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The Small Church Ministry Podcast

The Small Church Ministry Podcast

By: Laurie Graham
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About this listen

The only podcast created for volunteers and everyday leaders in smaller congregations, this show embraces small church ministry as a place where God is already at work. Founder of Small Church Ministry and the Small Church Network, Laurie J. Graham shares why small churches matter—not as a scaled-down version of something bigger, but as powerful communities with their own unique strengths. Each episode offers creative solutions to real challenges with a mix of honest encouragement, leadership skills, and actionable next steps.

Laurie hosts the show with a perspective shaped by decades in ministry on every side of small church life—as a volunteer, staff leader, and pastor’s spouse. She knows both the pressure and the beauty of small churches firsthand, and brings steady encouragement, practical wisdom, and deep care for both volunteers and ministry leaders.

© 2026 The Small Church Ministry Podcast
Christianity Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • 216: Mistake #1 - Not Asking Them What They’d Rather Be Doing | Church Volunteer Series
    Feb 17 2026

    This episode kicks off our Stop Doing This to Volunteers series by naming a simple but overlooked leadership habit: never revisiting where someone serves once they’ve said yes.

    We talk about the fear that keeps churches from inviting movement, and the belief many people carry that enjoying their role — or wanting something different — is somehow selfish instead of faithful.

    In this episode, we cover:

    1. Why long-term service doesn’t always mean long-term fit
    2. The fear that asking “what would you rather be doing?” will leave you short-handed
    3. Why liking what we do - and wanting something different - doesn’t make us less holy


    RESOURCES MENTIONED

    Join our free Facebook Community

    Get the Ministry Bundles here!

    Support the show


    SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

    If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more people -- just like you -- in small churches who need to hear this.

    🎙 Thanks for tuning in to Small Church Ministry Podcast! See you next week!


    FOLLOW US:
    Website: smallchurchministry.com
    Instagram: instagram.com/smallchurchministry
    Facebook: facebook.com/smallchurchministry
    Creative Solutions for Small Churches Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministry
    Small Church Network: smallchurchministry.com/membership

    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • 215: The Digital Ministry Your Small Church Is Already Doing (And How to Do It Better) | with Leslie Kons
    Feb 10 2026

    Your small church already has a digital ministry - whether you’ve planned for it or not. Through your website, social media, and emails, you’re constantly communicating who you are and what people can expect, sometimes clearly and sometimes unintentionally sending the wrong message.

    In this episode, we talk about why that matters more than we think and how small, thoughtful shifts can help your digital presence reflect your heart, not just your information.

    In this episode, we talk about:

    1. How churches unintentionally communicate confusion, pressure, or disconnection online
    2. Why your digital presence shapes trust long before someone ever visits in person
    3. What “digital ministry” actually means for small churches (without adding more work)
    4. Simple ways to align your online presence with the experience you want people to have


    Connect with Leslie Kons: studiokons.com

    Join our free Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministry


    Rate, Review, & Follow Laurie on Apple Podcasts

    "I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!" << If that's like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps Small Church Ministry support and reach more people -- just like you -- in small churches! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then, let us know what you loved most about this episode!

    Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. This is the best way to stay updated on the new episodes we release weekly. If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on future episodes. Follow now!

    Get the Ministry Bundles here!

    Support the show

    SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

    If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more people -- just like you -- in small churches who need to hear this.

    🎙 Thanks for tuning in to Small Church Ministry Podcast! See you next week!


    FOLLOW US:
    Website: smallchurchministry.com
    Instagram: instagram.com/smallchurchministry
    Facebook: facebook.com/smallchurchministry
    Creative Solutions for Small Churches Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministry
    Small Church Network: smallchurchministry.com/membership

    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • 214: Outside the Bubble: Why Our Outreach Isn’t Working & What We’ve Been Missing
    Feb 3 2026

    We’re sharing something special this week. Right after our Women’s Ministry for Small Churches Conference, we’re bringing you the opening mainstage session - a conversation that pushes back on the pressure-filled, program-heavy version of outreach many of us were handed.

    In this episode, we explore:

    1. Why traditional outreach models often don’t work in small churches
    2. How Jesus-centered outreach starts with people, not programs
    3. What it looks like to live with our communities instead of trying to draw people in
    4. Simple, relational ways to practice outreach without burnout or pressure


    Get the replays before Wednesday at midnight! www.smallchurchsummits.com

    Join our free Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministry


    Rate, Review, & Follow Laurie on Apple Podcasts

    "I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!" << If that's like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps Small Church Ministry support and reach more people -- just like you -- in small churches! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then, let us know what you loved most about this episode!

    Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. This is the best way to stay updated on the new episodes we release weekly. If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on future episodes. Follow now!

    Get the Ministry Bundles here!

    Support the show

    SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

    If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more people -- just like you -- in small churches who need to hear this.

    🎙 Thanks for tuning in to Small Church Ministry Podcast! See you next week!


    FOLLOW US:
    Website: smallchurchministry.com
    Instagram: instagram.com/smallchurchministry
    Facebook: facebook.com/smallchurchministry
    Creative Solutions for Small Churches Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministry
    Small Church Network: smallchurchministry.com/membership

    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
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