

The Church Office
Gavin Smith
The Church Office exists to support the work of ministry that happens behind the scenes. Bringing helpful and encouraging content to equip and support those involved in Church Administration, Church Leadership and Structuring Church Life.
Episodes
Mentioned books

10 snips
Aug 22, 2025 • 50min
Collecting Data for Mission
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.

Aug 15, 2025 • 26min
Brand New Video Game- Serpent and the Seed
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:

Jul 28, 2025 • 34min
Reflection from the UCAN National Conference
Join Gavin and Jon Wright, Operations Manager at Frinton Free Church, as they reflect on their experience at the recent UCAN National Conference. In this episode, they share highlights from the main teaching sessions, personal takeaways, and the encouragement they found in gathering with fellow church administrators and managers from across the UK.
It was a real joy to connect with others in similar roles, share stories, and be reminded of the value and impact of church administration. Whether you attended the conference or not, this conversation offers insight, inspiration, and a glimpse into the heart behind church administration.

Jul 14, 2025 • 38min
Free English Classes at All Souls, Langham Place
Gavin was thrilled to recently speak with Pelé Ling, Communications and Creative Director at All Souls, Langham Place.
Listen in as Pelé talks about relaunching free English classes at their church a few years ago and shares the success this rebranding has had in creating opportunities to tell people about Jesus. (He also talked about their Christmas plans which Gavin LOVED- only 23 weeks to go!!)

Jun 25, 2025 • 1h 1min
5 Common Challenges with Safeguarding in Churches
Christian Safeguarding Services' Paul Harrison joins Gavin to talk through 5 common challenges with safeguarding in churches:
1. Poor governance
2. Low standards
3. Conflicts of interest
4. Not raising low level concerns
5. Lack of professional curiosity
We absolutely loved learning from Paul and are so grateful for his time and expertise. This is definitely an hour well spent!
If you'd like to learn more about Christian Safeguarding Services, head to: https://thecss.co.uk/

Jun 13, 2025 • 43min
Church Administration 101
Meet Emma Joseph, the Operations Manager at The Globe Church in London, who crafts sustainable rhythms of church life. The conversation dives into unexpected paths in church administration and the critical role of community connections. Emma shares her insights on the dynamics of working in a small church office, emphasizing teamwork and open communication. They tackle the challenges of fluctuating attendance and highlight the significance of embracing one’s gifts within the church community. It’s a vibrant discussion about fostering engagement and collaboration!

May 22, 2025 • 43min
The Role of a Treasurer
Join Manny Kemp, a dedicated deacon at Eden Baptist Church and a key member of the Association of Church Accountants and Treasurers, as he sheds light on the pivotal role of church treasurers. He discusses the unique challenges they face, including recruitment issues and the need for support among church leadership. Manny shares the joys of stewardship, witnessing generosity, and the critical importance of budgeting and effective governance. He also highlights ACAT's resources that empower treasurers and emphasizes mentoring future leaders in church finance.

May 7, 2025 • 50min
Beyond the Pulpit: Church Employment Law
We were thrilled to have Mark Jones from Edward Connors join us on the latest episode of The Church Office podcast. Listen in as Mark and Gavin discuss key areas of employment that churches can struggle with. They recommend a number of resources that might serve you in this area of church life.
To find out more about the work of Edward Connor or get further support, head to: https://www.edwardconnor.com/

Apr 21, 2025 • 38min
Does your church need Joyned?
Gavin recently had the joy of sitting down with Dan Peters and Andy Ferrett from Joyned.
Joyned is a secure internal communication platform designed to grow and strengthen in-person communities.
Joyned offers churches a great alternative to WhatsApp. Listen in as they discuss the benefits of partnering with them to better serve your church.
To find out more information please check out their website. https://www.joynedapp.com

Apr 4, 2025 • 37min
Tell us about Reach Ministries UK
Welcome to The Church Office podcast, Richard Coekin!
Richard Coekin has recently joined Reach Ministries UK as their Director. Listen in as he discusses Reach Ministries' heart to serve and support church leaders as they shepherd their churches in godly and effective gospel ministry. The team helps church leaders to reflect on their current situation, clarify their vision, and structure their teams effectively.
They provide mentoring, diagnostic tools, and conversations to explore churches' needs.
To find out more about their work, head to: https://reachministries.uk/