Each week, The Malphurs Group team tackles important, actionable topics to help your church succeed in revitalization and leadership. We want to equip your church break through barriers and maximize your impact.
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Churchconsulting Podcasts
With THE UNSTUCK CHURCH PODCAST, we invite you into the real-time conversations our team is having about church leadership every week. Hosted by Amy Anderson, this podcast explores common challenges in ministry and practical steps for tackling them. It’s like getting to be a fly on the wall of our staff meetings. Tune in weekly for: Insights, observations and trends for church leaders from the Unstuck team. Benchmarks in church growth and health from The Unstuck Group’s work serving hundreds ...
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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 …
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Own Your Role: Breaking the MultiStuck Barrier - Episode 415
23:44
23:44
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23:44"Where did all our momentum go?" We hear this question often from the multisite churches we serve. It is so common for a multisite church to get stuck at three locations. Having three locations is amazing and exciting, but if you are continuing to grow, it can suddenly feel very frustrating if your multisite model becomes the barrier to making room…
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How Churches Can Manage and Prioritize Community Partnerships
29:38
29:38
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29:38How 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 wi…
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Own Your Role: Breaking the 2000 Barrier - Episode 414
21:23
21:23
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21:23Crossing the 2000 barrier isn’t just about adding more seats on Sunday. This barrier represents a significant shift in how a church needs to operate. At this size, it’s common to see ministry silos develop and a realization that your leadership structure needs to evolve. As the leaders of the church, you have to make some changes to your mindset an…
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What makes someone truly qualified to serve as an elder in your church? In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu share three common pitfalls churches face when selecting elder candidates—and how to avoid them. From clarifying the difference between longevity and competency to defining role expectations, this…
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Own Your Role: Breaking the 1000 Barrier - Episode 413
23:48
23:48
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23:48"I've never led a church this size before..." If you are a senior pastor, executive pastor or board member, you’re not alone in thinking this. We hear church leaders say it all the time, as they wonder how they’re going to break through the next growth barrier. We’re continuing our series on breaking common growth barriers, specifically helping chu…
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Should Your Church Do a Building Project?
30:33
30:33
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30:33When is the right time for your church to expand its building? In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu share three key considerations every church should evaluate before committing to a major building project. From clarifying vision to setting measurable benchmarks and crafting a financial plan, this discus…
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Own Your Role: Breaking the 200 and 500 Barriers - Episode 412
34:22
34:22
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34:22You know the story: the numbers rise then stall. Two steps forward, one step back. Maybe your church has a history of hovering around a number—a familiar attendance line you just can’t seem to cross. Or maybe a rapid growth season occurs, but eventually, something—people, systems, culture—plateaus the momentum and drifts you right back to where you…
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How Do We Create an Evangelism and Outreach Culture in Our Church?
28:34
28:34
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28:34Evangelism isn’t a program—it’s a culture rooted in identity. In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we explore how churches can move from sporadic outreach events to fostering a deep, church-wide culture of evangelism that flows naturally from who we are in Christ. Hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu from The Malphurs Group bring thei…
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Brand New Data on Church Trends: Q3 2025 Unstuck Church Report - Episode 411
41:07
41:07
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41:07The newest edition of The Unstuck Church Report is here! Over the past few years, our Unstuck Church Reports have told a pretty encouraging story. On average, churches are seeing double-digit growth. In fact, if you look back at the last 13 quarters, attendance growth has landed somewhere between 13% and 30%. Incredible! But let’s be honest: not ev…
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Many churches struggle with senior leaders who are stuck doing ministry instead of leading others to do it. In this episode, we break down how to make the shift—biblically and practically—from being hands-on doers to high-leverage leaders who equip others for lasting impact. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu, church consultants with The Malphurs Group, c…
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3 Communication Challenges for Churches (Part 3): Better Communication With Outsiders - Episode 410
34:59
34:59
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34:59As followers of Jesus, we're called to reach people outside of the faith. But doing so requires a strategy—both in the church and in your personal life. We're wrapping up our series on communication challenges for churches with a conversation about communicating with outsiders—people outside the church and outside the faith. In this episode, Sean a…
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People don’t join small groups because of catchy announcements—they join because they’re hungry for connection. In this episode, we explore how to communicate the real value of groups: not as a program, but as a path to deeper spiritual and relational health. If your small groups ministry feels stuck, this conversation will help you reframe the mes…
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3 Communication Challenges for Churches (Part 2) - Better Communication with Insiders - Episode 409
30:14
30:14
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30:14We’re getting into that busy back-to-school and ministry ramp-up season. If you have communication issues as a ministry, they will start showing up big time this time of year. When it comes to church communication, most leaders just try to reach everyone. But the truth is, you actually have two distinct audiences: insiders and outsiders. This week,…
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Building a Healthy Multisite Church Leadership Culture
29:09
29:09
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29:09Building a Healthy Multi-Site Leadership Culture Many churches dream of going multi-site, but few consider what it takes to cultivate a unified, thriving leadership culture across campuses. In this episode, we outline the five essential elements your church needs to lead well in a multi-site model. Your hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu from The Ma…
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3 Communication Challenges for Churches (Part 1): Better Team Communication - Episode 408
34:59
34:59
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34:59When you think August, you think busy. For most churches, the ministry season ramps up as people return to church after the summer. It’s back-to-school for families, and people are getting overloaded by communication—from the schools, teachers, doctors, teams and YOU. In this series, we’re tackling three areas where we believe churches could take i…
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Is your church aging and struggling to attract younger families? In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we explore practical strategies to breathe new life into your children's ministry and effectively connect with young families. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are experienced church consultants with The Malphurs Group. They specialize …
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Playing the Hits: Engaging New People in Their Calling - Episode 407
28:18
28:18
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28:18This summer, we’re changing things up. You’re on vacation; we’re on vacation. We all know how this goes. You probably have road trips, plane trips, maybe a sabbatical or some conferences to attend this month. But ministry and leadership are still happening! So this month, we are replaying the “hits” from the last six months: the best episodes. We’l…
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Church Consultants Answering YOUR Church Revitalization Questions!
44:59
44:59
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44:59It's the 300th episode 🎉 of the Church Revitalization Podcast, and we're celebrating by answering some of your most pressing questions. From making tough ministry decisions to cultivating leadership in your church, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu provide practical, actionable advice to help your church thrive. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are experience…
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Playing The Hits: The Understaffed Team With Too Many People - Episode 406
17:58
17:58
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17:58This summer, we’re changing things up. You’re on vacation; we’re on vacation. We all know how this goes. You probably have road trips, plane trips, maybe a sabbatical or some conferences to attend this month. But ministry and leadership are still happening! So this month, we are replaying the “hits” from the last six months: the best episodes. We’l…
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Three Ways to Prepare for the Fall Ministry Launch
17:36
17:36
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17:36Ready for a thriving fall ministry launch? In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we break down the three must-do steps that will set your ministry up for a successful new season—whether your summer’s winding down or you’re just starting to plan ahead. Your hosts, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu, are passionate church consultants with ye…
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Playing the Hits: Leveraging Your Biggest Front Door - Episode 405
27:38
27:38
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27:38This summer, we’re changing things up. You’re on vacation; we’re on vacation. We all know how this goes. You probably have road trips, plane trips, maybe a sabbatical or some conferences to attend this month. But ministry and leadership are still happening! So this month, we are replaying the “hits” from the last six months: the best episodes. We’l…
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This 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 …
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Playing The Hits: The People Side of Growth - Episode 404
26:53
26:53
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26:53This summer, we’re changing things up. You’re on vacation; we’re on vacation. We all know how this goes. You probably have road trips, plane trips, maybe a sabbatical or some conferences to attend this month. But ministry and leadership are still happening! So this month, we are replaying the “hits” from the last six months: the best episodes. We’l…
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The Top 5 Church Constitution & Bylaw Problems
24:07
24:07
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24:07Many churches are stuck with outdated or overly complex bylaws that limit their effectiveness and create unnecessary conflict. In this episode, we unpack the top five issues with church constitutions and bylaws—and how your church can fix them. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu of The Malphurs Group bring practical insights from years of helping churches…
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Playing The Hits: Crafting The Right Next Steps - Episode 403
28:55
28:55
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28:55This summer we’re changing things up. You’re on vacation; we’re on vacation. We all know how this goes. You probably have road trips, plane trips, maybe a sabbatical or some conferences to attend this month. But ministry and leadership are still happening! So this month, we are replaying the “hits” from the last six months: the best episodes. We’ll…
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When Is the Best Time for Volunteer Recruitment?
25:04
25:04
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25:04Looking to level up volunteer engagement in your church? In this episode of The Church Revitalization Podcast, we break down the best times and strategies for recruiting volunteers, drawing from current trends and real-world ministry experience. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or new to church revitalization, these insights will help you build a s…
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How Does My Mindset Have To Change? - Episode 402
21:56
21:56
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21:56When a church slips into the maintenance phase, pastors often wrestle with all kinds of fears—worrying about rocking the boat, messing up, dealing with conflict or just burning out. But what if those very fears are the thing standing between your church and its next season of growth and impact? In the final episode of our “Just Maintaining” series,…
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Myth-busting Spiritual Gifts! In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and AJ Mathieu tackle three of the most widespread misconceptions about spiritual gifts. They dig into where common beliefs miss the mark, how spiritual gifts assessments really work, and why understanding gifting is so important for engaging church membe…
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How Do I Need To Adjust My Leadership? - Episode 401
25:25
25:25
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25:25It’s easy to focus on what the church needs to change when growth slows—programs, strategies, systems. But often, the real breakthrough starts with the leader. A particularly challenging part of leading through the maintenance phase? Adjusting your leadership approach. In Part 3 of our “Just Maintaining” series, Sean and Amy discuss what churches n…
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Why Temperament Matters in Church Volunteer Roles
28:07
28:07
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28:07Unlock the secret to effective volunteer placement in your church! In this episode, we dive deep into why getting the right person in the right role—right now—matters, with a special focus on temperament and its impact on ministry effectiveness. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting out, you'll discover actionable steps for aligning vol…
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How Do We Break The Next Growth Barrier? - Episode 400
23:18
23:18
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23:18Your church isn’t declining … but it’s not growing either. You might be stuck in “maintenance mode.” Many aspects of ministry look healthy, but growth has slowed. You’re not really reaching new guests, and fewer people are crossing the line of faith. What now? In Part 2 of our "Just Maintaining" series, Sean and Amy talk about what you actually nee…
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Why do some unhealthy churches seem to be growing rapidly? In this episode, we peel back the layers behind fast-growing churches and explore whether all that glitters is truly gold. Join us as we discuss the hidden factors that can fuel church growth and how to discern authentic health from surface-level success. Your hosts are Scott Ball and A.J. …
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Has your church’s growth slowed down or hit a plateau? Maybe you're financially stable, and everything seems fine on the surface, but something feels off from your perspective as the leader. There are telltale signs your church is drifting away from sustained health. In this candid series, we'll explore why churches unconsciously slip into “mainten…
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