The Church Office

Gavin talks Christmas with his friend Mark Parsons, Operations Director at Christchurch Clifton. Together, they reflect on why the Christmas programme is often one of the most meaningful and exhausting moments in the church calendar. Expectations are high, diaries are full, and fatigue is real for leaders, volunteers, and congregations alike. They explore how surviving Christmas well isn’t about chasing perfection, but about preparation, clarity, and grace: setting realistic expectations, caring for teams, and remembering what truly matters when the pressure is on.

Tim Wyatt, an accountant and church finance specialist, returns to share crucial insights on cash flow and reserves for churches. He discusses the vital difference between cash flow and budgeting, emphasizing why churches should monitor their cash closely. Tim provides practical tips for forecasting, along with insights into how reserves can support mission and vision. He highlights real risks of neglecting cash management, using a cautionary tale from a charity. Governance and shared financial responsibility are also key themes that emerge in their engaging conversation.

At The Church Office we love catching up with old friends and that's exactly what Gavin did when he spoke to Graham Daniels from Christian in Sport! How many sports clubs are within a 5 mile radius of your church? Praying for people, playing with people and telling them about Jesus is how Christians in Sport roll. Listen in as Gavin and Graham talk about working as a team, the importance of administration but most of all the importance of keeping the gospel central.

In this engaging discussion, Anna Wood, a Trustee and operations director, shares insights on the newly developed Good Church Management Course. She highlights its comprehensive modules focused on legal responsibilities, team culture, and identifying administrative gaps. Anna emphasizes the significance of a team approach in sustainable church management and how the course liberates leaders to focus on ministry. Real-life examples illustrate the positive impact of hiring operational roles, making the course a valuable resource for thriving church communities.

Introducing.....James Lawrence!   Gavin had the joy of sitting down with James to talk about the work of the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS) and how we can support Church Leaders in their roles in our churches.   To find out more about CPAS, head to: https://www.cpas.org.uk/  

Gavin Smith, a seasoned church manager with over 21 years of experience and founder of The Church Office, shares his insights on church administration and management. He discusses his unexpected transition from a football career to ministry, highlighting how the pandemic inspired his mission to support church administrators. Gavin emphasizes the importance of aligning a church's vision with its resources and the vital role of practical administrative work in ministry. He also explores how AI can streamline church operations and introduces his new courses and services.

Scott Sanders, Executive Director at Reach Ministries Australia, shares his extensive experience in church planting and revitalization. He discusses the unique leadership challenges faced during church growth, emphasizing the importance of adaptive systems and team-based serving. Scott introduces his innovative 'wonder document' approach for articulating vision and planning growth with practical examples. He also highlights the necessity of fostering a supportive coaching culture and transforming leadership practices to ensure vibrant, multiplying churches.

In our latest episode Gavin sits down with a good friend of The Church Office, Dave Harvey, to discuss his new book 'The Clay Pot Conspiracy'. Listen in as Gavin and Dave talk through the clay pot conspiracy, the joys and struggles of working in ministry and how God uses us in our weakness. We thoroughly enjoyed the Clay Pot Conspiracy, you can grab your own copy now on Amazon, Eden and 10ofThose.

John Truscott, a data collection expert and friend of The Church Office, discusses the importance of using data for mission-driven decisions. He shares top tips for effective data collection and insights from the Quiet Revival report. The conversation explores church attendance metrics, data-driven growth strategies, and the impact of grassroots initiatives on community support. Truscott also highlights the significance of bridging generational gaps in congregations and evolving trends in church giving, emphasizing genuine discipleship and engagement.

Andy Geers is back! Gavin had the delight of chatting to Andy last year about PrayerMate and this time we invited him back to share about the exciting The Serpent & The Seed app that's just launched. With a real heart to reach people who don't know the Bible, here's how they would describe it: "Walk through the pages of scripture, take in the beautiful sights and sounds, and along the way you may just discover your own place in the universe and the only source of lasting hope." Listen in to find out more! You can find out more here: