In this special Christmas episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu react in real time to a series of viral Christmas-themed church and Christian videos circulating online. From funny and lighthearted moments to intense theological takes and over-the-top productions, this episode explores how Christians communicate faith during the Christmas season—and how those messages are received by both believers and the watching world.

Scott Ball is joined by co-host and fellow church consultant A.J. Mathieu as they offer candid, unscripted reactions rooted in decades of ministry experience. Together, they discuss pastoral wisdom, cultural engagement, outreach effectiveness, and where well-intended Christmas expressions may help—or hurt—the church's witness.

Chapters

[00:00] Introduction

[02:15] Pastors, humor, and calling out fruitcake from the pulpit

[04:41] "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and why punctuation matters in theology

[07:45] Is Christmas pagan? Responding to extreme anti-Christmas arguments

[12:44] Cross-shaped Christmas trees and symbolic overcorrections

[18:08] "Christmas at the Movies" sermon series—helpful or overdone?

[24:20] Mega-church Christmas productions, ticket prices, and public perception

[34:12] A deeper look at A Christmas Carol and the dangers of moral rigidity

Links & Resources

• Healthy Churches Toolkit - https://healthychurchestoolkit.com
• The Malphurs Group - https://malphursgroup.com
• Facebook - https://facebook.com/malphursgroup
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/malphursgroup
• YouTube - https://youtube.com/themalphursgroup
• X (Twitter) - https://x.com/malphursgroup

Many churches struggle with volunteers who are spread too thin—serving in three, four, or even five roles. In this episode, we explore why narrowing volunteer focus actually increases effectiveness and joy in serving, and how to transition your church to a healthier, more sustainable volunteer culture.

Hosted by Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu of The Malphurs Group, this conversation walks you through practical steps any church can take. If you're new to the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott and A.J. bring decades of combined church consulting experience, helping churches grow healthier through strategy, leadership, and intentional systems.

In this episode:

[00:01] Setting the stage: volunteers doing too much and the 80/20 problem
[02:18] Why people fear reducing volunteer roles—and why it actually works
[03:20] Step 1: Creating a realistic, intentional timeline for change
[07:20] Step 2: Helping volunteers find their best-fit roles through Divine Design
[12:20] Step 3: Engaging volunteers in recruiting their successors
[15:27] Step 4: Why a Leadership Pipeline is essential to prevent the problem from returning
[17:41] "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast" applied to volunteer transition
[18:47] Building systems instead of just filling slots

Links & Resources:

• Healthy Churches Toolkit → https://healthychurchestoolkit.com
• Full episode article → https://malphursgroup.com/320
• Website → https://malphursgroup.com
• Facebook → https://facebook.com/malphursgroup
• Instagram → https://instagram.com/malphursgroup
• YouTube → https://youtube.com/themalphursgroup
• X (Twitter) → https://x.com/malphursgroup

Chapters

[00:00] Understanding Revitalization Failures
[07:01] Demographic Mismatch in Revitalization
[12:12] Importance of Accountability in Implementation
[15:42] Decision-Making Challenges in Revitalization
[19:36] Navigating the Consensus Trap

Get a free 7-day trial of the Healthy Churches Toolkit at healthychurchestoolkit.com

Follow us online:

malphursgroup.com
facebook.com/malphursgroup
x.com/malphursgroup
instagram.com/malphursgroup
youtube.com/themalphursgroup

This week, Scott and AJ take a fun holiday detour and build the ultimate Christmas worship setlist—draft style. They debate classics, song arrangements, emotional picks, and what actually serves a congregation well during Advent. Equal parts practical and playful, this episode will get you thinking about your Christmas services.

Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu co-host The Church Revitalization Podcast and lead The Malphurs Group, helping churches experience renewed health and grow with confidence. If this is your first time listening, welcome—expect practical, actionable conversations rooted in real ministry experience.

In this episode (timestamps):

• 00:41 — Why Christmas music matters in worship planning
• 05:05 — The "draft rules" and first-round song selections
• 13:08 — Debating arrangements, modern twists, and nostalgia
• 18:00 — Vulnerable stories behind certain song choices
• 25:28 — Final setlists, service flow, and surprising endings

LINKS

• Healthy Churches Toolkit — https://healthychurchestoolkit.com
• The Malphurs Group — https://malphursgroup.com
• Facebook — https://facebook.com/malphursgroup
• Instagram — https://instagram.com/malphursgroup
• YouTube — https://youtube.com/themalphursgroup
• X (Twitter) — https://x.com/malphursgroup

Many churches struggle to maintain healthy membership systems. In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu unpack the three most common membership pathway mistakes churches make—and how to fix them. Whether your process is too long, too short, or simply unclear, this episode will help you build a pathway that's meaningful, strategic, and effective.

Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are the co-hosts of the Church Revitalization Podcast and leaders at The Malphurs Group, helping churches grow healthier through strategic planning, leadership development, and the Healthy Churches Toolkit.

In this episode, you'll hear:

[00:06:00] Why "right-sizing" your membership process matters
[00:12:00] How to communicate the "why" behind church membership
[00:16:00] Why membership should be the beginning—not the end—of discipleship
[00:22:00] How to measure engagement and care for members well
[00:25:00] Practical tips for evaluating and improving your membership system

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Full article: malphursgroup.com/317

• Learn more: healthychurchestoolkit.com

• Visit The Malphurs Group: malphursgroup.com

• Follow us on social media:

• • Facebook

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • X (Twitter)

Parenting in today's world can feel overwhelming—especially when it comes to tackling the tough topics. In this episode, Scott Ball sits down with youth pastor and author Mark Shoemaker to talk about his new book What to Say and How to Say It to Your Teen, co-written with his father, Tim Shoemaker. Together, they discuss how parents can approach difficult conversations with wisdom, grace, and confidence.

Scott Ball is the Vice President of The Malphurs Group and co-host of the Church Revitalization Podcast, helping churches and leaders develop clarity, structure, and health. Mark Shoemaker is a veteran youth pastor and author, passionate about equipping parents to disciple their kids and foster meaningful communication in the home.

In this episode, you'll hear:

[00:02:00] The heart behind What to Say and How to Say It to Your Teen

[00:05:00] Why timing and emotional awareness matter in parenting conversations

[00:08:00] How to prepare your heart and approach for sensitive topics

[00:14:00] How church leaders and youth pastors can partner with parents

[00:21:00] Practical ideas for creating space for meaningful talks with your kids

Links & Resources Mentioned:

Get the book: What to Say and How to Say It to Your Teen on Amazon

Explore more resources: healthychurchestoolkit.com

Follow The Malphurs Group on social media:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• X (Twitter)

Are your staff meetings dominated by information gathering and idle chit-chat instead of strategic decision-making? In this episode, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu share practical strategies to transform your weekly team time from wasted hours into productive, vision-focused collaboration that actually moves your ministry forward.

Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are co-hosts of the Church Revitalization Podcast and consultants with the Malphurs Group, where they help churches develop healthy systems and strategic clarity. With decades of combined experience in church leadership, they bring practical, field-tested insights to help your church thrive.

In This Episode:

[00:00] Why most churches waste their staff meeting time and how to fix it

[03:49] Gather information before the meeting—don't wing it or rely on repetitive updates

[07:09] Prioritize collaborative decision-making over information reporting

[09:04] Avoid one-on-one conversations that should happen offline

[11:29] Keep vision, mission, and strategy at the center of every meeting

[13:25] End with clarity: tasks, due dates, deliverables, and accountability

Resources & Links:

• Healthy Churches Toolkit: https://healthychurchestoolkit.com
• Full Article for This Episode: https://malphursgroup.com/315
• Website: https://malphursgroup.com
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/malphursgroup
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/malphursgroup
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/themalphursgroup
• X/Twitter: https://x.com/malphursgroup

How can a small church in a large metro area find a path toward growth? In this case study episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu walk through the real-life scenario of a 35-person congregation with an older membership, a new part-time pastor, and big questions about what comes next. Instead of offering cookie-cutter solutions, they pose four critical questions every small church should ask to clarify strategy, focus resources, and take meaningful steps forward .

Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are church consultants with The Malphurs Group, equipping churches worldwide to grow healthier through strategic planning, leadership development, and revitalization. Whether you lead a small church or simply want practical insights, you'll find encouragement and actionable takeaways here.

In this episode:

[05:17] Why visibility—both in the community and online—matters for small churches
[13:20] How to identify and invest in "tent-pole" ministries like kids or outreach
[20:02] Why doubling down on bold, biblical teaching leads to real growth
[25:28] Building spiritual friendships that last from Sunday to Sunday
[29:45] How to balance patience with urgency when leading change

Links & Resources:

Healthy Churches Toolkit: https://healthychurchestoolkit.com
Episode Article: https://malphursgroup.com/314
Website: https://malphursgroup.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/malphursgroup
Instagram: https://instagram.com/malphursgroup
YouTube: https://youtube.com/themalphursgroup
X (Twitter): https://x.com/malphursgroup