The One Thing

Reach Australia

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Christianity
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One solid, practical tip for gospel-centred ministry every week. Reach Australia is a network of churches - working together to seeing thousands of healthy, evangelistic, multiplying churches across Australia.

19 hrs ago

465 What 40 years of leading people teaches you (Al Stewart)

A senior minister has an enormous influence on whether their team is healthy. After more than 40 years of ministry leadership, Al Stewart has learnt a few things the hard way. In this episode, Scott Sanders sits down with Al to unpack the lessons, mistakes and wisdom that only come from decades of leading people. They talk about the tensions every ministry leader navigates: caring for people while still having hard conversations, building trust without avoiding conflict, knowing when someone needs to move on, and what to do when you realise you’ve got it wrong. The competing tensions in building a teamWorking for the people who work for youWhy senior ministers set the culture of their teamsWhy bosses are the biggest single factor in whether staff enjoy their jobAl Stewart is the National Director of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC). He has also worked with City Bible Forum, Geneva Push and Katoomba Christian Convention, as well as serving as a bishop and director within the Sydney Diocese of the Anglican Church. Toolbox: Growth and Change by Andrew Heard Who’s Holding The Umbrella by Bill Jaegar (this book is unfortunately out of print so we could not provide a link, but have a look on places like Ebay and Facebook marketplace - if you are really desperate for a copy Gus McCowatt in the Reach office has a copy) Credits: This episode was brought to you by MTS The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠resources@reachaustralia.com.au⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library
Aug 25

464 What 15 years of church planting taught Al Stewart

New churches reach new people. So why is planting still such hard work? Scott Sanders catches up with Al Stewart to look back on 15 years of Geneva Push and Reach Australia: wins, mistakes and pushback. Why denominations can get in the way of plantingThe challenges of planting in established ministry contextsWhy new churches are often better placed to reach new peopleWhat we’ve learned about supporting planters wellAl Stewart was the National Director of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC). He has also worked with City Bible Forum, Geneva Push and Katoomba Christian Convention, as well as serving as a bishop within the Sydney Diocese of the Anglican Church. Toolbox: Church Planting Podcast Church Planter Questionnaire Support Planting Financially Credits: This episode was brought to you by MTS The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠resources@reachaustralia.com.au⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library
Aug 18

463 The small groups troubleshooting guide (Part 3 of 3)

We finally tackle all the awkward small group questions we’ve been avoiding. In the final episode of this three-part series, Scott Sanders and Richard Sweatman, discuss the topics about small groups they avoided in the first two episodes. We explore: Unhealthy groupsLow participationFinding enough leadersWhether AI has a place in writing Bible study materialKnowing when pastoral care needs to be escalatedGiving honest feedbackWhether ministry staff should be in groupsRichard Sweatman is an author and assistant pastor at Hunter Bible Church in Newcastle. Toolbox: Ep 201 Difficult Conversations Between A Church Leader and Staff Member Part 1 of this mini series: Ep 461 The hidden decisions behind every small groups ministry Part 2 of this mini series: Ep 462 Your small groups are only as healthy as their leaders Wisdom in Leadership by Craig Hamilton Being a Small Group Leader by Richard Sweatman Writing a Small Group Study by Richard Sweatman DISCOUNT CODE: THE1THING for 30% off at Matthias Media when you purchase 10 or more of either of Richard’s books Credits: This episode was brought to you by MTS The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠resources@reachaustralia.com.au⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library
Aug 11

462 Your small groups are only as healthy as their leaders (Part 2 of 3)

Healthy small groups don’t happen by accident. Your small groups are only as strong as the leaders you’re raising. So how do you find the right people, prepare them well, and keep helping them grow once they’re leading? In part two of this three-part series, Scott Sanders talks with Richard Sweatman, author and assistant pastor at Hunter Bible Church in Newcastle, about how churches can identify, develop and support small-group leaders well. They explore: what to look for in a future leaderhow to develop people before they leadwhat good support actually looks likehow leaders shape the health of a groupthe signs your small-group ministry is growing stronger Toolbox: Last weeks ep Being a Small Group Leader by Richard Sweatman Writing a Small Group Study by Richard Sweatman DISCOUNT CODE: THE1THING for 30% off at Matthias Media when you purchase 10 or more of either of Richard’s books Small Group Toolbox Podcast Credits: This episode was brought to you by MTS The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠resources@reachaustralia.com.au⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library
Aug 4

461 The hidden decisions behind every small groups ministry (Part 1 of 3)

What if the most important decisions about your small groups are the ones you've never stopped to think about? In this episode, Scott Sanders chats with Richard Sweatman, author and assistant pastor at Hunter Bible Church in Newcastle, to unpack the hidden decisions that shape every small groups ministry. Whether you've inherited responsibility for small groups or you're rethinking how they fit into the life of your church this episode is for you. Key highlights: Clarifying your small group purposeDefining small group successChoosing small group structuresSmall group pathwaysCurriculum and leadershipPractical questions you should ask before making changes Toolbox: Being a Small Group Leader by Richard Sweatman Writing a Small Group Study by Richard Sweatman DISCOUNT CODE: THE1THING for 30% off at Matthias Media when you purchase 10 or more of either of Richard’s books The One Thing Ep 418: Measuring small group health with Richard Sweatman Growth Groups by Colin Marshall Leading Small Groups That Thrive by Ryan T. Hartwig, Courtney W. Davis & Jason A. Sniff Iron Sharpens Iron by Orlando Saer Credits: This episode was brought to you by MTS The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠resources@reachaustralia.com.au⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library
Jul 28

460 Creating a culture of everyday word ministry (Tony Payne)

If the preaching is faithful, why doesn't the conversation continue after the service? Tony Payne joins Scott Sanders to explore why every Christian is called to speak God's Word to one another. Discover how simple, everyday conversations can become one of God's primary ways of growing disciples and building a healthy church. Tony is an author, and the Director of the Centre for Christian Living and lectures in theology, philosophy and ethics at Moore College in Sydney. Toolbox: Let the Word Dwell Richly by Tony Payne DISCOUNT CODE: tpra20 Six Steps to Loving Your Church by Tony Payne Centre for Christian Living website Credits: This episode was brought to you by MTS The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠resources@reachaustralia.com.au⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library
Jul 21

459 Quick wins to keep young adults connected

If your church is expecting 18-year-olds to connect the same way 32-year-olds do, you’ll lose them before they ever put down roots. In this episode, Scott Sanders is joined by Ray Copland and Holly Stewart from EV Church to unpack why young adults need a different approach to church life. Along with practical ideas to keep these young adults connected. The importance of community for this age groupWhy belonging often comes before commitmentHow relational pathways can be more effective than formal programsPractical ideas to help bridge the gap from youth group to adult churchRay Copland is the Membership Pastor at EV Church, and Holly Stewart is a third year MTS apprentice at EV Night Church. Toolbox: Community and Integration Learning Lab Part 1 by Tim Clemens Community and Integration Learning Lab Part 2 by Madeleine Galea The One Thing Ep 177: Better Welcoming Part 1 The One Thing Ep 178: Better Welcoming Part 2 The One Thing Ep 47: Effective Integration Credits: This episode was brought to you by MTS The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠resources@reachaustralia.com.au⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library
Jul 15

458 Room to grow: how and when to add another Sunday gathering

If your church is waiting until every seat is full before adding another service, are you waiting too long? In this episode, Derek Hanna talks with Ben Mansfield and Petrina Enchelmaier from Southside Presbyterian, Brisbane about why they started planning a second Sunday service four years before they needed one. They share: The convictions behind the decisionHow they led their church through changeThe mistakes they avoidedOpportunities created for mission and discipleship Toolbox: Southside Presbyterian’s Service Multiplication Planning Booklet Southside Presbyterian’s Role Description Templates Working Genius Credits: This episode was brought to you by MTS The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠resources@reachaustralia.com.au⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library

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One solid, practical tip for gospel-centred ministry every week. Reach Australia is a network of churches - working together to seeing thousands of healthy, evangelistic, multiplying churches across Australia.