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The LeadingSmart Podcast
Honest conversations. Practical insights. Smarter leadership.
Hosted by Tim Stevens and Holly Tate, The LeadingSmart Podcast exists to equip church leaders who care deeply about leading with integrity, clarity, and wisdom—even when it’s hard.
We are officially on Season 3! This season is about staying sharp in today’s rapidly changing environment. We’ll dive into the practical issues leaders are facing right now—from running effective executive team meetings to navigating crucial conversations to leading in moments when the playbook doesn’t exist yet.
Holly and Tim are moving out of the studio into our offices, and they will be recording and posting in real time, responding to current events as they happen, sharing fresh insights from our work with leaders across North America.
Be sure to email us at tim@leadingsmart.com if there are specific topics you want us to cover!
Enjoy!
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The LeadingSmart Podcast
[S3EP11] Staffing Ratios, Budget Benchmarks, and Church Stewardship
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How do you know if your church is overstaffed, understaffed, or positioned wisely for the future?
In Episode 11 of the LeadingSmart Podcast, Tim Stevens and Holly Tate unpack one of the most common leadership questions churches ask: What is a healthy staffing percentage—and how do we know if ours is sustainable?
This episode walks through two critical metrics every lead pastor and leadership team should understand:
- Personnel costs as a percentage of the church operating budget
- Staff-to-attendance ratios using Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) calculations
Rather than offering rigid rules, Tim and Holly provide practical guardrails leaders can use to evaluate staffing decisions in light of their church’s mission, strategy, and growth stage.
You’ll learn how to calculate fully loaded staffing costs, account for part-time and contract staff, and recognize warning signs that staffing growth may be outpacing attendance or giving. The conversation also explores how staffing structures impact team morale, volunteer engagement, and long-term ministry effectiveness.
If you’re a lead pastor, executive pastor, or church leader responsible for stewardship, staffing, or culture, this episode will help you lead with greater clarity, wisdom, and confidence.
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💻Visit LeadingSmart.com
Listen to Leading In Real Time Podcast Series
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ2wnxRYYqm_ThAiSPBwjH7vQH5i3H3aK
Listen to the full 40 Lessons In 40 Years series
https://www.leadingsmart.com/podcast
Download The Simply Strategic Show
https://www.leadingsmart.com/books-2
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