Elevate: Equipping the Whole Church Staff for Gospel Impact (Brentwood Baptist)

Episode OverviewIn this episode of the Elevate Podcast, host Brandon Abbott sits down with pastors Brandon Hays and Hunter Melton to discuss the challenges and rewards of church revitalization. They share their experiences stepping into historic congregations, building trust with legacy members, and casting vision for a renewed future.Whether you’re leading a church merger, navigating revitalization, or simply working to strengthen your local congregation, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical insights to help you move forward with confidence.Topics Discussed:⏳ [04:41] Honoring church legacy and community ⏳ [06:53] Intentional relationship building ⏳ [11:27] Celebrating community-centric church growth ⏳ [14:17] Historic building challenges ⏳ [17:54] Creating a culture where preaching the Word, enjoying ministry, and casting a vision for growth go hand in hand.⏳ [20:03] Embracing uncertainty in ministry ⏳ [24:42] Why long-term impact requires patience, consistency, and trust in God’s timing.⏳ [28:51] The importance of community to revitalizationResources 🔹 Learn more about church revitalization resources at ElevateChurchConference.com 🔹 Join us for the Elevate Conference on September 9th at Brentwood Baptist Church! Register today at ElevateChurchConference.comMeta: Explore church revitalization strategies, from building trust and honoring legacy to casting vision and overcoming growth challenges.

Register Now for the Elevate Conference on September 9, 2025 at https://elevatechurchconference.com/.

On this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Truett Ross hosts a conversation with Alec Beard and Amy- Jo Girardier about one of the most critical aspects of church leadership: developing healthy group leaders who can multiply your ministry's impact. Drawing from decades of combined experience, they share practical wisdom on identifying potential leaders, bridging the gap between calling and competency, and creating a sustainable culture of leadership development that strengthens the entire church.

Meet the Speakers:

• Truett Ross: Groups and Care Minister at the West Franklin Campus, Truett brings multi-campus experience through his work at Avenue South and now West Franklin.
• Amy Jo Girardier: Women's Minister at the Brentwood Campus for 23 years, Amy Jo oversees women's leaders and volunteers, previously serving in student ministry.
• Alec Beard: Oversees small groups and missions at the Lockeland Springs Campus in East Nashville, navigating the unique dynamics of a smaller, more transient church community.

• 0:00 - Introduction to investing in healthy group leaders
• 2:00 - Identifying the biggest gaps in group leadership development
• 5:54 - Why developing leaders matters more than simply launching more groups
• 8:27 - Soul care resources for group leaders to prevent burnout
• 11:36 - Real examples of the right leader making a difference
• 17:27 - Essential characteristics to look for when identifying potential leaders
• 19:39 - Non-negotiables for training and equipping new leaders
• 24:47 - Effective methods for checking in with and encouraging leaders
• 30:01 - Creating a culture of leadership development within your church
• 34:20 - Building layers of leadership and delegating care to team members
• 40:41 - Practical first steps to strengthen your leadership pipeline
• 47:50 - Lessons learned about leadership development

• Dwell Scripture App: A scripture listening resource provided to leaders
• Soul Care assessment resources: soulcare.com for identifying burnout in leaders
• The Five Gs framework: Give, Go, Groups, Gather, Gospel Conversations
• Leadership Covenant: A formal document setting expectations for group leaders

Topics Discussed in This Episode:Resources Mentioned:Elevate Conference | September 9, 2025Join us for the Elevate Conference on September 9 at Brentwood Baptist Church in Nashville, TN. This one-day event equips church leaders with actionable strategies for discipleship, growth, and navigating ministry challenges. Register today at https://elevatechurchconference.com/.Whether you're looking to start a leadership development process or strengthen your existing small group ministry, this episode provides practical insights for building healthy leaders who can multiply your church's impact.To learn more about the conference and for additional resources, visit https://elevatechurchconference.com/.

↗️ Register now for the Elevate Conference on September 9, 2025 at https://elevatechurchconference.com/On this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Keith Holloway hosts a conversation with David Hannah, Campus and Teaching Pastor at the Church at Lockeland Springs, and Danielle Schneider, global worker serving with Living Hope and Children's Director at King of Kings in South Africa. Together, they explore the essentials of creating meaningful and lasting global ministry partnerships.Meet the Speakers:

• Keith Holloway: Missions Mobilization Minister, guiding churches to impactful global engagement.
• David Hannah: Campus and Teaching Pastor at the Church at Lockeland Springs, passionate about focused, effective mission partnerships after serving nine years in Bologna, Italy.
• Danielle Schneider: Global Worker with Living Hope and Children's Director at King of Kings Church in Cape Town, South Africa, advocating for meaningful short-term missions and sustainable local ministry.

• 0:47 - From Nashville to the Mission Field: David and Danielle share their journeys.
• 3:40 - The value of singular focus in missions partnerships.
• 7:44 - The relational impact of consistent short-term teams.
• 13:40 - How churches can effectively identify and support mission partners.
• 18:16 - Cultural sensitivity, flexibility, and the importance of scouting teams.
• 19:10 - Why it's critical for pastors to personally engage in mission journeys.
• 24:35 - Mutual transformation: Mission journeys change both participants and hosts.

• Living Hope
• King of Kings Baptist Church
• Brentwood Baptist Mission Journeys

Timestamps: Resources Mentioned:Elevate Conference | September 9, 2025Join us for the Elevate Conference on September 9 at Brentwood Baptist Church in Nashville, TN. This one-day event equips church leaders with practical strategies for discipleship, global engagement, and cultivating lasting partnerships. Register today at https://elevatechurchconference.com/.Whether you’re a pastor, missionary, or church leader, this episode offers insights on creating healthy, meaningful global mission partnerships.For more information and resources, visit elevatechurchconference.com.

➡️ Register Now for the Elevate Conference on September 9, 2025On this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Communications Director Darrel Girardier sits down with Senior Pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church, Jay Strother, to discuss the balance of tradition and innovation in church leadership. Jay and Darrel share insights from Brentwood Baptist’s journey of growth, its commitment to disciple-making, and its thriving multi-site model.Brentwood Baptist is deeply committed to fueling a disciple-making movement that extends beyond its walls to impact communities locally and globally. In this conversation, Jay reflects on the lessons Brentwood has learned over the last 50+ years of ministry as well as lessons from his recent travels to Brazil and Ukraine, where he witnessed churches thriving through adaptability, relational networks, and a steadfast focus on the gospel. Together, Darrel and Jay outline how churches can preserve their foundational DNA while embracing innovative strategies, including Brentwood’s emphasis on multiplying healthy churches and fostering gospel partnerships.One of the ways Brentwood Baptist is advancing this disciple-making movement is through the upcoming Elevate Conference. Designed as a one-day event, it equips church leaders with practical tools and strategies for discipleship, growth, and navigating today’s ministry challenges. Whether you’re seeking to strengthen your team or reimagine ministry in your context, this episode offers valuable insights to help elevate your church’s impact. To learn more about the conference and for additional resources, visit elevatechurchconference.com.

Register Now for the Elevate Conference on September 9, 2025On this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Travis Cottrell sits down with Mack Burns to explore the transformative power of relational leadership in worship ministry. They discuss the importance of knowing your congregation, creating authentic worship experiences, and leading with relational goals rather than musical ambition.Meet the Speakers:

Travis Cottrell: Worship Minister at Brentwood Baptist, Travis brings decades of experience in worship leadership and songwriting, emphasizing relational connection with the congregation. Connect with Travis on Instagram. Mack Burns: Worship Minister at the West Franklin campus, Mack shares insights from his diverse ministry journey, including serving in culturally and geographically distinct churches across the U.S.
3:15 - Why knowing your congregation is a "superpower" in worship leadership 8:00 - The value of consistency and presence amid leadership transitions 15:10 - Avoiding "Christianese" and communicating effectively with unchurched communities 19:00 - The role of authenticity and vulnerability in leading worship 27:05 - How to contextualize popular worship songs for your church's unique DNA 36:30 - Breaking the comparison trap: Leading authentically in your local context

Topics Discussed in This Episode:Elevate Conference | September 9, 2025 Learn how to lead well in any church context. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow alongside fellow church leaders and discover practical tools for effective ministry. Visit elevatechurchconference.com to register.Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just beginning your ministry journey, this episode offers wisdom and encouragement to help you engage your congregation and create meaningful worship experiences.

Register Now for the Elevate Conference on September 9, 2025On this episode of the Elevate Podcast,Darrel Girardier is joined byMadi Wuebben andDillon Sherlock to unpack how churches can structure communications for maximum impact with limited resources. Whether you’re a solo comms director or part of a large team, this conversation offers practical strategies for prioritization, managing requests, leveraging AI, and preventing burnout.Meet the Speakers:

• Darrel Girardier: Communications Director at Brentwood Baptist, strategist, and problem-solver in church communications.
• Madi Wuebben: Promotions Director at Brentwood Baptist, leading branding, marketing, and project management for nine campuses.
• Dillon Sherlock: Digital Strategy Director, overseeing social media, digital engagement, and online ministry strategies.

• Building a Second Brain – Tiago Forte
• Getting Things Done – David Allen
• Hook Point – Brendan Kane
• The Checklist Manifesto – Atul Gawande
• The Comfort Crisis – Michael Easter

• ChatGPT – Copywriting, strategy, and automation
• Opus Pro – Fast sermon & podcast clip generation
• Cast Magic – Transcription and content repurposing
• Otter AI – Meeting transcription and action items
• Google AI Studio – On-screen assistance for software navigation
• Motion AI – AI-powered calendar & task management

Topics Discussed in This Episode:3:07 - Running lean: How 13 people serve 9 campuses7:01 - The tier system: Prioritizing church comms projects effectively10:04 - Why social media graphics don’t work (and what to do instead)15:44 - Managing last-minute ministry requests without losing your mind20:34 - Building a volunteer team to scale your church comms26:17 - The best project management tools for church comms36:43 - AI tools that are changing the game for church communications3:42 - If you could only use one platform for church comms, what would it be?[WANT MORE RESOURCES? SUBSCRIBE NOW FOR MORE UPDATES-- embed subscribe small box]Resources Mentioned:📚Books & Leadership Tools:🛠AI & Productivity Tools:---Elevate Conference | September 9, 2025Join us for theElevate Conference onSeptember 9 at Brentwood Baptist Church in Nashville, TN. This one-day event equips church leaders with actionable strategies for discipleship, growth, and navigating ministry challenges. Register today athttps://elevatechurchconference.com/.Want more church comms insights? Subscribe to theElevate Podcast and stay connected for new episodes every weekTo learn more about the conference and for additional resources, visithttps://elevatechurchconference.com/.

On this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Darrel Girardier and Madi Wuebben tackle one of the most disruptive and promising forces in modern ministry—AI. From writing emails and managing calendars to sermon prep and pastoral care, they explore how church leaders can use AI tools with wisdom, clarity, and discernment.Together, they break down fears around job security, ethical boundaries, and the theological implications of using artificial intelligence in sacred spaces. This isn’t a conversation about replacing people—it’s about reclaiming time for the ministry only people can do.Whether you're tech-savvy or tech-averse, this episode will help you adopt an AI-first mindset, audit your weekly workflows, and make informed decisions about what tools belong in your ministry—and which ones don’t.Meet the Speakers:Darrel Girardier: Communications Director at Brentwood Baptist Church. Madi Wuebben: Promotions Director at Brentwood Baptist, leading marketing and branding for nine campuses across Middle Tennessee.Timestamps: 

• 2:41 – What AI is and how it actually works
• 7:20 – Common fears ministries have about AI and how to respond
• 15:32 – Where AI belongs in your ministry—and where it doesn’t
• 23:04 – Why AI tools won't replace human discipleship
• 30:17 – Encouragement for pastors who “aren’t techy”
• 36:01 – Must-have AI tools for communication and admin
• 47:25 – Ethical considerations and when to credit AI
• 53:02 – How to get started with an AI-first mindset today

• ChatGPT (OpenAI) – writing, brainstorming, transcription
• Claude AI – writing emails and marketing copy with a natural tone
• CastMagic – turning sermon audio into follow-up content
• Otter.ai – meeting recording, transcription, and summary
• Opus.pro – automatic sermon clip creation for social media
• Google Gemini – deep research with verifiable sources
• Fantastical and Motion – calendar management with AI assistance

Resources Mentioned:Elevate Conference | September 9, 2025Join us for the Elevate Conference at Brentwood Baptist Church in Nashville, TN. This one-day event equips church leaders with actionable strategies for discipleship, growth, and navigating ministry challenges in a changing world.Register now at https://elevatechurchconference.com

Register Now for the Elevate Conference on September 9, 2025On this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Wade Owens is joined by Fady Al-Hagal to explore the vital topic of church multiplication. Together, they dive into the mindset, vision, and practical steps needed to create healthy churches that multiply for the Kingdom.With decades of ministry experience, Wade and Fady share insights from real-life church revitalization and planting stories, offering a roadmap for pastors and leaders eager to embrace a multiplication movement.Meet the Speakers:

Wade Owens: Campus and Teaching Pastor at The Church at Nolensville, one of Brentwood's 9 campuses, Wade is passionate about equipping leaders and fostering healthy churches that make disciples and multiply ministries. Fady Al-Hagal: A church revitalization and multiplication expert, Fady serves as a key leader in Brentwood Baptist’s mission to plant and revitalize 100+ churches across the region. 3:05 – The Multiplication Mindset: Vision, burden, and plan 10:18 – Assessing your congregation’s health before multiplying 19:33 – The challenges of shifting from addition to multiplication 23:40 – How to create a leader pipeline for sustainable growth 34:12 – Steps to revitalization: Assess, equip, plan, and activate 44:00 – Markers of a healthy church: Making disciples, maturing believers, and multiplying ministries StrengthsFinder by Gallup The Multiplication Effect by Mac Lake Emotionally Healthy Discipleship by Peter Scazzero Building Leaders by Aubrey Malphurs Demographic Studies and Tools for Understanding Your Region

Topics Discussed in This Episode:Resources Mentioned:Ready to explore church multiplication or revitalization? Contact Fady Al-Hagal, Multiplication Minister at Brentwood Baptist Church, at [mailto:falhagal@brentwoodbaptist.com] for guidance, tools, and partnerships to help your church embrace the multiplication movement.Elevate Conference | September 9, 2025Join us for the Elevate Conference on September 9 at Brentwood Baptist Church in Nashville, TN. This one-day event equips church leaders with actionable strategies for discipleship, growth, and navigating ministry challenges. Register today at https://elevatechurchconference.com/. Whether you’re in the midst of burnout or looking to strengthen your ministry rhythms, this episode provides valuable insights and tools to help you lead well.To learn more about the conference and for additional resources, visit https://elevatechurchconference.com/.

Register Now ↗️ for the Elevate Conference on September 9, 2025 at https://elevatechurchconference.com/. On this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Brian Coates sits down with Todd Bishop and Link Taylor to talk about what it takes to create safe ministry spaces. From church security systems to volunteer training and child protection protocols, they share how a strong safety culture isn’t just smart—it’s gospel-centered. Learn how intentional policies, proactive planning, and clear communication can protect the people you serve and remove barriers to life-changing ministry.Meet the Speakers:• Brian Coates: Executive Pastor at the Brentwood Campus, Brian champions staff health, operational clarity, and a mission-first mindset across campuses.• Todd Bishop: Associate Executive Pastor for the North Region Brentwood Baptist Campuses, Todd leads church operations and safety planning, equipping leaders to think clearly in moments that matter.• Link Taylor: Next Gen and Family Minister at the Brentwood Campus, Link builds healthy, secure spaces for kids, students, and parents to grow in Christ.Timestamps:1:15 – Why church safety isn’t optional anymore3:09 – Creating a sanctuary in an unpredictable world5:35 – What safety looks like in Next Gen ministry6:33 – Training your teams to recognize and respond9:57 – Beyond background checks: the new standard for vetting14:30 – How to lead volunteers through change17:55 – Involving students in serving without compromising safety19:37 – Where to start: 5 steps every church can take today23:58 – Introducing policies without derailing ministry26:39 – How safety becomes part of church cultureElevate Conference | September 9, 2025Join us for the Elevate Conference on September 9 at Brentwood Baptist Church in Nashville, TN. This one-day event equips church leaders with actionable strategies for discipleship, growth, and navigating ministry challenges. Register today at elevatechurchconference.com.

Are you ready to take your ministry to the next level? Follow along the Elevate Podcast, launching January 15, as we share how this new resource will equip and encourage church leaders at every stage. Whether you’re a seasoned pastor or a growing team member, the Elevate Podcast is designed to help you sharpen your vision, strengthen your staff, and deepen your Gospel impact.

Hosted by ministers from Brentwood Baptist Church, this podcast brings you honest conversations, practical tools, and insights from leaders who understand the joys and challenges of ministry. With a focus on worship, discipleship, outreach, and more, each episode will inspire and empower you for the work God has called you to do.

Subscribe now and join us on this journey to elevate how we serve, lead, and share the Gospel together. For updates, resources, and more, visit elevatechurchconference.com and follow us @ElevateChurchConference on social. 

In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, host Jay Fennell welcomes Shannon Moore and Matt Purdom to explore the role of on-campus and off-campus small groups in discipleship. They discuss the strengths and challenges of both models, how to build authentic community, and practical strategies for group multiplication. Whether you're a church leader or small group facilitator, this conversation will help you create thriving, gospel-centered groups.

Meet the Speakers:

• Jay Fennell – Groups Minister at The Church of Nolensville, focused on discipleship strategies and leadership development.
• Shannon Moore – Groups and Connections Minister at The Church at Avenue South, passionate about equipping leaders and fostering community.
• Matt Purdom – Groups Minister at Brentwood Baptist, overseeing both on-campus and off-campus small group ministries.

• Discover Bible Study Method – A simple framework for leading effective small groups
• Transformational Groups by Ed Stetzer & Eric Geiger

Topics Discussed:

02:00 – Why small groups are essential for spiritual growth

04:06 – The philosophy behind on-campus and off-campus group models

05:34 – Teaching vs. facilitation: Choosing the right group format

08:57 – Building authentic relationships in small groups

11:19 – How off-campus groups foster mission and outreach

14:29 – Ideal group size and creating space for transparency

27:19 – Multiplication: Why healthy groups should plant new ones

30:17 – Best resources and training methods for group leaders

Resources Mentioned:📌 Elevate Conference | September 9, 2025Join us for the Elevate Conference at Brentwood Baptist Church in Nashville, TN. This one-day event equips church leaders with actionable strategies for discipleship, growth, and leadership development. Secure your spot at https://elevatechurchconference.com.

On this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Taylor Johnson is joined by Alex Rose and Lauren Denton to discuss why kids' discipleship is essential in the church today. They explore the role of parents, the church, and practical strategies for equipping children to live out the Great Commission.Meet the Speakers:

• Taylor Johnson – Next Gen Minister at The Church at Station Hill, passionate about engaging families in discipleship.
• Alex Rose – Next Gen Minister at The Church at Avenue South, leading ministries from birth to 18 years old.
• Lauren Denton – Next Gen Minister at The Church at West End, building a growing kids’ ministry in a new campus setting.

• 1:10 – Why discipleship isn’t just for adults—every kid can be a disciple
• 5:00 – How kids can engage in the Great Commission at school, home, and in their community
• 9:40 – The critical role parents play in discipling their children
• 17:30 – Teaching kids about giving as part of their spiritual growth
• 24:00 – Fostering gospel conversations with kids and how they naturally share their faith
• 31:35 – Integrating kids into the broader life of the church through worship and service
• 38:22 – Leadership development for kids and fifth-grade leadership teams
• 47:55 – Practical steps churches can take to disciple kids more effectively

• Gospel Project Curriculum – Teaching kids the story of the Bible
• What is a Christian? (Lifeway Kids Resource) – A tool to help kids articulate their faith
• The Giving Book – A resource designed to teach kids about stewardship
• The Gospel: God's Plan for Me – A simple framework to share the gospel with kids
• Five G’s of Discipleship (Brentwood Baptist) – Giving, Going, Groups, Gospel Conversations, and Gathering

Topics Discussed in This Episode:Resources Mentioned:Elevate Conference | September 9, 2025Join us for the Elevate Conference at Brentwood Baptist Church in Nashville, TN. This one-day event equips church leaders with actionable strategies for discipleship, growth, and navigating ministry challenges. Register today atelevatechurchconference.com.Want more resources? Visit elevatechurchconference.com for ministry toolkits, blogs, and discipleship resources.

↗️ Register Now for the Elevate Conference on September 9, 2025. On this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Matt Pearson is joined by John Joseph to discuss the dynamics of preaching within a multi-campus church. They explore how to maintain authenticity, balance individual preaching styles with collaborative sermon planning, and discern when to pivot based on the unique needs of each congregation.Meet the Speakers:

• Matt Pearson: Campus and teaching pastor at The Church at West Franklin, Matt values authentic, contextually grounded preaching that speaks directly to the heart of his congregation.
• John Joseph: Serving as the campus and teaching pastor at The Church at Station Hill, John emphasizes clarity, community, and compassionate communication shaped by real-life pastoral experience.

• 2:50 – Brentwood's collaborative preaching philosophy across campuses
• 11:48 – How prayer shapes effective sermon preparation
• 15:43 – Balancing your personal preaching voice with sermon series themes
• 23:32 – Knowing when and how to pivot from your preaching plan
• 29:15 – Essential advice for young and growing preachers
• 30:09 – Why regular feedback is crucial to developing your preaching gift

• The Valley of Vision: A Minister's Preaching

Timestamps: Resources Mentioned:Elevate Conference | September 9, 2025Join us for the Elevate Conference on September 9 at Brentwood Baptist Church in Nashville, TN. This one-day event equips church leaders with actionable strategies for discipleship, growth, and navigating ministry challenges. Register today at elevatechurchconference.com.Whether you're just starting out in preaching or seeking to refine your approach, this episode offers practical insights for communicating the gospel faithfully and effectively. To learn more about the conference and for additional resources, visit https://elevatechurchconference.com/.

Register Now for the Elevate Conference on September 9, 2025On this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Garrett Gregory, is joined by Michelle Dyer, and Keith Tenpenny, to tackle the challenge of burnout in ministry. With over 60 years of combined leadership experience, they share practical strategies for balancing ministry and family, setting boundaries, and rediscovering rest.Meet the Speakers:

Garrett Gregory: Focused on equipping staff and fostering a healthy team culture, Garrett brings his experience as a leader, pastor, and father of four. Michelle Dyer: With 15+ years of experience, Michelle oversees membership development, guest services, and the Center for Christian Coaching, helping others align with their God-given purpose. Keith Tenpenny: A counseling specialist with decades of experience, Keith supports mental and spiritual health through care and referrals for staff and members alike. 8:10 - Defining rest: Spiritual, physical, and emotional renewal 19:00 - Recognizing the "rumble strips" of burnout before it’s too late 26:14 - Creating sustainable rhythms for ministry and family life 23:06 - The role of community and accountability in staying grounded 34:23 - Tools for self-awareness, such as StrengthsFinder and the Enneagram 40:07 - Practical strategies for rest, including Brentwood’s monthly soul care days Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero A Praying Life by Paul Miller Prayer by Tim Keller Deep Work by Cal Newport Your Spiritual Personality by Marita Littauer StrengthsFinder and Enneagram tools

Topics Discussed in This Episode:Resources Mentioned:Elevate Conference | September 9, 2025Join us for the Elevate Conference on September 9 at Brentwood Baptist Church in Nashville, TN. This one-day event equips church leaders with actionable strategies for discipleship, growth, and navigating ministry challenges. Register today at https://elevatechurchconference.com/. Whether you’re in the midst of burnout or looking to strengthen your ministry rhythms, this episode provides valuable insights and tools to help you lead well.To learn more about the conference and for additional resources, visit https://elevatechurchconference.com/.