Podcast appearances and mentions of dale sellers

Shellie and Matt are joined by Dale Sellers, author of Stalled and Executive Director of the 95Network. Dale discusses misconceptions about smaller congregations and small congregation leadership and shares how to think about and become healthier congregations. Resources Stalled: Hope and Help for Pastors Who Thought They'd Be There by Now (book) Thriving Rural Communities at Duke Divinity School 95Network (organization) Karl Vaters (website) The Congregational Resource Guide (The CRG)

Karl Vaters interviews Dale Sellers of the 95 Network, which provides resources for the 95 percent of churches that are not large. In this conversation, Dale and Karl talk about some of the important issues facing small churches as we come out of the pandemic and look ahead to 5-10 years of fallout, including: The need for rest and soul care for pastors Why the expected wave of pastoral resignations hasn't happened What to do instead of chasing absent members The importance of accurately defining your congregation's current reality Links: 95 Network Stalled: Hope and Help for Pastors Who Thought They'd Be There by Now The New Very Large Church Support This Work: Visit the Website Subscribe to weekly Newsletter Contribute financially at KarlVaters.com/support Visit our Youtube Channel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Karl Vaters interviews Dale Sellers of the 95 Network, which provides resources for the 95 percent of churches that are not large. In this conversation, Dale and Karl talk about some of the important issues facing small churches as we come out of the pandemic and look ahead to 5-10 years of fallout, including: The need for rest and soul care for pastors Why the expected wave of pastoral resignations hasn't happened What to do instead of chasing absent members The importance of accurately defining your congregation's current reality Links: 95 Network Stalled: Hope and Help for Pastors Who Thought They'd Be There by Now The New Very Large Church Support This Work: Visit the Website Subscribe to weekly Newsletter Contribute financially at KarlVaters.com/support Visit our Youtube Channel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gurdip's back! This week we're visiting the 1983 overdub project "I Was the One" which paired Elvis' original recordings with new backing by Scotty, DJ, Emery Gordy, Dale Sellers and the Jordanaires, overseen by two of Elvis's own concert pianists, David Briggs and Tony Brown, as well as the medley they oversaw the production of. Is the album a lost classic, or was its flop status merited? Then, for Song of the Week, Gurdip picks "Sound Advice" from the movie "Follow That Dream" and, inspired by Elvis' 1972 recording of the Paul Williams song, Justin ponders the question "Where Do I Go From Here?" If you enjoy TCBCast, please consider supporting us with a donation at Patreon.com/TCBCast. If you are unable to support us via Patreon, but want to support us another way, please make sure to leave a positive review or mention our show to another like-minded music history and movie enthusiast.

Get notes on this podcast here:  https://churchleaders.com/podcast/444360-dale-sellers-hope-help-pastors-stalled.html Dale Sellers joins the Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast to share warning signs that pastors are stalling out and the truths and practical steps that will help them thrive again.   ► Listen on Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-churchleaders-podcast/id988990685   Visit ChurchLeaders Website: https://churchleaders.com Find ChurchLeaders on Facebook: https://facebook.com/churchleaders Follow ChurchLeaders on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChurchLead Follow ChurchLeaders on Instagram: https://instagram.com/churchlead/ Follow ChurchLeaders on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/churchleaders/

Links and resources mentioned in this episode: 95network.org 95 Network Podcast95 Network Online Store"Stalled: Help and Hope For Pastors Who Thought They'd Be There By Now" Dale's Unexpected Sabbatical & Reflections — Episode 91Support the show

Welcome to Overcome Church online! We're so glad you're here! For everything you need to know, please visit overcomechurch.org.

An interview with Austin Savage about the role of marketing in church leadership, including what marketing is, what it isn't, and why we need to destigmatize it to use it effectively. You may know Austin from the work he did with 95Network.com, including several years co-hosting the 95Podcast with Dale Sellers. Recently, he established Austin Savage & Co. to help churches with creating content and using media in the church. In this conversation, Karl and Austin talk about The difference between Marketing and promotion/advertising How to put the content your church is already creating into the marketplace in creative ways How to get started without costing any money Links Asana 95network.org Austinsavage.co For a Transcript of this episode visit the Pivot Blog  Support This Work: Visit the Website Subscribe to weekly Newsletter Contribute financially at KarlVaters.com/support Visit our Youtube Channel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An interview with Austin Savage about the role of marketing in church leadership, including what marketing is, what it isn't, and why we need to destigmatize it to use it effectively. You may know Austin from the work he did with 95Network.com, including several years co-hosting the 95Podcast with Dale Sellers. Recently, he established Austin Savage & Co. to help churches with creating content and using media in the church. In this conversation, Karl and Austin talk about The difference between Marketing and promotion/advertising How to put the content your church is already creating into the marketplace in creative ways How to get started without costing any money Links Asana 95network.org Austinsavage.co For a Transcript of this episode visit the Pivot Blog  Support This Work: Visit the Website Subscribe to weekly Newsletter Contribute financially at KarlVaters.com/support Visit our Youtube Channel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join the conversation at Explore Purpose Insiders! Click here to join: https://explorepurpose.com/explore-purpose-insider/ The Explore Purpose Podcast inspires you to live a life of meaning and purpose so that you can make a greater impact on the world around you.  TODAY'S EPISODE:  I Thought I'd be 'There' by Now HOST: Conrad Weaver GUEST: Dale Sellers   ABOUT DALE SELLERS Dale is a man with a powerful calling to help weary and worn pastors and church leaders. He has been in ministry for  40 years. He launched Dale Sellers Leadership, Inc. in March 2014 to assist organizations in the areas of leadership, inspiration, and evangelism. Dale became a ministry consultant for The Unstuck Group in April 2017 with a focus on helping the small church. In July 2018, he accepted the position as the Executive Director of 95Network, and in September of 2020, he published his first book Stalled: Hope and Help for Pastor's Who Thought They'd Be There by Now. His years of ministry have grown a deep love for small and midsize congregations — the backbone of the American church. He believes in the mission of 95Network, not only because it equips small churches to thrive, but also because it connects weary church leaders with friends and partners who care. Dale and his wife Gina have been married 39 years, have three daughters, two sons-in-law, and two awesome grandchildren! https://www.95network.org +++++ Visit www.explorepurpose.com to learn more. Connect with us on social Media: Instagram: @explorepurpose_ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/explorepurpose TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@explorepurpose? YouTube: https://bit.ly/3sCHPFE  Explore Purpose is a production of ConjoStudios, LLC. Producer & Host: Conrad Weaver Music Composer: Volodymyr Piddubnyk  Music Acquired at storyblocks.com Copyright ©2022 ConjoStudios, LLC All rights reserved.

On this episode, Warren Colebank interviews Dale Sellers. Dale is the author of “Stalled - Hope and Help for Pastors Who Thought They'd Be There by Now” and serves as the executive director of 95Network, a nonprofit ministry designed to help small to midsized churches through content, conferences, coaching, and consulting. Dale has been in ministry for 40 years and now travels extensively leading 95Network's one-day conferences.

We have Sr. Spiritual Directors waiting and ready to listen to you with empathy and confidentiality! On the Soul Shepherding Network page, you can find out more and book an appointment.  Our Journey of the Soul: Soul Talk cards are a great resource for personal devotions, small groups and spiritual direction. In the Soul Shepherding Institute, we'll show you how to make space to hear God's voice, be renewed spiritually, and engage in soul training that will equip you to thrive with Jesus in all you do as a pastor or ministry leader.You can order your copy of Journey of the Soul on Amazon or wherever books are sold. Please post a review to help other readers find us.We love hearing from you! Contact Us and share how Soul Talks has impacted your life and relationships.Sign-up to receive Soul Shepherding's weekly blog email!

Dale Sellers will be leading our 2021 Catalyst Conference this year, on October 16th.  Here is your opportunity to get to know him and the passion and expertise he has for the local church.  In this podcast Dale shares what he is hearing from pastors in this new post pandemic season, as well as what churches need to be focused on moving forward. Dale's Bio: Dale Sellers has been in ministry for almost 40 years. He launched Dale Sellers Leadership, Inc. in March 2014 to assist organizations in the areas of leadership, inspiration, and evangelism. Dale became a ministry consultant for The Unstuck Group in April 2017 with a focus on helping the small church. In July 2018, he accepted the position as the Executive Director of the 95Network, and in September of 2020, he published his first book Stalled: Hope and Help for Pastor's Who Thought They'd Be There by Now. His years of ministry have grown a deep love for small and medium-sized congregations — the backbone of the American church. He believes in the mission of 95Network, not only because it equips small churches to thrive, but also because it connects weary church leaders with friends and partners who care.

In this episode, I talk with Dale Sellers about life, leadership, and growing in our relationship with Christ. He gives great direction and guidance to leaders in the church. Listen close when he talks about practicing the Sabbath, how to cast a vision, and to become the master of the mundane. 

 WELCOME BACK TO THE 95 PODCAST!You'll notice that we're back with some NEW theme music, some NEW energy, some GREAT guests ahead, and some FRESH direction for this resource! Can you tell we're excited?

Jesse is a dear friend of mine. We used to work together back when I was on the team at The Unstuck Group and we have a ton in common, including a deep love for the small and mid-size church (and hunting, of course).This conversation with him to close out 2020 is gold. Seriously.I've said it for a long time, but follow-through and accountability are two of the primary issues I see in churches.In today's episode, Jesse talks about operationalizing follow-through, how he has learned to lead people through ministry loss and difficult changes, and some honest insights into why church leaders need to be more honest with their people than they typically are.(P.S. I also just want to say thank you. 2020 was a crazy year, but your support of this podcast continued. We crossed 10,000 total downloads a couple months back, and that means the world to me and my team. Here's to more great conversations in 2021!)Check out my key takeaways and related resources in today's show notes: https://www.95network.org/blog/jesse-tink-61Support the show

2021 is going to look just a little different for our team here at 95Network. Austin, our Managing Director, is taking a step out and starting his own content marketing agency. This dream really became a possibility for him as a result of reading Stalled and hosting our new Stalled Conference this Fall.Transition and change are a reality of any team.So this week on the podcast, we're talking about what this change means, how we're navigating the transition, how Austin and I's conversation went about this new direction for him, and what his role on the team will continue to be.Sometimes we stay somewhere too long and our fruitfulness dries up. It's important for all of us to be aware of whether or not we're truly in our sweet spot. I hope this episode inspires you in that way.Check out some key takeaways and resources mentioned in today's episode in the show notes: https://www.95network.org/blog/navigating-team-transition-60Support the show

Dale Sellers, from the 95Network, talks with Jeff about his ministry story and the book that grew out of it - Stalled - Help and Hope For Those Who Thought They'd Be There By Now. Dale and Jeff have a combined 70 years of ministry experience, and they had this conversation just for YOU! Enjoy!Support the show

"Freedom is not the absence of something, it's the presence of Someone."This man changed my life... Bob Hamp is the Founder of Think Differently Academy and is a Marriage & Family Therapist. I talk about him a lot in my book Stalled, particularly regarding the profound effect his teaching called "The Problem Jesus Came to Solve" had on my life and my journey towards health.So you may be able to imagine how much of an honor it is to be sharing this conversation Austin and I got to have with Bob on the podcast today.Not only will you hear him play something on his "office guitar" at the opening of the episode, but you'll also get to listen to a conversation about why we need to change how we think about "freedom" and how you can take steps today to start doing ministry from Jesus instead of for Jesus (which was the game-changing shift for me). Listen in!- DaleCheck out our takeaways and all the links mentioned in today's episode in the show notes: https://www.95network.org/blog/bob-hamp-59Support the show

Dillon Smith is the Content Director for Carey Nieuwhof and is an intuitive, wise, and strategic Gen Z leader. Today he shares about what the keys will be for the Church's future digital effectiveness, how he's navigated representing Christ to a generation that's marked by disappointments in the Church, and what he's learned working alongside Carey Nieuwhof.This is a great one, and I hope you'll find some key things for you to consider in your own ministry!Check out our takeaways and more in this episode's show notes: https://www.95network.org/blog/dillon-smith-57Support the show

This last week was heavy, not only with political division, but also with news of another leader falling morally. (Not to mention the reminder of countless church leaders falling that we don't hear about in the news.) And I felt frustrated. I felt frustrated by how I saw other pastors responding. I felt frustrated by how consistent these mistakes happen. And I felt frustrated by the witness that is hindered each time events like this take place (for the whole Church, not just their church).Austin and I had another podcast scheduled to release today, but after talking on Monday, we knew we needed to record a fresh conversation this week addressing what we're seeing.So today, here's about as honest of a conversation as you could get on the podcast, and some crucial reminders about how none of us are the exception. You'll hear many of the lessons I've learned in my 40 years of ministry, some openness about Austin's lifelong struggle with pornography and what led to his dad's affair, and a path forward for every single one of us. I hope you'll take the time to really listen to this conversation.- DaleThis week's show notes are full of my takeaways and lots of links to resources mentioned. Check them out right here: https://www.95network.org/blog/episode56Support the show

I'm really excited to be sharing this conversation today. It was such an honor to connect with Derwin Gray, former NFL player and Lead Pastor of Transformation Church, a multiethnic, multigenerational, mission-shaped community in Indian Land, SC.Not only is this a timely episode with it being Election Week in the U.S., but this episode just brought life to my soul and reminders of the mission we're all actually on. Derwin truly is one of the most grounded, thoughtful, and balanced leaders I've met.In today's episode, he shares his thoughts about measuring success in a ministry, how we should be leading through this year's election, why he applies so much energy and thought into Generation Z, and why traditional evangelicalism is being challenged, pushed, and reshaped.This is a good one. It's a must-listen this week. And it's definitely a conversation starter with your leadership and friends in ministry.- DaleCheck out the show notes for today's episode right here: https://www.95network.org/blog/derwin-gray-55Join us for the Stalled National Conference on November 17: https://www.95network.org/national-stalled-conferenceSupport the show

Brian Weber is the Executive Minister of Converge MidAtlantic, having the opportunity to work directly with church leaders each and every week. I (Dale) met him at a conference I did in partnership with Converge a while back and I loved how he thought about the Church.We recently took some time to have Brian on the podcast to talk about what he's seeing among the pastors he's working with, navigating the challenges this year of ministry continues to bring, and some of his own personal passion for leading ministry that brings about change in a community that clearly represents the change happening in the hearts of people.This is an honest, down-to-earth conversation for you this week!Check out the show notes for this episode right here: https://www.95network.org/blog/brian-weber-54Support the show

Jeff VanderGiessen spent eight years working at Mars Hill Church in Seattle before he felt God's call to step out and found Amplio Systems, a company passionate about helping churches take the right next step, in the Chicago area. Today, Jeff shares honestly about the grief he's still had to process in seeing the difficult journey for Mars Hill with some insights into navigating ministry loss for every leader. Jeff also dives into the importance of taking regular breaks, having a hobby outside of the ministry, his feel for where the Church is headed, and why personality-driven churches aren't the model to look up to. This is a great conversation from someone with a huge heart for the Church!Check out the show notes for everything mentioned during today's episode: https://www.95network.org/blog/jeff-vandergiessen-53Support the show

Barb Roose is a popular author and speaker who has spoken at events like the She Speaks Conference and Aspire Women's Events. She's the author of multiple Bible studies, including: Surrendered: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus, I'm Waiting, God: Finding Blessing in God's Delays, and Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Her newest Bible study: Breakthrough: Finding Freedom in Christ releases in Spring 2021.Today she shares about her years leading in a majority-white church, why she's been so encouraged about the Church during COVID-19, why she focuses on making Scripture practical for people, her recent development of the (g)race project, and her journey through an unwanted divorce with some key insights for pastors' marriages. Plain and simple, you don't want to miss this one!Check out the show notes at https://www.95network.org/blog/barb-roose-52Support the show

If we don't do something to bridge the generational gaps between us and Gen Z, we will lose them. This episode is gold for leaders to understand what it looks like to reach Generation Z from a leader who invests his time in helping influencers engage the next gen.Jordan Francis is the Co-Founder of RLTK, an organization that exists solely to equip leaders to better engage Gen Z. His honesty and insight into the barriers that exist in many churches is so helpful.In this episode, we cover why a lack of trust is the largest barrier in reaching Gen Z, why engaging this generation will require a decentralized approach to church, how you can include young people in the actual day-to-day of ministry, and a whole lot more.This is an episode you'll want to send to each member of your team, and intentionally spend time talking about afterwards.Check out the show notes here: https://www.95network.org/blog/jordan-francis-51Support the show

Ginny Dent Brant, Peter Demos, Dale Sellers, Kathy Branzell, Marjorie Dannenfelser

Too many pastors find themselves discouraged, and their ministry doesn't match what they thought it would be when they started their ministry. In this episode, we explore critical steps you can take to jumpstart your calling and put yourself back on the journey to thriving ministry. Our guest this episode is Dale Sellers, Executive Director of the 95 Network, and author of the book Stalled: Hope and Help for Pastors Who Thought They'd Be There by Now. By unpacking his own story, Dale brings insight and encouragement to pastors who feel as if they should be more "successful." Read the show notes at malphursgroup.com/56.

Meet Chad Hunt, the newest addition to our team here at 95Network. Chad has led hundreds of churches through coaching and consulting processes over the years and we're excited to welcome him onto the team as our VisionDay Director.Today, a great conversation with Chad on the podcast as we talk about his new role on the team, why your church really should be viewed as a blank canvas right now, the reality that God trusted your gift set enough to allow you to lead your church through a pandemic, and why this uncertain time is the perfect season to recalibrate and refine your vision and plan.Chad is an incredible pastor and someone with a HUGE heart for small and mid-size churches. Listen in!Check out some key insights and the links from today's conversation at the show notes: https://www.95network.org/blog/chad-hunt-49Support the show

This week is the last of the "Stalled" podcast series we've been featuring leading up to the launch of the new book Stalled: Hope and Help for Pastors Who Thought They'd Be There By Now. And what an incredible launch we had earlier this week!One of the key aspects of the "Stalled" message is the understanding that our Enemy wants to keep leaders discouraged not just to limit our effectiveness today. But ultimately to keep us from effectively engaging the next generation.Today, we walk through 4 key principles for leaders to consider when it comes to capturing the heart of the next generation, building trust, and standing in the gap for them. Tune in and let us know what you'd add to the conversation!Support the show

Today on the podcast, we're walking through 4 questions every leader needs to answer for themselves. We discuss approval addiction, leading "surrendered," negative thinking, and what remains of your passion for the next generation. Take a listen!Looking for the show notes? Head over to https://www.95network.org/blog/4-questions-every-leader-47Support the show

Every week, we connect with pastors who are stalled. Many of them see it. But many of them don't. In Dale's own life, he learned the hard way what can happen inside of us if we don't understanding the warning signs of becoming stalled in life and ministry.Today on the podcast, we discuss the 4 warning signs a ministry leader is becoming stalled. We hope this is a simple check-in for you to be honest about your own health. We all talk a lot about healthy churches, but a church can never be healthy if the pastor isn't healthy themselves.Take a listen! And let us know which of the 4 stand out the most for you.Looking for the show notes? Just head here: https://www.95network.org/blog/warning-signs-stalled-46Support the show

Shawn Lovejoy is the Founder & CEO of CourageToLead.com. His heart beats for coaching leaders through what keeps them up at night. Shawn has been a successful real estate developer, church planter, pastor, entrepreneur, and leadership coach. Courage To Lead facilitates leadership growth and organizational health for leaders all around the globe.We were honored to have Shawn join us for Episode 45 of the podcast for some straight-shootin' leadership wisdom. In today's podcast, we discuss why courage is the biggest problem in the Church today, the decision Shawn made to handoff his church 6 years ago, how pastors "overspiritualize their lack of growth," and why building an effective team is the most important aspect of the long-term health of a ministry.Check out the show notes here: https://www.95network.org/blog/shawn-lovejoy-leadership-45Pre-Order Stalled here: https://www.95network.org/stalledSupport the show

"Ministry almost killed me."This week we're switching things up on the podcast. You may have heard us talking about "Stalled," Dale's upcoming book highlighting his years of discouragement as a small-church pastor feeling like Jesus was disappointed in him.Today on the podcast, Austin interviews Dale about his own story, walking through when he came to faith, the ministry stress that led to open heart surgery, and how he got to the place that he told his friend Tony, "I thought I'd be there by now." Dale has experienced a lot in his 40 years of ministry and we hope that hearing his story is an encouragement to you today.Want to learn more about the book Stalled? Head to www.95network.org/stalled Want to take a look at the show notes for this episode? Find them at https://www.95network.org/blog/dale-sellers-story-44Support the show

"I got this sense that the rural church had really been forgotten about."Today we're joined by Danny Davis, author of Rural Church Turnaround and Pastor of Life Point Church in Odessa, MO. Danny has a rich story, spending 11 years planting and revitalizing churches in South Africa before coming back to pastor a rural church in Odessa, MO. He also holds a Doctor of Education in Transformational Leadership.Danny shares some insights from the research he did for his recent book of successful church turnarounds in rural contexts. We cover topics like navigating change, what it takes to lead a turnaround in a rural context, the heart of a pastor, church size, and a whole lot more. We hope you'll be encouraged and challenged as you listen through! Check out all the resources mentioned and more at the show notes for this episode: https://www.95network.org/blog/danny-davis-43Support the show

We're back from our short break from the podcast while Austin was on paternity leave! And it's good to be back! We've got some great podcast episodes and articles ahead, a book launching in the Fall, and a whole lot more.On Episode 42, Austin and I take some time to chat about a recent VisionDay, Andy Stanley's recent announcement that they won't hold services through the end of the year, some important leadership takeaways from the story of Gideon, and 3 things that cause any leader to struggle with leading their church forward.Many leaders are exhausted. Many leaders also haven't slowed down enough to realize they're exhausted. It's been a tough few months, but there are many obstacles ahead. It's important for us to be ready and to be leading from a healthy place.Show Notes: https://www.95network.org/blog/andy-stanley-gideon-pastors-42Support the show

Every pastor has a story to share. No matter the size of their church. That's a belief of ours and is one of the core reasons we love supporting church leaders. There are so many crucial, powerful things happening every day in small and mid-size churches that go unnoticed and unseen.Joe Thompson is the Lead Pastor at Smithfield Christian Church in Smithfield, VA. We've been connected to him for a while and love his genuine heart and his passion for ministry.We're partnering with Joe on an upcoming project where we'll be sharing the stories of pastors across the country. So we're excited to introduce you to him today, talk about the inspiration behind this project, and share some key insights he's taken away from some of the conversations he's been hosting.You have a story to share. Listen in!Click here to check out the show notes for today's episode!(Also, credit to Yannick Lemieux for the applause track we use for fun in today's episode.)Support the show

This was a fun one. We recently asked some of our listeners to share with us who has been most helpful to them in navigating COVID-19. We got quite a few responses for our guest today!Ryan Wakefield spent years as the Creative Director at James River Church, and has since founded Church Marketing University, a hub of training and resources to help churches utilize new methods to share the message of Jesus. His energy and passion for churches is contagious, and we had such a blast getting to connect with him on the podcast.In addition to some fun stories about vacations and football, Ryan shares some honest insights for leaders to consider coming out of COVID-19. What strategies should we hold on to that we learned during this time? If he was a small-church pastor today, what is the one thing he would do to ensure future effectiveness? And a whole lot more...Listen in! This is a practical, honest, and inspirational conversation.Click here to check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

Today on the podcast we've got such a great conversation with Tiffany Deluccia, Director of Sales and Marketing at The Unstuck Group.Tiffany is an incredibly strategic thinker and has a huge heart for the Church. She shares some practical thoughts about communicating more strategically online, empowering leaders within our congregation to champion aspects of our communications efforts better than we could, and why you should allow yourself to dream a little bit about the potential influence of your ministry.And she just so happens to be Dale's daughter. (And she used to be Austin's boss!)We really encourage you to take a listen as we continue to navigate what it looks to use new methods to minister effectively to our communities. This was a good one.Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

Today on the podcast, we've got a great conversation with John Lynch, a speaker, author, and former pastor.We loved this conversation. Nothing in it is specifically addressed to churches navigating COVID-19, and that's honestly why we're sharing it today. Instead of piling more on to your crisis-related toolbox, we wanted to share a resource that would speak straight to your heart.And that's exactly what this episode does.John has such a passion for the Church. After 27 years as the teaching pastor at Open Door Fellowship in Phoenix, AZ, John began speaking nationally and authoring many resources. In this episode, he talks a whole lot about living a vulnerable life and the freedom leaders can experience if they take the risk of being fully known.This is a soul-care episode. And we're so grateful to have had the opportunity to connect with John. Give it a listen!Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

The word "engagement" has been a common one in church leadership in the last few years. During COVID-19, that term has become even more crucial as people determine what it looks like to measure their effectiveness online.But for many churches, a lot of the conversations happening have added a level of confusion and complexity in their ministry that doesn't need to be there.So this week on the podcast, we're breaking down engagement into 4 questions for you to consider and giving you some "permission" to measure engagement a little more organically, especially if you're in a small or mid-size church.Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

As we all know, the conversations surrounding COVID-19 are constantly changing. This past week, many of the conversations online have shifted towards developing a strategy for reopening our buildings, with many smaller churches seeing that as a possibility in the (fairly) near future.As Karl Vaters shared a couple weeks back on the podcast, the season that's ahead will look different for every church based on their local orders and their specific context.For Episode 35, Austin and Dale take some time to talk through some of what we're seeing from churches and walk through 6 principles for leaders to consider as they develop their strategy and plan for eventually reopening. Our great fear is that as churches see the "light" of returning, the comfort of getting closer to normal will overtake the progress that could be made during this time.Take a listen!Support the show

We're really grateful to be sharing today's conversation with Dale's good friend Clayton King, long-time ministry leader, a gifted evangelist, and part of the team at Newspring Church. We got to record this conversation before everything hit with COVID-19, and we've been sitting on it for a little while, so we're glad we're finally sharing it today.Clayton is the real deal. He loves Jesus with all His heart. He loves the Church with all his heart. And he practices everything he preaches. You'll quickly find that he's a straight-shooter with some very honest responses throughout this conversation. And we truly believe that what we cover today is so important for the Church today.So I hope you enjoy this episode. Austin recently said, "I have never heard two people talk that fast!" And it's true: You probably don't want to speed it up -- Dale and Clayton do talk fast!Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

It is always so special to us to have conversations with others who have a passion, understanding, and care for small churches. Karl Vaters checks all of those boxes. Our conversations with him are some of our favorites, and this one is no different!For Episode 33 of the podcast, we have Karl back on the show to talk about his own experiences in crisis leadership, how he's currently helping churches adapt to and recover from COVID-19, the importance of team leadership during this time, and a whole lot more. And, of course, there are quite a few laughs, and a mention of Karl's late cat, Darth.Some great wisdom and support in this episode!Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

"I wish someone would have told me that I was entering cross-cultural ministry..."This week on the podcast we have such a great conversation with Ron Klassen, Executive Director of Rural Home Missionary Association, an organization that exists to plant and strengthen churches in small-town America.We spend a few minutes upfront talking about some great things we've seen from churches during COVID-19, but we spend most of the time simply hearing Ron's heart and experience serving in and supporting churches in rural contexts. He has so much to share and, whether you minister in a rural community or not, there are tons of great takeaways in this episode!Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

Our defaults have been taken away. The normalcy or tradition we rely on has been removed. So how should we respond?Dale and Austin share some honest thoughts (and a little bit of preachin') about your role during this crisis, what our Easter efforts should focus on this year, and some reminders about the opportunities you have during this season of ministry. And we walk through 4 important reminders for you to consider, no matter if you're planning an online service, a casual Facebook Live video, sharing premade content, or anything else.We're cheering you on during this season! We continue to be encouraged by the efforts we see churches taking to minister to their community right now. And we hope this episode is an encouragement to you!Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

Today's episode, sponsored by Twitter (just kidding), is a really fun one. We got to have Jeanette Yates, Communications Manager at Text in Church, on the podcast to talk through guest experience, guest follow-up, volunteer training, and how the team at Text in Church is supporting churches during COVID-19.Jeanette is such an encouragement! And her insights are so valuable in thinking through how we can be intentional in engaging our community during this season of ministry and in the weeks ahead.Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

This was originally a Facebook Live we hosted with our friend in ministry, Kem Meyer. If you'd prefer to watch the conversation, you can click here. One pastor commented and said, "This is the single most helpful post/video I have seen yet for the small and struggling churches." Great wisdom from Kem -- worth a listen!Our team has been focusing this past week on providing as many resources as we can for you to lead your ministry effectively and intentionally through COVID-19. So today we wanted to share a conversation with one of our ministry partners, Kem Meyer. She is the Founder of Less Chaos. Less Noise., is an incredibly strategic thinker, and has a huge heart to resource the Church.In this conversation, we talk through the changes COVID-19 has brought, how our ministries should (and shouldn't) be responding, what Kem is seeing, and some encouragement for how to move forward intentionally.Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

It's a crazy season in ministry, to say the least. A lot of changes have happened really quickly and it's left a lot of churches scrambling to piece ministry together. However, where we go from here is crucial as ministry leaders.This is not a time to shrink back, fight back against, or ignore. It is a time for us to put all our methods on the table and figure out how we leverage the shifts in our world to reach our community. This is not a time for us to "wait it out" or remain insider-focused, but instead is such a clear opportunity for the Church to make a meaningful and lasting difference in our local communities.So today on the podcast, Dale and Austin have an encouraging, honest, and hope-filled conversation as we all navigate COVID-19. We hope it is a support for you today!Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

We are so excited to be sharing today's episode of the podcast. Lance wrote a book called Replenish and it is one of Dale's personal favorite books for ministry leaders. So the fact that we got to have Lance on the podcast is really special to us!Lance Witt was a Senior Pastor for over 20 years, worked at Saddleback Church for a while, wrote 2 books (Replenish and High Impact Teams) and has since started Replenish Ministries and is a consultant with our friends at The Unstuck Group.We talk about such good stuff in this episode around balance, burnout, calling, and learning to pay attention to what's going on inside our own soul. Lance has such a huge heart for the Church and some powerful, honest thoughts for ministry leaders. A really great conversation!Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

We recently helped a church we're connected with in New York structure a capital campaign for a new building. They had reached out to an organization that wanted to charge them $30,000 upfront to (hopefully) raise $200,000. And we didn't think that was realistic, honest, or wise for their smaller church.So today we're excited to share our conversation with Mike Stadelmayer, VP of Church Growth Services, an organization that helps with capital campaigns and has a 100% success rate of churches who get the "green light" to raise funds. What drew us to them is that a majority of their business is done in small churches.Mike has such a great heart for local churches and we loved talking about his years as a bivocational pastor, the most common issues they see in capital campaigns, and some practical suggestions for churches who are considering walking through a campaign. This was a great conversation and we believe this episode is a great resource for churches!Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

This week on the podcast, we got to have another special conversation. We recently connected with Roy Yanke, Executive Director of PIR Ministries, an incredible ministry that partners in pastoral restoration and renewal.We wanted to have Roy on the podcast simply to share about the work they're doing. But when he honestly shared his story while we were talking, the work they do took on even a deeper a level of meaning. Roy truly has a powerful story of literally walking from bank robber to pastoral blessing that I believe will be powerful for you to hear.For Episode 25, we're excited to be sharing this conversation. Roy has such a heart for church leaders and a huge amount of wisdom to share.Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

Today is another one of our favorite conversations we've had with a new friend in ministry. We got to talk with Dave Jacobs, founder of Small Church Pastor, author, and coach for church leaders.We talked about how he first became a Senior Pastor at the age of 21, his journey through burnout, how to avoid becoming cynical or jaded, the consistent things he hears from the pastors he's coaching, leading change, and a whole lot more.Plus, we got to hear about how he's never ridden a horse (and a bonus Yoda impression at the end of the episode). This is an episode we both loved hosting and listening back to, and it's one you don't want to miss!Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

As you may have seen on our social media, I was recently down in Honduras to work with local pastors there. It was a really incredible time and I was brought in by my friend Joseph Bennett. So I figured I'd record a podcast episode when I was down there with Joseph and his wife Rebecca while I was staying with them!I believe the raw emotions of what they are dealing with each day will strike a chord with many of the church leaders who listen to our podcast.So for Episode 23 of the podcast, I'm LIVE from Honduras talking with Joseph & Rebecca about what it's like ministering in Honduras, their biggest challenges in marriage as missionaries, the difficulties of moving their family into a new culture, and more. This really is an honest conversation that you don't want to miss -- I believe it will encourage you and inspire you to hear about what others are doing to spread the name of Jesus!Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

Our team often has the chance to connect with churches who are just knocking it out of the park with how they're reaching their community, focusing on their mission, and staying focused on where they're headed rather than where they've been.This week on the podcast, we're talking with a pastor of one of those churches. Mark Pritchard is the Lead Pastor at Church at the Gates in Missoula, MT, a church Dale personally had the opportunity to work with a couple years back. They went through a planning process with The Unstuck Group, similar to what we do in VisionDay, and came out with some incredible clarity and unity for where they're headed as a ministry.We had a ton of fun on this episode (Austin's question of the day was the most random one yet) and we loved hearing about the ministry Church at the Gates is doing today and how Mark has grown in his leadership. It's a good one!Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

Our good friend, Lee Button, who is from the UK (although we learned his favorite sport is American football) and is Founder of Thinking Church and a consultant with The Unstuck Group, was recently staying with Dale for a couple days. While he was there, we figured we should record a podcast episode with him!So for Episode 21 of the podcast, we were grateful to be able to talk with Lee about what he's seeing in churches over in the UK, how we all can reshape our ministries to better reach people in our community, how they've done ministry in a context where people are suspicious of the Church, and the list goes on.Lee has so much wisdom to share with an incredibly thoughtful and strategic approach to ministry. It was fun to hear his thoughts because Lee was sharing a lot of similar things to what we say about ministry. Give it a listen!Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Or want to find out how to access the bonus conversation w/ Lee? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

Foster care is something that many churches are aware of. But a lot of us simply aren't sure what practical steps our ministries can take to help.On Episode 20 of the podcast, we were grateful to connect with Jami Kaeb, Director of The Forgotten Initiative, a faith-based organization that exists to help people support the foster care community through awareness, encouragement, and advocacy.We loved having this conversation. Jami is a great leader and she has so much practical wisdom to share when it comes to supporting the foster care community. This conversation is one that dives into some mistakes churches make when they approach missional opportunities like this, practical ways to get involved, and some of Jami's heart for church leaders. It's absolutely worth the listen!Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

There are a good number of things that should be on our radar as church leaders that simply aren't in the week-to-week of ministry. Law issues definitely fall in that category for most of us. However, this is an area we have to be proactive in rather than reactive.For Episode 19, we're grateful to be sharing a conversation with Steven Goodspeed from The Church Lawyers, a full-service law firm that looks to provide outstanding and practical legal services to churches, ministries, and nonprofits of all sizes. We've had the opportunity to get to know them over the past couple years and are so grateful for their heart for local churches.Steven comes at this topic with such practicality and heart, and I hope it's a great conversation-starter for many of our teams. It's definitely worth a listen!Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

It's the start of a new decade! We pray you are expectant for what this year holds for your ministry. To start the year off, we are sharing a conversation about a topic we're passionate about around here: The dynamics between older and younger generations.This is an issue that we don't often see intentionally addressed in churches. But the reality is that strategically investing in younger generations is the foundation for the future of every one of our ministries.Join us for this honest conversation as we walk through why we believe this is a pressing issue, respond to some of Carey Nieuwhof's recent research, share how I (a 57-year-old) and Austin (a 23-year-old) work together effectively, and also respond to some questions we received from members of our network about this topic.Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

Thank you so much to all of you who have supported us as we launched The 95 Podcast this year! This week, we're sharing our final episode of 2019 and the conclusion of our series of interviewing people who are ministering in northeast America.For Episode 17, we're excited to be sharing a conversation with Kim Richardson and Jarrod Spalding, who lead Vision Partners, an organization dedicated to helping churches clarify their future. They found us online about a year ago and we've enjoyed getting to know them this past year.Both Jarrod and Kim have a great heart for local churches and are doing some great work to help churches stay accountable to their vision. There's some great takeaways in this conversation and we're excited to be sharing it!Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

This week we're continuing our (accidental) series on the podcast where we interview leaders who are ministering in northeast America!We are so excited to have Tim Ponzani, District Executive Minister of Converge Northeast, on Episode 16 of The 95 Podcast. We've had the opportunity to get connected with the Converge Network over the years and loved recently meeting Tim at a couple of our one-day events in Connecticut and Massachusetts.Tim is an incredible leader and has such a strong ability to articulate the culture of ministry in the northeast. On the episode, we enjoyed hearing about the work Converge is doing in the northeast along with his vision for the Church in that area. Tim's responses were incredibly thoughtful and we're excited to be sharing this conversation!Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

This past week, I had the opportunity to lead a one-day event for pastors in the Dominican Republic. This was such a powerful experience and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to meet some incredible leaders who are doing some great work throughout this country.We wanted to make sure we captured a conversation for the podcast while I was here. So I'm very excited to be sharing a conversation between myself, Victor Medina, Michael Moore, and Erick Suarez for Episode 15 of The 95 Podcast.This is probably the most honest and straightforward conversation we've had on the podcast. I'm really excited to share it, and I hope that you'll take some time to listen:Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.Support the show

Every church leader experiences seasons of insecurity. Fluctuating attendance, inconsistent weekly giving, staff issues, board members with agendas, and comparison to other “successful” ministries in our region all feed the notion that we're not good enough to lead our church.These seasons are sure to occur at various points in our leadership, but how we walk through them determines what lies ahead for our life and the church we lead.Join us this week on the podcast as we walk through 7 questions to ask during seasons where we're not sure if we should continue on in ministry:Want to take a look at some conversation takeaways and see any resources mentioned during the conversation? Check out this episode's show notes.And finally, click here to download the freebie mentioned called 6 Things Every Small-Church Pastor Needs to Hear.Support the show

"We're a small church, so we don't have time to improve."On a recent phone call with a pastor, this is a statement we heard.And we regularly hear a lot of pastors of smaller churches express similar sentiments as they feel like the day-to-day of ministry dominates their schedule. But here's the reality: If you feel like you don't have enough time for what's most important, it's not because of your church's size. It's because of your church's structure. Join our team this week on the podcast for a conversation on 5 reasons churches get to a place in ministry where they can honestly say, "We don't have time to improve."Check out this episode's show notes.Austin's Social Media Game: We want to get to know you better! We're starting a new tradition this week at the start of our episodes of answering one random question. But we need your participation: So this week, send us your answer (on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn) to the questions, "If you had to get rid of one fast food restaurant because it's the worst, what would you choose? And if you had to get rid of all fast food restaurants except for one because it's the best, which one would you choose?"Support the show