Explore every episode of the podcast The One Thing
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 412 Doubling Christianity in Australia | 21 Jul 2025 | 00:21:30 | |
What happens when denominational leaders get in the same room to talk about gospel growth in Australia? In this episode, Derek and Scott reflect on a recent national gathering hosted by The Gospel Coalition—a moment of unity, clarity, and challenge. A bold vision was laid down: double the number of Reformed evangelicals in Australia over twenty years.
TOOLBOX:
CREDITS: This episode was brought to you by Stanton Dahl Architects 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 resources@reachaustralia.com.au Support Reach Australia's online library | |||
| 411 Launch teams: the spiritual boot camp no one talks about (Carla and Corey Matthews) | 14 Jul 2025 | 00:24:43 | |
Carla and Corey Matthews have been part of two church plant launch teams — not as planters or staff, but as everyday church members offering time, energy, and faith. In this episode, they share:
Whether you're curious about church planting or wondering how God might use you, this honest conversation is for you. Carla and Corey helped launch Cornerstone Anglican Church Box Hill, Sydney and Rouse Hill Anglican Church, Sydney. TOOLBOX: TOT 375 Learning from two new churches that launched in 2024 Church Planting Australia Podcast CREDITS: 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 resources@reachaustralia.com.au Support Reach Australia's online library | |||
| 402 Rethinking kids ministry with Quiz Worx (Matt Gorton and Scruff) | 12 May 2025 | 00:30:04 | |
Matt Gorton and Scruff chat about common mistakes in kids' ministry:
Matt Gorton is the Creative Director of Quiz Worx, an organisation focused on sharing Jesus with kids, primarily through live puppet shows in schools. Their approach deliberately fills a gap, doing things most local churches can’t—like extensive show preparation, high-level puppetry, and engaging storytelling with theological depth. Puppets like Scruff play a crucial role by creating dramatic tension, challenging the human presenter, and asking the tough or silly questions kids might be too shy to ask. This keeps shows engaging and relatable while allowing clear gospel communication. TOOL BOX: CREDITS: 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 resources@reachaustralia.com.au | |||
| 315: How Do I Organise My Preaching Program for the Year? | 11 Sep 2023 | 00:24:54 | |
It's the time of year where we need to start planning 2024! Derek talks to Des Smith from Trinity Church Lockleys about how to plan out a preaching series:
SHOW NOTES: Des' 2024 Plan (which might change!):
More on Preaching: CREDITS: The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia. For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au To support the Reach Australia Online Library head here. | |||
| 314: How Your Identity Issues Could Undermine Your Leadership | 04 Sep 2023 | 00:33:10 | |
We all have identity issues and it has become the hot topic around the place at the moment. But how does it affect gospel workers particularly? James Lewis from Norwest Anglican church reflects on his own experiences as he prepared talks on identity: SHOW NOTES: Norwest Anglican Series on Identity on YouTube You Are Not Your Own by Alan Noble Compared to Her by Sophie de Witt Reach Australia Development Programme CREDITS: The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia. For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au To support the Reach Australia Online Library head here. | |||
| 313: What Should I Be Thinking About In Term Four? | 27 Aug 2023 | 00:15:18 | |
Term 4 is not the time to slow down, we have great opportunities in events like Christmas but also planning for 2024. Make sure you are ready to go. You need to ask questions like:
SHOW NOTES: Season 21 of the Reach Australia Podcast 262 Dave Keun on making the most of Christmas CREDITS: The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia. For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au To support the Reach Australia Online Library head here. | |||
| 312: How Can I Get Helpful Professional Support For People Needing Care in My Church? | 21 Aug 2023 | 00:27:13 | |
"Referring people on to experts is an act of love". Lauren Errington is asked about when is it a good time for someone to see someone professionally about a mental health issue. She recommends asking ourselves:
SHOW NOTES: Reach Australia Care List. A list of resources that might help you. The Family Systems Institute Website The Mental Health and Pastoral Institute where Keith and Sarah Condie have some great resources. The Better Access Scheme explained. CREDITS: The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia. For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au To support the Reach Australia Online Library head here. | |||
| 311: How Can My Help Get in The Way of Caring? | 14 Aug 2023 | 00:31:18 | |
Pastors what to help people, but when does this desire get the way of actually helping people? Lauren Errington from the Family Systems Institute addresses some of the questions we need to ask when it comes to helping people, even well intentioned help: - Who is actually responsible for what? - Have we confused empathy with needing to feel all the feelings the other person is feeling? - Is the best way of helping people to step back and let the person grow themselves? - Are we curious and thoughtful before we are ready to jump in and help? - Is the help actually about helping them or dealing with our own anxiety and need to step in and help? - What does it mean to be in "good contact" with someone? SHOW NOTES:
CREDITS: The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia. For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au To support the Reach Australia Online Library head here. | |||
| 310: How Do I Rest? Seven Types of Rest | 07 Aug 2023 | 00:20:23 | |
What is 'rest'? In our last episode we saw that rest was more than sleep and not working. Derek and Scott look at the work of Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith on different types of rest. 1. Physical Rest Giving your body a rest. 2. Mental Rest It could be that you need to give your mind a rest. 3. Emotional Rest We can get emotionally tired when we are not paying attention to our emotions. 4. Spiritual Rest Reconnecting with God 5. Social Rest Different relationships can ones that build us up or drain us. 6. Sensory Res Especially with screens. 7. Creative Rest Creative rest is not about putting a demand on your creative ability; that’s not rest, that’s work. It is the opposite. It’s allowing white space in your life and giving room for your creativity to show up. Creative rest lets you focus on your basic need for wonder. You can enjoy fulfilling that basic need in ways that don’t put any pressure on your being creative. Yes, creativity may bloom from the seeds planted, but creativity is not the objective, only rest. Summary
SHOWNOTES: Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity by Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith TED Notes from Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith TED Talk from Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less Alex Soojung-Kim Pang Atomic Habits by James Clear. CREDITS: The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia. For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au To support the Reach Australia Online Library head here. | |||
| 309: How Do I Rest? Three Myths About Rest and Ministry | 31 Jul 2023 | 00:19:43 | |
Is the reason that gospel workers are tired because they don't understand what rest is? Derek and Scott discuss three myths of rest: Myth #1: Doing more work does not make us better workers: Truth #1: Resting makes us better, more effective workers
Truth#2: You can’t binge your rest, it needs to be a habit
Truth #3: Sleep is important but is not rest. Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity by Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith Atomic Habits by James Clear. Burnout and Rest by Valarie Ling List of things to improve your sleep by Matthew Walker CREDITS: The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia. For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au To support the Reach Australia Online Library head here. | |||
| 308: Responding to Wisdom From Elders (Part 2) | 24 Jul 2023 | 00:27:13 | |
What advice would you give your younger self, especially in ministry? We asked Al and Kathy Stewart and Laurel Hall and asked them what they would say in Part 2 of our learning from elders.
SHOW NOTES: TOT 232: You Need Friends In Ministry More from Kathy and Al Stewart on Marriage and Ministry How People Change by Timothy S. Lane and Paul Tripp CREDITS: The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia. For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au To support the Reach Australia Online Library head here. | |||
| 307: Responding to Wisdom From Elders (Part 1) | 17 Jul 2023 | 00:22:43 | |
What advice would you give your younger self, especially in ministry? We asked Gary Koo, Peter Moore, Greg and Emma Lee and asked them what they would say as Derek and Jo reflect on their wisdom.
SHOW NOTES: Wisdom in Leadership by Craig Hamilton is available from Matthias Media Tim Keller article on Faithfulness and Ministry Want to know about Learn to lead Older video of Mikey Lynch interviewing David Jones about identity in ministry Sovereignty in Salvation: Justin Mote spoke to some church planters about sovereignty CREDITS: The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia. For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au To support the Reach Australia Online Library head here. | |||
| 306: How Do I Help Christians Think About Their Money Habits? | 10 Jul 2023 | 00:19:05 | |
How do we think about our money and resources as Christian disciples? Yoel Frank has written a book to help us practically think through what it means to be a disciple with money. 1. Live Simply 2. Give Habitually 3. Spend Missionally 4. Invest Impactfully 5. Steward Wisely SHOW NOTES: **If you purchase the Barefoot Disciple from this link, Yoel will donate the proceeds to Reach Australia** CREDITS: The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia. For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au To support the Reach Australia Online Library head here.How | |||
| 401 Burnout in kids ministry (Sandy Galea) | 11 May 2025 | 00:31:13 | |
Kids' ministry burns out leaders faster than most church roles, and the trend is spiking. Sandy Galea shares her real-life struggle as a children's ministry director, as well as her observations as someone who oversees many people who work in this area. Why does it happen?
Sandy Galea is the direction of Kidswise, a ministry that seeks to support local churches in the discipleship of kids. TOOLBOX: The Surprising Grief in Kids' Ministry (TGC Article) Kidswise Equip (live online training) For: parents, volunteers, kids ministry directors Kidswise Academy (individual or group training options) For: parents, volunteers, kids ministry directors, ministry team leaders Kidswise Masterclass (10 classes over 10 months) how to lead a kids ministry that grows in depth and reach without burning out . Kidswise Consult For: individual or staff team - kids ministry directors, staff teams. CREDITS: This episode was brought to you by Kidswise Masterclass 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 resources@reachaustralia.com.au To support the Reach Australia Online Library head here. | |||
| 305: How Can My Church Raise More Money? | 03 Jul 2023 | 00:15:48 | |
Money is a taboo topic for churches, and there has been some ministries that have brought disrepute to the gospel through the misuse of money, Yet we need to manage and talk about money and generosity as churches not just for budgets but because money management is a part of being a disciple. Jo talks with Tish Maier, Reach Australia's Support Manager, about how and why ministers need to talk about generosity. SHOW NOTES: The Generosity Project - a 6 part interactive resource from Matthias Media aimed at shifting the culture of generosity in our churches, in a positive way. - Rod Irvine talking about generosity to church plants Longer talk from Rod Irvine on raising resources for churches CREDITS: The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia. For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au To support the Reach Australia Online Library head here. | |||
| 304: How Does Pastoral Care Make Disciples? | 26 Jun 2023 | 00:16:13 | |
There is caring for people who are in need and there is disciple making. But do these things need to be at odds? Sally Sims is the Care Ministry Coordinator at Christ Church, St Ives, on Sydney's North Shore. She's author of Together Through the Storm A Practical Guide to Christian Care and she sits down with Jo Gibbs to talk about how pastoral care can be disciple making.
SHOW NOTES: Sally's book can be found here. Watch for the 2nd Edition in August. Care resource list from the Reach Australia National Conference Disciple Making Pastoral Care by Sally Sims Disciple Making Pastoral Care within Small Groups by Sarie King Keep watching for more Reach Australia Resources CREDITS: The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia. For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au To support the Reach Australia Online Library head here. | |||
| 303: I'm Overwhelmed With Care Needs in My Church - What Can I Do? | 19 Jun 2023 | 00:16:18 | |
There's times when life falls apart and things just don't turn out as we planned, and they're often unexpected things that turn up that are not in your diary. It can be a matter of time before gospel workers are overwhelmed with requests and needs. How do we manage all this? Sally Sims is the Care Ministry Coordinator at Christ Church, St Ives, on Sydney's North Shore. She's author of Together Through the Storm A Practical Guide to Christian Care and she sits down with Jo Gibbs to talk about how to care for people in church without being overwhelmed.
SHOW NOTES: Sally's Book can be found here. Watch for the 2nd Edition in August. Care resource list from the Reach Australia National Conference Sally's workshop...coming soon. Keep watching for more Reach Australia Resources CREDITS: The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia. For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au | |||
| 302: How Do I Help People Come to Church Regularly? (Part 2) | 12 Jun 2023 | 00:16:08 | |
People think they come to church 17% more than they actually do! Scott chats with Richard Sweatman and Antony Barraclough about their new book Unmissable church with advice for pastors and members of churches to encourage people to come to church more regularly. In this episode they look at whether going to a small group is enough, what excuses people make for not going to church and how do you build community with multiple congregations
SHOW NOTES: Part 1 is here Unmissable Church can be bought from Matthias Media or our friends at the Wandering Bookseller Richard has also written two books on small groups: Being a Small Group Leader and Writing a Small Group Study CREDITS: The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia. For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au | |||
| 301: How Do I Help People Come to Church Regularly? (Part 1) | 05 Jun 2023 | 00:16:58 | |
People think they come to church 17% more than they actually do! Scott chats with Richard Sweatman and Antony Barraclough about their new book Unmissable church with advice for pastors and members of churches to encourage people to come to church more regularly. How regularly should you come to church?
SHOW NOTES: Unmissable Church can be bought from Matthias Media or our friends at the Wandering Bookseller Homegrown Faith can be heard here CREDITS: The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia. For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au | |||
| 300: 300 Episodes into the One Thing! | 29 May 2023 | 00:20:52 | |
"It's been a showcase of God's work in the network". After 6 years and 300 episodes Derek and Scott reflect on the ministry of the One Thing, their favourite episodes and interviews. SHOW NOTES: Episode 1: Convictions Drive Direction Episode 189: The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill Episode 244: Reset: Where are you Now? Episode 245: Reset: Where do you want to go? Episode 246: Reset: How will you get there? Episode 232: You Need Friends in Ministry Episode 52: The Sending Church (J. D. Greear) Episode 53: Mobilising the Denomination for Mission (J. D. Greear) CREDITS: The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia. For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au | |||
| 299: Raising Up More Gospel Workers | 15 May 2023 | 00:18:04 | |
Derek talks to Lee Murray, the new Director of Partnerships at MTS.
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| 298: Live from Reach Australia's National Conference (Part 2) | 10 May 2023 | 00:15:40 | |
Scott, Derek and Jo catch up on Day 3 of the conference in the noisy foyer.
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| 297: Live from Reach Australia's National Conference (Part 1) | 09 May 2023 | 00:16:24 | |
Jo, Derek and Scott catch up on Day 2 of the National Conference.
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| 296: Peter Jensen on His New Book 'The Life of Faith' | 01 May 2023 | 00:26:06 | |
Peter Jensen talks through his new book The Life of Faith. It's a systematic theology you will actually read!
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| 400 Why people don’t take kids ministry seriously (Sandy Galea) | 28 Apr 2025 | 00:30:05 | |
Perceptions shape a ministry’s effectiveness. For kids ministry, we’re exploring Bible-based views to reinforce it and tackling harmful misconceptions.
Sandy Galea is the direction of Kidswise, a ministry that seeks to support local churches in the discipleship of kids. TOOLBOX: Growing an Effective Kids Ministry (Seminar) Missional Kids Ministry (Interview) Kidswise Equip (live online training) For: parents, volunteers, kids ministry directors Kidswise Academy (individual or group training options) For: parents, volunteers, kids ministry directors, ministry team leaders Kidswise Masterclass (10 classes over 10 months) how to lead a kids ministry that grows in depth and reach without burning out . Kidswise Consult For: individual or staff team - kids ministry directors, staff teams. CREDITS: This episode was brought to you by Kidswise Academy 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 resources@reachaustralia.com.au To support the Reach Australia Online Library head here. | |||
| 295: Reel Dialogue with Russ Matthews | 24 Apr 2023 | 00:19:03 | |
What if going to the movies was not just entertaining, but also useful in evangelism? Peter Blanch sits down with Reel Dialogue guru Russ Matthews to talk about how you can become an expert in using movies to talk about Jesus.
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| 294: Ed Stetzer on Post COVID Church Planting and Everything Else | 17 Apr 2023 | 00:25:32 | |
Scott sits down an old friend of the network and church planting guru: Ed Stetzer.
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| 293: Why Does My Church's Sound Suck? | 10 Apr 2023 | 00:22:50 | |
Scott chats with Mat Stevens from Turramurra music and talks about how to make sound ministry work and why it's important.
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| 292: How Many Hours Should a Gospel Worker Work? | 03 Apr 2023 | 00:19:31 | |
Derek and Scott dive into the murky world of how long a gospel worker should work. | |||
| 291: What Does My Church Need to Prepare For in Term 2? | 27 Mar 2023 | 00:14:44 | |
Scott and Derek look at why is Term 2 is unique. | |||
| 290: The Importance of Clarity | 20 Mar 2023 | 00:18:41 | |
Peter and Scott get back to basics on clarity and why it is so important and yet hard to keep.
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| 289: Asking Hard Questions of Reach Australia | 13 Mar 2023 | 00:22:22 | |
Pete and Scott look at the Reach Australia 2023 Impact Report. | |||
| 288: Analysing Australian Culture with Steve Mcalpine (Part 2) | 06 Mar 2023 | 00:16:12 | |
Featuring a discussion of Steve's new book.
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| 287: Analysis Australian Culture with Steve McAlpine (Part 1) | 27 Feb 2023 | 00:21:00 | |
How can a busy ministry worker keep up to date with the flows of Australian culture?
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| 286 (Mini): Silos and Pathways | 20 Feb 2023 | 00:09:36 | |
Every church has a pathway, how's yours?
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| 399 How do you bring a problem to your leader? (Russ Smidt) | 21 Apr 2025 | 00:22:55 | |
Raising issues with your leader or your team can be tough—too many ideas may overwhelm, confuse or burden them unnecessarily, or it might intimidate you. Russ Smidt from MTS created a tool to help you present problems to your leader or team effectively.
Russ is the Director of Training with the Ministry Training Strategy TOOLBOX: The Ministry Training Strategy Reach Australia Coaching Example Work Paper (to come) CREDITS: 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 resources@reachaustralia.com.au To support the Reach Australia Online Library head here. | |||
| 285: What We’ve Noticed Through Church Consultations | 13 Feb 2023 | 00:20:32 | |
Trends across Australian churches with Mike Sams. | |||
| 284: Reignite Your Conversion Engine | 06 Feb 2023 | 00:21:23 | |
What is a conversion engine?
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| 283: When Not To Plant A Church | 30 Jan 2023 | 00:21:25 | |
Not everyone should plant a church.
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| 282: Mission: A New Written Resource | 23 Jan 2023 | 00:17:56 | |
Mission theology, mission heat and mission funnels. | |||
| 281: How Much Can I Expect The Church To Give In 2023? | 16 Jan 2023 | 00:20:50 | |
How much should you expect the average church member to give?
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| 280: Joining A New Team | 09 Jan 2023 | 00:18:43 | |
Are you joining a new ministry team? Is someone joining your team?
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| Episode 279 – What’s Most Important In Term 1? | 02 Jan 2023 | 00:18:27 | |
Where should you focus your energy in term 1 as you serve in ministry?
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| Episode 278 – What Should I Read Over Summer? | 26 Dec 2022 | 00:12:37 | |
3 book recommendations for your summer.
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| Episode 277 – What Is A Focus Pastor? | 19 Dec 2022 | 00:25:26 | |
Jez and Ray from EV Church.
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| Episode 276 – What Songs Should We Sing For Christmas? (Greg Cooper and Curtis Smith) | 12 Dec 2022 | 00:16:04 | |
Greg Cooper (Melbourne) and Curtis Smith (Sydney). Curtis' Suggestions 1. Oh come all ye faithful 2. Joy to the world 3. Away in a manger 4. Oh come oh come Emmanuel 5. Hark the herald angels sing 6. O little town of Bethlehem 7. Who is he in yonder stall 8. Silent night 9. The first noel 10. O holy night | |||
| 398 Live translation during church services (Chuhao Liu) | 13 Apr 2025 | 00:16:31 | |
As Christians, we want everyone to understand our message about God, but language barriers can hinder fellowship. Sunflower, an AI tool, helps churches bridge this gap by enabling non-native English speakers to follow services and conferences with ease. Chuhoa Liu is one of the co-founders of Sunflower.
TOOL BOX: Sunflowerai website The Culture Map by Erin Meyer CREDITS: This episode was brought to you by the VCA 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 resources@reachaustralia.com.au To support the Reach Australia Online Library head here. | |||
| Episode 275 – 9 Months Ago I Planted A Church in Adelaide (Part 2) | 08 Dec 2022 | 00:13:28 | |
Des Smith started a church in Adelaide in 2022.
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| Episode 274 – 9 Months Ago I Planted A Church in Adelaide (Part 1) | 05 Dec 2022 | 00:20:24 | |
Des Smith started a church in Adelaide in 2022.
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| Episode 273 – Do You Need An Executive Pastor? | 28 Nov 2022 | 00:20:13 | |
What value does an executive pastor bring to a church?
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