The 95 Podcast: Conversations for Small-Church Pastors

95Network
  • 4.7 (19)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

95% of churches in the U.S. are under 500 in average attendance. Small and mid-size churches truly are the backbone of the Church in America. Join 95Network Executive Director Dale Sellers as he hosts conversations that specifically relate to the small and mid-size church context.

  1. 4d ago

    Creating An Atmosphere Of Evangelism In Churches (w/ Chad Sutton) - Episode 350

    Chad Sutton serves as North America Director of GO Movement, a global initiative mobilizing believers to share Jesus in everyday life across more than 140 nations. He focuses on building strategic partnerships, equipping leaders, and helping churches move from intention to action in personal evangelism. With a background in executive leadership, business ownership, and nonprofit development, Chad brings a practical, results-driven approach to ministry. He has worked alongside churches, schools, and organizations to strengthen fundraising, clarify messaging, and expand impact. Chad is known for cutting through complexity and helping leaders focus on what actually moves people. His work with GO Movement centers on simple, repeatable steps that activate everyday believers to live out their faith through real conversations. He lives in Michigan with his wife and family. Dale & Joseph talk with Chad about helping pastors and churches create an atmosphere of evangelism through prayer, faith sharing, listening to the Holy Spirit, and simple everyday spiritual conversations. Support the show

  2. Aug 4

    Freestyle Evangelism: How Pastors Can Stop Program-Driven Ministry and Spark Spirit-Led Church Renewal (w/ K. Kale Yu) - Episode 349

    Ignite a movement of church renewal with the latest release from K. Kale Yu, a visionary scholar, professor, and ordained minister at the forefront of church revitalization. Recognized for his research by universities, seminaries, and Christian colleges including Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Wheaton College—Yu brings a rare blend of academic research and pastoral heart to his work. He offers a bridge between theological truths and the practical needs of today’s congregations, making him an essential voice for those seeking to breathe new life into their faith communities. Prepare to lead with purpose in Enkindle: Reviving the Church from Within (2026), the newest and most vital addition to The Spark Initiative Series. Designed as a cornerstone resource for the next generation of Christian leaders, this book is more than just a guide—it is a call to action. Yu provides the strategic tools and innovative leadership models necessary to navigate the complexities of modern ministry, ensuring that the fire of faith continues to burn brightly. Whether you are an emerging practitioner or a seasoned pastor, Enkindle is your roadmap to sparking a lasting legacy of spiritual growth and vibrant community impact. In this episode, Dale Sellers and Joseph Bennett talk with K. Kale Yu about “freestyle evangelism,” why program-driven churches feel inauthentic to Millennials and Gen Z, and how pastors can release Spirit-led passion projects that renew churches from within. Support the show

  3. Jul 28

    PODCAST RECAST - Church Communications Strategy: Prioritize, Plan, & Produce (w/ Kimberly Tarlton) - Episode 348

    Kimberly Tarlton is the Co-Founder & CEO of Story & Stone, a creative strategist, communications consultant, and a church girl at heart with over 28 years of experience helping ministries grow their impact—online and in-person. Kim’s expertise spans digital, print, and live, leading church teams with a mix of creative spark and practical know-how. Her integrated marketing work has helped churches increase engagement, clarify their messaging, and confidently reach new guests. She's known for leading cross-functional teams with heart and humor—and always with an eye on the metrics. A certified Working Genius Facilitator, a triple-certified HubSpot pro in Social Media, Content, and Email Marketing, and a sought-after speaker for conferences and podcasts on topics like church communications, guest strategy, and ministry development. Kimberly and Dale discuss the importance of mission clarity as the foundation of your communications efforts in today's 95Podcast. Their conversation is filled with leadership nuggets to help you create an effective communication environment within your ministry. Show Notes: https://95network.org/podcast-recast-95podcast-320-summary-church-communications-strategy-prioritize-plan-produce-w-kimberly-tarlton-episode-320/ Support the show

  4. Jul 21

    PODCAST RECAST - From Trauma to Triumph: Josh Clink on Pastoral Health, Counseling, and Soul Care - Episode 347

    On today's 95Podcast, Dale Sellers sits down with Josh Clink to discuss his journey from unexpected pastoral leadership at age 26 through the aftermath of moral failure, COVID-19 burnout, compassion fatigue, and seven miscarriages—and how biblical counseling, spiritual formation, and anchored hope restored him. Josh shares practical pathways for pastors facing trauma, depression, anxiety, father wounds, and isolation, plus how CCEF equips small churches with counseling referrals, intensives, consultations, and the new Biblical Counseling for Pastors course. Josh is the Counseling Manager and a counselor at CCEF. He holds a master of Arts in Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) and is working on his Doctorate of Education in Biblical Counseling from SEBTS. He is ordained by North Wake Baptist Church in Wake Forest, NC. Prior to CCEF, Josh served as a pastor at FBC Afton in Afton, NY, for over seven years. He is passionate to see God reach down into the broken and hard moments of people’s lives to provide hope and healing. Josh has been married to his wife, Stephanie, since May 2014. He enjoys a fresh cup of coffee, cheering on his favorite sports teams, playing volleyball, working on cars, and fishing. Show Notes: https://95network.org/95podcast-347-podcast-recast-summary-from-trauma-to-triumph-josh-clink-on-pastoral-health-counseling-and-soul-care-episode-347/ Support the show

  5. Jul 14

    PODCAST RECAST - Healthy, Holy, and Humble: Soul Care Rhythms for Pastors (with Lance Witt) - Episode 346

    Pastors can do “good hard” ministry without destroying their soul or family. In this episode, Lance Witt shares his story of leaving Saddleback Church after hitting a breaking point when an unsustainable pace and growing tension at home revealed that working harder could no longer produce health. What followed was a renewed calling: to help leaders pursue a different way of life—one marked by health, humility, and deeper dependence on Jesus. Lance unpacks the hidden drivers of burnout, including approval addiction, people-pleasing, and a faulty theology of availability that keeps leaders overextended. He offers a clear distinction between “good hard” ministry and the kind that quietly depletes your soul, along with practical rhythms that restore health like Sabbath, boundaries, daily time with Jesus, and honest feedback. The conversation will challenge leaders to embrace limits as a gift, cultivate a healthy ambition, and build a culture where both they and their teams can grow without burning out. About Lance: Lance Witt has been leading churches and organizations for 40+ years.  He was the lead pastor for 3 different churches and then spent 7 years as an executive and teaching pastor at Saddleback Church in Southern California. In 2007, Lance launched a ministry called Replenish, which is dedicated to “Helping people live and lead from a healthy soul.”  Over the last 15 years Lance has encouraged, challenged and equipped thousands of leaders through speaking, personal coaching, LifePlanning, and writing books. Lance’s books include… Replenish… a resource for pastors and ministry leaders on doing ministry without losing your soul. High Impact Teams… a resource to catalyze teams to increased health and high-performance Your ONE Life… this newest book releases in 2021 and is focused on helping people own, live and love their one and only life. Lance and his best friend, Connie, have been married for 45 years.  They have two grown children and 4 beautiful granddaughters. Their entire family lives in Castle Rock, Colorado. Show Notes: https://95network.org/95podcast-346-summary-healthy-holy-and-humble-soul-care-rhythms-for-pastors-with-lance-witt-95-podcast-346/ Support the show

  6. Jul 7

    PODCAST RECAST - After Easter: A Simple Follow-Up Plan That Builds Real Disciples (w/ Vick Green) - Episode 345

    What happens after Easter matters. In this episode, Vick Green shares a practical approach to follow-up and discipleship for small and mid-size churches: clarify vision, build a “multiplication vehicle,” start with a few leaders, and aim for the 16% tipping point. When vision is clear, it begins to shape decisions, focus energy, and help leaders say no to what doesn’t move the mission forward. Vick also challenges how we think about discipleship. Growth doesn’t come from information alone—it’s formed through practice, relationships, and a shared vision that spreads through people, not just preaching. He outlines a simple pathway to begin building that kind of culture, even in smaller churches. Vick Green (MDiv, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary) is a pastor, coach, and consultant, and the CEO of Replicate Ministries, where he helps thousands of churches develop disciple-making cultures each year. He lives in the Nashville area with his wife, Sophie, and their three kids: Barrett, Lenna, and Allie Sage.  Show Notes: https://95network.org/95podcast-331-summary-after-easter-a-simple-follow-up-plan-that-builds-real-disciples-w-vic-green/ Support the show

  7. Jun 30

    Trigger Warning: Trauma Healing for Pastors & Church Leaders (w/ Bridget Trammell) - Episode 344

    Dr. Bridget Trammell is a Christian counselor, speaker, and bestselling author of Trigger Warning: A Faith-Based Playbook for Healing from Trauma, Control, and the Lies that Broke You. Drawing from her personal journey through religious trauma, domestic violence, and emotional abuse, along with years of clinical experience, she helps individuals understand trauma, reclaim their identity, and find healing through faith and practical tools. Bridget is passionate about creating safe spaces for people to process pain, break unhealthy cycles, and walk in freedom. With clinical techniques led by a Biblical approach, she builds the bridge between therapy and theology. Bridget is married to Josh who serves as Lead Pastor of Take Heart Church. They have two daughters Hallie and Haven. Dale & Joseph sit down with Bridget for a candid conversation about how trauma forms, how it shows up in ministry leadership, and why church culture often suppresses pain instead of supporting healing. Bridget shares parts of her personal story—including escaping an abusive marriage marked by addiction and violence—and explains why victims often struggle to leave unsafe situations. The conversation explores religious trauma and “high-control” church environments, including how shame-based purity culture can distort sexuality, create secrecy, and amplify abuse. Bridget outlines practical frameworks for understanding trauma responses (fight, flight, freeze, and fawn), what “trigger warnings” really indicate, and why unresolved trauma layers over time—often driving burnout, control, addiction, and emotional reactivity in leaders. The episode ends with a direct call to pastors and leaders who feel like “silent weepers”: healing requires honesty about wounds, safe relationships, wise counsel, and spiritual community that can carry burdens together—following the model of Jesus, who showed real humanity in the Garden of Gethsemane. Show Link: https://95network.org/95podcast-344-summary-trigger-warning-trauma-healing-for-pastors-church-leaders-w-bridget-trammell-episode-344/ Support the show

  8. Jun 23

    PODCAST RECAST: Pastoral Rest That Lasts: How Dale Sellers & John Finkelde Help Pastors Build a Sustainable Rhythm (Days Off, Sabbath, Vacation & Margin) - Episode 343

    This Podcast was previously released June 24, 2025: John Finkelde has over 40 years of experience in ministry. He has done it all when it comes to leading a healthy church. As lead pastor at C3 Church Hepburn Heights, Perth, Australia, John led the church through a generational renewal that saw it grow, while also planting a new church every three years and moving to a purpose-built, multi-million-dollar worship centre. In 2012, John founded Grow a Healthy Church and has conducted over 170 on-site and online church consultations in Australia, the UK, Europe, and New Zealand to glowing reviews. John joins Dale on today's 95Podcast to discuss the importance of taking care of your physical and mental health, along with emphasizing the value of financially planning for retirement. Show Notes: https://95network.org/95podcast-343-summary-pastoral-rest-that-lasts-how-dale-sellers-john-finkelde-help-pastors-build-a-sustainable-rhythm-days-off-sabbath-vacation-margin-episode-343/ Support the show

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95% of churches in the U.S. are under 500 in average attendance. Small and mid-size churches truly are the backbone of the Church in America. Join 95Network Executive Director Dale Sellers as he hosts conversations that specifically relate to the small and mid-size church context.

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