Healthy Creative Ministry

Hosted by Matt Curtis

Management Religion Spirituality Christianity Arts

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Episodes

102

Latest episode

Mar 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Lunchtime Heroes is on a quest to help your church build a healthy creative ministry. The Healthy Creative Ministry podcast will help you learn what it takes to bridge the gap between a creative mindset and a ministry mindset, navigate common tensions creative ministries face, and build a creative ministry that won't burn you out. If you believe having a healthy creative ministry is possible, this podcast will help you get there.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

March 16, 2026Episode 10231 min

3 ways to end the chaos in church communications

What’s your question about communications?If you've ever felt like you're running from one last-minute project to the next, you're not alone. Church communications is genuinely chaotic for a lot of teams. In this episode, I'm sharing three practical things you can do to change that.But first, I want to be upfront about something: these aren't problems you can solve on your own. I know that's not what some of you want to hear, but I tried the solo approach for years and it just leads to frustration and burnout. These solutions require leadership buy-in.The 3 Systems That Reduce Chaos in Healthy Creative Ministry1. A Standard Event Planning TimelineHere's something I realized after a few years in ministry: we do the same events every year. The fall kickoff, the volunteer party, the graduation event… over and over. None of these events should surprise us. Yet almost without fail, they do.When you define how to plan events at your church and put it in a document, every team knows what they need and when they need it. 2. A Standard Promotional PlanA promotional plan answers the question: *what are we promoting over the next 90 days?*Not everything can get the same level of promotion. A promotional plan helps you elevate the events that are most connected to the mission of the church right now.3. A Standard for Event PromotionThis one is different from the promotional plan. The promotional plan answers what gets promoted. The standard for event promotion answers how promotion happens.Instead of reinventing the wheel every time someone asks for help with their event, you build tiered packages. Tier one events get the full treatment. Tier two events get a defined, smaller package. Everyone knows what they're getting before they even ask.A Word to LeadershipIf a creative on your team sent you this episode, I'm glad you're here.Your communications staff needs structure and systems, but they don't always have the authority to implement them on their own. This is an invitation to partner with them.Resources Mentioned- 7 Ways You Need to Grow Your Leadership as a Creative in the Church- Episode 101: Why Is Church Communications So Lonely?- Event Planning Timeline Template- Promotional Plan Case Study: See the case study- Healthy Communications Ministry Blueprint Course- Book: Watch Your Language | (Affiliate link)- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lunchtime Heroes exists to help you build a healthy creative ministry. Here's how:Join the Christian Creative group on SkoolLearn how to bridge the gap between creatives and leadership with the book, Watch Your Language!Get in-the-trenches help for critical seasons with Interim Communications Leadership.

February 23, 2026Episode 122 min

Why is Church Communications so Lonely?

What’s your question about communications?If you've ever felt like nobody quite gets what you do or why it matters in church communications, you're not alone. This is one of the most common challenges creatives face in ministry. Fortunately, it doesn't have to be that way. In this episode, Matt opens up about the three primary contributors to his own experience of loneliness in creative ministry: the constant busyness, the feeling that no one understands how creativity actually works, and the frustration of seeing potential that no one else could see. There is a solution. And no, it's not waiting longer for leadership to fix it. You can build this yourself. Matt sets the stage for the systems-based approach that changed everything for him, including how the right structures can transform your relationships from transactional to genuinely collaborative.Whether you're a solo communicator or leading a creative team, this episode will encourage you and help you take your best next step forward.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lunchtime Heroes exists to help you build a healthy creative ministry. Here's how:Join the Christian Creative group on SkoolLearn how to bridge the gap between creatives and leadership with the book, Watch Your Language!Get in-the-trenches help for critical seasons with Interim Communications Leadership.

August 4, 2025Episode 2024 min

What it means to be a Christian creative

What’s your question about communications?If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to grow as a Christian creative, this episode will give you some clarity.In episode 100 (!), I share why I’m merging my two communities (church staff creatives and freelance creatives) into one: The Christian Creative. After expanding my coaching to include more than creative ministry, I’ve realized that Christian creatives are having the same conversations. The challenges we face aren’t just about our job titles... they’re about the tension between faith and creativity.Here’s what you’ll take away:A new way to see your creativity as a vehicle for spiritual growthWhy your frustrations might come from being a creative, not just your roleHow spiritual and creative development often get separated and what happens when they’re brought back togetherWhat I’m building next, and how you can be part of itIf you’re trying to grow in your craft and your faith but keep running into roadblocks, the Christian creative group is a great next step for you.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lunchtime Heroes exists to help you build a healthy creative ministry. Here's how:Join the Christian Creative group on SkoolLearn how to bridge the gap between creatives and leadership with the book, Watch Your Language!Get in-the-trenches help for critical seasons with Interim Communications Leadership.

February 3, 2025Episode 1920 min

More knowledge, less connection: What this means for your church

What’s your question about communications?The Trend Your Church Can’t IgnoreKnowledge has never been more accessible. With AI, social media, and digital content everywhere, people can find answers in seconds. But despite this, loneliness is at an all-time high.In this episode, I dive into the growing tension between knowledge and community—and why churches have an incredible opportunity if they communicate this well.I also share why I dropped the price of the Healthy Communications Ministry Blueprint and why I’m investing in building a stronger Skool group—because information alone isn’t enough. True transformation happens in community.If your church wants to cut through the noise and meet people where they are, this conversation is for you.Get the Blueprint for $49 this week only: https://www.lunchtimeheroes.co/the-healthy-communications-ministry-blueprintJoin the Skool group: https://www.skool.com/healthy-creative-ministry/about- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lunchtime Heroes exists to help you build a healthy creative ministry. Here's how:Join the Christian Creative group on SkoolLearn how to bridge the gap between creatives and leadership with the book, Watch Your Language!Get in-the-trenches help for critical seasons with Interim Communications Leadership.

January 27, 2025Episode 1825 min

The Four Creative Cores - Skills

What’s your question about communications?How do you adjust your work as ministry seasons shift?This week, we’re diving into the three ministry paces every church creative navigates: deep seasons, fast seasons, and balanced seasons. I’ll share how understanding these rhythms can improve your skills, help you prioritize projects, and avoid frustration when expectations clash with reality.We’ll also explore how to determine when to go deep, when to rely on templates, and how to balance creativity with speed. Tune in to learn how aligning your work with your church’s pace can lead to healthier, more effective creative ministry.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lunchtime Heroes exists to help you build a healthy creative ministry. Here's how:Join the Christian Creative group on SkoolLearn how to bridge the gap between creatives and leadership with the book, Watch Your Language!Get in-the-trenches help for critical seasons with Interim Communications Leadership.

December 30, 2024Episode 1724 min

Thank you for an incredible 2024!

What’s your question about communications?As 2024 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to say thank you! If you or someone you know is thinking about making the jump to freelance in 2025, I’d love your help spreading the word about The Jump Moment Podcast (Apple Podcasts, Spotify), launching January 21. As we head into 2025, I’d love to hear from you: what’s the biggest challenge you’re facing right now? Send me a message and let me know.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lunchtime Heroes exists to help you build a healthy creative ministry. Here's how:Join the Christian Creative group on SkoolLearn how to bridge the gap between creatives and leadership with the book, Watch Your Language!Get in-the-trenches help for critical seasons with Interim Communications Leadership.

December 16, 2024Episode 1622 min

The 7 Types of Rest Every Church Creative Needs This Christmas

What’s your question about communications?As a church creative, I’ve been through my share of Christmas chaos: long hours, last-minute changes, and the overwhelming pressure to get everything done perfectly. But what I’ve learned through seasons like this is that not all rest is created equal.In this episode, I share what I’ve learned about the seven areas of rest and how they’ve helped me stay healthy and effective in ministry. This isn’t about a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s about recognizing the areas where you need rest the most. Whether it’s stepping back from sensory overload or finding ways to restore your creative well, understanding how to rest intelligently is one way you can maintain health through Christmas.This conversation is part of what I teach in the Healthy Creative Ministry Cohort, designed to help church creatives like you find ways to love what you do and last in ministry. If you’re feeling overwhelmed this Christmas, this episode is for you.7 types of rest—physical, creative, spiritual, emotional, sensory, social, and mental.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lunchtime Heroes exists to help you build a healthy creative ministry. Here's how:Join the Christian Creative group on SkoolLearn how to bridge the gap between creatives and leadership with the book, Watch Your Language!Get in-the-trenches help for critical seasons with Interim Communications Leadership.

December 2, 202419 min

The Traits of Healthy Systems

What’s your question about communications?No System is good enough mechanically to overcome incompatibility with culture.This week on the podcast we jump into the traits your systems need in order to be healthy. The four traits of healthy systems are:TransparentProactiveHumanCulturally compatible- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lunchtime Heroes exists to help you build a healthy creative ministry. Here's how:Join the Christian Creative group on SkoolLearn how to bridge the gap between creatives and leadership with the book, Watch Your Language!Get in-the-trenches help for critical seasons with Interim Communications Leadership.

November 25, 2024Episode 1417 min

The Mechanics of Healthy Systems

What’s your question about communications?Systems are a critical piece of success in church communications. If you have too many, you'll make life difficult for the ministry leaders you work with. If you have too few, your life will be chaos.This week on the podcast, we'll talk through the four areas your systems need to manage. These four systems provide the structure you need for success:- Intake- Clarity- Delegation- Output- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lunchtime Heroes exists to help you build a healthy creative ministry. Here's how:Join the Christian Creative group on SkoolLearn how to bridge the gap between creatives and leadership with the book, Watch Your Language!Get in-the-trenches help for critical seasons with Interim Communications Leadership.

November 11, 2024Episode 1319 min

The Four Creative Cores - Systems

What’s your question about communications?Systems are the mechanics of getting things done in your organization. There are two indicators that your systems need work–you are consistently missing deadlines in your work or you have become the bottleneck in your organization. In order to evaluate your systems effectively, you need to start by asking how you are contributing to the problems you are experiencing. Once you have clarity there, you can begin making smart adjustments to your Systems. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lunchtime Heroes exists to help you build a healthy creative ministry. Here's how:Join the Christian Creative group on SkoolLearn how to bridge the gap between creatives and leadership with the book, Watch Your Language!Get in-the-trenches help for critical seasons with Interim Communications Leadership.