Engage Church Network

As Middle Tennessee transforms with explosive population growth and shifting demographics, what does that mean for the future of the church? Join Mike and special guest Lewis McMullen from the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board as they unpack how migration trends, cultural shifts, and local community dynamics are reshaping ministry in the region. From the surprising role of small towns like Fayettevi...

In this episode of the Engage Church Network Podcast, Mike Glenn sits down with Matt Pearson, Lead Pastor of West Franklin Baptist Church, for a candid and practical conversation on the art and reality of preaching. With a PhD in preaching and over a decade of pastoral experience, Matt brings both academic insight and real-world wisdom to the table. Together, Mike and Matt unpack the difference be...

In this episode of the Engage Church Network Podcast, Mike Glenn, President of Engage Church Network, sits down with Dr. Thomas West, Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church Nashville. From church planting in post-Christian London to leading in the heart of Music City, Dr. West shares powerful insights on the changing landscape of ministry in the West. Together, they explore what it means to pastor in...

In this episode of the Engage Church Network Podcast, Mike Glenn, President of Engage Church Network, sits down with longtime friend and former colleague Chris Brooks. Chris shares his journey from leading a successful young adult ministry at Brentwood Baptist Church to pioneering a local micro church movement focused on real-life discipleship, hospitality, and spiritual family. Together, they exp...

In this episode of the Engage Church Network Podcast, Mike Glenn sits down with Katie Allred to talk about the rapidly evolving world of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and how it is impacting churches, pastors, and the way we communicate. Katie — founder of ChurchCommunications.com, University of Florida professor, and longtime friend of Mike — shares insights from her new book AI Prompts for Church...

Easter has passed—but your work as a pastor isn’t done. In this honest and refreshing episode, Mike Glenn from the Engage Church Network speaks directly to pastors and ministry leaders who are feeling drained after one of the busiest seasons of the year. Through personal stories and biblical insight, Mike offers a timely reminder: you can’t pour from an empty cup. Drawing wisdom from the post-resu...

In this powerful episode of the Engage Church Network Podcast, Mike Glenn sits down with Ben Anderson, the Senior Pastor at Christ Church Nashville, to talk about the unique calling of leading in the very place you were raised. Ben shares what it’s like to return to his home church—not just as a member, but now as the shepherd. From the weight of being fully known to the beauty of generational tru...

Surviving Monday: Finding Strength After Sunday | Engage Church Network Podcast In this powerful episode, we’re joined by a licensed therapist from The Refuge Center for Counseling to explore what it means to survive Monday—the emotional drop-off many pastors and leaders experience after the intensity of Sunday ministry. With honesty and deep wisdom, our guest unpacks: The meaning of emotional and...

In this powerful and heartfelt message, Mike Glenn, President of the Engage Church Network and former Senior Pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church, shares his vision for equipping the next generation of church leaders. After 32 years in the pulpit, Mike now devotes his time to preparing pastors instead of repairing pastors — and it all starts here in Middle Tennessee. From planting churches the right...

In this talk from the  Surviving Monday  conference (February 2025), Mike Glenn shares why spiritual retreat days are essential for pastors and their staff — and how to make them a priority. Ministry is a marathon, not a sprint, and without intentional rest and renewal, burnout is inevitable. Glenn offers practical steps for creating space for prayer, reflection, and personal connection with God,...

What happens when God calls you to something completely unexpected? In this episode of the Engage Church Network Podcast, Mike Glenn sits down with Tommy Rhodes, the founder and executive director of Barefoot Republic, a multicultural Christian summer camp ministry. Tommy shares his remarkable journey from pursuing a PhD in genetic medicine at Vanderbilt to following God’s call to build a camp min...

On this special bonus episode live from Brentwood Baptist Church, ECN President Mike Glenn sits down with Brentwood Baptist Senior Pastor, Jay Strother, to talk having mentors, being a mentor, and the importance of passing on lessons learned to the next generation of ministry workers.

In this episode, Mike Glenn sits down with Linda Leathers, the Executive Director of Operation Andrew, to discuss how churches can unite to serve their communities effectively. Linda shares the incredible 25-year journey of Operation Andrew, which began as a collaborative effort following the Billy Graham Crusade and has since grown into a vital network supporting pastors, mentoring young leaders,...

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...