The Lead Ministry Podcast

Episode Description In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast,  Josh Denhart  talks with Assistant Pastor  Ian Troll  about the exact coaching conversations that helped Ian break ministry gridlock and land a promotion. They explore how intentional coaching turns roadblocks into launchpads, offering practical frameworks and real-life stories for leaders feeling sidelined. If you’ve ever wondered...

Episode Description In this episode of the  Lead Ministry Podcast ,  Josh Denhart  welcomes certified Lead Ministry coach  Kristi Williams to dismantle the myth of Lone-Ranger leadership. They explore how solo ministry caps kingdom impact and outline a repeatable process for multiplying capable volunteers. If you’ve ever felt exhausted because “everything lands on my desk,” this conversation will...

Episode Description In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast,  Josh Denhart  talks with  Allison Bailey , a children’s ministry director whose life and leadership were transformed by targeted ministry coaching. They explore how a coach provides  tailored guidance  that multiplies leaders and prevents burnout, allowing ministries to thrive long after the leader steps away. If you’ve ever felt s...

Episode Description In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh sits down with Lead Ministry Coach Aleshia to discuss the transformative power of coaching. They explore how personalized, one-on-one guidance goes beyond courses and content to help leaders navigate their most specific and pressing challenges. If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to apply good advice to your u...

Episode Description In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and Josh Zello discuss the transformative impact of ministry coaching. They explore how personalized support helps leaders grow in faith, personal development, and their church careers, offering real-life stories and practical takeaways for navigating ministry challenges. If you've ever questioned how to get an outs...

Episode Description In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast,  Josh Denhart  sits down with  Rob Quinn —family-ministry pastor and Lead Ministry coach—to expose the silent epidemic of youth-ministry burnout. They unpack practical coaching tools that turn frantic activity into focused, fruitful service. If you’ve ever wondered whether the youth-ministry hamster wheel will  ever  slow down, this...

Episode Description In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast,  Josh Denhart  sits down with  Shelby Honeycutt  to explore how ministry coaching can help leaders escape the endless “do-more” cycle. They unpack practical ways to trade frantic activity for focused, fruitful service. If you’ve ever felt trapped on the ministry hamster wheel, this episode will equip and inspire you with a clear pat...

In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart kicks off a new series on the power of ministry coaching, featuring Lead Ministry certified coach Bill Van Kirk. They delve into what ministry coaching truly is, why it's a game-changer for leaders, and how Lead Ministry's unique approach combines coursework with tailored, Spirit-influenced guidance. Discover how an outside, collab...

Episode Description In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and Vance Martin unpack practical strategies to help you not only survive but thrive in summer ministry. They explore the unique challenges and opportunities of the summer season, offering fresh encouragement and tangible ideas for leaders in the trenches. If you’ve ever felt drained by summer ministry chaos, this episo...

In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and Bill Van Kirk unpack how to thrive in summer ministry, even when your best volunteers are on break. They explore creative recruiting strategies, leadership spotting, and program simplification — all to help you make summer a launching pad for fall success. If you've ever struggled to keep ministry running smoothly in the summer mon...

In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast,  Josh Denhart and Bill Van Kirk  give a fast-paced recap of their entire 12-part burnout series. They explore the roots of ministry exhaustion and offer a practical, six-step wellness stack to keep leaders healthy long-term. If you’ve ever wondered  “Am I nearing the edge?”  this crash course will equip and inspire you with a clear action plan. Key Top...

In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast,  Josh Denhart  and  Bill Van Kirk  tackle a question every ministry leader dreads:  “Should I stay or should I go?”  They explore the fine line between  burnout  and a  genuine call to move on , offering practical frameworks and Spirit-led discernment tools for pastors who feel stuck. If you’ve ever wondered whether your fatigue is a sign to rest or a...

Episode Description In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast,  Josh Denhart  and  Bill Van Kirk  wrestle with the tension every ministry leader feels—developing  thick skin  without letting the heart grow hard. They explore criticism, cynicism, and spiritual attack, offering practical strategies to stay resilient and tender in the face of burnout. If you’ve ever gone home replaying harsh words...

Episode Description In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and Bill Van Kirk tackle the silent burnout trigger of stubbornly clinging to failing programs. They explore why leaders keep sinking time and money into ideas that no longer work, offering practical strategies for quitting wisely and reallocating resources to life-giving initiatives. If you have ever felt trapped by tr...

Episode Description In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and Bill Van Kirk dive into one of the most overlooked sources of burnout in ministry: obsessing over problems you can’t control. They explore how misplaced concern leads to frustration, anxiety, and wasted energy—and how learning to say "NOPE" can set you free. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the dysfuncti...

Episode Description In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh and Bill unpack the surprising power of understanding  burdens vs. loads . They explore how misidentifying these two can lead to burnout, resentment, and a church culture of unhealthy dependency. If you've ever wondered,  “Am I doing too much?”  this episode will equip and inspire you with practical ways to lead with wisdom and...

Episode Description In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh and Bill unpack a surprising contributor to burnout: biology. They draw a powerful and personal comparison between the lives of pastors and police officers—two high-stress, service-driven professions often exposed to emotional extremes. From fight-or-flight responses to post-Sunday crashes, they explore how ministry can train l...

Episode Description In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh and Bill dive into one of the most overlooked aspects of ministry leadership—counseling. Many leaders experience burnout because they haven’t processed their struggles in a healthy way. But here’s the truth: counseling is necessary, and it comes with a hidden cost. They explore the reality of the “counseling hangover,” the emot...

Episode Description In this episode of the  Lead Ministry Podcast , Josh and Bill dive into one of the biggest challenges in ministry: burnout. They explore why rest feels so elusive, the dangerous myths about taking time off, and a biblical framework for finding balance. If you've ever struggled to unplug without guilt, this conversation is for you. Key Topics Covered: Why burnout is called "the...

Burnout is one of the biggest threats to ministry leaders today—it’s silent, creeping, and destructive. But what if there were six simple, scientifically backed habits that could  reduce stress, prevent burnout, and boost your well-being —all without costing a dime? In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast,  Josh Denhart and Bill Van Kirk  dive into the  6 scientifically proven practices to be...

In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh and Bill reveal a  critical, often-overlooked strategy for preventing burnout—relationships.  Too many leaders face exhaustion and discouragement alone, believing their struggles are unique. The truth?  Ministry is not meant to be done in isolation. Josh and Bill unpack why ministry friendships must be  outside your church, outside your town, and...

Episode 267: How Unhealthy Ministry Norms Fuel Burnout (Burnout Series Part 2) In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Den Hart and Bill Van Kirk continue the Burnout Series by exploring how unhealthy ministry norms contribute to burnout. They reveal the hidden cultural expectations that perpetuate burnout and share practical strategies to counteract them. If you’re in ministry and feel...

Episode Description Episode 266: Burnout Series (Part 1) – The Silent Killer You Didn’t See Coming Welcome to the first episode of our new series on  Ministry Burnout , where we dive deep into one of the most dangerous challenges leaders face today. Burnout is the silent killer lurking in the shadows, slowly undermining effectiveness and passion for ministry. In this kickoff episode, Josh and Bill...

Episode DescriptionIn this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh and Bill bring their powerful four-part series on learning culture to a close. They unpack why creating a learners culture is essential for long-term ministry success and how leaders can avoid the fatal mistake of holding too tightly to people instead of developing them for Kingdom impact. If you’ve ever struggled with delegatio...

Episode Description: In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh and Bill dive deep into why a culture of learning is essential for long-term ministry success. They share an incredible real-life story of a volunteer who went from serving once a month to leading a nationally recognized special needs ministry—simply because someone saw potential in her. If you’ve ever questioned whether your...