We’re back!

In the Season 2 opener, Phil and Richard kick things off with honesty, humor, and a fresh desire to grow. After an unplanned break (and a few ministry curveballs), the guys share five ways they’re aiming to do ministry better-ish — because improvement matters, but perfection isn’t the goal.

They unpack lessons learned from the past year, talk about the importance of prioritizing family and soul health, and share what’s ahead for Ministry Mix: more authentic conversations, deeper community, and even some new ideas like “micro-conferences” designed for ministry leaders who are tired of being overproduced and under-encouraged.

Whether you’re a pastor, church leader, or creative trying to balance calling and chaos, this episode will make you laugh, nod, and maybe even rethink how you’re defining “better.”

5 Highlights from the Conversation

1. “We love you listeners, but my family and our church come first.”
   Healthy leaders prioritize what matters most. Boundaries are biblical.
2. “We’re never going to be the most produced podcast — we’re just real conversations.”
   Authentic > impressive. Leaders crave honest spaces to think and process.
3. “We’re moving from a podcast about ministry to a ministry of a podcast.”
   The vision for Ministry Mix is expanding — from content to community.
4. “What if conferences were short, powerful, and real?”
   The idea of micro-conferences — bite-sized, intentional gatherings for real growth.

What You’ll Hear

• Why Season 2 took a pause (and why that’s okay)
• How to avoid burnout by focusing on what matters
• The danger of measuring ministry by production value
• What it means to build a ministry community, not just an audience
• A sneak peek at what’s coming this year

Quotes Worth Sharing

“You don’t need polish to have purpose.”

“Better doesn’t mean bigger — it means healthier.”

“When ministry feels dead, remember: resurrection is kind of God’s thing.”

Listen, Laugh, and Rethink “Better”

If you’re a ministry leader who’s tired of trying to keep up, this episode will remind you that growth happens in grace — and that sometimes better-ish is exactly where God wants you.

Connect with Ministry Mix

Leading While Hurting: Showing Up When You’re Struggling

What do you do when your soul is limping but the sermon still needs to be preached? In this vulnerable episode of Ministry Mix, Phil and Richard open up about what it’s like to keep leading when you’re tired, grieving, burned out, or just broken. They share honest stories of preaching through pain, shepherding with a heavy heart, and discovering how Jesus meets leaders not after the storm—but in it.

If you’ve ever had to lead while hurting, you’re not alone. And you’re not disqualified.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership doesn’t stop when life gets hard—but it should get more honest.
• You don’t have to pretend to be okay to be effective.
• Hurting doesn’t make you a bad leader—it makes you a human one.
• God often ministers through us while He’s ministering to us.
• Authenticity in pain opens doors that polish never could.

Practical Soul-First Leadership Tips:

• Admit when you’re hurting—to yourself and to someone else.
• You can bleed and still bless. Jesus did.
• Find small ways to rest even when retreat isn’t possible.
• Don’t lead from your wounds, but don’t hide them either.
• God can still use you—especially when you feel weak.

In this practical episode of Ministry Mix, Phil and Richard walk through 10 ways to better understand the place where you live and lead. Whether you're planting a church, revitalizing a congregation, or just trying to be a more thoughtful neighbor, knowing your city is a key part of effective ministry.

From demographics to diners, prayer walking to property tax data, this episode gives leaders a real-world framework for discovering the rhythms, pain points, and potential of their community.

If you want to stop guessing and start engaging—this one’s for you.

10 Ways to Understand Your City:

1. Drive with Intentionality – Pay attention to neighborhoods, signage, businesses, and cultural markers.
2. Eat at Local Spots – You’ll learn what people love, talk about, and value.
3. Study Demographics – Use census data, city websites, and school stats to know who’s there.
4. Walk and Pray – Nothing replaces being on the ground with your eyes and heart open.
5. Visit City Council or School Board Meetings – Hear what people are fighting for and against.
6. Study What’s Being Built – Growth tells a story: housing, retail, parks, and schools all have meaning.
7. Follow the Money – What gets funded gets attention. Study city budgets, grants, and investments.
8. Talk to Longtime Residents – They carry memory, nuance, and pain newer folks miss.
9. Listen to Local Podcasts or Facebook Groups – See what people are celebrating, complaining about, and rallying around.
10. Look for Spiritual History – Ask where God has moved before and what spiritual strongholds remain.

Bonus Application Tips:

• Create a shared document to collect findings as a team.
• Map what ministries and churches already exist.
• Pray, “God, help me see what You see.”