Practical conversations for small and midsize church leaders.
Hosted by Dale Sellers, Executive Director of 95Network and former small church pastor, the 95Podcast addresses the real challenges pastors face every week—from church health, leadership clarity, to the everyday realities of leading without large staff or large budgets. These are straightforward conversations rooted in experience, not theory.
New episodes release every Tuesday wherever you listen to podcasts or delivered straight to your inbox.
You may already know this, but this man changed my (Dale’s) life… Bob Hamp is the Founder of Think Differently Academy and is a Marriage & Family Therapist.
Russ Lee is the mind behind Winter Jam, a lead member of NewSong, and before that was the lead singer for the group Truth. Dale and Russ have been good friends for years now and it was so much fun to have him on the show!
In our conversation before Dale left for Sabbatical, we spent the last portion talking about when leaders start to put the pressure on their own shoulders rather than giving it to the Lord. After that episode, we had a couple pastors reach out to learn a little bit more about that, and they were willing to allow us to share the conversation with you as well!
Dale is BACK from his 40-day Sabbatical. And he has quite the story to share with you. Let’s just say that the Sabbatical went nothing like he expected…
Today we get to share a special conversation with you. Darrell Stetler is a small-church pastor in Oklahoma City as well as the creator of New Start Discipleship, a family of tools to help pastors develop a culture of real discipleship in their ministry.
With Dale still out on Sabbatical, we’ve got another unique episode for you this week! For this one, we’re sharing conference audio from our popular Growth Engines one-day event, shared as part of the Ozark Christian College Preaching-Teaching Convention in February 2020. Today we’re sharing Session 4, led by Austin, on Effective Church Communications.
It’s kind of crazy, but this podcast has almost been around for 2 years! 84 episodes ago, we had a really great conversation with Tony Morgan, founder of The Unstuck Group, as we walk through 10 characteristics of unstuck churches. This was pre-pandemic and is a great conversation to ground us and remind us of our purpose and our direction.
Donna Lewis and her husband, Bobby, have been in ministry for decades and are church planters of RiverPoint Church. Bobby is actually a coach and conference facilitator here at 95Network, and Donna has a huge passion to support pastors’ wives. In this episode, she openly shares about the loneliness of feeling unseen, what it’s like to feel like the church is the “other woman,” why avoiding the issue isn’t a solution, her encouragement to both male pastors and pastors’ wives, and more.
Jon Sanders is the Founder of Small Town Big Church, a full-time firefighter, and is also the Director of Coaching here at 95Network. He is one of our favorite leaders in the world… a straight-shooter with a huge heart for church leaders and developing systems that help leaders thrive.
Paul Johnson is Co-Founder & CEO of Pathwright, an all-in-one design, learning, and teaching platform. He is an incredible innovator and a thoughtful leader. In today’s episode, he shares his theology of technology, what’s encouraged him and discouraged him about the Church over the past year and a half, the incredible value available for us in leveraging technology, the negative ways technology can shape us, and so much more.
On today’s episode, Austin and I are sharing some reflections on the decision for me to go on sabbatical, the heartache we feel for pastors who don’t feel like this would ever be an option, and the hope for small-church pastors to replenish.
Stephanie is the CEO of Altar Live, a new partner of ours here at 95Network focused on helping churches navigate a hybrid model of ministry. In this episode, we talk about Stephanie’s story, the culture shock she experienced in American churches, how churches can become more entrepreneurial, the real opportunity each of us have online, and so much more! Listen in!
Fault leads to shame; responsibility leads to freedom. Responsibility shows you what you can actually change and release what you cannot control.
Discernment stays human. AI can help refine communication, brainstorm, or summarize—but leaders must verify and own what’s shared.
Connection starts with God first. If leaders are not connected to God, they will not lead people into meaningful connection.
Kids ministry deserves top-tier support. If the mission includes evangelism and disciple-making, the next generation should be resourced accordingly.
Most pastors aren’t refusing rest—they’re trapped by systems. Without a plan (and a bench), even a short break can feel impossible.
Preparation beats panic. Healthy leaders build a plan before the crisis—then execute calmly when disruption hits.
Equipping can’t be reduced to a weekly performance; it requires presence, relationship, modeling, and shared life.
Prayer isn’t the warm-up—it’s the engine. Ministry strength doesn’t come from personal drive; it comes from dependence on Jesus and consistent prayer.
“If you got a pulse, he’s got a purpose for you.” Retirement isn’t the end of ministry; it’s a new season with fresh opportunities to serve, mentor, and impact the kingdom.
Self-awareness protects leaders from self-deception. Honest feedback is a guardrail for character and culture.
Build discipleship around practice, not just information. People grow through doing, feedback, and repetition in relationships.
