The Small Church Ministry Podcast

If you or your volunteers are showing signs of burnout, you’re not alone. You also don’t have to stay there! Most small churches function with a small group of committed people who don’t want to disappoint God, their pastor, or the people who fill the pews. Sometimes that commitment leads to exhaustion and, little by little, the joy of serving slowly begins seeping away. Whether you’re the pastor, ministry leader, or prefer to stay in the background, no one is immune to burnout. If you’re human, you’re at risk.This podcast is for you if …Your team seems to be fading in commitment and passionYou wish you had the motivation you remember when you first signed to serveYou want some tangible tips to refresh your personal vision or your teamCheck out The Small Church Pastors' Wives Conference >> https://smallchurchsummits.com/pw2022/Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!" << If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support 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 be sure to let me 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 up to date on the new episodes I release every week. If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!Follow 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 Summits: https://smallchurchsummits.com/The Small Church Academy: https://thesmallchurchacademy.com/Get the Ministry Bundles here!Support 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/

There are a million great things your small church could be doing. How do you choose? Listen in to this episode to:Hear the answer to why we don’t have a Pastors’ Husbands Conference in 2022Learn 5 questions to consider in choosing where to focus your resourcesDiscover some freedom in NOT doing it allCheck out The Small Church Pastors' Wives Conference >> https://smallchurchsummits.com/pw2022/ Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!" << If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support 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 be sure to let me 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 up to date on the new episodes I release every week. If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!Follow 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 Summits: https://smallchurchsummits.com/The Small Church Academy: https://thesmallchurchacademy.com/Get the Ministry Bundles here!Support 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/

God is a God of structure … and yet, He is anything but boring!Whether you’ve taken time to develop a ministry handbook that’s collecting dust in the corner or you’ve avoided putting one together in lieu of shiny objects and curly-tailed squirrels, I have news for you! Ministry goals, organization, and policies don’t have to be boring. And it’s totally worth the time to communicate better and breathe some life into crucial things that matter.Listen in to learn about a ministry handbook that can be a life-changer in your small church, from creating great relationships to growing the volunteer team you’ve been praying for.Done right, a Ministry Handbook has the potential to …Build trustIncrease momentumTurns spectators & naysayers into raving fansBecome the best volunteer recruitment tool on the planetRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!" << If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support 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 be sure to let me 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 up to date on the new episodes I release every week. If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!Follow 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 Summits: https://smallchurchsummits.com/The Small Church Academy: https://thesmallchurchacademy.com/Get the Ministry Bundles here!Support 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/

Welcome to a very special time at The Creative Little Church! We’re going to be celebrating our 2nd Anniversary since my very first online workshop, and it has been quite a ride. I’m often asked where this vision came from and what we’re planning for the future. Listen in for a casual peek into the last few years of The Creative Little Church.In this episode,Learn how this whole thing got started & whyGet a behind-the-scenes view of where we’ve been as well as where we’re goingHear answers to a few frequently asked questions Plus … you’re invited to celebrate with us at our week-long Anniversary PartyThe Anniversary Party happens next week (June 19-25, 2022) on Facebook with special interviews, prizes, discounts, and a limited-time release of conference replays at a special anniversary discount.5-Day Challenge: Do Small Church Better >> https://smallchurchministry.com/ My Soul Cries Out Devotional >> https://www.amazon.com/dp/1671208528/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_8QMFFTBG6B6Z16GMAB5X The Little Book of Youth Ministry >> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085LKBNHW/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6CKY4S139H2C8DGNHS3SRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!" << If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support 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 be sure to let me 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 up to date on the new episodes I release every week. If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!Follow 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 Summits: Get the Ministry Bundles here!Support 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/

Did you know it’s much easier to keep a volunteer than to get a new one? In fact, if we all just kept the volunteers we had gotten through the years, we wouldn’t have a shortage! So, how do we keep them?In this episode, we’ll talk about … The difference between recognition & appreciation (& why it matters)The five main reasons why volunteers quit and where appreciation makes a differenceWhy you don’t need a budget to do a great job at volunteer appreciationThe #1 most seriously unforgettable volunteer appreciation idea that never gets oldTeam Care Cards PDF >> https://the-creative-little-church.ck.page/fdc7086cf0 Care Cards Blog Post >> https://smallchurchministry.com/thank-you-vbs-volunteers-appreciation/ Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!" << If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support 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 be sure to let me 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 up to date on the new episodes I release every week. If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!Follow 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 Summits: https://smallchurchsummits.com/The Small Church Academy: https://thesmallchurchacademy.com/Get the Ministry Bundles here!Support 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/

Are you super excited about what you’re learning but not sure how to take it back to your small church? Or maybe you’ve tried to share what you’re learning and it hasn’t been received with enthusiasm. If that’s you, you’re not alone.In this episode, I share the 5 best ways to share with others what you’re learning in a way that catches like a spark in dry kindling instead of feeling like you’ve been doused with a bucket of water.Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!" << If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support 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 be sure to let me 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 up to date on the new episodes I release every week. If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!Follow 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 Summits: https://smallchurchsummits.com/The Small Church Academy: https://thesmallchurchacademy.com/Get the Ministry Bundles here!Support 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/

Whether you’re hoping to update, overhaul, or totally redesign your church logo, this episode is for you. Or maybe you’re like … “Logo? What logo?” …. don’t worry, this episode is for you too! I’m starting at the beginning with why branding and logos do matter, how the process of branding can help identify and strengthen your uniqueness as a small church, plus how to avoid the most common mistakes small churches make.Get ready to hear …Why branding is important and even goes beyond what everyone sees on the outsideHow to avoid the mistakes most small churches make when it comes to brandingIdeas to find graphic designers in your budget and who to hire for your logo design7 steps any small church can follow to imagine and create a logo that’s right for themFiverr: https://www.fiverr.com/ Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!" << If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support 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 be sure to let me 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 up to date on the new episodes I release every week. If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!Follow 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 Summits: https://smallchurchsummits.com/The Small Church Academy: https://thesmallchurchacademy.com/Get the Ministry Bundles here!Support 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/

I’ve heard people say you can’t fire a volunteer, but it’s not true. You can totally fire a volunteer. You can fire them nicely or not nicely. You can fire them directly or cause them so much discomfort that they quit (which, by the way, is an indirect way to fire someone). But all these scenarios have the potential to hurt feelings and damage relationships. If you’re looking for a better way to remove a volunteer from a position in your small church and turn a stressful situation into a beautiful opportunity, listen in. Today we’ll be talking about …The top reasons volunteers fail and how to help them succeed insteadHow church culture may have contributed to the unhappy situation you’re both inWhy going slower than you think will be better for your ministryHow to turn a volunteer “firing” into a beautiful restart for your ministryEpisode 009: Do You Need Written Job Descriptions for Volunteers in Small Churches?: https://smallchurchministry.com/podcast/episode009 Episode 013 Set Up Volunteers to Succeed in Your Small Church | Volunteer Series Part 4: https://smallchurchministry.com/podcast/episode013Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!" << If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support 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 be sure to let me 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 up to date on the new episodes I release every week. If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!Follow 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 Summits: https://smallchurchsummits.com/The Small Church Academy: Get the Ministry Bundles here!Support 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/

If you’re looking for a creative way to get more volunteers serving in your church, a ministry fair is a great event to add to your calendar. Even in a small church, a ministry fair can be a great community builder, increase awareness of areas of service in your church, and pique the interest of people who haven’t ventured to a sign-up sheet in years. Done right, it’s a win all around! However, many ministry fairs lack the positive vibe you need to make an impact. Listen in for tips to make a ministry fair work in your small church with lots of impact.In this episode, we’ll talk about  …One of the main reasons why some people serve and some don’tWhy lots of ministry fairs are boring and unsuccessfulCreative Ideas to make your ministry fair the best everWhy interaction is the key plus some tips to get people talkingFun elements to make your ministry fair memorableRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!" << If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support 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 be sure to let me 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 up to date on the new episodes I release every week. If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!Follow 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 Summits: https://smallchurchsummits.com/The Small Church Academy: https://thesmallchurchacademy.com/Get the Ministry Bundles here!Support 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/

Should you do personality inventories with leaders & volunteers? What about spiritual gifts assessments? With all the options and trends these days, people are googling everything from Myers-Briggs to Colors to Enneagram to Strengthsfinder. If you’re wondering how to best use inventories and assessments to get volunteers in the right places and build healthy teams, listen in. In this episode, I’ll be talking about common mistakes churches make when using inventories and assessments - and how to use them better.In this episode, we’ll …Explore benefits as well as limitations of using inventories & assessments in churchesLearn where many churches have gotten this all wrongHear why I think everyone should quit asking “What number are you?”The best way to help volunteers find their place in ministryRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!" << If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support 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 be sure to let me 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 up to date on the new episodes I release every week. If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!Follow 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 Summits: https://smallchurchsummits.com/The Small Church Academy: https://thesmallchurchacademy.com/Get the Ministry Bundles here!Support 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/