Podcast
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies
Hosted by Kevin Elworth-Business & Ministry Coach, Passive Income, Entrepreneur Pastor, Ministry Marketing · EN
The SOURCE for Pastor help, encouragement, strategies for growth and Leadership
Hey Pastor!
Do you wish you knew the secret to growing your church while finding balance between ministry and your family?
Do you find yourself updating your resume and browsing the job ads on ministryjobs.com?
Do you want to develop leaders within your church to relieve the burden from your shoulders, but instead you’re constantly dealing with drama and conflict?
You’re in the right place. Welcome to Pastors Thriving, where you will learn the secrets to leadership growth in your church - spiritually, numerically, and financially. You’ll learn how to equip and develop your staff and congregation so that you don’t have to feel alone on this journey - and enjoy the ministry that you’ve been called to once again.
Hi, I’m Kevin. Twenty-year ministry veteran, husband of a powerhouse wife, the father of 5 wonderful kids, and lover of Jesus powered by coffee and tacos.
It wasn’t long ago that I grew a church from zero to 700 in five short years and wrestled with the trauma and drama that goes along with intense church growth. It wasn’t until I learned the power of creativity and how I could harness it to lead others well by empowering them to share the burden. I created a culture of leadership development and was able to spend time with my family while my ministry thrived. And now I’m excited to share what I’ve learned with you!
If you’re ready to finally find some breathing room in your leading and living…learning strategies that are simple, understandable, and inspiring…giving you results that are measurable, like numerical growth, spiritual depth, and even financial growth – then this podcast is your new best friend.
Grab your AirPods and your notebook, class is in session, and thriving is here!
Next steps:
Set up a discovery call - https://calendly.com/kevinelworthcoaching/20min
Visit my website - https://kevinelworth.live
Shoot me an email - coaching@kevinelworth.live
16episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
101- What to Do When You Realize You’ve Been Leading in Isolation
3w ago00:20:26Tap to summarizeAfter recognizing the pull toward isolation in leadership, the next question becomes simple—but important:What do you actually do about it?In this episode, Kevin walks pastors through a clear and grounded response to isolation—not by adding pressure, but by helping them take intentional steps toward connection.This is not about overhauling your leadership overnight. It’s about choosing a different direction.Because growth doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens in connection.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why isolation is a common response to pressure in pastoral leadershipHow to recognize when you’ve been carrying too much aloneThe difference between awareness and actionSimple, practical steps to begin reconnectingWhy one honest conversation can shift everythingHow connection creates clarity—for both you and your churchA Biblical ReflectionIn Exodus 18, Moses is leading alone—carrying the weight of the people from morning until evening.When Jethro observes this, he responds plainly:“What you are doing is not good.”Not because Moses lacked calling— but because he was trying to carry what was never meant to be carried alone.The solution wasn’t more effort.It was shared responsibility.Key TakeawaysIsolation Is a Response—Not a Strategy It often feels safe in the moment, but it limits growth over time.You Don’t Need Everything—You Need Someone Growth doesn’t require a network. It starts with one honest connection.Clarity Comes Through Conversation Many of the answers you’re looking for won’t come in isolation—but in dialogue.Stay Longer Than Feels Comfortable Most leaders disconnect right before growth begins.Practical Steps to ReconnectIf you’re recognizing isolation in your leadership, start here:Identify one person you can connect withBe honest quickly—don’t ease into itCreate a rhythm of ongoing conversationInvite perspective, not just encouragementStay engaged, even when it feels uncomfortableResource MentionedChurch Engagement Assessment A simple tool designed to help you identify where people may be getting stuck or overlooked in your church. Find it here! Key Quote“The single greatest element of growth you will ever receive will come through your ability to get connected to people.”Final EncouragementYou’re not behind.You’re at a moment of clarity.And clarity—when acted on—leads to growth.Im with you bro. Kevin
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100 - Why Isolated Pastors Stop Growing (And What to Do Instead)
Apr 1400:25:35Tap to summarizeEpisode 100 didn’t start the way Kevin expected.After recording a polished version, something didn’t sit right—so he scrapped it.What follows is a real, unfiltered conversation about something many pastors are experiencing but rarely name:Isolation.When pressure builds, many pastors don’t reach out—they pull back.But what feels safe in the moment often becomes the very thing that limits growth.In this episode, Kevin shares personal stories, hard-earned lessons, and a clear truth:Growth doesn’t come from carrying more. It comes from getting connected.In This Episode, You’ll Discover:Why pastors tend to isolate under pressureThe hidden cost of trying to carry leadership aloneA personal reflection on missed growth opportunitiesWhy authenticity is not enough without intentional developmentHow God often answers prayers through people—not just momentsThe connection between humility and growthKey Takeaways:Isolation Feels Safe—but It Stalls Growth When things get heavy, the instinct is to pull back. But that’s when connection matters most.Authenticity Isn’t the Same as Growth Being real is powerful—but without intentional development, growth stalls.You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know And growth begins when you invite someone in who can help you see what you can’t.God Often Answers Through People The very thing you’ve been praying for may already be in front of you—if you’re willing to receive it.Key Quote:“The single greatest element of growth you will ever receive will come through your ability to get connected to people.”A Message of Hope:What you’re looking for in this next season of ministry……it’s findable.It may already be unfolding in front of you.But it will require the courage to step toward it.Resource Mentioned:Church Engagement Assessment A simple tool to help you evaluate where people may be getting stuck or overlooked in your church.Access it here !
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099- Does Your Church Have These Markers of Being Fully Engaged?
Mar 3100:14:58Tap to summarizeDoes Your Church Have These Markers of Being Fully Engaged?Podcast: Pastors Thriving Host: Kevin ElworthEpisode SummaryWhat does a healthy, engaged church actually look like?After recognizing how easy it is for people to be present but not truly connected, the next question becomes clear: How do we know if our church is actually engaging people well?In this episode, Kevin outlines the core markers of a fully engaged church—not as an ideal to strive for, but as a framework to help leaders bring clarity, alignment, and movement to their ministry.This isn’t about adding more programs. It’s about ensuring people don’t get stuck.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:The difference between attendance, participation, and engagementWhy many churches unintentionally stall people’s growthThe key markers that define a fully engaged churchHow clarity creates momentum without adding pressureWhy engagement is about movement, not activityThe Core Idea“A fully engaged church isn’t one where everyone serves. It’s one where everyone is moving.”Moving toward:connectiongrowthpurposediscipleshipThe Markers of a Fully Engaged Church1. Clear Next Steps Every person knows what their next step is.2. Shared Responsibility Leadership is not centralized—the weight is distributed.3. Intentional Follow-Through People are noticed, contacted, and guided quickly.4. A Culture of Movement People progress from: guest → connected → serving → leading → discipling othersWhy This MattersWhen these markers are present:Pastors experience less pressureTeams operate with clarityPeople grow fasterThe church becomes alive—not just activeA Leadership ReframeThis is not about doing more.“It’s about aligning what already exists.”Who This Episode Is ForPastors who sense people are stallingChurches with strong attendance but low engagementLeaders seeking clarity without complexityTeams feeling stretched but not seeing growthWhat’s NextIn Episode 100, Kevin steps back to explore a bigger question:What does the future of the Church require from leaders right now?
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098 - The Hidden Crisis in Most Churches (And Why Leaders Don’t See It)
Mar 2400:14:58Tap to summarizeThe Hidden Crisis in Most Churches (And Why Leaders Don’t See It)Podcast: Pastors Thriving Host: Kevin ElworthEpisode SummaryMany churches today appear healthy on the surface.Services run smoothly. Teams stay busy. Attendance holds steady.But beneath that activity, something quieter—and more concerning—is happening.People are present… but not engaged.In this episode, Kevin addresses a hidden crisis affecting many churches: the slow drift of people who are attending but not truly connected, growing, or moving forward in their faith.This isn’t about lack of effort. It’s about lack of clarity.And most churches don’t recognize it until it’s already costing them.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why attendance can mask deeper engagement issuesThe difference between a functioning church and a fruitful oneHow people quietly disengage without drawing attentionWhy “busy” leadership can unintentionally overlook peopleThree signs your church may be experiencing this hidden crisisA simple leadership diagnostic to bring clarityThe Hidden CrisisPeople are showing up—but they’re not moving.They attend. They listen. But they don’t connect, grow, or step into purpose.And because they’re still present, leaders assume everything is fine.Three Signs to Watch For1. Invisible People You don’t know who is drifting until they’re already gone.2. Busy Leadership Energy is focused on maintaining services—not shepherding people.3. Undefined Pathways There is no clear, consistent next step for people to take.Leadership DiagnosticAsk yourself:Do we know who is actively taking next steps in our church right now?Do we know who has stopped taking steps?Who is responsible for noticing?Could someone attend for months and still remain unknown?If these questions feel unclear, the issue is not personal—it’s structural.Key Insight“Churches rarely lose people through conflict. They lose them through invisibility.”A Pastoral ReminderThis is not about blame.Most churches aren’t here because they don’t care— they’re here because they’ve been busy, stretched, and trying to keep everything moving.But awareness is the first act of leadership.What’s NextIn the next episode, Kevin unpacks what a fully engaged church actually looks like—and how clarity around engagement changes everything.
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097 -What Pastors Need to Remember in Hard Seasons – Feat. Aaron McBride
Mar 1700:53:41Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Pastors Thriving, Kevin sits down with Pastor Aaron McBride of Victory Baptist Church in Fallon, Nevada.Aaron shares the deeper story behind his book, When the Desert Blooms, and reflects on the seasons of uncertainty, pain, pruning, and personal transformation that shaped both his ministry and his heart. From strained relationships and desert seasons in leadership, to unexpected health battles in his family, to the powerful community outreach event known as Night of Hope, this conversation is full of honest perspective for pastors who are trying to remain faithful in hard ground.This is not a conversation about chasing visible success. It is a conversation about what God does in the hidden places first.Kevin and Aaron discuss:why Aaron sees himself first as a local church pastorthe danger of drifting into cultural Christianityhow discipleship must move beyond information into real actionwhat desert seasons taught Aaron about humility, mentoring, and dependence on Godhow God used Night of Hope to awaken gospel hunger in Fallonwhy pastors need to get into their communities instead of hiding in church officeshow prayer becomes deeper and more real through sufferingAaron’s story is a needed encouragement for pastors who feel like they are laboring in dry places. Sometimes the bloom is already beginning, even if you cannot see it yet.You can find Aaron's book, When the Desert Blooms, on Amazon
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096 - The Real Reason Your Church Isn’t Growing (It’s Not Your Preaching — It’s Your Assimilation System)
Mar 1000:19:31Tap to summarizeHey Pastor!Many pastors secretly wonder: “Is it me?”When growth stalls, we often assume it’s preaching quality, relevance, or programming.But what if the real issue isn’t your sermon?In this episode, Kevin unpacks why church growth almost always stalls because of structure — not speaking ability.You’ll learn:Why preaching inspires but systems integrateThe hidden leak in most churchesWhy your church grows at the speed of its assimilation systemHow to measure movement, not just attendanceConnect with Kevin: coaching@kevinelworth.live and at pastorsthriving.com
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095 - Why Only 20% of Your Church Is Doing 80% of the Work
Feb 1700:17:43Tap to summarizeIf only 20% of your church is serving… you don’t have a people problem. You have a pathway problem.In this episode, Kevin unpacks the growing engagement crisis inside local churches. The old 80/20 rule isn’t accurate anymore. In many churches, it’s closer to 95/5 — and most of that 5% is staff.This isn’t about laziness. It’s about clarity.Kevin walks through:Why unclear engagement pathways stall growthThe myth that people don’t serve because they lack commitmentThe structural gaps killing volunteer momentumWhy energy dies in delayHow to implement a simple 3-step activation flowThe power of personal invitation over stage announcementsIf your church feels stretched thin… If your core is exhausted… If guests disappear after a few weeks…This episode will help you diagnose the real issue.Key Takeaways✔ Serving engagement is a systems issue, not a motivation issue ✔ Most churches assume progression — they don’t design it ✔ Momentum dies in ambiguity ✔ Energy dies in delay ✔ Stage announcements don’t replace personal invitation ✔ Engagement multiplies when pathways are clearQuestions for ReflectionIf 20% of your church stopped serving this Sunday, what would collapse?Do you have a defined progression from guest → attender → member → server?Is your invitation system general or specific?How fast do you place someone once they express interest?Want Help Clarifying Your Pathway?If you’re ready to build a predictable engagement system instead of hoping people step up, book a complimentary strategy call:👉 https://calendly.com/kevinelworthcoaching/complimentary-1-1-strategy-callOr explore the Fully Engaged Church framework.
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094 - Busy Isn’t the Same as Effective: Why Churches Are Overlooking Their People
Feb 1000:21:41Tap to summarizeMany churches today are busy—but not all are effective.Staff calendars are full. Sundays are prepared. Volunteers are scheduled. And yet, people are quietly drifting away—unnoticed, unseen, and unsupported.In this episode of Pastors Thriving, Kevin addresses a growing and often unrecognized issue in church life: the systemic overlooking of people. Not because churches don’t care—but because their systems are optimized for activity rather than visibility.This is a pastoral, discerning conversation for leaders who sense that something isn’t quite right, even though everything appears to be “working.”In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why busy and effective are not the same thingHow churches unintentionally overlook people through systems, not neglectWhy people leave quietly—and what their silence actually meansThe false belief that “if someone wants to be involved, they’ll let us know”How avoidance often stems from leadership exhaustion, not apathyA simple diagnostic to determine if this issue exists in your churchA practical 7-Day Visibility Audit to bring clarity without overwhelmKey Leadership Insight“A lack of response is not rebellion—it’s confusion.”Most people who disengage from church aren’t resisting involvement. They’re uncertain about where they belong—and unsure if they’re wanted.Churches don’t lose people because they stop caring. They lose people because no one notices when connection quietly breaks down.Diagnostic Questions for Church LeadersAs shared in the episode, consider these questions honestly:Can we clearly describe what happens to a guest between their first visit and third Sunday?Is someone clearly responsible for noticing disengagement—or does everyone assume someone else will?How quickly does a real person follow up with a new volunteer?Could someone attend for months and still remain mostly unknown?Do our systems primarily serve people—or just services?If more than one of these feels unclear, the issue is likely structural, not spiritual.Homework: The 7-Day Visibility AuditOver the next week, pastors are encouraged to:List the last 10 people who connected with the churchTrack:Who contacted themHow quicklyWhat next step was offeredIdentify:Where handoffs broke downWhere responsibility was unclearWhere people could easily disappearNo fixing yet. Just seeing.Awareness is the first act of leadership.A Pastoral ReframeChurches that thrive long-term don’t rely on passion alone. They build intentional pathways so people don’t fall through the cracks.This isn’t about adding programs. It’s about aligning responsibility—so people are not just welcomed, but guided.Who This Episode Is For:This episode is especially helpful for:Pastors sensing quiet disengagement in their churchLeaders whose teams are busy but stretched thinChurches experiencing drift without obvious conflictStaffs who care deeply but lack clarity around follow-throughLeaders who want effectiveness without burnoutFinal Encouragement:Recognition is not failure. It’s leadership.Seeing a blind spot doesn’t disqualify you—it positions you to shepherd more faithfully.
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093 - Don’t Lead From Tension: What Jephthah Teaches Pastors About Pressure, Proof, and Trust
Feb 300:30:39Tap to summarizePastors today are carrying immense pressure—often quietly.Pressure to prove their calling. Pressure to justify their leadership. Pressure to keep going, even when the cost feels too high.In this episode of Pastors Thriving, Kevin invites pastors into a reflective, Scripture-anchored conversation centered on the story of Jephthah in Judges 11. Rather than approaching the passage academically, Kevin explores it pastorally—using Jephthah’s story as a mirror for how unresolved tension, insecurity, and cultural pressure can shape leadership decisions today.This is a deeply formational episode for pastors who feel stretched, questioned, or quietly exhausted—and who may be carrying vows, sacrifices, or expectations God never asked them to carry.In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:Why many pastors feel an internal pressure to prove themselvesHow unresolved tension can begin to drive leadership decisionsThe difference between biblical authority and cultural expectationWhy Jephthah’s vow was unnecessary—and what that reveals about leadership under pressureHow insecurity, not rebellion, often leads to unhealthy sacrificeThe danger of keeping promises God never requiredWhy tension is not a command to act, but an invitation to discernHow pastors can move from pressure and proving into trust and clarityKey Leadership Insight“Insecurity under pressure leads to vows God never required.”Jephthah did not lack calling, courage, or opportunity. What he lacked was clarity in the presence of tension.This episode reframes tension not as failure—but as a signal. A moment to pause, listen, and discern what God is actually asking, rather than reacting from fear or cultural expectation.Scripture FocusJudges 11 (The story of Jephthah)John 16:33Biblical themes of authority, favor, sacrifice, and trustWho This Episode Is ForThis episode is especially for pastors who:Feel pressure to justify their leadership or resultsAre carrying unspoken vows related to time, family, health, or overcommitmentSense tension in ministry but aren’t sure how to interpret itFeel alone, unseen, or unsupported in leadershipDesire clarity and peace without adding more effort or programsA Pastoral ReframeTension is not your enemy. Uninterpreted tension is.God does not need your vow. He is inviting your trust.You are not behind. You are not failing. And you do not have to carry what was never yours to carry.Continue the ConversationKevin regularly shares encouragement and leadership insight for pastors through the Pastors Thriving podcast and weekly Friday emails—designed to bring clarity, calm, and perspective without pressure.If this episode resonated with you, stay with the conversation. You are not walking this road alone.As always, If i can be of help to you, just reach out -- coaching @ kevinelworth.live Pastorsthriving.comHere's a copy of my book, Breaking the I Can't Cycle - https://amzn.to/3ETprks
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092 - The 10 Quiet Pressures Pastors Are Carrying into 2026 (and Why Most Churches Never Address Them)
Jan 2700:21:52Tap to summarizeAs we step into 2026, many pastors are quietly hoping for relief—but instead feel a steady, underlying pressure that never fully lifts.In this episode, Kevin Elworth names 10 quiet pressures pastors are carrying—pressures that rarely get acknowledged, talked about, or addressed in church culture. These aren’t dramatic crises. They’re subtle, cumulative weights that often lead to exhaustion, isolation, and burnout if left unexamined.This conversation isn’t about doing more. It’s about naming what’s heavy, releasing what was never yours to carry, and rediscovering a leadership posture that is easy and light—the way Jesus intended.What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeKevin walks through the 10 quiet pressures pastors are carrying into 2026, including:Being the emotional regulator for everyoneCarrying vision without shared ownershipLiving in a constant state of “almost enough”Feeling responsible for other people’s spiritual maturityManaging decline or stagnation without permission to grieveBeing needed more than you are knownCarrying financial pressure personally—even when it’s organizationalFeeling responsible to fix what you didn’t createNever fully knowing when you’ve done “enough”Leading people while quietly questioning sustainabilityKevin also explores why these pressures persist, how pastors often confuse ownership with responsibility, and why burnout doesn’t come from crisis—but from carrying what was never meant to be carried alone.Key Insight from the Episode“The goal isn’t to carry these pressures better—it’s to stop carrying what was never yours to carry to begin with.”Most of the strain pastors feel today isn’t a faith problem or a calling issue—it’s a leadership load issue. Health doesn’t come from trying harder; it comes from alignment, shared responsibility, and wise structure.Who This Episode Is ForPastors feeling quietly exhausted or overwhelmedLeaders carrying more than they can sustainChurch leaders longing for health without adding more programsAnyone questioning pace, sustainability, or isolation in ministryWhat’s Coming NextIn the next episodes, Kevin will unpack how churches can move from pastor-centered pressure to shared leadership—without chaos, burnout, or adding complexity.If this episode named something you’ve been carrying quietly, stay with the conversation. You’re not behind—and you’re not alone.Connect with KevinIf this episode encouraged you or named something real in your life, Kevin would love to hear from you. Reach out anytime—support and prayer are always welcome.coaching@kevinelworth.livePastorsthriving.comKevinelworth.live
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