

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

Sep 3, 2025 • 56min
Ep. 137 | Nils Smith: How Ministry Leaders Can Create Spiritual Impact on Social Media
In this episode, we sit down with Nils Smith, social media strategist and digital marketing expert who helps churches, nonprofits, and businesses maximize technology for their mission.We explore how ministry leaders can create authentic spiritual impact and meaningful community through effective use of social media.In this conversation, we discuss:The purpose behind ministry social media useMoving beyond announcements to real engagementEmpowering volunteers for digital ministry rolesResponding well to messages and commentsAvoiding common church social media mistakesJoin us as we dive into How Ministry Leaders Can Create Spiritual Impact on Social Media with Nils Smith.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4p1wWrL

Aug 27, 2025 • 40min
Ep. 136 | Josh Denhart: A Framework To Reach Your Community For Christ
In this episode, we sit down with Josh Denhart, founder of LeadMinistry.com, author, speaker, and former children's pastor.We explore a practical framework for reaching your community for Christ, offering wisdom and actionable steps for church leaders.In this conversation, we discuss:The deeper purpose behind community outreachDangers of inward-focused churchesThe "good works, goodwill, good news" frameworkEarning the right to be heardReal-life outreach examples and storiesJoin us as we dive into A Framework To Reach Your Community For Christ with Josh Denhart.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3UPhQYy

Aug 21, 2025 • 49min
Ep. 135 | Tyler Harden: How to Clarify Your Church’s Identity and Mission
In this episode, we sit down with Tyler Harden, church growth consultant and co-founder of Firm Foundations Marketing.We unpack practical strategies for clarifying your church’s identity and mission to foster growth and unity.In this conversation, we discuss:Communicating your church’s identity clearlyCommon challenges in defining mission and visionEngaging leadership in the identity processDifferentiating mission from methods in ministryReaching the right people in your communityMaking your vision contagious and actionableJoin us as we dive into How to Clarify Your Church’s Identity and Mission with Tyler Harden.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/468x2oX

Aug 13, 2025 • 56min
Ep. 134 | Kendall Conner & Jessica Moore: How to Get the Most Out of Your ChMS
In this episode, Kendall Conner and Jessica Moore explore practical ways churches can maximize their church management software (ChMS) to strengthen ministry and streamline operations.In this conversation, we discuss:Creating a complete church directoryOrganizing groups for connectionSending mass communicationsAutomating follow-up interactionsRecording attendance for careLeveraging dashboards for insightsJoin us as we dive into How to Get the Most Out of Your ChMS with Kendall Conner and Jessica Moore.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3JyMra4

Aug 6, 2025 • 46min
Ep. 133 | Cody Patterson: Tech & Media Tips to Help Your Church Do More With Less
In this episode, we sit down with Cody Patterson, Production Pastor at Life Fellowship Church. Previously a marketing leader at MxU and Renewed Vision, Cody now consults with churches to help them thrive through practical, creative solutions.We explore smart tech and media tips to help churches do more with less, no matter their size or resources.In this conversation, we discuss:Building and empowering volunteer tech teamsOvercoming budget and equipment limitationsCreative DIY solutions for media and lightingAutomation to reduce volunteer workloadCultivating healthy church tech team cultureJoin us as we dive into Tech & Media Tips to Help Your Church Do More With Less with Cody Patterson.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3UiOt0n

Jul 30, 2025 • 58min
Ep. 132 | Jack Whitis & Mark Stuart: Amplifying Your Church's Creative Storytelling With Music
In this episode, we sit down with Jack Whitis, CEO of WavMaker and seasoned technology and engineering leader, and Mark Stuart, co-founder of WavMaker, Grammy-winning former lead vocalist of Audio Adrenaline, and philanthropist.We explore how churches can amplify their creative storytelling and connect with their communities more effectively through music.In this conversation, we discuss:The power of music in storytellingWhat “royalty-free” music really meansLegal challenges with music in church mediaPractical uses for stock music in ministryTips for equipping creative church teamsJoin us as we dive into Amplifying Your Church's Creative Storytelling With Music with Jack Whitis & Mark Stuart.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3UD8XB2

Jul 24, 2025 • 34min
Ep. 131 | Lee Coate: Navigating the Seasons of Life and Leadership
In this episode, we sit down with Lee Coate, executive pastor, author, and president of Growmentum Group, who brings over 30 years of ministry and leadership experience.We explore practical frameworks for navigating the various seasons of life and leadership, while equipping leaders to embrace and empower multigenerational teams within the church.In this conversation, we discuss:The four seasons of leadership rolesEmbracing your current leadership seasonEmpowering and mentoring next-generation leadersBuilding teams with seasonal diversityAvoiding burnout and cultivating passionJoin us as we dive into Navigating the Seasons of Life and Leadership with Lee Coate.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/454OVUX

Jul 16, 2025 • 55min
Ep. 130 | Kendall Conner & Jessica Moore: Building An Invite Culture at Your Church
Kendall Conner and Jessica Moore delve into creating a vibrant invite culture within churches. They share the transformative power of personal invitations and practical strategies for fostering a welcoming environment. Listeners discover creative tools like invite cards and themed events that encourage congregation members to reach out. The conversation also touches on enhancing newcomer engagement through clear communication and personal connections, driving home the idea that storytelling can inspire others to invite as well.

Jul 9, 2025 • 51min
Ep. 129 | Lee Cool: Stewarding Your Church Facilities To Fulfill Your Mission
In this episode, we sit down with Lee Cool, church facility and operations expert at eSPACE. We explore how effective stewardship of church facilities can support and advance your ministry’s mission.In this conversation, we discuss:Why facility management is often overlookedFacilities’ impact on church health and missionPractical maintenance and stewardship strategiesCommon challenges and solutions for churchesAutomating and optimizing facility operationsJoin us as we dive into Stewarding Your Church Facilities to Fulfill Your Mission with Lee Cool.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4eFpvBu

Jul 3, 2025 • 57min
Ep. 128 | Jay Kranda: Leveling Up Your Church’s Live Stream Strategy
In this episode, we sit down with Jay Kranda, the Innovative Tech Pastor at Saddleback Church and author of “Online Church Is Not The Answer: Beyond Just Streaming Church to Hybrid Disciple Making."We explore how churches can move beyond simply live streaming to building thriving digital and hybrid discipleship communities.In this conversation, we discuss:Creative ways churches can use live streamingMoving past “checklist” digital ministryEquipping volunteers for digital engagementStrategies for digital discipleshipUsing digital tools to build real communityAdapting to new technology in church lifeJoin us as we dive into leveling up your church’s live stream strategy with Jay Kranda.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4kmTgsk


