Church Leadership Lab

Greg Atkinson, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and organizational consultant with 30 years in leadership, helps churches improve first impressions. He shares how secret shopping reveals quick wins, tips for a smooth seven-minute welcome, fixing kids check-in friction, follow-up touchpoints that keep newcomers, and the role of digital tools and intentionality in growing community.

In this episode, we sit down with Nicole Lucas, creative arts pastor, leadership coach, and founder of The Creative Level.We explore why clarity is essential for healthy church staffs and teams, and practical ways leaders can foster clear communication and thriving cultures.In this conversation, we discuss:Why clarity matters for church teamsSpotting and fixing misalignment issuesThe role of language in shaping cultureBuilding healthy communication habitsManaging creative and tech teams effectivelyPractical steps for planning worship servicesJoin us as we dive into How to Bring Clarity to Your Church Staff and Teams with Nicole Lucas.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4sLiy90

Jason Young, leadership consultant, coach, professor, and bestselling author with 25+ years building people-first cultures. He explores what motivates volunteers, how to craft magnetic first-serve experiences, bite-sized training that sticks, ways to prevent burnout, and how emotional safety and storytelling create a culture that attracts and retains leaders.

In this episode, hosts Kendall Conner and Jessica Moore explore essential healthy habits for ministry leaders as they look ahead to a new year.The conversation focuses on simple, sustainable rhythms that help leaders stay grounded, avoid burnout, and lead with greater health – spiritually, relationally, and emotionally – in every season of ministry.In this conversation, we discuss:Building a sustainable devotional rhythmThe importance of honest, life-giving friendshipsStewarding your physical health intentionallyPrioritizing family in your leadership lifeUsing technology to lighten your workloadFinding mentors and investing in younger leadersJoin us as we dive into Healthy Habits For Ministry Leaders with Kendall Conner & Jessica Moore.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/49r9Pkn

This week, we’re pressing pause on our regular Church Leadership Lab episodes to share something a little different. Our hosts, Kendall Conner and Jess Moore, have a short, meaningful Christmas message just for our podcast community.This time of year is filled with celebration, reflection, and a powerful reminder of the hope we have in Christ. For ministry leaders, it also comes with extra services, long nights, and full schedules. As you guide your church through the Christmas season, we encourage you to pause, breathe, and make space to personally encounter the joy and peace this season represents. God is moving through your leadership—but He also wants to connect with you.Take a moment to listen to this special Christmas message, then get ready for us to jump back into another great episode next week.Plus, we share a preview of what’s ahead as we close out the year and step into a new one!Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3L8gnv1

In this episode, we sit down with Dennis Choy, executive coach, speaker, and General Manager of Design and Project Management at HouseRight. He brings over 30 years of ministry experience, including leadership roles at Saddleback Church, Skyline Church, and North Coast Church, where he helped build teams, departments, and leaders for long-term impact.We explore practical strategies for building and sustaining strong tech volunteer teams, especially for the long haul.In this conversation, we discuss:Building a healthy tech volunteer cultureScreening and placing volunteers effectivelyAddressing burnout and team longevitySpiritual check-ins for volunteersKeys to fostering healthy church teamsJoin us as we dive into Strategies to Keep Tech Volunteers for the Long Haul with Dennis Choy.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4q9h31X

In this episode, we sit down with Adam Erickson, filmmaker, church storyteller, educator, and founder of Smartphone Storytellers, a free platform training churches and nonprofits to share stories with just a smartphone.We explore how churches can build a culture of digital storytelling to highlight real-life impact and encourage healthy ministry growth.In this conversation, we discuss:• Why stories matter in church settings• Overcoming barriers to effective storytelling• Practical tips for smartphone video creation• Finding and mining great individual stories• Building volunteer teams for storytelling• Embracing imperfection in sharing testimoniesJoin us as we dive into Building a Culture of Digital Storytelling in the Church with Adam Erickson.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4iSdGKH

In this episode, we sit down with Arthur James, seasoned educator, bi-vocational pastor, church planter, and author of "Preaching Through Pain."We unpack practical ways church leaders can avoid burnout during busy ministry seasons and find renewed purpose and strength.In this conversation, we discuss:• Finding balance versus busyness in ministry• Leading from a place of overflow• Delegating and equipping others for ministry• Healthy rhythms for pastors and leaders• The role of physical and spiritual health• Embracing technology without burnoutJoin us as we dive into How Church Leaders Can Avoid Burnout in a Busy Ministry Season with Arthur James.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3XxpAj7

This week, we are pressing pause on our regular Church Leadership Lab episodes to share something a little different. Hosts, Kendall Conner and Jess Moore recorded a short, meaningful Thanksgiving message just for our podcast community.We know this season brings full tables, full schedules, and full hearts. Ministry leaders, as you serve your church and gather with family, remember to slow down and let your own soul be renewed. God is at work through you, but He is also at work in you.Take a moment to listen to this special Thanksgiving message, then get ready for us to jump back into another great episode next week.Bonus: We even share a few recommended episodes to check out while you rest!Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3XjDepY

In this episode, we sit down with Bill Van Kirk, Campus Pastor at Spring Lake Church, digital communications leader, and certified ministry coach.We explore practical ways churches can build a digital ministry strategy that connects people beyond Sunday.In this conversation, we discuss:Why your website is a digital front doorUsing technology for discipleship all weekRepurposing sermons into weekday devotionalsLeveraging stories and testimonies onlineBuilding a team for digital ministryJoin us as we dive into How to Build a Digital Strategy That Reaches Beyond Sunday with Bill Van Kirk.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4ihYg20