Podcasts about missional

In this podcast episode, Anthony Delaney interviews Scott Brennan, a church leader and spiritual mentor, discussing the importance of missional spirituality, the legacy of Aidan and Hilda, and the need for authentic leadership in the church. They explore the significance of personal spiritual health, the integration of prayer rhythms, and the metrics of success in church leadership. Scott emphasizes the importance of modeling an authentic Christ-centered life and the need for frameworks that support spiritual growth, while also addressing the challenges of modern church dynamics.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 01:51 Exploring Aidan and Hilda's Legacy 05:57 Missional Spirituality and Personal Growth 09:06 Rhythms of Prayer and Spiritual Practices 10:49 Metaphors of Gardening and Spiritual Health 14:15 The Impact of Busyness and Technology 17:33 Metrics of Success in Leadership 21:18 The Depth of Spirituality vs. Church Growth 25:21 Integrating Spiritual Practices in Modern Life 28:24 Authenticity in Leadership and Community 33:01 Frameworks for Spiritual Growth 37:30 Resources for Celtic Spirituality and Practices

In this episode with have a conversation with Larry McCrary, missionary and founder of The Upstream Collective. Larry and the Upstream team train marketplace missionaries to go abroad and engage their context through their vocation. They partner with churches to send well and support people during their time overseas. Larry shares a helpful tool for assessing the unique rhythms of your neighborhood or missional context and identifying the best times to build relationships and connect with people on a deeper level. If you want to learn more about The Upstream Collective, visit https://www.theupstreamcollective.org/. 

To support this ministry and help us continue to transform lives around the world, please visit: http://bit.ly/2RHdunnYou're listening to Dr. Shawn Smith, a guest pastor at Harvest Intercontinental Church-Olney, MD. Learn more about Harvesters Olney at www.harvestersolney.org

This week Pastor Joshua Harris from Every Nation Singapore delivers our message on the themes of mission, intergenerational living, and community. The Bible describes God's command for people to be fruitful, multiply, and rule over the earth through cultivation and protection. However sin caused division and wandering, but God, as the hero, restores what was broken through Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate rescuer and is the bridge for reconciliation with God and with one another. We can be encouraged to live a life of significance by becoming a "bridge" for the next generation, investing in their destiny, and allowing the Holy Spirit to bring about genuine unity.  After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying: “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. - Joshua 1:1-2 (NKJV)

By God's grace, Coram Deo Church celebrates 20 years of gospel ministry this month. As we praise God for His faithfulness and look forward to what lies ahead, we welcome guest preacher Scotty Smith to preach about the transforming love of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Julie Hawkins

24th August 2025 | Guest Preacher: Stephen Lott | Beginnings: Acts - Living With A Missional Mindset | PM

The headlines about the church in America often focus on decline—but that's not the whole story. The numbers have steadied from the post-COVID freefall, and in many places, congregations are seeing attendance and engagement rebound. But here's the real question: Are we satisfied that the decline has slowed, or are we ready to measure how much we're actually gaining?In this episode, Ken and Kris unpack the latest national and denominational data on church attendance, evangelism, and spiritual openness. They explain why the problem isn't that “the church isn't working,” but that most churches are running on a single, attractional gear—while Jesus modeled a balanced missional ecosystem that includes corporate gatherings, mid-sized communities, micro-disciple-making ecosystems (XGroups), and everyday missionary living.You'll hear:The most recent national statistics on attendance, growth, and evangelismWhy spiritual openness is rising even as personal evangelism conviction has dropped.How small group and micro-ecosystem engagement can turn stability into multiplication.Practical steps for reorienting your church to the Jesus paradigm of mission.This conversation will challenge your metrics, encourage your heart, and help you imagine what's possible when the church moves beyond measuring “less loss” to pursuing missional success.

Jesus didn't just preach to crowds—He built a whole missional ecosystem. In this episode, we unpack how His model moved fluidly from the multitudes to meals in homes, from the 70 He sent out to the 12 He discipled closely, all the way down to one-on-one encounters.Discover how crowds, communities, small groups, and personal engagement each play a vital role in Kingdom mission—and why we need the whole transmission, not just one gear.

Church revitalization doesn't start with a new vision statement—it starts with discerning where God is already at work. In this episode, pastor and missional strategist Josh Hayden invites us into a thoughtful, long-term approach to renewing the local church, one rooted not in quick fixes or top-down programs, but in humility, discernment, and faithful presence.Josh introduces the idea of “remissioning church”—not just reorganizing, but reorienting the church around the mission of God in the local community. He shares how ministry leaders can shift from ownership to stewardship, learning to hold their influence loosely and listen deeply to both the Spirit and the people they're called to serve.Together, we explore:What it means to steward—not control—your church's community impactHow to join God's work already unfolding in your neighborhoodWhy real revitalization takes time, patience, and pastoral courageHow remissioning can bring clarity, direction, and renewed joy to ministry leadersPractical encouragement for those leading change in slow, faithful waysIf your heart longs to see your church renewed from the inside out—not by chasing trends but by aligning with God's mission—this conversation will offer both hope and a grounded path forward.Dig deeper into this conversation: Find the free Weekly Toolkit, including the Ministry Leaders Growth Guide, all resource links, and more, at http://PastorServe.org/networkSome key takeaways from this conversation:Josh Hayden on the importance of aligning our lives with God's mission and recognizing that we are partners, not the originators, of His work: "It's God's mission, and we're simply joining in."Josh Hayden on the significance of viewing change as an essential part of discipleship and spiritual formation: "The change process is a discipleship process."Josh Hayden on the importance of leaders modeling belief in change so their churches can have the faith to follow: "If leaders don't believe their churches can change, it's going to be really hard for their churches to believe it, too."----------------Looking to dig more deeply into this topic and conversation? FrontStage BackStage is much more than another church leadership show, it is a complete resource to help you and your ministry leaders grow. Every week we go the extra mile and create a free toolkit so you and your ministry team can dive deeper into the topic that is discussed.Visit http://PastorServe.org/network to find the Weekly Toolkit, including the Ministry Leaders Growth Guide. Our team pulls key insights and quotes from every conversation with our guests. We also create engaging questions for you and your team to consider and process, providing space for you to reflect on how each episode's topic relates to your unique church context. Use these questions in your staff meetings, or other settings, to guide your conversation as you invest in the growth of your ministry leaders. Love well, live well, & lead well Complimentary Coaching Session for Pastors http://PastorServe.org/freesession Follow PastorServe LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | FacebookConnect with Jason Daye LinkedIn | Instagram...

The final part in our series focuses on Missional Formation - seeing ourselves as ones sent, on mission for Christ is a key part of our formation into full, complete mature Christians.  Text: Matthew 28.18--20 Teacher: Eric Williams

In this sermon, preached by one of Coram Deo's church planting partners, Dave Comeau, we explore what it means to follow examples who know where they are going and who also know where they belong.To be human is to seek to imitate and follow someone. Human beings are creatures who gravitate toward the examples of others, whether for good or for ill.

August 17, 2025 | Brandon Sams Continues The Series Summer In The Psalms!

Jesus said, Matthew 5:13 (NKJV) “You ARE the SALT of the earth…” In part 2, pastor Alexander will identify the Characteristics of Salt that are to be evidenced in our life as being the Salt of the Earth!

Jesus said, Matthew 5:13 (NKJV) “You ARE the SALT of the earth…” In part 2, pastor Alexander will identify the Characteristics of Salt that are to be evidenced in our life as being the Salt of the Earth!

Jesus said, Matthew 5:13 (NKJV) “You ARE the SALT of the earth…” In part 2, pastor Alexander will identify the Characteristics of Salt that are to be evidenced in our life as being the Salt of the Earth!

Pastor Rachel White

In this sermon honoring Coram Deo's 20th birthday, Pastor Bob unpacks three aspects of a coram deo approach to gospel ministry.In 2 Corinthians 4, the Apostle Paul describes his conviction that gospel ministry is to be done "in the sight of God." This verse was one of the foundational texts behind the name of Coram Deo Church.

One day, Carley's husband asked if she was open to going to Africa. “How long?” she asks. “Maybe, for good?” he replies. So began a modern adventure in living a truly missional life in the 21st Century. But what does that really look like? And “How?” And “Why?”. We'll get into all that in this […]

Send me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!What do you do when the tried-and-true ways of doing church just aren't working anymore? When everything you once relied on—Sunday services, eye-catching signage, the best coffee in the foyer—still leaves your church feeling disconnected from your community?In this episode, Shannon Kiser, author of Opening Space: A Vision for Fresh Expressions of Church and Creative Mission, shares about what “fresh expressions” of church means, why the old attractional models are no longer enough, and how ministry leaders can begin to reimagine church for a spiritually curious but institutionally wary world.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Markus Watson shares statistics that reveal most American churches are plateaued or declining, and the majority of major denominations are aging.Shannon Kiser urges church leaders to rethink how they engage with a spiritually curious culture that may be wary of traditional church settings.Many people possess spiritual curiosity even if they are hesitant or unwilling to attend church gatherings.Markus Watson describes how even the physical space of a church building can feel intimidating and unfamiliar to outsiders.Shannon Kiser explains that Fresh Expressions seeks to equip leaders to start new forms of Christian community tailored to their local context.Fresh Expressions focuses on innovative gatherings—like dinner churches, hiking groups, or park meetups—rather than just worship services.Markus Watson asks Shannon Kiser to define Fresh Expressions and how they originated from creative responses to declining church attendance in the UK.Shannon Kiser describes Fresh Expressions as new forms of church that often look very different from traditional Sunday morning gatherings.Healthy churches should diversify their ministry approaches and embrace what Shannon Kiser calls a "blended ecology."Focusing solely on Sunday attendance and budgets is unlikely to reverse church decline.Markus Watson highlights the impact stories from the church's outreach—such as coffee shops and lunch ministries—can have on the congregation's spiritual vitality.Congregations can raise their spiritual temperature and feel more alive by engaging in mission outside their traditional gatherings.Shannon Kiser recommends listening to the community and beginning with simple, small experiments that fit the church's context and resources.Forming Fresh Expressions requires different types of people: pioneers who connect and lead, permission givers who open doors, and supporters who help behind the scenes.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Fresh Expressions websiteBooks mentioned:Opening Space, by Shannon KiserRelated episodes:177. Exploring New Forms of Church, with Shannon Kiser264. Building a Future-Focused church, with Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, and Raymond Chang272. Beyond Church Revitalization, with Josh HaydenGet Becoming Leaders of Shalom for free HERE.Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

One day, Carley's husband asked if she was open to going to Africa. “How long?” she asks. “Maybe, for good?” he replies. So began a modern adventure in living a truly missional life in the 21st Century. But what does that really look like? And “How?” And “Why?”. We'll get into all that in this […]

In this episode, Brian takes us into a deep dive into the true significance of God's victory at the Red Sea. It is a transformational event that frees Israel from two primordial fears: uncreation and death so that God's people can embody missional holiness for the sake of the world. Let me know what you think. Brian Russell's Books  Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3uuWCoQ  Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God's Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ  (Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9  Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/  Join Brian's Monthly free centering prayer update and gathering: www.centeringprayerbook.com  Connecting with Brian:  Website: www.brianrussellphd.com  Twitter: @briandrussell  Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife  Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group?  Email: brian@brianrussellphd.com  Links to Amazon are Affiliate links.  If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a tiny percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

One day, Carley's husband asked if she was open to going to Africa. “How long?” she asks. “Maybe, for good?” he replies. So began a modern adventure in living a truly missional life in the 21st Century. But what does that really look like? And “How?” And “Why?”. We'll get into all that in this […]

In this sermon, we explore what it looks like to bring feelings of doubt and despair before God.Every human being goes through seasons of doubt. But what do we do in those moments? Psalm 74 describes a time in Israel's history when it seemed God had abandoned his people. Series Description: The Psalms are the song book of God's people, and each summer we mine their riches. Their imagery, poetry, and theology invite us to deeper worship of God and remind us of his unchanging character.

Above All What if the most important words Jesus ever said… weren't just meant to be remembered—but lived? In this bold kickoff to our new series Last Words, Pastor John Hill unpacks Jesus' final instructions before returning to the Father—challenging every believer to stop watching the skies and start walking into the mission. This message reveals the first of five essential MARCS of a faithful disciple: M = Missional. You'll learn: What it really means to “Go and make disciples” Why the gospel is more than a message—it's a movement How to bring the Kingdom of God into everyday places: where you live, work, and play What the Good Samaritan story teaches us about Kingdom eyes and Kingdom action Don't settle for church attendance. Don't settle for spiritual comfort. It's time to LIVE SENT and take Jesus where people need Him most. Like. Share. Comment below: What's one way YOU will bring the Kingdom to someone this week? Take your next step at: sunrisechurch.org or text NEXT to 909.281.7797 Subscribe & turn on notifications for the full Last Words series! - NEXT STEPS  Looking to take your next step?  We want to help! Text the word NEXT to 909-281-7797 or visit sunrisechurch.org/nextsteps. - GIVE TO SUNRISE CHURCH Imagine what God can do through our giving. You can give today at sunrisechurch.org/give  - FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunriseChurchCA  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunrisechurchca  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/SunriseChurch

Acts 13:1-4

In this sermon, we follow the Psalmist's own journey to resolve his spiritual doubts and questions as he navigates a world that often seems unfair and unjust.Every human being longs for the right kind of leadership and rule. When we experience good leadership, we want to follow. When we experience poor leadership, we lament and seek other guidance. Series Description: The Psalms are the song book of God's people, and each summer we mine their riches. Their imagery, poetry, and theology invite us to deeper worship of God and remind us of his unchanging character.

In this week's Summer at Grace devotional, we're tackling a subtle lie many of us fall into: that summer is a season to pause our purpose. ☀️But here's the truth—God doesn't take a summer vacation. The Gospel is still good news in July, and the fields are still ripe for harvest.

This week on the Church in Action, our series on making disciples continues as we talk about how you can raise up and empower everyday followers of Jesus to live on mission in their everyday lives. Guest host, Gina Mueller, Vision New England's Disciple Making Catalyst, talks with Pastor Justin Barney, lead pastor of River Valley Church in Wapole, NH.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visionnewenglandFacebook: https://facebook.com/visionnewengland  Website: https://www.visionnewengland.orgTo learn more about River Valley Church, click below!https://www.rivervalleychurch.com/

In this sermon, we explore the reality that we all want a king who exercises dominion, brings prosperity, and delivers his people.Every human being longs for the right kind of leadership and rule. When we experience good leadership, we want to follow. When we experience poor leadership, we lament and seek other guidance. Series Description: The Psalms are the song book of God's people, and each summer we mine their riches. Their imagery, poetry, and theology invite us to deeper worship of God and remind us of his unchanging character.

As the early church continued to grow, more and more people outside of the Jewish community began to follow Jesus. This created questions regarding the relevance of the law for the Jesus community.In Acts 11, the leaders of the church are wrestling with some of these questions when Peter shares a vision that he received from God. The vision revealed that though the law was a good thing, it was not the ultimate thing. The law was given to God's people so that they could understand and reflect God's heart. It was not just a list of rules to follow. It was a gift that revealed the will of God for their lives and their community. As they navigate this new era of the family of God, the leaders of the church need to make the difficult decision to follow the heart of God as displayed in the person of Jesus, even if it means breaking their old laws and customs.

Spiritual formation is the process of being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others. Disciplines create the space for that formation to happen in and through us as we encounter the presence and power of God.Our All-Family Gatherings begin with a short workshop or story on missional living and/or microchurches. This week, we continue our series of workshops on spiritual formation and disciplines with a conversation around confession.

In this sermon, we unpack what it means to be a people of hope. God's word gives us timely hope for various stages of life, culminating in the timeless hope of the resurrection.Some sort of hope drives every human being. It's core to our humanity. But is your hope strong enough to anchor you through all the seasons of life? Series Description: The Psalms are the song book of God's people, and each summer we mine their riches. Their imagery, poetry, and theology invite us to deeper worship of God and remind us of his unchanging character.

Worship is one of the primary ways that the Kingdom of God advances in the world. We will examine Acts 16:16-40 as a case study in how the Kingdom of God advances through the power of worship. Worship advances the Kingdom of God by declaring that Jesus is beautiful, breaking the chains on our hearts that prevent us from loving other people, and by dethroning the territorial spirits and beasts of our world.

In this sermon, we explore the gift of desperation and how it can lead us into deeper intimacy and worship of God.As the saying goes, “desperate times call for desperate measures.” To be human is to experience moments of desperation. But in those moments, what do we do and where do we turn? Series Description: The Psalms are the song book of God's people, and each summer we mine their riches. Their imagery, poetry, and theology invite us to deeper worship of God and remind us of his unchanging character.

Mourn your sin. Dance in grace. Join the community. Be sent in love. This is how you cultivate a lasting, passionate heart for God's mission.

View the worship guide for this sermon here:https://calvaryga.com/who-is-jesus-week-24/

Send me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!In a post-pandemic world, what does it really mean to be a “small,” “mid-sized,” or even “very large” church? Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger explore Thom Rainer's recommendations to recategorize church size, reflect on the unique strengths and challenges of congregations of all sizes, and examine why church health and faithfulness matter more than impressive attendance numbers. Whether you're a pastor, church leader, or simply curious about the evolving landscape of church leadership, this episode challenges us to rethink our assumptions—and reminds us that fruitful ministry comes in every size.Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss this article by Thom Rainer: "The New Very Large Church."THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Church leaders reframe success by focusing on fruitfulness rather than congregation size.Pastors adapt their leadership style to match the unique needs of different-sized churches.Post-pandemic, churches redefine size categories to reflect new attendance realities.Faithful, missionally active congregations thrive regardless of their numerical growth.Discernment and subtraction become vital leadership skills when resources decrease.Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

In this sermon, we explore some of the hindrances to resilience, and how the gospel of Jesus Christ empowers us for a life of resilience.If you're going to live a meaningful life, you need to cultivate resilience. But it's a quality that's elusive and increasingly rare in today's society. Loneliness and opposition can be major hindrances to a resilient life. Series Description: The Psalms are the song book of God's people, and each summer we mine their riches. Their imagery, poetry, and theology invite us to deeper worship of God and remind us of his unchanging character.

Remembering What God Has Done Fuels Hope In What God Will Do When We Live On Mission For Him

In this sermon, we explore how God's work in the past anchors God's people in the present.Every one of us is story-formed. We are shaped by what happens to us and by how we respond. But if we dwell only on our own stories, we can become self-focused and self-absorbed. Psalm 68 shows us the way out: we need a bigger story. The biblical writers ground us in God's story, showing how the narrative of redemption is more ancient, more familial, and more empowering than the alternatives. Series Description: The Psalms are the song book of God's people, and each summer we mine their riches. Their imagery, poetry, and theology invite us to deeper worship of God and remind us of his unchanging character.

In Acts 9, we read about the radical transformation of Paul after his encounter with Jesus. He goes from being a ruthless persecutor of early Church to being persecuted for declaring that Jesus is the resurrected Son of God. What we learn through Paul's transformation is that we can think we are following God's will but be completely missing what he is actually doing. We need to see the world with His eyes. We can only gain this new way of seeing the world through a personal encounter with the gracious love and presence Jesus.