Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/239 In this episode titled hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu dive into the complex interplay between faith and politics. As pastors grapple with navigating the uncertain and divisive landscape of an election year, they'll explore the keys to effectively communicating God's word without turning t…

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/238 In Episode 238, we delve into the topic of church size and why God uses the underdog to make a big impact. Join hosts Scott Ball & A.J. Mathieu as they discuss the neutral nature of church size and emphasize the significance of church health in fulfilling the mission. They share examples of …

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/237 Welcome to Episode 237 of the Church Revitalization Podcast! In this episode, hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu explore the crucial question of "Who Should Join Your Strategic Planning Team?" They emphasize the importance of building committed teams to implement new visions and initiatives i…

Welcome to The Church Revitalization Podcast! In this episode, hosts A.J. Mathieu and Scott Ball delve into the topic of "Developing a Discipleship Pathway for Kids & Students." They discuss the importance of focusing on the younger generation in churches, sharing insights on how to integrate children and student ministries into the overall discipl…

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/235 In this episode, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu dive into the critical topic of succession planning in the church. From biblical foundations to practical insights, they explore the importance of preparing for leadership transitions, and the impact of unexpected events on church leadership. By s…

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/234 Welcome to Episode 234 of The Church Revitalization Podcast, where we explore the pressing issues facing congregations in North America. In this episode, hosts A.J. Mathieu and Scott Ball delve into the alarming demographic cliff facing churches with a shortage of younger pastors to fill the…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/233 Welcome to the Church Revitalization Podcast, where we equip church leaders with essential strategies to ensure their churches thrive. In this episode, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu engage in a candid conversation about the common failure point in church revitalization processes. They explore…

Join this special episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, where host Scott Ball interviews Build Groups founder and the author of Group Leader Training, Adam Erlichman. In this episode, we dove deep into all things Groups Ministry. We explored what makes a Groups ministry thrive, how can impact the overall health and growth of your church, an…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/231 Welcome to The Church Revitalization Podcast! In this episode, A.J. Mathieu and Scott Ball dive into the crucial topic of what to know before hiring a church consultant. Drawing from their experience in church consulting, they provide valuable insights for churches considering this importan…

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/230 This episode dives into the crucial role of vision indicators in guiding your church towards its mission and vision, akin to navigating a ship with a clear compass in the vast ocean of ministry. Discover the art of selecting, implementing, and refining vision indicators that are not only mea…

Join us in Episode 229 of the Church Revitalization Podcast as we dissect the latest Lifeway Research on baptism trends within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and discuss the implications of declining membership numbers. With a significant 46% increase in baptisms over the past two years, we dive into what this means for the SBC amidst an ove…

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/228 Explore the multifaceted journey of becoming a church consultant in Episode 228 of the Church Revitalization Podcast with hosts Scott Ball & A.J. Mathieu. This episode delves into the rewarding aspects of church consulting, such as witnessing transformation, leveraging entrepreneurial skills…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/227 Dive into Episode 227 of the Church Revitalization Podcast, hosted by The Malphurs Group, as we tackle the essential topic of vision in church leadership. "Where Are We Going? Answering the Vision Question" unravels the complexities of establishing a clear and shared vision within the churc…

Dive into Episode 226 of the Church Revitalization Podcast with Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu, brought to you by The Malphurs Group, as we dissect the critical dynamics between primary and secondary ministries within the church. This episode shines a light on how these ministries intertwine to fulfill the church's mission of disciple-making and spiri…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/225 In this enlightening episode, our hosts Scott Ball & A.J. Mathieu delve deep into the vital role of discipleship in the church's mission, as mandated by the Great Commission. 🌟 Key Highlights: Understanding Discipleship: Discover why discipleship isn't just an activity but the essence of ev…

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/224 In this enlightening and engaging video, we delve deep into the heart of what makes a ministry truly impactful and transformative. Join us as we explore the four essential types of core values that are pivotal to the health and effectiveness of any church or ministry. 🔹 What You'll Learn: Ac…

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/223 Welcome to Episode 223 of the Church Revitalization Podcast! In today's insightful episode, we delve deep into the heart of church mission statements, exploring their critical role in guiding and defining the purpose of a church community. 🎙️ Episode Highlights: Understanding the Mandate of …

Welcome to Episode 222 of The Church Revitalization Podcast, brought to you by The Malphurs Group. In this enlightening episode, we delve deep into the transformative world of leadership pipelines and how they can lead to unprecedented growth and vitality in your church community. Are you struggling with leadership shortages, undefined roles, or st…

Get the full show notes: https://malphursgroup.com/221 In Episode 221 of The Church Revitalization Podcast, we delve into overcoming knowledge biases in church leadership, and how they're holding your church leadership back. Learn about effective communication, intentional leadership training, and creating a lifelong learning culture within church …

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/220 In this pivotal episode, we confront the sobering reality of church decline across the U.S. With a focus on the Faith Communities Today survey's stark findings, we unravel the causes behind the drop from 137 attendees in 2000 to just 65 in recent years. This episode is more than a statistica…

Welcome to a thought-provoking episode of The Church Revitalization Podcast, where we delve into the complex paradox facing churches in the post-pandemic era. In this episode we explore the intriguing dichotomy of increasing church giving and attendance juxtaposed with declining pastoral morale. We kick off with an in-depth analysis of recent findi…

Welcome to a special Giving Tuesday edition of The Church Revitalization Podcast! In this episode, we delve into the heart of our mission, revealing the exciting and transformative projects we are embarking on in 2024 to strengthen churches globally. Read more at https://malphursgroup.com/218 Donate to our projects at https://malphursgroup.com/dona…

In this episode, we explore the profound effect a simple "thank you" can have on individuals and communities. We share a heartwarming story about receiving a thank-you note on a flight and discuss the often-overlooked power of acknowledging the efforts of ministry volunteers, church staff, and our loved ones. Join us as we uncover why it's crucial …

consulting experts, delves deep into the nuances of church revitalization and leadership in the new year. In This Episode: Reflecting on Past Lessons: How the challenges of previous years shape future strategies. Adaptive Strategic Planning: Crafting flexible plans that stay true to your church's mission. Goal Setting with Purpose: Balancing ambiti…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/215 Dive into a steaming debate about propriety in worship and why it matters for your church with Scott Ball & A.J. Mathieu in Episode 215: "Coffee in the Sanctuary? A Sip Too Far or a Stir Towards Engagement?" We explore John Piper's thought-provoking question on worship propriety, from histo…

Read today's show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/214 Sign-up for the Leadership Pipeline Cohort at https://malphursgroup.com/pipeline-cohort Discover the transformative power of biblically-based leadership in today's episode. We'll uncover how some leadership methods might be holding your church back and how turning to Scripture, especially Exo…

In this episode, hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu discuss the importance of staying true to the core mission of the Church in a world filled with chaos and evil. They emphasize the relevance of the Great Commission and the need for churches to prioritize spreading the Gospel and making disciples. Drawing inspiration from Acts 17:26-27, Scott and A…

In this episode, we're delving into an untapped wellspring of pastoral power sitting right in your sanctuary: the potential of co-shepherds within your congregation! Ever feel like pastoral care is a juggling act you're performing solo? We've been there. But the truth is, there's a wealth of leadership potential perched in your pews, waiting to be …

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/211 In this episdoe, Scott Ball & A.J. Mathieu delve deep into a pressing concern that resonates with pastors and church leaders across the globe: congregational engagement. Are you grappling with apathy, dwindling attendance, or the challenges of juggling busy family lives in your church commu…

Read the full shownotes at: https://malphursgroup.com/210 In the world of faith, size doesn't determine impact. Discover how small churches can break free from the "Small Church Syndrome" and make a substantial difference. This podcast explores the symptoms of this syndrome, such as pastor-centric decision-making and program-oriented discipleship, …

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/209 Churches across America are being damaged by abusive and narcissistic pastors who avoid accountability and concentrate power in their own hands. In this podcast, we discuss the warning signs of toxic church leadership and the profound harm these pastors inflict on congregations. You’ll lear…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/208 In this thought-provoking discussion, Scott & A.J. dive deep into the essential skills every church leader needs to tackle the tough questions that spiritual seekers often pose. Join us as we explore key strategies for addressing common questions about God, faith, the Bible, and morality. L…

Families packed the pews each Sunday. The budget was strong, and the church was known as a cornerstone of faith in their town. But over time, things changed. Programs stayed the same even as the community evolved. Attendance slowly declined, and facilities started to show their age. This story is all too common. Once-thriving churches coast on mome…

If you stay in ministry long enough, chances are you or someone you love will be impacted by a church scandal. We wish it weren't true, but sin exists even within Christ's church. In our broken world, scandals will continue to plague congregations until Christ returns. In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott and A.J. explore the…

In today's fast-paced world, an epidemic of apathy towards faith has emerged among families. While busyness is often blamed, the end result remains the same - parents are disengaging from discipleship. The passing excitement of Sunday services fades by Monday, revealing "Sunday-only" faith rather than genuine spiritual vitality. Yet as disciples ca…

Growth is on every pastor’s mind. Compelled by the Great Commission, pastors feel an urgency to reach more people and expand the impact of their churches. But this desire can lead down an uneasy path, causing otherwise grounded leaders to compromise their values in hopes of driving growth. Clearly, growth at any cost is too high a price to pay. But…

If you've ever tried to get a stalled car rolling downhill, you know it takes immense effort just to get the thing moving. But once you've broken through that initial inertia, momentum takes over and the car practically rolls itself. The same can be said for growth in the church. But how do you start that momentum to begin with? In this episode of …

What does your church have in common with a grocery store? Maybe more than you think. When choosing where you will shop for groceries, you may have many choices. But why do you choose one over another? Why does it seem that one store is full of happy customers and another is a ghost town? So how does this relate to churches? Most of us have probabl…

Welcome to the post-Christian landscape in America. It's no secret that our churches are facing a significant challenge – a decline in the adherence to a Biblical worldview, even among those who identify as Christians. In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, A.J. and Scott dive deep into the heart of the problem, exploring the causes …

Time certainly has flown by! It was August of 2019 when Scott and I recorded our first few episodes of The Church Revitalization Podcast. We didn’t know what to expect or if anyone would listen. Now after nearly four years and 200 episodes, the podcast has been downloaded over 100,000 times and somehow found by people in 175 countries. So here are …

Money is a common topic in scripture and not one that is difficult to find God’s position on. God wants generosity and sacrifice, so we should all be good teachers of these high biblical values. A.J. and Scott are talking about money. Of course, it takes money to run a ministry, and on this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, you'll find …

Historically, how did Southern Baptists view the role of elders in church life? Listen as Randel Jackson from World Impact Ministries peppers Mark Dever with questions about Southern Baptists and their historic positions on church polity.द्वारा 9Marks

Leading as a pastor involves navigating the delicate balance between ministry and family commitments. It's not uncommon to find ourselves caught in a perpetual juggling act, trying to meet the demands of congregational growth while also tending to the needs of our own families. On this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, A.J. and Scott of…

Join hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu as they dive into a fiery conversation on church revitalization in this thought-provoking episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast. In "Burning Revitalization Questions," Scott and A.J. take turns posing three hot-button questions each, sparking lively discussions and sharing their unfiltered hot takes. In…

Where did this common view that equates the pastor’s ministry primarily with hands-on pastoral care come from? While Scripture uses shepherd imagery, shepherds did much more than just provide pastoral care for their sheep. On this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we're asking the question, "Is pastoral care the primary role of the past…

It’s been said that any publicity is good publicity, but when it comes to the Church, nothing could be further from the truth. The Southern Baptist Convention has had quite a year, and most involved parties would probably have preferred last week’s meeting go unnoticed. Instead, though, we had Rick Warren in a social media battle against the SBC. O…

Power resides in every church-whether it wants it or not. The important question is how the church, whether universal or local, should handle its power as it seeks to influence people for God. The answer is church polity. Polity concerns whom the church empowers. It answers the question, "Who has the authority to exercise power in the church?" On t…

It’s a frustrating position to be in, thinking you’re the only one that wants to see positive change in your church. That might really be the case, or it may just be that nobody has yet dared broach the topic. It might as well be you! So how can you move from something you’re just thinking about to a movement toward change? We’ve mapped out the fir…

Why is it so difficult to disciple men effectively? Every man has his own unique challenges, but all men are in need of spiritual growth and vitality. Unfortunately, most churches place minimal focus on developing men. It’s just too hard. But if your church is ready to step up and make a difference in the lives of the men in your congregation, ther…

Public speaking regularly tops the list of things people fear–even more than death! But pastors are called to put away their fears and boldly proclaim the word of truth Sunday after Sunday. It’s critical that pastors not only put together a competent message, but a compelling sermon. There are a few bad habits that crop up frequently, and avoiding …