The Church Revitalization Podcast

The Malphurs Group
  • 5.0 (41)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Each week, The Malphurs Group team tackles important, actionable topics to help your church succeed in revitalization and leadership. We want to equip your church break through barriers and maximize your impact.

  1. 4D AGO

    Why Churches Struggle to Keep Young Adults (And How to Fix It)

    Churches across America are losing 60-80% of young adults between ages 18-29, and most leaders are trying all the wrong fixes. It's not about being cooler, having better coffee, or upgrading your lights. In this episode, we break down the two real reasons young adults leave your church and give you three actionable fixes you can implement this month to turn things around. In This Episode: [02:00] Why "being cooler" won't solve your young adult problem [04:43] Reason #1: You're not giving them real responsibility or leadership opportunities [09:00] Reason #2: You're not providing authentic community—just programs [15:00] How to build natural connection points instead of more structured groups [21:08] The three questions to ask young adults in your church this week Resources & Links: 📖 Read the full article: malphursgroup.com/326 🛠️ Try the Healthy Churches Toolkit FREE for 7 days: healthychurchestoolkit.com 🌐 Connect with The Malphurs Group: malphursgroup.com Follow us on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/malphursgroup Instagram: instagram.com/malphursgroup YouTube: youtube.com/themalphursgroup X/Twitter: x.com/malphursgroup -- Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are church consultants with The Malphurs Group, helping church leaders navigate revitalization, strategic planning, and building healthy ministry systems. Together, they deliver practical, no-nonsense advice to help your church thrive.

    27 min

  2. JAN 28

    Three Signs Your Discipleship Pathway Has Become a Maze

    Your church has groups, classes, Bible studies, and a beautiful buffet of programs—but your people aren't growing spiritually. You're seeing staff burnout, volunteer shortages, and 40% of your congregation still can't quote the Great Commission. The problem isn't lack of activity; it's that you've created a maze of programs instead of a clear discipleship pathway. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are your hosts for The Church Revitalization Podcast, a weekly show from The Malphurs Group dedicated to helping church leaders develop practical strategies for church health and growth. Together they bring decades of consulting experience working with churches across the country to implement effective discipleship systems. In this episode, Scott and A.J. diagnose three critical signs your church has a maze instead of a map. [2:13] Sign #1: Menu vs. Map  [6:28] Sign #2: Members Can't Name Their Next Step  [13:08] Sign #3: Measuring Programs, Not Progress  The episode concludes with practical steps to shift from program-oriented thinking to process-oriented discipleship. Ready to simplify and strengthen your church's discipleship pathway? Get a 7-day free trial of the Healthy Churches Toolkit at healthychurchestoolkit.com, where you'll find Strategic Envisioning training and tools to help you build a clear discipleship process. Connect with a certified Malphurs Group guide at malphursgroup.com to partner with your church in making disciples who make disciples. Follow us on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/malphursgroup Instagram: instagram.com/malphursgroup YouTube: youtube.com/themalphursgroup X: x.com/malphursgroup Read the full show notes at malphursgroup.com/325

    18 min

  3. JAN 21

    How to Lead When Your Church Board is Divided

    Board meetings going nowhere? Two members dug in on opposite sides? Today we tackle one of the most common—and most damaging—situations church leaders face: how to actually lead when your board is divided. Learn to diagnose the real issue, make decisions without unanimity, and prevent division through clear authority structures. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are church consultants with The Malphurs Group, specializing in helping churches navigate leadership challenges, strategic planning, and revitalization. Through practical frameworks and real-world experience, they equip pastors and church leaders with actionable solutions for building healthy, thriving congregations. In This Episode: [1:11] Diagnose the Division: Understanding directional vs. relational conflict [8:45] Lead to a Decision: Why unity doesn't mean unanimity [15:42] Prevent Division by Clarifying Authority: Setting boundaries before conflict [21:40] Next Steps: Resources for healthy board leadership Links & Resources: 📖 Read the full article: malphursgroup.com/324 🎁 🎓Building a Biblical Board Course available in the Healthy Churches Toolkit Free 7-Day Trial: healthychurchestoolkit.com 📱 Connect with us on Facebook: facebook.com/malphursgroup Instagram: instagram.com/malphursgroup YouTube: youtube.com/themalphursgroup X/Twitter: x.com/malphursgroup

    23 min

  4. JAN 14

    Four Communication Breakdowns That Kill Church Momentum

    Clear communication is essential for everything from teaching God's word to casting vision, yet many churches struggle with four common breakdowns that create confusion and stall momentum. In this episode, Scott and A.J. walk through the most frequent communication mistakes churches make—from drowning their congregation in noise to contradicting messages from leadership—and provide practical strategies to communicate more effectively. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are church consultants with The Malphurs Group, helping churches navigate revitalization, strategic planning, and leadership development. With decades of combined experience working with churches across the country, they bring practical, actionable insights to help church leaders build healthier, more effective ministries. In This Episode: [2:06] Over Communicating Everything [6:15] Under Communicating the Important Stuff  [11:30] Leadership Contradicting One Another [19:41] Wrong Medium for the Message  Resources & Links: Read the full article at https://malphursgroup.com/323 Try the Healthy Churches Toolkit free for 7 days: https://healthychurchestoolkit.com Contact The Malphurs Group: leadership@malphursgroup.com Visit our website: malphursgroup.com Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://facebook.com/malphursgroup Instagram: https://instagram.com/malphursgroup YouTube: https://youtube.com/themalphursgroup X (Twitter): https://x.com/malphursgroup

    25 min

  5. JAN 7

    Why Your Church's Values Don't Match Your Budget (And What to Do About It)

    Your budget is the most honest document in your church. While mission statements and value declarations tell you what you aspire to be, your budget reveals what you actually prioritize and fund. In this episode, Scott and A.J. help church leaders audit their budgets to identify misalignment between stated values and actual spending, then provide a practical framework for making strategic shifts over time without creating financial chaos. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu co-host the Church Revitalization Podcast, helping evangelical church leaders navigate the practical challenges of ministry. Both serve as consultants with the Malphurs Group, working with churches across the country on strategic planning, leadership development, and organizational health. Their conversational approach combines real-world consulting experience with actionable frameworks that church leaders can implement immediately. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:02:51] Budget Reveals the Truth [00:11:37] Conducting a Values-Based Budget Audit - [00:24:14] The Four Budget Buckets Framework [00:32:56] The Missions vs. Ministry Balance [00:37:39] Taking the Long View on Change  RESOURCES & LINKS: Free 7-Day Trial of the Healthy Churches Toolkit (with new strategic planning & leadership pipeline features): healthychurchestoolkit.com Full Episode Article: malphursgroup.com/322 Connect with The Malphurs Group: Website: malphursgroup.com Facebook: facebook.com/malphursgroup Instagram: instagram.com/malphursgroup YouTube: youtube.com/themalphursgroup X (Twitter): x.com/malphursgroup Let the Malphurs Group help your church with budget alignment, strategic planning, and maximizing your ministry effectiveness. Visit malphursgroup.com to learn more about our consulting services and resources.

    42 min

  6. 12/17/2025

    Church Consultants React to Social Media Christmas Clips

    In this special Christmas episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu react in real time to a series of viral Christmas-themed church and Christian videos circulating online. From funny and lighthearted moments to intense theological takes and over-the-top productions, this episode explores how Christians communicate faith during the Christmas season—and how those messages are received by both believers and the watching world.  Scott Ball is joined by co-host and fellow church consultant A.J. Mathieu as they offer candid, unscripted reactions rooted in decades of ministry experience. Together, they discuss pastoral wisdom, cultural engagement, outreach effectiveness, and where well-intended Christmas expressions may help—or hurt—the church's witness.  Chapters [00:00] Introduction [02:15] Pastors, humor, and calling out fruitcake from the pulpit [04:41] "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and why punctuation matters in theology [07:45] Is Christmas pagan? Responding to extreme anti-Christmas arguments [12:44] Cross-shaped Christmas trees and symbolic overcorrections [18:08] "Christmas at the Movies" sermon series—helpful or overdone? [24:20] Mega-church Christmas productions, ticket prices, and public perception [34:12] A deeper look at A Christmas Carol and the dangers of moral rigidity Links & Resources Healthy Churches Toolkit - https://healthychurchestoolkit.com The Malphurs Group - https://malphursgroup.com Facebook - https://facebook.com/malphursgroup Instagram - https://instagram.com/malphursgroup YouTube - https://youtube.com/themalphursgroup X (Twitter) - https://x.com/malphursgroup

    41 min

  7. 12/10/2025

    From Burnout to Best Fit: How to Transition Over-Committed Volunteers

    Many churches struggle with volunteers who are spread too thin—serving in three, four, or even five roles. In this episode, we explore why narrowing volunteer focus actually increases effectiveness and joy in serving, and how to transition your church to a healthier, more sustainable volunteer culture. Hosted by Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu of The Malphurs Group, this conversation walks you through practical steps any church can take. If you're new to the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott and A.J. bring decades of combined church consulting experience, helping churches grow healthier through strategy, leadership, and intentional systems. In this episode: [00:01] Setting the stage: volunteers doing too much and the 80/20 problem [02:18] Why people fear reducing volunteer roles—and why it actually works [03:20] Step 1: Creating a realistic, intentional timeline for change [07:20] Step 2: Helping volunteers find their best-fit roles through Divine Design [12:20] Step 3: Engaging volunteers in recruiting their successors [15:27] Step 4: Why a Leadership Pipeline is essential to prevent the problem from returning [17:41] "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast" applied to volunteer transition [18:47] Building systems instead of just filling slots Links & Resources: Healthy Churches Toolkit → https://healthychurchestoolkit.com Full episode article → https://malphursgroup.com/320 Website → https://malphursgroup.com Facebook → https://facebook.com/malphursgroup Instagram → https://instagram.com/malphursgroup YouTube → https://youtube.com/themalphursgroup X (Twitter) → https://x.com/malphursgroup

    20 min

  8. 12/03/2025

    5 Reasons Church Revitalization Efforts Fail

    In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu discuss five key reasons why revitalization efforts in churches often fail. They emphasize the importance of distinguishing between activity and genuine progress, recognizing demographic changes in the community, establishing accountability structures, navigating decision-making challenges, and avoiding the consensus trap that can hinder momentum. The conversation highlights practical strategies for churches to implement effective revitalization processes and the value of having experienced guides to support them.   Chapters [00:00] Understanding Revitalization Failures [07:01] Demographic Mismatch in Revitalization [12:12] Importance of Accountability in Implementation [15:42] Decision-Making Challenges in Revitalization [19:36] Navigating the Consensus Trap Get a free 7-day trial of the Healthy Churches Toolkit at healthychurchestoolkit.com Follow us online: malphursgroup.com facebook.com/malphursgroup x.com/malphursgroup instagram.com/malphursgroup youtube.com/themalphursgroup

    27 min
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Each week, The Malphurs Group team tackles important, actionable topics to help your church succeed in revitalization and leadership. We want to equip your church break through barriers and maximize your impact.

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