Happy New Year! Today’s first 95Podcast of the year features a conversation with Emily Manders, Jason Allison and Michael Schooley discussing the impact of online cohorts and small groups. They share several experiences of seeing firsthand how much encouragement, support and community develops through these healthy connections.

Our heart at 95Network is to provide a place where you can also get connected. This is why we’re emphasizing the theme of “Let’s Connect!” throughout 2026. We are here for you whether you need encouragement individually or even as a leadership team. Just email Dale at [email protected] to get the connection conversation started.

Description

In the first episode of 2026, Dale Sellers welcomes Jason Allison (Director of Church Strengthening at Converge Mid-Atlantic), Emily Manders (Director of Operations at Converge Mid-Atlantic and Executive Director at Restoration Church), and Michael Schooley (church planter and leader developer with Converge Northeast) to discuss the vital importance of relational connection in ministry. The conversation explores how cohorts, online communities, and peer-to-peer relationships are transforming pastoral care and church health in an era when traditional conferences are declining in attendance. The team shares practical insights about creating safe spaces for vulnerability, processing content together, and building sustainable ministry through authentic relationships.

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Key Points In Brief

• Traditional conferences are declining while relational gatherings are increasing in value—people attend primarily for connection, not content
• Online cohorts and Zoom-based communities are proving highly effective for building meaningful pastoral relationships across geographic distances
• Peer-to-peer learning creates sustainable support networks where pastors can process challenges with others facing similar situations
• Vulnerability requires safety—trust must be built over time through consistent, intentional connection
• Discipleship begins with leaders—pastors cannot model what they haven’t experienced themselves
• Content overload is real—people need processing spaces more than additional information
• Isolation is the enemy—70% of pastors are introverts, making intentional connection even more critical
• Succession planning matters—160,000 churches will experience pastoral transitions in the next decade

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Key Takeaways

For Pastors:

• You cannot lead people into community if you haven’t experienced it yourself—prioritize your own connection with other leaders
• Find a cohort, circle of learning, or peer group where you can be vulnerable and process ministry challenges in a safe environment
• Online connection is legitimate and valuable—don’t dismiss Zoom-based relationships as inferior to in-person gatherings
• Introverts need community too—the format may be different, but the need for connection remains

For Church Leaders:

• Create spaces within your ministry for peer-to-peer processing, not just content consumption
• Relationships formed in smaller groups carry more long-term value than large conference attendance
• Consider starting cohorts around specific needs: executive pastors, NextGen leaders, succession planning, soul care, etc.
• Build trust gradually—allow people to observe before expecting deep vulnerability

For Ministry Organizations:

• Shift from content-heavy conferences to relationship-rich gatherings with intentional processing time
• Leverage technology to connect leaders across geographic boundaries
• Design cohorts with clear objectives: some for ongoing relationship building, others for time-limited skill development
• Prioritize consistency (monthly or regular meetings) over intensity

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Notable Quotes

“The problem with blind spots is you can’t see them. I need someone to help me see the things I can’t see.” — Jason Allison

“You don’t get breakthrough in the drive-thru.” — Jason Allison

“Therapy has outpaced discipleship. People pay to do therapy once a week, but they need people to process that with—and that’s discipleship.” — Emily Manders

“I thought I was alone, but now I know I’m not.” — Conference attendee feedback shared by Jason Allison

“Satan steals our joy. But when you’re doing ministry with people—with the right people—there is fun, there is laughter. We undervalue the kingdom value of play, fun, and laughter.” — Michael Schooley

“We were created to be in community. If you are calling your congregation to be in relationships, if you’ve never done it, then you can’t show them how.” — Jason Allison

“The relationships have to form somewhere. They don’t form at the conference because there’s too many people. They form leading up to it in different ways.” — Jason Allison

“We live in a very content-driven world. There’s plenty of content out there. But how do you process through all this content? That’s the big part.” — Michael Schooley

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Next Steps

For Individual Pastors:

• [ ] Identify one cohort, peer group, or online community to explore joining in the next 30 days
• [ ] Reach out to Dale Sellers ([email protected]) or another team member to discuss connection opportunities
• [ ] If you lead a church, audit your own vulnerability—are you modeling the community you’re asking others to build?
• [ ] Connect with organizations mentioned: 95 Network, Converge Mid-Atlantic, Converge Northeast, Northeast Collaborative, Alongside Ministry Wives, Women in Leadership

For Church Leadership Teams:

• [ ] Create at least one peer-to-peer processing space within your ministry (not just content delivery)
• [ ] Schedule time in gatherings specifically for relational connection, not just teaching
• [ ] Consider starting a cohort around a specific need in your church: leadership development, soul care, multiplication, etc.
• [ ] If you’re 5-10 years from retirement, begin working on a succession plan (consider Converge’s partnership with Chemistry Staffing)

For Ministry Networks:

• [ ] Evaluate current conference and gathering strategies—are they prioritizing relationships or just content?
• [ ] Design cohort experiences with clear objectives: relationship building vs. skill development vs. specific outcomes
• [ ] Leverage Zoom and technology to reduce geographic barriers to connection
• [ ] Create safe spaces where leaders can process challenges with peers facing similar situations

Link To Podcast Audio: 95Podcast 319

 

Link To Podcast YouTube:

Q & A Transcript

Q: Why are conference attendances declining?

A: Emily Manders notes that people are overwhelmed by content and don’t decide to attend until about two weeks before—usually because of relational connections (it’s a “family reunion”) rather than content. Jason adds that relationships have to form somewhere before the conference, and when there are too many people, meaningful connection doesn’t happen at the event itself.

Q: How do you get people to be vulnerable in online cohorts?

A: Michael Schooley emphasizes building safety and trust over time. He says it’s okay if someone doesn’t share initially—they’re observing and determining if it’s safe. He recommends welcoming people warmly, allowing silence, providing opportunities (but not pressure) to speak, and going around the room to ensure everyone is heard. Emily adds that sometimes calling on quieter people (especially introverts) can unlock valuable insights, particularly when you already have trust and relationship.

Q: What makes cohorts effective versus just consuming more content?

A: Michael explains that cohorts provide space to process content and contextualize it for your specific situation. Jason emphasizes peer-to-peer learning and the “unintended consequences” of bonding that happens through shared vulnerability. The group learns from practitioners who are living similar stories, not just consuming theory.

Q: How can I find a cohort if I’m isolated?

A: Reach out to 95 Network ([email protected]), Converge regional networks, Alongside Ministry Wives (for women in ministry), Women in Leadership organizations, or start by asking fellow pastors in your area. Even if you’re geographically isolated, online cohorts can provide meaningful connection.

Q: Why does discipleship in churches often fail?

A: Jason observes that many churches (like the 110-year-old church that recently closed) were “preacher-centered” rather than discipleship-focused. Dale adds that leaders can’t model what they haven’t experienced—if pastors aren’t being discipled themselves, they can’t effectively disciple others.

Q: What about introverted pastors who don’t want to be around people?

A: Dale shares that research suggests upwards of 70% of pastors are introverts. The format of connection may need to be different, but the need remains. Smaller online cohorts with consistent, safe relationships can be less draining than large gatherings while still meeting the need for community.