Ministry Mix
Real conversations for the strategies and souls of ministry leaders.
Our goal is to bring you a mix of conversations on topics you are thinking about to help you lead more strategically and care for your soul more intentionally.
Phil is the pastor of Connecting Church in Abingdon, MD. He also trains church planters with the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware and serves as an adjunct instructor at Liberty University. Phil is married to Pam and has three children.
Richard is the pastor of Canvas Church in Salisbury, MD. He also serves as the Church Planting Leader for the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware and as a Multiplying Pastor with Send Network. Richard is married to Payton and has a dog.
Episodes
41 episodes
When God Closes the Door w/ Joshua Bowers
In this episode of The Ministry Mix Podcast, Phil and Richard sit down with their friend Josh, pastor of Cross & Anchor Church in Detroit, to explore a story filled with calling, closed doors, disappointment, grit, and God’s surpri...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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34:07
Memento Mori
In this vulnerable and refreshing conversation, Phil and Richard sit down to talk about the surprising ministry impact of Richard’s poetry book Memento Mori. What began as private reflections written while facing cancer has become a mi...
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30:57
How to Tell Someone's Story w/ Tony Hudson
In this episode of Ministry Mix, Phil and Richard sit down with Tony Hudson, a filmmaker and master storyteller.Tony shares how learning to see people through the lens of love transforms not only how we tell stories, but ...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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38:01
5 Ways We will Do "Better-ish" in Season 2
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 m...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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22:58
How to Lead When You Are Hurting
Leading While Hurting: Showing Up When You’re StrugglingWhat 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 i...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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26:06
10 Ways to Understand and Engage Your City
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 thought...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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35:56
Ministry Lessons from Odd Jobs
In this episode, Phil Gifford and Richard Pope swap stories about the odd jobs they’ve worked—from lifeguarding and grease trap cleaning to bouncer gigs and debt collection. But it’s more than fun stories—they pull leadership and ministry insig...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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29:12
6 Tips for Holding A Baptism Service
In this practical episode, Phil Gifford and Richard Pope dive into six essential tips for holding baptism services that are meaningful, mission-focused, and joy-filled. Whether you're a lead pastor or part of a church team, this conver...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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29:10
Lessons from Planting a Successful Church (with Jim Collins)
In this second part of our two-part conversation with Jim Collins, we pick up the story after his failed church plant in Tennessee. Now, Jim shares how God led him—slowly and graciously—toward planting again, this time in Las Vegas, Nevada. But...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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36:00
Summer Outreach Goals (and Why You Shouldn’t Take the Summer Off)
In this unfiltered and unscripted episode, Phil and Richard have a real conversation about why summer is one of the most strategic seasons for church outreach—and how your church or ministry can make the most of it.Rather than settling f...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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27:37
Lessons from Failing to Plant a Church (with Jim Collins)
In this raw and encouraging conversation, Phil sits down with Jim Collins to talk about something we don't hear enough in ministry circles: failure. Jim shares his personal story of planting a church in Tennessee that didn’t go as planned—from ...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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35:10
5 Lessons on Ministry from Fortnite
In this episode of Ministry Mix, Phil and Richard ready up to bring you a Fortnite-themedguide to real ministry leadership. Whether you’ve built your share of ramps or have no idea what a "Loot Llama" is, this episode is for y...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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23:34
6 Actions to Take If You Feel Called to Ministry
In this episode of the Ministry Mix Podcast, Phil and Richard dive into a practical conversation for anyone sensing a call to ministry. Whether you’re a high school student, a mid-career professional, or already serving in a church, th...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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32:37
3 Impacts from Losing Mentors
In this episode of the Ministry Mix Podcast, Phil and Richard explore what happens when the people who helped shape you in ministry are no longer there—whether through death, burnout, moral failure, or natural transition. They open up ...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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26:19
8 Ways to Move People Toward Missions
In this episode of Ministry Mix, Phil and Richard explore one of the most vital tasks of ministry leadership—helping people move toward the mission of God. Drawing from real-life stories and pastoral experience, they walk through eight...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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29:48
6 Keys to Planning Events that Work (with Chris Ford)
Not every church leader dreams of running events—but nearly all of us do. In this episode, Chris Ford returns to Ministry Mix to share what he’s learned as a full-time event planner and volunteer church leader. From hosting massive mus...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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28:33
7 TV Shows That Impacted Our Lives & Ministry
What do The A-Team, Friends, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and The Walking Dead have in common? They’ve all taught us something about leadership, storytelling, or the soul. In this laid-back (and slightly post-...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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31:19
6 Actions to Take When You Feel Like Quitting
Ministry is rewarding—but let’s be honest, it’s also exhausting. In this episode of Ministry Mix, Richard Pope and Phil Gifford talk candidly about those moments when quitting ministry sounds way too appealing. Whether you're facing bu...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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25:26
5 Reasons to Have a Vision Sunday
In this episode of Ministry Mix, Phil Gifford and Richard Pope dive into a critical tool in a church leader's toolbox—Vision Sunday. Whether you're a lead pastor or a ministry leader, this episode unpacks five reasons why setting aside...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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27:00
6 Signs You Are Building Trust With Spiritually Disconnected People
In this episode of Ministry Mix, Phil and Richard dive into one of the most critical but often overlooked aspects of evangelism—building trust with those who are spiritually disconnected. Drawing insights from the book I Once Was L...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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26:46
4 Different Ways to Think About Easter Outreach
In this episode of Ministry Mix, Phil and Richard dive into the sometimes awkward, sometimes effective, but always important discussion of how churches approach Easter outreach. Should churches rely on big events, flashy egg hunts, and...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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26:18
Honest Thoughts on Becoming a Pastor (with Chris Ford)
In this episode of Ministry Mix, Phil and Richard sit down with Chris Ford, a worship pastor and elder candidate at Canvas Church, to discuss the realities of stepping into pastoral ministry. Chris shares his journey from serving in wo...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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28:45
17 Books that Have Impacted Our Lives
You read that right. 17 Books. In this episode of the Ministry Mix podcast, Phil and Richard discuss a long list of impactful books that have shaped their lives and ministry. We consider the importance of reading for personal growth and leaders...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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30:32
6 Reminders When Dealing With Criticism
In this episode of the Ministry Mix podcast, Phil and Richard discuss the topic of criticism and how it is a favorite, unavoidable part of leadership in ministry. Hear stories on experiences with personal criticism, but also learn how some crit...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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25:50
4 Ways to Care for Your Team on Sundays
In this episode of the Ministry Mix podcast, Phil and Richard discuss practical ways to care for the people you lead, particularly during Sunday morning gatherings. We look at the importance of greeting and thanking the team, actively listening...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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26:51