GrowLeader Podcast with Chris Hodges

Ministry can be tough and so the best way to do it is in a community! In this episode, Pastor Dino Rizzo joins us to discuss the importance of planting churches and how the Association of Related Churches (ARC) is supporting leaders to do just that. Dino emphasizes the importance of training and supporting church planters, as well as the funding model used by ARC. He also highlights the need for c...

What is the best way to reach people for Jesus? Share your personal faith journey! In this conversation, Pastor Chris Hodges discusses the importance of sharing your faith and reaching out to those who are far from God. He emphasizes the need for personal evangelism and teaching church members how to share their faith. The conversation highlights the key principles of recognizing God-given moments...

What is the secret to excellence and growth in ministry? In this episode, Pastor Chad Veach joins us to discuss what he has learned over the last 10 years and shares his experience visiting Highlands College. We start by discussing the importance of creating a culture of honor before delving into the principles of being a builder and the spiritual aspects of leadership. We also discuss topics from...

Looking for practical ways to disciple new believers after Easter services? In this conversation, Pastors Chris and Matt discuss the importance of intentional evangelism and discipleship. They emphasize the need to preach the gospel in every service, give people a chance to respond to God, and get their information for follow-up. Pastor Chris also highlights the 12 steps every believer needs to ta...

What is the secret to membership engagement? In this episode, Blue Van Dyke, the founder of StudioC, joins Pastors Chris and Matt to discuss the importance of member engagement in church growth. He shares his background in marketing and strategy, and how he applied those principles to help churches engage their members. StudioC provides a personalized messaging platform that allows churches to tar...

What are the key characteristics of a growing church? In this episode, Pastors Chris and Matt discuss the importance of taking inventory and detecting problems within your church early. They introduce a new health assessment tool from GrowLeader and share the eight qualities that all growing churches possess, including passionate spirituality, gift-oriented ministry, empowering leadership, functio...

What is the heart of poverty and how can we confront it? In this episode, Pastors Chris and Matt are joined by Wess Stafford, President Emeritus of Compassion International, who shares stories from his life and what led him to joining Compassion International. From experiencing both poverty and abundance, to becoming a bridge for people to providing relief to those in need, Wess helps us understan...

What are the steps to finishing strong as a leader with integrity? In this episode, Pastors Chris and Matt discuss the importance of maintaining integrity as a leader. PC shares seven key principles to help leaders guard against moral failure and make wise choices. These principles include never considering yourself above temptation, keeping a strong relationship with God, maintaining a strong mar...

What are the essential habits to look for in a leader? Discover the must-have habits for effective leadership in this insightful episode! Join Pastor Chris and William Vanderbloemen as they delve into William's latest book, "Be the Unicorn". Unpacking findings from 30,000 top leader interviews, they explore some of the 12 key habits for success, including data-driven insights on fast response time...

Happy New Year! As leaders, how can we start the new year by seeking God's will for our New Year goals? Join Pastors Chris and Matt as they share practical advice for setting annual goals and seeking God's will through prayer and fasting. Discover practical steps to craft meaningful New Year goals that you can stick with, achieve, and are deeply rooted in God's will for your life. This episode emp...

Is it better to spend time reviewing the past or planning for the new year? The answer is, that it's essential to do both! In this episode, discover the keys to finishing the year strong as Pastors Chris and Matt delve into the crucial aspects of preparing for the new year. From insightful Q&A to tips on both evaluating the past and planning for the future, you will learn strategies that will not...

As leaders, how can we meet people's physical needs and spiritual needs through disaster relief or community outreach? Join Pastors Chris and Matt in a great conversation with Hal Donaldson, the president and founder of Convoy of Hope. In this episode, you will discover the transformative power of compassion, disaster relief, and community outreach and walk away with practical tips on how to filte...

What is the connection between faith and psychology, and how does this answer help us develop trust? In this episode, Pastors Chris and Matt are joined by Dr. Henry Cloud to discuss the connection between faith & psychology, the support that all leaders need, and how to develop trust based on his latest book "Trust". Dr. Cloud shares three questions that gauge what level of support we are experien...

How do you currently differentiate between your devotional time and study time? Are there any challenges you face in maintaining this separation? In this episode, Priscilla Shirer joins Pastors Chris and Matt to discuss insights on Bible study essentials. Priscilla not only shares strategies for having a personal devotional time without the pressure of trying to compile your next message but also...

Is the purpose of church services discipleship or evangelism? The answer is, both!   In this episode, Pastors Chris and Matt discuss the vital connection between discipleship and evangelism within our church services. Learn how Fall is a harvest season in both the natural and spiritual, stats on how church services are currently the most effective way to reach people, and strategies for how we can...

What is the key to growth and increasing engagement?   In this episode, Pastors Chris and Matt are joined by their great friend Jeff Little to unpack how coaching and discipling men not only create strong leaders but also foster growth. With almost 30 years of experience as a senior pastor, Jeff Little shares proven practical strategies from his book 'The Way to Win', for mobilizing the people you...

Do you have a guiding vision for the future? Is it specific enough?   In this episode, Pastors Chris and Matt share the Keys to Crafting Vision. You will learn to: - Create a clear vision in 5 Specific Areas - Define your vision with 5 Key Questions - Communicate your vision in 5 Essential Messages   Explore the dual dimensions of vision – personal and shared – for organizational success. Gain ins...

Are you looking for a genuine connection with God?   Join us as pastors Chris and Matt talk with Jim Lafoon on how to hear from God! From understanding God's still small voice and quieting your soul, to the different ways God communicates and how to guard our conscience, this episode offers practical steps to enrich your leadership journey and deepen your relationship with God.   Get more out of t...

Do you desire to lead with greater confidence, clarity, and creativity?   Are you seeking an intimate encounter with God that ignites your leadership journey? Join pastors Chris and Matt in this transformative episode as they highlight the profound significance of maintaining a personal prayer life for leaders. Discover prayer's transformative power for greater confidence, clarity, and creativity...

What does it take to achieve growth?   In today's episode, Donald Miller joins us to discuss practical steps for growth based on his latest book 'How to Grow Your Small Business'. Explore some of the six crucial parts of any organization, discover clarity of vision, saying 'No' to misaligned endeavors, and the three phases of commitment.   Equip yourself with powerful strategies for effective lead...

Vision and Purpose are key factors for a healthy church or business to grow!   Join Pastors Chris and Matt in this thought-provoking episode as they dive deep into the significance of vision for leaders. Gain invaluable wisdom on how to cultivate measurable vision, infuse it with meaningful language, and ignite your church's growth. Discover the art of dreaming big and empowering others to find th...

In this episode, we delve into the crucial topic of religious freedom and its significance in today's society. Join us as Pastors Chris and Matt sit down with Kelly Shackelford, President, CEO, and Chief Counsel of First Liberty Institute. Kelly shares his expertise and sheds light on various aspects of this fundamental right, providing valuable insights for individuals, churches, and organization...

Rest is not just a luxury; it is an essential component of effective leadership! Join us as Pastors Chris and Matt are joined by their close friend, Rick Bezet, who shares about his personal search for meaningful rest and relationships. Gain practical insights and actionable tips for finding rest, nurturing your soul and body, and cultivating meaningful  connections that will strengthen the founda...

In this inspiring episode of the GrowLeader Podcast, Pastors Chris and Matt have a conversation with Compassion International's President and CEO, Santiago "Jimmy" Mellado, about Compassion's work in equipping the local church around the world. Jimmy Mellado shares about his background and his calling to serve the marginalized, what it means to be the church, and how Compassion serves in Jesus' na...

Regardless of the team size, investing in your team through an intentional retreat experience is crucial. Pastors Chris and Matt discuss their upcoming staff retreat and how they use it to reinforce a healthy staff culture by making it a refreshing, refocusing, and rewarding event for the team to recalibrate. They discuss the components that every staff, family, or business retreat should include...