As many head to AoG conference this week, there’s one conversation you’ll want in your ears: the LATEST Healthy Church Network podcast, where Derek Smith, Roy Todd, and Stephen Matthew explore the explosive rise of bi-vocational ministry.

For some, bi-vocational ministry is a deliberate choice; for others, it’s born out of necessity. Sometimes that necessity is practical - churches genuinely unable to finance a full-time pastor. But often, it reflects a mindset that underestimates the value of sustained investment in leadership.

In this honest and deeply personal episode, the HCN team share real stories from their early ministry journeys - navigating part-time jobs, heavy expectations, and the tension between calling and capacity.

This isn’t just theory; it’s lived experience, generously shared for the good of the Church. 

This month’s Healthy Church Network Podcast is essential listening for every church leadership team. The theme is: “How to CRITIQUE Your Church Without Becoming CRITICAL.” It’s a refreshingly vulnerable and honest conversation between proven practitioners—Pastors Roy Todd, Derek Smith, and Stephen Matthew. 

Truth is, it’s rare to hear conversations like this. Yet they’re so needed. These leaders don’t shy away from the real tensions: how do we love the Church deeply while still seeing where it needs to grow? How do we offer honest critique without becoming cynical? And how do we build a culture where feedback brings life, not frustration? 

Every leadership team would benefit from listening to this month’s HCN Church Health Podcast.

Every church has the potential to grow—but what happens when growth stalls? Our latest HCN podcast, “HELP! OUR CHURCH ISN’T GROWING,” is out now, designed to help you and your team reflect, refocus, and move forward with confidence.

The reality is, many churches hit a plateau. But that doesn’t mean growth is out of reach. Sometimes, it’s about vision—clarifying purpose and direction. Other times, it’s about culture—fostering a welcoming, engaging, and outward-focused community. The good news? Even small shifts in leadership, outreach, and discipleship can spark fresh energy and momentum.

We strongly encourage you to listen to this month’s HCN podcast and use it as a tool for meaningful conversations in your leadership team.

Three Questions for Your Leadership Team to Consider:
1.Where do we see signs of life and growth in our church today?
2.What might be hindering our growth?
3.What fresh steps can we take to cultivate a culture of invitation and discipleship?

Your church can grow, and we’re here to support you on the journey. Listen to the latest HCN podcast and start the conversation today!

Join Ps Derek Smith, Ps Stephen Matthew, and Ps Roy Todd as they dive into the importance of church health—why it matters, what it looks like, and how to cultivate it. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the team at hcn@aoggb.com.

In our final podcast of 2024, Ps Derek Smith talks with Ps Gary Garcia on how to transition leadership in church well. Gary shares the processes leading up to him taking over Cornerstone Christin Fellowship in California as well as some of the highs and lows of leadership transition in the local church. We hope you find this discussion encouraging and informative for you, your church and church leadership team.

Guest HCN Interviewer Ps Misheck Manhana had the opportunity to sit down with Randy Boyd from Prepare International to discuss discipleship - specifically of men in our churches. Prepare International was formed in 2001, with Randy Boyd assuming the role of Director in 2003. He and Callie, his wife, quickly set a course of ministry to train and equip local leaders and workers for life and service within their nation. Prepare International provide churches globally with practical tools that multiply leaders and foster Kingdom advancement. They believe discipleship is the foundation of growing the Kingdom and offers resources for churches and small groups.

Get together with your team and listen to Pastors Derek Smith and Stuart Keir discuss how their ministry careers began. As a movement, AoG GB is passionate about local churches developing and releasing people and we hope this discussion inspires a greater awareness and understanding of how important it is to release people well. 

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Get together with your team and listen to Pastors Derek Smith and Lukas & Sarah Dewhirst, on how they have gone multi-site. As a movement, AoG GB is passionate about local churches developing and releasing people and we hope this discussion inspires a greater awareness and understanding of how important it is to release people well. After this episode, scan the QR code at the end to access questions and discuss further.

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Derek was joined in this episode by Arianna Walker from Mercy UK. Arianna is an international speaker, an author and the CEO of Mercy UK – a Christian charity committed to educating leaders, equipping individuals and empowering churches. Mercy UK runs freae-of-charge residential homes for young women with life-controlling issues, delivers pastoral leadership training days for church leaders and ‘people helpers’ and produces discipleship resources for individuals, church groups and prisons. Using real-life stories and anecdotes, Arianna’s message of hope and transformation inspires Christians from all walks of life to live free and stay free.

Gather your team and listen to our maiden HCN podcast episode together—a rather timely conversation on the subject of Faith & Politics. Derek was joined by Tim Rowlands, who is head of the Evangelical Alliance in Wales and Senior Leader of Festival Church, Chester. Tim spoke on the topic with encouragement, faith, and practical advice

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