The Lead Ministry Podcast

Latest Episodes:

293. Retention Secrets Every Ministry Leader Must Know Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and Bill Van Kirk unpack the vital topic of volunteer retention. They explore why keeping volunteers isn’t just about filling slots, but about discipleship, stewardship, and honoring the people God has already entrusted to your ministry.

If you’ve ever felt exhausted by constant turnover or afraid of burning out your team, this episode will equip you with a fresh vision and practical tools for retention.

Key Topics Covered

Retention defined: what it really means to “keep” volunteers
Why serving is a spiritual life hack for discipleship
Practical use of the Five Love Languages for volunteer care

Key Quote
“Don’t let your ministry become the meat grinder for volunteers.”

Scripture References
Ephesians 4:11–12 – “...to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ”

Takeaway
Volunteer retention isn’t just a staffing strategy, it’s a discipleship pathway. When leaders steward their volunteers well—through encouragement, service, and personal care—they not only strengthen their ministry but also honor God.

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

292. The New Lead Ministry Playbook: One Focus, Big Results Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and Bill Van Kirk announce a new monthly, laser-focused content plan for ministry leaders. They outline a year-long scope and sequence—starting with volunteer retention—that aligns the podcast, newsletter, webinars, free resources, and courses into one cohesive system.

If you’ve ever felt scattered by competing priorities or stuck on the recruitment hamster wheel, this episode will equip and inspire you with a focused plan to build a ministry that keeps working—even when you’re not in the room.

Key Topics Covered
Retain First – Why closing the back door beats frantic recruitment
Content Saturation – One theme per month across podcast, guides, webinar, and course
Year at a Glance – From Retain and Train to Lead Meetings, Digital, and Multiply

Key Quote
“Success in ministry is not what you do. Success in ministry is what happens if you never came back.”

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 people who will be able to teach others also”

Takeaway
Stop spreading your effort thin. Commit to one strategic focus each month and align every channel to reinforce it. Start with retention, then build systems for training, meetings, digital communication, and multiplication. Progress compounds when your inputs are coordinated.

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

291. The Outside Voice Every Ministry Leader Needs Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

Episode Description
In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart sits down with certified ministry coach Jodi Quinn. They explore the power of ministry coaching, offering practical encouragement for leaders who want to grow in faith, leadership, and life.

If you’ve ever felt alone in leadership or wondered if outside coaching could make a difference, this episode will equip and inspire you with practical stories and wisdom.

Key Topics Covered
Tailored Support – Coaching shaped to fit your context
The Power of Partnership – Growing together toward God’s call
Benefits for the Coach – Why pouring into others grows you too

Key Quote
"Coaching isn’t one size fits all. It’s about meeting people right where they are."

Scripture References
Proverbs 27:17 – "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
Ecclesiastes 4:9 – "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor."

Takeaway
Ministry coaching is more than content delivery — it’s a relationship built on trust, context, and mutual growth. A coach brings an outside perspective that helps leaders see clearly, act wisely, and stay healthy for the long haul.

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

290. Pivot & Thrive: Coaching for Any Ministry Shift Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

Episode Description

In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart sits down with family-ministry pastor Cathy Story to unpack how one-on-one coaching can transform every season of church leadership. They explore the power of tailored guidance in both megachurch and micro-church settings, offering practical takeaways for ministry leaders.

If you’ve ever felt in over your head after a big transition, this episode will equip and inspire you with a roadmap to grow with a trusted coach.

Key Topics Covered

Tailored coaching – why “one size fits all” rarely fits anyone

Leaving well – turning a potential mess into a bless for your successor

Grandparenting ministry – meeting a growing demographic with purpose

Key Quote

“It’s an investment in the ministry God’s called you to do.”

Scripture References

Genesis 12:1 – “Go from your country… to the land that I will show you.”

2 Timothy 2:2 – “Entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others also.”

Takeaway

Coaching is more than advice; it’s a partnership that identifies strengths, addresses blind spots, and accelerates kingdom impact. Whether you lead 30 or 300 children, a coach can turn uncertainty into strategic confidence.

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

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadvolunteers

289. Unstuck & Promoted: A Coachee's Playbook Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

Episode Description

In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart talks with Assistant Pastor Ian Troll about the exact coaching conversations that helped Ian break ministry gridlock and land a promotion. They explore how intentional coaching turns roadblocks into launchpads, offering practical frameworks and real-life stories for leaders feeling sidelined.

If you’ve ever wondered why your best ideas stall out, this episode will equip you with a repeatable plan to gain traction and favor.

Key Topics Covered

From Plateau to Promotion – Mapping the journey from Children’s Director to Assistant Pastor
Pitching Upward – Why busy leaders approve clear, data-backed plans, not vague wishes
Bridging the Seminary Gap – Practical volunteer-management skills no class ever covered

Key Quote

“They don’t want to solve your problems. They want to approve well-thought-out plans.”

Scripture References

Proverbs 15:22 – “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

Takeaway

Coaching provides the outside perspective and confidence boost you need to craft persuasive strategies, secure leadership buy-in, and step into greater responsibility.

Call to Action

We hope this episode encourages and equips you in your leadership. Share it with a friend, and stay tuned for more resources each week.

Stay Connected for More Resources

Visit our website: http://leadministry.com

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadvolunteers

288. The Lone Ranger Trap (And How Coaching Frees You) Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

Episode Description
In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart welcomes certified Lead Ministry coach Kristi Williamsto dismantle the myth of Lone-Ranger leadership. They explore how solo ministry caps kingdom impact and outline a repeatable process for multiplying capable volunteers.

If you’ve ever felt exhausted because “everything lands on my desk,” this conversation will equip and inspire you with a proven framework for doing more—with more.

Key Topics Covered

The Lone-Ranger Trap – Why centralizing every decision wears you out and stalls growth
I Do → We Do → You Do – A three-step hand-off that builds confident leaders, not codependent followers
From Problems to Opportunities – Turning volunteer shortages into training grounds for new leaders

Key Quote
“We need to stop robbing people of laying up treasure in heaven.”

Scripture References

Exodus 18:18 – “You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out.”
Ephesians 4:12 – “To equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”

Takeaway
Healthy ministries refuse to hog the ball. When leaders release decisions, effort, and connections to others, capacity expands and discipleship deepens.

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

287. The Ripple Effect: Coaching That Transforms Teams Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

Episode Description
In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart talks with Allison Bailey, a children’s ministry director whose life and leadership were transformed by targeted ministry coaching. They explore how a coach provides tailored guidance that multiplies leaders and prevents burnout, allowing ministries to thrive long after the leader steps away.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, stretched, or unsure how to scale healthy systems, this conversation will inspire you with practical next steps.

Key Topics Covered

Why Coaching Matters – How an outside voice accelerates growth and safeguards your soul
Equipping That Multiplies – Turning one leader’s breakthrough into church-wide momentum
Sustainable Success – Building ministries that flourish when you’re not in the room

Key Quote
"Success in ministry isn’t what happens when you’re there—it’s what happens if you left and never came back."

Scripture References

2 Timothy 2:2 – “The things you have heard … entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”
Proverbs 11:14 – “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”

Takeaway
Coaching equips leaders to reproduce themselves, creating ministries that are people-focused, sustainable, and resilient. When you invest in a coach, you invest in every volunteer and family you serve.

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

286. Unlock Hidden Ministry Potential Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

Episode Description

In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh sits down with Lead Ministry Coach Aleshia to discuss the transformative power of coaching. They explore how personalized, one-on-one guidance goes beyond courses and content to help leaders navigate their most specific and pressing challenges.

If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to apply good advice to your unique situation, this episode will equip and inspire you with a new perspective on getting the support you need.

Key Topics Covered

Tailored Support – Why "off-roading" from the plan is where the real coaching magic happens.

Aleshia's Journey – Her story of moving from a coachee to a coach and the lessons learned along the way.

The Power of Questions – How coaching helps leaders find their own answers instead of just receiving advice.

Key Quote

"[It's not my ministry map]. I'm not trying to give somebody my map of how I did ministry. It is helping them to draw their own map to ministry in that's right context and that comes through questions and the right asking the right questions."

Takeaway

Ministry coaching provides the objective, personalized, and relational support that leaders need to thrive, not just survive. It is one of the most effective investments a leader can make in their ministry and their personal well-being, offering clarity and confidence to lead effectively.

Call to Action

We hope this episode encourages and equips you in your leadership. Share it with a friend, and stay tuned for more resources each week.

Stay Connected for More Resources

Visit our website: http://leadministry.com

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadvolunteers

285. 5X Your Impact? A Coachee's City Ministry Blueprint Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Episode Description

In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart and Josh Zello discuss the transformative impact of ministry coaching. They explore how personalized support helps leaders grow in faith, personal development, and their church careers, offering real-life stories and practical takeaways for navigating ministry challenges.

If you've ever questioned how to get an outside perspective on your ministry, or felt the need for tailored guidance beyond general resources, this episode will equip and inspire you with insights into the unique benefits of one-on-one coaching.

Key Topics Covered

Defining Ministry Coaching – Understanding tailored support and holistic personal and professional development for ministry leaders.

Benefits of Coaching in Practice – How customized coaching led to significant growth in ministry engagement and team effectiveness.

Navigating Complex Situations – A compelling story of how coaching provided a strategic approach to a challenging church-wide childcare issue.

Why Ministry Leaders Need a Coach – The unique value of an outside perspective and a trusted, confidential resource for life and ministry.

Key Quote

"Coaching for me is this plethora of life experiences both in and out of the church and the collective kind of 50 years of, you know, thought and process that all comes together to go, wow, what would, what would be a good, a good thing?" – Josh Denhart

Scripture References

2 Timothy 2:2 – “The things that you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, pass them on to others who will be able to pass them on to others as well.”

Takeaway

Ministry coaching provides invaluable, tailored support that extends beyond professional development to encompass a leader's entire life. By offering an objective perspective and practical strategies, coaching empowers individuals to tackle complex challenges, foster thriving teams, and effectively live out their calling with greater intentionality and less personal stress.

Call to Action

We hope this episode encourages and equips you in your leadership. Share it with a friend, and stay tuned for more resources each week.

Stay Connected for More Resources

Visit our website: http://leadministry.com

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadvolunteers

284. Stop Youth Ministry Burnout COLD Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

Episode Description
In this episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart sits down with Rob Quinn—family-ministry pastor and Lead Ministry coach—to expose the silent epidemic of youth-ministry burnout. They unpack practical coaching tools that turn frantic activity into focused, fruitful service.

If you’ve ever wondered whether the youth-ministry hamster wheel will ever slow down, this conversation equips you with a blueprint to stop burnout cold.

Key Topics Covered

Why Youth Leaders Flame Out – The hidden pressures that make student ministry a burnout hotspot
Lead Meetings Framework – The agenda hack that cuts meeting bloat in half
Recruit–Train–Retain – Systems that multiply volunteers and distribute the load

Key Quote
“They are burning out faster than anything—and it’s all because they don’t know how to do this stuff.” Coaching Podcast (Rob Q…

Scripture References

Proverbs 15:22 – “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
2 Timothy 2:2 – “What you have heard from me … entrust to faithful people.”

Takeaway
Stop carrying youth ministry alone. Coaching provides perspective, tried-and-true systems, and accountability so you can lead from health—not hurry.

Call to Action
We hope this episode equips you to last for the long haul. Share it with a teammate, and watch for more practical resources each week.

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