Church growth is something most pastors pray for. We want to see more people reached, more lives changed, and more momentum. But what happens when growth actually starts to happen?

In this episode of Ministry Mix, we talk honestly about the hidden dangers that can quietly creep in as churches grow. These aren’t necessarily problems outsiders usually see, but pressures leaders feel deeply.

We discuss how growth can subtly reshape your definition of success, distort motivation, increase ministry weight, and even impact your soul if you’re not paying attention.

This conversation isn’t anti-growth. It’s about growing faithfully, guarding your heart, and leading in a way that keeps Jesus at the center and people genuinely cared for.

If you’re a pastor, church planter, or ministry leader who feels the tension between reaching more people and shepherding well, this episode is for you.

What We Cover in This Episode

• Why church growth always comes with unseen weight
• How numbers can quietly become an idol
• The emotional toll of tying success to attendance
• Why preaching to more people isn’t the same as pastoring more people
• How to pursue growth without losing faithfulness or joy

Who This Episode Is For

• Pastors and church planters
• Ministry leaders navigating momentum or plateau
• Leaders feeling stretched, tired, or conflicted about growth
• Anyone who wants to lead a church that grows without losing its soul

About Ministry Mix

Ministry Mix is a podcast for pastors and ministry leaders who care about both the health of their soul and the strategy of their ministry. Honest conversations. Practical leadership. Gospel-centered perspective.

Hurting people are not a disruption to ministry. They are the ministry.

In this episode of Ministry Mix, Phil Gifford and Richard Pope walk through eight practical and pastoral reminders for caring well for people who are suffering. Whether the hurt comes from grief, sin, trauma, broken relationships, or life in a fallen world, ministry leaders must learn how to offer real care that reflects the heart of Jesus.

This conversation moves beyond clichés and quick fixes and helps leaders slow down, listen well, and shepherd people with wisdom, truth, and compassion.

If you lead people in any capacity, this episode will help you care for hurting people without burning out, enabling sin, or minimizing pain.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why hurting people are unavoidable if you’re doing ministry faithfully
• How to affirm God’s love when people are tempted to doubt it
• Why presence often matters more than perfect words
• How to ask better questions and listen more effectively
• When and how to bring Scripture into moments of pain
• Why careless Bible verses can do more harm than good
• How to speak hard truths with grace and clarity
• Why consistency and community are essential for long-term care

Key Quote:

“Shepherding the flock means more than teaching truth. It means applying truth to tears, doubts, and wounds.”

Connect With Us

If this episode helped you, make sure to:

• Subscribe to Ministry Mix
• Leave a review to help others find the show
• Join the Ministry Mix Facebook Group to continue the conversation
• Join our GroupMe

In this episode of Ministry Mix, Phil and Richard sit down with Next Gen Pastor at Canvas, David Elliot, who has rapidly grown from serving in a nursery with two kids to leading a full Next Gen ministry that includes children, parents, volunteers, and a newly launched teen ministry. David works bivocationally and represents the reality of many ministry leaders juggling calling, work, and ministry growth.

Together, the guys unpack three core questions David brought to the table and end with six practical ways to scale your ministry without sacrificing health or culture.

1. How fast should you scale a volunteer into a leader?

2. How do you know someone is ready for the next step?

3. When do you give a new leader autonomy?

1. Invest in leaders, not just labor.

2. Develop before you grow.

3. Systematize what already works.

4. Clarify values and mission.

5. Empower decision-making.

6. Guard culture relentlessly.

Scaling your ministry is not about adding programs. It is about multiplying leaders, clarifying culture, and building systems that allow discipleship to flourish as your church grows.