Not Your Typical Church Podcast

What if your job is more than just a paycheck?In this episode of Not Your Typical Church Podcast, I sit down with someone who has personally helped shape my leadership over the last few years — my coach and friend.We talk about:• Why every leader needs accountability• The power of having someone challenge your blind spots• Faith in the workplace (even if you’re not in ministry)• How your everyday job can be your ministry• Supporting small organizations and making kingdom impactWhether you're a pastor, business owner, teacher, or just trying to grow personally — this conversation will challenge you to think bigger about your influence.If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about your next step… this one’s for you.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.📅 New episodes drop every week!🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0VlRANAIj0QEFhP1sGEyFh?si=e3610fb6464c4b7aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-your-typical-church-podcast/id1832359619YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@notyourtypicalchurchpodcast?sub_confirmation=1📲 Follow Pastor Cory on Instagram & TikTok@TypicalChurchPod

Easter is the biggest Sunday of the year… but is your church actually ready?In this episode of Not Your Typical Church Podcast, we talk about what it really means to be prepared for Easter — not just the outfits, the plans, or the service details… but the people.Because the truth is:👉 More people will walk into church on Easter than any other Sunday👉 Many of them don’t normally attend church👉 And they’re looking for something realSo the question is…Are you ready as a:• Leader — to lead your team and create space for people?• Volunteer — to serve with joy, even when it’s chaotic?• Attendee — to give up your comfort for someone else’s encounter?• Inviter — to actually reach out and bring someone with you?And if you’re visiting a church this Easter — we talk about why giving grace matters more than perfection.This isn’t just another Sunday.This is an opportunity.👉 Don’t miss it.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.📅 New episodes drop every week!🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0VlRANAIj0QEFhP1sGEyFh?si=e3610fb6464c4b7aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-your-typical-church-podcast/id1832359619YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@notyourtypicalchurchpodcast?sub_confirmation=1📲 Follow Pastor Cory on Instagram & TikTok@TypicalChurchPod

A few months ago, I decided I wanted to be a little more intentional and a little more accountable — not just physically, but spiritually and personally too.So in this episode, I sit down with my friend David and we talk about what that journey has looked like so far.We get into:Why accountability mattersTraining for our first 5K togetherFinding balance in health and fitnessWhy being “consistently good” beats being “occasionally great”Growing in God’s Word togetherWhat it looks like to invest in your marriage on purposeAnd how small changes can make a big difference over timeThis episode is real, practical, and honest — especially if you’ve ever felt like you wanted to do better, but needed some help staying on track.If you’re trying to grow in your faith, steward your body better, strengthen your marriage, or just become more intentional in life, I think this conversation will encourage you.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.📅 New episodes drop every week!🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0VlRANAIj0QEFhP1sGEyFh?si=e3610fb6464c4b7aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-your-typical-church-podcast/id1832359619YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@notyourtypicalchurchpodcast?sub_confirmation=1📲 Follow Pastor Cory on Instagram & TikTok@TypicalChurchPod🎧 Thanks for hanging out on Not Your Typical Church Podcast. If today encouraged you, challenged you, or just made you laugh—share it with a friend, and leave a review. Until next time, keep showing up, stay curious, and never settle for typical.

Most churches think their front door is the sanctuary.It’s not.It’s Google.It’s your website.It’s your Facebook page.It’s your parking lot.It’s the first smile they see — or don’t see.In this episode of Not Your Typical Church Podcast, Cory breaks down why the first 10 minutes of someone’s church experience matter more than most pastors realize. Long before someone hears a sermon or a worship song, they’re deciding whether they trust you, whether they feel safe, and whether they’ll come back.We talk about:• Why your digital presence is part of your witness• The importance of clarity on your website• What your parking lot communicates• How anxiety starts before someone walks in• Why a warm hello beats a polished production• The danger of over-pressuring first-time guests• Practical ways to audit your church’s front doorIf we believe every soul matters, then every first impression matters.Before you preach… they’ve already decided how they feel.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.📅 New episodes drop every week!🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0VlRANAIj0QEFhP1sGEyFh?si=e3610fb6464c4b7aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-your-typical-church-podcast/id1832359619YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@notyourtypicalchurchpodcast?sub_confirmation=1📲 Follow Cory on Instagram & TikTok@TypicalChurchPod

🎙️ Welcome to Not Your Typical Church Podcast with Cory Hester — real conversations about church, leadership, and everything in between.In this episode, we talk about something every church leader wrestles with: Should we leverage cultural moments like the Super Bowl — and if so, how?Is it outreach… or just entertainment?Are we being intentional… or just trying to be relevant?How do we use events like the Super Bowl, fantasy football, and community gatherings without diluting the gospel?We unpack:🏈 Why cultural moments matter for the local church🏈 The difference between entertainment and intentional outreach🏈 How relationships win over attendance numbers🏈 Why consistency beats one big event🏈 Guardrails to keep the mission first🏈 What it really means to “be all things to all people” (1 Corinthians 9:22)🏈 How Jesus modeled table fellowship and relational ministryThis isn’t about gimmicks.It’s about leveraging what people already care about to point them toward Jesus.If Jesus met people where they were, the question isn’t should we engage culture — it’s how we do it with purpose.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.📅 New episodes drop every week!🎧 Listen on your favorite platform: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Gketfq...Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...YouTube: You're already here 😉📲 Follow Pastor Cory on Instagram: @TypicalChurchPod   / typicalchurchpod  

🎙️ My Next 40 Years | Lessons Learned, Goals Ahead & Why the Best Is Still ComingWelcome to Not Your Typical Church Podcast with Cory Hester — a place for real conversations about church, life, leadership, and everything in between.This episode is personal.It’s the last episode before I turn 40, and instead of rushing past the moment, I wanted to pause — to reflect on what the last 40 years have taught me and to talk honestly about what I want the next 40 to be about.In this episode, I reflect on:What I thought mattered in my 20s vs. what matters nowWhy relationships matter more than resultsLessons learned about faith, leadership, health, and marginWhy consistency beats intensity every timeHow God’s timing has shaped my storyWhat I want my faith, family, leadership, and legacy to look like moving forwardWe also dive into Scripture, including:Psalm 90:12 — learning to number our daysPhilippians 3:13–14 — pressing forward instead of living stuckIsaiah 43:18–19 — why God isn’t finished and why the best may still be aheadThis episode isn’t about pressure or regret — it’s about purpose, priorities, and being a good steward of the life God has given us.Whether you’re approaching a milestone birthday, starting a new chapter, or just needing a moment to reflect, my hope is this episode encourages you to stop, evaluate, and ask a simple question:What do you want the next chapter of your life to be about?🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.📅 New episodes drop every week!🎧 Listen on your favorite platform: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7GketfqnylNxzFj4KITTsvApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-your-typical-church-podcast/id1832359619📲 Follow Pastor Cory on Instagram: @TypicalChurchPod https://www.instagram.com/typicalchurchpod/🌐 More content + show notes: #ChurchPodcast #FaithAndLife #PastorCory #ChristianLeadership #RealTalkFaith #MinistryLife

🎙️ Welcome to *Not Your Typical Church Podcast* with Pastor Cory — a place for real conversations about church, life, leadership, and everything in between.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.📅 New episodes drop every week!🎧 Listen on your favorite platform: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7GketfqnylNxzFj4KITTsvApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-your-typical-church-podcast/id1832359619YouTube: You're already here 😉📲 Follow Pastor Cory on Instagram: @TypicalChurchPod https://www.instagram.com/typicalchurchpod/🌐 More content + show notes: Welcome to Not Your Typical Church Podcast with Cory Hester — a place for real conversations about church, life, leadership, and everything in between.Today’s episode releases on Thanksgiving Day, and I wanted to pause, reflect, and share a quick encouragement on what it truly means to live with a thankful heart. This week I had the honor of preaching at New Light Church, and I shared three truths about thankfulness:✅ Thankfulness resets your heart✅ Thankfulness refocuses your eyes✅ Thankfulness releases your worshipWe’re not thankful because everything is good — we’re thankful because God is good, and He is good all the time.In this episode, I talk about:• Why Thanksgiving should move us toward gratitude• The biblical call to “forget not His benefits” (Psalm 103)• Why we should be thankful even when life isn’t perfect• How I use my 5-year gratitude journal to stay grounded• Simple ways you and your family can practice gratitude today• The blessings we often overlook until we write them downI even share a few entries from my own gratitude journal — little moments I would’ve forgotten if I hadn’t written them down. And trust me… some of them are funny, some simple, and some surprisingly meaningful.Before the episode ends, we take a moment to pray together and thank God for His goodness in our lives as we head into the holiday season.From my family to yours — Happy Thanksgiving. 🦃May today be filled with joy, gratitude, and moments you’ll still be remembering five years from now.#ChurchPodcast #FaithAndLife #PastorCory #ChristianLeadership #RealTalkFaith #MinistryLife

🎙️ Welcome to *Not Your Typical Church Podcast* with Pastor Cory — a place for real conversations about church, life, leadership, and everything in between.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.📅 New episodes drop every week!🎧 Listen on your favorite platform: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7GketfqnylNxzFj4KITTsvApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-your-typical-church-podcast/id1832359619YouTube: You're already here 😉📲 Follow Pastor Cory on Instagram: @TypicalChurchPod https://www.instagram.com/typicalchurchpod/🌐 More content + show notes: In today’s episode, Cory and Pastor Nathan dive into why Christmas is one of the BEST opportunities all year to reach our one more.This is Cory’s favorite season — the lights, the gatherings, the joy — but most of all, the openness people have to the message of Jesus.We talk about:✨ Why people are more spiritually receptive during Christmas✨ How family gatherings, work parties, and school events become mission fields✨ Practical ways to use your everyday conversations to open doors for the gospel✨ Creative Christmas ideas inside the church that make invitations EASY✨ How to identify your one more and pray for them intentionally this seasonFrom Ugly Sweater Sunday to Candlelight Services, Kids Christmas Musicals, Carols & Cocoa, and even simple photo booths — everything we do this time of year can become a bridge to help someone meet Jesus.Because Christmas isn’t just a celebration… it’s a mission.If you’re ready to make this season count, this episode will challenge and encourage you to be bold, be present, and go after your one more. ❤️📖 Scriptures MentionedMatthew 1:23Luke 2:10–11Colossians 4:5–61 Corinthians 9:22–23Romans 10:14–15📌 Chapters00:00 – Cold Open00:19 – Intro01:00 – Why Christmas Is Cory’s Favorite Season02:10 – Why People Are More Open Spiritually04:00 – The Heart Behind Christmas (Immanuel)06:15 – Using Joy & Generosity as Bridges07:30 – Seeing Holiday Gatherings as Mission Fields09:20 – Family Events as Opportunity11:00 – Work Parties, School Events, & Natural Conversations13:10 – How to Be Intentional With “One More”14:40 – Opportunities Inside the Church16:20 – Ugly Sweater, Candlelight, Kids Musical & More19:10 – Why Fun Events Still Point to Jesus20:40 – How to Identify Your One More22:50 – Praying Daily for Your One More24:00 – Christmas Is a Mission25:00 – Final Encouragement26:00 – Prayer27:00 – Outro#ChurchPodcast #FaithAndLife #PastorCory #ChristianLeadership #RealTalkFaith #MinistryLife

Join us for part two of our insightful conversation with Children’s Pastor Donna as we dive deep into the heart of kids’ ministry, parenting, and partnering with your church. Discover why children’s ministry is so much more than babysitting—it's about helping kids encounter Jesus in meaningful and fun ways! Pastor Donna shares practical wisdom on balancing fun with faith, keeping Jesus at the center, and the importance of age-appropriate environments.Whether you're a parent seeking tips to reinforce faith at home, curious about how Sunday curriculum works, or want ideas for making spiritual milestones fun, this episode delivers real talk, encouragement, and a few laughs along the way. You’ll get advice on using technology like the Parent Cue app, creating Godly friendships, and even hear why rewards—and sometimes a little “bribe”—can make all the difference for engagement.Don't forget: What happens at home matters just as much as what happens at church! If you find this episode helpful, please leave a review, share with a friend, and subscribe for more real conversations about faith, family, and raising up the next generation.Timestamps:0:00 – Start and intro to part 22:30 – Making faith fun & connecting at church9:15 – Why age-appropriate classes matter15:18 – Practical tips for parents at home23:10 – Building faith that lasts31:00 – How to get involvedLet’s raise kids who love God and lead the way!#Parenting #ChurchLife #Faith #KidsMinistry#ChurchPodcast #FaithAndLife #PastorCory #ChristianLeadership #RealTalkFaith #MinistryLife

Meet Pastor Donna Hester: pastor’s wife, powerhouse behind the kids ministry, and creative leader with a passion for building lifelong faith in the next generation. In today’s episode, Donna joins me for a heartwarming, real conversation about why kids ministry isn’t just childcare, but the very foundation for a healthy, growing church. You’ll hear about:Transforming a ministry from 8 kids to nearly 150 each SundayWhy Junior Helpers matter and how serving shapes young livesCreative ideas for making church “the best part of the week” for every child—even with a small budget!How to get parents engaged by starting with their children’s excitementThe importance of tech, fun, and dedicated spaces for kidsDonna’s behind-the-scenes stories, hilarious moments, and candid advice for church leaders and familiesWhether you lead a big church or a small group, you’ll find inspiration and practical ideas to take your children’s ministry to the next level. Don’t miss Donna’s heartfelt wisdom, church bloopers, and the powerful reminder: you don’t need a massive budget or a big team to make a BIG impact in kids’ lives!Be sure to like, subscribe, and tune in for PART TWO next week!#ChurchPodcast #FaithAndLife #PastorCory #ChristianLeadership #RealTalkFaith #MinistryLifeMeet Pastor Donna Hester: pastor’s wife, powerhouse behind the kids ministry, and creative leader with a passion for building lifelong faith in the next generation. In today’s episode, Donna joins me for a heartwarming, real conversation about why kids ministry isn’t just childcare, but the very foundation for a healthy, growing church. You’ll hear about:Transforming a ministry from 8 kids to nearly 150 each SundayWhy Junior Helpers matter and how serving shapes young livesCreative ideas for making church “the best part of the week” for every child—even with a small budget!How to get parents engaged by starting with their children’s excitementThe importance of tech, fun, and dedicated spaces for kidsDonna’s behind-the-scenes stories, hilarious moments, and candid advice for church leaders and familiesWhether you lead a big church or a small group, you’ll find inspiration and practical ideas to take your children’s ministry to the next level. Don’t miss Donna’s heartfelt wisdom, church bloopers, and the powerful reminder: you don’t need a massive budget or a big team to make a BIG impact in kids’ lives!Be sure to like, subscribe, and tune in for PART TWO next week!#ChurchPodcast #FaithAndLife #PastorCory #ChristianLeadership #RealTalkFaith #MinistryLife

Join Pastor Cory and Pastor Nathon on the "Not Your Typical Church Podcast" as they dive into the heart of their small town's traditions with the annual Beast Fest and Trunk or Treat event in Bladenboro, North Carolina. Discover the intriguing history of the "Beast of Bladenboro," hear real conversations about why the church gets involved in these community gatherings, and engage with thoughtful discussions on faith, outreach, and using every opportunity to share light—even during Halloween. Whether you're curious about creative outreach, church life, or navigating faith and culture, this episode will inspire you to make a difference right where you are. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real talk each week!

This week’s episode is Part One of a two-part conversation with Pastor Steve Grow Kale — the man behind the music at our church. Discover Pastor Steve’s story, from humble beginnings in a musically gifted family and learning piano by ear, to leading worship and mastering music engineering. Pastor Steve opens up about his passion for music, how he transitioned from playing in bands to guiding our worship team, and why playing at church brings a special fulfillment that goes beyond entertainment.Whether you’re a musician, a worshipper, or just love a good story of faith and calling, you’ll be inspired by Steve’s authentic journey and the heartfelt reasons behind his devotion to music ministry.

In this episode, we explore the mission behind Camo Sunday—why it matters, how it’s done, and how a fun church theme can help reach one more for Jesus.Hear about inviting new faces, creative outreach, and practical leadership—plus inspiration for planning your own themed church event.Tune in for real stories, encouragement, and ideas for connecting faith and community!

🎙️ Welcome to *Not Your Typical Church Podcast* with Pastor Cory — a place for real conversations about church, life, leadership, and everything in between.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.📅 New episodes drop every week!🎧 Listen on your favorite platform: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7GketfqnylNxzFj4KITTsvApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-your-typical-church-podcast/id1832359619YouTube: https://youtu.be/2lx_OSFKUBw📲 Follow Pastor Cory on Instagram: @TypicalChurchPod https://www.instagram.com/typicalchurchpod/🌐 More content + show notes: Church people have their own language—and if you didn’t grow up around it, some of it sounds funny, confusing, or downright strange. In this episode of Not Your Typical Church Podcast, Cory breaks down popular church phrases like “bless your heart,” “hedge of protection,” and “the lost”—explaining where they come from, what they really mean, and why they matter.We’ll laugh at some of the funny expressions, clear up the confusing ones, and get serious about the hope found in Jesus for those who feel far from God.If you’ve ever wondered what Christians mean when they say certain things, this conversation is for you!#ChurchPodcast #FaithAndLife #PastorCory #ChristianLeadership #RealTalkFaith #MinistryLife

🎙️ Welcome to *Not Your Typical Church Podcast* with Pastor Cory — a place for real conversations about church, life, leadership, and everything in between.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.📅 New episodes drop every week!🎧 Listen on your favorite platform: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7GketfqnylNxzFj4KITTsvApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-your-typical-church-podcast/id1832359619YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@notyourtypicalchurchpodcast📲 Follow Pastor Cory on Instagram: @TypicalChurchPod https://www.instagram.com/typicalchurchpod/🌐 More content + show notes: Welcome to Episode #5 of Not Your Typical Church Podcast with Pastor Cory Hester!In this episode, Cory and Pastor Nathan reflect on their experience at the Church of Eleven22 Leadership Summit—unpacking insights on church culture, discipleship, and leadership that can inspire any believer, ministry leader, or anyone curious about real faith in action.What’s inside:Lessons from dynamic speakers and sessions with Pastor Joby, Ryan Brit, Matt Chandler, and Vance PitmanHow church culture fuels discipleship ("one more" mentality!)Real-life stories about reaching one more person, the power of small consistent steps, and not giving upUsing technology and AI to spread the Gospel in new waysPractical advice for groups, leadership, and servingBig themes: Glorify God. Make disciples. Go get one more.If you’re looking to deepen your faith, lead with clarity, or simply hear honest conversations about what church can be, you’re in the right place! Don’t miss the practical tips shared from breakout sessions, including using language and next steps that move people forward.#ChurchPodcast #FaithAndLife #PastorCory #ChristianLeadership #RealTalkFaith #MinistryLife

Episode 3: Meet My… Cohost? Maybe 🎙️😂Today’s a special one — you finally get to meet Nathan! (Well… maybe. We’ll see how this goes!) In this episode, we talk about how this podcast even got started, ministry life in a small town, and what it’s really like doing this thing together.It’s honest, a little goofy, and definitely not your typical church talk. Stick around — you might just find out if Nathan’s really cut out to be the cohost or not!🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.📅 New episodes drop every week!🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0VlRANAIj0QEFhP1sGEyFh?si=e3610fb6464c4b7aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-your-typical-church-podcast/id1832359619YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@notyourtypicalchurchpodcast?sub_confirmation=1📲 Follow Pastor Cory on Instagram & TikTok @TypicalChurchPod

🎙️ Welcome to Not Your Typical Church Podcast with Pastor Cory — a place for real conversations about church, life, leadership, and everything in between.In Episode 2, Pastor Cory shares why he still loves the Church — even with all its imperfections. Drawing from personal experiences, biblical truth, and a few battle-tested metaphors, he unpacks how the Church is:🏥 a hospital for the hurting, not a museum for the perfect⚔️ a battleship on a mission, not a cruise ship for comfort🏗 a construction site in progress, not a stage set for showIf you’ve ever been hurt by the church, questioned your place in it, or wondered if it’s still relevant today, this episode will challenge your perspective and encourage your heart.🔑 Key Topics:Why the Church matters in an imperfect worldThe difference between comfort and callingWhat it means to be part of God’s ongoing workHow to re-engage if you’ve been burned out or hurt🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.📅 New episodes drop every week!🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0VlRANAIj0QEFhP1sGEyFh?si=e3610fb6464c4b7aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-your-typical-church-podcast/id1832359619YoutTube: https://www.youtube.com/@notyourtypicalchurchpodcast?sub_confirmation=1📲 Follow Pastor Cory on Instagram & TikTok@TypicalChurchPod#ChurchPodcast #NotYourTypicalChurch #WhyILoveTheChurch #PastorCory #ChristianLeadership #FaithAndLife #ChurchLife