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 about their own experiences of losing key influences in their life and the disorienting, yet defining impact it can have on a leader's soul and direction.

The conversation covers:

• Why losing a mentor hits harder than expected
• How feelings of grief, betrayal, and disillusionment can affect your leadership
• The dangers of dependency and idolizing mentors
• How to grow into your own leadership voice when the voices you relied on are gone
• Why it's worth the risk to keep pursuing deep, formative relationships in ministry

Packed with personal stories, biblical reflections, and raw insight, this episode is a reminder that while mentors may come and go, the call of God remains—and so does the opportunity to become the kind of leader others can lean on.

Key Quote:
"Our ministry can’t be built on the mountains of men—it has to rest on the faithfulness of God."

Let us know what this conversation stirred up for you. Connect with us on socials or drop a review to help other ministry leaders find the show.

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 practical ways to encourage everyday believers to live on mission.

From telling everyday stories of obedience, to normalizing small steps of faith, to making prayer and missional rhythms part of church culture, this conversation is full of accessible ideas any ministry leader can implement. Whether you lead a small church or a large team, this episode challenges the idea that mission is just for the professionals—and reminds us it’s the calling of every Christian.

You’ll hear quotes from Spurgeon, examples from churches, and honest thoughts on why not every sermon—or season—feels like a “home run.” But more than that, you’ll get tools to help your people take real, faithful steps forward in living out the Great Commission—starting now.

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 music festivals to pulling off a church Christmas party, Chris has seen it all—and made a few mistakes so you don’t have to.

We dive into the 6 keys to planning events that actually work: defining your purpose, budgeting realistically, building the right team, promoting beyond Instagram, preparing for the unexpected, and evaluating for next time. Along the way, we share fails (a flipped porta potty... yikes), unexpected wins, and the spiritual importance of planning church events that make space for people to meet Jesus.

If your church does any kind of event—big or small—this episode will make you sharper.

Topics Covered:

• Common mistakes in church event planning
• How to manage logistics and flow
• Why follow-up is just as important as set-up
• Tips for recruiting the right kind of volunteers
• Real-world promotion timelines
• How to stay calm when chaos hits

Quote of the Day:
“Every Sunday is an event—it should be a party celebrating Jesus.”