Church Tips – Growth Strategies for Pastors & Ministry Leaders

Hosted by Leaders.Church

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Episodes

157

Latest episode

Nov 2025

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EN-US

About the show

Church Tips is the daily show designed to give ministry leaders and pastors practical ideas and strategies they can use to get better, break barriers, and grow the church. Hosted by Dick Hardy and Jonathan Hardy, Co-founders of Leaders.Church.

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60 recent

November 19, 2025Episode 14927 min

EP 149 - How to Get Your Church’s December Guests Back in January, with Ryan Wakefield

Church Fuel CEO, Ryan Wakefield, and Leaders.Church Co-Founder, Dick Hardy, dialogue on what pastors and church leaders should focus on as they head into the holidays. Their major focus is not only on Christmas invites but even MORE on getting those December guests to return for whatever you have planned for January. Ryan is also giving away three high-value Church Fuel resources to any podcast viewer or listener who wants them. This is one of the best podcasts we’ve ever done with a theme of how we can make heaven more crowded.Show Notes: https://leaders.church/podcast/ep-149-getting-December-guests-back-in-JanuaryStart a free Test Drive with Church Fuel to get access to the New Beginning Kit: https://churchfuel.com/driveGet help with planning Christmas with our Ultimate Christmas Kit:https://churchfuel.com/christmasHere are 10 Ideas to get your people to fill out your Connect Card:https://churchfuel.com/resource/connect-card-tips

October 24, 2025Episode 14718 min

EP 147 - Dealing with Conflict in the Church - Tim Barker

Every church will eventually encounter conflict. It’s a tough but essential challenge for growth and unity. In today’s podcast, we have the privilege of speaking with Pastor Tim Barker, the South Texas Network Superintendent, who oversees more than 300 churches and nearly 1,000 pastors. With decades of experience, he understands how to lead through difficult times and handle conflict in a way that honors God. Pastor Barker shares practical, biblical steps to effectively resolve disputes, remove bitterness, and move forward in unity. Show Notes: https://leaders.church/podcast/ep-147-dealing-with-conflict

October 22, 2025Episode 14812 min

EP 148 - Is Deconstruction in the Church Really the Right Thing to Be Doing? - Bobby Gourley

In this podcast, we talk with Leaders.Church member pastor Bobby Gourley, on the topic of Deconstruction in the Church. This discussion will clarify for many, what is good and what is bad about deconstruction. Pastor Bobby challenges all of us to seek God in the leadership of our churches. In doing so, we need to always separate what has become accepted practice (some good, some not so good) from what Jesus really says in His Gospel.Show Notes: https://leaders.church/podcast/ep-148-deconstruction-in-the-church

September 11, 2025Episode 14618 min

EP 146 - God’s Direction to Lead the Church Through Needed Change - Nichole Schreiber

In this podcast, we talk with Erie, PA lead pastor, Nichole Schreiber, about change. We talk about things that seem simple to us yet are not. You must hear her story of removing a couple of pews in an 80s-style church. Wow! Did that hit the fan! A pastor needs to factor in God’s will in making change, possibly doing changes in seasons, and then really identifying what the desired end result should be. Kudos to Pastor Nichole for a great podcast!Show Notes: https://leaders.church/podcast/ep-146-lead-church-through-change

August 22, 2025Episode 14519 min

EP 145 - How to Prepare Sermons Week-In and Week-Out - Darryl Wootton

In today’s podcast, we speak with denominational leader, Darryl Wootton on the great topic of Sermon Preparation. In the pastorate, we all know Sundays keep coming at us. Darryl talks very openly about the system he used over the years to bring order and structure to his sermon prep time. His family knows it, and his team knows it. In all cases, everything else around his time in leading the church takes a back seat to being ready to step into the pulpit on Sunday morning.Show Notes: https://leaders.church/podcast/ep-145-how-to-prepare-sermonsSermon Starters PDF: https://leaders.church/ss

July 11, 2025Episode 14318 min

EP 143 - Does Community Engagement Really Make a Difference for the Kingdom? - Walter Harvey

Join us today in conversation with Wisconsin pastor Walter Harvey. The Lord has led Pastor Walter to unleash the Big C church from the small c church. And in doing so, their church has seen community transformation and engagement. We clearly understand that Sundays keep coming at us every week. We know of our need to care for the Body. This podcast helps us broaden our perspective of “who is our neighbor?” and see community and life change! Show Notes: https://leaders.church/podcast/ep-143-difference-community-engagement-makes

June 6, 2025Episode 14429 min

EP 144 - Lionhearted - David Lindell & Brandon Lindell

Authors David Lindell and Brandon Lindell sit down with Leaders.Church Co-Founder, Dick Hardy to talk about the genesis of their newly released book, Lionhearted: A Man's Guide to Living Focused, Fulfilled & Fearless. They talk about what it means to live a life as a full devoted man of God, modeling what God intended in His creation of the male of the species. They pull no punches in this interview about their potentially game-changing book for men.Show Notes: https://leaders.church/podcast/ep-144-lionhearted/Lionhearted Leader Resources - https://lionhearted.com/leader-resources/

May 22, 2025Episode 14214 min

EP 142 - Staffing in the Local Church - John Daugherty

In today’s episode, we talk with Pastor John Dougherty as he gives guidance to 190 churches, their pastors, and constituencies in Georgia. He encourages pastors to be open to how the Lord might be working on the heart of a volunteer to think of going into ministry. We can facilitate that when we build farm teams of leading volunteers who could begin to be considered to fill ministry positions in the church as those might materialize. Show Notes: https://leaders.church/podcast/ep-142-staffing-in-the-local-church/

April 18, 2025Episode 14119 min

EP 141 - Using the Entirety of the Church’s Building to Build Engagement in the Church - Josh Dominguez

In this episode, we talk with Refresh LED Founder, Josh Dominquez, about the uses for LED walls in churches of all sizes. His intent is to help draw people to greater engagement in the church. He uses the term “Digital Legos”. Josh references that LED walls are all designed to augment the movement of the Holy Spirit in the church. To the pastor, “Your whole building is an opportunity to reach people. It is not just the auditorium." Show Notes: https://leaders.church/podcast/ep-141-build-church-engagement/How to Utilize Visuals to Increase Engagement: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G6JNuFvjkVK2zun0_0SnMsAace_hnb6Z/view

April 4, 2025Episode 14019 min

EP 140 - Isolation in the Pastorate - Gene Roncone

Join us as we spend time in conversation with denominational executive Gene Roncone, who leads 160 churches, 525 ministers, and 44,000 constituents in Colorado and Utah. He discusses a crisis need among pastors and that is their isolation from others, including other pastors. Pastor Gene uses the phrase that “too many pastors are locking the door from the inside” when they most desperately need others to help them live whole and healthy ministry lives. Show Notes: https://leaders.church/podcast/ep-140-isolation-in-the-pastorate/Counseling Resources:Emerge Ministries: https://emerge.org/Mental Health Support: https://a.co/d/7SADgGx