MFI Leaders Podcast

150 episodes listed below

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Pastoral leadership with prayer and practical teeth.

The gist

MFI Leaders Podcast gathers conference-style teaching for church leaders who need both spiritual conviction and operational clarity. Episodes move from prayer and presence to building projects, youth ministry, accountability, and pacing change well.

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About MFI Leaders Podcast

MFI Leaders Podcast presents pastoral leadership as both a spiritual charge and a practical craft. The show is drawn from teaching moments where speakers address people already carrying responsibility in churches. Its register is familiar and direct. There are jokes from the platform, room-response moments, references to pastors and ministry teams, and closing prayers that keep the episodes rooted in worship rather than management theory alone. The material often starts with a lived ministry problem. A church needs clearer language around its mission. A team needs higher standards and healthier accountability. A congregation is considering a remodel or new building. A youth ministry needs the right leader, not just the most charismatic one. From there, the teaching usually becomes concrete. Leaders are urged to repeat vision until people can say it back, secure funding details before a building project advances, assign a trusted liaison for construction communication, and pay attention to the pace at which teams can absorb change. The show also leaves room for more explicitly spiritual themes. Episodes emphasize personal encounters with God, presence-driven church culture, prayer, calling, character, and courage. That blend gives the series its shape. It is not merely a leadership lecture feed, and it is not only devotional encouragement. It lives in the overlap between spiritual language and staff-meeting realities. The speakers frequently honor parents, churches, spouses, and ministry families, which gives the show a strong fellowship feel. The result is especially useful for pastors and ministry leaders who want instruction that assumes church leadership is relational, spiritual, and operational at the same time. Its best episodes offer a clear challenge, then press it into ordinary ministry decisions. The tone can be intense, but it is rarely abstract. It keeps returning to people: volunteers who need clarity, teams who need sustainable effort, young leaders being formed through humble work, and congregations trying to become healthier communities.

Made for: For pastors, ministry leaders, youth leaders, and church teams who want spiritually grounded leadership teaching with real operational application. It especially fits leaders navigating growth, change, buildings, volunteers, and next-generation ministry.

What sets it apart: The show stands out by treating church leadership as both presence-driven and highly practical. It moves easily from prayer and calling to funding stages, team accountability, construction roles, and the pace of organizational change.

In their own words

Ministers Fellowship International exists to help leaders build healthy, strong, impacting churches and to do so in a way that makes for a healthy leader. We hope that you this teaching left you more encouraged and equipped today. If you would like to be a part of the MFI Family or learn more visit mfileader.org

As heard by us

Based on 4 episodes we listened to · September 2026

Practical church leadership teaching connects vision, team health and ministry decisions to prayer, calling and sustained spiritual formation.

MFI Leaders Podcast brings live pastoral teaching into the practical work of leading a church. Speakers address change, team clarity, accountability, youth ministry and a culture shaped by God's presence, often moving between personal experience, direct instruction and prayer.

Read our full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Church leadership gets a marathoner's pace check before your team burns out at mile two.

Press play if you want

  • a practical way to pace change without treating your people like fuel for the vision
  • church-team guidance that pairs clear standards with communication your people can actually repeat
Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
pastoral leadershipchurch vision claritypresence-driven culturebuilding projectsteam accountabilityyouth ministry leadershippacing organizational changecalling and character

Talks about

Podcasts like MFI Leaders Podcast

Episodes

  1. 1

    These Are The Good Ole Days - Raydeane Owens

    ·37m
  2. 2

    Choosing and Becoming the Right Leader for Youth - Bob & Landon Grimm

    ·45m
  3. 3

    Completing The Great Commission - Daniel Hanafi

    ·42m
  4. 4

    Eldership Governance, Doctrine & Practice - Derrill Corbin

    ·1h 8m
  5. 5

    The Importance of Prophetic Ministry in Fulfilling The Great Commission - Doug Sherman

    ·1h 4m
  6. 6

    The Advantage Of The 2nd Chair - Eric Crawford

    ·1h 2m
  7. 7

    Church Multiplication in Small Towns - Greg & Jessica Hurlbut

    ·1h
  8. 8

    Pacing the Future - How Leaders Guide Change with Clarity - Gareth Gilpin

    ·52m
  9. 9

    Church Marketing That Works - Jacob Schmelzer

    ·49m
  10. 10

    Five Things Churches Need to Stop Doing - Jakob Haymond

    ·47m
  11. 11

    Building a Sustainable Hero Making Children's Ministry - Jason & Ellie Hubbard

    ·1h 1m
  12. 12

    Stretched Thin - Juggling Motherhood & Ministry - Jessica Hurlbut

    ·1h 1m
  13. 13

    Wait... Why Aren't Your Guests Coming Back - Johnny Pease

    ·1h 3m
  14. 14

    Spiritual Dynamics of Leadership - Jonathan Stells

    ·1h 1m
  15. 15

    Presence-Driven Worship in 25 Minutes - Joseph & Tosha Zwanziger

    ·55m
  16. 16

    Reclaiming Beauty - The Work of the Creative - Kyle Lacheny

    ·58m
  17. 17

    Engage Now - AI, Digital And The Future of Reaching People - Marc Estes

    ·57m
  18. 18

    How to Build a Building, When You Don't Know How - Matt Molt

    ·57m
  19. 19

    The Heart Behind Production - Setting Up for Success - Nathan Rathbun

    ·1h 1m
  20. 20

    Helping Families Find Freedom - Norman Chandler

    ·53m
  21. 21

    The Blueprint for a Sustainable Leadership Pipeline - Philip Engle

    ·53m
  22. 22

    Bitcoin, AI, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution - Pradeepan Jeeva

    ·1h 3m
  23. 23

    Spirit-Lead Services - Roger Yadon

    ·35m
  24. 24

    Co-Vocational Ministry is the New Norm - Simon Mould

    ·57m
  25. 25

    From Message to Manuscript - Writing the Book God Put on Your Heart - Tracy Wilde-Pace

    ·58m
  26. 26

    Spirit Baptism in Spiritual Formation - Neglected but Essential. - Travis Arnold

    ·1h 7m
  27. 27

    5x7 Session - Amreitha Jeeva

    ·7m
  28. 28

    5x7 Session - Austin Molt

    ·8m
  29. 29

    5x7 Session - Chip Kawalsingh

    ·7m
  30. 30

    5x7 Session - Erika Wilkins

    ·7m
  31. 31

    5x7 Session - Seth Owens

    ·7m
  32. 32

    Foundations Panel - Bill Scheidler, Roxy Iverson, Steve Schmelzer, Ken Wilde & Jess Strickland

    ·48m
  33. 33

    Anointed For The Now And The Next - Jon Jon Wilkins

    ·53m
  34. 34

    Thy Kingdom Come - Bob MacGregor

    ·1h 7m
  35. 35

    Vision Carriers For The Long Haul - Dave Patterson

    ·50m
  36. 36

    Leaders Who Suffer Well - Andrew Damazio

    ·44m
  37. 37

    Building Presence Driven Culture - Aaron Richner

    ·54m
  38. 38

    Teach Me How To Stand - Tyrone D. Jones

    ·38m
  39. 39

    The Power To Pastor - Earl McClellan

    ·52m
  40. 40

    Breakthrough to Amazing Fruitfulness - Dr. Mark Strong

    ·34m
  41. 41

    Answering the Call of God On Your Life - Derrill Corbin

    ·31m
  42. 42

    An Update From Heaven - Patrick Kiteley

    ·48m
  43. 43

    Marketplace Ministry - Mike Rovner & Jude Fouquier

    ·33m
  44. 44

    Ask Us Anything - Andrew Damazio & Nathan Finochio

    ·1h 2m
  45. 45

    Pipelines & Pathways for Building a Healthy Worship Team - Angie Prosser

    ·46m
  46. 46

    Campus Clubs Culture - David Wilkins

    ·53m
  47. 47

    Youth & Culture - Landon Grimm

    ·42m
  48. 48

    Courage Under Fire - Chip Kawalsingh

    ·48m
  49. 49

    A Neglected Strategy: Mastering the Art of the Altar Call - Andrew Cromwell

    ·38m
  50. 50

    How to Build a Vertical Church - Chuck Ramsey

    ·48m
  51. 51

    The Art of Thinking Differently in Babylon - Simon Mould

    ·50m
  52. 52

    Developing a Missions Culture in Your Church - Jason Prosser

    ·47m
  53. 53

    Spirit-Led Security Programs - Caleb Gilbert

    ·57m
  54. 54

    The Spirit of Prophecy - Mark Francey

    ·1h
  55. 55

    Recognizing and Avoiding Burnout - Mike Hennigan

    ·50m
  56. 56

    The Door to Destiny - Bishop Marc House

    ·45m
  57. 57

    Marching Toward Miracles - Mariah Corbin

    ·49m
  58. 58

    Church Planting - Marc Bigby

    ·54m
  59. 59

    Kingdom Partnerships - Barbara Johnson

    ·48m
  60. 60

    Healthy Transitions in Difficult Seasons - John Reeve

    ·39m
  61. 61

    Creative Outreach - Lisa Alkire

    ·50m
  62. 62

    Building a Healthy Dynamic Team - Nate Swanson

    ·1h 14m
  63. 63

    Paradigm Shift - Tyrone Jones

    ·24m
  64. 64

    The Miracle of Emptiness - Charlotte Gambill

    ·44m
  65. 65

    Make America Muddy Again - Nathan Finochio

    ·40m
  66. 66

    The Posture of Familiarity - Charlotte Gambill

    ·55m
  67. 67

    From Something Less to Something More - Dr. Frank Damazio

    ·1h 20m
  68. 68

    Church Planting - Sean Arisco

    ·46m
  69. 69

    Engaging the Culture through Outreach - Beau Norman

    ·50m
  70. 70

    Financing Your Future - Greg Brooks

    ·43m
  71. 71

    Growing Great Leaders in Small Churches - Mike Hennigan

    ·43m
  72. 72

    Releasing the Miracles in Your Ministry - James Monaghan

    ·1h 25m
  73. 73

    Spot On! Keys to Effective Prophetic Ministry - Marc Cargill

    ·1h 1m
  74. 74

    The Holy Spirit & World Missions - Dennis Balcombe

    ·38m
  75. 75

    Making Nobodies into Somebodies - Bob MacGregor

    ·53m
  76. 76

    Building a Healthy Eldership Team Culture - Jeff Ecklund

    ·39m
  77. 77

    The Action Gap: In-Depth Children's Ministry - Kristi Krauss

    ·45m
  78. 78

    The Future of Youth Ministry - David Wilkins

    ·47m
  79. 79

    The Hands that Build Hearts - Jess Strickland

    ·47m
  80. 80

    The Role of the Ekklesia in Transforming Culture - Ken Wilde

    ·59m
  81. 81

    Worship Team Panel - Jessica Hieronymus, Philip Iloff, Charity Mozafari

    ·51m
  82. 82

    Managing Vision, a Healthy Staff, and Getting the Important Stuff Done - Candace Cortez

    ·56m
  83. 83

    Navigating Leadership Succession - Craig Lotze & Trevor Seaman

    ·56m
  84. 84

    Persistent Passion - Aaron Richner

    ·35m
  85. 85

    Priestly Priorities: Pastors and Their Prayer Closets in 2023 - Lyle Philips

    ·47m
  86. 86

    Prophetic Vision for the Next Season - Julian Lowe

    ·48m
  87. 87

    Stewarding a Unified Worship Community - Ruth Erickson

    ·59m
  88. 88

    Strengthening Your Marriage for Optimum Ministry Impact - Jonathan & Raydeane Owens

    ·48m
  89. 89

    Successful Succession - Andrew Cromwell

    ·46m
  90. 90

    Building a Leader’s Intercessors Group - Mark Jones

    ·48m
  91. 91

    Drought to Downpour Leading the Church into All Things New - Michael Hurley

    ·46m
  92. 92

    Effective and Sustainable Youth Ministry - Tyrone D Jones

    ·50m
  93. 93

    From 'I Have To' to 'I Can’t Wait To!' - Kids and Church - Dan & Mckenzie Sherrell

    ·44m
  94. 94

    From Crowd To Core: Church Growth Through Relational Discipleship - Jake Schmelzer

    ·50m
  95. 95

    God's University - Steve Williams

    ·31m
  96. 96

    How to Save Young People From Deconstructing Their Faith- Austin Molt

    ·47m
  97. 97

    Leading After Letdown - Daniel Villarreal

    ·40m
  98. 98

    Building a Healthy Worship Community - Joseph & Tosha Zwanziger

    ·48m
  99. 99

    Leaders Who Take Ground - Dave Patterson

    ·53m
  100. 100

    Builders Who Never Settle - Luciano Subira

    ·43m
  101. 101

    The Heart Behind Production - Setting Up for Success - Nathan Rathbun

    Nov 6, 2025·1h 1m
  102. 102

    Eldership Governance, Doctrine & Practice - Derrill Corbin

    Nov 6, 2025·1h 8m
  103. 103

    The Importance of Prophetic Ministry in Fulfilling The Great Commission - Doug Sherman

    Nov 6, 2025·1h 4m
  104. 104

    The Advantage Of The 2nd Chair - Eric Crawford

    Nov 6, 2025·1h 2m
  105. 105

    Church Multiplication in Small Towns - Greg & Jessica Hurlbut

    Nov 6, 2025·1h
  106. 106

    Five Things Churches Need to Stop Doing - Jakob Haymond

    Nov 6, 2025·47m
  107. 107

    Building a Sustainable Hero Making Children's Ministry - Jason & Ellie Hubbard

    Nov 6, 2025·1h 1m
  108. 108

    Stretched Thin - Juggling Motherhood & Ministry - Jessica Hurlbut

    Nov 6, 2025·1h 1m
  109. 109

    Wait... Why Aren't Your Guests Coming Back - Johnny Pease

    Nov 6, 2025·1h 3m
  110. 110

    Presence-Driven Worship in 25 Minutes - Joseph & Tosha Zwanziger

    Nov 6, 2025·55m
  111. 111

    Reclaiming Beauty - The Work of the Creative - Kyle Lacheny

    Nov 6, 2025·58m
  112. 112

    Engage Now - AI, Digital And The Future of Reaching People - Marc Estes

    Nov 6, 2025·57m
  113. 113

    Completing The Great Commission - Daniel Hanafi

    Nov 6, 2025·42m
  114. 114

    Helping Families Find Freedom - Norman Chandler

    Nov 6, 2025·53m
  115. 115

    The Blueprint for a Sustainable Leadership Pipeline - Philip Engle

    Nov 6, 2025·53m
  116. 116

    Bitcoin, AI, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution - Pradeepan Jeeva

    Nov 6, 2025·1h 3m
  117. 117

    Spirit-Lead Services - Roger Yadon

    Nov 6, 2025·35m
  118. 118

    Co-Vocational Ministry is the New Norm - Simon Mould

    Nov 6, 2025·57m
  119. 119

    From Message to Manuscript - Writing the Book God Put on Your Heart - Tracy Wilde-Pace

    Nov 6, 2025·58m
  120. 120

    Spirit Baptism in Spiritual Formation - Neglected but Essential. - Travis Arnold

    Nov 6, 2025·1h 7m
  121. 121

    Building Presence Driven Culture - Aaron Richner

    Hidden gem

    Aaron Richner says churches can become "so seeker-friendly that we become spirit-unfriendly."

    Nov 6, 2025·54m·2 clips
  122. 122

    Pacing the Future - How Leaders Guide Change with Clarity - Gareth Gilpin

    Hidden gem

    ["Gareth Gilpin opens with a standing arm-fold exercise and uses the room's discomfort to show how change feels before it becomes normal.", "He says he became lead pastor about four years ago after inheriting a multi-site church that had passed through a moral failure, a three-year pastor, a year without a pastor, $10 million in debt, and a $400,000 operating deficit.", "His central claim is that leadership is change, progress is not guaranteed, and leaders have to match pace and effort to the people they are asking to move.", "He builds that case with Mark 10:42-45, marathon pacing, and William Bridges' transition framework, then argues that clarity, restraint, and grief are part of healthy change."]

    Nov 6, 2025·52m·5 clips
  123. 123

    Spiritual Dynamics of Leadership - Jonathan Stells

    Hidden gem

    Jonathan Stells teaches at MFI Leaders Podcast around the theme of leading by the Spirit of God, after honoring Daryl, Manna House, John John, Pastor Mike, and Pastor Elizabeth.

    Nov 6, 2025·1h 1m·4 clips
  124. 124

    Church Marketing That Works - Jacob Schmelzer

    Hidden gem

    Jacob Schmelzer of Joy Church in Eugene describes growing a church planted in a living room in 2016 to more than 2,000 people by Easter.

    Nov 6, 2025·49m·3 clips
  125. 125

    How to Build a Building, When You Don't Know How - Matt Molt

    A pastor shares four practical steps for building or remodeling a church facility, emphasizing spiritual guidance and practical planning.

    Nov 6, 2025·57m
  126. 126

    Choosing and Becoming the Right Leader for Youth - Bob & Landon Grimm

    Hidden gem

    Bob Grimm argues in MFI Leaders Podcast that youth ministry matters because "our God thinks generationally," citing Malachi 4 and "the hearts of the fathers" turning to "the children." Landon Grimm says the church's future health depends on whether leaders treat youth ministry as a call, not "a career" or "a stepping stone." They describe a generational turn that starts with older leaders, then shows up in sacrifice, trust, and shared ministry across ages.

    Nov 6, 2025·45m·2 clips
  127. 127

    Anointed For The Now And The Next - Jon Jon Wilkins

    Nov 5, 2025·53m
  128. 128

    Thy Kingdom Come - Bob MacGregor

    Nov 5, 2025·1h 7m
  129. 129

    Vision Carriers For The Long Haul - Dave Patterson

    Nov 5, 2025·50m
  130. 130

    Leaders Who Suffer Well - Andrew Damazio

    Nov 5, 2025·44m
  131. 131

    These Are The Good Ole Days - Raydeane Owens

    Nov 5, 2025·37m
  132. 132

    Teach Me How To Stand - Tyrone D. Jones

    A pastor delivers an encouraging sermon at a Ministers Fellowship International event, expressing gratitude and honoring family.

    Nov 5, 2025·38m
  133. 133

    5x7 Session - Amreitha Jeeva

    Nov 5, 2025·7m
  134. 134

    5x7 Session - Austin Molt

    Nov 5, 2025·8m
  135. 135

    5x7 Session - Chip Kawalsingh

    Nov 5, 2025·7m
  136. 136

    5x7 Session - Erika Wilkins

    Nov 5, 2025·7m
  137. 137

    5x7 Session - Seth Owens

    Nov 5, 2025·7m
  138. 138

    Foundations Panel - Bill Scheidler, Roxy Iverson, Steve Schmelzer, Ken Wilde & Jess Strickland

    Nov 5, 2025·48m
  139. 139

    The Power To Pastor - Earl McClellan

    Oct 23, 2025·52m
  140. 140

    Youth & Culture - Landon Grimm

    Nov 25, 2024·42m
  141. 141

    Courage Under Fire - Chip Kawalsingh

    Nov 25, 2024·48m
  142. 142

    A Neglected Strategy: Mastering the Art of the Altar Call - Andrew Cromwell

    Nov 25, 2024·38m
  143. 143

    How to Build a Vertical Church - Chuck Ramsey

    A pastor shares his story of discovering MFI and discusses church leadership principles.

    Nov 25, 2024·48m
  144. 144

    Breakthrough to Amazing Fruitfulness - Dr. Mark Strong

    Nov 25, 2024·34m
  145. 145

    Answering the Call of God On Your Life - Derrill Corbin

    Nov 25, 2024·31m
  146. 146

    An Update From Heaven - Patrick Kiteley

    Nov 25, 2024·48m
  147. 147

    Marketplace Ministry - Mike Rovner & Jude Fouquier

    Nov 25, 2024·33m
  148. 148

    Ask Us Anything - Andrew Damazio & Nathan Finochio

    Nov 25, 2024·1h 2m
  149. 149

    Campus Clubs Culture - David Wilkins

    Nov 25, 2024·53m
  150. 150

    Pipelines & Pathways for Building a Healthy Worship Team - Angie Prosser

    Nov 25, 2024·46m