The Small Church Ministry Podcast
Laurie Graham
The only podcast created for volunteers and everyday leaders in smaller congregations, this show embraces small church ministry as a place where God is already at work. Founder of Small Church Ministry and the Small Church Network, Laurie J. Graham shares why small churches matter—not as a scaled-down version of something bigger, but as powerful communities with their own unique strengths. Each episode offers creative solutions to real challenges with a mix of honest encouragement, leadership skills, and actionable next steps. Laurie hosts the show with a perspective shaped by decades in ministry on every side of small church life—as a volunteer, staff leader, and pastor’s spouse. She knows both the pressure and the beauty of small churches firsthand, and brings steady encouragement, practical wisdom, and deep care for both volunteers and ministry leaders.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 18, 2022 • 33min
003: Debunking The 80/20 Rule (It’s Not a Rule; It’s A Symptom)
The biggest struggle most small churches have is volunteers - not enough volunteers, burning out volunteers, finding new volunteers, and keeping volunteers. There’s a lot of commiserating about the 80/20 rule, where 80% of the work is done by 20% of the people. But is that even true? Does it have to be?In this episode, we’ll be talking about ...Where the 80/20 Rule came from and why it’s not a rule at allWhy the 80/20 rule isn’t BiblicalThat it’s immensely important, but not in the way you think it isHow changing your belief about the rule is gonna change your ministryJoin our FREE Creative Solutions for Small Churches Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministryRESOURCES MENTIONEDGet your FREE ticket to the Small Church KidMin + Youth Ministry Conference! >> smallchurchsummits.comSupport the showSUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more people -- just like you -- in small churches who need to hear this.🎙 Thanks for tuning in to Small Church Ministry Podcast! See you next week!FOLLOW US:Website: smallchurchministry.comInstagram: instagram.com/smallchurchministryFacebook: facebook.com/smallchurchministryCreative Solutions for Small Churches Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministrySmall Church Network: smallchurchministry.com/membership
Jan 11, 2022 • 19min
002: Why It's Not About the Numbers (& It Never Was)
We humans like numbers. We measure physical growth in meters or feet, bank accounts in dollars, and academic success in percentages. But as much as we like to measure success in numbers, it’s not how God designed His Kingdom. God Is not the one who said “If you build it, they will come.” In fact, He’s the one who said few will follow. In this episode, we’ll explore…Why measuring church success by numbers isn’t BiblicalThat some of the most gifted & called Jesus-followers are in small placesHow we miss what God is doing when we focus on who’s not comingThat Jesus modeled life-changing ministry without growing a church in numbersStart the FREE 5-Day Challenge today >> https://smallchurchministry.com/RESOURCES MENTIONEDSupport the showSUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more people -- just like you -- in small churches who need to hear this.🎙 Thanks for tuning in to Small Church Ministry Podcast! See you next week!FOLLOW US:Website: smallchurchministry.comInstagram: instagram.com/smallchurchministryFacebook: facebook.com/smallchurchministryCreative Solutions for Small Churches Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministrySmall Church Network: smallchurchministry.com/membership
Jan 3, 2022 • 19min
001: 4 Reasons Small Churches are Awesome (& Why I Started This Podcast)
Small church ministry isn’t less, but it is different. With smaller numbers and smaller budgets, many churches struggle to try to keep up with the big church next door. What if we quit trying to compete with big places, and, instead, started embracing the gifts God’s uniquely given to smaller communities? Tune in to this episode to learn about 4 reasons small churches are awesome:How God loves small and always hasWhere the best relationships are builtThat we’re meant to do life with people of different generationsWhy small churches are so great for training leadersRESOURCES MENTIONEDSupport the showSUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more people -- just like you -- in small churches who need to hear this.🎙 Thanks for tuning in to Small Church Ministry Podcast! See you next week!FOLLOW US:Website: smallchurchministry.comInstagram: instagram.com/smallchurchministryFacebook: facebook.com/smallchurchministryCreative Solutions for Small Churches Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministrySmall Church Network: smallchurchministry.com/membership
