The Small Church Ministry Podcast

Do you have a vision for your ministry?  If there’s a gap between where you are and where you want to be, you’re not alone. In fact, God designed it this way.  There’s always a middle part between a starting point and an end goal. Oftentimes in ministry, that “middle part” doesn’t go super-smoothly, as planned, or without obstacles.  As frustrating as it can be, there’s no way to leap that gap - a...

If you’re wondering what your next outreach event should be for your small church, join this conversation about innovative ways to uncover community needs you might have never considered.  Miles Larson, Director of Pastoral and Congregational Vitality of the Brethren Church, shares a bit of his story along with ... 3 elements that can help your small church find its unique calling to outreach How...

Diaspora (from the word “dispersed”) refers to people living outside their home country. This term holds true for more people today than at any other time in history. From big to small, many cities worldwide are becoming international centers. Whether relocation is forced (war, famine, natural disaster, political persecution, etc.) or voluntary (education, economics, career opportunity, etc.), lea...

From nearby communities to faraway lands, small churches can have an incredible impact on global missions. In this episode, Jeff & Christine Stanfield of World Gospel Mission share their experiences with small churches throughout their decades of missionary service. From their time in Africa to now living stateside, their heart for missions remains constant. Whether your church is already deep...

Acts 1:8 declares,  “... and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  Does this hold true for small churches too?  Join us for a series of conversations about missions and small churches.  In this first conversation, Charmaine Stulp from Ontario, Canada shares her experience with the Nepal PEACE Project, including her personal visit to a...

Many people in small churches find themselves in positions of leadership - sometimes accidentally and sometimes by default. Leading Bible Studies is no exception.  Whether you’re a seasoned leader or brand new to leading a small group, join me for some tips on facilitating a group, and why I think knowing too much can sometimes be a hindrance.  Join in to hear: Why the best facilitators are someti...

From craft nights to tea parties and social events to Bible studies, lots of women’s ministries are busy filling calendars and wondering why they are seeing little transformation.  If your heart is crying out “Enough already!”, take a step back with me to envision a new way of ministering to women.  In this episode we’ll talk about: Why planning your calendar full of events might not be the best u...

In this episode, Pastor Tony Bryce of Olive Branch Community Church in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England shares his journey from itinerant ministry to bi-vocational pastoral leadership of a church plant.  Listen in to hear Pastor Tony’s heart on: How the truth of the Bible extends beyond eternal salvation to be helpful & practical in all aspects of our lives Why he prefers being bi-vocational...

If your small church has a big vision, there’s no reason to wait on growth to embrace what God has for you. And if your small church doesn’t have a vision for impact, it’s time to think bigger!  Reverend Timothy Jackson of Impact Living Ministry in Minneapolis, MN, shares the story of his small church’s journey to become problem-solvers and institution-builders in their city. His energy is contagi...

Small churches have limited volunteers and limited dates on the calendar.  If you ever find yourself vying for dates or feeling like your ministry got the short end of the stick, listen in for a little bit of a reframe.  Sometimes we need to let go of the way we’ve always done things in order to grab onto something better.  In this episode we’ll be talking about: How your ministry area can gain su...

A small church is a place where everyone knows your name. If you’re in a small church, you know it’s nearly impossible to be anonymous.  However, greater than being seen is being known, accepted, and cherished. While our relationships in the church aren’t immune from disappointment, misunderstanding, and even sinful intentions, God calls us beyond the hurt to restoration, connection, and love abov...

If you’ve wondered how to use social media best for your small church, you’re not alone.  Join me in a conversation with Sheila Chester, a marketing manager for several small churches in the Denver Metro area. Raised in a small rural church and now part of a smaller church in a big city, Sheila talks about the real reason social media presence matters for all churches and how understanding the pur...

Most of us have had times when we’ve neglected people around us - people who are important to us, people we love. In small churches, this often looks like our core volunteers, founding member families, and pastors too. In this episode, we’re taking a look at two responses to faithful volunteers that make the biggest impact and cost nothing out of your budget.  We’re moving beyond appreciation and...

Dealing with volunteers who aren’t open to new ideas is tough, and no church is immune to this one!  When volunteers only want to do things “the way they’ve always been done,” it often causes division, strained relationships, and missed opportunities. While a leader with a vision may find ways to push forward anyway, oftentimes the newer, creative volunteers give up trying, and might even find ano...

If you’re wondering how to respond to volunteers who commit but don’t show up, you’re not alone.  Whether it’s a one-time thing, becoming a habit, or a pervasive issue in your ministry area or church, listen in to learn: Why an immediate response is a lot more effective than ignoring it The importance of having a pre-set policy for unexpected cancellations How difficult conversations can actually...

If you haven’t heard “been there, done that” in a small church, you’re the exception!  For some, it’s the most frustrating response when trying to find a volunteer. It also can be a really awkward comment to respond to.  As we jump into another series about volunteers in small churches, join in to hear: How making their “YES” your goal is a terrible idea Why your response to their “NO” has more mi...

When people in small churches reach out to find encouragement, network with area churches, or look for practical solutions, it can be super discouraging.  It’s pretty rare to find a group of people who really get small church ministry, are forward-thinking, are filled with hope, and recognize small church ministry for the unique ministry it is. If you’ve heard the buzz, it’s true!  We just launche...

If you hear a lot of NOs when you’re looking for volunteers, you’re not alone.  Trying to run small church programs with limited volunteers is a challenge whether you’re a church plant or established, an older church or younger one, in the city, country, suburb, or sandwiched in between two mega-churches.  Instead of letting the NOs dim your hope, erode your passion, or exhaust your energy, listen...

In this special episode, we’re taking a peek into stories of hope from our conference for small churches last weekend plus sharing about our next “best thing!”  On the heels of this event, we’re excited to open the doors to the Small Church Network! Listen in to hear how Small Church Ministry has been impacting churches with community, support, and resources, and learn how you can be part of this...

Today we’re talking about the most affordable and flexible app that we’ve found for churches looking at options for: lyric projection adding fuller sound to your regular worship help for no song leaders or missing instruments solutions for no band at all Whether you’re a “push play” kind of person or you’re looking for flexibility to add more dynamics to what you’re already doing, join the convers...

As Christmas tunes and holiday decor start making their way into retail stores, more people than ever are struggling with loneliness, depression, & conflicting emotions. “Happy Holidays” and “Christmas Cheer'' stand in stark contrast with the honest emotions many people experience during this season: loneliness, grief, and depression.  It’s no mystery that holiday months are some of...

In this episode, small church pastor and tech guy, Darin Elquist, shares why more people should get their hands on the soundboard in your church.  After getting scolded for playing with the church soundboard when he was 12, Darin went on to become a proficient tech guy and a musician too. Darin has extensive experience in live sound reinforcement and other areas of tech, but sound is where he feel...

Join us as Matt Hernando shares some of his biggest lessons learned in tech ministry, including how he went from being willing with no experience to becoming the one who trains others to serve.  Matt is the Multimedia Ministry Leader at Crossings Church Innerbelt, a church plant in St. Louis, Missouri.  Listen in to hear... What motivates him to keep serving  How you can overcome a few of the bigg...

Instead of hunting for the next perfect worship song to deepen your worship service, consider adding extra intention with readings, responses, and reflections.  Spoken and silent worship elements have a way of engaging minds and wills in addition to our hearts. For some, the idea of responsive readings and other spoken forms of worship are limited to traditional worship settings, but that couldn&a...

If you wish your congregation would sing out more or you’re looking for ways to engage your congregation in deeper worship, this episode is for you.  Worship leader & award-winning music producer, Zarc Porter, joins us from the UK to share the lessons he’s learned over years of worship leading. He tackles the uniqueness of small church worship leading with not only great tips but some perspect...