The Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Hosted by Todd Rhoades

Careers Religion Spirituality Christianity

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Episodes

675

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

We're all about helping create a healthy, positive, and spiritually positive environment for church staff members and leadership teams.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 14, 2026Episode 6807 min

When Your Church's Politics Are Pushing People Out the Door

In this episode of the Healthy Church Staff podcast, Todd Rhoades from Chemistry Staffing discusses the impact of perceived political affiliations on church growth, especially among Gen Z Christians. Many young potential churchgoers feel alienated due to presumed political stands, which may deter them from attending. Todd advises church leaders to focus on the gospel and equip their staff to navigate conversations without letting political biases hinder their mission. The podcast emphasizes the need to differentiate between biblical conviction and cultural allegiance, encouraging clarity and inclusivity over tribalism. • Perception of political biases in churches deters Gen Z Christians. • Young church staff feel caught between personal beliefs and church perceptions. • Importance of leading with clarity and not tribalism. • Distinguish between biblical conviction and cultural allegiance. • Leaders should remove barriers to the gospel. • Equip staff to handle political conversations without compromising the gospel.Have questions or comments? Send to podcast@chemistrystaffing.comBe sure to subscribe to The Healthy Church Staff Podcast wherever you regularly listen to podcasts.- - - - - Is Your Church Hiring?If your church is searching for a new staff member, reach out to Todd for a conversation on how he might be able to help.Are You Looking for a New Ministry Role?If you are open to a new church role in the next few months, add your free resume and profile at ChemistryStaffing.com.

August 13, 2026Episode 6798 min

The Breaking Point_ What to Do Before You Cave Under Pressure

In this episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast, Todd Rhoades discusses the common scenario where pressured decisions might lead to compromising one's values due to exhaustion or stress. He emphasizes the importance of having a trusted advisor circle for guidance, allowing leaders to make informed decisions rather than succumbing to unfavorable pressures. • Facing pressure to make decisions you don't agree with. • The gradual accumulation of stress and small pressures erodes conviction. • The difference between flexibility and folding: maintaining purpose versus abandoning it. • The necessity of having a trusted circle to consult before making pressured decisions. • Seeking guidance proactively is a sign of strength and wisdom. • The role of external truth and voices in maintaining clarity during pressures.Have questions or comments? Send to podcast@chemistrystaffing.comBe sure to subscribe to The Healthy Church Staff Podcast wherever you regularly listen to podcasts.- - - - - Is Your Church Hiring?If your church is searching for a new staff member, reach out to Todd for a conversation on how he might be able to help.Are You Looking for a New Ministry Role?If you are open to a new church role in the next few months, add your free resume and profile at ChemistryStaffing.com.

August 12, 2026Episode 6788 min

The Gap Between Vision Sunday and Tuesday Morning

In this episode of the Healthy Church Staff podcast, Todd Rhoades discusses the gap between casting a compelling vision on Sunday and the execution challenges that arise by Tuesday, which often results in disengagement and inefficiency within church teams. He emphasizes the need for senior leaders to translate their vision into actionable steps, ensuring that all staff members understand how it applies to their specific roles, thus preventing guesswork and drift. • Vision casting often creates initial excitement but may lack actionable clarity. • The gap between vision and execution can lead to confusion and disengagement. • Senior leaders should seek feedback on how the vision applies to different areas. • Executive pastors play a key role in breaking down vision into actionable steps. • Staff members should proactively seek clarity if the vision's implications are unclear. • Vision provides direction, but strategy is needed to define the specific actions. • Without clear strategy, teams may self-interpret the vision leading to inconsistency.Have questions or comments? Send to podcast@chemistrystaffing.comBe sure to subscribe to The Healthy Church Staff Podcast wherever you regularly listen to podcasts.- - - - - Is Your Church Hiring?If your church is searching for a new staff member, reach out to Todd for a conversation on how he might be able to help.Are You Looking for a New Ministry Role?If you are open to a new church role in the next few months, add your free resume and profile at ChemistryStaffing.com.

August 11, 2026Episode 6779 min

The Idolatry Hiding in Your Calendar

In this episode of the Healthy Church Staff podcast, host Todd Rhoades discusses the common struggle of feeling guilty when resting, often perceived as detrimental to one's work and dedication. He emphasizes the importance of rest as an integral part of worship and warns against the idolization of busyness. Rhoades reflects on his personal journey towards understanding the value of rest and how it has positively impacted his life and leadership. • Feeling guilty when not working is common among many leaders. • Rest is essential and should be seen as a part of worship. • Busyness can become an idol and detract from personal and spiritual well-being. • Work should not take precedence over family, health, and spiritual life. • Leaders should model a healthy work-rest balance for their teams. • Taking a real day of rest can reveal underlying idols of busyness and productivity.Have questions or comments? Send to podcast@chemistrystaffing.comBe sure to subscribe to The Healthy Church Staff Podcast wherever you regularly listen to podcasts.- - - - - Is Your Church Hiring?If your church is searching for a new staff member, reach out to Todd for a conversation on how he might be able to help.Are You Looking for a New Ministry Role?If you are open to a new church role in the next few months, add your free resume and profile at ChemistryStaffing.com.

August 10, 2026Episode 6768 min

The Senior Pastor Who Takes All the Credit (And What It Costs Your Team)

In this episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast, host Todd Rhoades discusses the issue of 'credit hoarding leadership' within church environments. Todd explores the psychological impacts when leaders fail to give credit where it's due, leading to staff disengagement and resentment. He offers strategies for addressing the issue, such as having a private conversation with leaders, creating a culture of credit within teams, and knowing when it might be time to leave an unchanging environment. Todd emphasizes the importance of doing meaningful work even when it goes unseen or unrecognized. • Credit hoarding leadership and its impact on church staff. • Not always about ego; sometimes leaders are oblivious. • Staff disengagement when creativity isn't recognized. • Encouragement to celebrate personal contributions outside public validation. • Strategies for addressing the issue: private conversations, creating a culture of credit. • Knowing when it's time to leave an unchanging environment. • Emphasis on the significance of unseen work and personal fulfillment.Have questions or comments? Send to podcast@chemistrystaffing.comBe sure to subscribe to The Healthy Church Staff Podcast wherever you regularly listen to podcasts.- - - - - Is Your Church Hiring?If your church is searching for a new staff member, reach out to Todd for a conversation on how he might be able to help.Are You Looking for a New Ministry Role?If you are open to a new church role in the next few months, add your free resume and profile at ChemistryStaffing.com.

August 7, 2026Episode 6757 min

How to Disagree With Your Senior Pastor (Without Getting Fired)

In this episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast, host Todd Rhoades discusses how church staff should approach situations where they disagree with the senior pastor's direction, focusing on distinguishing between preference and principle disagreements. He provides strategies for effectively and respectfully communicating disagreements, emphasizing humility, private discussions, and data-backed arguments. Rhoades stresses that disagreement should not be equated with disloyalty, and listeners are encouraged to consider their long-term health in toxic environments. • Distinguish between preference and principle disagreements. • Check your intentions before addressing disagreements. • Frame your disagreement as curiosity, not correction. • Disagree in private, support in public. • Use data to back up your disagreements. • Evaluate whether the senior pastor is open to input. • Consider personal and professional well-being in the work environment.Have questions or comments? Send to podcast@chemistrystaffing.comBe sure to subscribe to The Healthy Church Staff Podcast wherever you regularly listen to podcasts.- - - - - Is Your Church Hiring?If your church is searching for a new staff member, reach out to Todd for a conversation on how he might be able to help.Are You Looking for a New Ministry Role?If you are open to a new church role in the next few months, add your free resume and profile at ChemistryStaffing.com.

August 6, 2026Episode 6749 min

When Your Senior Pastor Doesn't Actually Lead

In this episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast, Todd Rhoades addresses the frustration many church staff members face when their senior pastor fails to make decisive leadership decisions. Todd explores reasons for this leadership gap, such as burnout, insecurity, and lack of systems, and offers practical steps for staff members to address the issue constructively. • Senior pastors sometimes fail to make critical decisions, leading to frustration among staff. • Reasons for this include burnout, insecurity, and lack of leadership systems. • It's important to acknowledge the problem and communicate with the senior pastor constructively. • Define decision-making authority clearly to avoid confusion. • Stop enabling indecisive behavior and allow the pastor to feel the responsibility. • Assess if continuing in the current role is sustainable if the situation does not improve.Have questions or comments? Send to podcast@chemistrystaffing.comBe sure to subscribe to The Healthy Church Staff Podcast wherever you regularly listen to podcasts.- - - - - Is Your Church Hiring?If your church is searching for a new staff member, reach out to Todd for a conversation on how he might be able to help.Are You Looking for a New Ministry Role?If you are open to a new church role in the next few months, add your free resume and profile at ChemistryStaffing.com.

August 5, 2026Episode 67311 min

The Three Conversations Before the Termination Conversation

In this episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast, Todd Rhoades discusses the essential steps for handling employee termination effectively and ethically. He emphasizes the importance of transparency and communication throughout the process to ensure no employee is blindsided when let go. • Termination should never come as a surprise; proper communication is crucial. • An initial warning conversation should clearly outline performance issues. • Follow-up meetings are necessary to assess improvement and reset expectations. • A 'final chance' meeting clarifies consequences if no improvements are made. • Documentation of all conversations is essential for a fair and legal termination process. • Avoid jumping straight to termination without adequate prior conversations. • These steps protect both the organization and employee, ensuring clarity and fairness.Have questions or comments? Send to podcast@chemistrystaffing.comBe sure to subscribe to The Healthy Church Staff Podcast wherever you regularly listen to podcasts.- - - - - Is Your Church Hiring?If your church is searching for a new staff member, reach out to Todd for a conversation on how he might be able to help.Are You Looking for a New Ministry Role?If you are open to a new church role in the next few months, add your free resume and profile at ChemistryStaffing.com.

August 4, 2026Episode 6727 min

When You Have to Fire Someone Everyone Loves

The podcast discusses the challenges of terminating an employee who is well-liked but not meeting performance expectations. It highlights the difficulty of balancing personal feelings with organizational needs and offers steps to handle the situation with integrity. • Challenges of terminating an employee who is likable but ineffective. • Importance of aligning employee performance with organizational goals. • Steps for handling termination with integrity: clarifying the gap, private conversations, and preparing for emotional fallout. • The necessity of prioritizing the mission over popularity and comfort. • Encouragement for leaders to make tough decisions despite potential relational costs.Have questions or comments? Send to podcast@chemistrystaffing.comBe sure to subscribe to The Healthy Church Staff Podcast wherever you regularly listen to podcasts.- - - - - Is Your Church Hiring?If your church is searching for a new staff member, reach out to Todd for a conversation on how he might be able to help.Are You Looking for a New Ministry Role?If you are open to a new church role in the next few months, add your free resume and profile at ChemistryStaffing.com.

August 3, 2026Episode 6718 min

The Termination You're Delaying Is Hurting Everyone Else

In this episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast, host Todd Rhoades addresses the difficult topic of delaying necessary terminations within a church team. He explains how failing to make timely decisions negatively impacts both high-performing staff and the overall team culture. Todd shares three signs that indicate it's time to act on a termination and offers advice on how to handle these tough conversations to maintain a healthy and effective ministry environment. • Delaying terminative decisions punishes your team. • High performers carry extra burden and grow resentful. • Failure to act leads to a culture of mediocrity. • Three signs it's time to terminate: repeated conversations with no change, staff questioning decisions, more time managing deficiencies. • Resignation relief indicates a need to act. • Leadership requires courage and timely action. • Contact Todd Rhoades for further advice.Have questions or comments? Send to podcast@chemistrystaffing.comBe sure to subscribe to The Healthy Church Staff Podcast wherever you regularly listen to podcasts.- - - - - Is Your Church Hiring?If your church is searching for a new staff member, reach out to Todd for a conversation on how he might be able to help.Are You Looking for a New Ministry Role?If you are open to a new church role in the next few months, add your free resume and profile at ChemistryStaffing.com.