Ministry Mix

Gen Z is one of the most spiritually curious yet institutionally skeptical generations we’ve ever seen. Many churches want to reach them but aren’t sure where to start or what actually connects. In this episode of Ministry Mix , Phil Gifford and Richard Pope have a real, a little unhinged and unfiltered conversation about what actually works when it comes to connecting with Gen Z. Not trends. Not...

Church growth is something most pastors pray for. We want to see more people reached, more lives changed, and more momentum. But what happens when growth actually starts to happen? In this episode of Ministry Mix , we talk honestly about the hidden dangers that can quietly creep in as churches grow . These aren’t necessarily problems outsiders usually see, but pressures leaders feel deeply. We dis...

Hurting people are not a disruption to ministry. They are the ministry. In this episode of Ministry Mix , Phil Gifford and Richard Pope walk through eight practical and pastoral reminders for caring well for people who are suffering. Whether the hurt comes from grief, sin, trauma, broken relationships, or life in a fallen world, ministry leaders must learn how to offer real care that reflects the...

In this episode of Ministry Mix , Phil and Richard sit down with Next Gen Pastor at Canvas, David Elliot , who has rapidly grown from serving in a nursery with two kids to leading a full Next Gen ministry that includes children, parents, volunteers, and a newly launched teen ministry. David works bivocationally and represents the reality of many ministry leaders juggling calling, work, and ministr...

In this episode of The Ministry Mix Podcast , Phil and Richard sit down with their friend Josh, pastor of Cross & Anchor Church in Detroit, to explore a story filled with calling, closed doors, disappointment, grit, and God’s surprising redirection. Josh shares the compelling journey he and his wife walked—from serving in Montana, to believing God was calling them to plant a church in London,...

In this vulnerable and refreshing conversation, Phil and Richard sit down to talk about the surprising ministry impact of Richard’s poetry book Memento Mori . What began as private reflections written while facing cancer has become a ministry tool touching people who feel unseen, forgotten, or spiritually disconnected. This episode unpacks how creativity intersects with calling, how the Psalms tea...

In this episode of Ministry Mix , Phil and Richard sit down with Tony Hudson , a filmmaker and master storyteller. Tony shares how learning to see people through the lens of love transforms not only how we tell stories, but how we do ministry. Tony reminds us that good storytelling isn’t about technique; it’s about paying attention, loving deeply, and letting God write the narrative . This episode...

We’re back!  In the Season 2 opener, Phil and Richard kick things off with honesty, humor, and a fresh desire to grow. After an unplanned break (and a few ministry curveballs), the guys share five ways they’re aiming to do ministry better-ish — because improvement matters, but perfection isn’t the goal. They unpack lessons learned from the past year, talk about the importance of prioritizing famil...

Leading While Hurting: Showing Up When You’re Struggling What do you do when your soul is limping but the sermon still needs to be preached? In this vulnerable episode of Ministry Mix, Phil and Richard open up about what it’s like to keep leading when you’re tired, grieving, burned out, or just broken. They share honest stories of preaching through pain, shepherding with a heavy heart, and discove...

In this practical episode of Ministry Mix , Phil and Richard walk through 10 ways to better understand the place where you live and lead. Whether you're planting a church, revitalizing a congregation, or just trying to be a more thoughtful neighbor, knowing your city is a key part of effective ministry. From demographics to diners, prayer walking to property tax data, this episode gives leade...

In this episode, Phil Gifford and Richard Pope swap stories about the odd jobs they’ve worked—from lifeguarding and grease trap cleaning to bouncer gigs and debt collection. But it’s more than fun stories—they pull leadership and ministry insights from each experience. Whether you’re scrubbing toilets or selling copiers, there are spiritual lessons everywhere. Key Takeaways: Train for the unseen:...

In this practical episode, Phil Gifford and Richard Pope dive into six essential tips for holding baptism services that are meaningful, mission-focused, and joy-filled. Whether you're a lead pastor or part of a church team, this conversation is packed with real-life stories, helpful strategies, and a few tangents along the way. You’ll learn: How to capture and share baptism stories to inspire...

In this second part of our two-part conversation with Jim Collins, we pick up the story after his failed church plant in Tennessee. Now, Jim shares how God led him—slowly and graciously—toward planting again, this time in Las Vegas, Nevada. But this story isn’t just about “success.” It’s about soul-level transformation, submission to God’s process, and the deep lessons of leadership that only come...

In this unfiltered and unscripted episode, Phil and Richard have a real conversation about why summer is one of the most strategic seasons for church outreach—and how your church or ministry can make the most of it. Rather than settling for the “summer slump,” they share how their churches are leaning in with clear goals, creative outreach ideas, and intentional mobilization. From micro-events to...

In this raw and encouraging conversation, Phil sits down with Jim Collins to talk about something we don't hear enough in ministry circles: failure. Jim shares his personal story of planting a church in Tennessee that didn’t go as planned—from launch dreams to a painful unraveling. But more than that, Jim reflects on the deeper lessons God taught him about leadership, calling, submission, and...

In this episode of Ministry Mix , Phil and Richard ready up to bring you a Fortnite-themed guide to real ministry leadership. Whether you’ve built your share of ramps or have no idea what a "Loot Llama" is, this episode is for you. What can Fortnite teach us about ministry? Turns out—a lot. From failed solo pushes to sweaty wins and unexpected healing stations, we share 5 (plus a few bon...

In this episode of the Ministry Mix Podcast , Phil and Richard dive into a practical conversation for anyone sensing a call to ministry. Whether you’re a high school student, a mid-career professional, or already serving in a church, this episode outlines six clear and biblical steps you can take right now to discern and develop your calling—before you ever get a position or a platform. You’ll hea...

In this episode of the Ministry Mix Podcast , Phil and Richard explore what happens when the people who helped shape you in ministry are no longer there—whether through death, burnout, moral failure, or natural transition. They open up about their own experiences of losing key influences in their life and the disorienting, yet defining impact it can have on a leader's soul and direction. The...

In this episode of Ministry Mix , Phil and Richard explore one of the most vital tasks of ministry leadership—helping people move toward the mission of God. Drawing from real-life stories and pastoral experience, they walk through eight practical ways to encourage everyday believers to live on mission. From telling everyday stories of obedience, to normalizing small steps of faith, to making praye...

Not every church leader dreams of running events—but nearly all of us do. In this episode, Chris Ford returns to Ministry Mix to share what he’s learned as a full-time event planner and volunteer church leader. From hosting massive music festivals to pulling off a church Christmas party, Chris has seen it all—and made a few mistakes so you don’t have to. We dive into the 6 keys to planning events...

What do The A-Team , Friends , Avatar: The Last Airbender , and The Walking Dead have in common? They’ve all taught us something about leadership, storytelling, or the soul. In this laid-back (and slightly post-lunch delirious) episode, Phil and Richard each share three TV shows that shaped their approach to ministry—and end with one shared favorite that might surprise you. From embracing curiosit...

Ministry is rewarding—but let’s be honest, it’s also exhausting. In this episode of Ministry Mix , Richard Pope and Phil Gifford talk candidly about those moments when quitting ministry sounds way too appealing. Whether you're facing burnout, conflict, disappointment, or just a tough season, this episode offers real talk and six practical actions to take before you walk away. From looking bac...

In this episode of Ministry Mix , Phil Gifford and Richard Pope dive into a critical tool in a church leader's toolbox—Vision Sunday. Whether you're a lead pastor or a ministry leader, this episode unpacks five reasons why setting aside a Sunday to cast vision can bring clarity, focus, and unity to your church or ministry. From clarifying direction and filtering out distractions, to rese...

In this episode of Ministry Mix , Phil and Richard dive into one of the most critical but often overlooked aspects of evangelism—building trust with those who are spiritually disconnected. Drawing insights from the book I Once Was Lost , they explore the first key threshold people must cross before embracing faith: trusting a Christian. With skepticism toward church leaders at an all-time high and...

In this episode of Ministry Mix , Phil and Richard dive into the sometimes awkward, sometimes effective, but always important discussion of how churches approach Easter outreach. Should churches rely on big events, flashy egg hunts, and, yes, even the Easter Bunny? Or is there a better way to leverage the season to reach people for Jesus? They explore four different ways to think about Easter outr...