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.
Ministry Mix
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 this story isn’t just about “success.” It’s about soul-level transformation, submission to God’s process, and the deep lessons of leadership that only come through waiting, listening, and learning.
From new rhythms of spiritual health to wise counsel and assessment, Jim walks through how he and his wife approached this second attempt with humility, intentionality, and kingdom dependence. Whether you're in a season of rebuilding or preparing for what's next, this episode will encourage you to lead faithfully and stay rooted in the gospel.
Key Topics Covered:
- How to know if you're ready to try again after failure
- What healthy preparation looks like for church planting
- Why waiting is often part of God’s leadership development
- The role of assessment, training, and spiritual mentors
- How to build the right kind of core team
- Leading from a place of joy and surrender
- What makes ministry leadership sustainable over time
Key Quotes:
“God killed off the idol of being ‘the guy.’ I was finally ready to just be faithful.”
“Delays in ministry are not disobedience—they’re often obedience.”
“We weren’t launching a service to grow a church. We were living on mission to reach people.”
“Your greatest failure might become the thing you thank God most for.”