Strategy Snippets with Mel & Melinda

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 36   Big events can be exciting—but they can also leave church teams exhausted, overwhelmed and wondering if it was all worth it. In this episode, Mel and Melinda talk about how churches can take some of the stress out of big events. From deciding ahead of time which events really deserve your energy, to managing timelines, communicating well and involving th...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 35   Can something as good as the Bible become unhealthy in the way we use it? In this episode, Mel and Melinda explore the darker side of strategy and how good things can produce unhealthy outcomes when our methods become rigid or go unquestioned. They unpack what happens when churches fill people with biblical knowledge without helping them live it out, and...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 34   Everyone is busy. But leadership development is too important to put in the too hard basket. In this episode, Mel and Melinda explore practical ways churches can develop leaders without simply adding more meetings to already crowded calendars. From books and group chats to video, bite-sized training and making better use of existing rhythms, they look at...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 33   Financial integrity isn't only about meeting legal or accounting requirements. Sometimes it's found in the simple practices that shape how a church handles money every day. In this episode, Mel and Melinda explore practical ways churches can build a culture of financial integrity—from having multiple people handle cash and giving ministry leaders real bu...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 32   Church programs can be incredibly valuable—but sometimes we create a program to solve something that might be better addressed through relationship. In this episode, Mel and Melinda explore whether churches can over-prescribe programs when what people really need is someone willing to spend time with them, journey alongside them and help them grow. Becau...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 31   Choosing songs for church is about more than finding music people enjoy—or matching a song to this week’s sermon. In this episode, Mel and Melinda explore how thoughtfully curating a church song list can help congregations engage more deeply in worship. They unpack everything from theological content and context to musical style, emotional tone, singabil...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 30   Why is it so hard to get volunteers? Church leaders often assume people are simply too busy to serve. But what if the problem isn't people's capacity—it's how we're inviting them to contribute? In this episode, Mel and Melinda explore why people are more likely to serve when they're personally invited, genuinely valued, well-equipped and given opportunit...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 29   What does our church program say about how we value the people we lead? Church activities may be well-intentioned, but every extra meeting, event or commitment asks something of people's already busy lives. In this episode, Mel and Melinda explore what our church calendars communicate about how we value people's time. From protecting rest and family life...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 28   Church leaders are passionate about people—but that doesn't mean our systems, meetings, and workflows should be inefficient. In this episode, Mel introduces key principles from Lean Six Sigma and explores how churches can better steward their time, reduce unnecessary waste, and create healthier rhythms for ministry. From smarter meetings to intentional p...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 27   We often assume people don't come because they're not interested. But what if the real barriers are the ones we've unintentionally created? In this episode, Mel and Melinda explore how traditional church schedules can exclude shift workers, families, students, people with disabilities, and many others. They challenge churches to rethink long-held assumpt...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 26 Small groups are often praised for helping people stay connected to church. But is that really their purpose? In this episode, Mel and Melinda challenge the popular idea that small groups exist to "close the back door." Instead, they explore the biblical purpose of Christian community, why discipleship and transformation should be the focus, and how health...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 25   How do you set a healthy pace for the year ahead? Church leaders often begin the year with the best intentions, only to find themselves overwhelmed by endless events, unrealistic expectations, and constant busyness. In this episode, Mel and Melinda explore how to create a healthier rhythm for ministry by prioritising what matters most, evaluating what tr...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 24   Why do some visitors come once but never return? Church leaders often assume it's the preaching, the worship, the programs, or the demographics. But what if visitors are asking two much deeper questions before they've even decided whether to come back? In this episode, Mel and Melinda unpack the two subconscious "belonging checks" every visitor makes whe...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 23   Who is sabotaging the mission? Before you point the finger at someone else, the answer may be more complicated than you think. In this episode, Mel and Melinda explore how personal vision, expectations, and passions can sometimes pull people away from a team's shared mission — often without them even realising it. They discuss how leaders can identify mi...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 22   What if productivity isn't actually about managing your time? In this episode, Mel and Melinda explore a different way of thinking about productivity — one that moves beyond treating ourselves like machines and instead sees us as "cognitive athletes." Drawing on ideas from The Cognitive Athlete by Clint Ray, they discuss burnout, recovery, energy managem...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 21   In this episode, Mel and Melinda explore how church strategies can unintentionally prioritise activity over people, and why the “how” of ministry matters just as much as the outcome. They discuss servant leadership, honouring how God has wired people, and why churches shouldn’t simply copy another church’s model. 🎧 A thoughtful conversation about planni...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 20   In this episode, Mel and Melinda explore how “momentum culture” shapes ministry thinking, and why discipleship is often forgotten because of its slower nature. The conversation also touches on healthier ways to measure growth, the importance of community and serving, and why pastors shouldn’t define success purely by numbers or excitement.   Strategy Sni...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 19   In church life, it’s easy to set clear goals — but much harder to ensure that what’s happening day-to-day is truly aligned with them. In this episode of Strategy Snippets, we explore how to assess whether your current activity is really moving you toward your intended outcomes, and why regularly reviewing your direction matters. If you’ve ever had the se...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 18   Fasting can be a powerful way to unite a church in prayer and deepen spiritual engagement — but how it’s led can make a significant difference. In this episode of Strategy Snippets, we unpack the practical elements behind a highly engaging fasting campaign, from communication and preparation to creating opportunities for people to participate meaningfull...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 17   In many church contexts, planning and strategy can feel at odds with faith — as if relying on structure means relying less on God. But is that really true? In this episode of Strategy Snippets, we explore how planning can be a deeply spiritual activity when it’s shaped by prayer, wisdom, and alignment with God’s heart. From biblical examples to practical...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 16   It’s easy to talk about vision and priorities — but the real test is whether they show up in everyday church life. In this episode of Strategy Snippets, we explore how leaders can move values from words into action, and why what we do consistently matters more than what we say occasionally. If you want your church’s values to be more than just statements...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 15 In church leadership, momentum is often treated as something we must protect at all costs. But what if holding onto it can actually prevent us from making wise, strategic decisions? In this episode of Strategy Snippets, we explore the difference between pressing on and making a deliberate, tactical retreat — and why stepping back isn’t always a sign of fai...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 14 What do your numbers actually tell you? In church life, attendance is often treated as the primary measure of success — but it doesn’t always give the full picture. In this episode of Strategy Snippets, we explore the limits of relying on numbers alone and why attendance isn’t always a true reflection of discipleship, evangelism, or church health. We also...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 13   When challenges arise in church life, it’s easy to feel like you have to figure everything out on your own — or to jump on the first idea that comes along. But great plans are rarely created in isolation. In this episode of Strategy Snippets, Mel and Melinda explore why involving the right people is essential for effective planning, and how different gif...

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 12   Many churches and leaders find themselves hitting the same ceiling — working harder, trying more, but not seeing growth. Often, the issue isn’t effort or vision. It’s the systems and processes shaping how things actually work. In this episode of Strategy Snippets, Mel unpacks how everyday processes — the way decisions are made, problems are handled, and...