

unSeminary Podcast
Rich Birch
stuff you wish they taught in seminary.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 24, 2024 • 32min
From Despair to Connection: Helping Youth Overcome Mental Health Challenges with Will Hutcherson
Thanks for joining in for the unSeminary podcast. Today we’re talking with Will Hutcherson, a Next Gen and Student Pastor who has become increasingly passionate about finding practical ways to bring hope to kids and teens who are facing anxiety, depression, and despair. This led to him starting Curate Hope, a non-profit that focuses on […]

Oct 17, 2024 • 34min
Rethinking Your Kids’ Ministry Spaces: Aaron Stanski with Practical Tips for Church Leaders
Aaron Stanski, Founder and CEO of Risepointe, shares his insights on reimagining children's ministry spaces in churches. He discusses the importance of creating engaging environments that make lasting first impressions on families. Stanski highlights balancing safety and creativity while emphasizing transparency in security measures. He explores thoughtful designs that cater to children's developmental needs, including storage and volunteer zones, and shares practical tips for enhancing spaces without major renovations.

Oct 10, 2024 • 38min
Portable Church Success: Systems that Last and Leaders that Thrive with Jeff Beachum
Jeff Beachum, Multiplication Specialist and Director of Marketing at Portable Church Industries, shares insights on optimizing church growth in mobile settings. He discusses the advantages of utilizing rental spaces like schools and theaters to quickly establish a community presence. Jeff emphasizes maintaining church culture while expanding and offers strategic planning tips for transitions to portable environments. Listeners learn about the importance of effective communication, adaptability in church operations, and innovative solutions for managing worship services efficiently.

Oct 3, 2024 • 40min
Prepare for the Unexpected: Crisis Communication Strategies for Your Church with Kim Tarlton
Welcome back to the unSeminary podcast. I’m excited to talk with Kim Tarlton, the General Manager of Church Communications Group which helps church communicators navigate the complexities of the modern communication landscape. Many churches operate under the misconception that crises won’t happen to them. However, crises can arise from various sources, including issues in the […]

Sep 26, 2024 • 33min
Marking a Milestone: Carey Nieuwhof’s Change Leadership Insights 10 Years Later
Thanks for joining us for today’s unSeminary podcast. Carey Nieuwhof has been a guiding light in the church leadership space for decades and this week we’re celebrating the ten-year anniversary of his podcast. To mark this special occasion, we’re revisiting an interview we did with him 10 years ago. Do you have things at your […]

Sep 19, 2024 • 16min
Can a Church Stay Mid-Sized and Still Multiply? A Conversation About Growth and Vision
Welcome to an Office Hours episode of the unSeminary podcast. In our Office Hours episodes I’m happy to answer your questions that you can submit via an audio file through our website. Mark Strickland is the lead pastor at Milton Bible Church in Milton, Ontario, Canada. His mid-sized church has about 300 attending on Sunday […]

Sep 12, 2024 • 31min
Building an Inviting Church: Greg Griffith on 60% Growth in Two Years
Greg Griffith, Lead Pastor at King of Kings in Omaha, shares his church's remarkable journey of growth, achieving 60% expansion post-COVID. He discusses how taking risks and stepping out of comfort zones can significantly impact community outreach. King of Kings implemented fun, invite-friendly events like 'Jersey Sunday' and 'Super Sweet Sunday' to engage newcomers. Emphasizing a culture of invitation, Greg highlights the importance of fostering inclusivity and connection across all generations, ensuring everyone feels valued in the church community.

Sep 5, 2024 • 30min
Building Trust and Unity in a Fast-Growing Church: Drew Karschner’s Insights on Empathy and Authenticity
Drew Karschner, Lead Pastor at Northridge Church in Rochester, shares insights from his experience leading one of the fastest-growing churches in the U.S. He discusses the vital balance of empathy and authenticity in leadership, especially during difficult times. Drew emphasizes the importance of recognizing struggles while fostering hope, navigating issues like racial injustice and community unrest. He also highlights the role of genuine engagement and personal recognition in building trust and unity among congregants.

Aug 29, 2024 • 35min
Creating Inclusive Spaces: Making Churches Accessible for All with Kerri-Ann Hayes
Thanks for tuning in for the unSeminary podcast. We’re talking with Kerri-Ann Hayes today. In addition to being a senior consultant at Ministry Architects, Kerri-Ann has worked in children’s and family ministry for over 20 years and has a heart for making churches more inclusive for families with special needs. At our churches we want […]

Aug 22, 2024 • 31min
Redefining Ministry for Men: Brian Tome on Man Camp and Spiritual Awakening
Welcome to this week’s unSeminary podcast. This week we’re sitting down with Brian Tome, the founder and senior pastor at Crossroads Church in Cincinnati – one of the fastest growing and most innovative churches in the country. Whether we realize it or not, the systems in our churches are often set up to cater to […]