PODCAST · religion
The Last Service Podcast
by Last Service Solutions, LLC
The Last Service Podcast explores the narratives of American churches that have closed, consolidated, or merged. But this isn’t a tale of despair; it’s a celebration of good endings, enduring legacies, and the courage to embrace new beginnings.American churches are closing at a pace faster than new ones are emerging, the need for thoughtful conversations around closures is more crucial than ever. By shedding light on the paths taken by these congregations, we aim to inspire and encourage church leaders facing difficult decisions. Join us as we delve into the lives of these churches, sharing stories that resonate with wisdom, and a commitment to ending well. So, whether you’re a pastor navigating the delicate balance of transition or a curious listener seeking wisdom from these poignant narratives, The Last Service Podcast is your haven for stories of faithful endings.
Episodes
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Courageous Ending: How St. Peter Lutheran Church Closed with Faithfulness and Grace
What does it look like when a church ends well? In this episode of the Last Service Podcast, host Matt McGee sits down with Pastor Sara Olson-Smith, author of Eulogy for a Faithful Church, to tell the story of St. Peter Lutheran Church in North Plainfield, New Jersey. Sara was St. Peter's final...
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Right Sizing with Kevin Boyd
Episode Overview What do you do when your church's budget doesn't match its values? Pastor Kevin Boyd of Legacy Church in Plano, Texas faced exactly that tension. With 36–42% of the budget going to facility overhead and only 14–17% to mission and ministry, something had to change. Rather than...
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Potluck Episode: Failure, Faith, and Finishing Well with James Floyd
As Season Two of The Last Service Podcast comes to a close, host Matt McGee sits down for a relaxed, wide-ranging “potluck conversation” with pastor, veteran, and discipleship leader James Floyd. This episode blends humor, hard-won wisdom, and deep theological reflection as they explore failure,...
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The Unfinished Church with Rev. Nancy Dolan
In this episode of The Last Service Podcast, Matt sits down with Rev. Nancy Dolan, a Presbyterian pastor with 20+ years of corporate HR/organizational development experience, to walk through the remarkable and deeply pastoral journey of helping Kirk of the Lakes—a once-thriving suburban...
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The Cost of Consumer Churches with Andrew Osenga
In this episode of The Last Service Podcast, host Matt McGee sits down with songwriter, producer, and author Andrew Osenga to explore what decades of touring, worship leading, and church observation have taught him about the American church’s changing landscape. Osenga reflects on thirty years of...
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The Church We Carry with Dr. Will Willimon
In this episode of The Last Service Podcast, Matt McGee welcomes back Dr. Will Willimon, former bishop in the United Methodist Church, professor at Duke Divinity School, and author of more than 70 books; for a candid conversation about his latest work, The Church We Carry: Loss, Leadership, and…
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Pastoring Endings with Joshua Gordon of The Lead Pastor
In this episode of The Last Service Podcast, Matt talks with Joshua Gordon, pastor and author of How to Close a Church: Seven Steps to a Grace-Filled and Thoughtful Closing. Josh shares his story of serving at a church that eventually closed, what he learned from later shutting down his own...
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Yes in God's Backyard with Richard Reinhard
In this episode of The Last Service Podcast, Matt McGee is joined by Rick Reinhard—consultant, urban planner, and national thought leader on the redevelopment of faith-based properties. Together, they dive deep into the reality behind the wave of church closures sweeping across North America and...
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Aging in the Church with Dr. William Willimon
Matt sits down with beloved preacher, bishop, and author Dr. Will Willimon to talk about what it means for churches to age gracefully—and even die faithfully. Drawing on decades of ministry, Willimon unpacks the crisis and opportunity of aging congregations, shares compelling stories of churches...
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Made Competent with Casey Coston
In this insightful and heartfelt episode, Matt welcomes campus minister and author Casey Coston to discuss the challenges and beauty of a life spent in ministry. With over two decades of experience—from Ole Miss to the University of Delaware—Casey shares the inspiration behind his book Made...
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From Closure to a Place of Hope with Bruce Deel
In this powerful episode of The Last Service Podcast, Matt sits down with Bruce Deel, CEO of City of Refuge, to explore an extraordinary story of transformation. Originally tasked with closing Mission Church at 14th Street, Bruce found himself in the midst of a divine calling to revitalize the...
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Grace Bible Fellowship with Michelle Van Loon
In this episode of The Last Service Podcast, author and speaker Michelle Van Loon discusses the realities of church closures, the challenges of leadership, and how congregations can embrace endings with faith and wisdom. Michelle shares insights from her Plough article "A Good Death for Dying...
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The Neighborhood Church: Revitalizing Ministry Where It Matters Most with Sam Rainer
In this episode of the Last Service Podcast, Matt welcomes Sam Rainer, pastor, church consultant, and president of Church Answers, for a candid discussion about the state of the American church. Together, they explore the challenges facing congregations today, from declining membership to...
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Potluck Episode: Season 1 Recap with Matt and Maureen
🎙️ Episode Highlights In this special recap episode, host [Matt] reflects on the journey through Season 1 of The Last Service Podcast. Joined by his wife, Maureen, they dive into the heart of the podcast’s mission—exploring church closures, transitions, and the faithful endings that can lead to...
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Season Finale with Bob Smietana
In this powerful season finale, Matt sits down with the legendary religion news reporter and author Bob Smietana to explore the pressing realities facing churches today. From demographic shifts to the challenges of revitalization, Bob shares insights from his acclaimed book, Reorganized Religion,...
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What's Next? Lessons from a Successful Merger with Rev. Dr. Katie Nix and Rev. Dr. Phil Blackwell
In this episode of The Last Service Podcast, Matt dives into a conversation with Reverend Dr. Katie Nix and Reverend Dr. Phil Blackwell, pastors who led two congregations through a unique journey of merger and renewal. They share the incredible challenges and blessings of bringing together two...
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Pastoral Transitions with Matt Davis
In this episode of The Last Service Podcast, we dive into the profound journey of pastoral transitions with Matt Davis, host of the Life After Ministry Podcast. Matt shares his personal experiences of stepping away from ministry after a moral failure and navigating life outside the church. This...
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Leading Church Closure with Courage, Part 2 - with Rev. Lorrin Radzik
In this powerful episode of The Last Service Podcast, Matt continues his conversation with Reverend Lorrin Radzik as they explore the complexities of church closures. Lorrin shares her personal journey of closing multiple churches and the unique challenges faced when congregations are forced to...
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Leading Church Closure with Courage, Part 1 - with Rev. Lorrin Radzik
In this raw and insightful episode, Matt sits down with Rev. Lorrin Radzik, a United Methodist pastor with a powerful story of navigating the complexities of ministry, church closure, and personal growth. Lorrin shares her experience leading a struggling congregation in Wisconsin, where she…
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The Benediction: A Pastor's Guide to Church Closures
In this compelling episode of The Last Service Podcast, host Matt interviews Dave Meserve, an experienced transitional pastor who has guided multiple churches through the difficult process of closing. Dave shares powerful stories and invaluable insights on how to approach church closures with...
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Church Closure: Gail Cafferata's Journey and Research Findings
In this episode, host Matt interviews Gail Cafferata, author of "The Last Pastor" and a retired Episcopal priest who closed a church. Gail shares her personal experience closing a congregation and insights from her research surveying over 100 pastors who have gone through church closures. Key...
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Urban Skye: Innovative Ministry Beyond Church Walls with Mike Sares
In this episode, we sit down with Mike Sares, director of Urban Skye, to discuss their unique approach to ministry outside traditional church structures. Mike shares insights from his extensive experience, including pastoring Scum of the Earth Church and working with various faith entrepreneurs....
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The Jubilee Program: Rescuing Struggling Churches and Preserving Kingdom Assets with Bart McDonald
In this episode of The Last Service Podcast, host Matt interviews Bart McDonald from the Southern Baptist of Texas Foundation about their innovative Jubilee Program. This program helps struggling churches preserve their assets and legacy while transitioning to new ministries or congregations. Key...
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Navigating Scarcity in the Church - Insights from Dr. Myles Werntz
In this episode of The Last Service Podcast, host Matt McGee interviews Dr. Myles Werntz, Associate Professor of Theology at Abilene Christian University. They discuss the concept of scarcity in churches and how it's affecting congregations across denominations. Dr. Werntz shares insights from…
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Navigating Church Decline and Closure with Dr. Stanley Granberg
In this episode of The Last Service Podcast, host Matt interviews Dr. Stanley Granberg, founder of Heritage 21, an organization dedicated to helping declining churches make critical decisions about their future. Dr. Granberg shares his extensive experience in church planting, missions, and...
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The Potluck: The Role of Media in Modern Church Worship with Dr. Jim Y. Trammell
In this special "Potluck" episode of The Last Service Podcast, host Matt McGee catches up with his old friend, Dr. Jim Trammell, Associate Professor of Communication at High Point University, a frequent contributor to Baptist News Global, and deacon at Emerywood Baptist Church, to discuss the...
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Revitalizing Church Through the Dinner Church Movement with Verlon Fosner
Discover how the Dinner Church Collective is revitalizing the way we experience church and reach the unchurched. In this thought-provoking episode, Verlon Fosner shares his journey of transforming a dying church into a vibrant community centered around the simple act of gathering for a meal and...
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Small Things Well with Karl Vaters, author of De-sizing the Church: How Church Growth Became a Science, Then an Obsession, and What's Next
Karl Vaters joins The Last Service Podcast to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities facing small churches. With over 40 years of pastoral experience and as the author of several books on small church ministry, Karl provides valuable insights to help small congregations thrive. Key…
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Navigating Church Closures and Mergers with Erika Cole, The Church Attorney
In this insightful episode, Matt talks with Erika Cole, known as the Church Attorney, about navigating the legal process of church closures and mergers. Erika provides a wealth of knowledge on checklist items, vital documents, legal steps, and wisdom for churches going through this transition. As...
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Ending Well: A Guide to Faithful Church Closures with Diane Kenaston of Good Friday Collaborative
In this episode, Matt is joined by Rev. Diane Kenaston, co-founder of The Good Friday Collaborative. They discuss how churches can approach the difficult process of closing, merging, or consolidating ministries faithfully and pastorally. Diane shares her own experience leading a church through a...
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The Potluck: Why start a podcast about dying churches? - with Matt McGee and Michael Lomuscio
In this special "Potluck" episode of The Last Service Podcast, host Matt McGee is interviewed by his friend Michael Lomuscio about the origins of the podcast, the declining state of church attendance and membership, and what constitutes a good or bad church closing. Key Topics: Matt's background...
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Courageous Honesty for for Churches at the End of Their Life Cycle with John Muzyka of Church Realty
In this episode, Matt interviews John Muzyka, a church real estate expert, about how churches can navigate the end of their life cycle well. John provides wise counsel on assessing property needs, making tough decisions with church committees, finding the right realtor, and determining if the...
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God Called Me Here - Ballast Point Baptist and South Tampa Fellowship
In this episode, host Matt interviews Tom Sander, a longtime music minister who helped facilitate the merger between Ballast Point Baptist Church and Davis Islands Baptist Church (an extension of Idlewild Baptist) in Tampa, Florida in the early 2000s. Tom shares the story of how Ballast Point,...
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Bigger than a Brand - Paper Mill Road Baptist Church & Sojourn Church
Welcome back to another insightful episode of The Last Service Podcast! Matt sits down with Pastor Ernie Wagoner from Sojourn Church in Marietta, GA. Pastor Ernie shares the story of planting Sojourn Church and is incredibly vulnerable about their early struggles. We learn the story of their…
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Gone for Good? - A Conversation with Mark Elsdon
Welcome to another insightful episode of The Last Service Podcast! In this edition, your host Matt engages in a thought-provoking conversation with pastor and developer Mark Elsdon discussing his latest book, "Gone for Good? Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition." 3 Takeaways...
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The Tie That Binds - Rehoboth Presbyterian Church
In this episode of The Last Service Podcast, listeners are taken on a poignant journey through the life of Rehoboth Presbyterian Church, as recounted by Rev. AJ Mealor. Having grown up in the close-knit community and later being ordained there, Rev. Mealor shares the deeply personal story of his...
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I Must Decrease - Part 2: The Point Church
Introduction: Join us in this enlightening episode of The Last Service Podcast as Matt sits down with Pastor Joe McClellan of The Point Church, based in Pensacola, FL. In this exclusive interview, we dive into the extraordinary tale of how First Baptist Church in Elberta, AL, generously passed on...
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I Must Decrease - Part 1: First Baptist Elberta
Introduction: In this episode of The Last Service Podcast, your host Matt delves into an inspiring conversation with Pastor Mike Woods, the final pastor of First Baptist Church, Elberta, Alabama. Join us as Pastor Mike unravels the remarkable story of how his congregation made a profound decision...
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People of the Way - Claire Bamberg
In this episode, Claire Bamberg shares wisdom learned from helping many congregations find a path forward. We learn about her process to guide churches in letting go of the past and embracing a new beginning. She is the founder of Potentials Customized Coaching and Consulting. 3 Takeaways for…
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Failing God - Stephen Gray author of Legacy Churches
In this insightful episode of The Last Service Podcast, Matt sits down with Pastor Stephen Gray, the esteemed author of "Legacy Churches." Join us as we delve into the pages of Pastor Gray's book and explore his profound insights on the challenges and triumphs of legacy churches. 3 Takeaways for...
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Trailer
COMING SOON: The Last Service Podcast explores the narratives of American churches that have closed, consolidated, or merged. It's a celebration of good endings, enduring legacies, and the courage to embrace new beginnings. Join us as we delve into the lives of these churches, sharing stories…
more
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Last Service Podcast explores the narratives of American churches that have closed, consolidated, or merged. But this isn’t a tale of despair; it’s a celebration of good endings, enduring legacies, and the courage to embrace new beginnings.American churches are closing at a pace faster than new ones are emerging, the need for thoughtful conversations around closures is more crucial than ever. By shedding light on the paths taken by these congregations, we aim to inspire and encourage church leaders facing difficult decisions. Join us as we delve into the lives of these churches, sharing stories that resonate with wisdom, and a commitment to ending well. So, whether you’re a pastor navigating the delicate balance of transition or a curious listener seeking wisdom from these poignant narratives, The Last Service Podcast is your haven for stories of faithful endings.
HOSTED BY
Last Service Solutions, LLC
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Last Service Podcast have?
The Last Service Podcast currently has 41 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Last Service Podcast about?
The Last Service Podcast explores the narratives of American churches that have closed, consolidated, or merged. But this isn’t a tale of despair; it’s a celebration of good endings, enduring legacies, and the courage to embrace new beginnings.American churches are closing at a pace faster than new...
How often does The Last Service Podcast release new episodes?
The Last Service Podcast has 41 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Last Service Podcast?
You can listen to The Last Service Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Last Service Podcast?
The Last Service Podcast is created and hosted by Last Service Solutions, LLC.
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