Ministry Moments

Lutheran Church Extension Fund
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Join Rev. John Glover, Rev. Tom Eggebrecht, Rev. Eric Kennaugh and Rev. Kris Kunkel from the Ministry Solutions team at Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) as they delve into topics to encourage you to move your ministry forward according to God’s will. The Ministry Moments Podcast from LCEF features pastoral insights from ordained LCEF employees, covering a wide range of topics to help your ministry thrive and align with God’s purpose. Listen in for practical advice and encouragement for LCMS church workers and ministries.

  1. Sep 22

    What Actually Relieves Pastoral Burnout? A Look at the Data

    What strategies actually work—and don't just sound good on paper? In episode 16 of the Ministry Moments Podcast, Rev. John Glover welcomes special guest Rev. Dr. Greg Walton of Grace Place Wellness, along with regulars Rev. Eric Kennaugh, Rev. Kris Kunkel and Rev. Tom Eggebrecht, to dig into a recent Barna Group study on pastoral burnout. The team unpacks the survey's surprising top finding—mental and physical health outranking financial security and spiritual connection—and explores whether burnout really is a generational issue or simply the nature of a "24/7" calling. They also dive into Barna's helpfulness-versus-difficulty matrix, where the most effective solutions, like sabbaticals, role realignment and delegation, are often the hardest for pastors to access. Whether you're a pastor, a church leader or someone who loves and supports one, this episode offers faith-centered ways to move from just surviving to truly thriving in ministry.

  2. Aug 26

    Stewarding God's Gifts: Why It's a Partnership, Not a Campaign

    What if stewardship was a lifelong family journey instead of a once-a-year money conversation? In episode 15 of the Ministry Moments Podcast, Rev. John Glover sits down with Rev. Kris Kunkel, Rev. Eric Kennaugh and Rev. Tom Eggebrecht to unpack LCEF’s Ministry Partnership Journey, a new approach to stewardship that shifts the focus from budget shortfalls and volunteer fatigue to kingdom investment and family partnership. The team breaks down what makes this journey different from a traditional stewardship campaign: no more "volunteers," no more line-item budget gauntlets and no direct asks for money. Instead, congregations learn to communicate their ministries clearly, invite real participation and let financial support follow naturally.  Ready to explore this for your congregation? Reach out to your District Vice President (DVP) for a free consultation. Visit lcef.org/dvp to find your DVP.

  3. Jul 28

    Navigating the Language of Church Meetings and Committees

    In this episode, hosts Rev. John Glover, Rev. Tom Eggebrecht, Rev. Eric Kennaugh and Rev. Kris Kunkel explore the challenges of interpreting phrases commonly heard in church board and committee meetings. Drawing from their own experiences, they unpack the subtext behind familiar church and corporate leadership language. Gain valuable perspective on leading discussions, making decisions and approaching important conversations with the right mindset in your ministry. Click here to read the article, “A Translation Guide for What Church Committees and Boards Really Mean” by Thom S. Rainer, that the team references during the episode.

  4. Jun 23

    Three Critical Steps to Prepare Your Finances for Ministry Expansion

    Explore the financial and campus foundation your congregation needs before launching a successful ministry expansion campaign. In this episode, hosts Rev. John Glover, Rev. Tom Eggebrecht, Rev. Eric Kennaugh and Rev. Kris Kunkel discuss evaluating current financial health, developing a comprehensive campaign financial plan and creating a capital maintenance plan that builds congregational trust. Learn why specificity and clarity—from cost estimates to project timelines to maintenance protocols—inspire donor confidence and prevent costly mistakes. Whether you're considering expansion or renovation, this conversation covers the practical steps and expert guidance that ensure your capital campaign succeeds.

  5. May 26

    Swing for the Fences: How One Leadership Decision Changes Everything About Your Campaign

    Before launching a ministry expansion campaign (sometimes called a capital campaign), your congregation needs clarity on three critical areas: current ministry operations, a thoughtful planning process and well-defined campaign ministry goals. Join hosts Rev. John Glover, Rev. Tom Eggebrecht, Rev. Eric Kennaugh and Rev. Kris Kunkel as they explore why many congregations underestimate the power of mapping existing ministries, the dangers of rushing the planning phase and how to create commitment cards that engage people beyond financial giving. Discover why "dreaming big" actually inspires congregational confidence, how to lead with conviction once the plan is set and how to invite your entire congregation into the story of ministry expansion.

  6. Apr 9

    Batman, Truckers, and Secret Agents: Calling Leaders into Campaigns

    What did you want to be when you grew up—a Batman-style superhero, a truck driver on the mission field, a Secret Service agent or a professional actor? In this episode of the Ministry Moments Podcast, Reverends John Glover, Tom Eggebrecht, Eric Kennaugh and Kris Kunkel share childhood dreams and how God redirected each of them into pastoral ministry and ministry support roles. They unpack why leadership engagement is essential for a healthy ministry expansion campaign, from pastors and professional church workers to lay leaders and emerging volunteers.  Hear practical ways to balance pastoral involvement, protect your pastor during a building project, educate lay leaders in “family conversations” about facilities and finances and recruit new leaders for a short-term campaign team.

  7. Mar 12

    Campaign Readiness, Step 1: Is Your Congregation Ready?

    Rev. John Glover is joined by Reverends Kris Kunkel, Eric Kennaugh and Tom Eggebrecht in launching a new series on campaign readiness for ministry expansion.​ Today’s focus: the congregation’s readiness, with practical guidance on why the planning process matters as much as the campaign itself. The team discusses starting (and normalizing) stewardship conversations, inviting input early through tools like surveys and forums and aligning the congregation around a shared, God-given vision.

  8. Feb 10

    From Emerging Leaders to Expanded Ministry: How LCEF Does Campaigns Differently

    Join the Ministry Solutions team as they pull back the curtain on what LCEF calls a Ministry Expansion Campaign and why that language matters. Instead of chasing dollars or drywall, they describe a deeply spiritual, family-style process that keeps ministry first, engages the whole congregation and focuses on how facilities ultimately facilitate ministry in a community. Join Rev. John Glover, Rev. Tom Eggebrecht, Rev. Eric Kennaugh and Rev. Kris Kunkel in this episode of the Ministry Moments Podcast as they share how campaign directors are raised up from within, how emerging leaders are intentionally invited into a focused five-month commitment and how this becomes a natural pipeline for new congregational leadership. They also explain LCEF’s grace-based giving approach, which replaces high-pressure asks with guided, prayerful conversations that help disciples trust Jesus more deeply as they fund the work God has placed before them. If you or your congregation are wondering how to expand ministry, protect your pastor and strengthen your church family through a campaign, this conversation will give you ideas and encouragement for what’s possible.​

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About

Join Rev. John Glover, Rev. Tom Eggebrecht, Rev. Eric Kennaugh and Rev. Kris Kunkel from the Ministry Solutions team at Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) as they delve into topics to encourage you to move your ministry forward according to God’s will. The Ministry Moments Podcast from LCEF features pastoral insights from ordained LCEF employees, covering a wide range of topics to help your ministry thrive and align with God’s purpose. Listen in for practical advice and encouragement for LCMS church workers and ministries.

Information

  • Creator
    Lutheran Church Extension Fund
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Lutheran Church Extension Fund
  • Show Website
    Ministry Moments