{"podcast":{"title":"Pastors Thriving | Ministry, Leadership, Discipleship, Church Growth, Small Church Strategies","slug":"pastors-thriving-ministry-leadership-discipleship-church-growth-small-church-strategies-6589021","podcast_index_feed_id":6589021,"rss_url":"https://media.rss.com/kevinelworthunplugged/feed.xml","website_url":"http://www.pastorsthriving.com","image_url":"https://media.rss.com/kevinelworthunplugged/20240601_110619_eb9f1dfa08fcb16867f48f3494be5110.png","author":"Kevin Elworth-Business & Ministry Coach, Passive Income, Entrepreneur Pastor, Ministry Marketing","episode_count":142,"summary":"The SOURCE for Pastor help, encouragement, strategies for growth and Leadership Hey Pastor! Do you wish you knew the secret to growing your church while finding balance between ministry and your family? Do you find yourself updating your resume and browsing the job ads on ministryjobs.com ? Do you want to develop leaders within your church to relieve the burden from your shoulders, but instead you’re constantly dealing with drama and conflict? You’re in the right place. Welcome to Pastors Thriving, where you will learn the secrets to leadership growth in your church - spiritually, numerically, and financially. You’ll learn how to equip and develop your staff and congregation so that you don’t have to feel alone on this journey - and enjoy the ministry that you’ve been called to once again. Hi, I’m Kevin. Twenty-year ministry veteran, husband of a powerhouse wife, the father of 5 wonderful kids, and lover of Jesus powered by coffee and tacos. It wasn’t long ago that I grew a church from zero to 700 in five short years and wrestled with the trauma and drama that goes along with intense church growth. It wasn’t until I learned the power of creativity and how I could harness it to lea…","last_synced_at":"2026-06-18T20:17:17.951612+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/pastors-thriving-ministry-leadership-discipleship-church-growth-small-church-strategies-6589021"},"episode":{"title":"100 - Why Isolated Pastors Stop Growing (And What to Do Instead)","slug":"100-why-isolated-pastors-stop-growing-and-what-to-do-instead","published_at":"2026-04-14T19:02:15+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/pastors-thriving-ministry-leadership-discipleship-church-growth-small-church-strategies-6589021/100-why-isolated-pastors-stop-growing-and-what-to-do-instead","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/pastors-thriving-ministry-leadership-discipleship-church-growth-small-church-strategies-6589021","url":"https://rss.com/podcasts/kevinelworthunplugged/2735499","audio_url":"https://content.rss.com/episodes/226009/2735499/kevinelworthunplugged/2026_04_14_18_35_56_e2f275fd-cd25-4ff0-ab41-00a086701854.mp3","summary":"Episode 100 didn’t start the way Kevin expected. After recording a polished version, something didn’t sit right—so he scrapped it. What follows is a real, unfiltered conversation about something many pastors are experiencing but rarely name: Isolation. When pressure builds, many pastors don’t reach out—they pull back. But what feels safe in the moment often becomes the very thing that limits growth. In this episode, Kevin shares personal stories, hard-earned lessons, and a clear truth: Growth doesn’t come from carrying more. It comes from getting connected. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: Why pastors tend to isolate under pressure The hidden cost of trying to carry leadership alone A personal reflection on missed growth opportunities Why authenticity is not enough without intentional development How God often answers prayers through people—not just moments The connection between humility and growth Key Takeaways: Isolation Feels Safe—but It Stalls Growth When things get heavy, the instinct is to pull back. But that’s when connection matters most. Authenticity Isn’t the Same as Growth Being real is powerful—but without intentional development, growth stalls. You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know And growth begins when you invite someone in who can help you see what you can’t. God Often Answers Through People The very thing you’ve been praying for may already be in front of you—if you’re willing to receive it. Key Quote: “The single greatest element of growth you will ever receive will come through your ability to get connected to people.” A Message of Hope: What you’re looking for in this next season of ministry… …it’s findable. It may already be unfolding in front of you. But it will require the courage to step toward it. Resource Mentioned: Church Engagement Assessment…","meta_description":"Episode 100 didn’t start the way Kevin expected. After recording a polished version, something didn’t sit right—so he scrapped it. What follows is a real,…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1535,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/pastors-thriving-ministry-leadership-discipleship-church-growth-small-church-strategies-6589021/episodes/100-why-isolated-pastors-stop-growing-and-what-to-do-instead/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/pastors-thriving-ministry-leadership-discipleship-church-growth-small-church-strategies-6589021/100-why-isolated-pastors-stop-growing-and-what-to-do-instead.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}