by Derek Sanford | Apr 28, 2025 | Uncategorized
Most brainstorming advice assumes everyone’s a natural ideator. That if you gather enough smart, creative people in a room and give them permission to think big, bold ideas will start flying. But if you’ve ever left a session wondering why the room was silent,...
by Derek Sanford | Apr 28, 2025 | Uncategorized
What We’ve Learned So Far in Our Transition to a Missional Model, Televangelists, 40-Day Digital Fast Lessons, and Holy Week Reflections Episode Summary In this episode, Derek and Danielle explore the lessons and surprises of transitioning to a missional model,...
by Derek Sanford | Apr 21, 2025 | Uncategorized
A New Approach to Developing People, The Tape Ministry, Staff Trainer Strategy, and a Fresh Look at Baby Dedications Episode Summary In this episode, Derek and Danielle rewind to the cassette era of sermon distribution, unpack a simple yet powerful format for training...
by Derek Sanford | Apr 19, 2025 | Uncategorized
There’s a loneliness that no one warns you about when you step into ministry. It’s not just the loneliness of late nights or empty rooms. It’s the weight of being the one who is supposed to have answers. The one who holds others up but often has no one holding them....
by Derek Sanford | Apr 16, 2025 | Uncategorized
Preaching Principles: 10 Decision Filters for Mapping Out Your Sermon Series Calendar At Grace Church, our ministry year runs from September to August, so we start planning our church calendar in the spring, around April or May. That means by February, I block out a...
by Derek Sanford | Apr 13, 2025 | Uncategorized
How to Make the Shift from Church Programs to Relational Discipleship, Christian Woodstock, Multiplying Churches, and the READY Tool Episode Summary In this episode, Derek and Danielle revisit Christian music festivals of the past, talk church multiplication and...
by Derek Sanford | Apr 7, 2025 | Uncategorized
The Church as a Training Center, 90s Contemporary Worship, Our Preaching Calendar Process, and Volunteer Empowerment Episode Summary In this episode, Derek and Danielle reflect on the 90s worship explosion, walk through their preaching calendar planning process, and...
by Derek Sanford | Mar 31, 2025 | Uncategorized
Because culture, clarity, and chemistry don’t show up in the job description. A few weeks ago, I was on the phone with a pastor friend who was considering stepping into a new role at a church. He asked a great question: “What kind of questions should I be asking them...
by Derek Sanford | Mar 30, 2025 | Uncategorized
Reimagining Worship Gatherings Through a Missional Lens, Stage Props, Does Church Membership Still Matter, and Teaching vs. Training vs. Coaching Episode Summary In this episode, Derek and Danielle explore sermon props from the megachurch days, discuss the role and...
by Derek Sanford | Mar 25, 2025 | Uncategorized
In the aftermath of the pandemic, many churches have struggled to reengage their communities—especially when it comes to volunteerism. But at our church, things look a little different. I recently sat down with Barna to talk about how Grace Church has built a thriving...
