

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

Jun 25, 2025 • 49min
Ep. 127 | Emily Fascilla: Innovative Giving Solutions For The Modern Church
In this episode, we sit down with Emily Fascilla, nonprofit fundraising expert and Director of Client Strategy at The Giving Block.We explore innovative giving solutions for the modern church and how technology is transforming the ways people support ministry.In this conversation, we discuss:Accepting crypto and stock gifts in churchesBenefits and security of online giving platformsTax advantages for donors using assetsMaking generosity accessible for all agesCommunicating new giving methods to congregationsReaching the next generation of giversJoin us as we dive into Innovative Giving Solutions For The Modern Church with Emily Fascilla.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/44vws4G

Jun 18, 2025 • 57min
Ep. 126 | Chandler Boyce: Boosting Your Church’s Online Presence from Invisible to Unmissable
In this episode, we sit down with Chandler Boyce, church marketing coach and owner of The Marketing Co-op, who helps pastors expand their church's online reach through SEO, paid ads, and smart digital strategy.We explore practical steps for making your church’s online presence more effective and visible, turning digital invisibility into unmissable outreach.In this conversation, we discuss:Why your website is your digital foundationOptimizing your search engine profileTurning your site into a resource hubSimple tips to boost SEO and search rankingContent strategies for YouTube and social mediaMeasuring what’s working in your online effortsJoin us as we dive into Boosting Your Church’s Online Presence from Invisible to Unmissable with Chandler Boyce.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4l5dUxQ

Jun 11, 2025 • 48min
Ep. 125 | Kendall Conner & Jessica Moore: Creative Ways to Keep Your Church Engaged During Summer
In this episode, Kendall Conner and Jessica Moore explore creative and practical ways to keep your church engaged throughout the busy summer months.In this conversation, we discuss:Summer-themed message series ideasUsing email newsletters for connectionFlexible small group strategiesLeveraging social media for engagementPlanning outreach and community eventsUtilizing online giving and livestreamsJoin us as we dive into creative ways to keep your church engaged during summer with Kendall Conner and Jessica Moore.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4kBs6P5

Jun 4, 2025 • 39min
Ep. 124 | Emily B. Cummins: Becoming the Leader God Called You to Be
In this episode, we sit down with Emily B. Cummins, author, speaker, podcast host, and chief of staff at Church of Hope in Ocala, Florida.We explore what it means to step confidently into the leader God has called you to be, embracing the ongoing journey of becoming.In this conversation, we discuss:Navigating self-doubt and identity in leadershipEmbracing the process of becomingCommunicating vision during change and conflictBuilding healthy rhythms and self-awarenessEmpowering others to discover their callingKey practices for leading healthy churchesJoin us as we dive into becoming the leader God called you to be with Emily Cummins.SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/456ccHU

May 28, 2025 • 51min
Ep. 123 | Holly Tate: Practical Strategies for Church Growth That Actually Work
In this episode, we sit down with Holly Tate, executive coach, growth strategist, and founder of the Ready Network.We explore practical strategies for church growth and discover frameworks that move beyond theory and actually work in the real world, with insights that can help your team go from stuck to strategic.In this conversation, we discuss:Why churches feel stuck in growthThe impact of external and internal challengesThe Ready Framework for strategic planningBuilding action plans with clear ownershipEvaluating what’s working using key metricsHealthy rhythms for sustainable church growthJoin us as we dive into practical strategies for church growth that actually work with Holly Tate.SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/3SqVpYn

May 21, 2025 • 50min
Ep. 122 | Phil Bowdle: Rethinking Church Communication for Maximum Clarity
In this episode, we sit down with Phil Bowdle, creative ministry leader, best-selling author, and VP of Marketing at Slingshot Group.We explore strategies for rethinking church communication to ensure clarity and effective engagement.In this conversation, we discuss:Prioritizing what matters in church communicationClarity versus creativity in messagingAvoiding announcement overloadEngaging your audience beyond SundayBuilding story-driven contentScalable systems for any size churchJoin us as we dive into rethinking church communication for maximum clarity with Phil Bowdle.SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/3H47vnW

May 14, 2025 • 53min
Ep. 121 | Russ Ewell: Creating Belonging in the Church Through Innovation and Inclusion
In this episode, we sit down with Russ Ewell, executive minister at Bay Area Christian Church, author, social entrepreneur, and advocate for individuals with special needs and disabilities. Russ shares his powerful personal journey and how it led him to champion a church culture where everyone can belong, particularly those who are often overlooked in traditional ministry settings.In this conversation, we discuss:The personal experiences that ignited Russ’s missionThe vital need for accessible worship environmentsPractical strategies for creating inclusive children's ministriesLeveraging technology for greater accessibilityBuilding a spiritually vibrant culture that values every personJoin us as we dive into Creating Belonging in the Church Through Innovation and Inclusion with Russ Ewell.SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/42WSWuR

May 7, 2025 • 1h 2min
Ep. 120 | Kendall Conner & Jessica Moore: Practical Tips for Attracting Volunteers at Your Church
In this episode, Kendall Conner and Jessica Moore dive into practical tips for attracting and keeping passionate volunteers at your church.Volunteers are the heartbeat of every ministry, yet many leaders struggle with the constant challenge of recruiting and retaining them. The good news? It doesn’t have to be this way.In this conversation, we discuss:Casting vision to motivate volunteersCreating clear and easy volunteer on-rampsThe power of personal and specific invitationsPublicly celebrating and appreciating volunteersMatching volunteers with their unique giftsBuilding strong volunteer team cultureJoin us as we dive into Practical Tips for Attracting Volunteers at Your Church with Kendall Conner and Jessica Moore.SHOWNOTES: https://bit.ly/4m35yYR

Apr 30, 2025 • 26min
Ep. 119 | Greg Atkinson: Rethinking Missional Engagement Through Entrepreneurship
In this episode, we sit down with Greg Atkinson, best-selling author, international keynote speaker, and founder of Entre Church.We explore how entrepreneurial thinking can help churches reimagine missional engagement and create sustainable impact in their communities.In this conversation, we discuss:Creative outreach methods through entrepreneurship.Rethinking church finances beyond the offering plate.Practical ideas for church-based businesses.Leveraging church facilities for community use.Encouraging bi-vocational church leaders.Essential tools for efficient church operations.Join us as we dive into rethinking missional engagement through entrepreneurship with Greg Atkinson.SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/438n9qM

Apr 23, 2025 • 47min
Ep. 118 | Jaime Montano: Using Visual Media to Craft More Engaging Worship Services
In this episode, we sit down with Jaime Montano, Senior Motion Graphics Designer at Ministry Brands and creative mind behind thousands of worship backgrounds used in churches worldwide.We explore how visual media can enhance worship experiences and create more engaging, intentional environments for congregations.In this conversation, we discuss:The evolution of church media and visualsBest practices for screens and projectorsStarting points for media in worship servicesChoosing motion backgrounds with intentionalityBenefits of visuals for both sermons and announcementsKeeping volunteers engaged in media ministryJoin us as we dive into using visual media to craft more engaging worship services with Jaime Montano.SHOW NOTES: https://bit.ly/3EgfQ6K


