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

Kevin Elworth-Business & Ministry Coach, Passive Income, Entrepreneur Pastor, Ministry Marketing
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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

  1. 096 - Why Only 20% of Your Church Is Doing 80% of the Work

    FEB 17

    096 - Why Only 20% of Your Church Is Doing 80% of the Work

    If only 20% of your church is serving… you don’t have a people problem. You have a pathway problem. In this episode, Kevin unpacks the growing engagement crisis inside local churches. The old 80/20 rule isn’t accurate anymore. In many churches, it’s closer to 95/5 — and most of that 5% is staff. This isn’t about laziness. It’s about clarity. Kevin walks through: Why unclear engagement pathways stall growthThe myth that people don’t serve because they lack commitmentThe structural gaps killing volunteer momentumWhy energy dies in delayHow to implement a simple 3-step activation flowThe power of personal invitation over stage announcementsIf your church feels stretched thin… If your core is exhausted… If guests disappear after a few weeks… This episode will help you diagnose the real issue. Key Takeaways ✔ Serving engagement is a systems issue, not a motivation issue ✔ Most churches assume progression — they don’t design it ✔ Momentum dies in ambiguity ✔ Energy dies in delay ✔ Stage announcements don’t replace personal invitation ✔ Engagement multiplies when pathways are clear Questions for Reflection If 20% of your church stopped serving this Sunday, what would collapse?Do you have a defined progression from guest → attender → member → server?Is your invitation system general or specific?How fast do you place someone once they express interest?Want Help Clarifying Your Pathway? If you’re ready to build a predictable engagement system instead of hoping people step up, book a complimentary strategy call: 👉 https://calendly.com/kevinelworthcoaching/complimentary-1-1-strategy-call Or explore the Fully Engaged Church framework.

    18 min
  2. 095 - Busy Isn’t the Same as Effective: Why Churches Are Overlooking Their People

    FEB 10

    095 - Busy Isn’t the Same as Effective: Why Churches Are Overlooking Their People

    Many churches today are busy—but not all are effective. Staff calendars are full. Sundays are prepared. Volunteers are scheduled. And yet, people are quietly drifting away—unnoticed, unseen, and unsupported. In this episode of Pastors Thriving, Kevin addresses a growing and often unrecognized issue in church life: the systemic overlooking of people. Not because churches don’t care—but because their systems are optimized for activity rather than visibility. This is a pastoral, discerning conversation for leaders who sense that something isn’t quite right, even though everything appears to be “working.” In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why busy and effective are not the same thingHow churches unintentionally overlook people through systems, not neglectWhy people leave quietly—and what their silence actually meansThe false belief that “if someone wants to be involved, they’ll let us know”How avoidance often stems from leadership exhaustion, not apathyA simple diagnostic to determine if this issue exists in your churchA practical 7-Day Visibility Audit to bring clarity without overwhelmKey Leadership Insight “A lack of response is not rebellion—it’s confusion.” Most people who disengage from church aren’t resisting involvement. They’re uncertain about where they belong—and unsure if they’re wanted. Churches don’t lose people because they stop caring. They lose people because no one notices when connection quietly breaks down. Diagnostic Questions for Church Leaders As shared in the episode, consider these questions honestly: Can we clearly describe what happens to a guest between their first visit and third Sunday?Is someone clearly responsible for noticing disengagement—or does everyone assume someone else will?How quickly does a real person follow up with a new volunteer?Could someone attend for months and still remain mostly unknown?Do our systems primarily serve people—or just services?If more than one of these feels unclear, the issue is likely structural, not spiritual. Homework: The 7-Day Visibility Audit Over the next week, pastors are encouraged to: List the last 10 people who connected with the churchTrack:Who contacted themHow quicklyWhat next step was offeredIdentify:Where handoffs broke downWhere responsibility was unclearWhere people could easily disappearNo fixing yet. Just seeing. Awareness is the first act of leadership. A Pastoral Reframe Churches that thrive long-term don’t rely on passion alone. They build intentional pathways so people don’t fall through the cracks. This isn’t about adding programs. It’s about aligning responsibility—so people are not just welcomed, but guided. Who This Episode Is For: This episode is especially helpful for: Pastors sensing quiet disengagement in their churchLeaders whose teams are busy but stretched thinChurches experiencing drift without obvious conflictStaffs who care deeply but lack clarity around follow-throughLeaders who want effectiveness without burnoutFinal Encouragement: Recognition is not failure. It’s leadership. Seeing a blind spot doesn’t disqualify you—it positions you to shepherd more faithfully.

    22 min
  3. 094 - Don’t Lead From Tension: What Jephthah Teaches Pastors About Pressure, Proof, and Trust

    FEB 3

    094 - Don’t Lead From Tension: What Jephthah Teaches Pastors About Pressure, Proof, and Trust

    Pastors today are carrying immense pressure—often quietly. Pressure to prove their calling. Pressure to justify their leadership. Pressure to keep going, even when the cost feels too high. In this episode of Pastors Thriving, Kevin invites pastors into a reflective, Scripture-anchored conversation centered on the story of Jephthah in Judges 11. Rather than approaching the passage academically, Kevin explores it pastorally—using Jephthah’s story as a mirror for how unresolved tension, insecurity, and cultural pressure can shape leadership decisions today. This is a deeply formational episode for pastors who feel stretched, questioned, or quietly exhausted—and who may be carrying vows, sacrifices, or expectations God never asked them to carry. In This Episode, You’ll Hear About: Why many pastors feel an internal pressure to prove themselvesHow unresolved tension can begin to drive leadership decisionsThe difference between biblical authority and cultural expectationWhy Jephthah’s vow was unnecessary—and what that reveals about leadership under pressureHow insecurity, not rebellion, often leads to unhealthy sacrificeThe danger of keeping promises God never requiredWhy tension is not a command to act, but an invitation to discernHow pastors can move from pressure and proving into trust and clarityKey Leadership Insight “Insecurity under pressure leads to vows God never required.” Jephthah did not lack calling, courage, or opportunity. What he lacked was clarity in the presence of tension. This episode reframes tension not as failure—but as a signal. A moment to pause, listen, and discern what God is actually asking, rather than reacting from fear or cultural expectation. Scripture Focus Judges 11 (The story of Jephthah)John 16:33Biblical themes of authority, favor, sacrifice, and trustWho This Episode Is For This episode is especially for pastors who: Feel pressure to justify their leadership or resultsAre carrying unspoken vows related to time, family, health, or overcommitmentSense tension in ministry but aren’t sure how to interpret itFeel alone, unseen, or unsupported in leadershipDesire clarity and peace without adding more effort or programsA Pastoral Reframe Tension is not your enemy. Uninterpreted tension is. God does not need your vow. He is inviting your trust. You are not behind. You are not failing. And you do not have to carry what was never yours to carry. Continue the Conversation Kevin regularly shares encouragement and leadership insight for pastors through the Pastors Thriving podcast and weekly Friday emails—designed to bring clarity, calm, and perspective without pressure. If this episode resonated with you, stay with the conversation. You are not walking this road alone. As always, If i can be of help to you, just reach out -- coaching @ kevinelworth.live Pastorsthriving.com Here's a copy of my book, Breaking the I Can't Cycle - https://amzn.to/3ETprks

    31 min
  4. 093 -- The 10 Quiet Pressures Pastors Are Carrying into 2026 (and Why Most Churches Never Address Them)

    JAN 27

    093 -- The 10 Quiet Pressures Pastors Are Carrying into 2026 (and Why Most Churches Never Address Them)

    As we step into 2026, many pastors are quietly hoping for relief—but instead feel a steady, underlying pressure that never fully lifts. In this episode, Kevin Elworth names 10 quiet pressures pastors are carrying—pressures that rarely get acknowledged, talked about, or addressed in church culture. These aren’t dramatic crises. They’re subtle, cumulative weights that often lead to exhaustion, isolation, and burnout if left unexamined. This conversation isn’t about doing more. It’s about naming what’s heavy, releasing what was never yours to carry, and rediscovering a leadership posture that is easy and light—the way Jesus intended. What You’ll Hear in This Episode Kevin walks through the 10 quiet pressures pastors are carrying into 2026, including: Being the emotional regulator for everyoneCarrying vision without shared ownershipLiving in a constant state of “almost enough”Feeling responsible for other people’s spiritual maturityManaging decline or stagnation without permission to grieveBeing needed more than you are knownCarrying financial pressure personally—even when it’s organizationalFeeling responsible to fix what you didn’t createNever fully knowing when you’ve done “enough”Leading people while quietly questioning sustainabilityKevin also explores why these pressures persist, how pastors often confuse ownership with responsibility, and why burnout doesn’t come from crisis—but from carrying what was never meant to be carried alone. Key Insight from the Episode “The goal isn’t to carry these pressures better—it’s to stop carrying what was never yours to carry to begin with.” Most of the strain pastors feel today isn’t a faith problem or a calling issue—it’s a leadership load issue. Health doesn’t come from trying harder; it comes from alignment, shared responsibility, and wise structure. Who This Episode Is For Pastors feeling quietly exhausted or overwhelmedLeaders carrying more than they can sustainChurch leaders longing for health without adding more programsAnyone questioning pace, sustainability, or isolation in ministryWhat’s Coming Next In the next episodes, Kevin will unpack how churches can move from pastor-centered pressure to shared leadership—without chaos, burnout, or adding complexity. If this episode named something you’ve been carrying quietly, stay with the conversation. You’re not behind—and you’re not alone. Connect with Kevin If this episode encouraged you or named something real in your life, Kevin would love to hear from you. Reach out anytime—support and prayer are always welcome. coaching@kevinelworth.live Pastorsthriving.com Kevinelworth.live

    22 min
  5. 92 -- Why Ministry Feels Heavier Than It Should

    JAN 20

    92 -- Why Ministry Feels Heavier Than It Should

    Ministry can feel heavier than anyone prepared you for. If you’re still faithful, still praying, still leading—but quietly exhausted—this episode is for you. In this conversation, Kevin speaks directly to pastors who feel the growing weight of leadership, expectations, and responsibility. Not to fix you. Not to push you harder. But to remind you that heaviness does not mean failure—and exhaustion does not mean disobedience. This episode creates space to pause, breathe, and remember what God actually asked you to carry—and what He didn’t. In this episode, we explore: Why ministry feels heavier than it used toThe emotional and spiritual weight pastors carry in silenceHow misplaced responsibility creates exhaustionWhy faithfulness and results are not the same thingWhat it looks like to rest in God’s sustaining promiseHow to lead without carrying burdens you were never meant to holdIf you’ve been questioning your capacity, your calling, or your faithfulness, this episode is an invitation to slow down and breathe again. Key Scripture referenced: 1 Thessalonians 5:24Philippians 4:6–7John 16:33Psalm 127:1This episode is part of an ongoing series for pastors who want to lead with clarity, health, and faithfulness—without burning out or carrying unnecessary weight.

    17 min
  6. 91 -- The Money Mindset You’re Teaching Your Kids (Without Realizing It)

    JAN 13

    91 -- The Money Mindset You’re Teaching Your Kids (Without Realizing It)

    Episode: The Money Mindset You’re Teaching Your Kids (Without Realizing It) In this episode, Kevin unpacks how most of us learned money—not through wisdom, but through fear—and how those lessons quietly shape our parenting, leadership, and ministry. You’ll hear about: Why most financial beliefs are inherited, not chosenHow fear becomes the filter through which money is taughtThe Super Bowl commercial conversation—and what it revealsWhy “cash isn’t king—cashflow is”The difference between intentional and unintentional educationWhy the dinner table may be the most formative classroom in your homeA real story of investing in growth instead of shrinking backHow renewed thinking (Romans 12:2) breaks generational cyclesKey ideas to reflect on: What money phrases did you hear growing up?What phrases do your kids hear now?Are you teaching scarcity—or stewardship and flow?What conversations are you avoiding that might actually be forming belief?Mentioned Resources: Breaking the I Can’t Cycle by Kevin Elworth - https://amzn.to/3ETprksScripture: Romans 12:2Connect with Kevin: Website: pastorsthriving.comEmail: coaching@kevinelworth.live

    12 min
  7. 90 - The Most Important Element of Discipleship

    JAN 9

    90 - The Most Important Element of Discipleship

    What’s really the most important part of discipleship? It’s not a new program, a sermon series, or even the latest ministry model. It’s a decision. In this episode, Kevin unpacks why engagement and transformation in your church start the moment you decide, “This is what we’re going to be about.” You’ll discover: Why churches often stay stuck asking “How?” instead of deciding “We will.”How Jesus gave us a framework for discipleship, not a formula—and why that’s empowering.The difference between information and action (and why one produces actual growth).Why people engage with culture more than church—and what we can do about it.How clarity and creativity can awaken engagement in your congregation.This episode will challenge you to rethink your church’s discipleship movement and remind you that discipleship is more about action than information. 👉 Kevin’s upcoming cohort for the Fully Engaged Church launches early 2026. Also in the show, I mentioned my book, Breaking the I Can't Cycle. You can grab that here - https://amzn.to/3ETprks

    24 min
  8. Why Being Faithful Isn’t the Same as Being Effective

    12/30/2025

    Why Being Faithful Isn’t the Same as Being Effective

    Many pastors are doing everything they know to do—praying, preaching, serving faithfully—yet still feel exhausted, stalled, or quietly discouraged. In this episode, Kevin Elworth returns to Pastors Thriving after a short pause to address a tension most pastors feel but rarely say out loud: Faithfulness alone doesn’t guarantee effectiveness. This conversation reframes burnout, disengaged volunteers, and leadership overload—not as spiritual failure, but as a structural issue. It’s an invitation to stop grinding harder and start leading differently. If you’ve ever thought, “I love Jesus… so why does this still feel unsustainable?”—this episode is for you. In This Episode Why faithfulness and effectiveness are not the same thingHow pastors end up carrying systems they were never meant to carryThe hidden cost of confusing obedience with sustainabilityWhy exhaustion may be an invitation to redesign, not quitNext Step If this episode resonates and you’re realizing your church is busy but not aligned, you don’t need more content—you need clarity. 👉 Book a conversation here: https://calendly.com/kevinelworthcoaching/complimentary-1-1-strategy-call

    13 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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