This is a replay of one of your favourite episodes: one you have to get right as we begin the new year.
First impressions matter, and churches often underestimate how much. Peter Blanch and Scott Sanders discuss how small changes can make a big impact in helping people feel seen, valued, and truly at home.
0:00 – Introduction
1:23 – Where churches get it wrong
2:04 – Why Welcome People to Church
4:18 – Where Do Churches Get Welcoming Wrong?
6:01 – The danger of satisfactory
15:05 – Not having a big enough team
17:21 – Fixing the problem
20:11 – Tool Box
Gospel Growth and Christian Community ebook
Reach Australia Digital (Helping you with branding and website)
Community and Integration Workshop Part 1
Community and Integration Workshop Part 2
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What We DiscussTool BoxCredits
A replay from one of your favourite episodes. One you need to think about as we head into the new year.
Data is just a tool, but it’s an important tool. Its real purpose? Loving and serving your people better. A snapshot of data can give you an idea of your church health.
What we discuss
TOOLBOX:
Knowing What to Measure and Why Seminar
Measure What Matters Book
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Church Suite
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A replay from your favourite episodes and coming at a timely part of the year:
Derek and Scott look at the work of Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith on different types of rest.
1. Physical Rest
Giving your body a rest.
2. Mental Rest
It could be that you need to give your mind a rest.
3. Emotional Rest
We can get emotionally tired when we are not paying attention to our emotions.
4. Spiritual Rest
Reconnecting with God
5. Social Rest
Different relationships can ones that build us up or drain us.
6. Sensory Rest
Especially with screens.
7. Creative Rest
Creative rest is not about putting a demand on your creative ability; that’s not rest, that’s work. It is the opposite. It’s allowing white space in your life and giving room for your creativity to show up. Creative rest lets you focus on your basic need for wonder. You can enjoy fulfilling that basic need in ways that don’t put any pressure on your being creative. Yes, creativity may bloom from the seeds planted, but creativity is not the objective, only rest.
Summary
Don’t have to do all of these every day, or every week. But it is helpful to be aware that there are different ways to rest and different people will rest in different ways
TOOLBOX:
Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity by Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith
TED Notes from Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith
TED Talk from Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith
Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
Atomic Habits by James Clear.
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We unpack findings from a recent survey of 84 churches across 10 denominations. The data is more encouraging than many expect — but it also exposes where momentum slows and why some churches see more people come to faith than others.
We explore what’s genuinely helping people meet Jesus, what isn’t moving the needle, and where churches may be mistaking activity for mission.
In this conversation:
Why church plants are seeing disproportionate fruit — and what established churches can learn
Why growth often stalls between 200–400 people, and what helps churches push through
Why adding more small groups or serving roles doesn’t automatically lead to more conversions
How church size, more than church age, can quietly dampen evangelistic effectiveness
The real stories behind the data: who is coming to church and coming to faith
TOOL BOX:
Reach Australia National Conference
Ep 391 10 Denominations, 60 Churches, 1 Report: Key Takeaways
Leadership Development Program
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Trellis
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Church Management Software (CMS) has become an essential tool for church ministry and it can do far more than store data, so the real question is how to choose one that best strengthens your ministry?
Toby Neal shows how the right platform can shape workflows to help move your church forward, what you should be looking for in a church management system, how to make your choice, and what to avoid if you’re switching.
Key points
TOOLBOX:
Ep 405 Church database nightmares and how to avoid them
Rejoice and Tremble by Michael Reeves
Church Management Systems mentioned:
Toby's list of checks:
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Nobody signs up for ministry to get excited about governance but ignore it, and you'll end up running in circles. In this episode we dive into the practical side of governance in ministry, why it matters for healthy church growth, and how to navigate common roadblocks.
TOOLBOX:
The Elder-Led Church by Murray Capill
A Church Consult -> (Reach Australia's Church Consult)
CREDITS:
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If the emotional side of ministry keeps catching you off guard, it’s worth paying attention to what that might reveal about your own emotional intelligence. Scott Sanders and Jo Gibbs look at the practical side of emotional intelligence, why it matters for everyday ministry, and what gets in the way of developing it.
TOOLBOX:
Ep 330 Why EQ is the Edge Every Leader Needs (Part 1) by Pete Stedman
Ep 331 Why EQ is the Edge Every Leader Needs (Part 2) by Pete Stedman
Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Dr. Travis Bradberry and Dr. Jean Greaves
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Quizworx
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When your senior pastor isn’t leading — or at least, not leading well — what should you actually do? Today we drill into that tension without sugarcoating it. It’s not just about calling someone out, but about understanding yourself, your role, and how to navigate tricky dynamics without blowing things up or burning out.
TOOLBOX:
Leading from the Second Chair by Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson
How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge by Clay Scroggins
Paul Harrington’s talk on Humility in Team Ministry Part 1
Paul Harrington’s talk on Humility in Team Ministry Part 2
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Safe Ministry Check
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Public prayer often gets treated like a warm-up act in church. But what if it’s one of the most spiritually potent moments in the whole service? Natalie Ray wants us to stop coasting and start leading prayers that actually lead.
Why public prayer is often flat — and how to fix it
What changes when we treat prayer as intercession, not narration
The real reason your church probably struggles with prayer
How the Lord’s Prayer can reshape more than just the words we say
Natalie leads the Magnification and Maturity ministries at Toongabbie Anglican Church
TOOL BOX:
Prayerfulness by Peter Adam
Preparing to Lead Intercessions in Church by Peter Adam
Be Thou My Vision by Jonathan Gibson
CREDITS:
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Acronyms might save time, but are they costing us people? Dominic Steele wants pastors to rethink their acronym addiction — not just because it’s annoying, but because it is anti-gospel.
Why church leaders cling to acronyms that no one understand
Biblical principles that challenge coded language
How acronyms can quietly push people away from church
The hidden arrogance behind insider shorthand
Practical ways to audit your church’s insider language
Dominic is the senior pastor of Village Church in Annandale and the host of The Pastors Heart.
TOOL BOX:
Do an audit of your ministry today!
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Trellis
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Most ministry teams don’t fall apart because of conflict. They often drift because people stop showing up — in body, heart, or prayer.
In this episode, Dave Moore talks about what helps teams become healthy, dependable, and deeply Christian. He unpacks the four things that make a team worth being part of — the kind that actually helps people follow Jesus together.
In this episode:
The four things every team needs to get right
The quiet crisis of people in ministry who’ve stopped showing up
What happens when Christians act like Christians in conflict and frustration
Dave Moore became a Christian through SRE at primary school. Dave is the Executive Pastor at Hunter Bible Church in Newcastle. He is also an author and the Founding Director of Safe Ministry Check online.
TOOL BOX:
The Team Member’s Handbook by Dave Moore
The Team Leader’s Handbook by Dave Moore
Episode 393 Handing Volunteer Team Leaders Responsibility with Dave Moore
CREDITS:
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Young men are trickling back into churches, but are they here to stay — and are we ready for them? Steve McAlpine joins to unpack the subtle but significant shifts in cultural currents and what churches must rethink to disciple a new kind of Christian convert.
Key points:
Why Google searches for “Bible” and “Christianity” are spiking — and what it might mean.
The end of nominalism and the rise of “full-fat” faith.
What young men are really looking for when they show up at church.
Why Sunday attendance and midweek group aren’t enough.
The critical role of Christian households in modeling a different life.
Why tone, not just truth, matters more than ever.
Stephen McAlpine worked as a National Communicator for City Bible Forum, and was also pastoring a church in Perth. He has degrees in journalism and theology and enjoys combining the two through writing and blogging, especially on matters of church planting and cultural negotiation for Christians in the increasingly complex West.
TOOL BOX:
Disruptive Witness by Alan Noble
You Are Not Your Own by Alan Noble
First Things – journal of religion and public life
“Full Fat Faith” article by James Marriott (The Times, UK)
Wes Huff – Christian apologist (his YouTube channel)
Questioning Christianity by Dan Paterson
Stephen's Substack – a great place to start working through a platform for cultural commentary and analysis
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Trellis
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AI is knocking at the church door. Do we let it in? We debate that topic today with Emma Wilkins and Paul Matthews as they wrestle with how pastors and gospel workers can engage with AI.
AI is knocking at the church door. Do we let it in? We debate that topic right here today, hear arguments from both Emma Wilkins and Paul Matthews as they wrestle with how pastors and gospel workers can engage with AI.
Highlights:
Paul Matthews is a teacher, AI tech founder and consultant. He is a regular keynote speaker for education conferences, Ed Tech festivals, and spoke at TEDxHobart in 2024.
Emma Wilkins is Tasmanian journalist and freelance writer. Emma is also an Associate for the Centre for Public Christianity, and serves on the AFES (Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students) board of directors. She attends Crossroads Presbyterian Church.
TOOL BOX:
Five Lies of the AI World by Paul Matthews
Made in Our Image by Stephen Driscoll
TOT Ep 398 on Sunflower AI technology
Articles on managing AI change and discipleship
Paul’s TEDx talk
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Stanton Dahl
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Ministry wives carry unseen pressures and influence. It’s the role no one defines but everyone watches. Cathie Heard talks about what ministry wives are really carrying, and why support can’t wait.
We cover:
TOOL BOX:
Wives Network - Reach Australia
CREDITS:
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If your preaching only speaks to Christians, you're missing half the room. Al Stewart lays out why preaching to both believers and unbelievers is not optional. It is essential for any church that wants to grow through gospel impact. This is a sharp call to lift your preaching game, build a culture of invitation, and make every sermon count for eternity.
What’s discussed:
• Why preaching should always assume two audiences
• How to critique worldviews without alienating people
• Preaching Psalm 1 to Christians and non-Christians
• How to handle historical books like Chronicles
• The importance of trust for invitation culture
• Practical tips for preparation and next steps
• What small groups can learn from this model
TOOL BOX:
This week we recommend you find your own passage and think about how you’ll apply it to two different audiences
For a great example check out: Preaching by Tim Keller
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by EA Insurance
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Churches often revolve around couples and families, but what message does that send to the growing number of single Christians? This episode unpacks the hidden assumptions behind “couples bias” and what it means to build churches where singles aren’t just welcomed, but necessary. We cover:
Why the nuclear family isn’t the centre of church life
How singleness points to eternity, just like marriage
What pastors miss when they overlook single adults
Easy fixes that do more harm than good
How married people can be better friends to singles
The challenge to name all the single people in your church
Rev. Dr Danielle (Dani) Treweek is a theological researcher, author, and speaker with a focus on singleness, sexuality, and worldview formation. She leads the Single Minded ministry and serves as Sydney Anglican Diocesan Research Officer. She writes for Christianity Today, ABC Religion & Ethics, and The Gospel Coalition Australia.
TOOL BOX:
The Meaning of Singleness by Danielle Treweek
Single Ever After by Danielle Treweek
Dani’s website with further resources
No Greater Love by Rebecca McLaughlin
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Youthworks
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City life changes the way small groups work. Jess Ngo from Scots Presbyterian Church Sydney shares what she’s learned leading groups in the CBD — where people move in and out quickly, apartments are small, and the community is incredibly multicultural.
She talks about why they meet at the church building, how they keep studies short and sharp, and why raising up new leaders every year is so important.
Jess shares how they’ve adapted — meeting at the church building, keeping studies tight, and raising leaders every year — and why it matters to shape groups for your own context.
Jess is a pastoral assistant of Scots Presbyterian Church in the middle of the Sydney CBD.
TOOLBOX:
CREDITS:
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Where do small groups come from and why does it matter? Silas Thiem explores the origins of small groups in focussing on Sydney churches, highlighting how cultural shifts and para-church movements helped shape their development. It’s a reminder that small groups weren’t always about structured Bible study—they started as spaces for connection. This episode asks whether they’re still the right tool for the job, or if it's time to rethink how they function in the life of the church.
Silas Thiem is the equipping minister at St Alban's Lindfield in the North Shore of Sydney.
TOOLBOX:
CREDITS:
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How do you actually measure whether small groups are actually working? Richard Sweatman from Hunter Bible Church joins us to unpack what matters most – from clarifying purpose, to tracking attendance trends, to assessing leader health, group dynamics, and individual growth. He shares practical tips as well as pitfalls to avoid when appointing leaders or multiplying groups.
TOOLBOX:
Leading Small Groups That Thrive by Ryan T. Hartwig, Courtney W. Davis and Jason A. Sniff
Richard’s Review of Leading Small Groups That Thrive
Unmissable Church by Richard Sweatman and Antony Barraclough
Being a Small Group Leader by Richard Sweatman
Writing a Small Group Study by Richard Sweatman
CREDITS:
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Across Australia, church buildings sit underused or sold off—while church planters struggle to find space to gather. These buildings, raised by past generations, could potentially be a lifeline for thriving plants.
In this episode, we explore questions of stewardship, the identity challenges facing struggling churches, and practical models—from rentals to mergers—that could keep these spaces serving gospel purposes for decades to come.
TOOLBOX:
Contact: derek.hanna@reachaustralia.com.au
How can your church be involved in church planting
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Exdia
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