The Lead Ministry Podcast

Episode Summary: In this enlightening episode of the Lead Volunteers podcast, Josh Denhart and his new podcast partner, Bill Van Kirk, delve into the concept of "digital discipleship" and its impact on modern ministry. The duo unpacks how visual content and digital strategies can reengage audiences and deepen their faith journey. Offering practical guidance and inspirational insights, th...

Episode Summary: In this enlightening episode of the Lead Volunteers Podcast, host Josh Denhart warmly welcomes Virgil Sierra, a dynamic senior pastor with a passion for ministry leadership. The conversation delves into the challenges and strategies of managing a thriving church and fostering a willing volunteer community. Virgil's unique story and dedication provide listeners with an intimate...

Episode Summary: In this enriching episode of the Lead Volunteers Podcast, host Josh Denhart engages in a fascinating conversation with seasoned ministry veteran Bill Van Kirk. Together, they delve into the transformative concept of multiplying ourselves in ministry, an area that excites both speakers. Through their dialogue, they explore how ministry leaders can break through their own limitation...

Episode Summary: In this enlightening episode of the Lead Volunteers podcast, host Josh Denhart is joined by the passionate Rhonda Duckworth to discuss the power of strategic outreach and community engagement in ministry. Together, they delve into the planning and execution of a large-scale event called the Day of Science, aimed at extending the church's reach into local public schools. In the...

Episode Summary: In this eye-opening episode of the Lead Volunteers podcast, host Josh Denhart introduces us to Sandy Harper, a vibrant volunteer in West Virginia whose innovative approach to youth ministry is preventing the all-too-common disconnect between elementary and junior high students within the church. This episode delves into a creative ministry initiative that captivates young minds, b...

Summary: In this episode, host Josh Denhart and Tyler Loy discuss the importance of building relationships in ministry, particularly with kids. They emphasize the need for ministry leaders to understand and engage with the culture and interests of the children they serve. Tyler shares personal stories and practical tips for connecting with kids on their level, including watching popular shows and...

Summary: Brian Dollar joins the Lead Volunteers podcast to discuss the importance of building teams in ministry. He emphasizes that everything is better in teams and that ministry should never be done alone. Brian shares how his church has made building teams a core value and the process they use to recruit and train volunteers. He also highlights the biblical basis for teamwork and the long-term...

Summary: Tyler Loy shares his experience of leveraging and utilizing teens in ministry. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships with teens, providing consistent training, and overcoming challenges such as technology distractions. Tyler believes that investing in teens prepares them for future leadership roles and helps them grow into strong individuals. Key Takeaways: Building relat...

In this short holiday edition of the Lead Volunteers podcast, Josh Denhart expresses his gratitude for the listeners and shares his vision for the longest game in ministry. He emphasizes the importance of success in ministry being measured by what happens if you never came back. Josh highlights the resources available through the podcast, Lead Ministry courses, and one-on-one coaching. He also tea...

Summary: In this episode, Josh Denhart and Jeff discuss how to create an elevator pitch for recruiting volunteers. They provide five do's and five don'ts for creating an effective elevator pitch. They emphasize the importance of sharing kingdom vision, keeping the pitch short, providing options, and being conversational. They also caution against crying wolf, begging, sounding like an ad,...

Summary: Josh Denhart discusses the frustration and obsession that can arise when ministry leaders focus on the mistakes and shortcomings of other ministry areas. He shares a practical strategy to stop this cycle and redirect energy towards improving one's own ministry. By acknowledging the frustration, focusing on one's own responsibilities, and making necessary changes, leaders can have...

Summary:   Josh Denhart interviews Parker Loy, co-pastor of First Assembly of God in North Little Rock, who is at the forefront of using artificial intelligence (AI) in ministry. They discuss the neutral nature of technology, the potential pitfalls and advantages of using AI in ministry, and the importance of personalization in ministry. Parker shares how AI can enhance and expedite ministry proce...

#201 –  Coaching is such a valuable tool for ministry leaders that is often overlooked. The truth is, you will gain so much more than you “lose” by finding a ministry coach. In today’s episode of the podcast, we sit down with our friend Cathy Storey and talk about how coaching helped her unlock an incredible amount of potential in her ministry through systematizing, having a fresh set of eyes, and...

#200 –  As ministry leaders, it can be easy to live within the echo-chamber of ministry insight. And while there is an infinite level of wisdom that can be learned through christian media, it can also be valuable to observe systems outside of our normal channels in order to learn lessons that can be applied to ministry. In today’s episode, Josh talks us through his experiences hosting the morning...

#199 –  Does your church need an administrative overhaul? In order for your church and ministry to successfully grow, your systems need to be able to scale successfully. In today’s episode of the podcast we sit down with our friend Michael Byrd and talk about the growth he’s seen within his church through the systems and teams he’s built along the way. We’ve said it before - all ministry cannot an...

#198 –  Failure in ministry is inevitable. We have all had moments where we’ve blown it, dropped the ball, and missed the mark. In today’s episode of the podcast we sit down with our friend Brian Dollar to discuss his new book “I Blew It” and how failure plays a role in our spiritual growth, and the growth in us as leaders. You will never meet a leader who hasn’t made a mistake. So, rather than be...

#197 –  There are good ministry exits and there are toxic ministry exits. While nuance and circumstance determines each unique situation, at the end of the day, there will be an exit. So - what legacy do you want to leave behind? Our goal with this episode is to have you, the ministry leader, understand how to leave as graciously as possible and with as much honor towards God, and people, as possi...

#196 –  In today’s episode of the podcast we’re talking about transition. We’ll be discussing 7 indicators to help you navigate the thought process of discerning if it’s the right time for you to move on from your ministry role, and things to consider before you make any decisions. Leaving your ministry can be a very emotional time, and in today’s episode, we want to help you think through this pr...

#195 –  As ministry leaders, we always want to be honing in our craft, developing as leaders, and growing our ministry. However, at some point, we need wisdom beyond our own imagination to continue to grow. This is where coaching comes into the picture. On today’s episode of the podcast, we sit down with a ministry leader who has benefitted tremendously from ministry coaching through lead ministry...

#194 –  As we close out this 5 part series on ministry multiplication, we take a look at Paul and how he set the stage for ministry multiplication within the early church and beyond. Throughout this series we’ve been able to see how ministry multiplication has been a key piece of wisdom passed on throughout the entire narrative of scripture, which begs the question - what does ministry multiplicat...

#193 –  Does your ministry have the structure to grow at the rate of your dreams and prayers? The early church grew at such a rate it quickly realized it didn’t have the infrastructure to keep up. Rather than double down and work harder, the apostles gathered their people around and multiplied themselves by giving away ministry in a way that hadn’t been done before. When faced with a problem, they...

#192 –  When looking for ministry advice, what better place to look than the life and ministry of Jesus. In today’s episode of the podcast we get super practical and break down the layers of relationship and training within Jesus’ ministry that can be directly applied to your very own ministry.  In this 5-part series, we will be walking through key moments throughout the biblical narrative that hi...

#191 –  The road to ministry multiplication is neither glamorous nor flashy, but it is a long, hard-fought, process that may just transform the future of your ministry, and more importantly, the lives of the people who show up. In today’s episode of the podcast, we look at a piece of Elijah’s story to see how years of intentional work led to unprecedented ministry multiplication. In this 5-part se...

#190 –  Success in ministry is not measured by what you do. Success in ministry is measured by what happens if you never returned. There’s no denying that there will be a day when you are no longer in charge of your ministry. Whether because of a transition or your eventual retirement, there will be a day when you are no longer in charge. When that day comes, will you be leaving behind a mess? Or...

There’s no denying that the world of technology has completely changed how we function as a society. Since the invention of the iPhone, we now have access to an unlimited amount of resources right in our pocket. However, throughout the course of history, while technology advance, the church has historically been skeptical when it comes to engaging new technologies. Well, in today’s episode of the...