Shows
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies074 - Why Pastors Are Quietly Struggling — And What to Do About ItIf you’ve ever felt let down by ministry, misunderstood by the people you serve, or disillusioned by the gap between what you hoped would happen and what actually did… you’re not alone.In this heartfelt episode, Kevin opens up a conversation that pastors rarely get to have — about disappointment. The kind that wears on your soul. The kind you don’t talk about from the stage. The kind that quietly erodes your confidence and calling if left unaddressed.Inside this episode:What disappointment reveals about our expectations and identityHow to process pain in a way t...2025-06-1719 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies72 - Why You Keep Burning Out Every Winter (And What to Do Instead), with Ruben Gomez🎙️ Pastors Thriving — Episode:“Why You Keep Burning Out Every Winter (And What to Do Instead)” with Ruben GomezEpisode Summary: In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Ruben Gomez, founder of The Seasonal Movement and creator of the Neuro-Seasonal Harmony Method.Ruben spent years doing everything right — discipline, hustle, grind — and still found himself crashing every winter. Sound familiar? That cycle of burnout, especially during the darker, colder seasons, isn’t just emotional or spiritual… it’s biological.Now, Ruben helps high-achieving men align their energy and output with the natural rhythms of th...2025-06-1333 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies073 - When God Cuts Close: A Hard Truth from John 15In this episode of Pastors Thriving, we dive into one of the most powerful — and honestly, most painful — passages in the Gospels: John 15.It’s a chapter we love to preach… but hate to live. Jesus tells us that those who bear fruit will be pruned so they can bear even more. But what does that actually mean?Kevin unpacks a deeply personal and biblically rich look at how pruning isn’t about punishment — it’s about preparation. And it almost always happens in the area that hurts the most: our relationships.This episode is for...2025-06-1024 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies70 - Real, Raw Encouragement: Exactly What to Do When You're FrustratedHey Pastor,We all need encouragement— all the time. Sometimes it's a steady stream we need. Other times, just one word can carry us through.Either way, the truth is the same: we need it.So today, I’m keeping it real and raw—offering the kind of encouragement you might need right now, in this exact moment.Kevin's book, Breaking the I Can't Cycle is live on Amazon right now! It's a quick read that is guaranteed to change the way you think about the opportunities you face that are ready...2025-06-0322 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies69 - Lead Like It’s Your Last Day: The Memento Mori Method for Men: Feat. Shawn Andrews Hey Pastor! On my show today, I'm delighted to introduce you to Shawn Andrews. Shawn is a husband and father to three daughters. He is also a John Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach, speaker, and the founder of “The Inked Disciple podcast” and the “Memento Mori Method”—a faith-based coaching movement helping men live with purpose, lead with strength, and leave a legacy. Blending biblical truth with bold leadership principles, Shawn challenges men to break spiritual and practical chains across faith, family, fitness, and financesShawn is passionate about Child safety advocacy through restoring fathers. 2025-05-3036 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies67 - 2 Thoughts Every Pastor Should Hear Before They QuitIn this episode of Pastors Thriving, we dive deep into John 15—a passage every pastor knows but not every pastor lives from. If ministry has felt like a grind lately… if you’re doing all the right things and still seeing little fruit… this isn’t a hustle issue. It’s an abiding issue.Jesus makes it clear: fruit doesn’t come from effort, it comes from connection. This is your personal invitation back to the vine. Back to the source. Back to life.🎯 What You'll Walk Away With:Why striving often leads to burnout, but abid...2025-05-2023 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies62. The #1 Leadership Crisis in the Church Starts at Home. Feat. Jason Purvis Hey Pastor,On today’s episode of Pastors Thriving, I sit down with Jason Purvis—a husband, father, former pastor, and now CEO of Next Phase Leadership.Jason is on a mission to equip Christian men to lead their homes with strength, humility, and unshakable faith. As a Men’s Mental Strength Trainer, he’s helping dads break free from passivity and step fully into the role God’s called them to.In this conversation, we dive deep into what it means to build a legacy—one built on courage, clarity, and Christ-centered leadership...2025-05-0951 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies63 -- From I Can’t to I Did: The Journey That Will Change Your LifeFrom I Can’t to I Did: The Journey That Will Change Your LifeIn this episode of Pastors Thriving, Kevin takes you behind the scenes of his brand-new book, Breaking the I Can’t Cycle: Moving Your Life from I Can’t to I Did! launching on May 6th. This isn’t just another leadership book—it’s a bold call to break free from the fears, false beliefs, and limiting mindsets that keep you stuck.Kevin shares personal stories, faith-filled truths, and the transformative moments that led him from stuck to surrendered, from overwhelmed...2025-04-2416 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies2.58 - This Is Why People Visit Your Church Once and Never Come Back. Feat. Andrew Gantt Hey Pastor! In this can't-miss episode, Kevin sits down with Andrew Gantt—a towering figure in more ways than one—to explore the powerful, often-forgotten biblical principle of hospitality. Not the "cookies and coffee in the lobby" kind, but the real-deal, Jesus-modeled hospitality that brings healing, connection, and transformation to people’s lives.From motorcycle outreach to culinary leadership, Andrew shares how his unusual path led him to a deep revelation: hospitality and discipleship are one and the same. Together, they tackle what’s broken in church culture today, why most “hospitality committees” are missing...2025-04-2233 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies2.57 - THIS is Blocking the Blessing You are Seeking! Hey Pastor, Could the thing standing between you and your breakthrough... be you?In this deep and personal episode of Pastors Thriving, Kevin explores a powerful idea: Resistance to change might be the very thing blocking the blessing you’ve been praying for.We often preach about resisting the enemy, but what about the subtle, spiritual resistance that shows up as hesitation, fear, or old rhythms? This episode dives into what it really looks like to release resistance and embrace the change God is leading you into—both in ministry and in your pers...2025-04-1523 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies2.56 - Pastor, You Don’t Have to Have It All Together – God’s Grace is Piling Up Just for YouHey Pastor, In this vulnerable, hope-filled episode of Pastors Thriving, Kevin drops the strategies and steps for a moment to speak straight to your soul. If you’ve been feeling worn down, running on empty, or secretly wondering if God’s grace is still for you — this one’s for you.Kevin shares a personal story of restoration that changed everything for him — a retreat to a cabin where God whispered a phrase that would fuel him for the next decade: “My grace is good for you too.”You’ll walk away reminded that:You don...2025-04-0822 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies2.55 - Are You Discipling the Wrong People? Most Pastors Are—and Don’t Know ItHey Pastor!Ever feel like your church is doing a lot of stuff but not really making disciples? You’re running programs, hosting small groups, and pouring hours into your messages, but real transformation still feels out of reach. The problem? Most churches try to disciple everyone the same way—and end up reaching no one effectively.In this episode, I’m breaking down why a broad discipleship approach isn’t working and how you can sharpen your focus to reach the right people with the right strategy.👉 Think about this: Jesus didn’...2025-04-0119 min
THE Podcaster NationTHE Podcaster Nation #48 - "Pastors Thriving" Podcast with Kevin Elworth!!!Today's guest is Pastor Kevin Elworth, a business and Ministry Coach who teaches from his experience and his heart. He is the host of the popular "Pastors Thriving" Podcast and is a student of the John Maxwell Leadership Movement as well. As a father, husband and successful entrepreneur, Kevin has walked the walk when it comes to leading his family of 5 and growing his business. Kevin has a few unique takes on some common thinking that may make you do a doubletake, so don't miss this one. Listen Now.Contact Kevin Elworth at KevinElworth.liveChe...2025-03-3159 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies2.54 - 3 Ways to Preach More Effective Sermons (That Get Results THIS Weekend!)Hey PastorsHave you ever felt like your sermons aren’t landing the way you want them to? Maybe engagement is low, responses are minimal, or people seem to forget your message by Monday. That changes today. In this episode of Pastors Thriving, Kevin shares 3 simple but powerful ways to preach more effective sermons—and you’ll start seeing results this weekend!Discover how better preparation, a single transformational focus, and a personal approach can help you deliver sermons that truly impact lives.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How intentiona...2025-03-2513 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies7 Warning Signs You Might Be Leading a Toxic Church (And How to Fix It!Hey PastorToxic church culture is a growing concern, and as pastors, we have to ask the tough question: Am I leading one? Many pastors don’t realize they’re fostering unhealthy environments until it’s too late. In this episode of Pastors Thriving, Kevin breaks down 7 warning signs that indicate you might be leading a toxic church and, more importantly, how to turn things around before it’s too late.If you’ve noticed fear, control, or burnout creeping into your leadership, this episode will equip you with practical steps to create a healthie...2025-03-2021 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church StrategiesOutreach That Transforms: Insights from Pastor Jerry MoralesHey Pastor,Outreach and missions are at the heart of every ministry. There are always people who need to be reached—but who are they, and how do we reach them effectively?On this episode of Pastors Thriving, I’m joined by Pastor Jerry Morales, Senior Pastor at Victory Outreach in Santa Cruz, CA. Jerry has a deep passion for reaching the hopeless in his community, and today, he’s sharing how you can sharpen your focus and connect with those in need right where you are.Jerry’s message will inspire you with pra...2025-03-1444 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies5 Shocking Truths About Success in the Church (Most Pastors Get This Wrong!)Hey Pastor! The idea of success in the church stirs up strong opinions. Should pastors even pursue success? If so, what does it actually look like? In this episode of Pastors Thriving, Kevin unpacks the tension between worldly vs. biblical success, challenges unhealthy metrics, and offers practical ways to measure true, kingdom-impacting success.If you’ve ever felt conflicted about what it means to succeed in ministry, this episode will bring clarity, encouragement, and a fresh perspective on how to lead with faithfulness and purpose.What You’ll Learn in This Epis...2025-03-1117 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church StrategiesDaily Practices that Will Keep Your Mind in Check Hey Pastor!Your mindset determines your ministry’s impact—but it’s your daily practices that keep it in check. In Part 2 of The 7 Mindset Shifts Every Pastor Needs to Thrive, I'm going to dive into actionable, daily strategies that will help you maintain a healthy, thriving mindset. Whether you're struggling with self-doubt, burnout, or just the pressures of leadership, these practical steps will give you the tools to stay mentally and spiritually strong every single day.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Practical habits that reinforce a strong, faith-filled mindset 2025-02-2514 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church StrategiesGrow Your Income in 2025 Without Losing Your Integrity, Your Time, or Your PurposeHey Pastor, Money and ministry—two words that often create tension for pastors. But what if financial growth wasn’t about greed, but about greater impact? In this episode of Pastors Thriving, I'm going to share practical and biblically sound strategies for increasing your income in 2025 without sacrificing your integrity, your time, or your primary purpose. Learn how to diversify your income, create high-impact revenue streams, and guard your time while remaining fully aligned with your calling.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why increasing your income is not anti-ministry ✅ How to div...2025-02-1117 min
Driven: Unscripted SuccessLeadership Coach: Kevin ElworthJoin us on this inspiring episode of Driven: Unscripted Success as we chat with Kevin Elworth, a leadership coach and former pastor who shares his journey of transformation and personal growth. Kevin reveals how his experiences in pastoral leadership shaped his unique approach to coaching, helping people overcome fear, discover their potential, and turn "I can't" into "I can."
In this conversation, Kevin dives into:
The mindset challenges that hold people back from success.
The life-changing story of his adoption journey and the lessons it taught him about persistence and belief.
How he helps clients create...2025-01-2032 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church StrategiesEp. 2.41 - Grow Your Church with Powerful Apologetics. Feat. Caleb BackholmPastor, You're going to love this episode. Caleb and I are going to drill deep into pressing issues of apologetics that are confronting the culture today. This episode is going to stretch your thinking and give you pointed help in the direction of what you are facing. Get a notebook and prepare yourself to take notes on this content that is going to empower you toward growth. If you'd like to reach out to Caleb and discover more about who he is, what he does and what he has to offer, you can...2025-01-1440 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies3 Self-Care Questions Every Pastor Should Ask (Feat. Brad Prunty)Pastor,let me introduce you to my new friend, Brad. I think you're going to gain a new friend from this also. Brad has a powerful message to share with you in this podcast today and you're going to walk away feeling encouraged, inspired and motivated to go do some introspection in a clear new way.Grab something to write with and let's get to work!If you'd like to reach out to Brad, and learn more about his Trailhead Program, feel free to connect with him on his email - brad@onelinechurch...2024-12-2745 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church StrategiesMaximize Your Pastoral Potential! With Special Guest, Karla Blanco Hey Pastor!Welcome back to my show! Thanks for joining me today. I'm elated to get you introduced to my new friend Karla. We share some commonality with Costa Rica as she's a Tica and my family lived there back in '07-'08.Karla has become an icon in the Leadership Development world and she has some amazing benchmark content for you to use in your church. She also has mastered a plan and written a book for you to use called, Unleash Your Career Potential: 7 Steps to living your dream.Karla is...2024-12-2032 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church StrategiesAre You Facing an Apathetic Congregation Too? Here's What To Do! Hey Pastor, Ninety percent of pastors surveyed are indicating that their churches are apathetic and indifferent about what's taking place in church today. They just don't care! Nothing frustrates a pastor more than giving his best only to see the people who comprise the church tell him, "Hey, that was a good talk" and walk out the door. There is a better way pastor and I want to help you press into this freedom and relief. Even if you're not one of those churches that is dealing with the frustrations of...2024-12-1710 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church StrategiesWhat Happens When an Intense Medical Situation Disrupts Your Entire Ministry Career? With Special Guest, Kenny SextonHey Pastor Thanks for joining me today. Meet my friend, Kenny. He's got a long tenure in ministry and gave so much of himself to it before he had a stroke that brought everything into question. What do you do when everything needs to change!? Kenny had to go through some life altering transitions and he's has some great advice for you to know and some excellent help to provide and equip you with what you need to move to the next level in your ministry. Kenny has been married for 32 years to...2024-12-1341 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies3 Precautions To Take To Make Sure The Ministry Doesn't Cost You EverythingHey Pastor!How would you like to lose everything? Yeah, I didn't think so! Me either! Today in my show, I'm going to get downright transparent and vulnerable with you and talk you through some of my own story in hopes to help you! Let's do this together and see to it that we get through it safe and sound. I read a portion of my forthcoming book in this show. I'm aiming to be done with it by the end of the year and I'll be excited to...2024-12-1020 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church StrategiesUnleashing Your Voice to Tell Your Best Story. Feat. David Swihart. Hey Pastor!David Swihart is passionate about mobilizing Christians to unleash their voice so they can tell their story to their audience to make an impact for the kingdom of God.David owns his own coaching and training business, Next Steps Coaching, and is currently the senior pastor at Pawnee Christian Church in Pawnee, IL.David is a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team member, a DISC certified behavioral analyst, and a 6 working geniuses certified facilitator.David and his wife Liz of 22 years reside in Springfield, IL together with their two kids, Ellise...2024-12-0650 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church StrategiesHelp! The Holiday's Are Eating Me Alive! Feat. Crystal ElworthHey PastorOh the holidays! So much fun, So much work to do! Today, my wife, Crystal and I are going to join together and take you through the fun we had during the holiday season. Sure they are filled with all the memories, but as you may well know, they can also be filled with frustration and overwhelm! Well, let's work on that and bring some healthy resolutions to this Christmas season. We're going to give you two focus filters you can use to make sure you approach this the right way...2024-12-0332 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church StrategiesWhat's the Most Powerful Phrase to Use in Your Pastoral Leadership? Feat. Kimberly Stevens Hey Pastor.There are a few phrases you already know you should not use. I didn't realize how debilitating this particular one was for me but when I saw it, I put a total stop to it altogether. It's actually the core purpose behind the book I am preparing to release. I had no idea how much this simple like was wrecking my thinking, my action, and even my family! (There was one point where I literally did a death blow to my wife because of this thinking, you'll find out about that in the...2024-11-2643 min
Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church StrategiesA $44000 Coaching Session!? 😱🤯Hey Pastor,Could you ever imagine spending that kind of cash on a single hour of coaching!? It's hard to fathom that anyone would do so, but there is a coach out there who charges just that, and I've discovered a way that you can benchmark from what that coach might tell you!Wouldn't you be so curious what the words would come from his understanding directed to you?! You'd probably hang on every word and make sure that you squeeze the value out of everything that comes from him.In...2024-11-2112 min
Power of Man PodcastPower of Man #162 - Kevin Elworth, Business & Ministry Coach!!!Send us a textToday's guest is Pastor Kevin Elworth, a business and Ministry Coach who teaches from his experience and his heart. He is the host of the popular "Pastors Thriving" Podcast and is a student of the John Maxwell Leadership Movement as well. As a father, husband and successful entrepreneur, Kevin has walked the walk when it comes to leading his family of 5 and growing his business. Kevin has a few unique takes on some common thinking that may make you do a doubletake, so don't miss this one. Listen Now.Contact Kevin Elw...2024-11-1744 min