The Reclaimed Leader Podcast

Is traditional youth group dead? Why is the old model not reaching kids like it used to? Today we discuss that state of youth ministry with Abigail Rusert, Director of the Princeton Institute for Youth Ministry. The good news? ANY church can help teenagers win.

Are you church's programs more like buckshot than a laser beam? Are you doing them because "that's what we do here?" Today we talk about the critical importance of goal setting, planning, and how to strategically align your church's programs with vision.

The Challenge: Church growth shouldn't be a dirty word, but it is sometimes.  The fact is, healthy things grow.  But what is church growth?  Is it just about attendance?  What is a scriptural model for growth that we can work from?

This week we talk with Pastor Theresa Swenson about the importance of endings. Ending well is a critical part of revitalization. Churches love beginnings, but don't do well with endings.

Number 1,034 of things they didn't teach in seminary. But the truth is, if your budget isn't aligned with your vision, both will suffer. Today we talk about ways to bring alignment to the budget.

Today we talk with Bill Skiffington - who works with Bob Goff's 'Love Does' organization. We talk about the primacy and power of relationships in mission.

This week we talk children's ministry philosophy, strategy, and how to give volunteers a break with two Children's Ministry Directors - Lindsey and Amanda.

Jason and Jesse recorded live from the ReThink Conference 2018! For show notes visit www.reclaimedleader.com/episode31

Ever come back from a conference and struggle with what to do next? Today we talk shop on conferences and tips to increase their impact. www.reclaimedleader.com/episode30

It's estimated that by the year 2020, 43 percent of the workforce will be freelance. Moreover, businesses and churches are discovering that traditional staffing models are becoming less effective. We talk with Bryan & Shannon Miles about how their company, Belay Solutions, is trying to staff the Church for greater impact.

This week we talk with Rev. Anna W. Kent, Mission Affinity Group Leader for ECO. We discuss the critical role of accountability and the DNA of flourishing churches. For show notes visit: reclaimedleader.com/episode28

Larry has served on ministry staff teams for the past 16 years and is passionate about equipping leaders and volunteers in the local church. Today we talk about how to successfully lead volunteer worship teams.

Hey pastor, are you ready for Easter? Here are some last minute (hardly any prep) tips to help you get the most mileage possible with all those holiday guests. For show notes visit: www.reclaimedleader.com/episode26.

Today we welcome Tosca Lee, the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of ISCARIOT; THE LEGEND OF SHEBA; DEMON: A MEMOIR; HAVAH: THE STORY OF EVE; THE PROGENY DUOLOGY; and the Books of Mortals series with Ted Dekker. Tosca discusses how creativity can impact leadership, church, and culture.

Today we talk with longtime pastor, church consultant, and author, Stan Ott. Stan is the President and Founder of the Vital Churches Institute and CEO of Leading Moments. Stan shares his insights on church revitalization.

What happens when you do lose your roots?  What happens when you go through a personal darkness in the midst of ministry?  Anxiety, depression, loneliness... these can become silent heart killers.  Austin Hill discusses his journey through depression and back.

In today's episode, we sit down with Andy & Katie Shaiman White and talk about the state of youth ministry in America (and Scotland) and why the models that used to work no longer connect.

We all know what happens when you assume. But the worst kinds of assumptions are the ones we don't realize we're making. On today's episode, Jason and Jesse uncover some common assumptions that can easily undermine your ministry.

Have your ministry environments become an obstacle rather than an asset? Are you convinced that only big budget churches can move the needle on creating great ministry spaces? Good news: change is within your reach according to DeeAnn!

What is the role of technology? We talk with Michael Hoddy (church planter and audio-visual company owner) about the theology of technology, why it can't replace leadership, and how to develop a strategy for your church.

So why is it so hard to get small groups going in mainline denominational churches? How do we rethink small group culture so it will take? Jason & Jesse talk about the challenges and opportunities of small groups.

This week we talk with church planter and pastor, Becky Lahna. She discusses how her 17 years of college ministry helped prepare her for missional church planting and the task of developing self-feeding, self-replicating Christians.

Every leader intuitively knows the importance of risk-taking. So why have churches become so risk averse? In this episode, Jason & Jesse talk about the challenges of risk-taking in the local church, and how to create a risk-taking culture.

Today we talk with Thom & Joani Schultz (Founder & CCO of Group Publishing)and discuss the passion and pain of revitalizing the local church. Is the lecture-style sermon dead and we don't know it?  Have we failed to reach the culture for Christ because we're stuck in a Sunday morning formula that no longer connects?  If so, what's the alternative?

Jason & Jesse talk shop on setting ministry goals (and sticking with them) in 2018. Most of us get stuck not because we fill our time with non-productive things, but we say "yes" to too many good things.  The result? We don't have time for what matters most.