Every Church Flourishing

03/14/2026

Would you like to listen to a podcast that features hosts with a combined six decades of church pastoral experience talking about church ministry and church health? A podcast that gives you practical tips for church renewal and church growth while also encouraging you and exhorting you in your role as a church leader or church pastor? A show that covers the latest news and trends in church life, with cutting-edge statistical analysis of trends impacting followers of Christ? A podcast that also includes the following conversation:

“I think you would be an excellent X-Man.”
“Thank you, in fact, I got myself a pair of metal Wolverine claws for Christmas!"

If so, then we've got a show for you! Almost certainly, the ONLY podcast in the world that fits that bill is the Every Church Flourishing podcast, where we interweave about 80 percent joyful, helpful, wise, and edifying content with about 20 percent whimsy, fun, and frivolity! Subscribe to the show at www.PodFollow.com/ecf
Today's episode features Superintendent of Schools, Lannette Lozano (Anthem Christian School), who talks about the difficulties of being a teacher in 2026. What does she say is the single hardest thing about being a teacher today? Listen and find out! Great Commission Association

03/13/2026

“Some of my best friends are pastors, and some of the most annoying people I’ve ever known are pastors.” That and more on episode #6 of the podcast featuring Dr. Se J. Won from the Great Commission Association, who did not say that awful thing about pastors. (Chase Thompson did.) Subscribe to the show: www.podfollow.com/ecf.

Pastor Se J.: “Worship is the missing element in many of our churches…if we don’t prioritize worship, which I believe is the precursor to prayer, then we’re all dry…something’s off, and you’re not connecting with God at the right frequency. Worship is crucial for me because that is how I connect with God.”

You Ain’t Got This - I Need Help. Learning from failure. Needing God for everything - even the practical things like leaky faucets.

Sometimes you just have to go out and find a seasoned leader and say, “Hey! You’re going to mentor me!”

03/13/2026

On episode #5, we interview Great Commission Association director Dr. Michael Stewart, the second-longest serving director of missions in the United States, and we talk to him about church planting on the West Coast...should Christians invest more money into planting churches in California, given the crazy costs of housing? We also discuss taking care of pastors, spiritual formation among church leaders, and why a church would want to join an association.

We discuss artificial intelligence and the church, and one of the best tools that pastors and leaders can use without cheating or letting the machines take over.

We also review the fiery fizzy soda that never plays it safe, AKA "The Baptist Beer!"

https://www.everychurchflourishing.com/artificial-intelligence-and-the-church-gca-director-michael-stewart-the-soda-that-never-plays-it-safe/

03/11/2026

A great mystery: An unsub (unknown subject) sent us a twelve pack of Inca Kola to review. Inca Kola, the number one soda in Peru, is golden colored and supposedly delicious. Stay tuned for our review - coming soon!! Subscribe to the podcast at www.podfollow.com/ECF for more soda reviews and in depth church health talk and encouragement...the game is afoot! (Apologies for that abomination at the end)

03/04/2026

On this week's episode of the Every Church Flourishing Podcast, Pastor Christopher Cole and Chase Thompson talked with Dr Se J. Won about the non-negotiable importance of prayer and abiding with Jesus. You can listen at www.podfollow.com/ecf
From the show:

“Some of my best friends are pastors, and some of the most annoying people I’ve ever known are pastors.” (Who said that?!)

Sometimes you just have to go out and find a seasoned leader and say, “Hey! You’re going to mentor me!”

Would you rather take a cruise with a bunch of prominent pastors, or worship leaders, Prominent Christian authors, denominational leaders, or Christian singers/entertainers?

Pastor Se J.: “Worship is the missing element in many of our churches…if we don’t prioritize worship, which I believe is the precursor to prayer, then we’re all dry…something’s off, and you’re not connecting with God at the right frequency. Worship is crucial for me because that is how I connect with God.”

God doesn’t need our worship, but He does deserve our worship.

Will the willy-nilly soda stealer in the Great Commission Association offices ever be unmasked and brought to justice?

Resources Mentioned:
Daniel Henderson: Old Paths, New Power - an excellent prayer book

Jim Cymbala: Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire - a book that SHOWS the impact of a church that abides and prays intentionally.

Paul Miller: A Praying Life, Connecting with God in a Distracted World - Highly recommended by Pastor Chris Cole.

The Every Church Flourishing podcast is all about helping churches, leaders, and pastors find health, encouragement, practical advice, soul care, and resources that work together to build up your local fellowship and the broader Kingdom of God. Join hosts Pastor Chris Cole and Dr. Chase Thompson fro...

02/25/2026

Are AI sermons a thing? Should busy preachers use AI sermons? What are some ways churches can use AI in a good and honorable way? Can AI make a sermon like John Piper or Tim Keller?? From a longer discussion on the Every Church Flourishing Podcast. Subscribe to the podcast at www.PodFollow.com/ecf or www.EveryChurchFlourising.com

02/25/2026

Pure cane sugar? Nope, it smells like rancid ranch. Lester's Ranch Dressing Soda is a bizarre concoction that left us speechless. Even an ex-missionary is questioning this one. Sweet ranch, anyone? Subscribe at www.PodFollow.com/ecf, or www.EveryChurchFlourishing.com

02/18/2026

Follow the podcast at www.PodFollow.com/ECF for the whole discussion! Imagine finding a magic ring that grants one moderate power. Not a superpower, but something useful. Think running faster, levitating small objects, or speaking a language like a 6-year-old. What would you pick to be the fun person at parties?

02/18/2026

If you're a pastor or leader in a church facing decline or plateau, the book 'Fresh Wind-Fresh Fire' offers profound encouragement. It shares a testimony of a deeply broken church transformed into one that thrives, largely through the power of prayer and faithful petition to God.