Leading Your Church

Rich Cochran
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Leading Your Church is a podcast to help pastors and ministry leaders to overcome plateau and decline in their churches. We are your guide for leadership principles and practices to help your church become healthy and bear new spiritual fruit in your church. We also help pastors and ministry leaders renew their heart for God and leading ministry.

  1. 2d ago

    S2E1: Before We Talk About Leading Churches, Let's Talk About Leading Ourselves

    Leading Your Church Podcast Season 2, Episode 1 Show Notes Before We Talk About Leading Churches, Let's Talk About Leading Ourselves Question: Why does ministry feel different than it used to? Before we talk about strategies, systems, preaching, staffing, or church growth, we have to talk about something much more important. We have to talk about the heart of the leader. Every pastor eventually discovers a sobering truth: you cannot separate the leader you are becoming from the church you are leading. God is doing something through you, but He's also doing something in you. In this opening episode of Season 2, Rich explores why so many pastors feel weary, distracted, and spiritually depleted, even while faithfully serving others. This conversation is an invitation to slow down, examine your own soul, and remember that healthy churches are led by healthy shepherds. In This Episode Why leadership problems are often heart problems before they're strategy problems. The subtle drift that happens when ministry replaces intimacy with Jesus. How God shapes leaders before He expands their influence. The danger of measuring success by activity instead of faithfulness. Five questions every pastor should regularly ask about their own soul. Practical first steps toward becoming the leader God is calling you to be. Key Scriptures John 15:5 (CSB) “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.” 1 Timothy 4:16 (CSB) “Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.” Psalm 139:23–24 (CSB) “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.” Key Takeaways Your church will rarely become healthier than its leadership. God cares as much about who you're becoming as what you're accomplishing. Ministry success cannot replace personal intimacy with Christ. Your greatest leadership tool is the condition of your own heart. Healthy shepherds lead healthy churches. Questions to Reflect On Who am I becoming while leading God's people? Am I spending more time preparing messages than meeting with Jesus? What has ministry slowly replaced in my walk with God? Where am I leading from exhaustion instead of overflow? What is one change I need to make this week to care for my own soul? Shepherd's Challenge Before planning your ministry this week, spend intentional time asking God to examine your heart. Read Psalm 139:23–24 slowly. Write down what the Holy Spirit reveals. Then make one practical change this week that prioritizes your relationship with Christ over your ministry responsibilities. Remember: God is far more interested in forming the shepherd than simply growing the flock. Memorable Quotes “You cannot separate the leader you are becoming from the church you are leading.” “God is doing something through you, but He is also doing something in you.” “Healthy churches don't begin with better strategies. They begin with healthier shepherds.” “Before God changes your ministry, He often changes you.” “The greatest gift you give your church isn't another sermon. It's a shepherd who walks closely with Jesus.”

  2. Jan 1

    025: Clarity Over Pressure: How to Lead Your Church into a New Year

    January often brings both hope and pressure for pastors and church leaders. The start of a new year can feel like an unspoken performance review, filled with expectations around growth, attendance, giving, and vision. But pressure is not the same thing as purpose — and it’s a terrible substitute for clarity. In this episode of Leading Your Church, Rich Cochran invites pastors to enter the new year with discernment, alignment, and spiritual steadiness — not anxiety-driven urgency. Instead of reacting to pressure, we talk about how to lead thoughtfully, prayerfully, and intentionally in the season your church is truly in. If you’re stepping into this year feeling tired, uncertain, hopeful, or quietly discouraged, this conversation is designed to remind you: God is not behind schedule. Clarity comes from trust, alignment, and obedience — not control. Key Themes We Discuss The Quiet Pressure of January Many pastors feel unseen weight as the new year begins. Staff expectations, board expectations, and internal expectations often rise — but pressure does not produce wisdom. Clarity does. What Scripture Really Says About the Future Proverbs 3:5–6 reminds us that God calls us to trust and walk with Him, not predict outcomes. Clarity is not certainty. Clarity is alignment. Why Health Is the Best Goal for the Year Ahead Healthy leaders build healthy churches. Health is not the absence of problems — it’s the presence of alignment between vision, systems, pace, and culture. Three Anchoring Questions for 2026 What season are we actually in?What must be true for our church to be healthy this year?What must we not neglect, no matter what happens?These questions create pastoral and strategic clarity. A Word for Weary Pastors Lamentations 3:22–23 reminds us that God’s mercies are new — not pressure. You are not being asked to outrun last year. You are being invited to walk faithfully into this one. Lead This Year — Don’t Just Survive It The church does not need louder leadership. It needs steadier shepherds. Faithfulness > hurry. Key Quotes “Pressure is not the same thing as purpose.” “Healthy churches don’t rush into a new year. They discern their way into it.” “Clarity is not about certainty. Clarity is about alignment.” “Health is not the absence of problems — it’s the presence of alignment.” “God is not behind schedule.” Proverbs 3:5–6 Lamentations 3:22–23 Resources You can find leadership tools, reflections, and resources to strengthen your church at: richcochran.com

  3. 09/04/2025

    024: How to Hear from God as a Leader

    Title: How to Hear God’s Voice as You Lead Host: Rich Cochran Duration: ~20 Minutes In this episode of Leading Your Church, Rich Cochran explores one of the most essential practices of leadership—hearing God’s voice. Ministry leaders often feel overwhelmed by noise, pressure, and competing demands. The result? We stop listening for God’s direction and start leading reactively instead of responsively. Rich unpacks why hearing God’s voice can be so challenging, shares three powerful pathways to reconnect with God’s leading, and introduces a simple weekly rhythm to help pastors and leaders stay spiritually aligned. If you’ve been wondering what God is saying in this season—or struggling to hear Him in the middle of your leadership responsibilities—this conversation is for you. 1. Why We Struggle to Hear  Leadership is noisy—meetings, sermons, strategy, and pressure crowd out space for God’s whisper.We move from revelation to imitation when we stop listening to the Spirit.You don’t lose your calling overnight—you lose it when you stop hearing His voice.2. Three Pathways to Hearing God’s Voice  Scripture Before Strategy – Let God’s Word shape your inner compass before your calendar does.Solitude Before Solutions – Even Jesus withdrew to pray; leaders need silence to stay clear.Obedience Unlocks Clarity – Clarity comes as you walk out the last word God gave you.3. How to Put It Into Practice – The S.O.S. Rhythm  S – Scripture: Begin each day in God’s Word before the world.O – One Question: Sit still and ask, “Father, what do You want me to hear today?”S – Step of Obedience: End with one act of faithfulness—big or small.Warning for Leaders: Don’t confuse “new direction” with avoiding obedience. God doesn’t contradict Himself. Key Quote “Don’t lead out of your gifting. Lead out of God’s guidance.” – Rich Cochran Scripture References John 10:27 – “My sheep hear my voice…”Luke 5:16 – “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”John 7:17 – “If anyone wants to do His will, he will understand…”Takeaway Questions Where in my leadership have I stopped listening for God’s voice?Am I obeying what He already told me—or just waiting for something new?What step of obedience can I take this week?

  4. 01/09/2025

    023: The Power of One Word for the New Year

    Are you tired of starting the year with endless goals only to feel overwhelmed by the end of January? As ministry leaders, juggling preaching, pastoral care, team building, and more can feel like too much. In this episode, we explore a game-changing approach: choosing One Word to guide your year. The idea taken from Jon Gordon’s book One Word, we discuss how selecting a single word or phrase can clarify your purpose, align your focus with God’s calling, and energize your leadership in 2025. From identifying your word to integrating it into your personal and ministry life, we’ll show you how to make this simple practice a transformative tool. You’ll learn: How to prayerfully reflect on the past year to choose your word.Practical steps to ensure your word resonates deeply with your spiritual journey.Ways to align your goals and leadership decisions with your chosen word.We’ll also dive into listener questions about staying motivated and adapting when God shifts your focus. Join us as we discover how one word can simplify your leadership, amplify your mission, and help you press on toward the goals God has for you. Key Verse: Proverbs 4:25 – “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.” Closing Thought: “One word can change the course of your year. It’s not about doing more, but about doing what matters most.” — Jon Gordon Subscribe for more insights to lead your church with purpose!

  5. 12/26/2024

    022: 20 Mile March Leadership

    Leading Your Church

  6. 12/16/2024

    021: Staying Spiritually Healthy During the Holidays

    Description:The holiday season is one of the busiest times for ministry leaders, filled with church services, outreach events, and personal family commitments. In this episode of Leading Your Church, Rich shares practical strategies for staying spiritually healthy while managing ministry responsibilities.Here’s what we cover:Segment 1: Guarding Your Spiritual HealthThe holidays are a season of giving—but you can’t pour into others if your spiritual cup is empty. We explore how to stay connect...

  7. 12/13/2024

    020: Ending the Year with Purpose- Reflection, Evaluation, & Planning

    In this episode, Rich explores three key steps to finish the year strong: reflecting on God’s work, evaluating ministry systems, and preparing for a purposeful year ahead.Segment 1: Reflection and CelebrationDiscover actionable ways to celebrate ministry wins, express gratitude through personal thank-you notes, and create a powerful year-end recap to inspire your church family.Segment 2: Evaluating Ministry SystemsLearn how to assess programs, support volunteers, and streamline communication....

  8. 02/07/2024

    019: Breaking Up with Insanity pt. 2

    In this episode Rich continues the teaching series on Breaking Up with Insanity. Part 2 leads us to explore that changes we need to consider to become the leader we want to be, the leader we are called to be, and the leader your church needs you to be. Rich talks about the need to explore changes spiritually, emotionally, physically, and in leadership capacity.

See All (26)

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Leading Your Church is a podcast to help pastors and ministry leaders to overcome plateau and decline in their churches. We are your guide for leadership principles and practices to help your church become healthy and bear new spiritual fruit in your church. We also help pastors and ministry leaders renew their heart for God and leading ministry.

Information

  • Creator
    Rich Cochran
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Leading Your Church
  • Show Website
    Leading Your Church