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
4 Dangers of Growing a Church
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Church growth is something most pastors pray for. We want to see more people reached, more lives changed, and more momentum. But what happens when growth actually starts to happen?
In this episode of Ministry Mix, we talk honestly about the hidden dangers that can quietly creep in as churches grow. These aren’t necessarily problems outsiders usually see, but pressures leaders feel deeply.
We discuss how growth can subtly reshape your definition of success, distort motivation, increase ministry weight, and even impact your soul if you’re not paying attention.
This conversation isn’t anti-growth. It’s about growing faithfully, guarding your heart, and leading in a way that keeps Jesus at the center and people genuinely cared for.
If you’re a pastor, church planter, or ministry leader who feels the tension between reaching more people and shepherding well, this episode is for you.
What We Cover in This Episode
- Why church growth always comes with unseen weight
- How numbers can quietly become an idol
- The emotional toll of tying success to attendance
- Why preaching to more people isn’t the same as pastoring more people
- How to pursue growth without losing faithfulness or joy
Who This Episode Is For
- Pastors and church planters
- Ministry leaders navigating momentum or plateau
- Leaders feeling stretched, tired, or conflicted about growth
- Anyone who wants to lead a church that grows without losing its soul
About Ministry Mix
Ministry Mix is a podcast for pastors and ministry leaders who care about both the health of their soul and the strategy of their ministry. Honest conversations. Practical leadership. Gospel-centered perspective.