Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast: Equipping the Whole Church Staff for Gospel Impact

Brentwood Baptist Church
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Are you ready to take your ministry to the next level? Follow the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, as we share how this new resource will equip and encourage church leaders at every stage. Whether you’re a seasoned pastor or a growing team member, this podcast is designed to help you sharpen your vision, strengthen your staff, and deepen your Gospel impact. Hosted by ministers from Brentwood Baptist Church, this podcast brings you honest conversations, practical tools, and insights from leaders who understand the joys and challenges of ministry.

  1. 4d ago

    Finding Your Voice in the Pulpit

    Every preacher starts by sounding like someone else. The slow, winding work of ministry is learning to sound like yourself.In this episode, Brandon Hayes sits down with David Hannah to talk about finding your voice in the pulpit and why that work is about far more than communication style. David brings an unusual path to preaching, from preacher's kid to attorney to Bible teacher to pastor, and he's honest about what it has taught him: your voice is shaped by the people you actually know, your confidence rests in who God made you to be, and authenticity is no longer optional for a generation that can see through a facade in seconds. They get practical, too, on outlines versus manuscripts, understanding your sermon rather than memorizing it, watching game film, and receiving feedback without losing your nerve.In this episode, you’ll learn: Why finding your voice starts with confidence in who God made you to be, not in copying a communicator you admireHow your context and your congregation, the people you actually do life with, shape the way you preachThe difference between memorizing your sermon and understanding it, and why that's where natural delivery comes fromHow to grow as a communicator without getting trapped in comparisonWhy authenticity and a willingness to say "I don't know" matter more for this generation than any before itWhat appropriate vulnerability looks like in the pulpit, and who to run it by firstHow to receive hard feedback with humility instead of defensivenessThe two things David tells every newer preacher: trust the voice God gave you, and watch the game filmMeet the GuestsDavid Hannah is Campus and Teaching Pastor at The Church at Lockeland Springs, an East Nashville congregation where, in his words, it's "impossible to not know and be known," and his road to the pulpit ran through law school and years in litigation before ministry.Brandon Hayes is Campus and Teaching Pastor at The Church at Harpeth Heights, a preacher honest enough to admit he still goes back and forth on whether to use notes, whose advice to anyone nervous about preaching without them is simple: leave the iPad on the pew and just go do it.

    33 min

  2. Jun 17

    From Pew to Purpose: Cultivating Gifts in the Body

    What does it really look like to help someone move from sitting in the pew to serving the body? In this episode, Stephanie Prince sits down with Michelle Dyer to talk about identifying gifts and helping people use them well in the life of the church. Michelle makes the case that calling is terrain we have to tread, and that church leaders owe their people more than a vague encouragement to "get out there and serve." They dig into the practical tools, assessments, and coaching relationships that turn good intentions into real engagement, and they share stories of what happens when a leader takes the time to see a gift in someone and call it out.This conversation is part of our month on connections, helping churches build pathways for people to belong, serve, and grow. It's all leading up to the Elevate Church Conference on September 21 and 22, 2026.In this episode, you’ll learn: Why helping people find their gifts changes the culture, passion, and mission of the whole church, not just one volunteer slotWhat happens to a church's vibrancy when people never discover where they're meant to contributeHow to pair the concept of calling (Ephesians 4) with practical tools so people aren't left high and unclearThe four lenses Brentwood Baptist uses to help people explore who they are in Christ: spiritual gifts, personality, passion, and skillsWhy the Discover coach relationship, led by lay leaders rather than staff, is a key piece of the membership processHow clear on-ramps, defined roles, and diligent follow-up move people from interested to involvedWhy training lay leaders to see behind the curtain deepens their own sense of belonging and discipleshipHow intentional leaders spot a gift in someone and shepherd it, and the fifteen-year volunteer story that started with picking up trashWhat an empowered culture looks like when every member is a ministerMeet the GuestsStephanie Prince is the Connections Minister at The Church at Station Hill, where she helps people find their place to belong, serve, and grow. Michele Dyer is the Connections Minister at Brentwood Baptist, where she's spent years developing tools, assessments, and coaching pathways to help members discover how God has wired them to serve.

    17 min

  3. Jun 10

    More Than a Card: How Membership Becomes Belonging

    Membership has a branding problem. For a lot of people, the word sounds like a gym contract or a warehouse club card, something transactional you sign up for and forget. In this episode of the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, Stephanie Prince sits down with Michelle Dyer to reclaim what church membership was always meant to be: a family you belong to, a mission you commit to, and a body you contribute to.Michelle walks through how Brentwood Baptist has refined its membership process over 20 years, why systems and processes actually communicate a church's values, and how a clear pathway helps people move from simply attending to fully belonging. She also shares where to start if your church has no membership process. Her advice is refreshingly practical: make it simple, make it scalable, and start with the bare bones.Whether you are reworking a membership process you have had for decades or building one for the first time, this conversation will help you connect people to their gifts, their calling, and their church family.In this episode, you’ll learn: Why church membership is countercultural, and why that's exactly why it mattersHow "people rise to the level of expectation" should shape the way you talk about membershipWhat a healthy membership process communicates spiritually and practicallyHow to build a process that's relational instead of transactional, so it never feels like institutional hoops to jump throughThe simplest place to start if your church has no membership process yetHow connecting people to their gifts and passions transforms volunteers into ministersWhat the Five G's (gospel conversations, groups, going, giving, and gathering) look like as markers of a growing discipleThe warning signs that it's time to reevaluate or rebuild your membership processMeet the GuestsStephanie Prince serves as the Connections Minister at The Church at Station Hill. She brings a practitioner's perspective to every conversation, asking the questions church leaders are actually wrestling with.Michelle Dyer serves at Brentwood Baptist as the Connections Minister, helping people discover their gifts and find their place in the life of the church. She's passionate about helping believers move from simply attending to fully belonging.

    22 min

  4. Jun 3

    From Guest to Family: Building Clear Pathways to Connection

    On this episode of the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, Stephanie Prince sits down with Shannon Moore to discuss one of the most important challenges churches face: helping people move from being first-time guests to fully engaged members of the church family.While many churches focus heavily on first impressions, Shannon explains why hospitality is only the beginning. Healthy churches create intentional pathways that help people find community, discover their purpose, and take meaningful next steps toward discipleship.Whether you're leading guest services, groups, membership, or simply want to create a more welcoming culture in your church, this conversation offers practical ideas for helping people belong, grow, and engage in God's mission.In this episode, you’ll learn: Why hospitality is only the first step of discipleshipThe biggest barriers keeping guests from becoming engaged membersHow biblical community helps people move from attending to belongingWhy clear next steps matter more than complicated processesPractical ways to improve guest follow-up and engagementHow Discover coaching creates meaningful relationships and accountabilityThe role serving plays in helping people find ownership in the churchWhy healthy churches create cultures where everyone welcomes guestsHow to build systems that help people without losing the relational elementThe difference between a friendly church and a truly welcoming churchMeet the GuestsStephanie PrinceStephanie serves at The Church at Station Hill and helps churches think strategically about connections, discipleship pathways, and helping people take meaningful next steps in their faith journey.Shannon MooreShannon Moore serves at The Church at Avenue South, helping people connect to biblical community through groups, membership, and discipleship. With decades of ministry experience, Shannon is passionate about creating environments where people are seen, known, and engaged in the life of the church.

    21 min

  5. May 27

    Creating a Church People Want to Come Back To

    On this episode of the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, Stephanie Prince is joined by Kiefer Johnson to talk about first impressions, hospitality, and what it really means to create a welcoming church environment.From parking lots and signage to remembering someone’s name, this conversation explores the small details that often make the biggest impact. Together, they unpack how intentional hospitality helps people feel seen, known, and invited into genuine Gospel-centered community.Whether your church is large or small, this episode offers practical ways to help guests move from feeling nervous and overwhelmed to feeling connected and cared for.In this episode, you’ll learn: Why first impressions begin long before someone enters the worship center The difference between being friendly and being truly welcoming How signage, volunteers, and environments reduce anxiety for guests Practical ways to create a culture of invitation and hospitality Why remembering someone’s name can deeply impact their sense of identity How consistency builds trust and long-term community The spiritual importance of hospitality and connection ministry Simple steps churches can take this Sunday to improve first impressionsMeet the GuestsStephanie PrinceStephanie serves in connections ministry at Brentwood Baptist and is passionate about helping churches create environments where people feel seen, known, and welcomed into community.Kiefer JohnsonKefir Johnson serves in connections ministry and guest services at Brentwood Baptist Church, helping cultivate welcoming environments that make it easier for people to take their next step into the life of the church.

    24 min

  6. May 20

    Having Hard Conversations That Actually Resolve Things

    On this episode of the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, Bill Ferrell is joined by Jay Fennel for an honest conversation about one of the hardest parts of leadership: difficult conversations. From team tension and staff conflict to emotional meetings and misunderstood intentions, they unpack practical ways leaders can pursue clarity, care, and resolution without avoiding the issue or damaging relationships.Whether you lead a large staff team or serve in a smaller church context, this conversation offers practical tools to help you shepherd people well, strengthen trust, and lead with both truth and empathy.In this episode, you’ll learn: Why avoiding hard conversations often creates bigger problems later How clarity and care can strengthen trust on a team Questions every leader should ask before entering a difficult conversation Common mistakes leaders make during conflict How to balance empathy with honesty What to do when emotions rise in a conversation Why mutual understanding matters more than “winning” Practical ways to prepare for conversations that move people forwardMeet the GuestsBill FerrellBill serves at Brentwood Baptist and is passionate about helping church leaders build healthy teams, lead with wisdom, and strengthen church culture through practical leadership tools.Jay FennelJay serves on the leadership team at Brentwood Baptist and brings years of ministry experience in shepherding teams, developing leaders, and helping churches pursue healthy staff culture and unity.

    32 min

  7. May 13

    The Leadership Calendar: Balancing Strategy, Meetings, and Soul Care

    Register now for the Elevate Church Conference on September 21–22, 2026.On this episode of the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, Bill Ferrell is joined by Brian Coates to discuss one of the most overlooked leadership tools: your calendar. Together, they unpack how a leader’s schedule reveals priorities, shapes team culture, and impacts long-term health. From protecting white space for strategic thinking to building sustainable rhythms for family and soul care, this conversation offers practical insight for leaders trying to lead intentionally instead of reactively. They also explore common warning signs of overload, how to prioritize meetings and commitments, and why healthy leadership requires margin, reflection, and the ability to say no. Whether you lead a church staff, ministry team, or organization, this episode will help you rethink how your calendar supports your mission. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why your calendar reflects your actual prioritiesThe difference between reactive leadership and intentional leadershipHow to create margin for strategic thinkingWarning signs that your schedule is becoming unsustainablePractical ways to prioritize meetings and commitmentsWhy soul care is a leadership issue, not just a personal oneHow healthy leaders protect time for family, rest, and reflectionThe importance of saying no in leadershipMeet the GuestsBill FerrellBill serves at Brentwood Baptist and helps lead organizational strategy, leadership development, and team culture. Passionate about healthy leadership, Bill regularly coaches leaders on building sustainable rhythms and healthy teams.Brian CoatesBrian serves as an Executive Pastor at Brentwood Baptist, helping oversee ministry strategy, staff leadership, and operational direction across the church. He is passionate about building healthy teams, creating intentional leadership rhythms, and helping leaders steward their time well.

    28 min

  8. May 6

    The One-on-One Framework Every Leader Needs: Build Trust, Clarity, and Stronger Team

    One-on-ones are not just meetings. They are one of the most important rhythms a leader can build.In this episode of the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, Bill Ferrell sits down with Darrel Girardier to unpack why one-on-ones are essential for building trust, developing people, and creating healthy teams.They discuss how to structure one-on-ones, what questions actually lead to growth, and how to avoid the common mistakes that cause leaders to drift into miscommunication or disconnection.Whether you’re leading a fast-paced team or just getting started with leadership rhythms, this episode will give you a practical framework you can implement right away.In this episode, you’ll learn: Why one-on-ones are one of the most important leadership rhythms How one-on-ones build trust and communicate care The difference between status updates and real conversations Why small “micro-corrections” prevent major issues later How to tailor one-on-ones to each team member A simple framework: affirm, correct, and coach The most powerful questions to ask in one-on-ones How to create clarity and remove roadblocks for your team Why documentation creates transparency and trust Common mistakes leaders make (and how to avoid them) How often you should meet, and why consistency matters Meet the GuestsBill Ferrell – Bill brings decades of leadership experience and helps teams build strong systems, healthy culture, and effective leadership rhythms. Darrel Girardier – Darrel serves in leadership and communications at Brentwood Baptist, helping teams operate with clarity, strategy, and intentional development.

    31 min
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Are you ready to take your ministry to the next level? Follow the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, as we share how this new resource will equip and encourage church leaders at every stage. Whether you’re a seasoned pastor or a growing team member, this podcast is designed to help you sharpen your vision, strengthen your staff, and deepen your Gospel impact. Hosted by ministers from Brentwood Baptist Church, this podcast brings you honest conversations, practical tools, and insights from leaders who understand the joys and challenges of ministry.

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