Dents in the Darkness

The Northeast Collaborative
  • 5.0 (26)
  • Non-Profit
  • Bimonthly

Our enemy loves to isolate pastors and leaders from great resources and teammates. We provide practical resources to guide you on your journey to overcome isolation while leading and launching healthy churches across Northeast America!

  1. Oct 13

    Coaching in Ministry - Dr Scott & Brooke Greening

    Every leader needs someone in their corner. In this episode, Mike and Tim sit down with Dr. Scott and Brooke Greening of Branch Life Church and The Life Center to talk about coaching: what it is, why it matters, and how it helps leaders, churches, and businesses get unstuck and move forward. Scott brings decades of experience helping leadership teams find strategic clarity, and Brooke brings a sharp eye for messaging and sales from her years in business development. Together they share what happens when someone comes alongside you, asks the right questions, and helps you see what God is already doing. Scott and Brooke also share about the ministry coaching partnership between The Life Center and the Northeast Collaborative (NEC), which connects pastors and ministry leaders with seasoned coaches who have planted churches, developed leaders, and led through growth themselves. Whether it's leadership challenges, soul care, church planting, team development, or a conversation you don't quite have words for yet, there's a coach ready to help you think through what's next. Whether you're planting, pastoring, leading a team, or running a business, this conversation will challenge you to think about who's coaching you, and who you should be coaching. In this episode: Scott and Brooke's story, from church planting in Chicago to Branch Life ChurchWhy coaching matters for pastors, planters, and marketplace leadersWhat good coaching looks like, and what it isn'tHow The Life Center brings Christ-centered coaching to the communityThe Life Center and NEC ministry coaching partnership, and why every pastor needs a coachAbout our guests: Dr. Scott Greening is a Team Pastor at Branch Life Church and a strategic planning and leadership development coach with The Life Center. A certified StratOp facilitator with a doctorate in leadership, Scott has spent over 20 years helping leaders in churches, schools, nonprofits, and startups build strategies that align with their values and create lasting impact. He also coaches pastors and ministry leaders through strategic planning and retreat facilitation. Brooke Greening is a business development coach with The Life Center and a StoryBrand Certified Guide. With over 20 years in sales and a background in counseling, Brooke helps business owners clarify their message, strengthen their sales conversations, and build consistent revenue. Scott and Brooke have two kids, Torah and Asher. Connect: NEC Ministry Coaching (for pastors and ministry leaders): thelifecenter.info/the-life-center/coaching/necThe Life Center: thelifecenter.infoCoaching with Scott and Brooke: thelifecenter.info/the-life-center/coaching/coaching-directoryBranch Life Church: branchlife.church

  2. Sep 8

    Northeast Leadership Summit Preview - Karl Vaters

    In this episode, Mike Schooley and Tim Madeira sit down with Karl Vaters — pastor, author, and one of the leading voices on pastoring and leading in average-size churches. Karl has spent over 40 years pastoring normative sized churches, and his work through Helping Small Churches Thrive has reshaped how thousands of leaders think about size, health, and mission. In this conversation we talk through:  *why discipleship matters no matter your church's size  * how to actually build a healthy church culture Karl Vaters is also the keynote at this years’ Leadership Summit that will be held in Cortland NY where we will invest in church leaders that minister in the Northeast. Karl has served in small-church ministry for over 40 years and is the author of several books on church health and leadership, including: Small Church Essentials: Field-Tested Principles for Leading a Healthy Congregation of Under 250 The Grasshopper Myth: Big Churches, Small Churches, and the Small Thinking That Divides Us 100 Days to a Healthier Church: A Step-by-Step Guide for Pastors and Leadership Teams The Church Recovery Guide: How Your Congregation Can Adapt and Thrive After a Crisis De-Sizing the Church: How Church Growth Became a Science, Then an Obsession, and What's Next Karl also hosts The Church Lobby: Conversations on Faith & Ministry, and speaks and writes extensively on helping small churches thrive.

  3. Aug 10

    Impact of Multi-Site Ministry - Justin Bleuer

    In this episode, we sit down with Justin Bleuer from Berean Bible Church in Greene, New York, to talk about the impact and journey of multisite ministry. Justin shares the story behind Berean’s transition into multisite, the challenges they faced along the way, and the lessons they’ve learned as they’ve worked to expand their reach while maintaining healthy culture and discipleship. What began as a vision to reach more people with the gospel has become a practical model for leadership development, church growth, and Kingdom multiplication in their region. Together, we discuss how multisite ministry can help churches extend their mission into neighboring communities, raise up leaders from within, and create greater opportunities for discipleship and engagement. In This Episode: The story behind Berean becoming a multisite church Initial hesitations and challenges in the process Why multisite made sense for their context Leadership development through multisite ministry Maintaining church culture across campuses The importance of communication and alignment Reaching new communities without losing mission focus How multisite creates opportunities for discipleship Lessons learned from the journey Encouragement for churches considering multisite Resources: - ⁠Multichurch ⁠ Connect & Subscribe: If this episode encouraged you, share it with a pastor, church leader, or ministry team exploring multisite ministry. Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, multiplication, discipleship, and the future of the Church in the Northeast and beyond.

  4. Jul 15

    Discipleship at a Christian University - Dr Wayne Lewis

    In this episode, we sit down with Wayne Lewis to explore the role of discipleship within Christian higher education. As a leader in Christian academia and ministry, Dr. Lewis shares how universities can shape not only students’ minds, but also their spiritual formation, leadership, and calling. Together, we discuss the unique opportunities Christian universities have to develop the next generation of pastors, missionaries, church leaders, and marketplace disciples. Dr. Lewis also shares insights on mentoring students, cultivating biblical community on campus, and helping young adults follow Jesus faithfully in today’s culture. In This Episode Why discipleship matters in Christian higher education Creating a Christ-centered campus culture Mentoring and investing in the next generation Preparing students for ministry and vocation Helping students navigate faith in a changing culture Leadership development in college settings The partnership between churches and Christian universities Encouraging students toward lifelong faithfulness Resources https://www.houghton.edu/

  5. Jun 1

    Rural Ministry: Leadership & Planting - TJ Freeman

    In this episode, we sit down with Pastor TJ Freeman to talk about the heart behind rural ministry, leadership development, and church planting in overlooked communities. TJ serves as the Executive Director of The Brainerd Institute and pastors Christ Church in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. His passion is helping rural churches thrive through healthy leadership, gospel-centered discipleship, and long-term pastoral faithfulness. TJ shares his own ministry journey—from church planting and pastoral ministry to leading initiatives focused on equipping leaders in rural contexts. Together, we explore why rural communities matter deeply to the mission of God and how healthy churches can multiply even in places many overlook. In This Episode Why rural ministry matters more than everThe unique opportunities and challenges of leading in small townsBuilding leadership pipelines in rural churchesChurch planting outside urban centersWhy long-term pastoral faithfulness mattersHow isolation impacts pastors and leadersCreating healthy cultures in smaller congregationsPractical encouragement for rural pastors and church plantersThe vision behind The Brainerd InstituteWhat it looks like to make Christ known “in the middle of nowhere" Resources & Links The Brainerd InstituteRural Church Renewal PodcastBack to Rurality Podcast Connect & Subscribe If this episode encouraged you, share it with a pastor, church planter, or ministry leader serving in a rural context. Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, multiplication, and the future of the Church in the Northeast and beyond.

  6. May 14

    Understanding Generations to Build Stronger Churches - Ryan Vet

    In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Vet — USA Today bestselling author, futurist, and leadership thinker and follower of Jesus — to unpack what it means to lead across generations in today’s rapidly changing culture. We also dive into how these generational shifts are deeply impacting the church — especially discipleship, community, and small groups. Ryan shares why younger generations are craving authentic relationships, meaningful conversations, and spaces where they can belong before they believe. We discuss how churches can rethink small groups and community environments to better engage multiple generations while still remaining rooted in biblical truth. We talk about: Why generational leadership matters more than ever The biggest misunderstandings between generations How Gen Z and Gen Alpha are reshaping leadership expectations The value of investing in a small group Why younger generations value authenticity and community How technology and AI are accelerating cultural change How generational shifts are affecting discipleship and church engagement Practical ways churches can bridge generational gaps Why healthy leaders must learn to adapt without losing conviction Ryan also shares insights from his work on “The Velocity Gap” and the “Generational Prism,” helping leaders understand not just what is changing — but why it’s changing. Whether you lead a church, organization, team, or family, this conversation will help you lead people with greater clarity, empathy, and intentionality. Ryan Vet is a generational futurist, keynote speaker, and bestselling author whose work focuses on leadership, culture, generational dynamics, AI, and the future of work. His insights have been featured by Forbes, ABC, NBC, CBS, and USA Today. Ryan Vet Website: https://www.ryanvet.com The Ryan Vet Show Podcast: https://www.ryanvet.com/podcast About Ryan VetResources & LinksCollide Newsletter: https://collide.ryanvet.com

  7. Apr 9

    Kingdom Multiplication - Antoine Lassiter

    Tim and Mike sit down with Antoine Lassiter to talk about what kingdom multiplication really looks like — especially in normative-size churches. Antoine shares his personal story, his heart for reaching the community, and practical insights on how multiplication doesn't have to be reserved for the mega-church down the road. It starts right where you are. Antoine Lassiter is the pastor of Think Kingdom Church in Kannapolis, NC and a Church Planting Strategist for SendNC through the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. A native North Carolinian with over 20 years of ministry experience, Antoine is a disciple maker at heart — passionate about coaching and training church planters across the state. As the founder of the Think Kingdom network, his work includes finding, assessing, and developing planters, sending churches, leaders, and church planting coaches — as well as helping local churches create a reproducing culture that leads to multiplication. Antoine and his wife, Latonia, have been married for 25 years and have two sons, Justin and Christopher. Listen to: Antoine's Story — How God shaped his journey and calling into ministry and multiplication.Reaching Your Community — Practical ways churches can engage the people right around them with the gospel.Multiplication in Normative-Size Churches — Why multiplication isn't just for large churches, and how everyday congregations can embrace a multiplication mindset.About Antoine: Website: antoinelassiter.comAntoine's book - "Beyond the Calling: The Cost of Faithful Leadership"

  8. Mar 9

    Be the Church - Mike Rubino & Gary Campbell

    In this episode of Dents in the Darkness, Tim Madeira (WGRN) and Mike Schooley (NEC) sit down with Dr. Michael J. Rubino, Vice President of Learning & Resources for Be the Church Collective and Lead Pastor of Cornerstone Bible Church on Long Island, along with Gary Campbell, Lead Catalyst for Be the Church and Lead Pastor of Groton Bible Chapel. Together they discuss the current state of the church in the Northeast and the important role collaboration plays in strengthening local congregations and multiplying kingdom impact. Be the Church exists to strengthen churches, equip leaders, and multiply kingdom impact, and this conversation explores how churches can breathe new life into ministry by investing in leadership development, cultivating healthy elder teams, and partnering with other churches for greater gospel impact. Check out  https://bethechurch.org/ for more information.

See All (71)

5
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

Our enemy loves to isolate pastors and leaders from great resources and teammates. We provide practical resources to guide you on your journey to overcome isolation while leading and launching healthy churches across Northeast America!

Information

  • Creator
    The Northeast Collaborative
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    71
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Northeast Collaborative

You Might Also Like