Partnering With a Seminary: What It Actually Looks Like

by Tracee Swank | Jul 2, 2026 | Discipleship, Leadership, Mission, Tracee J. Swank

The phrase seminary partnership sounds official, expensive, and slightly intimidating. For most mission-focused churches, the mental picture is a formal affiliation agreement, a financial commitment the church cannot afford, and a relationship that benefits the...

What Happens When Churches Lose Sight of Their Communities

by Momentum Team | Jul 1, 2026 | Leadership, Mission, Unfiltered Podcast

Every church exists within a community. Yet a congregation can become so focused on its own activities that it gradually loses awareness of the people living beyond its walls. This rarely happens intentionally. Most churches genuinely care about their communities....

The Gap Between What Your Church Offers and What Your Community Needs

by Tracee Swank | Jun 30, 2026 | Discipleship, Mission, Outreach, Tracee J. Swank

After a few months of walking, listening, and looking at your community honestly, a quiet realization usually begins to settle in. The things your church offers and the things your community actually needs are not quite the same things. The mismatch is not dramatic....

Sometimes the Pause Is the Pivot

by Tracee Swank | Jun 29, 2026 | Challenges, Mission, Prayer, Tracee J. Swank

Scripture “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14 NIV) Pharaoh’s chariots were closing in. Israel had no path forward and no way back. Then Moses said it: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” The sea did not part...

Why We Need to Talk About Mission Again

by Momentum Team | Jun 26, 2026 | Leadership, Mission, Unfiltered Podcast

The mission of the Church has not changed. Jesus still calls His followers to make disciples, love their neighbors, and proclaim the Good News. Yet in the midst of managing ministries, maintaining buildings, and navigating daily responsibilities, it is easy for...

When the Pipeline Fails: A Rural Church’s Senior Pastor Search

by Tracee Swank | Jun 25, 2026 | Discipleship, Leadership, Mission, Tracee J. Swank

St. John’s is a real church. The name has been changed, but the story is current. St. John’s is a healthy rural congregation. Faithful for decades. Strong lay leadership. A building paid off, a budget in the black. Last year, their senior pastor announced his...