Hosted by Gavin Smith
Episodes
100
Latest episode
Jun 2026
Language
EN
The Church Office exists to support the work of ministry that happens behind the scenes. Bringing helpful and encouraging content to equip and support those involved in Church Administration, Church Leadership and Structuring Church Life.
In our latest The Church Office podcast, Jon Wright is joined by Penny Clarke, one of the Directors of the UK Church Administrators Network (UCAN). Listen in as they discuss what UCAN is, their experiences of being part of UCAN and how you can get involved!
In this episode, Gavin is joined by Rachel Slough to explore the important subject of managing change in churches. Rachel shares practical wisdom and honest insight into why change can feel challenging, how leaders can guide people well through transition, and the importance of communication, culture, and trust along the way. Together they discuss the realities churches face when navigating growth, vision, and new seasons of ministry. This conversation offers encouragement and practical tools for church leaders, administrators, and teams seeking to lead change with wisdom, care, and confidence.
In this episode, Gavin is joined by Mark Jones from Edward Connor Solicitors to discuss some of the key employment law changes coming in April and October 2026. Mark explains what these updates could mean for churches, including changes to statutory sick pay, family leave, redundancy consultation, tribunal time limits, and wider workplace responsibilities. This conversation offers a clear and practical overview for church leaders, trustees, operations managers, and administrators who want to serve their staff teams well, review their policies, and prepare wisely for the changes ahead.
In this podcast, Gavin speaks with Andy Laws, the new Operations Manager at Slade Evangelical Church in London. Andy shares their church’s experience of undergoing a Back Office Review with The Church Office and the impact it has had on their operations. If you’d like to find out more about booking a Back Office Review for your church, please e-mail us at info@thechurchoffice.co.uk
What does it take to support a network of churches reaching a city like London with the gospel? In this episode, Gavin Smith is joined by Matthew Dalton, Chief Operations Officer at Co-Mission, a growing network of churches across London. Together, they explore how a relational network, supported by a strong central team, can enable local churches to thrive in their mission. Matthew shares insights on the importance of systems that serve people, fostering unity across diverse congregations, and the challenges of church planting. A thoughtful and practical conversation for anyone involved in church leadership, operations, or network ministry.
In this episode, we’re joined by James Brumwell, Executive Lead at Gas Street Church in Birmingham, as we explore the operational side of mission and ministry. Together, we dig into what it really takes behind the scenes to help bring light to a city. James shares practical insights on building systems, leading teams, and creating structures that support meaningful, lasting impact in the community. https://gasstreet.church/theengineroom
Finding funding for your church building or ministry can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, we’re joined by Andrew Clark from Church Grants, a platform dedicated to helping churches discover relevant funding opportunities. We explore how churches can access grants, where to start, and what funders are really looking for. If you’ve ever wondered how to fund a building project, expand your ministry, or simply navigate the world of church funding, this episode is packed with practical insight. 🔗 Learn more: www.churchgrants.co.uk
Building a team is one of the most rewarding parts of church leadership. In this episode with Ray Evans, we explore the joy of bringing people together around a shared vision. Discover how trust, encouragement, and clear purpose can help teams grow stronger, work better together, and make a lasting impact for the gospel in our churches and communities.
What does an Operations Director in a church actually do all day? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the real, behind-the-scenes work that keeps a church moving forward. From managing teams and troubleshooting unexpected problems to balancing budgets, safeguarding compliance, and supporting the vision of senior leadership, no two days are ever the same. Whether you’re an Operations Director, Church Manager, Administrator, or exploring this kind of role, this episode gives an honest look at the challenges, pressures, and rewards of operational leadership in the local church. If you’ve ever wondered who keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes, this episode is for you.
If you are part of a church team, whether you are the leader, the treasurer or the one holding everything together in the office, you will know how much time and energy the practical side of ministry can take. Gavin talks to Daniel Jones from Stewardship who offer real, hands on support with the financial responsibilities that keep a church running. They can help you grow and manage your giving, they can also take care of the more complicated pieces like payroll, accounts, charity registration, governance and they also offer loans for building projects. Everything they do is designed to free you up to focus on your people and ministry. If that sounds like something your church could use, take a look at Stewardship at stewardship.org.uk.
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