tyler, pastor of Conduit Church, to discuss his unconventional journey into church planting. Unlike the traditional approach, Darren started with missions first, leading Bible studies that transformed into a movement of global outreach—long before he ever considered launching a church. From his time in the musi...

How Churches Can Support Families with Special NeedsIn this episode of the Engage Church Network Podcast, Mike Glenn is joined by Carley Ellis, the Programming Director of the Rowan Glenn Center at Brentwood Baptist Church. Carley shares her inspiring journey from volunteer to program director and discusses the importance of churches embracing special needs ministries. Key Takeaways: The heart beh...

In this episode of the Engage Church Network Podcast, Mike Glenn sits down with renowned author, speaker, and leadership consultant Stephen Mansfield for a compelling discussion on leadership in the church and beyond. Together, they explore: The essentials of great leadership, including vision, communication, and drawing out the best in others. The key differences between corporate and spiritual l...

Welcome to the Engaged Church Network podcast! I’m Mike Glenn, and today I’m joined by my longtime friend, Brian Coates, Executive Pastor of the Brentwood campus at Brentwood Baptist Church. Brian’s journey began as a youth ministry intern, and over the years, he’s taken on various leadership roles, growing into an integral part of our church’s mission. In this episode, we dive into: Brian’s inspi...

Join Mike Glenn, president of the Engaged Church Network, as he sits down with Rogers Anderson, Williamson County’s longtime mayor, to discuss the incredible transformation of one of Tennessee's fastest-growing regions. With over 20 years of leadership experience, Rogers shares insights on navigating change, prioritizing education, and fostering community growth. Discover practical lessons fo...

In this episode of the Engage Church Network Podcast, Mike Glenn, President of the Engage Church Network, sits down with John Pfaender, Founder and CEO of Lasting Media. Together, they dive into the essential digital tools every church needs to connect with their community in today's fast-paced, tech-driven world. Discover practical tips for: Optimizing your church's website to create a...

In this episode of the Engaged Church Network Podcast, Mike Glenn sits down with Bill Pfaender—Marine Corps veteran and Chick-fil-A operator—to discuss the universal principles of leadership. Bill shares the importance of humility, empowering others, and why pastors must focus on their calling while developing leaders within their congregations. Discover how letting go of micromanagement and trust...

Join Mike Glenn, President of the Engage Church Network, and Linc Taylor, Next Gen and Family Minister at Brentwood Baptist Church, as they dive into a transformative discussion on family ministry. In this episode, they explore: The paradigm shift from focusing solely on youth to engaging entire families. Strategies to equip parents as spiritual leaders in their homes. The challenges of redefining...

In this episode of the Engage Church Network Podcast, Mike Glenn sits down with Lisa Francisco, former Executive Director of Central Operations at Brentwood Baptist Church. Lisa shares her journey from a corporate career at HCA to overseeing finances and operations for one of Nashville's largest churches. Together, they discuss the importance of stewardship, building trust through financial t...

In this episode, Mike Glenn sits down with Matt Largen, CEO of Williamson Inc., the Chamber of Commerce for Williamson County. Together, they explore the incredible growth and evolution of Williamson County, touching on the opportunities and challenges it presents for churches and communities alike. From shifts in demographics and economic trends to the pressing need for affordable housing and men...

Join us for today's episode of the Engage Church Network Podcast with host Mike Glenn and special guest, Mayor Ken Moore of Franklin, Tennessee. Mayor Moore shares his journey from orthopedic surgeon to a four-term mayor and discusses the importance of faith-driven leadership in the political process. Key topics include:Encouraging Christians to engage in public service. Franklin's growt...

In this episode of the Engaged Church Network podcast, host Mike Glenn welcomes Bill Choate, Director of Collegiate Ministries at the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. With decades of experience, Bill shares his invaluable perspective on ministering to young adults, discussing the unique challenges faced by Generation Z and the importance of creating authentic, lasting connections within the church...

In this episode, Mike sits down with Jay Strother, Senior Pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church. Jay shares insights from his first year leading the church after Mike’s long tenure, reflecting on the challenges, surprises, and spiritual growth involved in transitioning into this new role. Together, they explore the keys to navigating pastoral leadership changes, building unity, and guiding a congrega...

In this episode, Mike Glenn talks with New Testament scholar Scot McKnight about the church's role in today’s culture. McKnight, author of The King Jesus Gospel and The Blue Parakeet, shares insights on the church’s relationship with politics, the meaning of national symbols in worship, and the importance of strong mentorship. Offering advice for young pastors, McKnight emphasizes rooting min...

Join Mike Glenn as he welcomes long-time friend and leadership mentor, Leon Drennan, to the podcast. Leon shares key insights from his extensive experience in organizational leadership, both in the healthcare industry and with pastors. In this episode, they dive into the essentials of leading a local church, balancing ministry demands, and empowering staff to protect their time and focus. Leon&apo...

Join Mike Glenn, president of the Engage Church Network, as he sits down with Aaron Bryant, pastor of the Church at Avenue South. In this episode, they discuss practical insights on leading a congregation in Middle Tennessee, the challenges of urban ministry, and the journey of pastoring multiple generations within the same church. Hear how Aaron’s calling to Nashville’s urban core led to the plan...

In this episode of the Engage Church Network Podcast, Mike Glenn sits down with Brent Leatherwood, President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention. Together, they dive into the challenging question, “Should Christians stay out of politics?” Brent shares his personal journey in political engagement, discussing how his faith guides his work and why...

In this episode, Mike Glenn, president of the Engaged Church Network, and Darrell Gwaltney, board chairman, discuss the importance of lifelong learning for pastors. They explore how pastors must stay curious, humble, and disciplined to grow in their ministry, sharing personal insights on topics like Greek language study, theology, and leadership. Whether you're a pastor or church leader, this...

In this episode of the Engaged Church Network Podcast, Mike Glenn sits down with his longtime friend Randy Davis, Executive Director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. With over 15 years of experience, Randy shares insights on the current crisis in church leadership, where hundreds of churches across Tennessee are without pastors. Together, they discuss the importance of identifying and train...

In this episode of the Engage Church Network Podcast, Mike Glenn sits down with Tim Harlow, who pastored in Chicago for 33 years before recently moving to Nashville. Together, they share a candid conversation about transitioning out of long-term ministry roles, the challenges of stepping away from leadership, and the importance of family. Tim opens up about the emotional toll of leaving a church h...

In this episode of the Engaged Church Network Podcast, Mike Glenn, President of the Engaged Church Network, sits down with Miles Terry, a practicing attorney with over 15 years of experience specializing in church law and nonprofit legal matters. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of church liability, government regulations, and the unique legal challenges facing churches today. Miles s...

In this insightful conversation, Clay Stauffer and Mike Glenn discuss the crucial distinction between preparing for ministry versus repairing from it. Drawing from Clay’s personal experiences during his sabbatical, they emphasize the importance of intentional rest for pastors to maintain long-term health in their ministries. They also explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant...

In this episode, Mike Glenn sits down with Fady Al-Hagal to explore the unique landscape of church planting in Middle Tennessee, where ethnic diversity is rapidly growing. They dive into the reality that 1 in 13 people in Middle TN were born outside the United States, highlighting how the world has truly come to our doorstep. Mike and Fady discuss practical ways churches can intentionally engage w...

Pastor Mike Glenn and Michele Dyer discuss discovering and nurturing spiritual gifts within the church. Michele shares her journey from supporting her husband in ministry to finding her own calling through mentorship and spiritual gifts assessments- ultimately leading her to serve as the Connection Minister at Brentwood Baptist Church. They emphasize the importance of helping every church member f...