Engage Church Network

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...

Join Pastor Mike Glenn and Darrel Girardier, the Communications Director at Brentwood Baptist Church, as they dive into a thoughtful discussion on the pros and cons of pastors navigating the world of social media. In this insightful conversation, they explore the challenges and opportunities that come with maintaining an online presence, balancing authenticity with privacy, and using social platfo...

Mike Glenn sits down with Michael Easley to explore the intersection of politics and the pulpit in today’s political climate and constantly changing terrain. Michael is a respected Bible teacher, pastor, and former president of Moody Bible Institute. Michael has faithfully serves churches in the DC and Nashville metro areas. He hosts several podcasts, including “Michael in Context” and “Ask Dr. E,...