The Small Church Ministry Podcast

Kids really are different these days - the way they connect, the way they think, and the way they process. In this episode, we’re talking with children’s ministry leader & founder of Deeper Kidmin. Brittany Nelson.  Listen in to learn: What a digital native is and how can we do a better job reaching them How to update your discipleship methods and strategy for greater effectiveness Ways to com...

If you're looking to start or restart a ministry  - or if you’re wondering what’s holding back the ministry you have - this episode is for you.  We’re walking through the 3 undeniable keys to success in any ministry area in any small church.  Sadly, many small church ministries struggle and some never get off the ground because these 3 keys - working in tandem - weren’t part of the history. ...

Facts about grief:  Grief applies to every human at some point. People look for comfort and support when they are grieving.  We’re called to comfort those who are grieving. (and, sadly…) Most churches have no focused ministry to support people through grief. In this episode, Karen Altizer shares how her personal experience with a program called GriefShare compelled her to continue the ministry and...

Less kids doesn’t mean less stress, and it also doesn’t mean less prep. For children’s leaders and volunteers in smaller churches, the extra challenges of mixed-age classes, unpredictable numbers, and fewer volunteers add to the load. Listen in to this encouraging conversation with Tyler Bates from Amazing Kids.  He shares where your time can make the most impact on children’s lives including: The...

If you’ve met one single, you have NOT met them all.  Listen in for a transparent conversation about singles and small churches, and how we may unintentionally be pushing away the very people God is calling us to reach.  Ministry Leader Sabrina McDonald shares from personal experience that: A one-size-fits-all singles group isn’t the best plan for ministry Our terminology matters a lot (listen in...

In this episode, we wrap up our 5-part series where we’ve been unpacking how volunteer issues are almost always leadership issues - and why this is a great thing.  We have so much choice in how we lead and who we become along the way. Learning to lead while keeping people first yields long-term results that literally are out of this world.  Listen in for some keys to: keep relationships before pro...

The most common struggle reported by small churches is a shortage of volunteers. In this episode, we’re exploring how that lack of volunteers can send us spiraling to fix the wrong problem.  Listen in to hear how a great leader responds differently when facing the same lack, and what you can do to become the person who’s calm and forward-moving when others would panic and blame.  Come learn: Why b...

When it comes to working with volunteers, building great connections can make the difference between long-term frustration and a loyal, committed team. Too often, churches jump right into sign-up sheets instead of building meaningful relationships. Looking at the life of Jesus, it’s hard to miss the amazing way He connected with people - all people. He connected with the prostitute, tax collectors...

If you’re wondering which volunteers are worth your time, this is for you.  In this episode, we’re taking a look at what God had in mind when He created His church and what you can do to be His ambassador as you serve.  Whether you are a pastor, ministry leader, or volunteer, listen in to catch the 2nd critical belief that helps lay the foundation for a healthy volunteer culture in your small chur...

If your church struggles with volunteers, you’re not alone! In fact, it’s the number one frustration we hear at Small Church Ministry. Sadly, most small churches never see the change they desire because they think the solution is to find better volunteers. (Spoiler alert: It’s not!)   Over the next few episodes, we’ll talk about why the drive to find better volunteers is not only backward but it’s...

As we celebrate our 3rd Anniversary supporting small churches, we want to take you behind the scenes into our monthly Small Church Network Event.  Enjoy this live snippet from the mainstage as we talk about how to get more impact from church celebrations.  We’re unpacking 5 keys to make that happen, including: Why it’s important to get really detailed on exactly what you’re celebrating How to hono...

If summer at your church yields a volunteer slump, you’re not alone!  Many churches experience lower summer numbers that often lead to feelings of frustration and discouragement.  But the great news is: It doesn’t have to be this way!  Listen in for three tips to make this summer’s ministry season amazing along with: The best mindset to adopt for a purposeful summer How a small church’s ability to...

In this episode, we’re taking a time out for a heart check. While we are committed to teaching proven strategies for successful small church ministry, we also know how easy it is to become so focused on doing ministry that we neglect our own walk with Christ. Don’t let the busyness of ministry draw you away from the very reason we’re all here, to begin with. Take a slow, deep breath and consider i...

In today’s world, websites are more about building connections than sharing information.  Unfortunately, most small churches haven’t gotten that memo! If your biggest website woe is keeping information up to date, listen in for what you might be missing.  Founder of Small Church Media website & podcast, Marc Hyde, shares 5 website mistakes most small churches make and how to increase your impa...

Involvement in missions comes in many forms, from sponsoring children and adopting missionaries to short-term trips and long-term support.  Listen as guest Reno Anderson shares how her family sponsoring a child led her to start a non-profit and build a girls’ school in Malawi.  Whether you’re curious about being more involved in missions as an individual or you want to keep the spark alive in your...

Quit wondering how your small church can impact your community and listen in for 3 simple ways to meet real needs nearby.  Shineka Dixon shares 3 separate strategies of community outreach that were born out of seeing a need and meeting it.  Listen in to hear how to: Host a Community Day to build bridges in your community Hold a Community Giveaway to bless individuals who give as well as those who...

Enjoy a peek into the opening mainstage talk of the Small Church KidMin + Youth Ministry Conference. If you’re in a small church, no matter what ministry, let this message speak to your heart.  Listen in to hear … What a much-overlooked Bible verse has to do with small church ministry Why even the best curriculum will have zero impact if you don’t have this to give What (I believe) Jesus is really...

When Don Joel went from Youth Pastor to Senior Pastor, he didn’t plan to go back - but he couldn’t shake his calling to youth ministry.  If you’ve got a small youth group and you want to maximize your impact, listen in. Youth Pastor Don Joel shares; Why we need to stop treating kids like kids & treat them like disciples instead. How to successfully combine smaller youth groups together for occ...

Small church pastors are busy balancing lots of priorities. Where should children & youth fit in the picture?  Pastor Ryan David Sims shares his experience and perspective mixed with some incredible wisdom for churches everywhere. Whether you’re the pastor or the volunteer, this episode is for you.  Listen in to hear: Why prioritizing children and youth matter even if you have only 2 How excel...

Join this conversation about kids in small churches with Ministry Leader & Parenting Coach Joy Wendling.  If you’re wondering how to make the biggest impact in the life of children, whether you’re a Sunday School teacher, greeter, or grandparent, this episode is for you.  We’re talking about: Kids running in the hallways Behavior issues in class How children, youth, and even adults learn best...

Most small churches struggle with finding and developing volunteers. Current volunteers are stretched and new ones seem hard to come by.  Have you taken steps to find a ministry partner for your area or to train your replacement?  Sometimes finding just one can start a new trend in your volunteer culture. Instead of wondering why your pastor or ministry leader isn’t doing a better job getting more...

Join me for a conversation with Phil Thompson as we talk about streaming before and after Covid, his experience with church planting, and why “burning out for Jesus” is a terrible idea. In addition to working in ministry for decades as a missionary, pastor, and church planter, Phil Thompson is the VP & Streaming Specialist with StreamingChurch.tv .  We’re chatting about: The importance of stre...

In this episode, we’re taking a little sidestep from small church tools and strategies to answer a few frequently asked questions that land in our inboxes. If you’re curious about the answers to questions like these, listen in for a peek behind the curtain.  We’ll be talking about why ... we chose to be a for-profit ministry and what that means some of our resources cost money and some are free we...

The small church culture of burning people out for Jesus needs an overhaul. It’s not healthy and it’s not biblical. If it’s been a while since you’ve had a break - and maybe you don’t think it’s even possible - please listen in. And if you lead a team of volunteers, I implore you to lead the way by example. We need more healthy people in small churches. Exhaustion and burnout do not need to be par...

If you’ve ever wondered how to successfully pull off an interdenominational event, listen in as Amy Satterfield shares how sending out 4 cold emails to 4 different churches led to a 10-year tradition of an interdenominational event series involving over 40 churches throughout an entire county.  Along with testimonies of changed lives and relationships, Amy talks about: Why sharing the ministry is...