The Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Discover what it truly takes to build a fearless church staff where every voice can be heard. I'm Todd Rhoades, and today we dissect the intriguing results of our church staff health assessment—revealing a communication gap that begs to be bridged. While many confidently share their thoughts with leadership, a staggering number hold back, and it's our mission to change that. We'll e...

Discover the secrets to unifying your church staff through effective communication with Todd Rhoades, co-founder of chemistrystaffing.com. Our comprehensive survey of over a thousand church employees has brought to light an alarming communication gap. While a majority of staff feel connected to their leadership, a staggering 40% experience dissatisfaction or neutrality, which can sow seeds of disu...

Ready to revolutionize the way your church staff communicates? We're taking you deep into the world of effective church communication, where the disconnect between leadership and their teams is not just an issue, but an opportunity to transform. In our insightful podcast discussion, we unpack the findings from last year's Healthy Church Staff Assessment, which revealed a startling 40% of...

Have you ever stood at a crossroads, wondering which path to take for a future you can't yet see? That's exactly where we found ourselves at New Hope, amidst a leadership transition that demanded deep reflection and clarity. Join me, Todd Rhoades, as I unpack the transformative experience of defining our church's identity during this challenging time. We'll explore how we embra...

They say the only constant in life is change, and boy, do I get that. Reflecting on my own reluctance to embrace change, I dive into the ethos of transformation within our churches in the latest episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast. I'm Todd Rhoades, your guide through the often bumpy journey of change in our religious communities, where we'll laugh a little (because who knew mill...

Ever wondered if your church services could pack more punch in less time? Prepare to have that curiosity satisfied as I, Todd Rhoades, bring forth a groundbreaking discussion on how trimming the silence in our church practices could revolutionize the way we deliver sermons and conduct meetings. We're taking YouTube's latest feature and metaphorically applying it to our spiritual gatherin...

Ever find yourself itching for a fast-forward button on the path to your grandest goals? Join me, Todd Rhoades, and the insightful Eric Geiger, as we unravel the seductive illusions of shortcuts to success. As we set our sights on those Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals, we often become ensnared in a web of quick fixes and easy outs - but let's face it, the sweet taste of a shortcut often leads to...

Ever wonder if sometimes the best move for your church is to hit pause on hiring? You're not alone. I'm Todd Rhoades, your guide through the unconventional wisdom that might just change how you approach staffing in your ministry. In an episode that challenges the norm, we discuss seven pivotal moments when bringing on new staff might not be the blessing it appears to be. From empowering...

Have you ever sauntered into a place with an unexpected plus-one and turned heads? That's nothing compared to Justin Wood's foray into Buc-ee's with Wrinkle, his alleged service duck. In an episode that sounds more like a sitcom setup than a real-life event, I, Todd Rhoades, co-founder of Chemistry Staffing, unravel the curious case of a man and his duck against a gas station titan....

Could counting dollars in the offering plate be leading us astray from true church vitality? Join me, Todd Rhoades, as we dive into the deceptive comfort of financial contributions and why they may not be the church health panacea we once believed. This episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast peels back the layers of traditional metrics to reveal the critical, yet often overlooked, signs of a...

Do you trust your pastor more than your pharmacist? It might surprise you, but recent polls suggest that many professions are trusted more than church leadership. I'm Todd Rhoades, and in this episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast, we're exploring the uncomfortable truth that pastors and church staff are facing a trust deficit in our communities. We're dissecting a poll that p...

Could your church be on the cusp of profound transformation? This episode with Todd Atkins from Lifeway is a revelation for any church leader seeking to navigate the complexities of change. We dissect the four fundamental shifts that can breathe new life into your congregation: strategic realignment, personnel adjustments, process enhancements, and personal leadership development. Whether it'...

Can we truly trust our church leaders, or has the well of faithfulness been tainted by those who fail to walk their talk? This episode takes you through a candid exploration of the crisis of confidence in clergy, sparked by alarming statistics and notorious scandals. Join me, Todd Rhoades, as we tackle the uneasy reality that despite being champions of truth from the pulpit, some spiritual guides...

Ever wondered why so many church staff call it quits before they hit the five-year mark? The journey toward a fruitful ministry is fraught with challenges, and I, Todd Rhodes, along with my co-founder Matt, am on a mission to uncover the secret sauce for longevity in church service. Drawing from our combined experiences with churchstaffing.com and Chemistry Staffing, we get to the heart of the iss...

Are you wrestling with the tug-of-war between swift action and painstaking diligence in your church leadership decisions? Let's navigate this terrain together, as I draw upon my nearly four decades of pastoral experience to offer a strategy that marries the need for speed with the grace of 'roughly right' judgment. Inspired by Rita Gunther McGrath's insights on the delicate bal...

Imagine stepping into the year 2044 and discovering a church landscape transformed by technology and societal shifts. That's exactly what we're unpacking with my fellow chemistrystaffing.com co-founders, as we navigate through the possibilities of virtual congregations, revolutionary staffing models, and the intimate gatherings of home-based fellowships. We're not just prognosticati...

Ever faced those moments where self-doubt creeps in and you wonder what truly makes a stellar church staff member? Join me, Todd Rhoades, as I take you through a journey of self-reflection and spiritual growth that extends far beyond diplomas and resumes. Anchored in the guidance of 1 Peter 3, this episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast emphasizes the five intrinsic qualities that are truly p...

Have you ever caught yourself picking a fight over traditions or cultural issues within your church, especially during times when unity should be at the forefront? Join me, Todd Rhoades, as we explore the Silver Rule's transformative potential in today's episode. Churches around the globe are facing divisive times, with scandals and cultural conflicts threatening the fabric of our faith...

Ever been blindsided by the fallout of a poor church staff hire? Well, brace yourself, because we're ripping the lid off the all-too-common blunders that are wreaking havoc on churches and staff alike. I'm Todd Rhodes, and in this no-holds-barred episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast, I'm channeling my inner crusader to tackle the crisis head-on. With 59% of church staff trans...

Have you ever felt like your message just isn't landing with the energy and impact it once did? You're not alone. As a church leader in these rapidly changing times, it can be disheartening to sense our words getting lost in the digital noise and societal shifts. That's exactly what we're tackling in this episode with Todd Rhodes of chemistrystaffing.com. Todd doesn't shy...

Is your church a revolving door of disgruntled staff, or a harmonious haven? Join me, Todd Rhoades, as we unravel the often-undiscussed fabric of effective church leadership: the art of fostering positive relationships. Leaning on the wisdom of Gandhi, this episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast navigates the transitional landscape from an age of brute strength to one of emotional intelligenc...

Are you merely clocking in and out of your church job or are you pouring your soul into your ministry? Today on the Healthy Church Staff Podcast, we grapple with this gut-checking question that may just redefine your professional and spiritual journey. I'm Todd Rhodes, your host and co-founder at chemistrystaffing.com, and we're peeling back the layers on the attitudes that shape our wor...

How do church communities rebuild trust and ensure integrity after confronting the stormy seas of staff moral failure? Today's episode takes a courageous look at this delicate dilemma, as we reflect on the recent events within the Austin Stone Community Church. We engage in a candid discussion about the critical need for transparency, the importance of swift and thoughtful action, and the com...

Have you ever been charmed by the top layer of strawberries in a punnet, only to find the ones hidden underneath aren't as sweet as they seemed? That's the cautionary tale we unpack as we explore the critical process of church staffing. Much like fruit selection, the search for the ideal team member goes beyond the tantalizing surface of education and past experience. We delve into why i...

Discover the hidden resilience of church finances amidst economic uncertainty and explore the unexpected rise of lay leaders in today's faith communities. As we unravel the complexities of 'mainline malaise' and the shifting appeal towards smaller congregations, we invite you to join us on a journey through the current state of the Big C Church. Our engaging discussion sheds light o...