Church Works is a podcast about doing church God’s way. When we follow His Word, the church thrives, disciples are made, leaders are shaped, and the gospel advances.
Through honest conversations with pastors and church members, we explore what Scripture teaches about the local church and why God’s design still works.
Join us as we trust his design and put it into practice.
What does single-minded ministry look like in a busy church and a crowded life? In Episode 4 of Church Works, Doug and Ben discuss why focus leads to greater fruitfulness, how a clear discipleship pathway protects a healthy church from distraction, and how additional ministries can strengthen the foundations of worship, community, and serving. This conversation offers practical encouragement for pastors, church leaders, church planting teams, and believers who want to prioritize God, remain faithful to the local church, and make disciples with clarity.
22 Sept 2026
The Power of Saying No in Ministry
Why would a church say no to an idea? In this episode of Church Works, Doug and Ben reflect on the early years of planting Harvest Church and explain how clear priorities helped them stay focused on making disciples.They discuss worship, small groups, serving, and how church leaders can encourage someone’s personal calling without turning every good idea into a church ministry. It’s a practical conversation for pastors, church planters, ministry leaders, and church members.
8 Sept 2026
Building Trust in Ministry
Healthy church leadership is built on more than roles and responsibilities. In Season 2, Episode 2 of Church Works, Doug Long and Ben Vermilion reflect on 14 years of ministry together and share how trust, honest communication, healthy conflict, and mutual deference have strengthened their relationship as lead pastor and worship pastor.
From handling criticism and planning worship services to building relational equity and pursuing ministry partners, this conversation offers practical encouragement for pastors, worship leaders, church staff, and church planters who want to build healthy ministry teams, protect unity, and serve God’s church together.
25 Aug 2026
Staying in Your Lane: Clarity about what God has called you to do.
Healthy church ministry requires clarity about what God has called a church to do. In the Season 2 premiere of Church Works, Doug and Ben discuss how clarity strengthens church leadership, helps teams pursue excellence without turning worship into performance, and makes it easier to say no to good ideas that distract from making disciples.
From worship planning and volunteer development to church planting and the Great Commission, this episode offers practical encouragement for pastors, ministry leaders, and church members who want to build healthy, disciple-making churches with clarity, urgency, and simplicity.
23 Jun 2026
Faithful to the Call
What happens when God calls you somewhere you never expected?
Pastor Doug talks with Pastor Taylor Berghuis about moving to Ireland, leading Hope Church, the realities of church planting, and the incredible ways God has provided along the way.
From ministry challenges to stories of God's faithfulness, this episode is an encouraging look at what happens when ministry leaders say yes to God's mission.
12 May 2026
God Builds What We Can't
What does it really take to plant healthy churches?
In Episode 8 of Church Works, Pastor Doug sits down with Kent Shaw to talk about church planting, conviction, generosity, prayer, leadership, and why multiplication matters in the kingdom of God.
From stories of planting churches to practical wisdom about faith, risk, and dependence on God, this conversation is a powerful reminder that Jesus is still building his church.
28 Apr 2026
Are Elders Best for Church Leadership?
Most people don’t know what elders actually do in a church. Are they leaders? Decision-makers? Just a board? Or something completely different?
In this episode of Church Works, Doug sits down with John Mollohan (Vertical Church, Gallipolis, Ohio) to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in the church today:
The difference between elder-led and elder-ruled
Why congregational voting can become more political than spiritual
What elders are actually responsible for (and why it matters)
How humility—not control—is the foundation of real leadership
Why church leadership should look more like a family than a boardroom
This conversation is honest, practical, and at times challenging—but ultimately points back to one truth: Church works when we follow God’s design.
If you’ve ever wondered how churches should be led—or struggled with leadership in the church—this episode is for you.
14 Apr 2026
The Hidden Impact of Serving
Serving isn’t just about filling a role—it’s a core part of following Jesus.In this episode of Church Works, we talk about why serving is essential to spiritual growth, how it shapes your heart, and why every believer is called to step in—not sit on the sidelines.If you’ve ever wondered where you fit, how to discover your calling, or why serving matters, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.Listen now and take your next step.
31 Mar 2026
Small Groups: More Than a Bible Study
How does real discipleship actually happen?
It’s not just about hearing God’s word. It’s about living it out—with others.
In this episode, we talk about:
Why small groups aren’t optional
The danger of knowledge without application
How real growth happens through community
And how the church truly cares for people
If you’ve ever wondered how to grow deeper in your walk with Jesus, this episode is for you.
17 Mar 2026
Hard Conversations That Lead to Spiritual Growth
In Episode 4 of Church Works, we talk about biblical communication — and why loving leadership requires courage, clarity, and grace.
Hard conversations are rarely comfortable, but Scripture calls believers to speak truth in love for the sake of spiritual growth. In this episode, we unpack how communication shapes church culture, discipleship, leadership, and everyday relationships.
Whether you’re a pastor, leader, small group member, or part of a church family, this conversation will challenge and encourage you to pursue Christlike communication.
3 Mar 2026
Loving people = Speaking the truth.
In this episode, we explore the biblical tension of high invitation and high challenge—a culture where everyone is genuinely welcomed, yet lovingly called to spiritual growth and transformation.
What does it mean to love people enough to speak truth? Are discipleship expectations actually “high,” or simply the spiritual minimum Jesus calls every believer to?
Discover why the church works when grace and truth walk together, just as Jesus modeled.
17 Feb 2026
Get on board with the Word and the ways of God
In this episode of Church Works, we talk about the foundation of every healthy church: the Word of God. We discuss why Scripture must shape everything we do—from preaching and leadership to the rhythms of everyday church life. When the church follows God’s ways instead of human strategies, it experiences real health and lasting impact. This conversation also explores how God uses wilderness seasons to grow our faith and why trusting His Word brings clarity, strength, and hope.
17 Feb 2026
CHURCH WORKS PODCAST - TRAILER
God didn't design the church by accident.
It was his plan from the beginning, and when it's lived out the way he intended, it works.
This is a podcast exploring how God grows his people through the local church and unpacking what the Bible really teaches about the church and why it matters today.
17 Feb 2026
No Solo Christianity | S1E01
Does church really work? In Episode One of Church Works, we dive into why the local church—when shaped by God’s Word—becomes one of the greatest gifts in a believer’s life. With honesty and warmth, the conversation explores church hurt, submission, spiritual growth, small groups, and the beauty of life-on-life encouragement. You’ll hear a reminder that we need one another to hold fast to our hope in Christ. If you’ve felt disconnected, skeptical, or spiritually dry, this episode is an invitation back into the joy of Christ and his bride.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
12 ratings
Contact Church Works
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Church Works?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
