Church Made Simple

Stephan Kilgore
  • 5.0 (8)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Church doesn’t have to be complicated. The Church Made Simple podcast helps ministry teams cut through confusion with practical conversations on systems, leadership, and church health. Whether you’re on staff or serve as a volunteer, you’ll get simple strategies that move your church forward—one episode at a time.

Episodes

  1. 07/28/2025

    Most Churches Get This Wrong: The Guest Experience Wake-Up Call | Church Made Simple | Ep. 011

    Is your church accidentally turning people away? Before anyone hears your sermon or joins a group, they’re watching for signals: 👉 Am I welcome here? 👉 Do I belong? 👉 Is this place safe? In this episode of Church Made Simple, we expose the hidden system that shapes those answers—your Guest Experience System. You’ll learn how to stop losing guests by accident and start building a simple, intentional, and Spirit-led system that actually helps people stay. We walk through the G.E.S.T. Framework: ✔ Greet with Intentional Warmth ✔ Escort with Clarity ✔ Serve with No Strings Attached ✔ Track and Follow Up with Purpose This episode gives pastors, staff, and volunteers the tools to: • Eliminate confusion in your Sunday flow • Equip your greeters and hosts to lead with purpose • Build a culture that values people more than processes • Create a guest experience that earns trust and invites people into deeper connection 🎁 Download the FREE Guest Experience Starter Kit Includes: G.E.S.T. walkthrough PDF, volunteer training checklist, guest follow-up templates, and Sunday service flow examples 👉 https://tinyurl.com/Church-Made-Simple-Resources 💌 Subscribe to weekly tips + tools at: https://www.churchmadesimple.net ❤️ Support the ministry: https://stephankilgoreministries.churchcenter.com/giving/to/support-the-ministry Next week in Episode 12: How to Build Systems That Scale—Not Strangle. Because what works at 100 people won’t work at 500. And what works at 500 might break you before you reach 1,000. Until then—keep leading with clarity. And keep making church simple.

    19 min

  2. 07/21/2025

    The Hidden Structures That Disciple Your People | Church Made Simple | Ep. 010

    Most churches are discipling people by accident—not through sermons or small groups, but through invisible systems that shape behavior every single week. In this episode, we expose the unseen structures that form your church culture: how you celebrate, correct, communicate, and use time. These are the true systems of discipleship, and if you don’t name them, they’ll keep undermining your mission silently. You’ll learn: • How to uncover unspoken rules and default behaviors • The 4 invisible systems shaping your team and your church culture • Practical questions to assess and align your systems with your values • Why what you celebrate and how you correct matters more than you think Whether you’re a pastor, church leader, or volunteer, this conversation will help you stop leading on accident and start shaping your church on purpose. 🎁 Get your FREE Culture Audit Toolkit: https://tinyurl.com/Church-Made-Simple-Resources Includes 4 worksheets, a team discussion guide, and a culture health checklist. 📩 Join the weekly email list: https://www.churchmadesimple.net 🎧 Subscribe for more tools to lead with clarity: Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/41vGVRsuDG3qhw282Yis6F?si=cff58fb4c7f447d5 Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/church-made-simple/id1728937567 ❤️ Support the podcast here: https://stephankilgoreministries.churchcenter.com/giving/to/support-the-ministry

    19 min

  3. 07/14/2025

    How to Empower Others Without Losing Control | Church Made Simple | Ep. 009

    If your systems are solid but your team still needs you to run them, you’re not leading a church—you’re running a spiritual startup. In Episode 009 of Church Made Simple, we show you how to empower others without losing control. Because building great systems isn’t enough. You need to become the scaffolding your team can build on—even when you’re not in the room. In this episode, you’ll learn how to spot the 3 signs of bottleneck leadership, how to use the “3 Buckets of Authority,” and how to coach people to think for themselves instead of just waiting for approval. We’re giving you a 5-part Empowerment Framework to help you define decision zones, build repeatable tools, train for judgment (not just tasks), and grow leaders who can carry the mission and the culture. 🔎 Topics Covered: • Why every approval still goes through you • How to stop being the center of every system • What to give away first—and what to hold onto • Why your absence causes confusion (and how to fix it) • How to coach leaders instead of clone yourself • Why empowering mistakes builds trust 🎁 Free Download: Get your Empowerment Map with the 3 Buckets of Authority, a delegation worksheet, and coaching prompts. 💡 Sign Up for Our Weekly Email: Want simple tools sent to your inbox every week to help your church thrive? 🙏 Support the Ministry: If this podcast is helping you lead with clarity and build healthier systems, would you consider giving? Your donation helps us equip more leaders and create free resources that strengthen churches everywhere. → Setup a Recurring Gift 🎧 Listen + Subscribe on Your Favorite Platform: Spotify Apple Podcasts

    18 min

  4. 07/07/2025

    The One System Every Church Must Start With | Church Made Simple | Ep. 008

    Feeling burnt out by Sundays? You’re not alone—and you’re not failing. You just need a system. In this episode of Church Made Simple, we dive into the one system every church must start with: the Sunday system. If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling to finish your sermon, fixing slides at the last minute, or wondering if your volunteers will show up—it’s time to fix the flow. We’ll show you how to build a Sunday that runs smoothly, empowers your team, and creates space for the Holy Spirit to move—without burnout, chaos, or confusion. 🔍 In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why the Sunday system is the foundation for every healthy church • How to eliminate last-minute chaos with a clear prep process • What to say in your pre-service huddle to set the tone • How to build a service flow that honors both structure and the Spirit • What to do after service to build a better team culture • What to do when everything goes wrong—and how to turn the pain into process When you build a simple, repeatable Sunday system, your whole church breathes easier. You don’t have to choose between order and anointing. You just need a plan. 📥 Download your FREE “Sunday System Starter Kit” Includes a pre-service huddle script, service flow template, and post-service debrief guide: https://tinyurl.com/Church-Made-Simple-Resources 💌 Want leadership tools sent straight to your inbox every week? Sign up for the free Church Made Simple email: https://www.churchmadesimple.net 🙏 Support the Mission If Church Made Simple is helping you lead with clarity and build a healthier church, would you consider supporting the ministry? Your gift helps us reach more pastors and provide free tools that make ministry simpler and stronger. Set up a recurring donation here: https://stephankilgoreministries.churchcenter.com/giving/to/support-the-ministry 🎧 Explore more episodes and free resources at: https://www.churchmadesimple.net 📱 Follow on Instagram for daily leadership insights: https://www.instagram.com/churchmadesimplepod

    21 min

  5. 06/30/2025

    How to Build Healthy Systems That Help People Stay | Church Made Simple | Ep. 007

    Are great volunteers or staff members quietly walking away from your church—even though you thought everything was fine? In this episode of Church Made Simple, Pastor Stephan Kilgore unpacks one of the most overlooked reasons churches lose great people: broken systems. We’re not just talking about burnout—we’re talking about the silent friction points that push people out of ministry roles they once loved. Inside this episode, you’ll discover: ✅ Why commitment isn’t a personality trait—but a reflection of your church systems ✅ How to spot the three hidden system breakdowns that cause people to leave ✅ A full breakdown of the S.T.A.Y. System (Start Strong, Touch Points, Advance the Individual, Yield with Grace) ✅ How to design onboarding experiences that keep people connected from day one ✅ When and how to have 1-on-1 check-ins that build emotional safety and loyalty ✅ Why most churches confuse busyness with health—and how to fix it ✅ How to create graceful off-ramps that preserve dignity instead of causing guilt ✅ Practical steps to implement a people-first volunteer strategy this month If your team keeps turning over—or if you feel like you’re constantly rebuilding your leadership core—it’s time to stop praying for commitment and start designing for it. This episode will give you real-world strategy, language, and tools you can use right now to build a volunteer culture where people stay, grow, and multiply. 🎁 Download the FREE STAY SYSTEM STARTER GUIDE (worksheets + templates): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1uP_t4Mqo_jvZlcSWoBIzeXHZQdUMlg_1 📬 Sign up for the weekly Church Made Simple email at https://churchmadesimple.net Get free leadership tools, clarity-building strategies, and exclusive downloads sent straight to your inbox.

    21 min

  6. 06/23/2025

    Why Great People Leave Your Church | Church Made Simple | Ep. 006

    Ever had a great volunteer or staff member just disappear? They didn’t burn out. They didn’t cause drama. They just quietly… faded. In this episode of Church Made Simple, we’re tackling a painful but common reality in ministry: when high-capacity people walk away—not because they stopped loving Jesus, but because your systems didn’t support them. If you’ve been wondering why great people are leaving, this episode will show you: ✅ The silent warning signs that someone is drifting ✅ 5 broken systems that unintentionally push people out ✅ What volunteers and staff wish they could say before they leave ✅ Why your team might feel more like cogs than contributors ✅ How to build a system that helps people stay, grow, and thrive This isn’t about adding more policies. It’s about fixing the invisible gaps that cause frustration, isolation, and burnout across your team. 📥 Grab the free resource from this episode: • Systems Audit Worksheet • Team Discussion Guide 👉 https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1uP_t4Mqo_jvZlcSWoBIzeXHZQdUMlg_1 📬 Get our weekly tools and insights for healthy, effective ministry—straight to your inbox: 👉 https://churchmadesimple.net This episode is for pastors, executive leaders, and team builders who know that clarity, connection, and care are essential for long-term health in any ministry. Don’t just build teams—build systems that keep great people.

    14 min

  7. 06/16/2025

    When Everyone Owns Everything, No One Owns Anything | Church Made Simple | Ep. 005

    You don’t need more meetings—you need clear ownership. In this episode of Church Made Simple, we tackle one of the biggest reasons your systems still aren’t working: no one knows who’s actually responsible. Even when your vision is clear and your strategies are sound, without ownership, everything still falls apart. You’ll learn: Why clarity without responsibility leads to chaos How to spot the “Ownership Gap” in your team The RACI Framework (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) How to stop assigning tasks to “teams” and start assigning them to people Practical steps to create visible, empowering systems that work 📥 Download the free RACI Ministry Ownership Template: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pnKYIZdyMioAi3uHRJMAVtbvYH-8EHtE?usp=drive_link 📩 Want weekly tools to build healthy systems in your church? Subscribe at https://churchmadesimple.net Churches thrive when everyone knows what to do and why it matters. This episode will help you stop the confusion and start moving your mission forward with confidence. If Church Made Simple is helping you lead with clarity and build a healthier church, would you consider supporting the ministry? Your donation helps us reach more leaders and provide free resources that make ministry simpler and stronger. Setup a recurring gift ⁠here⁠.

    18 min

  8. 06/09/2025

    Stop Calling It Vision If No One Remembers It | Church Made Simple | Ep. 004

    If your team can’t repeat it, it’s not vision—it’s noise. In this episode, Pastor Stephan Kilgore tackles a subtle but destructive leadership trap: confusing goals, values, or announcements for vision. If you’ve ever said, “Our vision is to get 500 people at Easter,” this episode is for you. Most churches don’t need a new vision—they need to make their current one unforgettable. Repeating a message doesn’t dilute your leadership—it defines it. And if your systems aren’t built to serve the vision, they’ll eventually drain your team. — What You’ll Learn in Episode 004: • Why most churches mistake wins, values, and asks for vision • The reason vision leaks—and how to reinforce it weekly • How to know if your vision is sticky, forgettable, or just vague • The connection between systems, repetition, and purpose • Practical strategies for embedding your vision into church culture • Real examples of visionary language that inspires and mobilizes teams — This episode is for you if: • You’re tired of repeating yourself and still being misunderstood • You want to lead with long-term purpose, not short-term panic • You’ve built good systems, but don’t know what they’re aiming toward • You feel like your team hears your heart but doesn’t carry the message • You’re done letting vision get drowned out by announcements and events — 3 Questions to Ask with Your Team This Week: Can your team articulate the church’s vision without reading a document?Are your “vision moments” actually about values, wins, or asks?Where in your weekly rhythms can you reinforce the real vision?— Free Resource: We’ve created a downloadable team discussion guide to go with this episode. It’s designed to help your staff or volunteers identify your real vision, clarify what it’s not, and build a culture where everyone knows the direction you’re going. Download the free guide here. — Coming Up Next: We’re talking ownership—because when everyone owns everything, no one owns anything. You’ll learn how to stop burnout by giving your team the clarity they need to own their lane. — Like what you hear? Be sure to follow, share, and leave a review so we can continue helping more churches move from confusion to clarity. If Church Made Simple is helping you lead with clarity and build a healthier church, would you consider supporting the ministry? Your donation helps us reach more leaders and provide free resources that make ministry simpler and stronger. Setup a recurring gift ⁠here⁠.

    14 min

  9. 06/02/2025

    Clarity Starts at the Top | Church Made Simple | Ep. 003

    If your team is constantly confused, burned out, or waiting on you for every decision—this episode is for you. In this conversation, Pastor Stephan Kilgore challenges leaders to take full responsibility for how clearly they lead. Because confusion on your team doesn’t start in the systems. It starts at the top. You’ll learn: How to recognize when your leadership is contributing to the chaos Why most teams fail because of unclear expectations—not lack of passion What it looks like to model clarity instead of micromanaging Four specific actions to bring clarity to your team this week You can’t delegate clarity. You can only multiply it. This episode will help you lead in a way that empowers your team and builds a healthy, sustainable culture. — Get the free team discussion guide: When Clarity Leads, Chaos Leaves — Subscribe and share this episode with your team or another leader who needs it. New episodes every Monday at Church Made Simple. If Church Made Simple is helping you lead with clarity and build a healthier church, would you consider supporting the ministry? Your donation helps us reach more leaders and provide free resources that make ministry simpler and stronger. Setup a recurring gift ⁠here⁠.

    16 min

  10. 05/26/2025

    Your Team Can’t Read Minds (And What to Do About It) | Church Made Simple | Ep. 002

    Most church frustrations don’t come from bad theology—they come from unclear expectations. You thought you said it. They thought they understood it. But Sunday came… and chaos followed. In this episode of Church Made Simple, we’re breaking down the biggest myth in ministry leadership: that saying something once is enough. The truth is, clarity isn’t what’s said—it’s what’s understood, owned, and repeated. Whether you’re a lead pastor, ministry director, or volunteer, this episode will show you how to improve communication, reduce confusion, and build teams that actually work together. We’ll walk through a simple but powerful framework called “One Message, Three Formats” that every church can use to bring clarity to your systems, teams, and culture. ⸻ 🔍 In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why your team might be confused (even if you’ve explained it before) • The real cost of assumed clarity in ministry • A 3-step communication strategy that eliminates misunderstandings • How to say, show, and store your message so everyone stays aligned ⸻ 🛠️ Download the Free Discussion Guide Use this in your next team meeting or leadership huddle to apply what you hear. ⸻ 🙌 Subscribe & Share If you’re ready to lead with clarity and build systems that actually work, don’t forget to: ✅ Subscribe to the channel ✅ Like this episode ✅ Share it with your team If Church Made Simple is helping you lead with clarity and build a healthier church, would you consider supporting the ministry? Your donation helps us reach more leaders and provide free resources that make ministry simpler and stronger. Setup a recurring gift ⁠here⁠.

    16 min

  11. 05/19/2025

    What Do You Actually Want Your Church to Be Known For? | Church Made Simple | Ep. 001

    Is your church known for what actually matters—or are you stuck in the cycle of doing everything and gaining no traction? In this episode of Church Made Simple, Pastor Stephan Kilgore helps you uncover the core identity of your ministry with one essential question: What do we actually want to be known for? Most churches are exhausted—not because they’re lazy, but because they lack clarity. Without clearly defined values, priorities, and purpose, it’s easy to fall into the trap of over-programming, under-delivering, and missing the mark with the people you’re called to reach. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why clarity is more important than creativity The three most powerful questions to ask your team How to define success beyond Sunday attendance How to align your mission, team, and systems to avoid burnout Whether you’re a lead pastor, staff member, or volunteer leader, this episode gives you the language and tools to focus your ministry, motivate your team, and make a lasting impact in your city. This isn’t just theory—it’s a practical blueprint to simplify your systems and strengthen your culture. Free download: 3 Clarity Questions Every Church Needs to Answer If Church Made Simple is helping you lead with clarity and build a healthier church, would you consider supporting the ministry? Your donation helps us reach more leaders and provide free resources that make ministry simpler and stronger. Setup a recurring gift ⁠here⁠.

    14 min

  12. 05/12/2025

    Church Doesn't Have to Be Complicated

    Welcome to the Church Made Simple podcast—a new voice for every pastor, ministry staff member, and volunteer who’s ever said: “I love my church… but I’m exhausted.” “I believe in the vision… but I feel stuck.” “We have a great team… but no one seems to know what’s going on.” This isn’t another podcast full of vague leadership theory or sermon leftovers repackaged as content. This is for real-life ministry leaders who are tired of trying to lead through chaos. WHAT YOU’LL HEAR IN THIS PREVIEW EPISODE: Host Stephan Kilgore, a lead pastor with over 20 years of experience in church leadership, shares why this podcast exists, who it’s for, and what you can expect each week. He doesn’t offer solutions yet—just the questions that too many churches are afraid to ask. If you’ve ever sat in a staff meeting wondering why this feels harder than it should… If you’ve launched a ministry event that left your team drained instead of energized… If you’ve prayed for clarity but kept hitting miscommunication and confusion… This podcast is for you. WHAT THIS PODCAST IS ABOUT: Church Made Simple exists to help churches stop running on passion, panic, and last-minute planning—and start leading with clarity. This podcast will highlight: Honest, unfiltered conversations about what’s not working Encouragement for leaders who feel like they’re carrying it all Weekly reminders that ministry can be clear and culture can be healthy We’re not here to complain about church. We’re here to make it better—together. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER: Why most churches struggle with systems, not passion How unclear roles and expectations quietly drain your team Why gifted people still burn out without structure The cost of assuming someone else is handling it Why simplicity is not about doing less—it’s about doing what matters WHO THIS PODCAST IS FOR: Lead pastors who feel the pressure to do everything Executive pastors managing people, plans, and panic Department heads who are tired of micromanaging Volunteers who are constantly left guessing Anyone with a title, a passion, and no clear framework If your team is full of great people working in broken systems, this is your next step. WHAT NOT TO EXPECT: Cookie-cutter church growth formulas Motivational fluff 90-minute episodes with no direction Clichés that sound good but don’t work WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WEEKLY: 10–30 minute episodes that get straight to the point Practical takeaways you can actually use Honest conversations about team culture, clarity, and systems Encouragement to keep going, even when it’s messy EPISODE 1 DROPS SOON. This preview is just the beginning. Subscribe now on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Follow us @ChurchMadeSimplePod for tools, templates, and updates. Share this with your team and say, “Let’s get better—on purpose.” Because church doesn’t have to be complicated. And you don’t have to figure it out alone. If Church Made Simple is helping you lead with clarity and build a healthier church, would you consider supporting the ministry? Your donation helps us reach more leaders and provide free resources that make ministry simpler and stronger. Setup a recurring gift here.

    2 min

Trailer

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Church doesn’t have to be complicated. The Church Made Simple podcast helps ministry teams cut through confusion with practical conversations on systems, leadership, and church health. Whether you’re on staff or serve as a volunteer, you’ll get simple strategies that move your church forward—one episode at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Stephan Kilgore
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Stephan Kilgore
  • Show Website
    Church Made Simple