Strategy Snippets with Mel & Melinda

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 36
 
Big events can be exciting—but they can also leave church teams exhausted, overwhelmed and wondering if it was all worth it.
In this episode, Mel and Melinda talk about how churches can take some of the stress out of big events. From deciding ahead of time which events really deserve your energy, to managing timelines, communicating well and involving the right people, Mel shares practical lessons from years of coordinating events in both large and small churches.
But there’s also a bigger question: are we putting more energy into making an event impressive than into actually connecting with people?
Whether you’re planning Christmas, Easter, an outreach event or something unique to your church, this episode is a reminder to manage the workload, adjust your expectations and keep the main thing the main thing.
 
Strategy Snippets is brought to you by Focus Church Consulting. Learn more at www.focuschurchconsulting.com.au

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 35
 
Can something as good as the Bible become unhealthy in the way we use it?
In this episode, Mel and Melinda explore the darker side of strategy and how good things can produce unhealthy outcomes when our methods become rigid or go unquestioned. They unpack what happens when churches fill people with biblical knowledge without helping them live it out, and when inherited ways of doing church unintentionally make it harder for some people to participate and belong.
Because the problem isn't the ingredients. Sometimes, it's what we do with them.
 
Strategy Snippets is brought to you by Focus Church Consulting. Learn more at www.focuschurchconsulting.com.au

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 34
 
Everyone is busy. But leadership development is too important to put in the too hard basket.
In this episode, Mel and Melinda explore practical ways churches can develop leaders without simply adding more meetings to already crowded calendars. From books and group chats to video, bite-sized training and making better use of existing rhythms, they look at how leadership development can become more accessible, practical and worthwhile.
Because sometimes busyness isn't the real problem—meaningfulness is. Instead of expecting people to fit into our systems, perhaps we need to think differently about how leadership development can fit into their lives.
 
Strategy Snippets is brought to you by Focus Church Consulting. Learn more at www.focuschurchconsulting.com.au

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 33
 
Financial integrity isn't only about meeting legal or accounting requirements. Sometimes it's found in the simple practices that shape how a church handles money every day.
In this episode, Mel and Melinda explore practical ways churches can build a culture of financial integrity—from having multiple people handle cash and giving ministry leaders real budgets, to greater transparency with congregations and involving young people in the process.
Because good financial practices don't just protect our churches and our people. They can build trust, develop leaders and even become an opportunity for discipleship.
 
Strategy Snippets is brought to you by Focus Church Consulting. Learn more at www.focuschurchconsulting.com.au

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 32
 
Church programs can be incredibly valuable—but sometimes we create a program to solve something that might be better addressed through relationship.
In this episode, Mel and Melinda explore whether churches can over-prescribe programs when what people really need is someone willing to spend time with them, journey alongside them and help them grow.
Because some of the most influential ministry doesn't happen from a platform or through a program. It happens in relationship.
 
Strategy Snippets is brought to you by Focus Church Consulting. Learn more at www.focuschurchconsulting.com.au

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 31
 
Choosing songs for church is about more than finding music people enjoy—or matching a song to this week’s sermon.
In this episode, Mel and Melinda explore how thoughtfully curating a church song list can help congregations engage more deeply in worship. They unpack everything from theological content and context to musical style, emotional tone, singability and the capabilities of the musicians leading them.
They also ask whether our song lists have enough breadth: songs of prayer and declaration, remembrance and response, celebration and even lament.
Because the songs we sing aren't simply filling a space in the service. They're tools that help people pray, remember truth, respond to God and participate together in worship.
 
Strategy Snippets is brought to you by Focus Church Consulting. Learn more at www.focuschurchconsulting.com.au

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 30
 
Why is it so hard to get volunteers?
Church leaders often assume people are simply too busy to serve. But what if the problem isn't people's capacity—it's how we're inviting them to contribute?
In this episode, Mel and Melinda explore why people are more likely to serve when they're personally invited, genuinely valued, well-equipped and given opportunities that feel meaningful. They also challenge the language of "volunteering" and ask how churches can recognise the unique gifts and contributions already sitting within their congregations.
 
Strategy Snippets is brought to you by Focus Church Consulting. Learn more at www.focuschurchconsulting.com.au

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 29
 
What does our church program say about how we value the people we lead?
Church activities may be well-intentioned, but every extra meeting, event or commitment asks something of people's already busy lives.
In this episode, Mel and Melinda explore what our church calendars communicate about how we value people's time. From protecting rest and family life to rethinking leaders' meetings and inviting honest feedback, they ask how we can create church rhythms that serve people rather than simply expecting more from them.
 
Strategy Snippets is brought to you by Focus Church Consulting. Learn more at www.focuschurchconsulting.com.au

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 28
 
Church leaders are passionate about people—but that doesn't mean our systems, meetings, and workflows should be inefficient.
In this episode, Mel introduces key principles from Lean Six Sigma and explores how churches can better steward their time, reduce unnecessary waste, and create healthier rhythms for ministry. From smarter meetings to intentional planning and proactive leadership, this conversation is packed with practical ideas to help churches accomplish more by working more wisely—not simply working harder.
 
Strategy Snippets is brought to you by Focus Church Consulting. Learn more at www.focuschurchconsulting.com.au

Strategy Snippets · Season 1 · Episode 27
 
We often assume people don't come because they're not interested. But what if the real barriers are the ones we've unintentionally created?
In this episode, Mel and Melinda explore how traditional church schedules can exclude shift workers, families, students, people with disabilities, and many others. They challenge churches to rethink long-held assumptions about when church should happen—and ask whether greater flexibility could help more people experience Christian community.
If we're serious about reaching people, are we making it possible for them to come?
 
Strategy Snippets is brought to you by Focus Church Consulting. Learn more at www.focuschurchconsulting.com.au