Three Signs Your Discipleship Pathway Has Become a Maze
The Church Revitalization Podcast
Your church has groups, classes, Bible studies, and a beautiful buffet of programs—but your people aren't growing spiritually. You're seeing staff burnout, volunteer shortages, and 40% of your congregation still can't quote the Great Commission. The problem isn't lack of activity; it's that you've created a maze of programs instead of a clear discipleship pathway. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are your hosts for The Church Revitalization Podcast, a weekly show from The Malphurs Group dedicated to helping church leaders develop practical strategies for church health and growth. Together they...
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How to Lead When Your Church Board is Divided
The Church Revitalization Podcast
Board meetings going nowhere? Two members dug in on opposite sides? Today we tackle one of the most common—and most damaging—situations church leaders face: how to actually lead when your board is divided. Learn to diagnose the real issue, make decisions without unanimity, and prevent division through clear authority structures. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are church consultants with The Malphurs Group, specializing in helping churches navigate leadership challenges, strategic planning, and revitalization. Through practical frameworks and real-world experience, they equip pastors and...
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Four Communication Breakdowns That Kill Church Momentum
The Church Revitalization Podcast
Clear communication is essential for everything from teaching God's word to casting vision, yet many churches struggle with four common breakdowns that create confusion and stall momentum. In this episode, Scott and A.J. walk through the most frequent communication mistakes churches make—from drowning their congregation in noise to contradicting messages from leadership—and provide practical strategies to communicate more effectively. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are church consultants with The Malphurs Group, helping churches navigate revitalization, strategic planning, and leadership...
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Why Your Church's Values Don't Match Your Budget (And What to Do About It)
The Church Revitalization Podcast
Your budget is the most honest document in your church. While mission statements and value declarations tell you what you aspire to be, your budget reveals what you actually prioritize and fund. In this episode, Scott and A.J. help church leaders audit their budgets to identify misalignment between stated values and actual spending, then provide a practical framework for making strategic shifts over time without creating financial chaos. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu co-host the Church Revitalization Podcast, helping evangelical church leaders navigate the practical challenges of ministry. Both...
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Church Consultants React to Social Media Christmas Clips
The Church Revitalization Podcast
In this special Christmas episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu react in real time to a series of viral Christmas-themed church and Christian videos circulating online. From funny and lighthearted moments to intense theological takes and over-the-top productions, this episode explores how Christians communicate faith during the Christmas season—and how those messages are received by both believers and the watching world. Scott Ball is joined by co-host and fellow church consultant A.J. Mathieu as they offer candid, unscripted reactions rooted in...
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From Burnout to Best Fit: How to Transition Over-Committed Volunteers
The Church Revitalization Podcast
Many churches struggle with volunteers who are spread too thin—serving in three, four, or even five roles. In this episode, we explore why narrowing volunteer focus actually increases effectiveness and joy in serving, and how to transition your church to a healthier, more sustainable volunteer culture. Hosted by Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu of The Malphurs Group, this conversation walks you through practical steps any church can take. If you’re new to the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott and A.J. bring decades of combined church consulting experience, helping churches grow healthier...
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5 Reasons Church Revitalization Efforts Fail
The Church Revitalization Podcast
In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu discuss five key reasons why revitalization efforts in churches often fail. They emphasize the importance of distinguishing between activity and genuine progress, recognizing demographic changes in the community, establishing accountability structures, navigating decision-making challenges, and avoiding the consensus trap that can hinder momentum. The conversation highlights practical strategies for churches to implement effective revitalization processes and the value of having experienced guides to support...
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Scott & A.J. Debate the Best Christmas Set List
The Church Revitalization Podcast
This week, Scott and AJ take a fun holiday detour and build the ultimate Christmas worship setlist—draft style. They debate classics, song arrangements, emotional picks, and what actually serves a congregation well during Advent. Equal parts practical and playful, this episode will get you thinking about your Christmas services. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu co-host The Church Revitalization Podcast and lead The Malphurs Group, helping churches experience renewed health and grow with confidence. If this is your first time listening, welcome—expect practical, actionable conversations rooted...
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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...
info_outlineThis week on The Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and AJ Mathieu dive deep into one of church leadership’s most sensitive questions: Can you—should you—ever fire a volunteer? From ethical violations to mismatched roles, we break down why letting a volunteer go may be necessary (and how you can do it well, with grace and clarity). Discover proactive strategies to avoid these tough situations in the first place and learn how to create a thriving, healthy volunteer culture in your church.
Hosted by Scott Ball and AJ Mathieu of the Malphurs Group, The Church Revitalization Podcast tackles real-world leadership challenges to help churches grow stronger and healthier. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or new to ministry, Scott and AJ offer practical advice, proven tools, and plenty of encouragement for every church context.
In this episode, we cover:
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The ethical, spiritual, and practical reasons you might need to let a volunteer go
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How to prevent most firings with good systems and culture
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Steps for having hard conversations with struggling volunteers
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Healthy onboarding and offboarding practices to support your teams
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What to do in extreme cases, including legal and church discipline scenarios
Links & Resources:
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Get access to the Healthy Churches Toolkit: healthychurchestoolkit.com – Free 7-day trial!
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Connect with us: malphursgroup.com, Facebook, Twitter
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Dive into more episodes and resources on church volunteer management
Got stories or questions about managing volunteers? Comment below or message us—your wins and horror stories help us serve church leaders even better!