Engage Church Network

What can the church learn from Alcoholics Anonymous, and how can we join the conversation? In this episode of the Engage Church Network Podcast, Mike Glenn sits down with a longtime member of AA to explore the deep connection between faith, recovery, and community. Together, they discuss why AA often succeeds where churches fall short, how honesty and vulnerability create real transformation, and...

In this episode of the Engage Church Network podcast, Mike Glenn sits down with financial expert and longtime friend Dave Ramsey for a candid conversation about pastors, money, and Biblical stewardship. Together, they explore why so many pastors struggle with personal finances, how shame keeps leaders from addressing money in the pulpit, and why churches must approach the topic through the lens of...

In this episode of ECN Weekly, Mike Glenn sits down with Mike Harder the Lead Pastor of First Baptist Spartanburg to explore what it means to lead with love, humility, and a long-term vision in a historic church context. As a former Brentwood staff member and missionary kid, our guest shares candid insights about stepping into a church with nearly 200 years of legacy, following a beloved long-term...

This special episode of the Engage Church Network Podcast features a powerful conversation with Dr. Charles Lawless, a respected leader, author, and professor in the field of church leadership and spiritual formation. Dr. Lawless joins Pastor Mike Glenn to unpack the spiritual dangers facing pastors today, from isolation and burnout to the subtle drift away from holiness. With practical insight an...

In this episode of the Engage Church Network Podcast, comedian Jeff Allen joins Mike Glenn for an honest and deeply personal conversation about faith, fame, and finding purpose in the pain. Jeff opens up about his journey from addiction and brokenness to transformation through Christ — and how his comedic career intersected with God’s redemptive plan. From the pressures of Hollywood to the quiet m...

What if your children’s ministry could shape a generation of worshipers? In this episode, Mike Glenn sits down with worship leader, songwriter, and author Yancy Richmond to explore the power of discipling kids through worship. They discuss her book Sweet Sound, why worship isn’t just for adults, and how music forms the spiritual lives of our children. Yancy also shares what she’s learning through...

In this episode, Mike Glenn sits down with Grammy-winning artist BeBe Winans—not to talk music, but to talk discipleship. BeBe shares how joining a Wednesday morning men’s group changed his life, helped him find real community, and challenged him to grow in accountability, vulnerability, and joy. This conversation is honest, funny, and full of wisdom for pastors, leaders, and anyone feeling isolat...

In this episode, Mike Glenn, President of the Engage Church Network, sits down with Steve Moore—veteran concert promoter and founder of the Shalom Foundation—for a powerful conversation on calling, obedience, and what happens when you say “yes” to God. After decades in the music industry, Steve’s life took an unexpected turn following a single mission trip to Guatemala. What began as a weeklong vi...

In this episode, Mike Glenn, President of the Engage Church Network, sits down with Dr. Danny Akin, President of Southeastern Seminary, to confront a growing crisis in the church: We have more pulpits than pastors—and fewer leaders being trained to fill them. With decades of experience in theological education and church leadership, Dr. Akin shares what’s being done to “call out the called,” why m...

In this episode, Mike Glenn, President of the Engage Church Network, unpacks the explosive growth happening along the I-65 corridor of Middle Tennessee—and what it means for the future of the church. From Clarksville to Murfreesboro, Nashville to Huntsville, the opportunity for church planting is massive. But with nearly 750,000 unchurched people in just two counties, the need is even greater. Mik...

This special episode of the Engage Church Network Podcast features a powerful message from Pastor Darren Tyler, recorded live at the Identity Conference. In this bold and timely talk, Darren challenges pastors and church leaders to step beyond the comfort of their buildings and into the real work of gospel-driven ministry. With stories from the mission field and deep insights into the cultural mom...

In this episode, Mike Glenn, president of the Engage Church Network, dives into the heart of leadership development within the local church. Drawing from biblical models and personal experience, Mike lays out a practical and prayer-driven path for identifying, discipling, and sending out the next generation of church leaders. He reminds pastors that before they look for charisma or resume polish,...

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,...