The Care Ministry Podcast
The Care Ministry Podcast helps church leaders cultivate a culture of care within their congregations. Host Laura Howe shares practical resources and actionable strategies to support leader well-being and strengthen volunteer teams. Drawing on her 15 years as a community mental health clinician and founder of Hope Made Strong, she offers community development insights. Expert guests discuss overcoming challenges and implementing best practices for reaching and caring for the church and community. The podcast aims to equip listeners to care effectively without experiencing burnout.
Episodes
233. Inside the 2026 Church Mental Health Summit: A Sneak Peek at Six Sessions
The Church Mental Health Summit is almost here, and this episode gives you a preview of what’s coming.
Laura shares short excerpts from six Summit sessions, one from each track, and highlights a few of the ideas that can help shape stronger, more thoughtful care ministry.
Because the goal of the Summit isn’t to consume as much information as possible. It’s to find the one or two ideas tha
232. When to Build Programs and When to Build Partnerships
What care should your church actually provide?
In this coaching call, Laura talks with Eric Kuhn from Grace Spring Bible Church about how to discern what care belongs inside the church and what may be better supported through trusted partnerships.
As Grace Spring builds on its longstanding connection with Response Care Center, Laura and Eric explore how church vision, existing strengths,
231. Someone Told You They Are Struggling with Addiction. What's Your Next Faithful Step?
What do you do when someone trusts you enough to say, “I’m struggling with addiction”?
For many ministry leaders, that moment can feel overwhelming. You care deeply, but may not know what to say, where to begin, or how much responsibility you should carry.
In this episode, Laura Howe and Rebecca Bailey talk about how churches can respond to addiction with compassion, curiosity, and health
230. Why Caring for Others Requires Caring for Yourself with Dan Allender
What happens when the people caring for everyone else realize they need care too?
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe is joined by Dr. Dan Allender, therapist, author, professor, and founder of the Allender Center. Together they explore the connection between story, trauma, healing, and spiritual formation, and why caring for others requires us to tend to our own hear
229. Building a Care Team Before Crisis Hits
What does it look like to build a care team before the crisis happens?
In this coaching episode, Laura talks with Bill Loften, Care Pastor at Grace Fellowship Church in Maryland, about expanding care beyond pastors and licensed ministry leaders.
Bill is less than a year into his role, but he is already thinking strategically about how to identify, equip, and support people within the cong
228. Why Attending Church is Difficult for Families Impacted by Mental Illness with Dr. Stephen Grcevich
In this special summer episode, Laura and Rebecca are taking a short break while continuing to bring listeners new and meaningful content each week. This episode features one of the top sessions from a past Church Mental Health Summit with Dr. Stephen Grcevich, founder and president of Key Ministry.
Dr. Grcevich shares important research on how common mental health conditions can im
227. Caring for Blended Families: What Every Church Needs to Understand with Inés Franklin
Blended families are more common than we often realize, but they’re rarely talked about in our churches.
In this episode, Laura sits down with Inés Franklin to explore the realities of blended family life and how care leaders can better support those navigating complex family dynamics.
Together, they discuss hidden challenges, the impact of family systems on identity and faith, and practi
226. When People Feel Safe Enough to Be Honest with Jennifer VanCleve
What happens when a church becomes a place where people feel safe enough to be honest?
In this coaching episode, Laura talks with Jennifer VanCleve, a campus pastor at StoneBridge Christian Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Jennifer shares how care has been growing in her church through small groups, recovery ministries, grief support, mental health conversations, and a deep desire to help peopl
225. Creating Safe Pathways for Families to Ask for Help
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe and Rebecca Bailey discuss how churches can create safe pathways for families to ask for help before situations reach a crisis point.
Many families are carrying challenges related to parenting, grief, finances, mental health, caregiving, and relationships, but often hesitate to reach out for support. Laura and Rebecca explore the ba
224. Relationship Skills Are Discipleship: A Resource for Young Adults with Kelly Haer
What if relationship skills are not just practical life skills, but part of discipleship?
In this episode, Laura sits down with Dr. Kelly Haer, Executive Director of the Boone Center for the Family at Pepperdine University, to talk about Relationship IQ, a practical resource designed to help young adults build healthy relationships.
Kelly shares her own story of being drawn to counseling
223. From Informal Care to Intentional Care with Peggy Krueger & Dennis Goff
Care is already happening in your church so how do you build on what is already there
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe is joined by Peggy Krueger, Care Coordinator, and Pastor Dennis Goff from St. Michael Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana for a real-time coaching conversation
Peggy and Dennis share what it looks like to build care ministry in a growing ch
222. The Weight of Care: Why Ministry Feels So Heavy (and What to Do About It)
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe and Rebecca Bailey talk about the weight many care leaders are carrying right now.
Walking with people through grief, crisis, and everyday challenges can take a toll. It is not just the work. It is the stories, the responsibility, and the pressure to respond well. For many leaders, that weight can start to feel overwhelming.
Laura a
221. Mental Health in the Church: What to Do When You Feel Unprepared with Dr. Mark Mayfield
What do you do when someone shares something heavy… and you care deeply, but don’t feel equipped to respond?
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Mark Mayfield (or as he prefers, “just Mark”) to talk about the growing need for mental health awareness in the church, and the very real tension many leaders feel between wanting to help and not knowing how.
Mark brings a unique perspective, h
220. Building Care That Grows With Your Church
Build care that grows with your church by balancing relationships, systems, and sustainable support.
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe is joined by Laura Mulligan, Care Coordinator and Chaplain for a slightly different kind of conversation; less coaching, more shared learning.
Laura reflects on 10 years of building care ministry at Grace Fellowship, growing from a f
E219. Mental Health Isn’t a Program: Rethinking Discipleship in the Church
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe and Rebecca Bailey explore a question many churches are asking right now: we care about mental health… but what do we actually do with it?
As awareness has grown, the challenge has shifted from understanding mental health to integrating it into the life of the church. But with so many resources and approaches available, many care le
E218. More Connected, Yet More Lonely: Rethinking Discipleship with Rebecca Taguma
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe is joined again by Rebecca Taguma from the American Bible Society and the Trauma Healing Institute.
Together, they explore what many churches are quietly experiencing—everyday overwhelm, loneliness, and emotional exhaustion—and how this is shaping the way we care for and disciple people.
This conversation reframes emotional resilien
217. From Global to Local: Next Step with Global Hubs
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe is joined by David Barter, pastor, ministry coach, and the lead for Hope Made Strong’s work in Australia.
David shares how his own experience with depression, anxiety, and burnout shaped his passion for helping churches care well. Together, Laura and David talk about the reality many churches face—they want to help, but often aren’t
E216. The Power of Referral: Building an Ethical and Effective Community Partner Network
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe and Rebecca Bailey explore one of the most misunderstood areas of care ministry: referrals.
Church leaders often feel tension when referring someone outside the church. It can feel like handing people off or losing influence. But healthy referrals are not a failure of care. They are a critical part of sustainable, holistic ministry.
E215. How Churches Can Serve Their Communities With Humility and Impact with Kent Annan
How Churches Can Serve Their Communities With Humility and Impact
5 Practices for Faithful Community Engagement with Kent Annan
Many churches care deeply about their communities but feel overwhelmed by the complexity of the needs around them. Where do you start, and how do you help without causing harm or burning out your team?
In this episode, Laura Howe talks with Kent Annan, co-founder
214. Leading in the Messy Middle: A Real Ministry Story
How do you lead well in church ministry when you care deeply about people but aren’t the final decision maker?
In this episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe sits down for one of her monthly coaching conversations with Lacey Reaves, a ministry leader serving in small groups at Redemption Church in South Carolina.
Together they explore a leadership challenge many ministry leaders
E213. Who Follows Up? Closing the Loop Between Outreach and Care
In this episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe and Rebecca Bailey explore one of the most overlooked yet powerful parts of care ministry: follow-up.
Churches often do a meaningful job receiving needs and responding in the moment. A meal train is organized. A hospital visit happens. An outreach event is planned with excellence. But what happens after that? Laura and Rebecca walk
E212. Better Together: From Church Programs to Community Partnership
In this episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, host Laura Howe sits down with Dave Eckert and Mark to explore how churches and communities can work better together to care for people on the margins. Drawing from decades of experience in mental health, social services, and church leadership, Dave and Mark share why community itself is often the missing piece in care and how churches can mov
E211. You Don’t Have to Rush Care: A Coaching Conversation on Grief and Trust
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe is joined by pastor and care ministry leader Chad Clements for a coaching-style conversation about grief, leadership, and the pressure many ministry leaders feel to move faster than they should.
Chad shares openly about stepping into a newly created care role without a clear roadmap and how his own journey through grief and lament h
210. How Spiritual Formation Functions As Preventative Care
In this episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, host Laura Howe is joined by Rebecca Bailey for a rich conversation on how spiritual formation functions as preventative care within church care ministries. Together, they explore why care and formation cannot be separated, how spiritual formation shows up across Hope Made Strong’s five-part Model of Care (self, community, peer, pastoral, and
209. Why You Can’t Lead Well Without Empathy with Drs. Bill & Kristi Gaultiere
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe is joined by psychologists, spiritual directors, and Soul Shepherding founders Bill Gaultiere and Kristi Gaultiere for a deeply honest conversation about empathy, burnout, and spiritual formation. Drawing from decades of counseling, ministry leadership, and personal experience, the Gaultieres unpack why empathy is “oxygen for the so
208: Championing Mental Health Through Local Church Summits
In this episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, host Laura Howe sits down with Jennifer Bowen, Executive Director of Shalem Mental Health Ministries, to reflect on hosting a Local Church Mental Health Summit in Canada. Jennifer shares the heart, strategy, and lessons learned from hosting a multi-day summit that brought together pastors, therapists, educators, and ministry leaders to explore
207: An Intentional Vision for Care: Why Bigger Isn’t Always Better with Milton bible Church
In this episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, host Laura Howe sits down with Mark Strickland and Matt Timpson from Milton Bible Church to explore what intentional, sustainable care looks like in a mid-sized church. Together, they unpack why Milton Bible has chosen to remain “decidedly mid-sized,” how administration can strengthen (not replace) relationships, and how care systems can suppo
206: Prayer as a Core Care Strategy
In this episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe and Rebecca Bailey kick off the new year by introducing prayer as a foundational care strategy within a holistic care ministry. They unpack how prayer fits into six core care pillars and explore why prayer should be more than informal or assumed.
It deserves thoughtful structure, training, and follow-through. From understanding diff
205: Spiritual Formation Without Spiritual Bypassing
Today, Laura Howe speaks with Dr. Chris Adams, Executive Director of the Mental Health and the Church Initiative at Biola University’s Rosemead School of Psychology. They dive into the essential practices of healthy caregiving within ministry, highlighting how care leaders can show up with empathy and wisdom without carrying the full emotional weight of others. Chris shares his personal j
204: Advent Series for Care Leaders: Love in the In-Between
In the final week of the Advent series, Laura and Rebecca explore the theme of love…not just the love we offer others, but the radical invitation to receive love ourselves. They reflect on the vulnerability of love, the five needs for Christian connection, and how community becomes the soil where love is planted and grown. This episode brings a practical and deeply spiritual close to the
203: Advent Series for Care Leaders: Joy in the In-Between
In this third week of the Advent series, Laura and Rebecca dive into the theme of joy, not as fleeting happiness, but as a deep, sustaining posture of the heart. They reflect on how joy can coexist with sorrow, stress, and fatigue, and how it’s often found not in perfection, but in presence. Through personal stories, theological insights, and the Advent Guide, they invite leaders to explo
202: Advent Series for Care Leaders: Peace in the In-Between
In week two of our Advent series, Laura and Rebecca reflect on the theme of peace, not as the absence of noise or activity, but as the deep assurance that God is near in the midst of chaos. Using the free Advent Reflection Guide, they share practical ways for care leaders to slow down, center themselves, and reconnect with God, even in the busiest season. Through breath prayers, hymns, an
201: Advent Series for Care Leaders: Hope in the In-Between
In this special Advent episode, Laura and Rebecca introduce a new free resource designed to help ministry leaders slow down, reflect, and find restoration during the hectic holiday season. This Advent series centers on nurturing leaders through the four themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. With daily breath prayers, scripture readings, hymn reflections, and photo prompts, this gu
200: When You’re Ready for a Fresh Start: Rediscovering Your Why in Care Ministry
Today, Laura sits down with therapist and ministry leader Rebecca to talk about what it looks like to integrate professional care and pastoral support in the church. They discuss the importance of psychological safety, how to cultivate healing environments in ministry, and why a strengths-based approach matters when building a culture of care. Their conversation highlights the blend of cl
199: You Can Build a Sustainable Care Ministry. Here’s How
Today, Laura Howe pulls back the curtain on the Care Ministry Cohort, a five-month mastermind designed to equip ministry leaders with the tools and community they need to build sustainable care ministries. Laura shares her heart for church leaders who are overwhelmed by the needs of their congregation and unsure of where to begin. Listeners get a sneak peek into the four core modules of t
198: Thinking About Hosting a Summit? Here’s What We Learned from NAYBA Australia
Today, Laura Howe sits down with James Harris, Head of Strategic Initiatives at NAYBA Australia, to explore how churches can respond to today’s mental health crisis, not by doing more, but by leaning into their identity as places of belonging and healing. They reflect on the success of Australia’s Church Mental Health Summit, the inspiring legacy of St. Dymphna, and innovative tools like
197: Heart for People, Plan for Care: Making Benevolence Sustainable with Shellie Albright
In this episode, Laura Howe sits down with Shelli Albright, Director of Care and Connection at Fortville Christian Church and a graduate of the Care Ministry Cohort. Shelli gives an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to lead a growing care ministry—and the tensions that come with wanting to help everyone while building sustainable systems.
Through a real-life coaching conver
196: Church Mental Health Summit: FAQs, Tips, and Must-See Sessions
In today’s episode, Laura Howe is joined by Licensed Professional Counselor Rebecca Bailey to answer all your questions about the Church Mental Health Summit. Together, they share personal stories, lessons from years of caregiving ministry, and how collaboration with others brings exponential impact. Whether you're new to the summit or have been part of the journey from the beginning, thi
195: Inside the 2025 Church Mental Health Summit: Speaker Previews from Every Track
Get a sneak peek into the 2025 Church Mental Health Summit in this special preview episode! Host Laura Howe introduces you to five powerhouse speakers—one from each of the Summit's five tracks: Community & Compassion-in-Action, Family & Students, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Healing & Recovery, and Spiritual Formation & Caregiving.
With over 50 speakers lined up for thi
194: Hosting a Watch Party: Turn One Event into Year-Round Volunteer Training.
In this insightful episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe sits down with Ruth Brooks, Care Ministry Administrator at Mission Church in Ventura, California. Ruth shares her unexpected journey into care ministry, the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on how churches care for their congregations, and her excitement about hosting a Church Mental Health Summit watch party. The
193: Stop Scrambling, Start Caring: Your 12-Month Ministry Plan
In this episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, Laura and Rebecca walk you through how to create an annual care ministry plan that integrates compassion and support across every layer of your church community.
From identifying seasonal needs to aligning care initiatives with your church calendar and team capacity, this episode gives practical steps for intentional, strategic planning.
Whe
192: Leading with Presence: Alison Cook on Healing, Boundaries, and the Church
In this powerful episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe sits down with psychologist and author Dr. Alison Cook to explore the role of inner healing in ministry leadership. They discuss how unaddressed pain can hinder our ability to lead well, the difference between spiritual bypassing and true transformation, and how inner healing enhances rather than diminishes spiritual maturi
191: Systematizing Care Without Losing Heart: A Culture-Driven Approach to Ministry
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, host Laura Howe dives into a deeply practical and inspiring conversation with Eric Freemon from City Church in Knoxville, TN. Together, they explore how to build a culture of care in your church that is not only heartfelt but also strategic. Eric shares his journey of navigating rapid church growth, maintaining close-knit community connections
190: Celebrating 100K Downloads - 5 Practices to Cultivate a Safe and Deep Community with David Kim
We’re celebrating a huge milestone—100,000 downloads of The Care Ministry Podcast! Thank you for being part of this growing community of care-minded leaders. To mark the moment, we’re resharing the most downloaded episode of all time: a powerful message from the 2023 Church Mental Health Summit featuring David Kim. Whether it’s your first listen or your fifth, David’s five practical, insp
189: Becoming an Attuned Listener with Dr. Jackie Perry
At Hope Made Strong, we’re taking a bit of a summer breather, and bringing back some of our top episodes for you to enjoy again—or maybe for the first time! This week, we’re resharing a powerful conversation with Dr. Jackie Perry, a Clinical Mental Health Counselor and founder of The SoulWell Center. As one of our most downloaded episodes, this replay is packed with wisdom on the power of
188: From Overwhelmed to Organized: A Coaching Call on Sustainable Care Ministry
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe sits down with Rebecca Nordquist, Director of Care and Crisis at Verity Church, to explore how her church developed a thriving care ministry rooted in small groups, wraparound support, and robust community partnerships. Rebecca shares her personal story of finding healing from trauma, her passion for helping others do the same, and
187: Understanding the Helpers – Who’s Who in Mental Health Support
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe welcomes Rebecca Bailey, a licensed professional counselor and coach for Hope Made Strong, to unpack the unique mental health needs of ministry leaders. With decades of experience in both clinical and church settings, Rebecca shares how leaders can manage the pressures of leadership, recognize signs of burnout, and build rhythms tha
186: From Chaos to Clarity: Organizing Church Care with CareNote
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe sits down with Donnell Wyche, long-time pastor and software developer, to explore how technology can support and expand care ministry. Donnell shares his journey from analog prayer cards to building CareNote, a care management platform that turns compassion into action. Together, they discuss the importance of being seen, the challe
185: Creating Dignified Care: Lessons from the Field with Tricia Marble
In this podcast episode, Trisha Marble shares her journey in care ministry at Seven Rivers Church in Florida.
She discusses the challenges of bridging generational gaps within the church, the importance of community engagement, and the systems in place to support care ministry. In this conversation, the speakers explore the challenges and opportunities in care ministry, particularly focu
184: When the Plate is Too Full: Boundaries, Delegation, and Self-Care in Ministry
“Burnout doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’ve been strong for too long without rest.” In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe and Rebecca Bailey explore the challenges ministry leaders face when trying to juggle too many responsibilities. They unpack the "What’s on Your Plate?" exercise, a practical tool that reveals just how overwhelmed we often are and guides leade
183. RelateStrong: Creating Safe and Connected Church Communities with Dee Dee Mayer
In this insightful episode, Laura sits down with Dee Dee Mayer from the Boone Center for the Family. Dee Dee is a community leader, and she shares about the journey of launching and sustaining a care ministry in the local church. Dee Dee shares candidly about the challenges of burnout, the joy of building relational connections, and the pivotal role of volunteers in creating a cultur
182: Saying Yes to the Hard Thing: How Amy Hughes Turned a Calling Into Community Impact
In this episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe talks with Amy Hughes about the journey of hosting a Church Mental Health Summit at her church in Saratoga Springs, New York. Amy shares her experiences, lessons learned, and the surprising connections that made the event so impactful. From building community partnerships to encouraging difficult conversations about mental health, A
181: Origin Stories, Care Gaps, and Coaching Wins
In this episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe and Rebecca Bailey share their “origin story” as friends and colleagues, reflecting on how their connection has shaped their work in the mental health and ministry space. They discuss their experiences at the Church Mental Health Summit, the origins of their coaching partnership, and the power of building authentic, supportive conne
180: Mobilizing Your Care Team with Spiritual First Aid With Jamie Aten of Spiritual First Aid
In this insightful episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe reconnects with Dr. Jamie Aten, co-founder of Spiritual First Aid, to explore how churches can become powerful sources of hope and healing through lay-led care. Jamie unpacks the research-backed “BLESS CPR” model, shares stories from disaster relief to church-based recovery, and outlines how Spiritual First Aid is equippi
179:What Churches Get Right (and Wrong) About Mental Health Outreach with Seth Perry
In this powerful episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe sits down with Pastor Seth Perry to kick off Mental Health Awareness Month with a deeply personal and hopeful conversation. Seth shares his journey through bipolar disorder, addiction, and recovery, ultimately leading him back to faith and into pastoral ministry. Together, they discuss the intersection of mental health and
178: Coaching with Care: Bringing Clarity to Care Ministry in Transition
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe sits down with Hilary Spears, Director of Care at The Journey West County in St. Louis. Hilary shares the unique journey of her church—transitioning from a multi-site model to an independent congregation—and how that shift has impacted care ministry. With deep roots in counseling and a growing lay care team, Hilary brings wisdom and
177: More Than a Sermon: How to Host a Mental Health Sunday That Breaks the Stigma
“Hosting a Mental Health Sunday isn’t about being experts—it’s about being open.” In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura and Rebecca dive into a topic that’s close to their hearts—mental health in the church. This time, the focus is all about hosting a meaningful Mental Health Sunday. From common hesitations to creative, hope-filled ideas, the episode offers a fresh perspecti
176: How Churches Can Respond to Loneliness and Create Space for Forgiveness with Rebecca Taguma
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe welcomes Rebecca Taguma from the Trauma Healing Institute to discuss how churches can effectively respond to the rising needs of trauma care in their communities. As trauma, loneliness, and suffering grow more prevalent, the Church holds a unique and powerful role in offering healing. Rebecca shares the mission of the Trauma Healing
175:Coaching with Care: Building Trust & Making Care the Heart of Your Church
In this powerful episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe sits down with Kay Atoloye, a licensed clinical counselor and church planter, to discuss the intersection of faith, mental health, and care ministry. With over two decades of experience in both clinical practice and pastoral roles, Kay shares his heart for care ministry and how his background uniquely equips him to s
174: From Solo Leader to Strong Team: How to Build a Thriving Ministry Team
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe and Rebecca Bailey dive into the essential steps of building a thriving care ministry team. They emphasize that team ministry is not just about filling roles but about discipleship and fostering a sense of belonging, purpose, and hope. The conversation covers the importance of matching people’s gifts with ministry needs, preventing
173: Why Good Listening is Hard—and How to Get Better at It" with Dr. Jackie Perry
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Dr. Jackie Perry joins us to discuss the power of attuned listening and how it transforms care ministry. Dr. Perry, a licensed clinical mental health counselor and founder of The Soulwell Center, shares her insights on how truly listening—beyond just hearing words—creates connection, healing, and trust. We explore the difference between active
172: Coaching with Care: Empowering Peer Volunteers for Impact
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, host Laura Howe sits down with Rev. Emily Badgett to explore the power of equipping peer volunteers in caregiving ministry. Rev. Emily shares her personal journey, from experiencing deep grief to finding her calling in ministry, and offers practical insights on how churches can build sustainable care teams. Discover how to create a culture of
171: Rethinking Care: How to engage peers, pastors and professionals
In this episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe and Rebecca Bailey dive into the essential roles of Peers, Pastors, and Professionals in providing care within the church. They discuss the challenges of reactive versus proactive care ministry and the importance of structured systems to support both leaders and congregants. You’ll hear practical insights on distributing the respons
170: Coaching, Pastoral Care, and Clinical Support – Understanding the Differences with Rev. Dr. Chris Adams, Flourishing In Ministry
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe sits down with Reverend Dr. Chris Adams to explore the distinctions and overlaps between coaching, pastoral care, and clinical support. As a third-generation pastor, clinical psychologist, and experienced coach, Chris shares valuable insights on how churches can integrate these three approaches to create a holistic support system. W
169: How to Lead a City-wide Movement and host a Local Summit
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, host Laura Howe welcomes Christina Tang, a pastoral care leader in Hong Kong, to discuss the inspiring journey behind the creation of the Restore ministry. Christina shares how her passion for mental health support, coupled with the limited resources in Hong Kong, led her to develop training workshops and host events for church leaders and car
168: Coaching with Care: On-Call Pastoral Care Strategy
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura sits down with Shannon Pugh, care pastor at Irving Bible Church, to explore the intentionality behind effective pastoral care. Shannon shares her journey from special needs ministry to leading a cohesive care strategy that spans benevolence, mental health support, and more. The conversation touches on the challenges of addressing diverse
167: Creating a Care Ministry Plan for 2025
In this inspiring episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe and Rebecca Bailey discuss creating a proactive care ministry plan for 2025. They explore shifting from reactive crisis care to a responsive, prevention-focused model through intentional planning. Their insights on using the "Model of Care" framework and practical ministry strategies will equip church leaders to build sust
166: The first year as a Care Coordinator with Ariyana Rimson
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe sits down with Ariyana Rimson to explore the journey of establishing a care ministry. From recognizing unmet needs within the church to developing a clear structure for support, Ariyana shares her experience of transforming a personal vision into a thriving ministry. Her inspiring story highlights the power of compassionate leadersh
165: Cultivating Resilience with Glenn Packiam
Did you know your rate of recovery is a sign of health? Cultivating resilience is all about paying attention to our ability to recalibrate. Today, Glenn Packiam shares with us from one of our top sessions in this year’s Church Mental Health Summit. He gives three practical ways we can exercise our agency in this recalibration. Don’t miss Glenn’s insights on personal limits, keystone habit
164: Cultivating Compassionate Strategies for Healing with Aundi Kolber MA, LPC
As caregivers, we often overlook the toll that compassion fatigue can take on our well-being. When constantly surrounded by others' struggles, feelings of exhaustion, overwhelm, and even numbness can creep in.
In today’s Summit replay, Aundi Kolber introduces the transformative concept of “trying softer.” Instead of pushing through life with sheer willpower, she invites us to adopt a gent
163: Advent Resource for Ministry Leaders
In this special Advent-themed episode, Rebecca Bailey shares insights from Hope Made Strong’s Advent Guide designed specifically for care ministry leaders. Rebecca reflects on the beauty and busyness of the season, offering practical self-care strategies and spiritual practices to help leaders find rest and renewal. From guided breathwork to reflections on Psalm 23, listeners are invited
162:Coaching with Care: Developing a Care Team with Center of Hope
In this episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, host Laura Howe sits down with Pastor Tina Drysdale of Center of Hope Victory Church in Kincardine, Ontario. They discuss the challenges and opportunities of developing a care ministry in a small-town church setting, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. Tina shares how her congregation has embraced a diverse demographic, responded to comm
161: Why is a care ministry strategy important?
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, host Laura Howe and guest Rebecca Bailey dive into the importance of strategic planning in care ministry. They discuss the evolving role of care in the church, emphasizing how intentional planning can help churches better support both congregants and the broader community without overwhelming resources. The conversation covers topics like bala
160: Care Ministry Cohort: Stories from Alumni
Whether it’s a new team, a church transition, or some other circumstance, care teams are often left to piece together how to create a sustainable and helpful system for creating cultures of care. Today, Janelle and Katie share their experience entering into the Care Ministry Cohort, where the community, helpful resources, and coaching made all the difference. You can apply for the 2025 Ca
159: Behind the Scenes of Hosting a Local Church Mental Health Summit
In this episode, Pastor Trent Kirkland, from Zion Church in Clarion, Pennsylvania, shares his experience hosting the first local Church Mental Health Summit in North America. Pastor Trent discusses his personal journey with mental health, how his daughter's eating disorder and his experience as a mobile crisis worker shaped his understanding of the mental health crisis, and the steps his
158: How To Get The Most Out Of The Church Mental Health Summit
In this episode, Laura and Rebecca discuss how to maximize the benefits of the upcoming Church Mental Health Summit, offering practical tips for attendees, including registering early to avoid last-minute technical issues and organizing watch parties for community engagement.
They also highlight the advantages of the all-access and ultimate passes, which provide ongoing value throug
157: Becoming A Sanctuary For Mental Health with Daniel Whitehead
In this episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe sits down with Daniel Whitehead, CEO of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries, for an insightful conversation. Daniel shares his journey from leading a church in England to facing emotional burnout, which led him to pursue studies in theology and mental health. Together, they talk about the pressures of leadership, the power of vulnera
156: Building A Culture Of Care With Grace Family Church
In this episode, Laura Howe speaks with Pastor Chris and Samantha from Grace Family Church in Tampa, Florida. They discuss the unique dynamics of their multi-campus church, the challenges of growing a culture of care, and their plans to utilize the Church Mental Health Summit as a tool for staff training.
Pastor Chris shares his 13 years of experience in care ministry and how Grace Family
155: Benefits of a community of practice
In a new segment of this podcast with guest, Rebecca Bailey, we’re exploring the benefits of creating a Community of Practice within your church. Listen in for tips on how shared experiences, knowledge, and support lead to stronger, more effective care ministries. Laura and Rebecca also share about the best way to put the new Hope Made Strong Online Community into practice–during the Chur
154: Addressing Suicide in communities and congregations with Melinda Moore, Ph. D
Melinda Moore shares her personal journey from aspiring to be a medical doctor to finding her passion in suicidology and suicide prevention. Her experience with loss and her work in clinical psychology have driven her to integrate lived experience with clinical practice, emphasizing the importance of empathy and personal insight in mental health support. Melinda highlights the role faith
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