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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 J. Graham 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.
Episodes
195 episodes
195: "We’ve Always Done It This Way." The Small Church Lie That Keeps Us Stuck | with Ebonie Mukasa
Tradition can be beautiful — but when “we’ve always done it this way” becomes the default answer, it stops being wisdom and starts being a wall. In this episode, we talk about why resistant church culture burns women out, silences n...
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44:24
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194: Pastor. Pastor’s Wife. Volunteer. Leader. Are We Really That Different? | with Kristen Joy Humiston
In small churches, titles can build invisible walls—like pastors’ wives on one side, “regular” women on the other. Or ministry leaders here, and occasional volunteers over there. But those labels don’t tell the whole story, and they often keep ...
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44:30
193: The “Strong Woman” Lie That’s Breaking Us In Small Churches | with Dee Bryce
Women have often been told to be strong, hold it together, and do it all for everyone else. But the truth? That version of “strength” is quietly breaking us — and it’s breaking our small churches too. In this episode, we name the lie, call out ...
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49:22
192: Women, You’re Not Too Emotional (You Might Not Be Emotional Enough) | with Becky Brown
Women in small churches often feel like we have to hold it all in or keep it together for everyone else. But shutting down emotions doesn’t make us stronger — it cuts us off from one of the main ways God shapes us.In this episode, Becky ...
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42:44
191: Stop Saying People Aren’t Committed - It’s Hurting Your Ministry
When people don’t show up, it’s easy to assume they don’t care. But labeling them “uncommitted” doesn’t make us stronger leaders—it just makes us bitter, burned out, and less curious. In this episode, we’re calling out the commitmen...
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32:27
190: Grace, Bullies, & Boundaries: How To Stay In The Conversation
If you listened to Episode 189, you know we tackled the hard truth about what happens when grace gets twisted into protecting bullies in the church. This episode stands on its own — but it’s also a continuation of that conversation....
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35:27
189: When “Grace” Protects Bullies: How We Confuse Avoidance With Christlikeness
Sometimes “just be gracious” is really code for “don’t rock the boat.” But when grace gets twisted into silence, avoidance, or fear, it stops looking like Jesus. In this episode, we’re talking about the quiet damage that happens whe...
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31:55
188: The Small Church Pay Debate: A Question That Drives Me Crazy!
That question — “Would you keep doing your ministry if you weren’t paid?” — drives me nuts. Ministry isn’t one-size-fits-all, and neither is pay. Some serve as a career, others as a calling — and both deserve respect. Th...
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25:50
187: When Your Church Feels Like It’s Dying: What to Do (and What’s Still True)
If your church is shrinking, struggling, or just doesn’t look like it used to—it can feel like failure. But what if it’s not?In this episode, we talk honestly about fear, change, and what actually makes a church vibrant (hint: it’s not n...
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42:09
186: Planning Your KidMin Year | with Lauren Jackson
What if you could enter the next ministry year with clarity, unity, and a plan that actually fits your church? In this episode, I talk with Lauren Jackson from Kids Ministry Circle about how churches of any size can create ...
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29:20
185: Finally, A Children’s Curriculum Made For Two Or More (Literally) | with Ali Thompson
What if your small church could run a meaningful, Jesus-centered children’s ministry—even with just a few kids and a couple of volunteers? In this episode, I’m talking with Group Publishing about their brand-new Sunday School curric...
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36:41
184: Breaking Down Ministry Silos: Why Collaboration Matters in Small Churches
In this episode of The Small Church Ministry Podcast, Laurie names something many small churches deal with—but haven’t had the words for: ministry silos. You know when two ministries plan events on the same night—and no one realizes...
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28:50
183: Church Spotlight: Building a Church-Wide Team - Involving All Ages in Children’s Ministry | with Heather Harkins
In this inspiring episode of the Small Church Ministry Podcast, host Laurie Graham talks with Heather Harkins about transforming children's ministry in a small church. Heather shares practical strategies for increasing congregationa...
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26:21
182: We Turned Discipleship into a Lecture: What Happened to Heart & Soul?
In this series, we’ve been naming what’s broken in church culture—and today, we’re talking about what we lost in discipleship.When did spiritual growth become just facts, checklists, and classroom settings? Jesus didn’t disci...
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24:06
181: Let’s Stop Using ‘Biblical’ to Divide the Church
This anniversary series is about naming what’s broken in church culture—and making room for leadership that looks like Jesus.In this episode, we’re rethinking the phrase “We’re a biblical church.” It’s often used to divide, not un...
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16:45
180: When Dysfunction Becomes the Culture—and No One Talks About It
Church should be a place of growth and healing—but too often, dysfunction gets disguised as “unity” or “God’s will.”In this episode of our anniversary series, we’re naming the unhealthy systems churches cling to and calling for leadershi...
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20:51
179: Stop Using People: Volunteers Aren’t a Workforce—They’re Your Ministry
We’re kicking off our 4-part anniversary series: “Off Script: Five Years Later & Still Saying What No One Else Will.”This series names what’s broken in church culture—and calls us to something better. From power dynamics to di...
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28:05
178: Church Spotlight: Unity in Action: Small Town Churches Collaborating to Meet Community Needs | with Carla Adams
In this inspiring episode of the Small Church Ministry Podcast, Carla Adams shares how four churches in her small Georgia town broke down denominational barriers to unite in community service and fellowship. Learn how these churches...
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31:33
177: The Small Church Advantage & The Vital Role of Laity | with Teresa Stewart
In this inspiring episode of the Small Church Ministry Podcast, host Laurie Graham sits down with Theresa J. Stewart, author of "The Small Church Advantage," to challenge traditional views of small churches. Theresa shares powerful ...
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29:01
176: Getting on the Same Page: Trust & Understanding Between Pastor & Volunteers | with Doug Beutler
In this insightful episode of the Small Church Ministry Podcast, host Laurie Graham sits down with Pastor Doug Butler to explore the often-challenging dynamics between pastors and church volunteers. They dive deep into building trus...
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34:58
175: Church Spotlight: Outreach Ideas To Increase Visibility and Connect with Your Community | With Sarah Harlow
In this special episode of the Small Church Ministry Podcast, host Laurie Graham talks with Sarah Harlow about creative, meaningful outreach strategies for small churches. Sarah shares innovative ways her church connects with the lo...
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30:51
174: More Volunteers, Jesus-Style: Developing People, Not Just Programs
In this powerful opening session of the Small Church KidMin + Youth Ministry Conference, host Laurie Graham explores volunteer recruitment through a Jesus-centered lens. She challenges ministry leaders to shift from merely recruitin...
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50:17
173: Recognizing & Connecting With Hurting Kids: Broken Families, Shifting Realities, & Small Churches | with Melissa J. MacDonald
In this powerful episode of the Small Church Ministry Podcast, host Laurie Graham sits down with Melissa MacDonald to explore the critical role of recognizing and connecting with hurting kids in small church settings. Melissa shares...
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31:46
172: Beyond Inclusion: Helping Every Child Find Their Place in Church | with Kim Botto
In this powerful episode of the Small Church Ministry Podcast, host Laurie Graham sits down with Kim Botto to explore how small churches can create a welcoming environment for every child, especially those with neurodivergent needs or trauma ba...
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36:50
171: Teaching Today’s Teens: Leveraging Their Limited Availability, Perceived Apathy, & Growing Agency | with Mike Haynes
Laurie Graham and youth ministry expert Mike Haynes discuss effective strategies for engaging and teaching teenagers in small church youth groups. Key topics include: Recognizing the challenges of over-scheduled tee...
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42:08