

Church Leadership Lab
Ministry Brands
Church Leadership Lab is a podcast that seeks to empower healthy churches. Through conversations, interviews, and stories, we explore what's happening in ministry today and how pastors and leaders can navigate what lies ahead. This podcast is a resource of Ministry Brands, the largest provider of church technology. We help 90,000+ churches with an integrated platform that provides online giving, people (chMS), websites, streaming, background checks, and more all to empower healthy churches. To learn more, visit https://www.ministrybrands.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 2, 2023 • 44min
Ep. 030 | Jason Kovacs: The Importance of Mental Health in Ministry
In this episode, we sit down with Jason Kovacs, executive director of the Gospel Care Collective, member of the association of biblical counselors, and adjunct professor at Heritage Theological Seminary. In our conversation, we discuss the following:The current state of health for today’s pastors.Helpful ways to engage those struggling with mental health.The importance of vulnerability, community, and friendship.Practical steps to take to maintain mental health.Balancing the tension of leading and shepherding others.Ways Gospel Care Collective can help Church Leaders.Join the conversation as we talk about pastoral care and mental health, how to cultivate and grow in mental health as a church leader, and ways to pursue rest in a fast-paced world.Connect with Jason KovacsLinkedinConnect with The Gospel Care Collective:WebsiteResources Mentioned:Book Recommendation: Failure of Nerve by Edwin FriedmanMusic: The NationalRegister for the Healthy Church Summit for FREE:HealthyChurchSummit.com

Jul 26, 2023 • 46min
Ep. 029 | Mark MacDonald: How Your Church Can Be Known For Something
In the episode, we sit down with Mark MacDonald, a church communication expert with over 20 years of experience. He’s held positions as a pastor, communications director, marketing VP, creative director, and consultant to churches of all sizes.In the conversation, we talk about:Why it’s important for a church to develop a communication strategy.Easy wins churches can have to improve their communication.The best communication channels churches should focus on.The advantage of finding outside help for branding and communication.Listen in as we talk all things communication and dive into how churches can cut through the noise and be known for something.Connect with Mark:Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | FacebookSubscribe to Mark’s weekly Church Communication Email:Subscribe hereBook Recommendation:“Be Known for Something: Reconnect with Community by Revitalizing Your Church's Reputation” Mark MacDonaldFavorite Tech:iRobotRegister for the Healthy Church Summit for FREE:HealthyChurchSummit.com

Jul 19, 2023 • 46min
Ep. 028 | Jason Thacker: A.I. and The Church
In this episode, we sit down with Jason Thacker, an author, assistant professor at Boyce College, and Director of the Research Institute at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. In our conversation, we talk about:How to think wisely about technology.How to combat the various traps of technology.Approaching new technology as a church leader.Ways to set healthy boundaries around technology.Join this conversation as we discuss how to approach technology with wisdom and discernment, evaluate the tools it can bring, and pursue a healthy pace for ourselves, our organizations, and our world.Links from the Show:Connect with Jason Thacker:LinkedIn | WebsiteResources Mentioned:-Books: Following Jesus in a Digital Age by Jason Thacker and From the Garden to The City by John Dyer-Favorite Piece of Technology: KindleRegister for the Healthy Church Summit for FREE:HealthyChurchSummit.com

Jul 12, 2023 • 57min
Ep. 027 | Clark Campbell: Harnessing the Power of Story
In this episode, we sit down with Clark Campbell, Founder and CEO of RVRB, a video-first agency specializing in event and branding amplification. In our conversation, we talk about the following:The power of storytelling and social media.Practical social media strategies for churches.How to leverage storytelling within a mid-size church.How to add value to your social media and videographyJoin this conversation as we discuss how the church can strategically use social media to share the greatest message of all time, amplify what God is doing in and through your church, and use creativity and storytelling to share your message meaningfully. Links from the show:Connect with Clark:LinkedIn Connect with RVRB:Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | WebsiteResources Mentioned:Book: Communicating for a Change by Andy Stanley and Building a StoryBrand by Donald MillerRegister for the Healthy Church Summit for FREE:HealthyChurchSummit.com

Jul 5, 2023 • 39min
Ep. 026 | Alan George: Digital Ministry & Healthy Leadership Pt. 2
Join us for part two of our conversation with Alan George as we dive into:What's leadership in the church truly about?The importance of measuring the immeasurable in ministry.How to find rest and refuge for our souls amid the busyness of ministry. Links from the show:Connect with Alan George:Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Website | Blog | Church Website | YouTubeResources Mentioned:Book: Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Tim KellerTechnology: Ring App, Amazon.comRegister for the Healthy Church Summit for FREE:HealthyChurchSummit.com

Jun 30, 2023 • 29min
Ep. 025 | CLL Live: What's Going Well In Ministry?
Kacie and Scott recently sat down with pastors and church leaders at a conference and asked “what’s going well in ministry right now?” and “what’s one component of a healthy church?”. In this episode, you’ll hear from church leaders across the country who are leading in different contexts and in churches of various sizes. We hope this encourages you and the work you’re doing in your ministry.Register for the Healthy Church Summit for FREE:HealthyChurchSummit.com

Jun 28, 2023 • 34min
Ep. 024 | Alan George: Digital Ministry & Healthy Leadership Pt. 1
In this episode, we sit down with Alan George, a digital ministry expert who spent 10 years as the Online Pastor at Life.Church.In part-one one of our discussion, we cover leveraging technology to make the truth of Jesus accessible to all. In our conversation, we talk about:How pastors and church leaders can leverage digital platforms to reach beyond the church walls and regularly connect people with relevant and engaging Christ-centric content.Ways to avoid cold, impersonal digital interactions in your programming.Why online presence could be the greatest mission field in this century. Join us for part one as we discuss practical ways for churches to expand their digital ministry, make online experiences as warm and friendly as in-person programming, and leverage technology to build an online presence that helps draw people closer to Christ.Links from the show:Digital Ministry Matrix assessmentConnect with Alan George:Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Website | Blog | YouTubeRegister for the Healthy Church Summit for FREE:HealthyChurchSummit.com

Jun 21, 2023 • 48min
Ep. 023 | Holly Tate: Developing High Capacity Leaders
In this episode, we sit down with Holly Tate, Senior Vice President of Leadership Development at Leadr. In our conversation, we talk about the following:Why staff development is essential.Defining your priorities as a church leader.Recognizing the important versus the urgent.How to create a great place to work with a healthy culture.Join the conversation as we talk about what the church is missing when it comes to leadership development, how to develop your staff in a fast-paced environment, and how to best prioritize the important from the urgent to help you become a better leader and manager of others.Links from the show:Connect with Holly Tate:Email | LinkedinConnect with Leadr:Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTubeResources Mentioned:Book: Culture Wins by Greg Berge and Radical Candor by Kim ScottMusic: Runaway by OneRepublicTechnology: LeadrRegister for the Healthy Church Summit for FREE:HealthyChurchSummit.com

Jun 14, 2023 • 52min
Ep. 022 | Jim Sheppard: Cultivating a Generous Church
In this episode, we sit down with Jim Sheppard, CEO and Principle at Generis. In our conversation, we talk about the following:Leading and discipling your church towards giving.Having the right mindset around money.How to increase generosity in the church.Digital tools and generosity.Join the conversation as we talk about how to view generosity within the church, how to leverage your church services (and not be afraid) to talk about money, and how to cultivate and disciple your church towards heart transformation, not just transaction.Linked from the show:Connect with JimLinkedin | Website | EmailConnect with GenerisInstagram | Facebook | LinkedinResources mentioned:Book: Any book by Tim KellerMusic: Same God by Brandon Lake, SugarlandTechnology: Eco ThermostatRegister for the Healthy Church Summit for FREE:HealthyChurchSummit.com

Jun 7, 2023 • 26min
Ep. 021 | The Healthy Church Summit Recap
In this episode, Scott & Kacie recap the recent Healthy Church Summit we hosted on June 1st. The Summit introduced the roadmap for Ministry Brands and shared details about the new Healthy Church Hub. In this episode, they discuss:The innovation that will most impact church leaders.How the Healthy Church Hub will help empower healthy churchesWhat the future looks like for connecting churches with the resources they need.If you missed the Summit, make sure you watch the recap and sign up for and attend a demo for Ministry Brands Amplify. For those who do this through June 30th, 2023, you will be entered for a chance to win $10,000 for your ministry or a year free of Ministry Brands Amplify.Watch the summit & sign up for a demo here: Watch the Healthy Church Summit No Purchase Necessary. Void where prohibited. Open to churches located in the US. See official rules for details.Register for the Healthy Church Summit for FREE:HealthyChurchSummit.com


