How to Build a Thriving Small Groups Ministry + Build Groups Partnership (w/ Adam Erlichman)
The Church Revitalization Podcast
Release Date: 05/14/2025
Three Church Membership Mistakes
The Church Revitalization Podcast
Many churches struggle to maintain healthy membership systems. In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu unpack the three most common membership pathway mistakes churches make—and how to fix them. Whether your process is too long, too short, or simply unclear, this episode will help you build a pathway that’s meaningful, strategic, and effective. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are the co-hosts of the Church Revitalization Podcast and leaders at The Malphurs Group, helping churches grow healthier through strategic planning, leadership development, and...
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Equipping Parents to Have Hard Conversations with Teens
The Church Revitalization Podcast
Parenting in today’s world can feel overwhelming—especially when it comes to tackling the tough topics. In this episode, Scott Ball sits down with youth pastor and author Mark Shoemaker to talk about his new book What to Say and How to Say It to Your Teen, co-written with his father, Tim Shoemaker. Together, they discuss how parents can approach difficult conversations with wisdom, grace, and confidence. Scott Ball is the Vice President of The Malphurs Group and co-host of the Church Revitalization Podcast, helping churches and leaders develop clarity, structure, and health. Mark Shoemaker...
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Making the Most of Your Staff Meetings
The Church Revitalization Podcast
Are your staff meetings dominated by information gathering and idle chit-chat instead of strategic decision-making? In this episode, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu share practical strategies to transform your weekly team time from wasted hours into productive, vision-focused collaboration that actually moves your ministry forward. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are co-hosts of the Church Revitalization Podcast and consultants with the Malphurs Group, where they help churches develop healthy systems and strategic clarity. With decades of combined experience in church leadership, they bring practical,...
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Case Study: Growing a Small Church in a Big City
The Church Revitalization Podcast
How can a small church in a large metro area find a path toward growth? In this case study episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu walk through the real-life scenario of a 35-person congregation with an older membership, a new part-time pastor, and big questions about what comes next. Instead of offering cookie-cutter solutions, they pose four critical questions every small church should ask to clarify strategy, focus resources, and take meaningful steps forward . Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are church consultants with The Malphurs Group, equipping churches...
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Should Your Church Do Strategic Planning Between Pastors?
The Church Revitalization Podcast
Should your church do strategic planning during a pastoral transition—or wait until a new pastor arrives? In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu tackle one of the most common questions churches ask during seasons of change. They outline why planning now is almost always the better choice and how it can set up your next pastor and congregation for long-term success. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are church consultants with The Malphurs Group, equipping churches worldwide to grow healthier through strategic planning, leadership development, and...
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How Pastors Can Balance Shepherding and Vision
The Church Revitalization Podcast
How can shepherding pastors lead effectively in vision and strategy? In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu address a common challenge: pastors who excel in relational and pastoral care but feel less confident when it comes to vision and strategy. They share practical steps for leaning into strengths, building balanced teams, and leading with humility while still guiding the church toward God’s future. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are church consultants with The Malphurs Group, equipping churches worldwide to grow healthier through strategic...
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How to Get Your People to USE Planning Center
The Church Revitalization Podcast
How do you get your team to actually use Planning Center—or any church management software—consistently?In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu share practical strategies to boost adoption and ensure your church gets the most value from your ChMS investment. From identifying the right core features to building solid onboarding systems, you’ll learn how to turn good intentions into long-term habits. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are church consultants with The Malphurs Group, equipping churches worldwide to grow healthier through strategic...
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How Can Healthy Churches Help Declining Churches?
The Church Revitalization Podcast
How can a healthy church come alongside a declining one to bring new life? In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu explore practical and biblical ways for thriving churches to partner with struggling congregations. From building trust to offering tangible support, this conversation unpacks how partnerships can honor both churches’ missions while maximizing Kingdom impact. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are church consultants with The Malphurs Group, equipping churches worldwide to grow healthier through strategic planning, leadership development, and...
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Should Our Church Close?
The Church Revitalization Podcast
When is it time for a church to close its doors? In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu discuss how to discern whether your congregation should pursue revitalization or intentionally close. Using the analogy of CPR, they outline key indicators of church health, the realities of revitalization efforts, and kingdom-minded options if closure becomes the best step. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are church consultants with The Malphurs Group, equipping churches worldwide to grow healthier through strategic planning, leadership development, and...
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How Churches Can Manage and Prioritize Community Partnerships
The Church Revitalization Podcast
How should your church manage and prioritize community partnerships? In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu unpack how to evaluate, categorize, and communicate about partnerships—whether they’re with local ministries, national organizations, or groups using your facility. Learn how to align partnerships with your mission and vision while avoiding “pathway creep” that dilutes your church’s focus. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are church consultants with The Malphurs Group, equipping churches worldwide to grow healthier through strategic...
info_outlineIn this episode, we dive into what it takes to develop a healthy, growing small groups ministry that actually connects people and fosters transformation. Whether your church uses Sunday School, home groups, or a hybrid model, this conversation will challenge assumptions and offer practical steps forward.
Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are joined by Adam Erlichman from Build Groups—a national consultant helping churches grow their groups ministry by 30–50% in under a year. Adam shares powerful stories, best practices, and a major new announcement about exclusive training content now available through the Healthy Churches Toolkit.
In this episode:
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(00:03:08) Why Sunday School vs. Small Groups is a false dichotomy
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(00:05:36) What most churches get wrong about launching groups
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(00:10:31) The right metrics to track group health (and the ones to stop using)
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(00:26:37) What qualitative factors reveal if your groups are thriving
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(00:30:16) A behind-the-scenes look at the brand new Build Groups Masterclass
Links & Resources:
🌐 Main Site: malphursgroup.com
📖 Read the full article at malphursgroup.com/290
🎥 Start your free 7-day trial & get the Build Groups Masterclass