Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies

Hosted by Kevin Elworth-Business & Ministry Coach, Passive Income, Entrepreneur Pastor, Ministry Marketing

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Aug 2026

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About the show

The SOURCE for Pastor help, encouragement, strategies for growth and Leadership Hey Pastor! Do you wish you knew the secret to growing your church while finding balance between ministry and your family? Do you find yourself updating your resume and browsing the job ads on ministryjobs.com ? Do you want to develop leaders within your church to relieve the burden from your shoulders, but instead you’re constantly dealing with drama and conflict? You’re in the right place. Welcome to Pastors Thriving, where you will learn the secrets to leadership growth in your church - spiritually, numerically, and financially. You’ll learn how to equip and develop your staff and congregation so that you don’t have to feel alone on this journey - and enjoy the ministry that you’ve been called to once again. Hi, I’m Kevin. Twenty-year ministry veteran, husband of a powerhouse wife, the father of 5 wonderful kids, and lover of Jesus powered by coffee and tacos. It wasn’t long ago that I grew a church from zero to 700 in five short years and wrestled with the trauma and drama that goes along with intense church growth. It wasn’t until I learned the power of creativity and how I could harness it to lead others well by empowering them to share the burden. I created a culture of leadership development and was able to spend time with my family while my ministry thrived. And now I’m excited to share what I’ve learned with you! If you’re ready to finally find some breathing room in your leading and living…learning strategies that are simple, understandable, and inspiring…giving you results that are measurable, like numerical growth, spiritual depth, and even financial growth – then this podcast is your new best friend. Grab your AirPods and your notebook, class is in session, and thriving is here! Next steps: Visit my website - https://pastorsthriving.com Shoot me an email - coaching@kevinelworth.live

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August 11, 202617 min

110 - The Invisible Force That Determines Everything

Why do two churches with similar preaching, worship, and ministries produce completely different results? The answer is culture. In this episode of The Healthy Church Blueprint , Kevin Elworth explores why culture is one of the most overlooked—and most influential—forces in every local church. Whether it's intentional or accidental, your church's culture is already shaping how people think, lead, serve, and grow. You'll discover why culture is more than a mission statement or core values on a wall. It's the invisible environment that determines what gets celebrated, tolerated, and ultimately reproduced. If you're a pastor or ministry leader who wants to build a healthier church from the inside out, this episode will help you evaluate the culture you're creating and give you practical questions to begin strengthening it. In This Episode Why every church has a culture—even if no one intentionally created it The difference between stated values and lived values How leadership behaviors shape the culture of an entire church Why systems either reinforce or undermine your culture Five diagnostic questions every pastor should ask Why culture is caught long before it's taught How healthy culture creates momentum throughout the church Key Takeaways ✅ Culture is the invisible force behind every ministry outcome. ✅ What leaders celebrate, people repeat. ✅ What leaders tolerate becomes acceptable. ✅ Healthy systems reinforce healthy culture. ✅ Lasting church health begins long before Sunday morning. Resources Mentioned 📖 Download the Healthy Church Blueprint A practical assessment designed to help pastors identify strengths, uncover blind spots, and build a healthier church. Download Here: https://hlapi.espeakers.com/widget/form/2ywgbUC7fk1xinaqSU0D 🙏 Join the Weekly Sunday Prayer for Pastors Every Sunday morning, receive a Scripture-based prayer written specifically for pastors and ministry leaders to encourage, strengthen, and prepare you for the week ahead. Sign Up Here: https://hlapi.espeakers.com/widget/form/Be1dRBkWzCgetiG8yn70 Connect with Kevin If this episode encouraged you, be sure to: Subscribe to the Pastors Thriving Podcast Share this episode with another pastor or ministry leader Leave a review to help more church leaders discover the show To learn more about coaching, speaking, and ministry resources, connect with Kevin online.

August 4, 20267 min

109- Why Good Churches Slowly Drift

Churches rarely drift because someone intended for them to. Drift happens gradually. One unclear decision. One postponed conversation. One ministry added without asking why. Over time, a church that once had incredible clarity simply becomes busy. In this episode of Pastors Thriving , Kevin explores why vision is the second pillar of the Healthy Church Blueprint and why healthy churches intentionally protect clarity before confusion begins to take over. In This Episode Why vision naturally leaks over time How good churches unintentionally drift The difference between activity and alignment Why pastors must continually reinforce the mission Practical questions to evaluate the clarity of your church Leadership Challenge Ask yourself these three questions this week: • Could every leader in my church clearly explain our mission? • Does every ministry actively support that mission? • If a first-time guest attended this Sunday, would they understand where we're going and how to take their next step? Healthy churches don't drift into greater clarity—they intentionally create it. Healthy Church Blueprint Series This episode is part of the Healthy Church Blueprint series, where we're exploring the foundational pillars that help churches grow healthier from the inside out. Sunday Prayer for Pastors Every Sunday morning, Kevin sends a short Scripture-based prayer to encourage pastors before they step into another week of ministry. Join pastors from around the country receiving this weekly encouragement: https://hlapi.espeakers.com/widget/form/Be1dRBkWzCgetiG8yn70 If this episode encouraged you, subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it with another pastor or ministry leader. Healthy vision creates healthy alignment. Healthy alignment builds healthy churches.

July 28, 202613 min

108 - Leadership: The Ceiling Every Church Eventually Hits

What is really limiting your church? Many pastors point to attendance, volunteers, finances, or facilities. While those challenges are real, they're often symptoms—not the root issue. In this episode of Pastors Thriving , Kevin explores why every church eventually reaches the ceiling of its leadership and why developing healthy leaders is the foundation for a healthy church. In This Episode Why leadership is the first pillar of a healthy church How every ministry reflects the health of its leader The difference between positional leadership and influence Why Jesus developed leaders instead of simply recruiting followers Three questions every pastor should ask this week Leadership Challenge Take a few minutes this week and ask yourself: • Who has leadership potential that I've overlooked? • What responsibility am I carrying that someone else could begin learning? • Who am I intentionally investing in as a future leader? Healthy churches don't wait until they're desperate for leaders—they develop them before the need arises. Healthy Church Blueprint Series This episode is part of an ongoing series exploring the foundational pillars of a healthy church. Each episode builds practical leadership principles you can immediately apply to your ministry. Sunday Prayer for Pastors Every Sunday morning, Kevin sends a short Scripture-based prayer to encourage pastors before they step into ministry. Join hundreds of pastors receiving this weekly encouragement: https://hlapi.espeakers.com/widget/form/Be1dRBkWzCgetiG8yn70 If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another pastor who could use some encouragement. Healthy leaders build healthy churches.

July 17, 202613 min

107 - The 30 Minute Church Health Reset

The 30-Minute Church Health Reset What if thirty minutes could change the trajectory of your church? When ministry feels overwhelming, our instinct is often to do more. More meetings. More planning. More programs. But healthy churches aren't built by constant activity—they're built through intentional leadership. In this episode of Pastors Thriving , Kevin shares a simple framework any pastor can use to identify what's healthy, uncover what's creating unnecessary friction, and determine the one leadership conversation that could unlock momentum. Whether you're leading a church of 30 or 3,000, these three questions will help you move from feeling overwhelmed to leading with clarity. In This Episode You'll discover: Why healthy leaders begin by protecting what is already working How unnoticed friction quietly slows the momentum of your church The leadership conversations most pastors delay—and why they matter A practical 30-minute exercise you can use with your staff, elders, or leadership team How clarity creates momentum without adding more to your calendar The Three Questions: 1. What is working that we need to protect? Celebrate what God is already blessing before rushing to fix what isn't. 2. What is creating friction that we have learned to tolerate? Every church has friction. Healthy churches identify it before it becomes culture. 3. What is the one conversation we need to have this week? Momentum often begins with one courageous conversation. This Week's Leadership Challenge Set aside thirty uninterrupted minutes. Spend ten minutes on each question. Before you finish, commit to three actions: ✅ Protect one healthy area. ✅ Remove one point of friction. ✅ Schedule one important conversation. Small acts of intentional leadership often produce the greatest long-term impact. Free Resource Download: The 30-Minute Church Health Reset A printable leadership guide designed to help pastors and ministry teams work through these three questions together. Perfect for: Staff meetings Elder meetings Leadership retreats Personal ministry planning Quarterly church reviews ***Download your free copy here*** Sunday Prayer for Pastors Every Sunday morning I send a short Scripture-based prayer to pastors around the country. No marketing. No fundraising. Just encouragement. If you'd like to begin your week with a few moments of biblical encouragement and prayer, I'd be honored to include you. Join Sunday Prayer for Pastors --> Join Here I'd love to hear from you. Which of the three questions challenged you the most? Send me an email or connect through social media and let me know what you're working on inside your church. If This Episode Helped... Would you consider doing three simple things? Follow the podcast. Leave a review. Share this episode with another pastor who could use a leadership reset. Your recommendation helps more pastors find practical encouragement and leadership tools for healthier churches.

June 23, 202611 min

Why Summer Might Be the Most Important Season for Your Church

Episode 106: Why Summer Might Be the Most Important Season for Your Church Most pastors view summer as a season to survive. Attendance fluctuates. Families travel. Volunteer schedules become unpredictable. Ministry rhythms feel disrupted. It's easy to put growth, leadership development, and strategic planning on hold until everyone returns in the fall. But what if summer isn't a setback? What if summer is actually one of the most important seasons in the life of your church? In this episode, Kevin challenges the common assumption that summer is a ministry "off-season" and explores why healthy churches use slower seasons to build stronger leaders, strengthen systems, and prepare for future growth. If you've ever found yourself scrambling in September to recruit volunteers, launch ministries, or solve problems that seem to appear overnight, this conversation will help you see summer through a different lens. In This Episode: Why summer creates a unique opportunity for church growth How healthy churches use slower seasons strategically The connection between summer preparation and fall momentum Why leadership development should never be seasonal How to move people from attenders to contributors The hidden danger of waiting until fall to address ministry challenges Practical ways to strengthen your church before the busy season returns Key Takeaway Fall rarely creates problems—it reveals them. The churches that experience the greatest momentum in the fall are often the ones that spent the summer investing in leaders, strengthening systems, and building a culture of engagement. Don't waste the season God has given you. Resources Mentioned Fully Engaged Summer Bootcamp The Fully Engaged Summer Bootcamp is an 8-week coaching experience designed specifically for pastors who want to strengthen their church before the fall ministry season begins. Together we'll focus on: Volunteer engagement Leadership development Ministry systems Church culture Building a more fully engaged church If you're ready to stop surviving summer and start using it strategically, this bootcamp was created for you. For information about the Fully Engaged Summer Bootcamp, email Kevin directly - Coaching@kevinelworth.live If this episode encouraged you, Kevin would love to hear from you. Question of the Week: What is one thing you want to strengthen in your church before fall arrives? Send a message, share your thoughts, and let Kevin know what you're building this summer. Enjoying the Podcast? If Pastors Thriving has been helpful to you: Follow the podcast Leave a review Share this episode with another pastor Send it to a ministry leader who is preparing for the fall season Your recommendation helps more pastors find the encouragement, clarity, and practical leadership tools they need to thrive in ministry. Remember: Summer isn't something to survive. It may be the very season God uses to prepare your church for what's next. Pastorsthrving.com Fully Engaged Summer Bootcamp

June 18, 202618 min

EP - 105 When Ministry Doesn't Go According to Plan

Episode 105: When Ministry Doesn't Go According to Plan Leadership is filled with moments we never expected. Plans fall apart. People let us down. Opportunities disappear. Prayers seem delayed. Recently, I had to make one of the toughest decisions I've faced in ministry. Just ten days before departure, our Sparrow Village Initiatives team had to postpone a long-awaited trip to serve 115 orphaned children in Uganda. Months of preparation. Thousands of dollars raised. Excited volunteers. Children waiting for our arrival. Then everything changed. In this episode, I share that story along with five practical and biblical ways to navigate disappointment without losing your purpose. You'll discover: • Why disappointment isn't a sign of weak faith. • How to look for God's goodness in difficult moments. • Why setbacks should adjust your strategy, not your calling. • How to keep moving forward after a painful season. • Why God's faithfulness is greater than your circumstances. If you've ever wondered whether your work still matters or if God is still at work in your situation, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways Feel it. Don't deny your disappointment. Bring it to God. Find the good. Look for what remains instead of focusing only on what was lost. Follow through. Don't allow temporary setbacks to create permanent decisions. Stay forward focused. Delayed doesn't mean defeated. Choose faith over feelings. God's character hasn't changed, even when circumstances have. If this episode encouraged you, share it with another pastor or ministry leader who could use the reminder. Need prayer or encouragement? I'd love to hear from you. Until next time... Stay faithful. Keep leading. And keep thriving.

June 11, 202619 min

Ep 104 - The Lie I was told at 2:30 in the Morning

I woke up around 2:30 in the morning with the thought that maybe I should get up and pray. Then another voice entered the conversation. "Don't bother." "You again?" "What do you want now?" "All you've done lately is make a mess." The next morning, I couldn't stop thinking about that moment—not because I believed it, but because I wondered how many pastors hear similar lies and quietly believe them. In this episode, we talk honestly about spiritual warfare, shame, isolation, and one of the enemy's oldest strategies: Disconnection. In This Episode Why shame often sounds spiritual The enemy's strategy of secrets, isolation, and fear Why pastors often withdraw when they most need connection The restoration of Peter after his denial How Jesus restores relationship before responsibility Practical steps to push back against isolation A Biblical Reflection After denying Jesus three times, Peter had every reason to believe he had ruined everything. Yet when Jesus met him again, the conversation wasn't about condemnation. It was about restoration. "Do you love me?" "Feed my sheep." The voice of Christ restores. The voice of shame isolates. Key Takeaway Not every voice you hear is God's voice. If you've been hearing: You're a failure. You've made too much of a mess. God is tired of you. Pastor... That's not His voice. Practical Homework This week: Talk to God. Talk to someone. Tell the truth. Don't keep secrets. Don't isolate. Don't believe fear. Key Quote "The enemy doesn't have to destroy a pastor. He simply has to disconnect one."

June 2, 202612 min

Ep 103 - Why Everything in Your Church Still Depends on the Same Few People

Why does everything in your church still seem to depend on the same few faithful people? The same volunteers. The same leaders. The same families. The same exhausted core. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. In this conversation, Kevin unpacks one of the most common frustrations pastors face: carrying too much because engagement is concentrated in too few people. The hard truth? This usually isn’t a people problem. It’s a systems problem. Inside this episode: Why disengagement is often confusion, not rebellion The hidden pathway problem keeping people passive Why pastors end up carrying more than they should How ownership culture is intentionally built The leadership shift that changes everything If you’re tired of the same few doing all the work… this conversation will help.

May 19, 202613 min

ep 102- When You’ve Been Faithful… But Rescue Still Hasn’t Come

Have you ever found yourself asking: “God… where are You?” You’ve been faithful. You’ve kept showing up. You’ve prayed. You’ve obeyed. And yet the breakthrough you’ve been pleading for still hasn’t come. In this deeply personal episode, Kevin opens up about walking through financial pressure, family medical strain, emotional exhaustion, and the uncomfortable reality of continuing to lead while quietly carrying heavy burdens. If you’ve ever felt like Paul—shipwrecked, holding onto broken pieces, simply trying to stay afloat—this conversation is for you. Inside this episode: Why delayed rescue does not mean abandonment The dangerous emotional drift pastors face in survival mode Why “just staying afloat” may still be faithfulness The forgotten prayer hidden in Luke 1 that may reshape your perspective A reminder that even when you can’t see the shore… it still exists If you’re tired, discouraged, or simply trying to hold on… This one is for you. Connect with Kevin If this episode resonated with you and you need someone to process with, Kevin would be honored to connect. 📩 coaching@kevinelworth.live

April 21, 202620 min

101- What to Do When You Realize You’ve Been Leading in Isolation

After recognizing the pull toward isolation in leadership, the next question becomes simple—but important: What do you actually do about it? In this episode, Kevin walks pastors through a clear and grounded response to isolation—not by adding pressure, but by helping them take intentional steps toward connection. This is not about overhauling your leadership overnight. It’s about choosing a different direction. Because growth doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens in connection. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why isolation is a common response to pressure in pastoral leadership How to recognize when you’ve been carrying too much alone The difference between awareness and action Simple, practical steps to begin reconnecting Why one honest conversation can shift everything How connection creates clarity—for both you and your church A Biblical Reflection In Exodus 18, Moses is leading alone—carrying the weight of the people from morning until evening. When Jethro observes this, he responds plainly: “What you are doing is not good.” Not because Moses lacked calling— but because he was trying to carry what was never meant to be carried alone. The solution wasn’t more effort. It was shared responsibility. Key Takeaways Isolation Is a Response—Not a Strategy It often feels safe in the moment, but it limits growth over time. You Don’t Need Everything—You Need Someone Growth doesn’t require a network. It starts with one honest connection. Clarity Comes Through Conversation Many of the answers you’re looking for won’t come in isolation—but in dialogue. Stay Longer Than Feels Comfortable Most leaders disconnect right before growth begins. Practical Steps to Reconnect If you’re recognizing isolation in your leadership, start here: Identify one person you can connect with Be honest quickly —don’t ease into it Create a rhythm of ongoing conversation Invite perspective , not just encouragement Stay engaged , even when it feels uncomfortable Resource Mentioned Church Engagement Assessment A simple tool designed to help you identify where people may be getting stuck or overlooked in your church. Find it here! Key Quote “The single greatest element of growth you will ever receive will come through your ability to get connected to people.” Final Encouragement You’re not behind. You’re at a moment of clarity. And clarity—when acted on—leads to growth. Im with you bro. Kevin