The One Thing

Is your church doing annual reviews right, or at all? 
In this episode, Scott Sanders and Jo Gibbs explore how annual reviews can move beyond corporate box-ticking to become a vital tool for encouraging, developing, and stewarding gospel workers well.
We unpack how simple, structured conversations help teams pause, give thanks, reflect honestly, and plan intentionally for the year ahead.
Why ongoing feedback alone isn’t enough
The biblical foundation for caring for people in ministry
Simple frameworks to run effective annual reviews
How to handle hard conversations well and avoid surprises
Why investing in people builds long-term ministry health

Toolbox:
Simple Framework of 3 questions to ask others and yourself: 
What’s a highlight
What are you doing well
What could you do better
Why Annual Reviews Matter - Substack Article by Jo Gibbs
Making Ministry Leader Annual Reviews Sing - Gospel Coalition Article by Mikey Lynch
Episode 336: How to Give Effective Feedback 
Episode 337: How to Receive Feedback as a Gospel Worker
Episode 338: Enhancing Your Team’s Success With Rhythms of Feedback 
Episode 339: Personalising Feedback 

Credits: 
This episode was brought to you by Lending Hands Mortgage Brokers
The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠
To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠
For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠
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If someone in your suburb wanted to find a church this Sunday… could they actually find yours?

In this episode, Pete Hughes chats with Phill Morrow, from ChristLife Presbyterian in West Toowoomba, about how to ensure your church is findable. Sometimes it’s the simple things that actually really make a difference: clear websites, signage, Google listings and welcoming spaces are all key aspects churches can’t overlook. 

Why hospitality starts before someone walks through the door
The hidden barriers that stop newcomers attending church
Ideas for churches who both own and don’t own their spaces
How small improvements can support evangelism and gospel growth

Toolbox:
Reach Digital 
The Great Dechurching by Jim Davis and Ryan P. Burge
Episode 354: Making Your Church Accessible to People With Disabilities (Louise Gosbell)
Episode 389: Welcoming In Action: Live from Kellyville Anglican Church
Secret Shopper Checklist (DO WITH A CAMERA)

Credits: 
This episode was brought to you by Exdia
The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠
To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠
For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠
Support Reach Australia's online library

Church buildings and meeting spaces communicate long before anyone hears the sermon. A confusing entrance, poor signage, or awkward gathering areas create unnecessary barriers, while thoughtful spaces can help people feel more relaxed, welcomed, and ready to connect.

In this episode:
Why physical space matters for ministry and hospitality
Common mistakes churches make with arrival, signage, and flow
How spaces can reduce friction and help newcomers feel at ease
Improving connection before and after the service
Quick wins churches can make without major renovations

Toolbox:
Build to Last Ebook 
How to Fund Your Church Building ChurchStarter Booklet

Credits: 
This episode was brought to you by Safe Ministry Check
The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠
To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠
For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠
Support Reach Australia's online library

In this episode, Derek Hanna is joined by Paul Young (planter of Providence Church Bayswater, Perth) to think about how church teams reflect on Sundays, and whether those debrief conversations are actually helping the church grow in mission, or just recycling obvious feedback.
They explore how different churches approach Sunday debriefs, what often goes wrong when they drift into planning or post-mortems, and how teams can use that time more effectively to focus on big-picture strategy, prayer, and gospel priorities.
Rather than tweaking slides or reviewing logistics, Paul argues that this time is best used to step back, pray, and work on the larger questions of mission, growth, and where God is at work in the life of the church.
In this episode:
Why many Sunday debriefs don’t add much value
The risk of turning debriefs into planning meetings or critique sessions
How to shift from details to big-picture strategy and prayer
Questions that help teams focus on mission and gospel growth
How to use shared team time for decisions you can’t make alone
Toolbox:
Dangerous Calling by Paul David Tripp (Chapter on Glory)
The Church by Edmund Clowney
The Church on Mission by Craig Ott
Planting the Word by Erin Crider
Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni

Credits: 
This episode was brought to you by Lending Hands Mortgage Brokers
The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠
To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠
For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠
Support Reach Australia's online library

Church life can get messy quickly. In this episode, Scott Sanders chats with Chris Rooleht about why having a simple serve chart can help bring clarity to ministry, showing who’s doing what, where responsibilities sit, and where people might be carrying too much.
They discuss how serve charts can help churches care for people well, identify gaps in ministry, and plan for the future.
In this episode:
Why every church should have an serve chart
How to spot ministry overload and unclear responsibilities
Practical tools to help you map your teams
Using serve charts to plan for growth, staffing, and church planting
Toolbox:
⁠Lucid Chart⁠
⁠Miro Chart⁠
⁠Guide to Church Staffing by The Unstack Group Blog Post⁠
⁠Contact Us for More Resources⁠

Credits: 
This episode was brought to you by ⁠Exdia⁠
The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠⁠
To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠⁠
For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠
⁠Support Reach Australia's online library⁠