The Church Circle Podcast

Brief Introduction: In this episode, Reuben Rohard is joined by Brian Caddell, a worship leader and VP of Church Circle, to explore the nuances of worship ministry. Brian shares his personal journey, insights on building healthy worship teams, and practical strategies for balancing leadership and worship. Takeaways: Building a strong worship ministry begins with leadership and a healthy team culture. Prioritizing character over talent creates a sustainable and impactful team. Systems and spiritual growth must coexist to create space for the Holy Spirit to move. Developing relationships with team members fosters trust and unity. Effective delegation and team building are key to balancing multiple responsibilities in ministry. Key Moments: 00:00: Reuben introduces the focus of the episode on worship ministry and Brian's extensive experience in worship leadership. 03:13: Brian shares his transformative encounter with Jesus at a worship conference and his early ministry journey. 07:04: Discussion on establishing healthy foundations for worship teams, emphasizing leadership and team culture. 12:39: Brian explains the importance of character over talent when recruiting for worship teams. 23:26: Reuben and Brian discuss the balance between systems and creating space for the Holy Spirit in worship. 36:13: Brian recounts a pivotal coaching moment that shaped his approach to building effective teams. Practical Tips: Develop systems that balance structure and flexibility to allow for spiritual growth. Invest in building relationships with team members to foster unity and trust. Train team members through mentorship, pairing experienced leaders with developing musicians. Encourage vocalists and musicians to focus on connecting with the worship lyrics, not just technical perfection. Delegate responsibilities by identifying individuals with strengths in areas like administration or systems. Connect with Brian Instagram: @BrianCaddell Church Circle Profile: Connect with Brian directly on the Church Circle platform.

Brief Introduction: In this episode of the Church Circle Podcast, Zach Windahl, a passionate content creator and faith-driven entrepreneur, shares insights into crafting authentic and impactful church outreach strategies. With his unique blend of creativity and ministry, Zach delves into the transformative power of social media in spreading the Gospel and building meaningful church communities. Takeaways: * Authenticity is key to building trust and engagement on social media. * Churches should adapt to modern platforms like TikTok and Instagram to connect with younger audiences. * Personal stories and relatable experiences resonate deeply with online communities. * Effective church outreach requires understanding your audience's needs and preferences. * Consistency in messaging and branding enhances credibility and outreach. Key Moments: * 05:30 Zach shares his personal journey of discovering his calling in faith-based content creation. * 15:45 Insights into leveraging TikTok for spreading the Gospel and engaging younger audiences. * 28:10 Discussion on the importance of storytelling in crafting relatable church content. * 40:25 Strategies for balancing authenticity with professionalism in social media outreach. * 52:00 Zach’s take on the future of digital evangelism and its role in church growth. Practical Tips: * Utilize storytelling to create relatable and impactful posts. * Focus on a consistent posting schedule to maintain engagement and visibility. * Research your target audience’s platform preferences to maximize reach. * Encourage church members to share and interact with content for organic growth. * Highlight personal testimonies to create connections with your audience. Connect with Zach: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachwindahl [https://www.instagram.com/zachwindahl] * Website: https://www.zachwindahl.com [https://www.zachwindahl.com/]

In this episode of the Church Circle podcast, host Reuben Rohard interviews Jon Rush, a seasoned ministry leader with over 15 years of experience, currently transitioning into a new season of content creation, gaming, and ministry innovation. Jon shares his insights on using gaming and digital platforms as tools for ministry, breaking down misconceptions, and discussing how the church can engage Gen Z effectively in today’s culture. If you're curious about how video games and online spaces can serve as mission fields, this episode will offer you plenty of inspiration and practical advice. Key Takeaways * Gaming is the Future: 75% of Gen Z engage with video games weekly, and the church must find ways to be present in those digital spaces. * Gaming as Social Media: Video games offer a real-time social experience that can foster meaningful relationships and community building. * Empower, Don’t Control: Rather than trying to own every digital initiative, churches should invest in and empower individuals who are already skilled in these areas. * Success in Digital Ministry: It’s not about numbers or brand control—it’s about reaching people where they are, even if that’s through nontraditional methods like gaming or online communities. * Balance Digital and In-Person Ministry: Digital platforms can complement in-person church experiences, but churches should focus on creating relational, transformative moments during physical gatherings. Key Moments 02:00 Jon’s Journey in Ministry and Transition: Jon shares his ministry background, experience at Elevation Church, and his current transition into the digital mission field. 07:30 The Growing Influence of Gaming: Jon breaks down the significance of gaming, dispelling misconceptions about it being just for "nerds" and explaining its massive cultural influence. 12:00 Why Gaming Matters for Ministry: A conversation on why the church should care about gaming and how it can be used to reach people globally and locally. 17:00 Empowering Creators in the Church: Jon emphasizes the importance of empowering individuals in the church who have a passion for digital spaces, rather than forcing ministries that don’t align with the church’s specific calling. 29:00 Balancing Digital and In-Person Ministry: Practical advice on how to balance digital engagement and in-person gatherings for a holistic ministry approach. Practical Tips 1. Use Gaming as a Social Tool: Engage young people by creating real-time connections through gaming, which serves as a powerful form of social media. 2. Identify and Empower Leaders: Find individuals in your church who are already passionate about gaming, social media, or content creation, and support them in building their digital ministries. 3. Utilize Discord: Create a Discord server to facilitate constant communication and discipleship among youth and church members, allowing for 24/7 engagement. 4. Measure Digital Success Carefully: Don’t get lost in vanity metrics. Focus on meaningful engagement, such as real interactions and life change, rather than impressions or views. 5. Leverage Digital to Enhance In-Person Ministry: Use online communities to drive deeper relationships that eventually translate into in-person engagement and church participation. Connect with Jon Instagram: @jonwrush [https://www.instagram.com/jonwrush]

CJ Alvarado, a marketing veteran with experience both in the corporate and church worlds, shares insights into the psychology behind effective communication, how to break through noise and distractions, and build trust with leaders and teams. This episode offers practical advice for anyone looking to improve their influence, trust, and communication skills, especially in leadership and creative settings. Key Takeaways * Understanding the "Crocodile Brain": The first step to winning the room is breaking through the brain’s natural defense mechanisms to grab attention quickly and effectively. * Building Trust Is Key: Trust affects speed and cost in decision-making—when trust is high, things move faster and cost less. * Straight Line Communication: Communicate in straight lines, not circles, to keep your audience engaged and get to the heart of the matter. * Emotional Intelligence: Leaders need emotional intelligence to navigate high-pressure situations, manage feedback, and present ideas without getting caught up in ego or emotions. * Self-Awareness and Perception: Leaders should be mindful of the perceptions others hold about them and work actively to align their self-perception with how they are viewed by others. Practical Tips 1. Capture Attention Fast: Get past the "crocodile brain" by starting with something new and exciting, making your point quickly and effectively. 2. Be Instrumental, Not Just Nice: Leaders value usefulness over flattery. Present your ideas with a focus on how they solve problems. 3. Straight-Line Communication: Avoid rambling—communicate in clear, concise, and direct ways to keep leaders engaged. 4. Acknowledge and Address Perceptions: Use CJ's LAND method (Listen, Ask, Navigate, Demonstrate) to manage how you are perceived in leadership roles. 5. Manage Emotional Responses: Separate your identity from the feedback you receive and focus on solving problems with emotional intelligence. Connect with CJ Instagram: @CJAlvarado [https://www.instagram.com/cjalvarado] Substack: Take New Ground

Adi Reed, a passionate leader from Soul Church, has experience in revitalizing struggling ministries. Originally from South Africa, Adi shares his insights on leadership, fixing broken ministries, and the critical role of confidence and collaboration in rebuilding. Drawing from his decade of experience in youth, young adult, and kids ministry, Adi offers practical wisdom for church leaders navigating similar challenges. → Key Takeaways • The health of a ministry is a reflection of its leadership. • Leaders must be willing to acknowledge when things aren’t working and approach challenges with humility and an open heart. • Rebuilding trust and excitement in a ministry requires relational leadership—prioritizing personal connections over aggressive training and vision casting. • To build trust externally, leaders must tell compelling stories of progress and wins, leveraging communications to show transformation. • Change takes time. Focus on achieving small but significant wins to rebuild confidence in your team and ministry. → Connect with Adi on Instagram: @ad_reed