Podcasts sobre Church Revitalization

Welcome to a thought-provoking episode of The Church Revitalization Podcast, where we delve into the complex paradox facing churches in the post-pandemic era. In this episode we explore the intriguing dichotomy of increasing church giving and attendance juxtaposed with declining pastoral morale. We kick off with an in-depth analysis of recent findi…

Welcome to a special Giving Tuesday edition of The Church Revitalization Podcast! In this episode, we delve into the heart of our mission, revealing the exciting and transformative projects we are embarking on in 2024 to strengthen churches globally. Read more at https://malphursgroup.com/218 Donate to our projects at https://malphursgroup.com/dona…

In this episode, we explore the profound effect a simple "thank you" can have on individuals and communities. We share a heartwarming story about receiving a thank-you note on a flight and discuss the often-overlooked power of acknowledging the efforts of ministry volunteers, church staff, and our loved ones. Join us as we uncover why it's crucial …

consulting experts, delves deep into the nuances of church revitalization and leadership in the new year. In This Episode: Reflecting on Past Lessons: How the challenges of previous years shape future strategies. Adaptive Strategic Planning: Crafting flexible plans that stay true to your church's mission. Goal Setting with Purpose: Balancing ambiti…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/215 Dive into a steaming debate about propriety in worship and why it matters for your church with Scott Ball & A.J. Mathieu in Episode 215: "Coffee in the Sanctuary? A Sip Too Far or a Stir Towards Engagement?" We explore John Piper's thought-provoking question on worship propriety, from histo…

Read today's show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/214 Sign-up for the Leadership Pipeline Cohort at https://malphursgroup.com/pipeline-cohort Discover the transformative power of biblically-based leadership in today's episode. We'll uncover how some leadership methods might be holding your church back and how turning to Scripture, especially Exo…

In this episode, hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu discuss the importance of staying true to the core mission of the Church in a world filled with chaos and evil. They emphasize the relevance of the Great Commission and the need for churches to prioritize spreading the Gospel and making disciples. Drawing inspiration from Acts 17:26-27, Scott and A…

In this episode, we're delving into an untapped wellspring of pastoral power sitting right in your sanctuary: the potential of co-shepherds within your congregation! Ever feel like pastoral care is a juggling act you're performing solo? We've been there. But the truth is, there's a wealth of leadership potential perched in your pews, waiting to be …

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/211 In this episdoe, Scott Ball & A.J. Mathieu delve deep into a pressing concern that resonates with pastors and church leaders across the globe: congregational engagement. Are you grappling with apathy, dwindling attendance, or the challenges of juggling busy family lives in your church commu…

Read the full shownotes at: https://malphursgroup.com/210 In the world of faith, size doesn't determine impact. Discover how small churches can break free from the "Small Church Syndrome" and make a substantial difference. This podcast explores the symptoms of this syndrome, such as pastor-centric decision-making and program-oriented discipleship, …

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/209 Churches across America are being damaged by abusive and narcissistic pastors who avoid accountability and concentrate power in their own hands. In this podcast, we discuss the warning signs of toxic church leadership and the profound harm these pastors inflict on congregations. You’ll lear…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/208 In this thought-provoking discussion, Scott & A.J. dive deep into the essential skills every church leader needs to tackle the tough questions that spiritual seekers often pose. Join us as we explore key strategies for addressing common questions about God, faith, the Bible, and morality. L…

Families packed the pews each Sunday. The budget was strong, and the church was known as a cornerstone of faith in their town. But over time, things changed. Programs stayed the same even as the community evolved. Attendance slowly declined, and facilities started to show their age. This story is all too common. Once-thriving churches coast on mome…

If you stay in ministry long enough, chances are you or someone you love will be impacted by a church scandal. We wish it weren't true, but sin exists even within Christ's church. In our broken world, scandals will continue to plague congregations until Christ returns. In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott and A.J. explore the…

In today's fast-paced world, an epidemic of apathy towards faith has emerged among families. While busyness is often blamed, the end result remains the same - parents are disengaging from discipleship. The passing excitement of Sunday services fades by Monday, revealing "Sunday-only" faith rather than genuine spiritual vitality. Yet as disciples ca…

Growth is on every pastor’s mind. Compelled by the Great Commission, pastors feel an urgency to reach more people and expand the impact of their churches. But this desire can lead down an uneasy path, causing otherwise grounded leaders to compromise their values in hopes of driving growth. Clearly, growth at any cost is too high a price to pay. But…

If you've ever tried to get a stalled car rolling downhill, you know it takes immense effort just to get the thing moving. But once you've broken through that initial inertia, momentum takes over and the car practically rolls itself. The same can be said for growth in the church. But how do you start that momentum to begin with? In this episode of …

What does your church have in common with a grocery store? Maybe more than you think. When choosing where you will shop for groceries, you may have many choices. But why do you choose one over another? Why does it seem that one store is full of happy customers and another is a ghost town? So how does this relate to churches? Most of us have probabl…

Welcome to the post-Christian landscape in America. It's no secret that our churches are facing a significant challenge – a decline in the adherence to a Biblical worldview, even among those who identify as Christians. In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, A.J. and Scott dive deep into the heart of the problem, exploring the causes …

Time certainly has flown by! It was August of 2019 when Scott and I recorded our first few episodes of The Church Revitalization Podcast. We didn’t know what to expect or if anyone would listen. Now after nearly four years and 200 episodes, the podcast has been downloaded over 100,000 times and somehow found by people in 175 countries. So here are …

Money is a common topic in scripture and not one that is difficult to find God’s position on. God wants generosity and sacrifice, so we should all be good teachers of these high biblical values. A.J. and Scott are talking about money. Of course, it takes money to run a ministry, and on this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, you'll find …

Historically, how did Southern Baptists view the role of elders in church life? Listen as Randel Jackson from World Impact Ministries peppers Mark Dever with questions about Southern Baptists and their historic positions on church polity.Por 9Marks

Leading as a pastor involves navigating the delicate balance between ministry and family commitments. It's not uncommon to find ourselves caught in a perpetual juggling act, trying to meet the demands of congregational growth while also tending to the needs of our own families. On this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, A.J. and Scott of…

Join hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu as they dive into a fiery conversation on church revitalization in this thought-provoking episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast. In "Burning Revitalization Questions," Scott and A.J. take turns posing three hot-button questions each, sparking lively discussions and sharing their unfiltered hot takes. In…

Where did this common view that equates the pastor’s ministry primarily with hands-on pastoral care come from? While Scripture uses shepherd imagery, shepherds did much more than just provide pastoral care for their sheep. On this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we're asking the question, "Is pastoral care the primary role of the past…

It’s been said that any publicity is good publicity, but when it comes to the Church, nothing could be further from the truth. The Southern Baptist Convention has had quite a year, and most involved parties would probably have preferred last week’s meeting go unnoticed. Instead, though, we had Rick Warren in a social media battle against the SBC. O…

Power resides in every church-whether it wants it or not. The important question is how the church, whether universal or local, should handle its power as it seeks to influence people for God. The answer is church polity. Polity concerns whom the church empowers. It answers the question, "Who has the authority to exercise power in the church?" On t…

It’s a frustrating position to be in, thinking you’re the only one that wants to see positive change in your church. That might really be the case, or it may just be that nobody has yet dared broach the topic. It might as well be you! So how can you move from something you’re just thinking about to a movement toward change? We’ve mapped out the fir…

Why is it so difficult to disciple men effectively? Every man has his own unique challenges, but all men are in need of spiritual growth and vitality. Unfortunately, most churches place minimal focus on developing men. It’s just too hard. But if your church is ready to step up and make a difference in the lives of the men in your congregation, ther…

Public speaking regularly tops the list of things people fear–even more than death! But pastors are called to put away their fears and boldly proclaim the word of truth Sunday after Sunday. It’s critical that pastors not only put together a competent message, but a compelling sermon. There are a few bad habits that crop up frequently, and avoiding …

How many times have you said, “We don’t have enough volunteers”? This is among the most common challenges that church leaders face. Is it possible to actually get ahead, to have the volunteers we need, and to truly have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to our volunteer rosters? While volunteer recruitment will never be easy or automatic, it…

Do you (or your church) love the thought of participating in the movement of the Gospel around the world? Do you (or your church) want to see disciples on every continent become disciple-makers? Do you (or your church) see the value in building up leaders that can lead well into a challenging and uncertain future? We do! And if you answered “yes” t…

Have you ever looked around your worship center on a Sunday morning, and people aren’t singing along? Or noticed people scrolling their phones during your sermon? Everyone gets distracted from time to time, but if you’ve noticed a growing sense of apathy from your congregation on a Sunday morning, it’s time to fix it. In this episode of the Church …

A church in decline is painful for almost everyone involved, especially the leadership. There is no definitive answer as to when you should consider moving to one service, but when attendance is down to one-quarter to one-third full in each service, it may be time for this discussion. On this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we're revi…

“We want to be a multigenerational church!” This is a common refrain in churches we work with. But when we show up to services on Sunday morning, we see a lot of white hair and hear too few babies. Desiring to minister across generations is a holy desire, but it requires that you take time to think like a missionary and truly understand the next ge…

A spiritually unhealthy church may find short-term gains, but sustainability only comes when people, and church leadership in particular, are right with God and others. Beginning a revitalization process in the church should first include an introspective look at the spiritual condition of those working on the revitalization plan. As a part of this…

Church leaders serve various functions within the church, but there are certain capabilities or competencies that are essential to leaders at any level and of any function. One of these core competencies is spiritual mentorship. This week on the Church Revitalization Podcast, we'll go deeper into what it means to be a spiritual mentor and explore h…

Being elevated to a leadership position does not make anyone immune to being emotionally unhealthy. Likewise, leadership promotions should not be taken as an affirmation of a clean bill of emotional health. This week on the Church Revitalization Podcast, we talk through five common emotional disorders that can hold people back from excelling as a l…

This week’s episode of The Church Revitalization Podcast takes a little lighter tone. We explore the diverse landscape of American evangelicalism by taking a quiz based on an article by Mere Orthodoxy called "The Six Way Fracturing of Evangelicalism." Of the six categories outlined in the article where will we end up? You’ll hear it unfold in real …

One of the most common hurdles as churches begin to grow is how to transition from one to two services. If your church has outgrown its capacity for a single service, it may be time to start considering the possibility of moving to two worship services. In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we'll explore the reasons why this transit…

We haven’t done the hard work for you, just given you a path. A common question that we as Malphurs Group Guides get from pastors that we work with is “Do you have any suggestions for sermon topics that will help with revitalization?” Generally, the answer is to preach through the primary topics of a healthy church: Great Commission mandate, buildi…

Leading and directing are both crucial functions of effective church leadership, but they involve different approaches and goals. Our goal is to help you better understand the difference between leading and directing and how to apply each approach depending on the situation. To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/179…

What does “revival” even mean? Is that what is happening? That is what we are diving into on this episode of The Church Revitalization Podcast. To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/178Por The Malphurs Group, Inc.

Dying churches are stagnant, and thriving churches are full of life. The difference is action, animation, movement, and even the dreaded word….change. This week on the Church Revitalization Podcast, we talk about the basics of working through an action plan. To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/177 #TheMalphursGroup #revital…

The news has been filled with stories of the amazing things that artificial intelligence (AI) can do. It can write song lyrics, give you advice on what to do on your next vacation, and even write business plans. As artificial intelligence grows in prominence and ability, pastors might start to wonder: exactly how good is an AI sermon? Beyond this q…

Honesty is always the best policy. In this episode of The Church Revitalization Podcast, we’re not really accusing any church of actively lying. We certainly understand the motivations behind this list of things churches tell themselves. We try to make things sound better than they really are. That doesn’t help anyone. It's better to face the facts…

More churches articulate a vision than reach one. In fact, the number of churches that actually make progress toward their goals is small. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by obstacles to change, the tyranny of the urgent, and other roadblocks to actualizing your God-given vision. But you shouldn’t give up! In this episode of the Church Revitalization …

We are starting off the new year with a recap of the top 5 topics we covered last year on the podcast. What would you add to this list of top topics? Download the free pdf, Top 10 of 2022: https://malphursgroup.com/173Por The Malphurs Group, Inc.

Learn about the 2023 Church Check-Up Challenge! In this 7-day challenge (beginning January 9), you'll get practical tools and training to optimize your church's health for the upcoming year. Each day, you'll receive an email, a short video, and one actionable tool that focuses on a critical aspect of church health. Plus, one church that signs up fo…

Love runs deep in God’s plan for humanity as we are made in His image, and love is at His core. As we move into the fourth week of Advent, celebrating the birth of Jesus and His imminent expected return, love should be the feeling we share towards him and one another. How should that manifest itself in a revitalized church? To read today's show not…