The Church Talk Podcast

Weekly conversations about culture, theology, leadership, and God’s mission for the Church in the world today

Mission of the Church Talk Project

We're committed to coming alongside church leaders and helping them build healthy ministries and healthy lives.

If you are a pastor of any kind, at any size church or ministry, we are here for you. If you are a church leader (paid or volunteer) we think you are the bee’s knees! When you are with us, you are with family. So loosen up that tie, take off your jacket, and get comfortable. You are safe here.

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Engage

Create an environment that connects with pastors and leaders where they are and gives them a vision of what could be.

Equip

Provide high-level training and tools for pastors and leaders.

Encourage

Remind pastors and leaders that they have been called and anointed by God for the role they have.

What's New

Latest episodes

Click here to listen to the latest conversation Rob and Jason started. This is not the final word on the subject, it is the opening lines. Engage the conversation and let us know what you are thinking!

episode 133

Real Happy with Mike Hayes

In this episode of the Church Talk Podcast, host Jason Allison interviews Pastor Mike Hayes, the founding pastor of Covenant Church in Dallas, Texas. They discuss Mike’s journey from a performance-based faith to a deeper understanding of happiness and joy in the Christian life, emphasizing the importance of the Beatitudes and the true nature of the gospel as good news. Mike shares insights on how our perceptions of God, particularly through the lens of fatherhood, can impact our relationship with Him and our understanding of joy. The conversation highlights the need for the church to present a more joyful and uplifting message to its congregation. In this conversation, Mike Hayes and Jason Allison delve into the themes of judgment, joy in ministry, the distinction between peacemaking and peacekeeping, and the importance of personal revelation in pastoral work. They explore the concept of the Bema seat of judgment, emphasizing that judgment is about rewards for good works rather than condemnation. The discussion highlights the necessity of joy in ministry and encourages pastors to embrace their identity as children of God. They also discuss the challenges of peacemaking, stressing that it requires skill and effort, and conclude with the significance of sharing personal experiences to connect with others.

Get the Real Happy book!
Find out more about Mike Hayes

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Pastor Mike Hayes
03:18 Mike Hayes’ Journey and Ministry Background
06:08 The Shift from Performance to Happiness in Faith
11:05 Understanding Happiness Through the Beatitudes
14:32 Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghost
18:01 The Gospel as Good News: A Mind Shift
22:31 The Image of God: Fatherhood and Joy
24:44 Exploring the Bema Seat of Judgment
27:09 The Importance of Joy in Ministry
29:40 Understanding Peacemaking vs. Peacekeeping
41:01 The Power of Personal Revelation in Ministry

episode 132

Books to Read in 2025

In this episode of the Church Talk podcast, Jason, Rob, and Courtney discuss various impactful books that can aid church leaders and members in their spiritual journeys. They emphasize the importance of reading widely, exploring diverse perspectives, and understanding cultural contexts. The conversation covers recommendations for leadership, team building, and engaging with the Old Testament, while also addressing contemporary issues facing the church today. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the challenges faced by Gen Z, particularly the meaning crisis and the search for purpose. They discuss influential authors and their works that provide insights into navigating faith and understanding the supernatural. The conversation also touches on the ethics of beauty as a guiding principle in problem-solving and the transformative power of literature in shaping perspectives. The speakers share their favorite books and the impact these have had on their lives and ministries, concluding with an invitation for listeners to share their own recommendations.

Books Mentioned: (Share yours with us!! – jason@churchtalkproject.com)

Jason

De-Sizing the Church (Karl Vaters)
Future Church (Will Mancini)
Wisdom for Faithful Reading (John Walton)
Lead (Paul David Tripp)
The Wood Between the Worlds (Brian Zahnd)

Courtney

Liturgical Mission/ Ever Ancient Ever New (by Winfield Bevins)
Bearing God’s Name (by Carmen Imes)
Living in Wonder (by Rod Dreher)
The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God (by Justin Brierly)
The Air We Breathe (by Glen Scrivener)
The Ethics of Beauty by (Timothy Patitsas)

Rob

The 6 Types of Working Genius (Pat Lencioni)
The Seven Frequencies of Communication (Erwin McManus)
Purple Cow & Free Prize Inside (and really anything) (Seth Godin)
Blue Like Jazz (Donald Miller)
Homiletic Moves & Structures (David Buttrick)
Slaves, Women, & Homosexuals (William J. Webb)

00:00 Introduction to Meaningful Reads
05:55 The Importance of Diverse Reading
11:46 Books for Leadership and Team Building
18:08 Exploring the Old Testament
23:51 Cultural Context and Spiritual Issues
24:20 Understanding the Meaning Crisis for Gen Z
26:05 Exploring the Supernatural Worldview
28:20 Influential Authors and Their Impact
30:09 Books That Changed Perspectives
34:25 The Ethics of Beauty and Problem Solving
38:21 Before and After: Transformative Books
45:30 Closing Thoughts and Future Recommendations

episode 131

Brian Dodd - Leading Leaders

In this episode of the Church Talk Podcast, hosts Jason, Rob, and Courtney welcome back Brian Dodd for his fourth appearance. They discuss Brian’s new book, ‘The Games Leaders Play,’ exploring the gap between leadership knowledge and its application in real-world scenarios. Brian emphasizes the importance of personal communion with God for effective leadership and shares insights on the common traits of successful leaders. The conversation also delves into the unique challenges faced by pastors and how they can blend shepherding with visionary leadership. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the challenges pastors face when leading volunteers versus leading other leaders. They explore the importance of understanding the mindset of leaders, providing ten actionable strategies for pastors to effectively lead leaders, and the significance of continuous learning in leadership roles. The discussion also touches on the dynamics of leadership challenges and the necessity of fostering a culture of contribution over control.

Takeaways

Brian Dodd’s new book (Games Leaders Play) addresses the gap between leadership knowledge and application.
Effective leaders are those who have spent time with God.
Vision is about multiplying what you see, feel, and hear in ministry.
Transformation in ministry is more important than mere transactions.
Most pastors excel at leading volunteers but struggle with leading other leaders.
Imposter syndrome can hinder pastors when interacting with more experienced leaders.
Pastors should prioritize being a spiritual guide to leaders.
Asking great questions is more valuable than providing answers.
Involving leaders in decision-making makes them feel valued and invested.
A clear and compelling vision attracts great leaders.
Follow-up communication strengthens relationships with leaders.
Leaders should be encouraged to contribute rather than control.

Keywords

leadership, church growth, personal communion, Brian Dodd, effective leadership, pastoral challenges, church vision, leadership principles, faithfulness, community impact, leadership, pastors, volunteers, leaders, church, mindset, strategies, challenges, continuous learning, community

episode 130

Listening to God

In this episode of the Church Talk podcast, Jason, Courtney, and Rob discuss the importance of leadership in the church, focusing on how to listen to God and the various spiritual practices that can enhance personal growth and community engagement. They share personal anecdotes about snow days, the challenges of hearing from God, and the need for a true prayer life. The conversation emphasizes the significance of bridging the gap between learning and doing in ministry, and how spiritual practices can be tailored to individual personalities. In this conversation, the speakers explore the challenges of engaging with God amidst the chaos of modern life, emphasizing the importance of simplicity and quietness. They discuss how busyness and success can hinder spiritual growth and listening to God. Practical practices such as the Kairos circle and the Jesus Prayer are introduced as ways to cultivate awareness of God’s presence and to develop a deeper spiritual life. The conversation concludes with a call to embrace these practices to enhance one’s relationship with God and to support others in their spiritual journeys.

www.churchtalkproject.com

Ken Boa “Conformed to His Image”
Dallas Willard “The Divine Conspiracy”
Richard Foster “Celebration of Discipline”

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and New Beginnings
03:02 Snow Days and Seasonal Joys
06:01 Listening to God as Leaders
12:11 The Challenge of Hearing from God
17:53 Spiritual Practices and Personal Growth
19:53 Engaging God Amidst Life’s Chaos
30:08 The Impact of Success on Spiritual Listening
40:55 Practical Practices for Hearing God
44:48 Cultivating Awareness of God’s Presence

Testimonials

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New episodes are uploaded regularly

The world is always changing and we try to keep up with current events and trends that affect how you do ministry. Join the conversation each Monday with our latest episode.