Today, we're diving into the crucial topic of innovating in ministry without losing focus. We'll explore practical strategies for making iterative changes in your church, leveraging your temperament to navigate differing attitudes towards change, and avoiding the pitfalls of program clutter. Stay tuned for valuable insights on effective decision-ma…

In this episode, we're diving into strategies for building a culture of collaboration within your church. Scott explores the significance of managing silence during discussions, engaging quieter team members, and breaking larger groups into smaller ones to ensure all voices are heard. He emphasizes the role of intentionality in inclusive leadership…

On this week's episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we're showing you all the features of the new Healthy Churches Toolkit! We dove into how the toolkit empowers churches to thrive, with resources for strategic planning, leadership development, and tools for actionable growth. Here’s a quick breakdown: Toolkit Features Overview: We covered…

In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu discuss the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in church settings. They explore the misconceptions surrounding AI, distinguishing between 'bad AI' that could replace human roles and 'good AI' that can serve as a valuable tool for church leaders. The conversa…

In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu discuss the benefits of sermon-based study groups. They explore how these groups foster unity within the church, provide predictable discipleship outcomes, and deepen the congregation's knowledge of Scripture. The conversation also highlights the importance of using t…

Read full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/260 In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, hosts A.J. Mathieu and Scott Ball discuss three impactful strategies that aging congregations can implement within 90 days to revitalize their church. They emphasize the importance of understanding the unique challenges faced by aging congre…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/259 Register for the Healthy Churches Toolkit Live Launch: https://malphursgroup.com/launch In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu discuss the alarming decline in biblical literacy and propose innovative strategies to combat this issue. They intr…

Unlock the potential of your mid-sized church with these 3 often-overlooked growth strategies! 🚀🙏 In this video, we dive deep into practical, innovative approaches that can transform your church of 100-200 members into a thriving community. You'll discover: 1️⃣ How to master your welcome strategy and turn first-time visitors into engaged members 2️…

Welcome to Episode 257 of The Church Revitalization Podcast! In this special anniversary episode, your hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu reveal "The Five Habits of a Healthy Church." We’ll emphasize the power of storytelling to engage your congregation and drive your mission, as well as the importance of embedding core values into daily decisions. …

In Episode 256 of The Church Revitalization Podcast, we tackle the challenge of preaching in a world where attention spans are rapidly shrinking and distractions are everywhere. We explore how to craft sermons that resonate deeply while addressing the realities of modern life. We discuss the importance of capturing attention quickly, the power of s…

In Episode 255 of The Church Revitalization Podcast, we explore the reasons behind the declining male presence in churches. Titled “The Silent Exodus: Understanding Why Men Are Leaving the Church,” this episode examines cultural shifts, the disconnect between church activities and male interests, and the perceived irrelevance of church in addressin…

In this episode, hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu dive into three essential questions to evaluate your Sunday worship services. They discuss the importance of consistency, continuous improvement, and the contagious excitement that can make a difference in a church's atmosphere. From pinpointing problems to fostering a genuine love for the ministry…

In this episode of The Church Revitalization Podcast, hosts Scott Ball and AJ Mathieu explore the reasons why church strategies fail. They identify three key points: the impact of a lack of planning, the crucial role of leadership, and the significance of adequate resources. Tune in to gain valuable insights into developing successful church strate…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/252 In this episode, our hosts A.J. Mathieu and Scott Ball explore the crucial shift from rearview mirror thinking to windshield thinking, emphasizing the need for honesty, humility, and collaboration to cultivate enthusiasm for the future. They discuss practical strategies for moving from nost…

In today's episode, Scott Ball & A.J. Mathieu use the Strategic Envisioning framework to assess scenarios using ChatGPT, offering insightful solutions tailored to each unique challenge. From navigating financial crises to addressing community shifts, our hosts provide practical advice grounded in the foundational principles of church health. Test y…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/250 In today's episode, we dive into the crucial topic of healthy political discourse as believers. A.J. Mathieu and Scott Ball emphasize the need for truth, integrity, respect, and civility in political discussion, challenging the trend of attacking individuals instead of debating ideas. Drawi…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/249 In this episode, hosts A.J. Mathieu and Scott Ball dive into the topic of "Big Hospitality in Small Spaces." They share personal experiences and discuss the importance of creating welcoming and interactive spaces within church facilities, despite potential limitations. From utilizing underu…

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/248 In this episode, Scott and A.J. dive deep into the crucial topic of decision-making within the church. They explore the barriers to effective decision-making, including the fear of conflict, the sunk cost fallacy, and the importance of aligning decisions with the church's mission and values.…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/247 On this episode of The Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu discuss the importance of annual checkups for churches to improve their overall health. Drawing parallels to personal health checkups, the hosts emphasize the need for regular assessments to diagnose and addre…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/246 In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, hosts Scott Ball and AJ Mathieu delve into the importance of rest for pastors. They explore the biblical basis for rest, the concept of sabbatical, and the need for regular weekly rest. They discuss practical options for providing pastor…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/245 In this episode titled "Overcoming Obstacles in Pipeline Implementation," our hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu dive into the key challenges hindering the successful implementation of a leadership pipeline within the church. They address issues related to unclear expectations, communication…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/244 In today's episode, our hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu take a comprehensive look at the 3-Step Development Process: Assessing, Training, and Launching Leaders. They emphasize the significance of pacing coaching processes, beta testing, and receiving feedback before rolling out coaching m…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/243 In this episode of The Church Revitalization Podcast, hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu delve into the critical role of core competencies for leadership within the church. They stress the importance of defining these competencies in order to bring objectivity to the selection and developmen…

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/242 In this episode, A.J. Mathieu and Scott Ball explore the concept of leadership levels within the church, shedding light on the need for a structured leadership pipeline and the different responsibilities and development investment at various leadership levels. From discussing the impact of l…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/241 In this week's episode, titled "Why Every Church Needs a Leadership Pipeline," hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu dive into the crucial topic of leadership development in the church. They emphasize the biblical foundation for this concept, drawing on examples from the scriptures and real-lif…

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/240 In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu discuss five common misconceptions about church revitalization. They bust myths about what church revitalization is and isn't, covering topics like the idea that revitalization is only for declining churc…

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/239 In this episode titled hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu dive into the complex interplay between faith and politics. As pastors grapple with navigating the uncertain and divisive landscape of an election year, they'll explore the keys to effectively communicating God's word without turning t…

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/238 In Episode 238, we delve into the topic of church size and why God uses the underdog to make a big impact. Join hosts Scott Ball & A.J. Mathieu as they discuss the neutral nature of church size and emphasize the significance of church health in fulfilling the mission. They share examples of …

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/237 Welcome to Episode 237 of the Church Revitalization Podcast! In this episode, hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu explore the crucial question of "Who Should Join Your Strategic Planning Team?" They emphasize the importance of building committed teams to implement new visions and initiatives i…

Welcome to The Church Revitalization Podcast! In this episode, hosts A.J. Mathieu and Scott Ball delve into the topic of "Developing a Discipleship Pathway for Kids & Students." They discuss the importance of focusing on the younger generation in churches, sharing insights on how to integrate children and student ministries into the overall discipl…

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/235 In this episode, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu dive into the critical topic of succession planning in the church. From biblical foundations to practical insights, they explore the importance of preparing for leadership transitions, and the impact of unexpected events on church leadership. By s…

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/234 Welcome to Episode 234 of The Church Revitalization Podcast, where we explore the pressing issues facing congregations in North America. In this episode, hosts A.J. Mathieu and Scott Ball delve into the alarming demographic cliff facing churches with a shortage of younger pastors to fill the…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/233 Welcome to the Church Revitalization Podcast, where we equip church leaders with essential strategies to ensure their churches thrive. In this episode, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu engage in a candid conversation about the common failure point in church revitalization processes. They explore…

Join this special episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, where host Scott Ball interviews Build Groups founder and the author of Group Leader Training, Adam Erlichman. In this episode, we dove deep into all things Groups Ministry. We explored what makes a Groups ministry thrive, how can impact the overall health and growth of your church, an…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/231 Welcome to The Church Revitalization Podcast! In this episode, A.J. Mathieu and Scott Ball dive into the crucial topic of what to know before hiring a church consultant. Drawing from their experience in church consulting, they provide valuable insights for churches considering this importan…

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/230 This episode dives into the crucial role of vision indicators in guiding your church towards its mission and vision, akin to navigating a ship with a clear compass in the vast ocean of ministry. Discover the art of selecting, implementing, and refining vision indicators that are not only mea…

Join us in Episode 229 of the Church Revitalization Podcast as we dissect the latest Lifeway Research on baptism trends within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and discuss the implications of declining membership numbers. With a significant 46% increase in baptisms over the past two years, we dive into what this means for the SBC amidst an ove…

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/228 Explore the multifaceted journey of becoming a church consultant in Episode 228 of the Church Revitalization Podcast with hosts Scott Ball & A.J. Mathieu. This episode delves into the rewarding aspects of church consulting, such as witnessing transformation, leveraging entrepreneurial skills…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/227 Dive into Episode 227 of the Church Revitalization Podcast, hosted by The Malphurs Group, as we tackle the essential topic of vision in church leadership. "Where Are We Going? Answering the Vision Question" unravels the complexities of establishing a clear and shared vision within the churc…

Dive into Episode 226 of the Church Revitalization Podcast with Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu, brought to you by The Malphurs Group, as we dissect the critical dynamics between primary and secondary ministries within the church. This episode shines a light on how these ministries intertwine to fulfill the church's mission of disciple-making and spiri…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/225 In this enlightening episode, our hosts Scott Ball & A.J. Mathieu delve deep into the vital role of discipleship in the church's mission, as mandated by the Great Commission. 🌟 Key Highlights: Understanding Discipleship: Discover why discipleship isn't just an activity but the essence of ev…

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/224 In this enlightening and engaging video, we delve deep into the heart of what makes a ministry truly impactful and transformative. Join us as we explore the four essential types of core values that are pivotal to the health and effectiveness of any church or ministry. 🔹 What You'll Learn: Ac…

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/223 Welcome to Episode 223 of the Church Revitalization Podcast! In today's insightful episode, we delve deep into the heart of church mission statements, exploring their critical role in guiding and defining the purpose of a church community. 🎙️ Episode Highlights: Understanding the Mandate of …

Welcome to Episode 222 of The Church Revitalization Podcast, brought to you by The Malphurs Group. In this enlightening episode, we delve deep into the transformative world of leadership pipelines and how they can lead to unprecedented growth and vitality in your church community. Are you struggling with leadership shortages, undefined roles, or st…

Get the full show notes: https://malphursgroup.com/221 In Episode 221 of The Church Revitalization Podcast, we delve into overcoming knowledge biases in church leadership, and how they're holding your church leadership back. Learn about effective communication, intentional leadership training, and creating a lifelong learning culture within church …

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/220 In this pivotal episode, we confront the sobering reality of church decline across the U.S. With a focus on the Faith Communities Today survey's stark findings, we unravel the causes behind the drop from 137 attendees in 2000 to just 65 in recent years. This episode is more than a statistica…

Welcome to a thought-provoking episode of The Church Revitalization Podcast, where we delve into the complex paradox facing churches in the post-pandemic era. In this episode we explore the intriguing dichotomy of increasing church giving and attendance juxtaposed with declining pastoral morale. We kick off with an in-depth analysis of recent findi…

Welcome to a special Giving Tuesday edition of The Church Revitalization Podcast! In this episode, we delve into the heart of our mission, revealing the exciting and transformative projects we are embarking on in 2024 to strengthen churches globally. Read more at https://malphursgroup.com/218 Donate to our projects at https://malphursgroup.com/dona…

In this episode, we explore the profound effect a simple "thank you" can have on individuals and communities. We share a heartwarming story about receiving a thank-you note on a flight and discuss the often-overlooked power of acknowledging the efforts of ministry volunteers, church staff, and our loved ones. Join us as we uncover why it's crucial …

consulting experts, delves deep into the nuances of church revitalization and leadership in the new year. In This Episode: Reflecting on Past Lessons: How the challenges of previous years shape future strategies. Adaptive Strategic Planning: Crafting flexible plans that stay true to your church's mission. Goal Setting with Purpose: Balancing ambiti…