The Lead Ministry Podcast

Latest Episodes:

313. The Progress Spiral: How Wise Leaders Evaluate First (Part 1) Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

Episode Description
In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and guest Vance Martin kick off a New Year series on productivity and progress in ministry. They introduce Vance’s “Progress Spiral,” a simple framework to evaluate, strategize, and execute in your ministry, starting with a deep dive into the probe phase.

They explore how to honestly assess your people, processes, and programs across three core cultures – volunteers, parents, and kids – offering practical language and real stories to help ministry leaders diagnose what is actually happening on the ground before they start fixing anything.

If you've ever felt stuck in the same problems year after year, or frustrated that your changes never quite solve the real issues, this episode will equip and inspire you with a simple way to evaluate your ministry with clarity and courage.

Key Topics Covered
The Progress Spiral – a three-part framework for ongoing ministry improvement.
The Probe Phase – evaluating people, processes, and programs without fear or assumptions.
Hearing Hard Truth – why asking volunteers, parents, and kids for feedback builds trust and real change.

Key Quote
"Prognosis without diagnosis is malpractice."

Scripture References
Proverbs 27:23 – "Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds."
Luke 14:28 – "For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost."

Takeaway
Before you rewrite your calendar, overhaul your programs, or launch something new, you must slow down and see reality as it is. When you humbly probe your people, processes, and programs – and invite honest feedback from those you serve – you discover where the real problems are and where God may be inviting you to grow. Diagnosis comes before prescription, and good leaders are willing to ask hard questions and listen well.

Call to Action
We hope this episode encourages and equips you. Share it with a friend and stay tuned for more resources each week.

Stay Connected for More Resources
Visit our website: http://leadministry.com
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadVolunteers
Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadvolunteers

312. The 3 Elements Every Church Needs to Move Again Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

Episode Description
In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart sits down with leadership coach Vance Martin to unpack what it means to build a “move mental” ministry. They explore how organizational clarity, individual accountability, and team innovation work together to create not just programs, but a true movement of people on mission.

If you've ever felt like your church is busy but not actually moving forward, this episode will equip and inspire you with a simple, biblical framework to realign your team and reignite momentum.

Key Topics Covered
Organizational Clarity – Why your team spins in circles without a clear, shared scoreboard
Individual Accountability – How healthy coaching replaces fear-driven control and manipulation
Team Innovation – How creativity flourishes when people know the vision and own their role

Key Quote
“Clarity gives the right for accountability. Without clarity, leaders overextend grace instead of providing direction.”

Scripture References
Matthew 16:18 – “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Hebrews 10:24 – “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.”

Takeaway
Movements don’t happen by accident. When leaders clarify where the ministry is going, hold people lovingly accountable, and create safe space for creative risk, the Spirit often uses that environment to multiply impact. Your job is to build a culture where your team knows the vision, knows their part, and feels both challenged and released to pursue it together.

Call to Action
We hope this episode encourages and equips you. Share it with a friend and stay tuned for more resources each week.

311. Essential Biblical Productivity for 2026 Ministry Leaders Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

Episode Description
In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and Bill Van Kirk unpack what it means to pursue biblical productivity at the start of a new year. They explore essential productivity for 2026, offering a God-centered vision of work, diligence, and stewardship for ministry leaders.

If you've ever felt torn between “doing more” and staying faithful to your family, soul, and calling, this episode will equip and inspire you with a framework for fruitful, sustainable productivity that glorifies God.

Key Topics Covered
Redefining productivity – moving from secular hustle to biblical stewardship
Processes and people – why ministry leaders must build systems and develop volunteers
Eternal reward – how diligence today shapes the “well done” you will hear tomorrow

Key Quote
“God doesn’t expect maintenance; He expects a return on what He’s entrusted to you.”

Scripture References
Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
Ephesians 5:15–16 – “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time.”
Matthew 25:14–30 – The parable of the talents, where the Master commends faithful servants who multiply what they were given.

Takeaway
Biblical productivity is not about burning the candle at both ends. It is about honoring God with focused, diligent work that builds processes, develops people, and serves the local church. When you treat this year as your “one and only life” and labor with eternity in view, you position yourself to experience the joy of fruitfulness now and the reward of “well done” later.

Call to Action
We hope this episode encourages and equips you. Share it with a friend and stay tuned for more resources each week.

310. Curling for Leaders: Vision, Release, and the Art of Influence Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

Episode Description
In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and Bill Van Kirk unpack surprising leadership lessons from the winter sport of curling. They explore the roles of the skip, thrower, and sweepers—and translate them into a practical framework for leading interns and teams without micromanaging.

If you've ever struggled to “let go” after delegating—or been tempted to check out once you hand something off—this episode will equip and inspire you with a simple, sticky picture: stop grabbing the stone and start sweeping a clear path.

Key Topics Covered
The Skip – Vision, strategy, and owning the “60,000-foot view.”
The Thrower – Releasing people with clarity (who/what/when/where/why/how).
The Sweepers – Influencing outcomes without controlling; the “invisible hand.”

Key Quote
“Let this person go—but you still have an opportunity for influence. Be the invisible hand.”

Scripture References
2 Timothy 2:2 – “And what you have heard from me… entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”
Proverbs 11:14 – “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”

Takeaway
Great leaders don’t hover and they don’t disappear. They cast direction, release with clarity, then “sweep” ahead—removing friction, shaping environment, and quietly steering toward the target. It’s the difference between stunting growth and building confident servants who can be sent.

Call to Action
We hope this episode encourages and equips you. Share it with a friend and stay tuned for more resources each week.

309. Stop Making Interns Clean Closets: A Smarter Way Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

Episode Description
In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and Bill Van Kirk tackle a surprisingly emotional topic: cleaning the ministry closet—and why it should never be a one-person job or the default assignment for your intern. They explore a practical, discipleship-oriented process that uses three complementary roles and positions your intern as the fourth person for maximum learning.

If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at “just have the intern do it,” this episode will equip and inspire you with a simple team model that honors people, protects history, and stewards resources.

Key Topics Covered
• The 3 roles you need: cut-throat pragmatist, sentimental hoarder, budget-minded realist—and why tension between them is healthy.
• Why your intern is the fourth person, not the lone cleaner—and how to make it a formative leadership lab.
• A semi-annual rhythm, clear criteria, and a negotiation table that prevents waste and regret.

Key Quote
“Don’t let your intern be the closet cleaner. Make them an intelligent observer of the strategy.”

Scripture References
Proverbs 22:28 – “Do not move the ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.”
Luke 16:10 – “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much…”

Takeaway
A clean closet isn’t the goal; wise stewardship and team discipleship are. Build a small cross-functional team, define what stays or goes, protect meaningful artifacts, and train your intern by letting them watch the process, ask questions, and document decisions.

Call to Action
We hope this episode encourages and equips you. Share it with a friend and stay tuned for more resources each week.

308. Lead with Legacy in Mind Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

pisode Description
In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart is joined by Vance Martin to talk about what it really means to develop interns—and future leaders—with legacy in mind. Vance reflects on lessons he learned from his father, who modeled mentorship that believed in him, let him fail, and gave him real responsibility. Together, Josh and Vance outline a practical framework for raising leaders who don’t just serve your ministry—they extend it.

They share stories of failure, faith, and gradual handoffs that shaped their leadership, revealing that the best leaders aren’t the ones who hold on tightly, but those who give their platform away.

If you’ve ever hesitated to release control or struggled to balance excellence with equipping others, this episode will stretch and encourage you.

Key Topics Covered

Four stages of intern development: Call it out, let them fail, give them platform, hand it off
How to help young leaders discover who they are
Why releasing control multiplies your legacy

Key Quote
“Your failure to share the spotlight is what keeps you from sharing the load.”

Scripture References
Proverbs 18:21 – “The tongue has the power of life and death.”
Luke 16:10 – “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.”
2 Timothy 2:2 – “Entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”

Takeaway
True leadership isn’t about control—it’s about multiplication. When you call out potential, let people fail safely, and hand off real responsibility, you create leaders who last long after you’re gone. Legacy happens when you give away what God has given you.

Call to Action
We hope this episode encourages and equips you. Share it with a friend and stay tuned for more resources each week.

307. Die to Perfectionism: How to Raise Leaders Who Last Dec 08, 2025

Show notes

Episode Description
In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart sits down with Brittany Nelson, founder of Deeper KidMin, to explore how to raise up interns without burning yourself—or them—out. They unpack what it means to die to perfectionism and empower emerging leaders through intentional coaching, not just busywork.

If you’ve ever felt torn between excellence and delegation, this episode will equip and inspire you to release control, train well, and invest in the next generation of ministry leaders.

Key Topics Covered
• The true purpose of an internship program
• Why leaders must let go of perfectionism to multiply impact
• How to connect every task to Kingdom purpose

Key Quote
“Somebody took a risk and put my sorry self in the game. We need to do the same for someone else.”

Scripture References
Ephesians 4:11–12 – “...to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”
Philippians 2:3–4 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”

Takeaway
Great leadership isn’t about doing everything perfectly—it’s about giving others the chance to lead, fail, and grow under your guidance. An internship done right shapes both the intern and the leader into more patient, people-focused servants of Christ.

Call to Action
We hope this episode encourages and equips you. Share it with a fellow leader and start praying about who you can invest in this year.

About Brittany Nelson
Brittany Nelson is a speaker, author, former children’s pastor, and the creator of DeeperKidMin.com, an online hub of downloadable resources made for children’s ministry leaders by children’s ministry leaders. She equips leaders around the world by sharing practical tools and encouragement that help kids grow deeper in their faith. When she’s not serving ministry leaders, Brittany loves being a mom to three girls, reading, volunteering in children’s and youth ministry, and drinking herbal tea.

306. The Internship Playbook: From Idea to Impact Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

Episode Description
In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and Bill Van Kirk unpack why every church can and should run a ministry internship—without drowning in complexity. They explore a define–develop–do framework and practical ways to reduce friction so you can prepare now and multiply impact this summer.

If you've ever wished for more leaders or felt stuck doing it all yourself, this episode will equip and inspire you with a clear path to launch an intern who grows spiritually and moves real ministry forward.

Key Topics Covered
Benefits to interns – Spiritual growth, hands-on experience, discernment of calling, mentoring, and networking.
Benefits to churches – Increased productivity, fresh perspectives, pipeline of future leaders, and community impact.
Friction reducers – A simple framework and ready-made resources to make internships “print and implement.”

Key Quote
“Serving in ministry is a spiritual life hack to help you go deeper and mature in your faith.”

Scripture References
Ephesians 4:12 – “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”
2 Timothy 2:2 – “what you have heard from me… entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”

Takeaway
Internships aren’t about cheap labor. They’re about intentional discipleship, meaningful responsibility, and multiplying leaders. Start now—clarify the win, assign one significant project, and pair your intern with consistent mentoring. The impact will outlast the summer.

Call to Action
We hope this episode encourages and equips you. Share it with a friend and stay tuned for more resources each week.

305. A Simple System for High-Impact Meetings Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

Episode Description
In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart sits down with David Reneau, Lead Pastor of Encounter Church in Toccoa, Georgia.
With more than 17 years of ministry experience—most in children’s and family ministry—David brings deep, field-tested wisdom and a passion for helping leaders build ministries that last.
He is the author of Next Level Kidmin and shares resources at https://davidreneau.org.

Together, Josh and David unpack five essentials of high-impact lead-team meetings, exploring practical rhythms that turn volunteers into owners and meetings into predictable engines for ministry progress.

If you’ve ever dreaded another meandering meeting, this episode will equip and inspire you with a simple framework you can implement this month.

Key Topics Covered
Meet Regularly – Build a dependable rhythm your team can plan around.
Have an Agenda – Send it early so every voice (including introverts) can contribute.
Start and End on Time – Honor people; protect momentum and trust.

Key Quote
“Success in ministry isn’t what you do—it’s what happens if you never came back.”

Scripture References
Proverbs 15:22 – “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
1 Corinthians 14:40 – “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”

Takeaway
Meetings shape culture. When you meet consistently with a clear agenda, start with wins, and end on time, you build ownership, surface better ideas, and multiply leaders. Don’t cancel—adjust the format, but keep the rhythm.

Call to Action
We hope this episode encourages and equips you. Share it with a friend and stay tuned for more resources each week.

304. The 10-Minute VIP Huddle That Changes Your Sunday Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

Episode Description
In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and Vance Martin unpack the VIP Huddle—an intentional 5–10 minute pre-service gathering designed to align volunteers around Vision, essential Information, and Prayer. They share practical rhythms that make huddles unmissable and show how these moments become a training ground for future leaders.

If you’ve ever felt like pre-service meetings are stale or poorly attended, this episode will equip and inspire you to design huddles people value—and won’t want to miss.

Key Topics Covered
VIP Defined (Vision • Information • Prayer) – A simple framework that scales across ministries.
Make It Worth Showing Up – Why attendance is feedback, and how to add real value.
God-Stories as Vision Fuel – Capture, curate, and share weekly stories of transformation.
Information that Sticks – One timely reminder beats a five-item list.
Prayer that Fits the Moment – Use “one-word needs” to keep prayer focused and inclusive.
Start and End on Time – Honor volunteers, build culture, and train leaders by modeling brevity.

Key Quote
“Be brief, brother, be brief… one vision thing, one piece of information, and heartfelt prayer.”

Scripture References
Hebrews 10:24–25 – “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works… encouraging one another.”
1 Peter 1:12–13 (cf. 2 Peter 1:12–13 principle) – “I intend always to remind you… to stir you up by way of reminder.”
Colossians 4:2 – “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”

Takeaway
Treat the huddle as the most strategic 10 minutes of your Sunday. Share one clear vision, one crucial detail, and pray with intention. Capture God-stories, schedule topics ahead, and invite others to lead parts of the huddle. The result: volunteers feel seen, aligned, and ready to serve.

Call to Action
We hope this episode encourages and equips you. Share it with a friend and stay tuned for more resources each week.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected