The Church Revitalization Podcast

Welcome to Episode 222 of The Church Revitalization Podcast, brought to you by The Malphurs Group. In this enlightening episode, we delve deep into the transformative world of leadership pipelines and how they can lead to unprecedented growth and vitality in your church community. Are you struggling with leadership shortages, undefined roles, or stagnant growth within your ministry? Discover the f...

Get the full show notes: https://malphursgroup.com/221   In Episode 221 of The Church Revitalization Podcast, we delve into overcoming knowledge biases in church leadership, and how they're holding your church leadership back.  Learn about effective communication, intentional leadership training, and creating a lifelong learning culture within church teams. This episode offers valuable insights fo...

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/220 In this pivotal episode, we confront the sobering reality of church decline across the U.S. With a focus on the Faith Communities Today survey's stark findings, we unravel the causes behind the drop from 137 attendees in 2000 to just 65 in recent years. This episode is more than a statistical analysis; it's a clarion call for churches to re...

Welcome to a thought-provoking episode of The Church Revitalization Podcast, where we delve into the complex paradox facing churches in the post-pandemic era. In this episode we explore the intriguing dichotomy of increasing church giving and attendance juxtaposed with declining pastoral morale. We kick off with an in-depth analysis of recent findings from the Hartford Institute for Religion Resea...

Welcome to a special Giving Tuesday edition of The Church Revitalization Podcast! In this episode, we delve into the heart of our mission, revealing the exciting and transformative projects we are embarking on in 2024 to strengthen churches globally. Read more at https://malphursgroup.com/218 Donate to our projects at https://malphursgroup.com/donate   🌍 Featured Projects: Transforming Church Lea...

In this episode, we explore the profound effect a simple "thank you" can have on individuals and communities. We share a heartwarming story about receiving a thank-you note on a flight and discuss the often-overlooked power of acknowledging the efforts of ministry volunteers, church staff, and our loved ones. Join us as we uncover why it's crucial not to take people for granted and discover effect...

consulting experts, delves deep into the nuances of church revitalization and leadership in the new year. In This Episode: Reflecting on Past Lessons: How the challenges of previous years shape future strategies. Adaptive Strategic Planning: Crafting flexible plans that stay true to your church's mission. Goal Setting with Purpose: Balancing ambition with practicality to set achievable church goal...

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/215   Dive into a steaming debate about propriety in worship and why it matters for your church with Scott Ball & A.J. Mathieu in Episode 215: "Coffee in the Sanctuary? A Sip Too Far or a Stir Towards Engagement?" We explore John Piper's thought-provoking question on worship propriety, from historical practices to today's casual customs. Join...

Read today's show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/214 Sign-up for the Leadership Pipeline Cohort at https://malphursgroup.com/pipeline-cohort Discover the transformative power of biblically-based leadership in today's episode. We'll uncover how some leadership methods might be holding your church back and how turning to Scripture, especially Exodus 18, can pave the way for a thriving leadership...

In this episode, hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu discuss the importance of staying true to the core mission of the Church in a world filled with chaos and evil. They emphasize the relevance of the Great Commission and the need for churches to prioritize spreading the Gospel and making disciples. Drawing inspiration from Acts 17:26-27, Scott and A.J. remind us of God's proximity to us and the rol...

In this episode, we're delving into an untapped wellspring of pastoral power sitting right in your sanctuary: the potential of co-shepherds within your congregation! Ever feel like pastoral care is a juggling act you're performing solo? We've been there. But the truth is, there's a wealth of leadership potential perched in your pews, waiting to be unleashed. "Unleashing Potential: Empower Co-Sheph...

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/211 In this episdoe, Scott Ball & A.J. Mathieu delve deep into a pressing concern that resonates with pastors and church leaders across the globe: congregational engagement. Are you grappling with apathy, dwindling attendance, or the challenges of juggling busy family lives in your church community? The dup explores these common issues and off...

Read the full shownotes at: https://malphursgroup.com/210 In the world of faith, size doesn't determine impact. Discover how small churches can break free from the "Small Church Syndrome" and make a substantial difference. This podcast explores the symptoms of this syndrome, such as pastor-centric decision-making and program-oriented discipleship, and presents five powerful strategies for growth:...

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/209 Churches across America are being damaged by abusive and narcissistic pastors who avoid accountability and concentrate power in their own hands. In this podcast, we discuss the warning signs of toxic church leadership and the profound harm these pastors inflict on congregations. You'll learn: The manipulative behaviors and control tactics...

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/208 In this thought-provoking discussion, Scott & A.J. dive deep into the essential skills every church leader needs to tackle the tough questions that spiritual seekers often pose. Join us as we explore key strategies for addressing common questions about God, faith, the Bible, and morality. Learn how to engage with humility, empathy, and cla...

Families packed the pews each Sunday. The budget was strong, and the church was known as a cornerstone of faith in their town. But over time, things changed. Programs stayed the same even as the community evolved. Attendance slowly declined, and facilities started to show their age. This story is all too common. Once-thriving churches coast on momentum until stagnation gives way to deterioration....

If you stay in ministry long enough, chances are you or someone you love will be impacted by a church scandal. We wish it weren't true, but sin exists even within Christ's church. In our broken world, scandals will continue to plague congregations until Christ returns. In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott and A.J. explore the common sources of church scandals, steps to recov...

In today's fast-paced world, an epidemic of apathy towards faith has emerged among families. While busyness is often blamed, the end result remains the same - parents are disengaging from discipleship. The passing excitement of Sunday services fades by Monday, revealing "Sunday-only" faith rather than genuine spiritual vitality. Yet as disciples called to make disciples, we must cure these plaguin...

Growth is on every pastor's mind. Compelled by the Great Commission, pastors feel an urgency to reach more people and expand the impact of their churches. But this desire can lead down an uneasy path, causing otherwise grounded leaders to compromise their values in hopes of driving growth. Clearly, growth at any cost is too high a price to pay. But does this mean sincere pastors are forced to choo...

If you've ever tried to get a stalled car rolling downhill, you know it takes immense effort just to get the thing moving. But once you've broken through that initial inertia, momentum takes over and the car practically rolls itself. The same can be said for growth in the church. But how do you start that momentum to begin with? In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we'll share pra...

What does your church have in common with a grocery store? Maybe more than you think.  When choosing where you will shop for groceries, you may have many choices. But why do you choose one over another? Why does it seem that one store is full of happy customers and another is a ghost town? So how does this relate to churches? Most of us have probably driven by a church that didn't seem like it had...

Welcome to the post-Christian landscape in America. It's no secret that our churches are facing a significant challenge – a decline in the adherence to a Biblical worldview, even among those who identify as Christians. In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, A.J. and Scott dive deep into the heart of the problem, exploring the causes behind this degradation, the consequences it bring...

Time certainly has flown by! It was August of 2019 when Scott and I recorded our first few episodes of The Church Revitalization Podcast. We didn't know what to expect or if anyone would listen. Now after nearly four years and 200 episodes, the podcast has been downloaded over 100,000 times and somehow found by people in 175 countries. So here are the top 5 episodes from our first 200! To read tod...

Money is a common topic in scripture and not one that is difficult to find God's position on. God wants generosity and sacrifice, so we should all be good teachers of these high biblical values. A.J. and Scott are talking about money. Of course, it takes money to run a ministry, and on this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, you'll find some ways that your church can help increase gener...

Leading as a pastor involves navigating the delicate balance between ministry and family commitments. It's not uncommon to find ourselves caught in a perpetual juggling act, trying to meet the demands of congregational growth while also tending to the needs of our own families. On this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, A.J. and Scott offer tips for maintaining a healthy balance between...