Better Roots Podcast

Summer attendance may dip, but that doesn’t mean your church has to slow down. In this episode of Better Roots, Ryan Follis challenges small church leaders to stop viewing summer as a season of survival and start seeing it as one of their greatest opportunities for ministry.From Vacation Bible School and youth camps to local mission projects and creative Sunday gatherings, Ryan shares practical ways churches can engage their communities, build meaningful relationships, and plant seeds that can bear fruit for years to come. You'll discover how to turn the “summer slump” into a season of intentional discipleship, outreach, and growth—even with limited resources.If you're a pastor, ministry leader, or church volunteer looking for fresh ideas to make the most of the summer months, this episode is packed with encouragement and actionable strategies.Interested in joining the Network? Click HERE to apply!Learn more at our website: www.thefbcnetwork.comCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported  — CC BY 3.0 Music promoted by Copyright Free Music - Background Music For Videos 👉    / @podcastbackgroundmusic  

In this episode of the Better Roots Podcast, Ryan Follis challenges pastors and church leaders to stop listening only to the voices already in the room. From attendance trends and giving patterns to community feedback and leadership accountability, healthy churches are willing to hear the perspectives they may be missing. Learn why asking hard questions, tracking what matters, and inviting honest outside input can be the difference between maintaining the status quo and building a church with deeper roots and lasting kingdom impact.Interested in joining the Network? Click HERE to apply!Learn more at our website: www.thefbcnetwork.comCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported  — CC BY 3.0 Music promoted by Copyright Free Music - Background Music For Videos 👉    / @podcastbackgroundmusic  

What separates a pastor from a leader? In this episode, Ryan Follis sits down with long time mentor and veteran pastor Daniel Messner to explore the leadership lessons that transformed a struggling church into a thriving ministry. From developing a clear vision and empowering others to navigating conflict and building healthy church culture, Daniel shares practical wisdom gained from decades of ministry. Whether you lead a church, a ministry team, or volunteers, this conversation will challenge you to lead with confidence, invest in people, and create a culture where growth and discipleship can flourish.Interested in joining the Network? Click HERE to apply!Learn more at our website: www.thefbcnetwork.comCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported  — CC BY 3.0 Music promoted by Copyright Free Music - Background Music For Videos 👉    / @podcastbackgroundmusic  

Behind every healthy church are deeper roots. In this episode of the Better Roots Podcast, Ryan shares the heart and vision behind Better Roots and why strong foundations matter for healthy, lasting ministry. Through practical insights on leadership, relationships, and church health, this conversation explores how small churches can thrive, build stronger communities, and weather every season with purpose and resilience. Whether you’re a pastor, leader, or church member, this episode offers encouragement and perspective for cultivating deeper roots that lead to lasting kingdom impact.Interested in joining the Network? Click HERE to apply!Learn more at our website: www.thefbcnetwork.comCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported  — CC BY 3.0 Music promoted by Copyright Free Music - Background Music For Videos 👉    / @podcastbackgroundmusic  

What does it really take to create meaningful baptism moments in a small church? In this episode of the Better Roots Podcast, we unpack the real-life challenges, powerful stories, and meaningful moments behind baptism in small churches — from hilarious logistical mishaps to life-changing transformations. You’ll also hear practical ways churches can create meaningful invitations, prepare for baptism Sundays, and help people take their next step in faith. Discover why small churches are uniquely positioned to make ministry feel personal, authentic, and deeply rooted.Interested in joining the Network? Click HERE to apply!Learn more at our website: www.thefbcnetwork.comCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported  — CC BY 3.0 Music promoted by Copyright Free Music - Background Music For Videos 👉    / @podcastbackgroundmusic  

In this episode of the Better Roots Podcast, Ryan Follis and Pastor Breck Nelson, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Hillsboro, discuss why baptism and discipleship look different in small churches. From building authentic relationships to creating welcoming spaces for families, they unpack how healthy churches help people feel truly known — not just attended.You’ll hear powerful stories of spontaneous baptisms, church revitalization, ministry with limited resources, and why small churches may be uniquely positioned to create lasting Kingdom impact.If you’ve ever felt discouraged in small church ministry, this conversation is a reminder: God still works through small beginnings.Interested in joining the Network? Click HERE to apply!Learn more at our website: www.thefbcnetwork.comCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported  — CC BY 3.0 Music promoted by Copyright Free Music - Background Music For Videos 👉    / @podcastbackgroundmusic  

What if the key to church growth isn’t more programs, but better connections? In this episode, Ryan shares practical strategies for creating a welcoming culture—even with limited people and resources. Discover the “guest to greeter” approach, why relationships matter more than programs, and how simple systems can help your church grow with purpose.Interested in joining the Network? Click HERE to apply!Learn more at our website: www.thefbcnetwork.comCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported  — CC BY 3.0 Music promoted by Copyright Free Music - Background Music For Videos 👉    / @podcastbackgroundmusic  

Today, Ryan is joined with Kenzie Cunningham, the Network's Administrative Assistant. Together they discuss the importance of technology and the nuance of using it for the small community church. In a world of growing tech, they raise the question, what is necessary for your church and are you using it to lead your guests and church members into better connection? Listen in as they give tangible first steps for Using Technology for Connection (and spoiler alert, it's more simple than you think!)Interested in joining the Network? Click HERE to apply!Learn more at our website: www.thefbcnetwork.comCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported  — CC BY 3.0 Music promoted by Copyright Free Music - Background Music For Videos 👉    / @podcastbackgroundmusic  

At the FBC Network we are passionate about connecting small community churches through tools, knowledge, and experience, to help Form Better Communities. Small town churches tend to look to what larger/city churches are doing to find their next steps, but many times the practices of the large church don't translate to the smaller church model. That's where the FBC Network comes in! We are here to help your church grow Better Roots so that it can flourish within the community God has planted it.Interested in joining the Network? Click HERE to apply!Learn more at our website: www.thefbcnetwork.comCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported  — CC BY 3.0 Music promoted by Copyright Free Music - Background Music For Videos 👉    / @podcastbackgroundmusic