The Care Ministry Podcast

Laura Howe
  • 5.0 (18)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Building a culture of care in your church can feel as complex as the people you serve. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Laura Howe offers listeners practical resources and actionable strategies to support leader’s well-being, strengthen volunteer teams and equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to care for your community. With over 15 years of experience as a community mental health clinician, Laura, founder of Hope Made Strong specializes in Community Development Strategies. You will be encouraged as you listen to expert guests get real with how they overcame challenges and developed best-practice methods of reaching and caring for your church and community. If you want to develop a culture of care in your church and support your community without burning out your leaders? This is the podcast for you.

  1. Aug 13

    E229. Why Attending Church is Difficult for Families Impacted by Mental Illness with Dr. Stephen Grcevich

    In this special summer episode, Laura and Rebecca are taking a short break while continuing to bring listeners new and meaningful content each week. This episode features one of the top sessions from a past Church Mental Health Summit with Dr. Stephen Grcevich, founder and president of Key Ministry. Dr. Grcevich shares important research on how common mental health conditions can impact church attendance for families. He helps leaders understand why families may struggle to participate in church life, especially when anxiety, ADHD, depression, autism, trauma, sensory needs, social communication differences, stigma, or past church experiences are present. This conversation invites church leaders to look at their ministry environments with fresh eyes and consider what barriers may be making church harder for families who already feel isolated or overwhelmed. Dr. Grcevich also introduces a practical framework for developing a mental health inclusion strategy so churches can become more welcoming, thoughtful, and supportive places for individuals and families impacted by mental illness. Quotes “When we think about inclusion in our churches, mental health inclusion is by far and away our greatest need.”Dr. Stephen Grcevich “Mental health ministry is clearly family ministry.”Dr. Stephen Grcevich “When one member of the family struggles, it’s likely that everybody else isn’t going to be part of church.”Dr. Stephen Grcevich Resources Key Ministry Training Videos on Mental Health Inclusion Mental Health and the Church by Dr. Stephen GrcevichHMS Amazon Store 🇨🇦LinkHMS Amazon Store 🇺🇸Link Church Mental Health Summit Summit Circle  Connect with Hope Made Strong Website: HopeMadeStrong.org Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube Amazon store: 🇨🇦Link 🇺🇸Link

    E229. Why Attending Church is Difficult for Families Impacted by Mental Illness with Dr. Stephen Grcevich

  2. Aug 6

    E227. Caring for Blended Families: What Every Church Needs to Understand with Inés Franklin

    Blended families are more common than we often realize, but they’re rarely talked about in our churches. In this episode, Laura sits down with Inés Franklin to explore the realities of blended family life and how care leaders can better support those navigating complex family dynamics. Together, they discuss hidden challenges, the impact of family systems on identity and faith, and practical ways the church can create space for healing and belonging. If you’re a pastor, care leader, or walking alongside families in transition, this conversation will help you care with greater awareness, compassion, and intention. Quotes “Blended families aren’t broken… they’re a picture of redemption.” - Inés Franklin “We don’t make space for blended families to share their story, and so often, they stay silent.” - Inés Franklin “We can’t fully care for someone without understanding the family dynamics shaping their story.” - Inés Franklin “You have to be honest about the pain so that you can experience healing.” - Inés Franklin “God doesn’t wait for our stories to become tidy. He meets us right in the middle of the complexity.” - Laura Howe Resources  Blended & Blessed — Inés FranklinCAN - https://amzn.to/42xk82pUS - https://amzn.to/42flVc9 Uncharted — Inés FranklinCAN - https://amzn.to/4wfCi6nUS - https://amzn.to/4tdWcvA Trochia Ministries → Inés’ online discipleship ministry with teaching, courses, and resources Connect with Hope Made Strong Website: HopeMadeStrong.org Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

    E227. Caring for Blended Families: What Every Church Needs to Understand with Inés Franklin

  3. Jul 23

    226. When People Feel Safe Enough to Be Honest with Jennifer VanCleve

    What happens when a church becomes a place where people feel safe enough to be honest? In this coaching episode, Laura talks with Jennifer VanCleve, a campus pastor at StoneBridge Christian Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Jennifer shares how care has been growing in her church through small groups, recovery ministries, grief support, mental health conversations, and a deep desire to help people feel seen, known, and loved. Together, Laura and Jennifer explore how churches can create safe spaces for honest stories, support people walking through grief, addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges, and equip more leaders to step into care with confidence. This conversation is especially helpful for churches asking how to build a culture of care that is relational, compassionate, and sustainable. Quotes “We have to remember grace abounds and love abounds.” Jennifer VanCleve “That’s what a church can be when people are loved unconditionally.” Jennifer VanCleve “Care ministry isn’t designed to be cookie-cutter to the church down the street.” Laura Howe “When people feel seen, known, and loved, care begins to take root.” Laura Howe “We have to start thinking about designing an onboarding strategy for leaders so that they feel supported and not just thrown into the mix.” Laura Howe Resources StoneBridge Christian Church Celebrate Recovery GriefShare MomCo When Helping Hurts / The Chalmers Center Slow Kingdom Coming by Kent Annan Hope Made Strong Care Protocol  Care Ministry Coaching  Connect with Hope Made Strong Website: HopeMadeStrong.orgSocials: Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

    226. When People Feel Safe Enough to Be Honest with Jennifer VanCleve

  4. Jul 9

    225. Creating Safe Pathways for Families to Ask for Help

    In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe and Rebecca Bailey discuss how churches can create safe pathways for families to ask for help before situations reach a crisis point. Many families are carrying challenges related to parenting, grief, finances, mental health, caregiving, and relationships, but often hesitate to reach out for support. Laura and Rebecca explore the barriers that prevent people from asking for help and share practical ways churches can build trust, communicate care clearly, and make support easier to access. Together, they discuss how churches can move from simply responding to crises toward creating cultures of care where families feel safe, supported, and connected. Quotes "If you aren't talking about mental health, recovery, financial problems, marriage, if those conversations are not coming up already in the normal rhythm of your church, then people are thinking, 'This isn't the place where I'm able to talk about this."Rebecca Bailey "All the more reason why, as churches, we want to make care accessible. We want to have intentional communication that is letting people know, 'We are here. We are here."Laura Howe "People are going to seek help if they know that their story is going to be handled with dignity and care."Rebecca Bailey "Asking for help shouldn't be the hardest part of getting help."Rebecca Bailey Resources Care Ministry Assessment Care Ministry Collective   Connect with Hope Made Strong Website: HopeMadeStrong.orgSocials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

    225. Creating Safe Pathways for Families to Ask for Help

  5. Jul 2

    224. Relationship Skills Are Discipleship: A Resource for Young Adults with Kelly Haer

    What if relationship skills are not just practical life skills, but part of discipleship? In this episode, Laura sits down with Dr. Kelly Haer, Executive Director of the Boone Center for the Family at Pepperdine University, to talk about Relationship IQ, a practical resource designed to help young adults build healthy relationships. Kelly shares her own story of being drawn to counseling and relationship work from a young age, and how God opened the door for her work at the Boone Center. Together, Laura and Kelly explore why young adulthood is such a formative season, why many young people are longing for meaningful connection but have not always been taught the skills to build it, and how churches can help. This conversation is hopeful, practical, and deeply relevant for pastors, parents, youth leaders, young adult leaders, and anyone who wants to help the next generation grow in healthy relationships with God, family, friends, dating, boundaries, conflict, technology, and more. Quotes “Technology changes how we relate and connect.” Dr. Kelly Haer “There are relational calories being consumed, but the quality of those relational calories are subpar.” Dr. Kelly Haer “So much of life happens in and around relationships.” Dr. Kelly Haer “Our greatest highs are around relationships, our greatest lows often happen through relationship.” Dr. Kelly Haer “This is a huge part of following Jesus, being able to relate well with those that we’re around.” Dr. Kelly Haer “My vision and heart is that young adults both are competent and feel confident.” Dr. Kelly Haer Resources Boone Center for the FamilyA relationship training center located at Pepperdine University that integrates psychology and theology to equip people with healthy relationship skills. Relationship IQA curriculum from the Boone Center for the Family is designed to help young adults live out healthy relationships. Connect with Hope Made Strong Website: HopeMadeStrong.org Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

    224. Relationship Skills Are Discipleship: A Resource for Young Adults with Kelly Haer

  6. Jun 25

    223. From Informal Care to Intentional Care with Peggy Krueger & Dennis Goff

    Care is already happening in your church so how do you build on what is already there In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe is joined by Peggy Krueger, Care Coordinator, and Pastor Dennis Goff from St. Michael Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana for a real-time coaching conversation Peggy and Dennis share what it looks like to build care ministry in a growing church context where many forms of care already exist but there is a desire to bring more intention, structure, and sustainability to it all Together, they explore how to move from scattered efforts to a more connected and accessible approach while still maintaining the relational heart of care ministry This episode is especially helpful for leaders who feel like they are building the plane while flying it and are looking for clarity on what the next step could be Quotes “Care is already happening. The question is how do we become more intentional with what is already in motion” Laura Howe “Culture shifts at the speed of relationships” Laura Howe “I have not heard anybody talk about this in church before” Dennis Goff “We are building the plane while flying it” Peggy Krueger Resources Care Ministry Collective (Online Community + Office Hours) Apply for Coaching on the next podcast- https://forms.gle/hu5Dd4Tv2gq33rAY6 Connect with Hope Made Strong Website: HopeMadeStrong.orgSocials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

    223. From Informal Care to Intentional Care with Peggy Krueger & Dennis Goff

  7. Jun 11

    222. The Weight of Care: Why Ministry Feels So Heavy (and What to Do About It)

    In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe and Rebecca Bailey talk about the weight many care leaders are carrying right now. Walking with people through grief, crisis, and everyday challenges can take a toll. It is not just the work. It is the stories, the responsibility, and the pressure to respond well. For many leaders, that weight can start to feel overwhelming. Laura and Rebecca offer a simple but powerful reminder. Feeling this way does not mean you are disqualified. It means the work is heavy, and it was never meant to be carried alone. Together, they explore the importance of recognizing early signs of burnout, inviting others into your process, and creating small, restorative rhythms that help you stay grounded. This episode is a gentle invitation to pause, reflect, and receive care as you continue caring for others. Quotes “The weight that you’re feeling is not because you’re disqualified… it’s because this is really hard work.” “This is really hard work… and you aren’t meant to carry this alone.” “We make terrible accountability partners to ourselves.” “The best way we can care for others is when we receive care ourselves.” Resources Care Ministry Collective (Online Community + Office Hours) Keys to Resilience - Podcast Episode  Connect with Hope Made Strong Website: HopeMadeStrong.orgSocials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

    222. The Weight of Care: Why Ministry Feels So Heavy (and What to Do About It)

  8. Jun 4

    221. Mental Health in the Church: What to Do When You Feel Unprepared with Dr. Mark Mayfield

    What do you do when someone shares something heavy… and you care deeply, but don’t feel equipped to respond? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Mark Mayfield (or as he prefers, “just Mark”) to talk about the growing need for mental health awareness in the church, and the very real tension many leaders feel between wanting to help and not knowing how. Mark brings a unique perspective, having spent years in both ministry and clinical counseling. Together, we explore his personal story, what he’s seeing in churches today, and why so many leaders feel stuck in that middle space of “I know this matters… but what do I actually do?” This conversation is honest, practical, and hopeful. You’ll walk away reminded that you don’t need to have all the answers to care well, and with a clearer sense of what your next step could be. Quotes “I don’t believe church is about Sunday mornings. It’s a component—but it’s not the end-all, be-all. We have to think beyond Sunday mornings. We have to think about community and connection.” — Dr. Mark Mayfield “I think the hesitation is legit. It’s just we have to get them past paralysis.” — Dr. Mark Mayfield “People just want to have language to their struggles. That’s okay. They want to be seen.” — Dr. Mark Mayfield “The secret to good counseling is the therapeutic relationship… just creating space for people to be seen and to be heard.” — Dr. Mark Mayfield “You don’t need to be a counselor to care well—but you do need to know your role.” — Dr. Mark Mayfield Resources 📘 The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry by Dr. Mark Mayfield A practical, easy-to-use guide to help ministry leaders understand mental health, respond with confidence, and know when to refer. HMS Amazon Store 🇨🇦LinkHMS Amazon Store 🇺🇸Link 🌐 Mental Health Made Simple Free tools, assessments, and training resources to support churches in mental health care Connect with Hope Made Strong Website: HopeMadeStrong.org Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

    221. Mental Health in the Church: What to Do When You Feel Unprepared with Dr. Mark Mayfield
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5
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About

Building a culture of care in your church can feel as complex as the people you serve. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Laura Howe offers listeners practical resources and actionable strategies to support leader’s well-being, strengthen volunteer teams and equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to care for your community. With over 15 years of experience as a community mental health clinician, Laura, founder of Hope Made Strong specializes in Community Development Strategies. You will be encouraged as you listen to expert guests get real with how they overcame challenges and developed best-practice methods of reaching and caring for your church and community. If you want to develop a culture of care in your church and support your community without burning out your leaders? This is the podcast for you.

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