Podcasts about connexus church

Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. Today we're joined by Michelle Drake, a Christian health coach, Pilates instructor, and host of the Health Habits for Christian Moms podcast. After overcoming years of eating disorders, perfectionism, and an unhealthy relationship with food and exercise, Michelle now helps Christian moms pursue health from a place of stewardship rather than striving. In this conversation, she offers a compassionate and practical perspective on creating healthier rhythms for women in ministry. The invisible weight moms carry. // Michelle explains that one of the greatest challenges for working moms is the constant “mental load” they carry. Beyond their ministry responsibilities, they’re managing family schedules, meals, appointments, school decisions, friendships, finances, household responsibilities, and countless unseen details. Many simultaneously wrestle with guilt, feeling they’re never doing enough at home or at work. While they often appear highly capable, many are quietly carrying an exhausting emotional burden that supervisors rarely see. When health becomes another burden. // Modern culture often frames health through pressure, perfection, and appearance. Instead of becoming a source of strength, health can become one more impossible standard moms feel they must achieve. Michelle describes how many women believe they must exercise perfectly, prepare flawless meals, and meet unrealistic expectations, or they shouldn’t bother trying at all. This “all-or-nothing” mindset creates shame rather than freedom and often pushes healthy habits further out of reach. Create a culture of rest. // One of the greatest gifts church leaders can offer their teams is permission to embrace rhythms of rest. Michelle points to Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28–30, reminding leaders that rest isn’t a distraction from ministry. Rather, it is part of faithful ministry. Churches that consistently model healthy rhythms help staff understand that their worth isn’t tied to constant productivity. When leaders prioritize abiding in Christ over endless activity, they create healthier teams capable of sustaining long-term ministry. Recognize the warning signs. // Burnout rarely appears overnight. Michelle encourages leaders to watch for subtle changes in previously engaged team members: withdrawing from conversations, reduced enthusiasm, difficulty making decisions, unusual forgetfulness, or becoming overwhelmed by tasks they normally handled with ease. These outward behaviors often reflect burdens that have been accumulating beneath the surface for months. Rather than immediately trying to solve the problem, leaders should view these moments as invitations for compassionate conversation. Movement supports more than physical health. // As a Pilates instructor, Michelle sees firsthand how exercise isn’t simply about fitness—it helps people release accumulated stress, become present, and create space for clarity. Setting aside time for movement also communicates something important: “I matter too.” For busy moms who spend much of their lives caring for others, intentional physical activity becomes an act of stewardship rather than selfishness, allowing them to show up with greater energy for their families and ministries. Start with listening, not fixing. // Michelle believes the most practical step leaders can take is surprisingly simple: have intentional conversations. Rather than assuming they know what someone needs, supervisors should ask questions like, “What’s taking the most energy from you in this season?” Then simply listen. Many moms don’t need immediate solutions as much as they need to feel seen, understood, and supported. Relational leadership builds trust long before organizational changes become necessary. Small habits create lasting change. // Through her Health Habits for Christian Moms podcast, Michelle encourages women to reject perfectionism and instead build simple, sustainable habits that fit their current season of life. Whether it’s preparing healthy meals in practical ways, fitting in ten-minute workouts, or reframing health through a biblical lens, the focus is always on consistency over intensity. To learn more about Michelle Drake visit michelledrake.co and listen to her Health Habits for Christian Moms podcast. Thank You for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose unSeminary, and I'm grateful for that. If you enjoyed today's show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the left hand side of this page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they're extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally! Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: Intulse If you’re committed to the growth of your church, make sure your communication systems are set up so nobody feels left behind. When your church is smaller, that comes easy. You know people by name. A guest doesn’t get lost in the shuffle—someone follows up, every guest, every time. But growth can change that—unless your systems grow with you. Perhaps this church using Intulse says it best: “Intulse has revolutionized the way we communicate with people, giving us the ability to make a big church feel small because of that personal connection.” The Intulse app gives your team members a working church number, so anyone can call or text without ever handing out a personal number. Every conversation syncs straight into your ChMS, like Planning Center, so your whole staff stays on the same page—no matter who a person talks to. That’s how you keep every person feeling known, no matter how big your church gets. Want to know if your communication systems are ready for growth? Download Intulse's free guide, “10 Communication Blind Spots That Hinder Church Growth,” at Intulse.com/unseminary. And if any of those blind spots hit home for you, schedule a call with one of their church communication specialists to learn how Intulse can help. Episode Transcript Rich Birch — Hey friends, welcome to the unSeminary podcast. So glad that you have decided to tune in. Listen, if you’re an executive pastor, senior leader, person that’s like over leading people in your church, you’re going to want to tune into today’s episode. You’re going to want to stay connected all the way to the end because I suspect that today’s thing that we’re talking about, you’ve either reflected on and thought, hmm, that’s something that I’ve got to work on. We’ve got to think through as an organization. Or we’re going to name an issue today that I think you should work on and be thinking about. So whether you think it or you should just want to listen to me you should tune in and be a part of this conversation.Rich Birch — I'm excited to have a new friend of mine, Michelle Drake, on the on the phone on the phone. We’re not on phones, on the internet, on the not even on the internet, on the podcast. Michelle and I attend the same church, Connexus Church, and have a mutual friend and made the connection. And we got talking, got to know each other. And I said, hey, Michelle, I got to get you on the podcast. I want I want people to hear from you and learn from you. Rich Birch — So Michelle, why don’t we start with kind of tell us a little of your background. What do you do? Who are you? Tell us a little bit about yourself.Michelle Drake — So hi, I’m Michelle. I am a mom. I am a Pilates instructor. But most importantly, I am a daughter of the king. I am a Jesus lover, follower. And really, I think that why I’m landing here today is because I spent a lot of my life feeling like I was never enough. I was a perfectionist really early on. I was always trying to prove my worth. And, you know throughout my teenage years, I really used food and exercise as a way to cope and gain control over my life. And that quickly spiraled into multiple eating disorders and that I battled. And I was in and out of the hospital throughout my whole teenage life, basically.Rich Birch — Wow. Michelle Drake — So yeah, so it was really chaos. So that’s kind of the foundation of like ah the where I have where I am at now. Rich Birch — Yep. Michelle Drake — You know, so even like I went to university when I went to university, I was like trying to go to the furthest university way to run away from my problems, but of course they followed me there. Rich Birch — Right. Michelle Drake — And instead of things getting better, unfortunately, they spiraled more, more extreme. I kind of swung to the opposite extreme. So where I once was like overly controlled with like food and exercise, I lost control completely. And so, you know, where I had once been like super underweight and ended up the hospital with severe eating disorders, I was like now gaining a ton of weight. Like I wasn’t moving, I wasn’t going to class. It was just super chaotic.Rich Birch — Wow.Michelle Drake — So eventually I started to you know do some inner work and found some spiritual practices. And I even back back in the day, like in my mid-20s, I started a coaching practice because I had found some freedom, a little bit of freedom in like my food and exercise journey. But I was still very much in my own process. And I also didn’t know Jesus at the time. Michelle Drake — But then im met Jesus And everything changed. And, um you know, within six months, six months, I was married. And then two years later, I had my first daughter, Daisy. And it was really becoming a mom that really brought everything into focus in a new way for my health in particular.Michelle Drake — So I chose to have an unmedicated home birth. And I had this very like ideal, ideal picture. Rich Birch — Right.Michelle Drake — Idealized, I guess, kind of vision of like what I wanted it to be. So I really wanted to be like peaceful with worship music and, the sense of like calm and control. And of course, like it was absolutely nothing like that. It was beautiful, but I realized like I actually wasn’t in control of anything. And it was really intense and it was super primal and it was just far beyond anything that I was prepared for. Michelle Drake — And but that was a really beautiful moment for me because somewhere like in within that process, I hit this point of like surrender. Like, okay, I can’t actually do anything here. I just have to like let go and let my body do this work. And so, yeah, I I realized that there was really nothing I could do to control what was happening. I just had to trust my body.Michelle Drake — And it really struck me that this was my body doing something that I could not will my way through, but that it was really designed for. And, you know, it carried me through something that I could not do on my own.Michelle Drake — And so that that experience, it shifted something in me. It made me realize, and this is a piece that I was missing, is that my body isn’t something to control or to punish, but really it’s something that God designed as a vessel. And it’s really how we become, you know, his hands and feet in the world.Michelle Drake — And so, you know, after that point, I became like after birth and realizing like, okay, my body is designed as a vessel. Like it’s it’s actually God’s. So at that point, I became I began to bring more like intentionality into the way that I cared for my body.Rich Birch — That’s cool.Michelle Drake — And not from a place of obsession, but a place of stewardship. Yeah.Rich Birch — That’s pretty cool.Michelle Drake — Yeah. And so, you know, the result of that is feeling like the best that I’ve ever felt, more confident in the way that I take care of myself. And and actually that allows me to become more outward focused because, you know, my habits are sustaining my health in a way that supports how I can show up for my family.Michelle Drake — And so, yeah, I just feel like, you know, I I feel the sense of God inviting me into something that I can like share my story to help other moms, you know, step into that same place of stewardship, like free from that shame or guilt. Rich Birch — So good. Michelle Drake — So yeah, that’s kind of, a sorry, that’s like a lot.Rich Birch — No, no, it’s wonderful. Don’t apologize. That’s fantastic. I think that’s that’s great. Like the thing, um friends that listening in, obviously we talk to church leaders every week and trying to provide help. And, you know, I’m honored that you would take some time to be with us today for a couple of reasons. Rich Birch — First of all, um you know when a allow we have a lot of executive pastors listening. And if I was to go and speak at a conference of executive pastors, maybe there’s 500 leaders in the room and 15 of them would be women. And they’re, unfortunately, in the minority.Rich Birch — And then when I think about there’s like a thing I’m going to name publicly that I don’t think I’ve ever said publicly in whatever, 800, over 800 episodes. Like there’s I know on the staff teams that I’ve led that when I think about the people that I led, it was the moms that are like amazing leaders. They’re just incredible, like doing so much. And it’s like a secret hack. Find them a mom and they’ll get stuff done because they they have to.Michelle Drake — Yes. Yes.Rich Birch — And so today, I’m honored that you would help us kind of think help us think more critically on behalf of the moms on our teams and to think through you know, what we, you know, some, maybe some ways we should be leading. That’s the kind of conversation that we’re going to have here, friends that are listening in.Michelle Drake — Yes. Totally.Rich Birch — So when you think of the, you know, Christian moms… Michelle Drake — Yeah. Rich Birch — …you know, assuming that they’re Christians who are working for us on our teams as staff at church, which that should be the case.Michelle Drake — Hopefully.Rich Birch — What are some pressures that these people are carrying around them that especially as they’re you know, as their leaders, employers, that we maybe don’t see, that isn’t isn’t clear, that maybe isn’t on the surface? Because I look at moms and I’m like, those people are superheroes. They’re getting tons done. But what are some of those pressures that they might not see?Michelle Drake — Yeah. I think that, you know, mental load is a huge thing for moms. You know, and depending on like what season of life that they’re actually in with their families and children, you know, they’re thinking about like scheduling appointments and like socializing their kids and, you know, how they even like want to educate their children. That’s a big conversation, like the Christian kind of sphere. Rich Birch — Yeah, 100%. Michelle Drake — And then, you know, also what’s for dinner and doing laundry and organizing their homes and making time for friends and, you know, getting the kids and all these different activities and like, everything else that doesn’t really to a huge degree include themselves.Michelle Drake — And, you know, oh ah then if we’re talking about women in ministry um and leaders on on ministry teams and they’re working outside the home. And then maybe that there’s this sense of guilt for like working outside the home and then, you know, not being home enough or not being at work enough or, you know, not contributing enough in the household or not contributing enough at work. Rich Birch — Right.Michelle Drake — And so like there’s there’s this tension of like, I feel like there’s this tension of moms um of like they’re doing so much and at the same time feeling like they’re still not doing enough. And so, you know, yeah, I just think like, and then and then also in the in this sphere of health, as it kind of falls to the back burner because they have all this going on in their heads of like… Rich Birch — Other things happening. Yeah. Michelle Drake — …all of these things is like, okay, well, and then there’s also this thing of like exercise and like eating healthy and how do I feed my kids healthy and how do I eat healthy and how do I feel good and exercise and look this certain way and, you know, it just a lot. Rich Birch — Yeah, 100%. Michelle Drake — So these are some of the mental things that moms are carrying. Rich Birch — Yeah, just a few of the things that are that are bubbling around. Michelle Drake — Just a few of the things. Yeah. Yeah. Rich Birch — You know, it feels it feels like as a guy watching messaging that is pointed at moms particularly, women generally, but moms particularly, there’s like so much on the health front that… Michelle Drake — Yes. Rich Birch — …that runs pressure, you know, guilt, perfection. Michelle Drake — Totally. Rich Birch — It’s like tapping and and a negative emotion. Help us understand what does that do to someone over time? How does that, how does that impact the people on our teams? Michelle Drake — Well, yes, I think that and definitely the culture, there’s like a lot of cultural messaging around health. For moms that’s rooted in like pressure and guilt and perfection. And over time, you know, instead of like health being a thing that is like supporting your life, it actually becomes something that like drains you. And I know because that’s like, you know, the exact kind of messaging that pulled me into the extremes and the extreme patterns in my own life. Michelle Drake — And so, so much of what the world offers is really centered on either like aesthetics, like how you look or and this like hyper vigilant pursuit of like doing it perfectly. And, um you know, I think a both of those things carry a lot of shame and that’s really the world’s framework for health is like, you’re not doing enough and you’re not where you need to be, you know? Michelle Drake — But again, like we just spoke about, like moms are already carrying so much and there’s, you know, not enough time or energy or mental space or even like finances, because that’s a huge thing now, like spending as much money as you can on your health and on the best foods to do health in the way that culture says that you’re supposed to do it. Michelle Drake — You know, whether that’s like the hour long workouts or perfect, perfect meals and, you know, um buying all organic even and, you know, doing all the right things. Michelle Drake — So the message underneath all that is like, if you’re not doing it all, you’re not doing enough. So, you know, I think a lot of moms believe that health is only really worth pursuing if it’s, you know, looking a certain way and doing a certain way. And if they can’t do it that way, then often, you know, they’re not doing it at all. It’s just far too overwhelming to even start. Michelle Drake — Yeah. So, you know, I think that then the shame cycle kind of kicks in where like, you know they’re feeling behind. They’re feeling guilty about their bodies and about their habits and about not being more disciplined and because they can’t like live up to this cultural standard. And that creates this like inward spiral that actually pulls them away the presence with their families, the presence in their workplace, you know, that’s that really is what health should support.Michelle Drake — So the thing that’s really supposed to become this like supportive mechanism for the rest of their life… Rich Birch — Right. Michelle Drake — …becomes another source of burden. Rich Birch — So as a supervisor, like I want to create a culture where my team can thrive, where people have, you know, it’s it’s a great experience. And, you know, we’re obviously talking about moms specifically today. Like often without realizing it, I can imagine a world where work can become a negative force in that cycle that we’re talking about there. That actually just being a part of the kind of the pressure of that environment.Rich Birch — And I don’t want that to happen. I want it to be a positive force. I want to create a kind of culture where like, where, you know, pro moms, moms can have a great experience. It’s a great, you know, it’s a great experience for them.Michelle Drake — Yeah.Rich Birch — What does that look like? How, what, what would be, how could you coach us, you know, to, to try to make this a kind of environment that particularly for moms could be, and even maybe particularly around these health issues, how do we make it a more positive environment for them?Michelle Drake — So I guess the question, yeah like how do you support these moms and how do you create environments that supports these moms?Rich Birch — Sure.Michelle Drake — And, um you know, I think that the best place for leaders is not like about like jumping in and saving the day or something like that. Rich Birch — Right.Michelle Drake — Or like start like changing whole environments. But I think just like relational. I think that’s the first thing is just like understanding the weight that moms are carrying.Michelle Drake — And because like, again, like moms in ministry are wearing those multiple hats are not only like the leaders and the employees, but they’re also wife and mom and homemaker, and they’re constantly shifting between them. So, you know, that’s a really heavy mental load, like we discussed. And yeah, so when you’re carrying that much, it’s really easy to kind of start believing that your value is tied to, you know, your productivity or how well you’re like, holding it all together.Michelle Drake — And so, you know, like I know that because I’ve also lived that. And and there’s a season where I felt weighed down by so many, all these different responsibilities and felt like it all came down on me. And then if I dropped the ball, like everything would fall apart. Michelle Drake — But I think the reframe here is like looking to what Jesus offers. And that is, you know, in Matthew 11, where he says, come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I’m gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. And so I think like, I think that really creating a culture of rest and a culture and a rhythm of rest within these workplaces, within these ministry pursuits is like that rest isn’t like rest is encouraged and is part of, is part of the kingdom work and it’s not taking away from the kingdom work, but it’s actually how, you know, we are able to be filled and overflow into, you know, everything else that we’re supposed to do.Michelle Drake — So I think like, I think that if leaders can really establish that rhythm for moms, because again, that’s not only going to benefit moms who already have so much, you know, to carry, but everybody else on the ministry team really is that, is that like rest is part of this. And that is, you know, abiding in Christ. Like when we can do that, like our priorities begin to shift. We begin to like lay down some of those heavy burdens and just making that, you know, really central to the mission is, yeah.Rich Birch — That’s good.Michelle Drake — Yeah. I think that’s, I think that’s really one of the greatest gifts that leaders can give to the moms and their team.Rich Birch — Yeah. Rest in the midst of it. Yeah.Michelle Drake — Yeah. Just a culture that consistently points them back to Jesus.Rich Birch — Yeah.Michelle Drake — Yeah.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so good. If if there was a mom on our my team who was running on empty, I feel like it’d be easy for me to miss the signals, that there would be like signals that are sent that and it could be… Listen, I like feel like I’m fairly in touch, but like maybe I’m just an idiot guy and I just don’t see it. Rich Birch — What are you know those early warning signs that like, hey, maybe there’s something here that’s not going correctly that that, and and it might not be that like, hey, I’m like you say, it’s not my job to necessarily jump in and, you know, fix it. But it’s but, you know, we want to provide a a culture that can support women in the midst of that. So what would be some of those early signs that kind of we should pay attention to before it becomes a crisis?Michelle Drake — Yeah, I think, so if there’s a woman who’s like, yeah, generally like quite engaged and then all of a sudden they’re starting to become a little bit more withdrawn or, you know, like a little bit less, whether it’s talkative or energetic or whatever within those settings, I think that’s a really good sign. um you know, and then also to like showing up physically, but and maybe not like emotionally invested into the mission. Maybe it’s taking longer to make decisions or, or, you know, decision-making becomes harder.Michelle Drake — I think also to forgetfulness, like forgetting things. So if you notice like a mom, Oh, like I asked her to things. She’s not do, she didn’t do it. Like, and usually she does or ah overwhelmed by, you know, seemingly menial tasks.Rich Birch — Right.Michelle Drake — I think that’s things that she would normally handle. Well, I think that’s a good sign that maybe she’s carrying a little bit too much. Yeah. And, and, you know burnout, it doesn’t happen overnight. And I think that a lot of ah a lot of these signs are actually just like finally the physical manifestation of something that she’s been carrying for a while.Rich Birch — Right. Been bubbling.Michelle Drake — Yeah, so…Rich Birch — Talk to us, at you know, from your perspective as a person who spends their days, like you said, you’re a Pilates instructor, you spend a large portion of your day helping people be active and stay active and do that in a healthy way, in a way that’s not, like you say, focused on the kind of negative reasons for that.Rich Birch — Talk to us about the connection between being active, and this would really be for anyone, moms included, being active and dealing with stress, the stuff that’s going on in life. How are those two connected to each other?Michelle Drake — Yeah, I think that they’re hugely, hugely connected. Because being active is like taking the time to be active and setting apart that time is, you know, is not only like you’re getting the physical benefits and and and the actual neurochemical benefits of that and of that activity. And but you’re also saying to yourself, like I deserve this time too.Michelle Drake — Like I’m pouring constantly out into everyone else, into my ministry, into my family. And so setting apart this time for me is doing something good for myself. But that, that has like these reverberation effects on everything else that I do.Michelle Drake — And so, um, yeah, I think that, sorry, I forget what the question was.Rich Birch — No, it’s just what’s the connection between you know being active and dealing with stress?Michelle Drake — Yeah.Rich Birch — How do those two work together from your perspective as someone who helps people stay active?Michelle Drake — Yeah. Yeah, I think also too, like just the the physical, like being physically active, there’s something like there’s like the psychosomatic thing where you can like be active and, and, and like get your heart rate pumping and sweat. And it’s like releasing something. Michelle Drake — I don’t know what it is. Rich Birch — Right. Michelle Drake — But like, often too, we’re carrying stress in our body and and we can feel it in our body and we’re tense and stuff. So then when you’re able to, and I teach like hot Pilates, so you’re sweating a lot… Rich Birch — Right. Michelle Drake — …and you’re just like releasing all this. And, you know, and you see people get like so intense, like in the burpees and, and they’re just getting really into it. And, and you know, a line I often use is just like in those burpee moments, in those moments where it’s like really, really intense. I’m just like, I’m just saying like, let everything go that you do not need to carry anymore. Like let it go. Michelle Drake — And I don’t know what it is about that, but yeah, something does release when we are moving physically and it just creates this like space of clarity. And I think also to like presence, like you’re so present when you are moving your body in like maybe an intense way, maybe a less intense way, but when you are like intentionally moving your body does require a sense of presence. And when you’re present, like, i don’t know, stress doesn’t really exist in the present.Rich Birch — Right. Yeah, yeah. Right. Michelle Drake — So I think it’s really beneficial in that way for sure.Rich Birch — So true. Yeah. During COVID, I was one of those people that bought a Peloton and, and I’m over a thousand rides in love it. Michelle Drake — Amazing.Rich Birch — It’s like, it’s incredible. And I would say, it has changed my, my view on all of this. Michelle Drake — Totally. Rich Birch — Like I used to, I used to go to the gym and all that. And it was, but it was like a, I did it because it was like, I got to check the box. I got to do this. I know this is an important thing. Michelle Drake — Yes. Yes. Rich Birch — But I look forward to those experiences and the days I don’t do that, I can feel it. I’m not as sharp. Michelle Drake — Yep. Rich Birch — And, you know, and I don’t deal with stress as well. Michelle Drake — Totally. Rich Birch — And I’ve even joked with other friends. It’s like, don’t get me started talking about Peloton. You know, I’ve talked with other friends. I’m like, there’s something about, obviously they’ve, obviously spent a lot of time listening to their and instructors and it’s always positive. It’s always, you know, there’s, they’re, they’re not like, um, even though you’re working hard, there’s no, it’s never a negative. It’s always, you know, they’re always using positive reinforcement. Rich Birch — And I’ve, I’ve joked with friends. I’ve said, listen, even just having 30 minutes in a day of someone telling me like, you can do this, like you, you got this, you know, is… Michelle Drake — Totally. Rich Birch — …cause there’s a lot of things in life where we don’t have that, you know, i don’t have that kind of… Michelle Drake — Totally. Rich Birch — …you know, reinforcement, which has been, it’s been transformative for me for sure. Michelle Drake — Yeah, and I think in those moments too when you’re like working really hard like and you’re sweating and it’s in it you’re like, oh, man, I don’t know if I could go anymore. And you have that story playing in your head of like, I can’t do it.Michelle Drake — But then somebody says, you can do it. Rich Birch — Yeah.Michelle Drake — You’re like, okay, you’re you’re instantly being reframed. Rich Birch — Yes. Michelle Drake — Like, okay, in my head I said I can’t, but then this person is saying I can. So there’s like, yeah, that that instantaneous like kind of moment of like, oh, no, yeah, I am doing it actually. Yeah. Rich Birch — Yeah, absolutely. Well, and it was, I’m the slow learner. I was hundreds, maybe four or 500 rides in before I realized this is actually mostly a mental thing than it is a physical thing. Michelle Drake — Totally. Rich Birch — Like I’m, it’s mostly between my, my ears where I’m like… Michelle Drake — Yes.Rich Birch — …you know, my body can keep going, but it’s in my head. I’m like, oh, OK, I’m done. I’m done. I just don’t want to keep going. And I never quit a ride, but you can you know, you can bail on a ride before you know you actually stop turning. And so, yeah, that’s interesting. That’s been an interesting journey for me, for sure, in a in a great way. And it and it for sure has helped me be better at what I do to be more show, you know, show up more in the rest of my life, for sure.Michelle Drake — Yeah, that’s beautiful.Rich Birch — So you actually built a podcast around this, which I think is exciting. Michelle Drake — Yeah.Rich Birch — And I’d love to hear us a little bit more about this. It’s called it’s called Health Habits for Christian Moms.Michelle Drake — Yeah.Rich Birch — We’ll put a link to it in the show notes, but tell us about the podcast. How you know how is it helping? What’s your heart behind it? I know as a podcaster, it’s a lot of work to pull the podcast together. So talk to me about the podcast.Michelle Drake — Yeah. So, ah you know, Health Habits for Christian Moms is is really something that I felt drawn and into or invited into by the Lord, you know, after like what I told you with my story and everything like that. But it really exists because, you know, I see that this pattern from moms of like moms who like love God and love their families and want to take care of their health, but, you know, feel exhausted and overwhelmed and stuck in this all or nothing mentality. And so, you know, this podcast is for moms who like know that their health matters, but struggle to make it a priority in the middle of like all of those things that we talked about, all of the real life things.Rich Birch — Yes, yes.Michelle Drake — You know, she’s busy. She’s carrying a lot of responsibility. And then and then I think a big thing is that she feels guilty taking that time away from herself, like away from every all the other responsibilities to put into her health, into herself.Michelle Drake — So like instead of adding more pressure, like how the world would with with health, I am, my aim is to help this mom build simple, sustainable habits, you know, that fit into the season of life that she’s actually in, and honor all the responsibilities that she already has.Michelle Drake — And I also really try to frame it in a biblical lens. So it’s not about like chasing a gut and like not about chasing perfection or, you know, not trying to earn worth through the way that we look or whatever it is. But but it’s about stewardship and caring and like really talking about like how do we care for the body God gave us. So that actually we can have more energy, more stamina, more capacity to serve the people that God has put in our life.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so good. I love it.Michelle Drake — YeahRich Birch — I would, give me a sense of what, you know, maybe a couple episodes, the kind of thing that you cover on the podcast.Michelle Drake — So it’s it’s honestly mostly super practical tips. Rich Birch — Yep. Michelle Drake — So it would be super practical tips like meal planning, like how to do that in a way that’s ah not overwhelming, um how to get dinner on the table in 10 minutes in a way that’s like still healthy food, um you know, habit formation, 10-minute workouts, like things that are super applicable and immediately applicable to her life. Michelle Drake — And then, but then also we’re talking about like these underlying issues and underlying struggles as well, whether it be like that guilt piece or the comparison piece, the people pleasing piece or believing, you know, that everyone’s, everyone else’s needs comes, comes first, comes above like her own needs.Rich Birch — Yep.Michelle Drake — And so, yeah, I think that’s that’s kind of how I I start with the practical. I lead with the practical. And then I’m sprinkling in that that encouragement of like reframing health into that biblical perspective.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so good. Yeah, that’s fantastic. You know, what struck me about this, even in this conversation is like, this could be a great thing to hand off if I’m an executive pastor or senior leader type person in the church. Like, this could be a great thing to pass off to your team and say like, hey, here’s here’s a resource for you, you know. You’re doing a great job. You’ve got lots of health habits, healthy habits, you know, person on our team, people on our team, but like this might help. And here’s a, you know, here’s a link to it. That could be a great way to pass it along ah to, you know, just help ah the folks even to just acknowledge, hey, I understand that here’s some things that you’re, you know, you’re thinking about.Rich Birch — So just as we’re kind of closing up today’s episode or thinking about, you know, bringing it down, you know, for a leader that’s listening in today who wants to do something this week to kind of take a first step to better support, particularly the moms on their team, what would you tell them? What advice would you give them that they could they could take a step this week to help support ah those and just incredible people on their teams?Michelle Drake — I think intentional connection and conversation. And, you know, I think asking the mom on your team, you know, what is taking the most energy from her in this season? I think moms really thrive on, on like that, that kind of connection piece and sharing burdens.Rich Birch — That’s good.Michelle Drake — And so I think, and and just listening to her and not trying to fix it, because I think that good leadership really starts with like, understanding your team in a relational way. So I would say that and and and trying to help kind of take off some of her burden simply just by listening, you know. And then um and then those other pieces of like creating cultures of of rest and and rhythms of rest is is really important. But something immediately applicable is just establishing like a relational, like truly caring conversation with with the mom on your team.Rich Birch — So good. Super helpful. Well, we’ll link to Health Habits for Christian Moms in the show notes. We want people to go over there and check it out. Is there anywhere else we want to send people online to connect with you, to kind of follow with your journey? Where do we want to send people? Michelle Drake — So definitely the podcast is the first the first place that I would send people. I am in the process of publishing my web website. So that will be published probably within the next week or so. I’m sure I would imagine that it’s going to take a while for this podcast to come out, but I don’t know what the timeline is.Rich Birch — Yeah.Michelle Drake — But but yeah, people will be able to find me at my website as well.Rich Birch — Great. What’s the address there?Michelle Drake — So the address is michelledrake.co.Rich Birch — Dot co. Great. Well, thanks, Michelle. I really appreciate being on today. So fun to connect over the internets for the podcast and all the best at Health Habits for Christian Moms. It was fun getting to know you a little bit more better today. Thanks so much.Michelle Drake — Thanks, Rich.

Why do you still feel empty? Most people have a list of things they've gone back to hoping they'd finally deliver. The relationship. The achievement. The habit. Different wells, same emptiness at the bottom. In this final episode of the Never Settle series, Mark Clark unpacks the story of a woman who had been doing exactly that — going back to the wrong things her whole life. Jesus meets her at a well in Samaria. He didn't stumble across her by accident. He deliberately took the longer route through enemy territory because he knew she was coming. He didn't go around her shame. He walked straight into it and offered her something nobody else ever had. Living water. Soul satisfaction that actually lasts. This is a conversation for anyone who is tired of the cycle and suspects there might be something better available. Never Settle is a four-week series from Connexus Church. 

Why do you still feel empty? Most people have a list of things they've gone back to hoping they'd finally deliver. The relationship. The achievement. The habit. Different wells, same emptiness at the bottom. In this final episode of the Never Settle series, Mark Clark unpacks the story of a woman who had been doing exactly that — going back to the wrong things her whole life. Jesus meets her at a well in Samaria. He didn't stumble across her by accident. He deliberately took the longer route through enemy territory because he knew she was coming. He didn't go around her shame. He walked straight into it and offered her something nobody else ever had. Living water. Soul satisfaction that actually lasts. This is a conversation for anyone who is tired of the cycle and suspects there might be something better available. Never Settle is a four-week series from Connexus Church. 

Born again. Two words most people have heard and very few have had explained in a way that actually makes sense. Jesus said it to Nicodemus — one of the most respected religious leaders of his time, a man who had God completely figured out by every external measure. And yet he showed up to find Jesus at night, alone, asking questions he wasn't supposed to need answered. Jesus told him: you need to be born again. Not reformed. Not improved. Born again — a complete transformation from the inside out that changes what you want, not just what you do. In this third episode of the Never Settle series, Mark Clark unpacks what that actually means and why it matters for anyone asking whether real faith is available to them. Never Settle is a four-week series from Connexus Church. New episodes every Sunday.  

Born again. Two words most people have heard and very few have had explained in a way that actually makes sense. Jesus said it to Nicodemus — one of the most respected religious leaders of his time, a man who had God completely figured out by every external measure. And yet he showed up to find Jesus at night, alone, asking questions he wasn't supposed to need answered. Jesus told him: you need to be born again. Not reformed. Not improved. Born again — a complete transformation from the inside out that changes what you want, not just what you do. In this third episode of the Never Settle series, Mark Clark unpacks what that actually means and why it matters for anyone asking whether real faith is available to them. Never Settle is a four-week series from Connexus Church. New episodes every Sunday.

Most people asking "is this all there is?" aren't in crisis. They're just going through the motions. Doing the right things. Living a life that looks fine from the outside but feels hollow on the inside. In this second episode of the Never Settle series, Mark Clark unpacks the story of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana. Six stone jars used for religious ceremony. Replaced entirely — not topped up — with nine hundred bottles of wine. That's not a miracle about a party. It's a picture of what grace actually looks like. The old system of performing your way to God, replaced entirely by something abundant, unearned, and transforming. This episode is for anyone who has ever wondered why faith feels like going through the motions — and whether there's something more available. Never Settle is a four-week series from Connexus Church. New episodes every Sunday. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Most people asking "is this all there is?" aren't in crisis. They're just going through the motions. Doing the right things. Living a life that looks fine from the outside but feels hollow on the inside. In this second episode of the Never Settle series, Mark Clark unpacks the story of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana. Six stone jars used for religious ceremony. Replaced entirely — not topped up — with nine hundred bottles of wine. That's not a miracle about a party. It's a picture of what grace actually looks like. The old system of performing your way to God, replaced entirely by something abundant, unearned, and transforming. This episode is for anyone who has ever wondered why faith feels like going through the motions — and whether there's something more available. Never Settle is a four-week series from Connexus Church. New episodes every Sunday.

Most people have quietly decided their life doesn't really mean anything. Not out loud. Not as a formal belief. Just as a background assumption they've never quite shaken. In this first episode of the Never Settle series, Mark Clark challenges that assumption directly. Drawing from John chapter 1, he makes the case that your life has a beginning, a middle, and an end — and that the God behind the universe is the same God who knows your name, your worst moments, and your story. Not from a distance. From inside it. This is a conversation for anyone who's ever wondered whether their life means anything — whether they grew up in church or have never set foot in one. Never Settle is a four-week series from Connexus Church. New episodes drop every Sunday.   Want More? Download 5 Signs You Are Doing Religion Instead of Relationship at https://www.connexuschurch.com/neversettle

Most people have quietly decided their life doesn't really mean anything. Not out loud. Not as a formal belief. Just as a background assumption they've never quite shaken. In this first episode of the Never Settle series, Mark Clark challenges that assumption directly. Drawing from John chapter 1, he makes the case that your life has a beginning, a middle, and an end — and that the God behind the universe is the same God who knows your name, your worst moments, and your story. Not from a distance. From inside it. This is a conversation for anyone who's ever wondered whether their life means anything — whether they grew up in church or have never set foot in one. Never Settle is a four-week series from Connexus Church. New episodes drop every Sunday. Want More? Download 5 Signs You Are Doing Religion Instead of Relationship from www.connexuschurch.com/neversettle  

Discover the most effective ways to engage a community with church outreach ideas. Whether you're part of a small congregation or a large ministry, these strategies will help you connect meaningfully with your community. Join us as we explore innovative approaches that have proven successful in various settings.In this video, Jeff Brodie, the lead pastor of Connexus Church in Toronto shares innovative methods that have inspired many to rethink traditional outreach strategies and embrace new ways of connecting with people. By focusing on authentic relationships and genuine interactions, you can make a lasting impact in your community. Learn how to create an inviting atmosphere that encourages participation and fosters a sense of belonging.Jeff also shares about the remarkably smooth transition to the lead role from the founding pastor, Carey Nieuwhof.Utilize social media platforms to reach a broader audience.Host community events that cater to diverse interests.Encourage volunteerism to foster a sense of purpose and belonging.Develop small groups to build deeper connections.By implementing the most effective ways to engage a community, your church can become a beacon of hope and support. These strategies not only enhance community involvement but also strengthen the bonds within your congregation.Summary:"So it's community, then encountering God in an accessible way. I think in the attractional days, we were so worried about the weird that we pushed away from the weird to the point we lost the wonder of it all. The wonder disappeared and we got so focused on the imminent that we missed the transcendent."

What do you do with a door you thought was permanently closed? In this Easter Sunday message, Jeff Brodie walks through John chapter 20 and three locked doors — a sealed tomb, a room full of frightened friends, and a man who refused to believe until he saw it for himself. It's one of the most human accounts of the resurrection ever recorded. No heroes. No certainty. Just real people trying to make sense of something that shouldn't be possible. Along the way, Jeff explores what the resurrection means for the pain you're carrying, the fear you can't shake, and the doubt you haven't been able to resolve. Key verse: "I am the living one. I died, but look — I am alive forever and ever. And I hold the keys to death and the grave." — Revelation 1:18 NLT Someone who has the power to open doors for you calls for a response. This message asks: what will yours be? Connexus Church is located in Barrie and Orillia, Ontario. We believe God is for you — and your church should be too. New here? Visit connexus.com.

What happens when a leader chooses obedience over comfort and creates space for the Holy Spirit to move? In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan sits down with Jeff Brodie to unpack a remarkable season at Connexus Church that began with five years of quiet wrestling in prayer and culminated in a week of corporate repentance, renewal, and deep encounter with God. Without a playbook, branding strategy, or polished program, Jeff led his church into a posture of “shameless persistence” (Luke 11), creating space for confession, freedom, and the work of the Holy Spirit. Welcome to Episode 153 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.

Are you living at your best—or simply getting by? For many believers, chronic exhaustion has become a quiet norm. Yet Scripture reminds us that burnout isn't a badge of honor. It's a warning light. When life feels out of balance, it may be a sign we're pushing beyond the limits God lovingly designed for our good.Today, we sat down with Carey Nieuwhof—pastor, bestselling author of At Your Best: How to Get Time, Energy, and Priorities Working in Your Favor, leadership expert, and host of the Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast, as well as the founding pastor of Connexus Church—to talk about how Christians can pursue biblical rest and renewed purpose. Carey's insights come not from theory, but from the deepest valley of personal experience.When Success Masks ExhaustionCarey's story began two decades ago, during a season of explosive ministry growth. His church was thriving, opportunities were multiplying, and by every outward measure, life was “on top.” But amid this success, his inner world was collapsing.After returning from a high-profile speaking event, Carey hit a wall:“It was like I fell off a cliff. I lost motivation, passion, and energy. I met all the symptoms of clinical depression. My body declared a finish line I had refused to acknowledge.”People around him saw the signs. He didn't. And that's often the story behind burnout—others notice the warning lights long before we do.Carey describes burnout as “the gap between what you're capable of and what you're carrying.” Early in ministry, he assumed that increasing responsibility meant increasing hours. It was an unsustainable equation.Yet today, two decades later, he leads a much larger platform with far more influence—without living exhausted. Why? Because he restructured his life around a biblical rhythm of rest, limits, and intentional focus.Managing Energy, Not Just TimeMany Christians feel that better time management will fix their overload. But as Carey points out, time is a fixed asset—everyone gets the same 24 hours. Energy, however, rises and falls.Every person has what Carey calls a “green zone”—a few hours each day when they are at their best mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. For him, it's morning. For others, it might be midday or evening.His challenge is simple: Do what you're best at when you're at your best.When he writes in his green zone, he gets exponential results. When he tries the same work in his “red zone,” productivity crashes. This principle applies to everyone—from CEOs to parents, pastors, and business owners.Stewarding energy also requires boundaries. That means saying no—not out of selfishness, but out of faithfulness.Carey explains:Saying yes to every request eventually forces you to say no to the people who matter most.Delegation is a spiritual discipline.Some opportunities, even good ones, don't align with God's call in a particular season.By categorizing his decisions—like eliminating breakfast meetings that compete with his green zone—Carey reclaimed the margin he had been missing for years.Rest Is Not a Reward—It's DesignFor many Christians, rest feels like something we “earn” after working ourselves to the edge. But biblically, rest is part of our calling.Carey describes Sabbath not just as rehab after exhaustion, but prehab—something that prepares and strengthens us for faithful work. He points to the way elite athletes build rhythms of sleep, diet, and intentional recovery before they step onto the court.Even God modeled this for us—delighting in His creation and resting not from exhaustion but from joyful completeness.For Carey, the principles of rest and margin extend well beyond the calendar.A free Saturday protects family time. A healthy emergency fund protects the home from crisis. Limits are not restrictions—they are blessings that allow us to flourish.Margin creates room to love well, give freely, and listen to God's direction.Living at Your BestCarey's journey from burnout to renewal is a grace-filled reminder: God never asked us to outrun His design.He calls us to work diligently, rest faithfully, and live within the good limits He created for our flourishing. Carey's whole story—and the principles he teaches in his book At Your Best—offer a roadmap for anyone seeking balance, health, and spiritual renewal.For more wisdom from Carey Nieuwhof, explore his book At Your Best and visit the Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast. And if you're an advisor, he'll be joining us at Redeeming Money, our conference for financial professionals, in February.May you learn to live—not at your limit—but at your best, in the freedom and rest God provides.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:Can you explain the pros and cons of taking Social Security at 62 versus waiting until full retirement age? By 62, I'll be mostly debt-free, and since longevity doesn't run in my family, I'm wondering if it makes sense to claim early while my quality of life is higher and still work within the income limits.When should someone update their will? I'm 58, debt-free, still working, and have a solid 401(k). Should I consider setting up a trust, and how do I know when that becomes the wise choice, especially since it costs more?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)At Your Best: How to Get Time, Energy, and Priorities Working in Your Favor by Carey NieuwhofDidn't See It Coming: Overcoming the Seven Greatest Challenges That No One Expects and Everyone Experiences by Carey NieuwhofThe Carey Nieuwhof Leadership PodcastRedeeming Money 2026: A Kingdom Advisors ConferenceWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are you constantly chasing more — more money, more stuff, more success — and still feeling like it's never enough? You're not alone. In Part 1 of the series Finding Your Sweet Spot, Jeff Brodie unpacks why contentment is so hard to find in a world obsessed with comparison. Discover how Jesus' words about money and trust can free you from the cycle of consumption and help you live with peace, purpose, and generosity. Whether you're struggling to make ends meet or doing better than ever, this message will help you find freedom from the grind and experience what "enough" really means.

Are you constantly chasing more — more money, more stuff, more success — and still feeling like it's never enough? You're not alone. In Part 1 of the series Finding Your Sweet Spot, Jeff Brodie unpacks why contentment is so hard to find in a world obsessed with comparison. Discover how Jesus' words about money and trust can free you from the cycle of consumption and help you live with peace, purpose, and generosity. Whether you're struggling to make ends meet or doing better than ever, this message will help you find freedom from the grind and experience what "enough" really means.

What's next for Connexus Church? This week, Pastor Jeff Brodie shares an exciting vision of where God is leading our church — and how you can play a part. From new spaces to new stories of life change, this message is all about creating more room for people who are searching for hope. We've seen lives transformed, communities grow, and hundreds experience the love of Jesus through the For Them initiative. But we're just getting started. In this message, Jeff unpacks the future of Connexus — new facilities, new opportunities, and a renewed passion to reach people across Simcoe County and beyond. If you've ever wondered how your generosity and faith can make a difference, this message will inspire you to see your part in what God is doing next. Be part of the story. 

What's next for Connexus Church? This week, Pastor Jeff Brodie shares an exciting vision of where God is leading our church — and how you can play a part. From new spaces to new stories of life change, this message is all about creating more room for people who are searching for hope. We've seen lives transformed, communities grow, and hundreds experience the love of Jesus through the For Them initiative. But we're just getting started. In this message, Jeff unpacks the future of Connexus — new facilities, new opportunities, and a renewed passion to reach people across Simcoe County and beyond. If you've ever wondered how your generosity and faith can make a difference, this message will inspire you to see your part in what God is doing next. Be part of the story. 

In this special episode, Sydney Jackson sits down with Lead Pastor Jeff Brodie to unpack the heart and vision behind Sacred Homecoming—a four-day experience calling our church to return, repent, and renew. Jeff shares the journey that led to this moment, the inspiration from Luke 15 and Nehemiah, and how this time is about seeking God's presence together as a community. They talk candidly about what to expect, why this isn't just another church event, and how Sacred Homecoming is an invitation for every person who calls Connexus Church home to draw near to God in a fresh way. Whether you're new to Connexus or have been around for years, this conversation will inspire you to prepare your heart and lean into what God might do in this powerful week.  

Part 3 of the Made for Mondays series examines why work matters—and why rest matters too. We'll see how Sabbath rest and Jesus' declaration that “the Sabbath was made for man” reset our reason for work by reminding us God holds the outcome. We learn to take Christ's easy yoke, placing faithfulness in our hands and outcomes in His—discovering rest that renews our purpose and lightens our load. This sermon series is based on content provided by Connexus Church through our Connexus Network Partnership.

What if your daily work is more meaningful than you think? In this first message from the Made for Mondays series—where we explore God's surprising story about work—Jeff Brody unpacks our “original job description” in Genesis: stewarding, creating and multiplying in God's image, making every honest task an act of worship. He shows how sin's “thorns and thistles” pit purpose against paycheck, then points to Christ's redemptive power as the hope that brings lasting meaning to even our toughest work days. This sermon series is based on content provided by Connexus Church through our Connexus Network Partnership.

Every youth ministry dreams of being a welcoming place where students bring their friends — but what happens when the openness of your group makes it harder for your students to go deep? In this week's conversation, Deniel Sewell from Connexus Church joins us to talk about how to navigate the tension between open groups and deep relationships. He shares practical ways volunteers can stay relationally connected to students, even when new people show up every week — and how small group leaders can step into bold, meaningful conversations that shape students' faith for the long haul.Learn more about where Deniel serves by heading to ConnexusChurch.com or instagram.com/connexusinsideout

In this bonus episode, Jeff Brodie sits down with Dr. Gary Chapman, the bestselling author of The Five Love Languages, to explore how to handle conflict and criticism the Jesus way. As part of our “Triggered” series at Connexus Church, Dr. Chapman shares profound insights into the intersection of love languages, conflict resolution, and meaningful apology. Jeff & Dr Chapman talk about: Why criticism can hurt so deeply How your primary love language impacts how you give and receive criticism Practical ways to communicate hard truths in relationships—especially in marriage The five apology languages and how they transform broken moments into growth opportunities When to seek outside help for recurring relational conflict. Whether you're navigating tension in your marriage, friendships, or leadership, this conversation is filled with timeless, practical wisdom grounded in grace and love. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this with someone who needs encouragement today. You are never alone.

In this bonus episode, Jeff Brodie sits down with Dr. Gary Chapman, the bestselling author of The Five Love Languages, to explore how to handle conflict and criticism the Jesus way. As part of our “Triggered” series at Connexus Church, Dr. Chapman shares profound insights into the intersection of love languages, conflict resolution, and meaningful apology. Jeff and Dr Chapman talk about: Why criticism can hurt so deeply How your primary love language impacts how you give and receive criticism Practical ways to communicate hard truths in relationships—especially in marriage The five apology languages and how they transform broken moments into growth opportunities When to seek outside help for recurring relational conflict. Whether you're navigating tension in your marriage, friendships, or leadership, this conversation is filled with timeless, practical wisdom grounded in grace and love. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this with someone who needs encouragement today. You are never alone.

In this conversation, Jeff Brodie shares his journey from youth ministry to lead pastor of Connexus Church, reflecting on family, faith, and the challenges of preaching. He discusses the changing cultural landscape, the growing spiritual openness of unchurched individuals, and how churches can create welcoming environments for genuine encounters with God. Jeff emphasizes the need for authenticity, timeless truth, and community, while advocating for a trust-building, heart-centered approach to ministry that inspires people to engage with their faith and the world around them.Jeff Brodie is the lead pastor at Connexus Church, leading its campuses and partner churches with a passion for making church inviting and accessible. He invests in next-gen leaders and coaches churches to reach more people with the gospel. Jeff and his wife, Leslie, live in Barrie with their two boys and love all things sports-related.TAKEAWAYS+The kitchen table can serve as a hub for ministry and community.+Authenticity in preaching is essential+Cultural shifts have created new opportunities for church outreach.+Unchurched individuals are more open to faith than ever before.+There is a strong desire for timeless truths in a rapidly changing culture.+Creating community is essential for spiritual growth and connection.+Churches often retreat inward during cultural uncertainty, missing outreach opportunities.+Accessible encounters with God can transform lives and communities.+Consistency in outreach efforts builds trust within the community.+It's important to explain church practices to newcomers for better understanding.+The goal of ministry should be to help people encounter Jesus, not just church culture.To learn more about Jeff and Connexus Church, please visit https://connexuschurch.com/. To learn more about the Connexus Network Partnership, please visit https://connexuschurch.com/church-leaders/. #faith #ministry #preaching #church #leadership #growth #youthministry #community #transformation #curiosity #community #truth #accessibleencounters #growth #outreach #unchurchedChapters00:00 Jeff Brodie's Journey to Faith03:44 The Kitchen Table as Ministry06:35 Discovering a Passion for People09:16 Transitioning to Kinexis Church11:51 The Role of a Lead Pastor14:53 Developing Preaching Skills17:29 Cultural Shifts and Church Relevance22:45 The Quest for Timeless Truth25:33 Cultural Alternatives and Community Longing29:13 Creating Accessible Encounters35:46 Building Trust Through Consistency41:26 Heart Over Strategy: Inspiring Change

This week on The Pastorate we are excited to host Carey Nieuwhof—Bestselling author, Host of the Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast, and Founding Pastor of Connexus Church in Barrie, Ontario Today's episode covers a wide range of topics: Carey discusses his journey of founding and then stepping back from the Lead role at Connexus Church. He reflects on how stepping aside has required humility and an intentional shift from leading to supporting. Carey takes the time to walk us through some insights on the shift away from consumer Christianity towards a desire for genuine discipleship and connection as well as a need to reorient our ministry models alongside this cultural shift. He opens up about his experience with the potential dangers of pastoring: isolation or confusing church success with personal faith — along with practices like friendship and building a life outside of ministry to help mitigate the danger. We're thankful you've joined us on The Pastorate today, bless you as you listen. Bio | Carey Nieuwhof is a bestselling leadership author, speaker, podcaster, and former attorney. He hosts one of today's most influential leadership podcasts. His podcast, blog, and online content are accessed by leaders over 1.5 million times each month. He speaks to leaders around the world about leadership, change, and personal growth through the Art of Leadership Academy. His work has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Business Insider, and on EntreLeadership. Carey and his wife, Toni, live north of Toronto, Canada and have two grown sons. We couldn't do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠give⁠ towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church. Join our Emerging Leaders Lab to connect with fellow pastors in their 20s and 30s, foster resilience and effectiveness in ministry, and learn from some of the brightest minds in the Church today. Our next intake begins soon! Download a free PDF on Improving Your Giving Statements from Generis or get in touch with Jon Wright from their team⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Guest Notes The Art of Leadership Academy At Your Best Book Instagram Connexus Church Article on Preaching Show Notes Website⁠ ⁠Blog and Episode Write Up⁠ ⁠Youtube⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Share a Canadian Church Story

Carey Nieuwhof joins William Vanderbloemen for this episode. Carey Nieuwhof, a bestselling author, speaker, and leadership expert, is the founding pastor of Connexus Church and has been actively serving in ministry since 1995. In part one of this conversation, William Vanderblomen and Carey Nieuwhof discuss various topics related to leadership and the current cultural and ideological divide. They explore the issues beneath the issues, the importance of empathy and community, and the role of the church in addressing these challenges. They also touch on the impact of social media, the need for genuine relationships, and the power of identity rooted in Christ. https://www.vanderbloemen.com/blog/preventing-burnout-fostering-unity

At Connexus Church, our heart beats for those yet to be reached with the hope of Jesus. Did you know that there are nearly 450,000 people in Simcoe County who don't attend church Sunday morning? The mission is urgent and clear. The FOR Them campaign is our bold response to God's call, a transformative journey to extend his love and grace to every corner of our community and beyond so that more people would know Jesus. The journey launches today.

At Connexus Church, our heart beats for those yet to be reached with the hope of Jesus. Did you know that there are nearly 450,000 people in Simcoe County who don't attend church Sunday morning? The mission is urgent and clear. The FOR Them campaign is our bold response to God's call, a transformative journey to extend his love and grace to every corner of our community and beyond so that more people would know Jesus. The journey launches today.

If you look at the state of leadership development, it's not great in most organizations and Carey Nieuwhof thinks he knows why! Nieuwhof is the former Lead Pastor of Connexus Church and the primary communicator at the Art of Leadership Academy. In this insightful episode, Nieuwhof points out alarming statistics: 96% of businesses fail within the first decade, 85% of churches experience plateaued or declining growth, only 9% of businesses achieve annual revenues surpassing $1 million, and a mere 2% of churches break the 1000 attendance barrier.So, how can one defy these odds and lead an organization to thrive?Nieuwhof delineates three distinct types of leaders for three markedly different types of organizations. While reaching level three—a feat attained by very few churches or ministries—may seem daunting, it is the key to resolving myriad issues and charting a course toward greater impact and success. This episode offers invaluable insights for leaders striving to navigate and transform their organizations. Don't miss out on this profound discussion!

As we kick off the New Year, we will explore the power of the lies we believe. In this message series from Connexus Church, we will discover where lies come from, why we believe them, and how to find the fulfillment that Satan's lies promise but never deliver. 

Are you a church leader looking to stay ahead of the curve in a constantly changing culture? Discover three key trends that could be impacting your church's growth and mission! Learn how to reassess your approach to leadership, understand the changing dynamics of trust, adopt a missionary mindset when tackling challenges, and more! These strategies will help you navigate the shifting landscape around religious leaders in today's society.    Topics Include:  Understanding the changing dynamics of trust  The concept of "pushing the mission forward" versus "slowing down" in organizational practices. The shift in societal perceptions of pastors and religious leaders. Adopting a missionary mindset and understanding the cultural context as potentially pre-Christian. The importance of assessing and adapting ministry practices in response to cultural shifts.     SUBSCRIBE Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated with the latest content! ► https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2lR_WXSBAZGicnmiiF2KQQ?sub_confirmation=1 and tap the bell icon to get notified when the next episode releases. ► On Apple podcasts or Google Play https://link.chtbl.com/parallelleaders   CONNECT WITH PARALLEL LEADERS: On our website, social media or by subscribing to our weekly email for resources, relationships, coaching at https://linktr.ee/parallelleaders   ABOUT OUR GUEST SPEAKER:      Rich Birch is one of the early multi-site church pioneers in North America. He led the charge in helping The Meeting House in Toronto to become the leading multi-site church in Canada with over 5,000+ people in 18 locations. In addition, he served on the leadership team of Connexus Church in Ontario, a North Point Community Church Strategic Partner. He has also been a part of the lead team at Liquid Church - a 5 location multisite church serving the Manhattan facing suburbs of New Jersey. Liquid is known for it's innovative approach to outreach and community impact. Rich is passionate about helping churches reach more people, more quickly through excellent execution. His latest book Church Growth Flywheel: 5 Practical Systems To Drive Growth At Your Church is an Amazon bestseller and is design to help your church reach more people in your community. Find out more about him at unseminary.com

Leveraging the 10 minutes before every service opportunity can take an average weekend to an over-the-top experience. In this workshop, we will get uber practical and give you a tool to use to make better use of the huddle times you have with your team. TOPICS INCLUDE: 6 Key Elements of a successful huddle The value of incorporating fun The role of huddles in building relationships within a team How huddles can prevent problems from escalating and foster proactive problem-solving. Developing commitment and a sense of purpose among team members   RESOURCES MENTIONED: ► check out Rich Birch at https://unseminary.com   SUBSCRIBE Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated with the latest content! ► On Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2lR_WXSBAZGicnmiiF2KQQ?sub_confirmation=1 and tap the bell icon to get notified when the next episode releases. ► On Apple podcasts or Google Play https://link.chtbl.com/parallelleaders CONNECT WITH PARALLEL LEADERS: On our website, social media or by subscribing to our weekly email for resources, relationships, coaching at https://feedlink.io/parallelleaders   ABOUT RICH BIRCH: Rich Birch is one of the early multi-site church pioneers in North America. He led the charge in helping The Meeting House in Toronto to become the leading multi-site church in Canada with over 5,000+ people in 18 locations. In addition, he served on the leadership team of Connexus Church in Ontario, a North Point Community Church Strategic Partner. He has also been a part of the lead team at Liquid Church - a 5 location multisite church serving the Manhattan-facing suburbs of New Jersey. Liquid is known for it's innovative approach to outreach and community impact. Rich is passionate about helping churches reach more people, more quickly through excellent execution. His latest book Church Growth Flywheel: 5 Practical Systems To Drive Growth At Your Church, is an Amazon bestseller and is designed to help your church reach more people in your community

The sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for you and for me points us to a simple need to respond because it meets you right where you are.  Join us as we reflect on the significance of the unique love Jesus displayed for each one of us.

The sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for you and for me points us to a simple need to respond because it meets you right where you are.  Join us as we reflect on the significance of the unique love Jesus displayed for each one of us.

In this episode of the Montgomery Companies Podcast, we are blessed to feature the incredible Carey Nieuwhof, a former attorney, turned pastor, turned writer, speaker, and podcaster. Carey is responsible for founding Connexus Church, in Ontario, one of the largest churches in North America, and is now the author of several influential books and one of the biggest podcasts in Christian Leadership – The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast. Join us for a tremendously meaningful discussion of all things social circle and energy management. In the first part of the episode, Carey lays out a dynamite formula for reaching out to and accessing leaders and mentors that you want to learn more from. We then move into a deep dive on optimizing your energy so that you can do what you are best at, when you are at your best. Carey breaks up energy management into practical, applicable steps, highlighting what it means to operate out of our green zones, yellow zones, and red zones. Finally, we examine the importance of a tight-knit social circle, and how we were designed to flourish with a group of friends that might be much, much smaller than you think. Whether you are a stay-at-home parent, a podcaster, a company leader, in sales, or a living being with a pulse – this podcast is for you. You can reach Carey at his leadership website - theartofleadershipacademy.com, or check out his podcast - the Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast If you would like a free copy of Carey's book, At Your Best (and trust us, YOU DO), be one of the first 100 people to DM us on Instagram - @jordanmontgomery, or email us at jordan@montgomerycompanies.com – to receive the book that will help you lead a life free from burnout!

Carey Nieuwhof left his law career to become the founding pastor of Connexus Church, one of the most influential churches in North America. Carey shares his reasons why, how he almost burned out pursuing his passion, and why community matters more than ever in these turbulent times.  Today, Carey Nieowhof is an author, much sought-after conference speaker, podcaster, and thought leader. This episode contains some great takeaways and inspiration for anyone looking to make positive changes in their life and career.    

Carey Nieuwhof is a former lawyer and founding pastor of Connexus Church in Canada. As one of the world's most influential Christian thinkers, he is passionate about helping people thrive in life and leadership. Carey joins Trent Dunham on the Dunham Podcast Network to discuss how, after a season of burnout that almost took him out, he discovered how to get time, energy, and priorities working in his favor. This approach freed up more than one thousand productive hours a year for him and can do the same for you.

Carey Nieuwhof is a former lawyer and founding pastor of Connexus Church in Canada. As one of the world's most influential Christian thinkers, he is passionate about helping people thrive in life and leadership. Carey joins Trent Dunham on the Dunham Podcast Network to discuss how, after a season of burnout that almost took him out, he discovered how to get time, energy, and priorities working in his favor. This approach freed up more than one thousand productive hours a year for him and can do the same for you.

Carey Nieuwhof is a former lawyer and founding pastor of Connexus Church in Canada. As one of the world's most influential Christian thinkers, he is passionate about helping people thrive in life and leadership. Carey joins Trent Dunham on the Dunham Podcast Network to discuss how, after a season of burnout that almost took him out, he discovered how to get time, energy, and priorities working in his favor. This approach freed up more than one thousand productive hours a year for him and can do the same for you.

This week, Leadership Expert, Author, Former Attorney, And Church Planter - Carey Nieuwhof - joins the share his knowledge and techniques around changing the beliefs of yourself and others.This episode will share key decision-making strategies to change the beliefs of yourself and others. Strategies like relying on the wisdom of others, embracing categorical decision-making, and avoiding decision-fatigue. Is it time for a revamp of your belief-system? Tune in as Carey Nieuwhof shares his expertise.ABOUT CAREY NIEUWHOFCarey's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cnieuwhofCarey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/careynieuwhof/?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAAMuIHABMnVocGFFOIp-g3HM6RVC17kk68UCarey's Instagram: @careynieuwhofCarey's Podcast: https://careynieuwhof.com/mypodcast/Carey's Books: https://www.amazon.com/Carey-Nieuwhof/e/B003GJCLCM/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1Carey's Courses:•Breaking 200 (Without Breaking You)•The High Impact Leader•The Art of Better Preaching•The 30-Day PivotCarey Nieuwhof is a leadership expert, author, former lawyer, and the founding pastor of Connexus Church. He is passionate about helping people thrive in life and leadership. He spent years as a lawyer and transitioned to seminary, becoming a pastor and a church planter. Along the way, he developed a passion for helping other leaders lead like never before. CONNECT WITH USInstagram: @decidedlypodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/decidedlypodcastShawn's Instagram: @ampadvisorSanger's Instagram: @sangersmithMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE“How Good is Good Enough” by Andy Stanley: https://www.amazon.com/How-Good-Enough-Nobodys-LifeChange/dp/1590522745Join us every Wednesday for a new episode as we DEFEAT bad decision-making – one episode at a time!

About the Episode Our 2nd of 2 episodes on the topic of preparing the church for the decisions of a new leader - particularly when it comes to making changes to your org chart, structure, and even transitioning staff off. Jud and Jeff give us great insight. Who is Jud Wilhite? Jud Wilhite is an author, speaker and senior pastor of Central Church, a church founded in Las Vegas with over twelve locations nationally and internationally. Central is recognized as one of the largest and fastest growing churches in America. He is a bestselling author of several books, including Uncaged, The God of Yes, Pursued, and a study Bible for new believers, The Uncensored Truth Bible for New Beginnings. His teaching segments are heard nationally on K-LOVE radio. He and his wife, Lori, have two kids and live in the Las Vegas area. Who is Jeff Brodie? Jeff Brodie is the Lead Pastor of Connexus Church, one of Canada's most influential churches located north of Toronto. He brings vision and leadership to Connexus' multiple campuses and partnership network. Jeff has led in the multi-site church context for 20 years. He has a passion for investing in next-generation leaders and helping churches develop strategies and leverage tools to scale for greater impact.  

About the Episode Our 2nd of 2 episodes on the topic of preparing the church for the decisions of a new leader - particularly when it comes to making changes to your org chart, structure, and even transitioning staff off. Jud and Jeff give us great insight. Who is Jud Wilhite? Jud Wilhite is an author, speaker and senior pastor of Central Church, a church founded in Las Vegas with over twelve locations nationally and internationally. Central is recognized as one of the largest and fastest growing churches in America. He is a bestselling author of several books, including Uncaged, The God of Yes, Pursued, and a study Bible for new believers, The Uncensored Truth Bible for New Beginnings. His teaching segments are heard nationally on K-LOVE radio. He and his wife, Lori, have two kids and live in the Las Vegas area. Who is Jeff Brodie? Jeff Brodie is the Lead Pastor of Connexus Church, one of Canada's most influential churches located north of Toronto. He brings vision and leadership to Connexus' multiple campuses and partnership network. Jeff has led in the multi-site church context for 20 years. He has a passion for investing in next-generation leaders and helping churches develop strategies and leverage tools to scale for greater impact.  

Scott and Kaitlin sit down with the Birches for this fun-filled episode. They chat about Canada, ministry, parenting, TV shows, the Peloton… Christine is on staff at Connexus Church, Rich is the director at Camp Mini-Yo-We, in addition to being the creator of UnSeminary (a leading Christian podcast, blog, website, book).    Show Notes: Unseminary   @unSeminary  Camp Mini-Yo-We Connexus Church  CANADA  Parenthood (the best show ever) This is Us  Peloton  www.Kaitlinelliott.com @so.what.else 

Leaders and pastors are crashing and burning left and right, both in the workplace as well as the church, with leaders burning out now more than ever before. There is no one better to speak on burnout than Carey Nieuwhof. He is a former lawyer turned pastor of Connexus Church in Ontario, Canado. Author of several books including, Didn't See it Coming, which speaks of Carey's own experience with leadership burnout. Also host of the must listen to podcast called The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast. We also touch on how COVID has caused not an interruption to how we do church, but a disruption.

In today's podcast we talk with Toni & Carey Nieuwhof! Toni has a new book coming out called, "Before You Split: Find What You Really Want for the Future of Your Marriage." She's gained a lot of life experience as a pharmacist, as a lawyer and as wife of the founding pastor of an influential and vibrant church, Connexus Church and brings all of that wisdom to her new book and podcast. You can find out more about Toni, her book and podcast, here: https://toninieuwhof.com/

Mark riffs with Carey Nieuwhof, founding pastor of Connexus Church. The post Carey Nieuwhof appeared first on Pastor Mark Clark.

Carey Nieuwhof is a former lawyer and founding pastor of Connexus Church. He's the author of several best-selling books, and speaks to leaders around the world about leadership, change and personal growth. On this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean and Carey chat about new succession paradigms and how new leaders are lead into the future.

Carey Nieuwhof is a former lawyer and founding pastor of Connexus Church. He's the author of several best-selling books, and speaks to leaders around the world about leadership, change and personal growth. On this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean and Carey chat about new succession paradigms and how new leaders are lead into the future.

Carey is the founding pastor of Connexus Church in Ontario, Canada. He is also the host of the widely popular podcast, The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast, and the author of many books with a brand new one about to be released entitled, Didn't See It Coming. Carey is a native of Canada and originally had intentions of being a lawyer. He eventually made the transition to ministry, and founded Connexus Church in 1995. He now oversees the communication and is working to expand Connexus' broader ministry. In this episode, Mike Linch talks with Carey about the content of his new book, Didn't See It Coming, and his passion and experiences that led him to authoring the book. They also dive into the struggles of many leaders, how leaders can keep perspective on what they do and how leaders handle things within their private lives, the struggles of becoming irrelevant, and how pride is one of the biggest struggles of a leader.

ABOUT CAREY Carey Nieuwhof is founding pastor of Connexus Church and is author of several bestselling books. Carey blogs, podcasts, writes and speaks to church leaders around the world about leadership, change and personal growth. LISTEN NOW iTunes - Episode #56: Carey Nieuwhof - High Impact Leader Google Play - Episode #56: Carey Nieuwhof - High Impact Leader GUEST LINKS Carey's Twitter Carey's Facebook Carey's Instagram CareyNieuwhof.com Carey's Blog Carey Nieuwhof's Leadership Podcast MENTIONED LINKS Kindrid.com TheHighImpactLeader.com HIGH IMPACT LEADER Your Story: Start learning from leaders around you. Be patient. Don't give up when you're not seeing the success you're wanting to see. You are living your story and God's story. God is writing a story in your life right now. There comes a point when you process your progress and realize your story could help somebody else. Focus as much ON the story as the telling of the story. You have to be a