Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies

Kevin Elworth-Business & Ministry Coach, Passive Income, Entrepreneur Pastor, Ministry Marketing
  • 5.0 (14)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

The SOURCE for Pastor help, encouragement, strategies for growth and Leadership Hey Pastor! Do you wish you knew the secret to growing your church while finding balance between ministry and your family? Do you find yourself updating your resume and browsing the job ads on ministryjobs.com? Do you want to develop leaders within your church to relieve the burden from your shoulders, but instead you’re constantly dealing with drama and conflict? You’re in the right place. Welcome to Pastors Thriving, where you will learn the secrets to leadership growth in your church - spiritually, numerically, and financially. You’ll learn how to equip and develop your staff and congregation so that you don’t have to feel alone on this journey - and enjoy the ministry that you’ve been called to once again. Hi, I’m Kevin. Twenty-year ministry veteran, husband of a powerhouse wife, the father of 5 wonderful kids, and lover of Jesus powered by coffee and tacos. It wasn’t long ago that I grew a church from zero to 700 in five short years and wrestled with the trauma and drama that goes along with intense church growth. It wasn’t until I learned the power of creativity and how I could harness it to lead others well by empowering them to share the burden. I created a culture of leadership development and was able to spend time with my family while my ministry thrived. And now I’m excited to share what I’ve learned with you! If you’re ready to finally find some breathing room in your leading and living…learning strategies that are simple, understandable, and inspiring…giving you results that are measurable, like numerical growth, spiritual depth, and even financial growth – then this podcast is your new best friend. Grab your AirPods and your notebook, class is in session, and thriving is here! Next steps: Set up a discovery call - https://calendly.com/kevinelworthcoaching/20min Visit my website - https://kevinelworth.live Shoot me an email - coaching@kevinelworth.live

  1. Why Summer Might Be the Most Important Season for Your Church

    Jun 23

    Why Summer Might Be the Most Important Season for Your Church

    Episode 106: Why Summer Might Be the Most Important Season for Your Church Most pastors view summer as a season to survive. Attendance fluctuates. Families travel. Volunteer schedules become unpredictable. Ministry rhythms feel disrupted. It's easy to put growth, leadership development, and strategic planning on hold until everyone returns in the fall. But what if summer isn't a setback? What if summer is actually one of the most important seasons in the life of your church? In this episode, Kevin challenges the common assumption that summer is a ministry "off-season" and explores why healthy churches use slower seasons to build stronger leaders, strengthen systems, and prepare for future growth. If you've ever found yourself scrambling in September to recruit volunteers, launch ministries, or solve problems that seem to appear overnight, this conversation will help you see summer through a different lens. In This Episode: Why summer creates a unique opportunity for church growthHow healthy churches use slower seasons strategicallyThe connection between summer preparation and fall momentumWhy leadership development should never be seasonalHow to move people from attenders to contributorsThe hidden danger of waiting until fall to address ministry challengesPractical ways to strengthen your church before the busy season returnsKey Takeaway Fall rarely creates problems—it reveals them. The churches that experience the greatest momentum in the fall are often the ones that spent the summer investing in leaders, strengthening systems, and building a culture of engagement. Don't waste the season God has given you. Resources Mentioned Fully Engaged Summer Bootcamp The Fully Engaged Summer Bootcamp is an 8-week coaching experience designed specifically for pastors who want to strengthen their church before the fall ministry season begins. Together we'll focus on: Volunteer engagementLeadership developmentMinistry systemsChurch cultureBuilding a more fully engaged churchIf you're ready to stop surviving summer and start using it strategically, this bootcamp was created for you. For information about the Fully Engaged Summer Bootcamp, email Kevin directly - Coaching@kevinelworth.live If this episode encouraged you, Kevin would love to hear from you. Question of the Week: What is one thing you want to strengthen in your church before fall arrives? Send a message, share your thoughts, and let Kevin know what you're building this summer. Enjoying the Podcast? If Pastors Thriving has been helpful to you: Follow the podcastLeave a reviewShare this episode with another pastorSend it to a ministry leader who is preparing for the fall seasonYour recommendation helps more pastors find the encouragement, clarity, and practical leadership tools they need to thrive in ministry. Remember: Summer isn't something to survive. It may be the very season God uses to prepare your church for what's next. Pastorsthrving.com Fully Engaged Summer Bootcamp

    11 min
  2. EP - 105 When Ministry Doesn't Go According to Plan

    Jun 18

    EP - 105 When Ministry Doesn't Go According to Plan

    Episode 105: When Ministry Doesn't Go According to Plan Leadership is filled with moments we never expected. Plans fall apart. People let us down. Opportunities disappear. Prayers seem delayed. Recently, I had to make one of the toughest decisions I've faced in ministry. Just ten days before departure, our Sparrow Village Initiatives team had to postpone a long-awaited trip to serve 115 orphaned children in Uganda. Months of preparation. Thousands of dollars raised. Excited volunteers. Children waiting for our arrival. Then everything changed. In this episode, I share that story along with five practical and biblical ways to navigate disappointment without losing your purpose. You'll discover: • Why disappointment isn't a sign of weak faith. • How to look for God's goodness in difficult moments. • Why setbacks should adjust your strategy, not your calling. • How to keep moving forward after a painful season. • Why God's faithfulness is greater than your circumstances. If you've ever wondered whether your work still matters or if God is still at work in your situation, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways Feel it. Don't deny your disappointment. Bring it to God.Find the good. Look for what remains instead of focusing only on what was lost.Follow through. Don't allow temporary setbacks to create permanent decisions.Stay forward focused. Delayed doesn't mean defeated.Choose faith over feelings. God's character hasn't changed, even when circumstances have.If this episode encouraged you, share it with another pastor or ministry leader who could use the reminder. Need prayer or encouragement? I'd love to hear from you. Until next time... Stay faithful. Keep leading. And keep thriving.

    19 min
  3. Ep 104 - The Lie I was told at 2:30 in the Morning

    Jun 11

    Ep 104 - The Lie I was told at 2:30 in the Morning

    I woke up around 2:30 in the morning with the thought that maybe I should get up and pray. Then another voice entered the conversation. "Don't bother." "You again?" "What do you want now?" "All you've done lately is make a mess." The next morning, I couldn't stop thinking about that moment—not because I believed it, but because I wondered how many pastors hear similar lies and quietly believe them. In this episode, we talk honestly about spiritual warfare, shame, isolation, and one of the enemy's oldest strategies: Disconnection. In This Episode Why shame often sounds spiritualThe enemy's strategy of secrets, isolation, and fearWhy pastors often withdraw when they most need connectionThe restoration of Peter after his denialHow Jesus restores relationship before responsibilityPractical steps to push back against isolationA Biblical Reflection After denying Jesus three times, Peter had every reason to believe he had ruined everything. Yet when Jesus met him again, the conversation wasn't about condemnation. It was about restoration. "Do you love me?" "Feed my sheep." The voice of Christ restores. The voice of shame isolates. Key Takeaway Not every voice you hear is God's voice. If you've been hearing: You're a failure.You've made too much of a mess.God is tired of you.Pastor... That's not His voice. Practical Homework This week: Talk to God. Talk to someone. Tell the truth. Don't keep secrets. Don't isolate. Don't believe fear. Key Quote "The enemy doesn't have to destroy a pastor. He simply has to disconnect one."

    19 min
  4. Ep 103 - Why Everything in Your Church Still Depends on the Same Few People

    Jun 2

    Ep 103 - Why Everything in Your Church Still Depends on the Same Few People

    Why does everything in your church still seem to depend on the same few faithful people? The same volunteers. The same leaders. The same families. The same exhausted core. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. In this conversation, Kevin unpacks one of the most common frustrations pastors face: carrying too much because engagement is concentrated in too few people. The hard truth? This usually isn’t a people problem. It’s a systems problem. Inside this episode: Why disengagement is often confusion, not rebellionThe hidden pathway problem keeping people passiveWhy pastors end up carrying more than they shouldHow ownership culture is intentionally builtThe leadership shift that changes everythingIf you’re tired of the same few doing all the work… this conversation will help.

    12 min
  5. ep 102- When You’ve Been Faithful… But Rescue Still Hasn’t Come

    May 19

    ep 102- When You’ve Been Faithful… But Rescue Still Hasn’t Come

    Have you ever found yourself asking: “God… where are You?” You’ve been faithful. You’ve kept showing up. You’ve prayed. You’ve obeyed. And yet the breakthrough you’ve been pleading for still hasn’t come. In this deeply personal episode, Kevin opens up about walking through financial pressure, family medical strain, emotional exhaustion, and the uncomfortable reality of continuing to lead while quietly carrying heavy burdens. If you’ve ever felt like Paul—shipwrecked, holding onto broken pieces, simply trying to stay afloat—this conversation is for you. Inside this episode: Why delayed rescue does not mean abandonmentThe dangerous emotional drift pastors face in survival modeWhy “just staying afloat” may still be faithfulnessThe forgotten prayer hidden in Luke 1 that may reshape your perspectiveA reminder that even when you can’t see the shore… it still existsIf you’re tired, discouraged, or simply trying to hold on… This one is for you. Connect with Kevin If this episode resonated with you and you need someone to process with, Kevin would be honored to connect. 📩 coaching@kevinelworth.live

    14 min
  6. 101- What to Do When You Realize You’ve Been Leading in Isolation

    Apr 21

    101- What to Do When You Realize You’ve Been Leading in Isolation

    After recognizing the pull toward isolation in leadership, the next question becomes simple—but important: What do you actually do about it? In this episode, Kevin walks pastors through a clear and grounded response to isolation—not by adding pressure, but by helping them take intentional steps toward connection. This is not about overhauling your leadership overnight. It’s about choosing a different direction. Because growth doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens in connection. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why isolation is a common response to pressure in pastoral leadershipHow to recognize when you’ve been carrying too much aloneThe difference between awareness and actionSimple, practical steps to begin reconnectingWhy one honest conversation can shift everythingHow connection creates clarity—for both you and your church A Biblical Reflection In Exodus 18, Moses is leading alone—carrying the weight of the people from morning until evening. When Jethro observes this, he responds plainly: “What you are doing is not good.” Not because Moses lacked calling— but because he was trying to carry what was never meant to be carried alone. The solution wasn’t more effort. It was shared responsibility. Key Takeaways Isolation Is a Response—Not a Strategy It often feels safe in the moment, but it limits growth over time. You Don’t Need Everything—You Need Someone Growth doesn’t require a network. It starts with one honest connection. Clarity Comes Through Conversation Many of the answers you’re looking for won’t come in isolation—but in dialogue. Stay Longer Than Feels Comfortable Most leaders disconnect right before growth begins. Practical Steps to Reconnect If you’re recognizing isolation in your leadership, start here: Identify one person you can connect withBe honest quickly—don’t ease into itCreate a rhythm of ongoing conversationInvite perspective, not just encouragementStay engaged, even when it feels uncomfortableResource Mentioned Church Engagement Assessment A simple tool designed to help you identify where people may be getting stuck or overlooked in your church. Find it here! Key Quote “The single greatest element of growth you will ever receive will come through your ability to get connected to people.” Final Encouragement You’re not behind. You’re at a moment of clarity. And clarity—when acted on—leads to growth. Im with you bro. Kevin

    20 min
  7. 100 - Why Isolated Pastors Stop Growing (And What to Do Instead)

    Apr 14

    100 - Why Isolated Pastors Stop Growing (And What to Do Instead)

    Episode 100 didn’t start the way Kevin expected. After recording a polished version, something didn’t sit right—so he scrapped it. What follows is a real, unfiltered conversation about something many pastors are experiencing but rarely name: Isolation. When pressure builds, many pastors don’t reach out—they pull back. But what feels safe in the moment often becomes the very thing that limits growth. In this episode, Kevin shares personal stories, hard-earned lessons, and a clear truth: Growth doesn’t come from carrying more. It comes from getting connected. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: Why pastors tend to isolate under pressureThe hidden cost of trying to carry leadership aloneA personal reflection on missed growth opportunitiesWhy authenticity is not enough without intentional developmentHow God often answers prayers through people—not just momentsThe connection between humility and growth Key Takeaways: Isolation Feels Safe—but It Stalls Growth When things get heavy, the instinct is to pull back. But that’s when connection matters most. Authenticity Isn’t the Same as Growth Being real is powerful—but without intentional development, growth stalls. You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know And growth begins when you invite someone in who can help you see what you can’t. God Often Answers Through People The very thing you’ve been praying for may already be in front of you—if you’re willing to receive it. Key Quote: “The single greatest element of growth you will ever receive will come through your ability to get connected to people.” A Message of Hope: What you’re looking for in this next season of ministry… …it’s findable. It may already be unfolding in front of you. But it will require the courage to step toward it. Resource Mentioned: Church Engagement Assessment A simple tool to help you evaluate where people may be getting stuck or overlooked in your church. Access it here !

    26 min
  8. 099- Does Your Church Have These Markers of Being Fully Engaged?

    Mar 31

    099- Does Your Church Have These Markers of Being Fully Engaged?

    Does Your Church Have These Markers of Being Fully Engaged? Podcast: Pastors Thriving Host: Kevin Elworth Episode Summary What does a healthy, engaged church actually look like? After recognizing how easy it is for people to be present but not truly connected, the next question becomes clear: How do we know if our church is actually engaging people well? In this episode, Kevin outlines the core markers of a fully engaged church—not as an ideal to strive for, but as a framework to help leaders bring clarity, alignment, and movement to their ministry. This isn’t about adding more programs. It’s about ensuring people don’t get stuck. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The difference between attendance, participation, and engagementWhy many churches unintentionally stall people’s growthThe key markers that define a fully engaged churchHow clarity creates momentum without adding pressureWhy engagement is about movement, not activityThe Core Idea “A fully engaged church isn’t one where everyone serves. It’s one where everyone is moving.” Moving toward: connectiongrowthpurposediscipleshipThe Markers of a Fully Engaged Church 1. Clear Next Steps Every person knows what their next step is. 2. Shared Responsibility Leadership is not centralized—the weight is distributed. 3. Intentional Follow-Through People are noticed, contacted, and guided quickly. 4. A Culture of Movement People progress from: guest → connected → serving → leading → discipling others Why This Matters When these markers are present: Pastors experience less pressureTeams operate with clarityPeople grow fasterThe church becomes alive—not just activeA Leadership Reframe This is not about doing more. “It’s about aligning what already exists.” Who This Episode Is For Pastors who sense people are stallingChurches with strong attendance but low engagementLeaders seeking clarity without complexityTeams feeling stretched but not seeing growthWhat’s Next In Episode 100, Kevin steps back to explore a bigger question: What does the future of the Church require from leaders right now?

    15 min
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The SOURCE for Pastor help, encouragement, strategies for growth and Leadership Hey Pastor! Do you wish you knew the secret to growing your church while finding balance between ministry and your family? Do you find yourself updating your resume and browsing the job ads on ministryjobs.com? Do you want to develop leaders within your church to relieve the burden from your shoulders, but instead you’re constantly dealing with drama and conflict? You’re in the right place. Welcome to Pastors Thriving, where you will learn the secrets to leadership growth in your church - spiritually, numerically, and financially. You’ll learn how to equip and develop your staff and congregation so that you don’t have to feel alone on this journey - and enjoy the ministry that you’ve been called to once again. Hi, I’m Kevin. Twenty-year ministry veteran, husband of a powerhouse wife, the father of 5 wonderful kids, and lover of Jesus powered by coffee and tacos. It wasn’t long ago that I grew a church from zero to 700 in five short years and wrestled with the trauma and drama that goes along with intense church growth. It wasn’t until I learned the power of creativity and how I could harness it to lead others well by empowering them to share the burden. I created a culture of leadership development and was able to spend time with my family while my ministry thrived. And now I’m excited to share what I’ve learned with you! If you’re ready to finally find some breathing room in your leading and living…learning strategies that are simple, understandable, and inspiring…giving you results that are measurable, like numerical growth, spiritual depth, and even financial growth – then this podcast is your new best friend. Grab your AirPods and your notebook, class is in session, and thriving is here! Next steps: Set up a discovery call - https://calendly.com/kevinelworthcoaching/20min Visit my website - https://kevinelworth.live Shoot me an email - coaching@kevinelworth.live

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