The Small Church Ministry Podcast

So much women’s ministry is built on calendars, themes, and events - and yet many women still feel unseen, overwhelmed, or disconnected. In this episode, Jessica Francavilla and I talk about what it looks like to actually discern what women need in a given season, and why programs alone often miss the deeper spiritual and emotional realities women are carrying. We share how a small, multi-generational team listened, paid attention, and responded in ways that were more relational, more human, and far more impactful than another event.In This Episode, We Talk About:Why well-intentioned programs often miss what women are really walking throughHow discernment starts with listening, not planningWhat a multi-generational approach reveals that one age group can’t see aloneHow presence and responsiveness can reshape ministry without adding more to the calendarConnect with Jessica Francavilla: www.cityoffreedom.info www.livinghopeva.comGet your FREE ticket to the Women's Ministry for Small Churches Conference! >> www.smallchurchsummits.comJoin our free Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministryRate, Review, & Follow Laurie on Apple Podcasts"I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!" << If that's like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps Small Church Ministry support and reach more people -- just like you -- in small churches! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then, let us know what you loved most about this episode!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. This is the best way to stay updated on the new episodes we release weekly. If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on future episodes. Follow now!Get your FREE ticket to the Women's Ministry for Small Churches Conference! >> www.smallchurchsummits.comSupport the showFollow Us:Website: https://smallchurchministry.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallchurchministry/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallchurchministryCreative Solutions for Small Churches Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministrySmall Church Network: https://smallchurchministry.com/membership/

After decades of ministry in small churches — including years as a pastor’s wife — Abigail Doust has learned what truly serves women and what quietly pushes them away. In this episode, we talk honestly about moving beyond stereotypes, events-for-events’-sake, and one-person leadership, and toward ministry that helps women feel seen, known, and spiritually formed. This is a grounded, experience-rich conversation about gathering women well, building teams, and creating space for authentic faith to grow.In this episode, we talk about: The difference between women’s ministry and a ministry that actually serves womenWhy many women quietly avoid church events — and what changes thatHow small teams and shared leadership create healthier ministryWhat discipleship looks like when we focus on the whole person, not attendanceConnect with Abigail Doust: equippingforimpact.comGet your FREE ticket to the Women's Ministry for Small Churches Conference! >> www.smallchurchsummits.comJoin our free Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministryRate, Review, & Follow Laurie on Apple Podcasts"I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!" << If that's like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps Small Church Ministry support and reach more people -- just like you -- in small churches! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then, let us know what you loved most about this episode!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. This is the best way to stay updated on the new episodes we release weekly. If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on future episodes. Follow now!Get your FREE ticket to the Women's Ministry for Small Churches Conference! >> www.smallchurchsummits.comSupport the showFollow Us:Website: https://smallchurchministry.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallchurchministry/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallchurchministryCreative Solutions for Small Churches Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministrySmall Church Network: https://smallchurchministry.com/membership/

Burnout doesn’t happen because your pastor failed, your church is unhealthy, or no one stepped up to help. It happens when we believe we have no choice and keep serving under pressure instead of agency. In this episode, we talk honestly about why burnout isn’t someone else’s fault, why that truth can feel uncomfortable at first, and why it’s also the doorway to real change. You’ll hear: The stories that keep us stuck in burnout without realizing it Why waiting for leadership or circumstances to change rarely brings relief How agency creates options (even when nothing else changes)What it looks like to serve faithfully without burning yourself outJoin our free Facebook Community: www.facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministryRate, Review, & Follow Laurie on Apple Podcasts"I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!" << If that's like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps Small Church Ministry support and reach more people -- just like you -- in small churches! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then, let us know what you loved most about this episode!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. This is the best way to stay updated on the new episodes we release weekly. If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on future episodes. Follow now!Get your FREE ticket to the Women's Ministry for Small Churches Conference! >> www.smallchurchsummits.comSupport the showFollow Us:Website: https://smallchurchministry.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallchurchministry/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallchurchministryCreative Solutions for Small Churches Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministrySmall Church Network: https://smallchurchministry.com/membership/

As we wrap up 2025, we’re looking at the conversations that truly landed with small churches - the episodes and quotes that sparked response, resonance, and even pushback. Topics like decline, pressure, money, conflict, and culture change weren’t just popular; they named real life. In this episode, we explore what that tells us. And why honesty mattered more than neat solutions.You’ll hear:What this year’s most-downloaded episodes and most-shared posts reveal for all of usWhy honest conversations drew people in, even when they were uncomfortableThe unexpected hope running through some tough topicsA grounded way to close the year and look ahead with more peace and hope than everGet $20 off your first month of the Small Church Network! (Hit the monthly payment option to redeem): www.clc.thrivecart.com/small-church-networkJoin our free Facebook Community: www.facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministryRate, Review, & Follow Laurie on Apple Podcasts"I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!" << If that's like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps Small Church Ministry support and reach more people -- just like you -- in small churches! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then, let us know what you loved most about this episode!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. This is the best way to stay updated on the new episodes we release weekly. If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on future episodes. Follow now!Get your FREE ticket to the Women's Ministry for Small Churches Conference! >> www.smallchurchsummits.comSupport the showFollow Us:Website: https://smallchurchministry.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallchurchministry/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallchurchministryCreative Solutions for Small Churches Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministrySmall Church Network: https://smallchurchministry.com/membership/

This final episode in the finance series is a gentle reminder that the weight of your church’s future was never meant to sit on your shoulders. We talk about the very real year-end stress small churches feel, how Jesus measures ministry differently than we do, and why rest is an act of faithfulness, not neglect. If your church feels tired or stretched this month, this conversation will take the pressure down a notch.Listen in to hear:Why December pressure feels so personal - and why it isn’t the whole storyHow Christmas reframes the way we measure ministry, impact, and “success”How to lead with calm, grounded presence when everyone feels the tensionJoin our free Facebook Community: www.facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministryRate, Review, & Follow Laurie on Apple Podcasts"I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!" << If that's like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps Small Church Ministry support and reach more people -- just like you -- in small churches! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then, let us know what you loved most about this episode!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. This is the best way to stay updated on the new episodes we release weekly. If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on future episodes. Follow now!Get your FREE ticket to the Women's Ministry for Small Churches Conference! >> www.smallchurchsummits.comSupport the showFollow Us:Website: https://smallchurchministry.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallchurchministry/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallchurchministryCreative Solutions for Small Churches Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministrySmall Church Network: https://smallchurchministry.com/membership/

Money conversations in small churches get tense for reasons that go way deeper than dollars - fear, pressure, old stories, and unspoken roles all show up at the table. In this episode, we talk honestly about why finances can feel so emotional and how clearer, healthier conversations bring the room back together. It’s real, relatable, and the kind of clarity that lets everyone breathe again.You’ll learn:Why money in a church is never “just numbers” - it’s identity, trust, and responsibilityHow fear makes financial conversations smaller, quieter, or more reactiveThe everyday ways power can shape decisions without anyone noticingWhy avoiding money talk creates more anxiety, not lessHow simple, mission-first communication brings peace, connection, and honesty back into the roomJoin our free Facebook Community: www.facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministryRate, Review, & Follow Laurie on Apple Podcasts"I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!" << If that's like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps Small Church Ministry support and reach more people -- just like you -- in small churches! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then, let us know what you loved most about this episode!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. This is the best way to stay updated on the new episodes we release weekly. If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on future episodes. Follow now!Get your FREE ticket to the Women's Ministry for Small Churches Conference! >> www.smallchurchsummits.comSupport the showFollow Us:Website: https://smallchurchministry.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallchurchministry/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallchurchministryCreative Solutions for Small Churches Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministrySmall Church Network: https://smallchurchministry.com/membership/

Most small-church budgets weren’t really created; they just grew over time. Leftovers from last year, assumptions from a decade ago, and line items no one can quite explain anymore. And when a budget is shaped by nostalgia, fear, or “what we used to do,” it can make a church feel like it’s failing even when it’s not. In this episode, we explore how to see your budget as a story and how to shift that story from scarcity to possibility.You’ll learn:How churches unintentionally build budgets around fear and leftoversThe difference between maintaining the past and investing in what’s alive nowHow to make mission-first decisions with what you already haveSimple ways to start a healthier financial culture, even if this year’s budget is already setJoin our free Facebook Community: www.facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministryRate, Review, & Follow Laurie on Apple Podcasts"I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!" << If that's like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps Small Church Ministry support and reach more people -- just like you -- in small churches! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then, let us know what you loved most about this episode!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. This is the best way to stay updated on the new episodes we release weekly. If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on future episodes. Follow now!Get your FREE ticket to the Women's Ministry for Small Churches Conference! >> www.smallchurchsummits.comSupport the showFollow Us:Website: https://smallchurchministry.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallchurchministry/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallchurchministryCreative Solutions for Small Churches Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministrySmall Church Network: https://smallchurchministry.com/membership/

Exploring the decline in church giving, the discussion reveals that generosity is alive but often disconnected from visible impact. Trust can be rebuilt through transparency and storytelling, reminding congregations of their mission. Laurie emphasizes that modern giving is driven by relationships and clear outcomes rather than obligation. Small churches hold a unique advantage, connecting with their communities in profound ways. Listeners are encouraged to share impactful stories to reignite generosity, fostering hope amidst financial shifts.

A large part of a small church budget often goes to paying the pastor. Most small churches assume there’s only one “real” model of leadership - usually the one we’ve always known - and anything different feels like failure, pride, or danger. But there’s no single “biblical” or “more noble” model here. Healthy, vibrant churches exist in every structure: fully paid, bi-vocational, and completely volunteer-led.This episode lifts the shame, clears out the judgment, and helps churches learn:Why there isn’t one “right” model (and why that’s such good news)How assumptions, pride, and tradition shape our views without us noticingThe strengths + limits of paid, bi-vocational, and volunteer pastor modelsWhy most tension around leadership positions come from unspoken expectationsHow to discern whether it’s time to rethink your model when things feel stretched or scaryJoin our free Facebook Community: www.facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministryRate, Review, & Follow Laurie on Apple Podcasts"I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!" << If that's like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps Small Church Ministry support and reach more people -- just like you -- in small churches! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then, let us know what you loved most about this episode!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. This is the best way to stay updated on the new episodes we release weekly. If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on future episodes. Follow now!Get your FREE ticket to the Women's Ministry for Small Churches Conference! >> www.smallchurchsummits.comSupport the showFollow Us:Website: https://smallchurchministry.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallchurchministry/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallchurchministryCreative Solutions for Small Churches Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministrySmall Church Network: https://smallchurchministry.com/membership/

This episode reframes the entire money conversation by separating the Church from the nonprofit structure that houses it. We name the fear, pressure, and assumptions that swirl around finances - and then clarify why revenue impacts the organization, not the mission. When we stop confusing the two, financial decisions get calmer, clearer, and more grounded.You’ll learn:The difference between the Church and the 501(c)(3) that supports itWhy money isn’t needed to save your church (but it might save your building)How identifying fear and spiritual pressure around finances is a starting point for clarityThe real cost of trying to raise money to keep the lights on - and how a shift can save your church cultureCheck out podcast episode 187: When Your Church Feels Like It’s Dying: What to Do (and What’s Still True)Join our free Facebook Community: www.facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministryRate, Review, & Follow Laurie on Apple Podcasts"I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!" << If that's like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps Small Church Ministry support and reach more people -- just like you -- in small churches! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then, let us know what you loved most about this episode!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. This is the best way to stay updated on the new episodes we release weekly. If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on future episodes. Follow now!Get your FREE ticket to the Women's Ministry for Small Churches Conference! >> www.smallchurchsummits.comSupport the showFollow Us:Website: https://smallchurchministry.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallchurchministry/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallchurchministryCreative Solutions for Small Churches Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministrySmall Church Network: https://smallchurchministry.com/membership/