The Small Church Ministry Podcast
The only podcast created for volunteers and everyday leaders in smaller congregations, this show embraces small church ministry as a place where God is already at work. Founder of Small Church Ministry and the Small Church Network, Laurie Graham Ertl shares why small churches matter—not as a scaled-down version of something bigger, but as powerful communities with their own unique strengths. Each episode offers creative solutions to real challenges with a mix of honest encouragement, leadership skills, and actionable next steps.
Laurie hosts the show with a perspective shaped by decades in ministry on every side of small church life—as a volunteer, staff leader, and pastor’s spouse. She knows both the pressure and the beauty of small churches firsthand, and brings steady encouragement, practical wisdom, and deep care for both volunteers and ministry leaders.
The Small Church Ministry Podcast
Latest Episodes
244: The Women Who Make Small Churches Work
Women are woven through almost every part of small-church ministry, and some of their biggest influence happens in relationships, not official roles. But while churches invest in ministry ideas and practical skills, we often assume ...
243: I’m Resigning as the Idea Girl for Small Churches
After years of equipping small churches with practical ideas, my thinking has shifted. Great ministry ideas matter, but they’re only one part of equipping small-church leaders and volunteers with what they need to lead well, develop...
242: Your Church Wants to Reach New Families. So Why Aren't They Coming?
Your small church wants to reach new families. You’re planning events, finding volunteers, inviting people, and trying hard, but sometimes the families you’re hoping to reach still aren’t coming. In this episode, we’re looking under...
241: Healthy Responses to Unhealthy Church Leadership
Churches are made up of people, and people aren't healthy all the time. So what do we do when church leadership isn't at its best? In this episode, we're talking about how to recognize unhealthy patterns, respond wisely, and become ...
240: Is "We've Always Done It This Way" Keeping Your Small Church Stuck?
Most churches don't struggle because people don't care. They struggle because they're trying to solve today's challenges with yesterday's ideas.In this episode, we share one of our favorite strategies for creating a culture of learning t...