The Classroom or the Calling: What Prepares You for a Deeper Ministry Impact?
The Ministry Architects Podcast
Release Date: 09/09/2025
Nick Hall of Pulse Evangelism: Is Evangelism Outdated in 2026?
The Ministry Architects Podcast
In this episode, Renée and Brandon join Nick Hall, founder of Pulse, to dismantle the stereotypes of street-corner evangelism and reimagine what sharing faith looks like in 2026. While acknowledging that transactional, "sales-pitch" methods may be losing steam, Hall argues that the office of the evangelist is more vital than ever, particularly for a Gen Z demographic that craves raw authenticity over polished production. The conversation highlights a surprising spiritual hunger in the current cultural moment and challenges church leaders to reintegrate the evangelist’s voice into their...
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Internal Mentors vs. External Coaches
The Ministry Architects Podcast
Episode Summary: As we kick off 2026, hosts Renée and Brandon Collins dive into a vital question for ministry leaders: Who is the best kind of person to walk with us when we just need another voice in our lives? Joined by veteran consultants and coaches Aqueelah Ligonde and Doug Ranck, this episode explores the nuances between coaching, mentoring, and guiding, and why having a "sounding board" is essential for long-term health in ministry.
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Free Resources That Changed How We Do Ministry
The Ministry Architects Podcast
Ministry Architects has built a library of free, customizable tools that hundreds of church leaders are already using to strengthen their ministries. In this episode, Brandon and Renée walk through over a dozen downloadable resources, including planning guides, evaluation tools, volunteer systems, and digital ministry helps, all designed to give you more time with people and less time reinventing the wheel.
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The Best Gift You Can Give Your Team This Christmas
The Ministry Architects Podcast
What if the best gift you could give your team this Christmas is permission to be themselves? Join guests Heather Kenny—ministry coach—and Rob Dyer—senior pastor and comedian from Southern Illinois—as they join host Renée to discuss how leaders can navigate the holiday paradox: the busiest season that also offers unexpected breathing room, where authenticity matters more than performance. Discover how to support team members through grief, protect your own grounding practices when schedules tighten, actually listen without planning your pastoral response, and receive Christ's peace...
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From High-Capacity Volunteer to Healthy Staff Member: Hiring Well From Within
The Ministry Architects Podcast
Is it better to hire a new church staff member from the outside, bringing a fresh perspective, or from the inside, leveraging someone who already knows the culture? This episode tackles one of the most common and complex questions in church leadership. Join the Ministry Architects team as they talk with Sara Bailey (Director of the Search Division) and Jeremy Shelley (Candidate Care Consultant) to explore the nuances of promoting from within. They provide practical, actionable steps for church leaders to navigate this process well, care for the candidate, and protect the health of the...
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The Strategic Leader’s Guide to Administrative Support
The Ministry Architects Podcast
Are you a ministry leader constantly feeling pulled in a million directions, bogged down by administrative tasks that drain your energy and keep you from your true calling? You know you need help, but asking for it feels like a failure, or maybe you believe it's your job to do it all. In this episode, we sit down with seasoned ministry leaders David Gaddini and Annette Safstrom to tackle the critical, often unspoken, need for administrative support in the church. They explore why leaders hesitate to delegate, how to shift your church culture to embrace support roles, and practical ways...
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Is Your Goal Setting Killing Your Ministry?
The Ministry Architects Podcast
Join our hosts and our special guests, Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes and Trey Wince, for a transformative conversation that will give you permission to rethink your entire approach to goals. Discover why the traditional playbook often fails in a ministry context and learn how to shift from shame-inducing output goals to life-giving habits, systems, and stories. This is your guide to building a healthier, more innovative, and genuinely impactful ministry.
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The KidMin Tech Playbook: A Guide to Connecting with Parents & Equipping Volunteers
The Ministry Architects Podcast
From social media strategy and volunteer training to the very tools we use on Sunday morning, technology is woven into the fabric of modern ministry. But are we using it effectively? How do we navigate the learning curves, avoid the pitfalls, and truly partner with families in a digital age? In this episode, we sit down with author and ministry leader Brittany Nelson to discuss the heart behind her book on digital discipleship. She offers a wealth of wisdom on how to thoughtfully integrate technology, avoid common mistakes, and lead your people well through change.
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The Classroom or the Calling: What Prepares You for a Deeper Ministry Impact?
The Ministry Architects Podcast
Is the local church enough for deep theological learning, or is formal education essential for ministry leadership? What if you feel called to more but seminary isn't an option? In this episode, we tackle the critical and often-debated topic of continuing education for ministry leaders. Joined by guests Lesleigh Carmichael and Bianca Howard, we explore the practical reasons for pursuing a seminary degree, how to build a powerful learning plan without formal education, and what to do when you encounter a leader who thinks they've already learned enough. This conversation is packed with wisdom...
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Are Your Milestones More Tradition Than Transformation? Creating Moments That Last
The Ministry Architects Podcast
Are church milestones just traditions, or do they hold the power to shape faith and engage families? In this episode, we explore how to create a "theology of milestones" that moves beyond one-off events to become a core part of your discipleship journey. Joined by family ministry experts Elaine Pendergrass and Werner Ramirez, discover why celebrating everything from baptism to getting a driver’s license can be a profound act of ministry and the practical first steps you can take to make them more meaningful.
info_outlineIs the local church enough for deep theological learning, or is formal education essential for ministry leadership? What if you feel called to more but seminary isn't an option? In this episode, we tackle the critical and often-debated topic of continuing education for ministry leaders. Joined by guests Lesleigh Carmichael and Bianca Howard, we explore the practical reasons for pursuing a seminary degree, how to build a powerful learning plan without formal education, and what to do when you encounter a leader who thinks they've already learned enough. This conversation is packed with wisdom for anyone feeling stuck or wondering what's next in their leadership journey.