Best Matt Steen Podcasts (2024)

1
Ep. 089 | Kenny Winfrey: How Software Impacts Headquarters & Denominations 19:01

7d ago19:01

19:01

In this episode, we sit down with Kenny Winfrey, a church tech consultant with over 17 years of experience working with churches, denominations, and headquarters. We explore how software impacts headquarters and denominations, optimizing their operations for greater ministry impact. In this conversation, we discuss: Software's role in church headqu…

1
Episode 26: Offseason Offerings 1:33:18

3h ago1:33:18

1:33:18

Hockey is right around the corner! Offer sheets and other offseason antics. To say that hockey has been silent in the Summer would be an outright lie. Chris and Joe offer their insights into a very unconventional move done by the Blues, all of the new additions, give some initial season predictions, and we also pay tribute to the late Johnny Gaudre…

1
Ep 085: The Necessity of Being Offended by Jesus, with Chase Replogle 45:19

1d ago45:19

45:19

Karl Vaters talks with Chase Replogle about one of the most controversial, but unavoidable topics today—living with offense without being offended. This material comes from his just-released book, A Sharp Compassion: 7 Hard Words to Heal Our Insecurities and Free Us from Offense. Karl and Chase talk about why offense is a necessary part of life, ho…

1
Ep 088 | Angela Hill Goudy: How Technology Can Help Your Church Grow 38:27

14d ago38:27

38:27

In this episode, we sit down with Angela Hill Goudy, a seasoned church technology consultant. We explore how technology can be leveraged to foster church growth and enhance engagement. In this conversation, we discuss: Using church tech the right way. Technology aiding discipleship and outreach. Overcoming small church challenges. Engagement throug…

1
Ep. 087 | Terry Thompson: How to Make A Big Impact With a Small Church 22:35

21d ago22:35

22:35

In this episode, we sit down with Terry Thompson, founder of Small Church USA and former Lead Pastor (and current Leadership Development Pastor) of Rock Point Church in Crawfordsville, Indiana. We explore how small churches can make a significant impact and overcome common challenges with focused strategy and community engagement. In this conversat…

1
Ep 084: How To Do A Great Trunk-or-Treat At Your Church, with Darrell Stetler 47:02

15d ago47:02

47:02

In September and October over 1.2 million people will search online for “Trunk-or-Treat near me.” Here’s how to be one of the churches they find. Karl Vaters talks with Darrell Stetler about practical steps to help churches of any size put on a high-quality, gospel-centered Trunk-or-Treat event. Darrell is a small-church pastor in Oklahoma City and…

1
Ep. 086 | Marc Estes: How To Effectively Reach People In The Digital Age 40:07

27d ago40:07

40:07

In this episode, we sit down with Marc Estes, co-founder and CEO of Visitor Reach, an innovative platform that helps your church connect with your city. We explore the challenges and opportunities of reaching people in the digital age and how technology is transforming church engagement. In this conversation, we discuss: Changes in reaching people …

1
Ep. 085 | Matt Steen: Leading A Flourishing Church Staff 36:45

1M ago36:45

36:45

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Steen, co-founder of Chemistry Staffing, pastor, church planter, and executive pastor with over two decades of ministry experience. We explore the intricacies of leading a flourishing church staff and the evolving challenges in church operations. In this conversation, we discuss: Finding personnel for ministry…

1
Ep 083: Flyover Church: Jesus' Ministry in Rural Places, with Brad Roth 45:42

29d ago45:42

45:42

Karl Vaters talks with Brad Roth about the content from his new book, Flyover Church: How Jesus’ Ministry in Rural Places Is Good News Everywhere, for which Karl wrote the foreword. Topics include: How the rural church is different from the city and suburban church, not just in scale, but in type How metrics are very different in the rural church T…

1
Ep. 084 | Kirk Vander Molen & Vicki Conn: Increasing Community Impact Through Pursuing Unity 40:00

1M ago40:00

40:00

In this episode, we sit down with Kirk Vander Molen, National Executive Director of Love Inc., and Vicki Conn, Executive Director of Love Inc. in Greater Holmes County. We explore how churches can increase community impact by pursuing unity and collaboration. In this conversation, we discuss: Outreach's essential role in a healthy church. Building …

1
Ep. 083 | Mark MacDonald: Exploring the Future of Church Communication 38:17

2M ago38:17

38:17

In this episode, we sit down with Mark MacDonald, an expert church branding strategist, pastor, marketer, and creative director. Discover how to navigate the evolving landscape of church communication and effectively connect with your congregation in the digital era. Key Topics Discussed: Empathizing with Your Church Audience: Learn strategies to u…

1
Episode 25: Yoda Man (Alexander Steen Episode) 1:28:38

2M ago1:28:38

1:28:38

FINALLY! 25 Episodes!!! It's a personal milestone for us and to celebrate, we're highlighting not only some offseason news, but also the announcement of Alexander Steen being elevated to GM after the 2025-26 season! We weigh in on the promotion and also offer a retrospective on his legendary career with the 'Note. Thank you for liking, listening an…

1
Ep 082: Pastoring Difficult People, with Craig T. Owens 55:38

1M ago55:38

55:38

Sometimes pastors are our own worst enemy, so we need to recognize that God chose us for this work. There’s probably not a single pastor (at least not a long-term pastor) who can’t relate to the title of Craig T Owens’ latest book, When Sheep Bite: Help for Shepherd Leaders Who May Have Felt the Painful Bites. In this conversation, Karl Vaters talk…

1
Ep. 082 | Tim Popadic: How to Use Technology To Reach Your Neighbors 36:40

2M ago36:40

36:40

In this episode, we sit down with Tim Popadic, the executive director of the Bless app, who has 15 years of experience championing technology-driven, city-wide endeavors for the Kingdom. We explore how the technology can empower churches to build meaningful relationships to reach their neighbors. In this conversation, we discuss: Using technology t…

1
Ep. 081 | Kacie & Scott: 7 Ways To Ruin A Worship Service Before It Begins 31:26

2M ago31:26

31:26

In this episode, Scott & Kacie talk about the key factors in planning high-impact worship services. With a combined 25+ years of worship-leading experience, they walk through lessons learned, wisdom gained, and powerful advice for service planning. In this conversation, they discuss: How to ensure your team prepares. The importance of details in se…

1
Ep 081: Should Your Church Consider the Microchurch Model?, with Frank Wooden 49:27

2M ago49:27

49:27

Karl Vaters talks with Frank Wooden about Microchurches. Frank has been a church planter for decades, but is now concentrating on the Microchurch model as a valid, healthy alternative in a changing cultural landscape. Karl and Frank talk about: What Microchurch is Why it’s so appealing right now Some cautions to be aware of Three reasons the Microc…

1
Ep. 80 | Matt & Andrea Harris: How Churches Can Get More Admin Done In Less Time 27:47

2M ago27:47

27:47

In this episode, we sit down with Matt and Andrea Harris from Luke 9:23 ministries. Matt has over 30 years of full-time ministry experience and Andrea brings over 25 years of nonprofit experience. We explore strategies for churches to streamline administrative tasks, allowing leaders to focus more on ministry. In this conversation, we discuss: How …

1
Ep. 079 | Anthony Dicks: How Pastors Can Thrive In The Midst Of Adversity 43:43

3M ago43:43

43:43

In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Dicks, senior leadership consultant at 180 Management Group and seasoned pastor with over 26 years in ministry. We explore how pastors can thrive amid adversity and transform their challenges into opportunities for growth. In this conversation, we discuss: What we can learn from Jesus' model for holiness in…

1
Ep 080: Practical Ideas that Work In Small Churches, with Laurie Acker 33:29

2M ago33:29

33:29

Karl Vaters talks with Laurie Acker about the changing face of small church ministry, especially as it relates to recruiting, training, and relying on the volunteers who are so essential in helping small churches survive and thrive in a changing world. Laurie runs SmallChurchMinistry.com, an online ministry that provides resources and support for v…

1
Ep. 078 | Alex Wilson: Growing Generosity With Stock & Crypto 27:09

3M ago27:09

27:09

This episode features a conversation with Alex Wilson, co-founder of The Giving Block and expert in stock and crypto donations. We discuss the opportunities for generosity that stock and crypto donations present as well as: Understanding common myths about donating stock and crypto. What are the benefits of accepting non-cash assets? How to simplif…

1
Ep. 077 | Nathan Nelson: How To Approach Short-Term Missions For Lasting Impact 42:09

3M ago42:09

42:09

In this episode, we sit down with Nathan Nelson, pastor of mission and outreach at Bethany Community Church in Seattle who brings extensive experience in church-based community development and short-term missions. We explore transforming short-term missions for lasting global impact and ensuring genuine kingdom impact. In this conversation, we disc…

1
Ep 079: Church Collaboration and Killing Consumerism in a Post-Christian Context, with Dan Nichols 49:45

3M ago49:45

49:45

Pastoring in a post-Christian context is different. The more counter-cultural our faith becomes, the more important it is to understand that Christian consumerism is deadly and church cooperation is essential. Karl Vaters talks with Dan Nichols about these subjects, including: Negotiating a cultural shift in a longstanding church Partnering with ot…

1
Ep. 076 | Dr. John Plake: Understanding How Americans View The Bible & Technology 43:54

3M ago43:54

43:54

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. John Plake, Chief Innovation Officer at the American Bible Society who also brings 30+ years of full-time ministry experience as a pastor, missionary, professor, and researcher. We explore new research John and his team have cultivated on how Americans engage with the Bible and technology. In this conversation,…

1
Ep. 075 | Josh Denhart: How To Navigate Change in Ministry 35:53

3M ago35:53

35:53

In this episode, we sit down again with Josh Denhart, former children's pastor and founder of Lead Ministry, a master course & download system to help ministry leaders. In this episode, we explore effective strategies for navigating change in ministry and discuss: Why empathy is essential during change. How to handle pushback from change initiative…

1
Ep 078: De-sizing the Church (pt 10): First Reactions from Church Leaders 31:35

3M ago31:35

31:35

As we come to the end of our ten-part series based on De-sizing the Church, we’re highlighting portions of conversations Karl Vaters had with five church leaders from various backgrounds about their first reactions to reading the book. Drew Dyck (author and editor) talks about the dangers of Christian celebrity. Peyton Jones (author and church plan…

1
Episode 24: The Boys are Back! (Relaunch Episode) 1:12:22

4M ago1:12:22

1:12:22

It has been a long time coming, but WE HAVE RETURNED! This podcast was on the brink of shutting down, but we missed each other and we missed providing you all our insights into our beloved St. Louis Blues. Chris and Joe catch up on life, the state of the Blues franchise currently (UPDATE: Bannister was elevated to Head Coach), the Stanley Cup Playo…

1
Ep. 074 | J.P. De Gance: How Healthy Relationships Strengthen Healthy Churches 38:49

4M ago38:49

38:49

In this episode, we sit down with J.P. De Gance, founder and president of Communio. We explore how healthy relationships and marriages positively impact churches and the transformative impact that can have on communities and beyond. In this conversation, we discuss: Why churches should normalize investing in the health of marriages. How to coach ef…

1
Ep 077: De-Sizing The Church (pt 9): The Danger of Idolizing Outcomes, with Mike Rubino 19:38

4M ago19:38

19:38

Karl Vaters talks with Mike Rubino about his First Reaction to the first chapter of De-sizing the Church, The Danger of Idolizing Outcomes. Karl and Mike look at: The difference between a church that is trending or transforming The biggest mistakes churches make regarding metrics Why “idolatry” is not too strong a term for how many churches and pas…

1
Ep. 073 | Patrick Weikle: Reaching Gen Z & Using Technology In The Right Ways 58:10

4M ago58:10

58:10

In this episode, we sit down with Patrick Weikle, the lead youth pastor at United City Church in Humble, Texas, and co-owner of Simply Strategic Ministry. We delve into the nuances of reaching Gen Z and the effective use of technology in ministry. Episode Highlights: Why Youth Ministry Needs to Evolve. How to Personalize Church Assimilation Process…

1
Ep 076: De-Sizing the Church (pt 8): Are We Too Quick to Replatform Fallen Pastors? with Matt Steen 24:25

4M ago24:25

24:25

A conversation with Matt Steen about the potential dangers of replatforming fallen pastors too quickly. This is the first of three First Reaction episodes in which I talk to people who read advance copies of De-sizing the Church to get their response to some of the issues I raise in it. As the co-founder of Chemistry Staffing, which helps churches …

1
Ep. 072 | Kendall Conner: Improving Church Communication With Visual Engagement 41:42

4M ago41:42

41:42

In this episode, we sit down with Kendall Conner, a ministry-focused creative with 20+ years of experience both serving as a creative pastor and supporting ministries with creative resources at Church Motion Graphics. We explore how visual engagement can enhance church communication and cut through the noise. In this conversation, we discuss: Why v…

1
Episode 23: Attack of the Avs! (ft. Matt and Steven Webster) 1:06:21

4M ago1:06:21

1:06:21

Before we return with all new content, it would only be fitting to drop the only other episode that was recorded in 2023. This was a continuation of our Rivalries series (which we will continue in a different format), highlighting and lowlighting the moments in Blues franchise history versus the Colorado Avalanche. We recorded this in tandem with o…

1
Ep 075: De-Sizing the Church (pt 7) How To Use Your God-given Platform Well, with Daniel Darling 29:11

4M ago29:11

29:11

Fame and celebrity have many downsides. But Daniel Darling brings a balanced approach to this subject by reminding us that fame is also what allows a good message to get through the clutter. In this episode, Karl talks with Dan about a Twitter thread Dan wrote expressing appreciation for the fame of Tim Keller. It was Tim Keller's platform and the …

1
Ep. 071 | Travis Spencer: Living A Fulfilled Life as a Church Leader 36:10

4M ago36:10

36:10

In this episode, we sit down with Pastor Travis Spencer, author of "Wonderful: How to Live a Fulfilled Life in a Very Full World" and Lead Pastor of The Fields Church, a multi-site church in Illinois. We explore the keys to fulfillment and longevity in church leadership and discuss: How to prioritize personal health and avoid burnout in ministry. D…

1
Ep 074: De-Sizing the Church (pt 6): Reframing Ministry Success to Reach the Misfits and the Marginalized, with Dave Gibbons 38:45

4M ago38:45

38:45

What happens when a pastor sets out, not to minister to people who look like him, but to purposely reach people who look as different from his current congregation as possible? That’s what Dave Gibbons, the founding pastor of Newsong Church in Orange County, CA did. In this episode, Karl Vaters talks with him about the planting of Newsong, the chal…

1
Ep. 070 | Dirk Smith: Keys to Impactful Donor Engagement 50:30

5M ago50:30

50:30

In this episode, we sit down with Dirk Smith, Vice President at Eastern European Mission and an expert in donor engagement and fundraising. We explore effective strategies for engaging donors and fostering deep connections that can significantly impact generosity in the church. In this conversation, we discuss: Importance of relationships in fundra…

1
Ep 073: De-Sizing the Church (pt 5): Forming a Goodness Culture In the Local Church, with Scot McKnight 39:47

5M ago39:47

39:47

Meritocracy has become embedded in the American church. In this conversation, Karl Vaters talks with Scot McKnight about why this is dangerous, how to notice the warning signs of a toxic church culture, the problems with being or following a narcissistic leader, and more. Scot McKnight is the co-author (with Laura Barringer) of A Church Called Tov:…

1
Ep. 069 | Josh Denhart: Recruiting & Equipping Invested Volunteers 42:49

5M ago42:49

42:49

In this episode, we sit down with Josh Denhart, former children's pastor and founder of Lead Ministry, a master course & download system to help ministry leaders. We explore how to recruit volunteers who are invested in the ministry, why most churches struggle with the 80/20 rule, and how to balance the needs of the ministry with the capacity of vo…

1
Ep 072: De-Sizing the Church (pt 4): Unintended Consequences of the Church Growth Movement, with Bob Smietana 44:42

5M ago44:42

44:42

Karl Vaters interviews Bob Smietana, a columnist for Religion News Service, and the author of Reorganized Religion: The Reshaping of the American Church and Why it Matters. Bob and Karl discuss some of unintended consequences of the Church Growth Movement from Bob's unique vantage point. They also delve into the dangers of bigness and what we can d…

1
Ep. 068 | John Darnell: Mission Work For the Modern Church 40:36

5M ago40:36

40:36

In this episode, we sit down with John Darnell, CEO of Global Outreach, and discuss the shifts and changes in mission work today. We dig into the importance of supporting missionaries and how churches can increase their involvement. Additionally, we discuss: Navigating recent shifts in mission work. Why it's important to broaden the definition of m…

1
A Brief Update……. 3:18

5M ago3:18

3:18

2023 was a kick in the teeth for us. We almost shut this thing down, but your unwavering support and a surprise amount of downloads gave us some inspiration to return, albeit reimagined, with new content. The Blues are in a very promising spot next season, so we think it would only be appropriate to be along for the ride and deliver you all new epi…

1
Ep 071: De-Sizing the Church (pt 3): What Eugene Peterson Is Still Teaching Us About Pastoral Ministry, with Winn Collier 38:07

5M ago38:07

38:07

If small church pastors have a modern patron saint, Eugene Peterson might be it. In this episode, Karl Vaters talks with Peterson’s biographer, Winn Collier about the places where Winn’s book, A Burning in My Bones: The Authorized Biography of Eugene H. Peterson, Translator of The Message, overlaps with Karl's book, De-sizing the Church. They talk …

1
Ep. 067 | Laura Howe: Building an Effective Care Ministry 46:05

5M ago46:05

46:05

In this episode, we sit down with Laura Howe, founder of Hope Made Strong and advocate for mental health and effective care ministry in the church. We explore the crucial interplay between care ministry and mental health within the church community. Building a culture of care within the church. The distinctions between care ministry vs. discipleshi…

1
Ep 070: De-Sizing the Church (pt 2): Why Christian Celebrity Culture Guarantees Moral Failure, with Katelyn Beaty 40:53

5M ago40:53

40:53

One of the biggest dangers of our obsession with church size is the rise of the Christian celebrity culture. Katelyn Beaty is the author of Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits Are Hurting the Church. Katelyn defines celebrity as “social power without proximity.” In this conversation, Karl Vaters talks with Katelyn about what…

1
Ep. 066 | Jeff Simmons: Understanding the Business of Ministry 36:08

6M ago36:08

36:08

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Simmons, founding and lead pastor of Rolling Hills Community Church and president of Justice and Mercy International. Under Jeff's leadership, Rolling Hills has grown from 15 people in a bible study to several thousand across five campuses in the Nashville area. In our conversation, we look at how church leade…

1
Ep 069: De-Sizing the Church (pt 1): How Church Growth Became a Science, Then an Obsession, and What's Next, with Karl Vaters 36:30

5M ago36:30

36:30

We have an unhealthy relationship with bigness in the church. Especially in the American church. And it’s killing us. The rate of church closures, departing members, and pastoral burnout is growing exponentially. This is the first episode of a series of podcasts based on Karl Vaters’ new book, De-Sizing the Church: How Church Growth Became a Scienc…

1
Ep. 065 | Kris Crim: Preventing Child Abuse in the Church 40:22

6M ago40:22

40:22

In this episode, we sit down with Kris Crim, Director of Operations and former Director of Prevention for the Memphis Child Advocacy Center. Kris specializes in child sexual abuse prevention and response training. We tackle the crucial topic of preventing child abuse within the church and learn from Kris's valuable insights and experiences. In this…

1
Ep. 064 | Shaila Visser: Changing Your Perspective On Evangelism 42:16

6M ago42:16

42:16

In this episode, we sit down with Shaila Visser, the National Director of Alpha Canada and global Senior Vice-President for Alpha International. We discuss the topic of evangelism, examine the recent shift in perspective on whether we should evangelize, and explore how church leaders can grow in awareness of the work God is already doing with peopl…

1
Ep 068: The Small Church Worship Advantage, with Teresa Stewart 49:25

6M ago49:25

49:25

Have you ever felt like your church is “less than” because you don’t have a worship experience with the talented musicians you’ve seen in larger churches? According to Teresa Stewart, not only is that not needed for an excellent worship experience, but the small church actually has advantages that are not always available to our big-church friends.…

1
Ep. 063 | Blue Van Dyke: Why Church Communication Often Misses The Mark 45:15

6M ago45:15

45:15

In this episode, we sit down with Blue Van Dyke, former Executive Pastor, International Marketplace Executive, Venture Capitalist, and the founder of The StudioC. We explore the importance of alignment and engagement within the church, focusing on how to effectively communicate through member engagement and messaging strategies while leveraging tec…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Matt Steen Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide