Read the show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/282 In this episode of The Church Revitalization Podcast, hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu delve into the challenges churches face when trying to implement their ministry vision. They explore different archetypes of individuals who may unintentionally or intentionally hinder progress, inspired by D…

Read the full show notes at malphursgroup.com/281 Join hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu in this episode of The Church Revitalization Podcast as they delve into the latest data on Christianity in America. After decades of decline, there's a glimmer of hope—has the trend finally plateaued? Discover the good news and the challenges still facing the c…

Discover the essential keys to church revitalization through outreach in this insightful episode with Scott Ball and AJ Mathieu. Learn why most churches have outreach activities but lack effective outreach strategies, and how this disconnect becomes a major barrier to growth. The hosts break down three critical steps that can transform your congreg…

Leadership dysfunction can be the silent killer of church growth, yet many leaders don't want to address it. In this episode, we explore four critical dysfunctions that might be holding your church back: poor conflict management, entrenched parties and processes, tolerance of disunifying behavior, and lack of shared vision. Learn how to identify th…

Is your church plateaued, declining, or in need of a fresh vision for the future? In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu go back to the basics and break down the essential steps for launching a church revitalization process today. They discuss: ✅ Who revitalization is for (and who it’s not for) ✅ The…

Read the full show notes at malphursgroup.com/277 When a guest visits your church, they've already decided to be brave. Don't let overlooked details create unnecessary anxiety for them! In this episode, we dive into five questions every guest is silently asking - from parking logistics to communion etiquette. Learn practical ways to address these u…

Full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/276 Tired of begging for nursery workers from the pulpit? Transform your church's volunteer recruitment with four game-changing strategies that actually work. Learn how to match people with their calling, simplify recruitment, and build a sustainable volunteer culture—without the guilt trips or burnout.…

In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu discuss the essential roles and responsibilities of elders within the church. They outline three critical things that elders should never do: getting too involved in the minutiae of church operations, acting unilaterally without the consensus of the elder board, and n…

Ministry silos can cripple a church's effectiveness, creating competing calendars, duplicated programs, and territorial mindsets. In this episode, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu break down the common symptoms of siloed ministries - from calendar conflicts to information hoarding - and provide practical solutions for unifying your church's vision and s…

In this episode, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu dive into “4 Things Your Church Consultant Doesn’t Want to Hear You Say.” They tackle common phrases like “We’re the friendliest church” and “People leave other churches and come here to heal,” unpacking why these statements might not mean what you think. From addressing misconceptions to offering practi…

Is your church quietly drifting from the Great Commission to what we call "The Comfortable Commission"? In this episode, Scott and A.J. explore how well-intentioned churches can gradually shift from mission-focused to comfort-focused ministry - often without realizing it. You'll discover: - Warning signs your church might be choosing comfort over m…

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In this enlightening episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, hosts Scott Ball and AJ Mathieu are joined by Dr. Tom Wadsworth, a renowned expert in New Testament studies. Dr. Wadsworth shares groundbreaking insights into how the early church approached worship and assemblies, challenging many modern assumptions about church gatherings. About O…

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/269 This week, join hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu as they dive into an essential topic for the Advent season: "5 Reasons Why People May Attend Your Church This Christmas." During the episode, Scott and A.J. provide actionable insights on why individuals might be drawn to church during this f…

On this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball, AJ Mathieu, and special guest Derek Maxson dive into optimizing your church website for three key visitor types: insiders, shoppers, and seekers. Learn practical strategies to make your site more welcoming, improve accessibility, and align with Great Commission principles. Plus, disc…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/267 In today's episode, titled "Three Things to Do Before the End of the Year," hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu dive into essential steps church leaders need to tackle before the year wraps up. As the clock winds down on another year, it's crucial to prioritize an annual ministry plan, develo…

**FULL SHOW NOTES @ malphursgroup.com/266** In today's episode titled "The Best & Worst Times for Strategic Planning," your hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu dive into an essential discussion for church leaders. They'll explore the nuances of optimal timing for strategic planning processes in churches, highlighting why some times of the year can be…

Today, we're diving into the crucial topic of innovating in ministry without losing focus. We'll explore practical strategies for making iterative changes in your church, leveraging your temperament to navigate differing attitudes towards change, and avoiding the pitfalls of program clutter. Stay tuned for valuable insights on effective decision-ma…

In this episode, we're diving into strategies for building a culture of collaboration within your church. Scott explores the significance of managing silence during discussions, engaging quieter team members, and breaking larger groups into smaller ones to ensure all voices are heard. He emphasizes the role of intentionality in inclusive leadership…

On this week's episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we're showing you all the features of the new Healthy Churches Toolkit! We dove into how the toolkit empowers churches to thrive, with resources for strategic planning, leadership development, and tools for actionable growth. Here’s a quick breakdown: Toolkit Features Overview: We covered…

In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu discuss the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in church settings. They explore the misconceptions surrounding AI, distinguishing between 'bad AI' that could replace human roles and 'good AI' that can serve as a valuable tool for church leaders. The conversa…

In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu discuss the benefits of sermon-based study groups. They explore how these groups foster unity within the church, provide predictable discipleship outcomes, and deepen the congregation's knowledge of Scripture. The conversation also highlights the importance of using t…

Read full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/260 In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, hosts A.J. Mathieu and Scott Ball discuss three impactful strategies that aging congregations can implement within 90 days to revitalize their church. They emphasize the importance of understanding the unique challenges faced by aging congre…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/259 Register for the Healthy Churches Toolkit Live Launch: https://malphursgroup.com/launch In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu discuss the alarming decline in biblical literacy and propose innovative strategies to combat this issue. They intr…

Unlock the potential of your mid-sized church with these 3 often-overlooked growth strategies! 🚀🙏 In this video, we dive deep into practical, innovative approaches that can transform your church of 100-200 members into a thriving community. You'll discover: 1️⃣ How to master your welcome strategy and turn first-time visitors into engaged members 2️…

Welcome to Episode 257 of The Church Revitalization Podcast! In this special anniversary episode, your hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu reveal "The Five Habits of a Healthy Church." We’ll emphasize the power of storytelling to engage your congregation and drive your mission, as well as the importance of embedding core values into daily decisions. …

In Episode 256 of The Church Revitalization Podcast, we tackle the challenge of preaching in a world where attention spans are rapidly shrinking and distractions are everywhere. We explore how to craft sermons that resonate deeply while addressing the realities of modern life. We discuss the importance of capturing attention quickly, the power of s…

In Episode 255 of The Church Revitalization Podcast, we explore the reasons behind the declining male presence in churches. Titled “The Silent Exodus: Understanding Why Men Are Leaving the Church,” this episode examines cultural shifts, the disconnect between church activities and male interests, and the perceived irrelevance of church in addressin…

In this episode, hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu dive into three essential questions to evaluate your Sunday worship services. They discuss the importance of consistency, continuous improvement, and the contagious excitement that can make a difference in a church's atmosphere. From pinpointing problems to fostering a genuine love for the ministry…

In this episode of The Church Revitalization Podcast, hosts Scott Ball and AJ Mathieu explore the reasons why church strategies fail. They identify three key points: the impact of a lack of planning, the crucial role of leadership, and the significance of adequate resources. Tune in to gain valuable insights into developing successful church strate…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/252 In this episode, our hosts A.J. Mathieu and Scott Ball explore the crucial shift from rearview mirror thinking to windshield thinking, emphasizing the need for honesty, humility, and collaboration to cultivate enthusiasm for the future. They discuss practical strategies for moving from nost…

In today's episode, Scott Ball & A.J. Mathieu use the Strategic Envisioning framework to assess scenarios using ChatGPT, offering insightful solutions tailored to each unique challenge. From navigating financial crises to addressing community shifts, our hosts provide practical advice grounded in the foundational principles of church health. Test y…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/250 In today's episode, we dive into the crucial topic of healthy political discourse as believers. A.J. Mathieu and Scott Ball emphasize the need for truth, integrity, respect, and civility in political discussion, challenging the trend of attacking individuals instead of debating ideas. Drawi…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/249 In this episode, hosts A.J. Mathieu and Scott Ball dive into the topic of "Big Hospitality in Small Spaces." They share personal experiences and discuss the importance of creating welcoming and interactive spaces within church facilities, despite potential limitations. From utilizing underu…

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/248 In this episode, Scott and A.J. dive deep into the crucial topic of decision-making within the church. They explore the barriers to effective decision-making, including the fear of conflict, the sunk cost fallacy, and the importance of aligning decisions with the church's mission and values.…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/247 On this episode of The Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu discuss the importance of annual checkups for churches to improve their overall health. Drawing parallels to personal health checkups, the hosts emphasize the need for regular assessments to diagnose and addre…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/246 In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, hosts Scott Ball and AJ Mathieu delve into the importance of rest for pastors. They explore the biblical basis for rest, the concept of sabbatical, and the need for regular weekly rest. They discuss practical options for providing pastor…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/245 In this episode titled "Overcoming Obstacles in Pipeline Implementation," our hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu dive into the key challenges hindering the successful implementation of a leadership pipeline within the church. They address issues related to unclear expectations, communication…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/244 In today's episode, our hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu take a comprehensive look at the 3-Step Development Process: Assessing, Training, and Launching Leaders. They emphasize the significance of pacing coaching processes, beta testing, and receiving feedback before rolling out coaching m…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/243 In this episode of The Church Revitalization Podcast, hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu delve into the critical role of core competencies for leadership within the church. They stress the importance of defining these competencies in order to bring objectivity to the selection and developmen…

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/242 In this episode, A.J. Mathieu and Scott Ball explore the concept of leadership levels within the church, shedding light on the need for a structured leadership pipeline and the different responsibilities and development investment at various leadership levels. From discussing the impact of l…

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/241 In this week's episode, titled "Why Every Church Needs a Leadership Pipeline," hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu dive into the crucial topic of leadership development in the church. They emphasize the biblical foundation for this concept, drawing on examples from the scriptures and real-lif…

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/240 In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu discuss five common misconceptions about church revitalization. They bust myths about what church revitalization is and isn't, covering topics like the idea that revitalization is only for declining churc…

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…