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Most people looking for a church start with a Google search. But if someone searched for a church in your area, would they find yours? You might not even know what SEO stands for, but it plays a significant role in helping people discover your church. In this episode, Pete Hughes sits down with search engine optimisation (SEO) specialist Aaron Taylor to unpack simple, practical ways churches can improve their visibility online. Because behind every search is a real person looking for answers.  They discuss: Why your church might be invisible on GoogleQuick wins to help newcomers find your church onlineWhat ChatGPT and AI mean for church outreachReal stories of people finding church through Google and AIAaron Taylor is the General Manager at Prosperity Media, an Australian digital marketing agency specialising in SEO, GEO, and digital PR.  Toolbox:  How to help people find your church on Google article by Aaron TaylorEpisode 394: Social Media for Church Teams Who Don’t Like Social Media (Liz Fong)Credits:  This episode was brought to you by MTS The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library

Tim Dyer joins Gus McCowatt to about what we do when tension surface in a ministry team, and how leaders can respond. They discuss: Why our assumptions about other people can fuel conflictHow poor behaviour can do more damage than the disagreement itselfWhy relational repair needs to come before resolving the issueHow teams can get better at handling disagreementWhat happens when conflict goes underground through gossip, triangulation or avoidanceWhen it’s time to bring in outside helpTim Dyer trained in psychology at Melbourne and Monash Universities before researching and publishing on youth homelessness as a staff worker with Scripture Union Victoria. Besides mentoring pastors and leaders himself, Tim trains Christian leaders in mentoring and pastoral leadership, and consults with churches and denominations on processes which create and support leader and community health.He also trains and supervises denominational church consultancy teams. He has been training mentors in 2 and 3 year non-accredited courses for John Mark Ministries since approximately 2008. He is a member of the Australian Christian Mentoring Network. Toolbox:  Tim presented a full workshop on this content at the Reach Annual Conference this year so if you missed getting along to that or want a refresher make sure to check it out:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOKWnMTrOLsCovenant commitments for Christians in times of tension (a PDF tool on Tim’s website John Mark Extension)John Mark Extension (Tim’s website)Self-care and sustaining ministry course by Tim DyerCredits:  This episode was brought to you by MTS The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library

How do we know if people in our churches are truly growing? In this episode, Paul Grimmond joins Gus McCowatt to explore what it means to pursue pastoral transformation in the messiness of life. What to guard against to not become pastorally passiveWhy information alone doesn’t transform usHow to pastor people through the complexity of real lifeHow to cultivate a culture of godliness in your churchImportance of personal reflectionSigns of healthy maturityPaul Grimmond is the Vice Principal and Head of the Ministry Department at Moore Theological College. Before joining the faculty as Dean of Students he served as Senior Assistant Minister at Unichurch (UNSW), having previously been an editor for Matthias Media, Rector of Unichurch, and author. Toolbox:  Paul presented a full workshop on this content at the Reach Annual Conference this year so if you missed getting along to that or want a refresher make sure to check it out.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtKkv-yp_58&t=5sDangerous Calling by Paul David TrippGetting Over Yourself by Caroline Spencer with intentional reflection insideGrowing Yourself Up by Jenny BrownCredits:  This episode was brought to you by MTS The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library

Al Stewart shares 28 of the craziest, most counterintuitive lessons he has learnt from his time in ministry. There are gems of wisdom for all stages of ministry life. You won't hear this stuff in a textbook! Sadly, this is Scott’s final episode on The One Thing whilst being Executive Director before he moves to the US! Al Stewart has worked with FIEC, City Bible Forum, Geneva Push and Katoomba Christian Convention, as well as serving as a bishop and director within the Sydney Diocese of the Anglican Church. Toolbox:  Scott Sanders and Al Stewart did two more great episodes before this one: Ep 464: What 15 years of church planting taught Al Stewart Ep 465: Vital things a senior minister needs to know Al Stewart’s 28 ministry lessons Here is the full list from Al’s notes for this episode, grouped by theme for you to share and discuss with your team. As Al explains, these are practical observations from his years in ministry. Try taking one or two at a time in a staff meeting. Planning and time management If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing badly.Spontaneity must be carefully planned.Shooting a dead horse is the hardest thing to do.The way to work hard is to think about your holidays first.Have as few unused holidays as possible when the Lord returns.Church meetings Less is more.If you want them to stay longer, finish earlier.Meetings in general The way to appear wise is to keep your mouth shut.The most important thing in starting a meeting is the finishing time.The most important part of a meeting happens a week before the meeting.Appointing and managing staff You work for the people who work for you.More staff will cost you more time.Test their eyes, don’t just count them.You will never have enough leaders trained.Resilience The job of Jesus is already taken, and it’s not you.We died with Christ, but you don’t have to die at your post.Disappointing people: the bad news is it’s inevitable you will disappoint some people; the good news is we often get to choose who.Preach the gospel, die and be forgotten.Dealing with problem people “I shouldn’t really tell you this, but …”Sheep biteNo good deed goes unpunished.An angry face needs face to face.A pastor should have one deaf ear, one blind eye.The best way to stop fires is by strategically lighting them.Communication The best way to keep a secret is to put it in the weekly newsletter.If you can’t say it as a tattoo, you haven’t got clarity.Confidential conversations are the best way to spread a message through the congregation.Inefficient communication can be most efficient.On lesson 27, Al adds an important qualification in the conversation: don’t share anything that must be kept confidential. Credits:  This episode was brought to you by MTS The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library

A senior minister has an enormous influence on whether their team is healthy. After more than 40 years of ministry leadership, Al Stewart has learnt a few things the hard way. In this episode, Scott Sanders sits down with Al to unpack the lessons, mistakes and wisdom that only come from decades of leading people. They talk about the tensions every ministry leader navigates: caring for people while still having hard conversations, building trust without avoiding conflict, knowing when someone needs to move on, and what to do when you realise you’ve got it wrong. The competing tensions in building a teamWorking for the people who work for youWhy senior ministers set the culture of their teamsWhy bosses are the biggest single factor in whether staff enjoy their job Al Stewart has worked with FIEC, City Bible Forum, Geneva Push and Katoomba Christian Convention, as well as serving as a bishop and director within the Sydney Diocese of the Anglican Church. Toolbox:  Growth and Change by Andrew Heard  Who’s Holding The Umbrella by Bill Jaegar (this book is unfortunately out of print so we could not provide a link, but have a look on places like Ebay and Facebook marketplace - if you are really desperate for a copy Gus McCowatt in the Reach office has a copy) Credits:  This episode was brought to you by MTS The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library

New churches reach new people. So why is planting still such hard work? Scott Sanders catches up with Al Stewart to look back on 15 years of Geneva Push and Reach Australia: wins, mistakes and pushback. Why denominations can get in the way of plantingThe challenges of planting in established ministry contextsWhy new churches are often better placed to reach new peopleWhat we’ve learned about supporting planters well Al Stewart has worked with FIEC, City Bible Forum, Geneva Push and Katoomba Christian Convention, as well as serving as a bishop and director within the Sydney Diocese of the Anglican Church. Toolbox:  Church Planting Podcast  Church Planter Questionnaire  Support Planting Financially Credits:  This episode was brought to you by MTS The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library

We finally tackle all the awkward small group questions we’ve been avoiding.  In the final episode of this three-part series, Scott Sanders and Richard Sweatman, discuss the topics about small groups they avoided in the first two episodes. We explore:  Unhealthy groupsLow participationFinding enough leadersWhether AI has a place in writing Bible study materialKnowing when pastoral care needs to be escalatedGiving honest feedbackWhether ministry staff should be in groupsRichard Sweatman is an author and assistant pastor at Hunter Bible Church in Newcastle.  Toolbox:  Ep 201 Difficult Conversations Between A Church Leader and Staff Member Part 1 of this mini series: Ep 461 The hidden decisions behind every small groups ministry Part 2 of this mini series: Ep 462 Your small groups are only as healthy as their leaders Wisdom in Leadership by Craig Hamilton Being a Small Group Leader by Richard Sweatman Writing a Small Group Study by Richard Sweatman DISCOUNT CODE: THE1THING for 30% off at Matthias Media when you purchase 10 or more of either of Richard’s books Credits:  This episode was brought to you by MTS The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library

Healthy small groups don’t happen by accident. Your small groups are only as strong as the leaders you’re raising. So how do you find the right people, prepare them well, and keep helping them grow once they’re leading? In part two of this three-part series, Scott Sanders talks with Richard Sweatman, author and assistant pastor at Hunter Bible Church in Newcastle, about how churches can identify, develop and support small-group leaders well. They explore: what to look for in a future leaderhow to develop people before they leadwhat good support actually looks likehow leaders shape the health of a groupthe signs your small-group ministry is growing stronger Toolbox:  Last weeks ep  Being a Small Group Leader by Richard Sweatman Writing a Small Group Study by Richard Sweatman DISCOUNT CODE: THE1THING for 30% off at Matthias Media when you purchase 10 or more of either of Richard’s books Small Group Toolbox Podcast Credits:  This episode was brought to you by MTS The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library

What if the most important decisions about your small groups are the ones you've never stopped to think about? In this episode, Scott Sanders chats with Richard Sweatman, author and assistant pastor at Hunter Bible Church in Newcastle, to unpack the hidden decisions that shape every small groups ministry. Whether you've inherited responsibility for small groups or you're rethinking how they fit into the life of your church this episode is for you. Key highlights: Clarifying your small group purposeDefining small group successChoosing small group structuresSmall group pathwaysCurriculum and leadershipPractical questions you should ask before making changes Toolbox:  Being a Small Group Leader by Richard Sweatman Writing a Small Group Study by Richard Sweatman DISCOUNT CODE: THE1THING for 30% off at Matthias Media when you purchase 10 or more of either of Richard’s books The One Thing Ep 418: Measuring small group health with Richard Sweatman Growth Groups by Colin Marshall Leading Small Groups That Thrive by Ryan T. Hartwig, Courtney W. Davis & Jason A. Sniff Iron Sharpens Iron by Orlando Saer Credits:  This episode was brought to you by MTS The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library

If the preaching is faithful, why doesn't the conversation continue after the service? Tony Payne joins Scott Sanders to explore why every Christian is called to speak God's Word to one another. Discover how simple, everyday conversations can become one of God's primary ways of growing disciples and building a healthy church. Tony is an author, and the Director of the Centre for Christian Living and lectures in theology, philosophy and ethics at Moore College in Sydney. Toolbox:  Let the Word Dwell Richly by Tony Payne  DISCOUNT CODE: tpra20 Six Steps to Loving Your Church by Tony Payne Centre for Christian Living website Credits:  This episode was brought to you by MTS The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library

If your church is expecting 18-year-olds to connect the same way 32-year-olds do, you’ll lose them before they ever put down roots. In this episode, Scott Sanders is joined by Ray Copland and Holly Stewart from EV Church to unpack why young adults need a different approach to church life. Along with practical ideas to keep these young adults connected.  The importance of community for this age groupWhy belonging often comes before commitmentHow relational pathways can be more effective than formal programsPractical ideas to help bridge the gap from youth group to adult churchRay Copland is the Membership Pastor at EV Church, and Holly Stewart is a third year MTS apprentice at EV Night Church.   Toolbox:  Community and Integration Learning Lab Part 1 by Tim Clemens Community and Integration Learning Lab Part 2 by Madeleine Galea The One Thing Ep 177: Better Welcoming Part 1 The One Thing Ep 178: Better Welcoming Part 2 The One Thing Ep 47: Effective Integration  Credits:  This episode was brought to you by MTS The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library

If your church is waiting until every seat is full before adding another service, are you waiting too long? In this episode, Derek Hanna talks with Ben Mansfield and Petrina Enchelmaier from Southside Presbyterian, Brisbane about why they started planning a second Sunday service four years before they needed one. They share: The convictions behind the decisionHow they led their church through changeThe mistakes they avoidedOpportunities created for mission and discipleship Toolbox:  Southside Presbyterian’s Service Multiplication Planning Booklet Southside Presbyterian’s Role Description Templates Working Genius Credits:  This episode was brought to you by MTS The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library

Someone becomes a Christian. What happens next? Every church wants to help new Christians get established in the faith, but that's often easier said than done. One person might be a 21-year-old university student. Another might be a 50-year-old dad. They won't have the same questions, they'll need different people around them, and they won't all fit into the same follow-up course or pathway. In this episode, Scott Sanders talks with Adrian Haynes, Mission Pastor at EV Church, about what he's learned from following up new Christians. Toolbox:  Ep 284 Reignite Your Conversion Engine - The One Thing  Conversion Engine - Reach Australia Podcast Follow Up to the Conversion Engine - Reach Australia Podcast Credits:  The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library

Why do some Christians give joyfully while others give reluctantly? Most of us know generosity is good. Yet many Christians still approach giving reluctantly, defensively, or simply as another bill to pay. Tish Maier talks with Des Smith about why that gap exists and how churches can help people move towards joyful, gospel-shaped generosity. They discuss gratitude, sacrifice, stewardship, and practical ways to cultivate hearts that delight in giving rather than merely feeling obligated to do it. Des is the Senior Pastor of Trinity Church Lockleys Adelaide and Tish is the Support Raising Manager at Reach Australia.  Toolbox: Part 1: Ep 455 When giving is uncomfortable instead of cheerful in your church (Des Smith) Generosity Path Credits:  The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library

Your church may find it easier to avoid talking about money altogether. But Jesus didn’t. In this episode, Tish sits down with Des Smith, Senior Pastor of Trinity Church Lockleys Adelaide and author of The Cheerful Giver, to explore how churches can move beyond awkward fundraising conversations and cultivate a genuine culture of generosity. Des shares why generosity is far more than a budget issue, it’s a discipleship issue. Together they unpack why Christians should talk about giving, how to avoid guilt-driven appeals, practical ways to encourage generosity from the front, and how churches can model generosity with their time, talents and resources. Toolbox: Des Smith’s article on generosity: https://reachaustralia.com.au/cultivating-a-culture-of-generosity-in-churches-a-conversation-with-des-smith/The Cheerful Giver by Des SmithJourney of Generosity by Des SmithThe Generosity Project by Tony Payne and Geoff Robson⁠Generosity Path⁠Credits:  The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠ To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠ For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Support Reach Australia's online library