Church Tips – Growth Strategies for Pastors & Ministry Leaders

Okay, the kids and the fam are all loaded up in the van ready to go for the 50 mile trek down the road for the long awaited vacation. I mean, everybody's ready. And then the phone call comes in, that a longtime member of the church has just passed away, and they want you. What are you gonna do? What's your family going to do? Well, in today's episode, we're gonna talk about exa...

Church governance. Who needs it? I mean, I'm called of God to lead this church, I'll just do it and let the chips fall where they may. Well, that might not work out real well for you. The governance of the church is meant to help you, not bind you. In today's episode of the Church Tips Podcast, we're going to talk about exactly that. Read the full transcript, watch the video ve...

Have you ever struggled to land the plane when you're preaching a sermon? You've got great content, you've worked so hard to put it all together, and as you're delivering it comes time for the ending when you're supposed to give the call to action for people to be able to move forward. And what do you say? And how do you know what to do? And how can you make sure to land i...

Okay, I know exactly where I'm going to start this sermon. And frankly, I think I've got a great ending. But building the body of the message, man, I've got to get the good content to make this message, the best it can possibly be. I mean, where in the world am I gonna start with that? Well, in today's episode of the Church Tips podcast, we're going to talk about exactly t...

Every week you start with a blank page. You've got to figure out, what's the hook? What's the illustration? What's the thing that's going to get people on the same page as you prepare for the Word of God to be delivered to people. So as you're putting that together, and as you prepare to deliver that on every weekend, what is it that's going to help people get pr...

Wow, that was a great sermon pastor. I really can't remember what it was exactly all about. But it was great. You've heard that before. Maybe you've said it before. Well, today's episode of church tips, I want to talk to you about my three all time favorite, most memorable sermons. Read the full transcript, watch the video version, and discover more great resources here: https:...

Are the small groups in your church really helping make disciples? Are people growing in their faith? Or are the small groups more just connecting points for people? That's the question so many churches are asking. How to determine if people are growing in their walk with God is a critical part of knowing the success of your small group ministry. So in today's episode, we're gonna t...

Have you ever heard a pastor tell you that their church set out to have a culture of excellence? In this episode, we're going to unpack why you should not strive to create a culture of excellence for your church.

Have you ever heard the saying "numbers are everything?" Well, the fact is, that is very true. It doesn't matter whether it's sports, business, politics, whatever it is, people are measuring stuff all the time. And the same is true for the church. So in today's episode, we're going to talk about what data to measure in ministry. And when you do this, it's going t...

You worked and worked and worked to get this volunteer to serve in ministry, and now they're not cutting it. What in the world are you going to do? Can you fire a volunteer? Well, in this episode, we're going to talk about exactly that. Read the full transcript, watch the video version, and discover more great resources here: https://leaders.church/podcast/ 072-how-to-fire-a-church-volun...

Do you ever wonder what people outside the church think of you inside the church? I mean, they're thinking about coming to church, but they don't know what that experience is going to be. I'm telling you, in this episode, we're going to talk about the very things you need to do to help people who don't know about the church feel comfortable. We want them to enjoy the churc...

Were you called by the Lord to lead a just a quiet little life with a few folks that come to church from time to time? Or were you called to lead a thriving, vibrant community of believers that does outreach and touches your community in ways that no one has ever done? You and I both know the answer to that. To get you to that point, we're going to talk about that very thing in this particula...

Have you ever wondered if you should start a new ministry at the church? Maybe you've had someone come up to you with an idea that they thought would be a great idea for the church. Maybe you've got some ideas of things you could do at the church. Well, how do you know if you should actually start that ministry? Well, in today's episode, we're going to share three ways to help...

You ever wonder why it is that the church grows faster than you have money to staff it? I mean, you'd think the Lord would kind of flip that and make it easier to make the decision or when to hire. Well, today's episode of Church Tips podcast, we're going talk about exactly that subject and help you get there. Read the full transcript, watch the video version, and discover more grea...

Have you ever looked around the church on a Sunday morning, just seeing all the same people, wondering where are you going to find some new volunteers to help you do the ministry that you want to do? Well, in today's episode, we're going to help you to identify five ways that you can find more church volunteers, so that you're not dipping into the same well of people all the time. A...

I think I heard from God... Or was that just the bad pizza from last night? How do I really know if it's from God or if my own thoughts are getting in the way? Well, that's exactly what we're going to talk about in this episode of the Church Tips podcast. Read the full transcript, watch the video version, and discover more great resources here: https://leaders.church/podcast/066-det...

What do you do if you have a staff person at the church who wants to work a side hustle? Should you allow them to do it? Are they not allowed to do it? They need to make a little extra money. The church can't afford to give them the resources they need. So, should they do this side hustle? That's a question some churches are facing. And in today's episode, we're going to debate...

Who cares what the church building looks like? The church is the people anyway. And if you're focused in on the building, you're focused in on material things. Well, if that's the way you're thinking, this episode of the Church Tips Podcast is going to push your buttons. Read the full transcript, watch the video version, and discover more great resources here: https://leaders.c...

You know, even during COVID, there are churches that are thriving, there are churches that are flat, and there are churches slipping. All of us want to be a church that's thriving. What are some things that are happening in churches that are thriving, while maybe 25% to 50% of the people are showing up in person? What is it a church can do to really energize and build community during this ti...

Hey, have you ever found yourself at a point where you say man, we need to promote this event coming up? Oh my goodness, we got something going on this fall, January's coming,. We gotta promote! You know, you find yourself just spinning your wheels! Promote this, promote this. Wouldn't it be great if you could actually have a 12-month plan together that could actually walk you step by st...

You look around at all these other churches in your community, and they're everywhere. Every time you turn around, you see them. And then there's your church, nowhere to be found. Where do these people get all this money to do this? And if I did have some money, where's the best place for me to spend those dollars to be able to communicate what's happening in our church? Well,...

Budget cuts. Oh man, I just hate to even deal with those. But during this era of COVID, it seems like that's all we do. Now, here's the deal, it's one thing to do those budget cuts. It's something entirely different to communicate those cuts to the good staff and volunteers who worked and serve your church to make it move forward. How do you do that? That's exactly what we...

Have you ever worked for someone that was very defensive? I mean, you want to tell that person to get a life, relax, come on, ease up. But time and time again, they get defensive and it's frustrating. Well, today on the Church Tips podcast, we're going to talk about exactly how you can avoid being a defensive leader so that you don't react this way towards others. Read the full tran...

There's all kinds of stereotypes about prayer meetings. I mean, some people think they're long, they're boring, they're too sleepy. And then there's other people who think that they're wild and they're out of control. Well, is it possible that there could be another way? And why should we even have prayer meetings in the first place? Well, stay tuned, because in...

Have you ever questioned your call to ministry? I mean, you wonder, are you really doing what you're supposed to be doing? Or maybe you're not in full time ministry yet and you're asking, am I really qualified to be a pastor? Well, in this episode, we're going to talk about specific qualifications it takes to be a pastor.  Read the full transcript, watch the video version, and...