Margin for Mission: The CRI CapinCrouse Podcast

Multisite is no longer a passing trend in church ministry; it has become one of the most common ways congregations grow and expand their impact. On this episode of Margin for Mission, church researcher and author Warren Bird joins the show to unpack his latest findings on how multisite churches are launching, staffing, funding, and governing their campuses today.

Together, they discuss the evolution from early video venues to modern campus models, how church mergers and adoptions factor into expansion, and key governance and structural accountability considerations for nonprofit and church leaders before adding a new location.

Visit https://www.criadv.com for more.

Great leadership comes down to what you do, not just what you say. In part one of this two-part book club series, hosts Chris Purnell and Ken Tan dive into Andy Stanley's book, What Great Leaders Do: 7 Essentials for Enduring Impact.

Together, they walk through Stanley's seven core leadership practices, discussing how they directly apply to managing non-profits, ministries, and mission-driven organizations. Chris and Ken share personal experiences, practical adaptations, and actionable advice for evaluating your own leadership approach.

Whether you lead a team, serve on a board, or guide a congregation, this conversation provides valuable insights on what practices to reinforce and what changes to make to drive lasting organizational impact.

Learn more at criadv.com.

What kind of mark will your financial journey leave on future generations?

In this episode, Ken Tan sits down with Nathan Russell from the Georgia Baptist Foundation for a deep dive into estate planning, stewardship, and intentional generosity. Nathan reflects on his personal path to the foundation and breaks down how churches, ministry leaders, and Christian families can align their wealth with their deepest values. From structured planned giving to practical estate strategies, discover how thoughtful financial stewardship today can build a culture of generosity that powers ministry long into the future!

Learn more:

criadv.com

https://gbfoundation.org

Behind every headline, public figure, and high-profile career, there is a human story driven by faith, leadership, and personal relationships.

In this episode, we sit down with Maina Mwaura to explore the power of authentic storytelling and what happens when you share a table with some of the most recognizable voices in politics, ministry, sports, entertainment, and culture.

We unpack key leadership lessons learned from interviewing influential figures, the role faith plays in high-impact environments, and how building genuine relationships can transform how we lead.

Whether you are leading a team, navigating complex cultural conversations, or seeking to deepen your impact, tune in for a compelling look at leadership behind the headlines!

Connect with Ken Tan

Connect with Chris Purnell

Learn more at https://www.criadv.com

Leading a church is rewarding, but let us be honest: it also comes with its fair share of messy, difficult moments. In this episode Ken Tan and Chris Purnellsit down with Denise Craig from The Church Network to talk about how church leaders, boards, and admin teams can handle the hard seasons without losing sight of their core mission. Denise also opens up about her own journey into church leadership and what she has learned along the way.

Grab a cup of coffee and tune in for an honest, practical conversation about navigating real-world ministry challenges!

Visit https://www.criadv.com for more.

Burnout, isolation, and integrity failures present massive risks to ministry leaders and the trust of their donors. In this episode, we sit down with Jake Lapp from ECFA to unpack the organization's Leader Care standard. Together, they explore the core requirements of the standard, why ECFA created it, and common pitfalls nonprofit boards encounter during implementation.

Whether you serve on a board or lead a ministry, this conversation delivers practical, biblically grounded strategies to protect and support the leaders carrying your mission forward.

Connect with Chris Purnell

Connect with Ken Tan

Learn more about CapinCrouse at https://www.criadv.com

Leadership comes with unique pressures that don't punch out at 5:00pm.

In this episode, we recap our live interviews from the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, where we asked pastors what challenges keep them up at night. We break down their honest feedback regarding church operations, community growth, and leadership demands, offering our own insights on how to address these hidden vulnerabilities.

Listen now for a practical guide to strengthening your church infrastructure.

Visit https://www.capincrouse.com for more.

What if the biggest threat to your leadership isn't your competition, but your calendar? This week, we are diving into the core principles of John Mark Comer’s "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" and looking at how chronic busyness is quietly draining our energy, our relationships, and our vision.

Unchecked hurry often leads straight to burnout, reactive decisions, and a shallow organizational culture. Tune in as we explore the transformative power of slowing down. We discuss how practicing silence, solitude, and simplicity can help you move away from the trap of constant productivity and toward a sustainable, deeply intentional style of leadership.

Visit https://www.capincrouse.com for more.

The right CFO can unlock clarity, confidence, and capacity for your church’s mission-but finding someone who blends financial expertise with spiritual alignment is a unique challenge.

In this episode, Ken Tan introduces a special collaborative session featuring Jen Neal and William Vanderbloemen. Together, they break down strategic approaches to recruiting a church CFO who understands both the numbers and the vision. Tune in to learn how to align values, assess leadership potential, and build a financial foundation that empowers ministry growth.

Visit https://www.CapinCrouse.com for more.

What can a baseball diamond or a football field teach us about the limits of leadership control? Ken Tan and Chris Purnellexplore the intersection of athletics and organizational health, revealing how the "Big Three"-ministry, operations, and finance-thrive when leaders stop trying to do it all.

Visit https://www.capincrouse.com for more.

Significant changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act take effect July 1, 2026—and they could significantly reshape how students finance their education. In this episode, Lisa Saul and Patricia Willhite join us to discuss the upcoming changes to loan proration, Grad PLUS and Parent PLUS borrowing, and new aggregate loan limits.

Learn how higher education institutions can start planning for the potential impact of these changes, including steps you can take now.

Learn more:

http://capincrouse.com/OBBBA-student-cash-flow

In this episode of Margin for Mission, Ken Tan and Chris Purnellsit down with Glenn Wood, Administrative Pastor of Seacoast Church! As a leader in one of the nation’s top multi-campus churches, Glenn shares his personal journey and reveals how his unique career path prepared him to steward a rapidly growing organization.

Glenn offers a candid look at the "behind-the-scenes" leadership required to manage complex campus expansions while building healthy systems and empowered teams. Glenn dives into the daily realities of executive ministry and shares how to develop sustainable rhythms that keep leaders from burning out.

Tune in for a wealth of wisdom on growing your ministry without losing your peace!

Learn more at https://www.capincrouse.com

This episode of Margin for Mission is designed to encourage, equip, and refocus church leaders on the critical role of intentional leadership development for sustainable ministry impact. Join Ken Tan and Dan Reiland, a seasoned leadership coach and former executive pastor of one of the largest churches in the United States, as they explore how leaders are truly formed and multiplied over time.

The conversation centers on Dan’s personal journey and the lessons learned from developing leaders within a fast-growing church environment. They dive into the foundational principles that contribute to healthy, effective leadership cultures in faith-based organizations while offering genuine encouragement for leaders who may feel stretched or isolated in their roles.

Ultimately, this episode helps ministry leaders better steward their influence by developing others well. Tune in to learn how to align your leadership practices with both mission effectiveness and personal sustainability!

Check out this link for a very simple, practical approach to leadership development that nearly anyone can do. All six points are important, and you can start small to grow strong.

Visit https://www.CapinCrouse.com for more.

This week, Chris Purnell and Ken Tan sit down with Pastor Ben Burdick,Senior Pastor of World Gospel Church, for a raw and unfiltered look at the front lines of ministry. We’re pulling back the curtain on the silent struggles of modern leadership, from the heavy weight of growth expectations to the reality of volunteer burnout and the personal pressures that come with the call.

Whether you’re a seasoned lead pastor or a dedicated ministry volunteer, this episode delivers a dose of hard-earned wisdom, practical strategies, and the encouragement you need to keep serving in the trenches.

Learn more at:

https://www.capincrouse.com

https://worldgospelchurch.org

Join us as we sit down with Pastor Steve Browning of First City Church to explore the real world complexities of high level ministry leadership!

Pastor Steve shares his personal journey and calling while providing a transparent look at the unique challenges he has navigated throughout every phase of his career. As both a lead pastor of a growing multi site church and the president of a state level denomination, he offers invaluable insights into balancing heavy organizational responsibilities with essential family commitments.

Whether you are scaling a local congregation or overseeing a large denominational entity, Steve’s experiences serve as a powerful roadmap for sustainable leadership and growth. He breaks down the lessons gathered from expanding a ministry and managing the intricate needs of a diverse faith community.

Learn more at https://www.capincrouse.com

Does the mere mention of a "church audit" spark anxiety in your boardroom or vestry?

In this episode, Ken Tan and Chris Purnellare joined by Nathan Davis, as they strip away the jargon and mystery to provide a clear-eyed look at the truth about church audits that no one tells you. They move beyond the "red tape" to explore how a well-executed audit serves as a powerful tool for transparency, stewardship, and building trust with your congregation.

Whether you’re a pastor, an administrator, or a finance committee member, join us as we bridge the gap from confusion to total clarity.

For more, visit https://www.capincrouse.com

Leadership isn't just forged in the boardroom or measured by metrics, it is often shaped in the quiet moments between the pages of a book.

In this episode, join Ken Tan and Chris Purnell for a candid conversation about the books that have most profoundly influenced how we lead and live. These aren't your typical strategy manuals; these are the stories and philosophies that have challenged our assumptions, deepened our self-awareness, and reframed our understanding of purpose and calling.

Tune in as we explore how intentional reading forms the leader behind the mission, impacting everything from professional practice to personal growth. If you've ever wanted a look at the "behind-the-scenes" library of a nonprofit leader, this episode is for you.

Learn more at:

http://www.capincrouse.com

In this episode, Ken Tan and Chris Purnell are joined by guest Kelsey Helmick, Executive Compensation Program Consultant at CapinCrouse, to explore how church leaders can build more cohesive, high-performing teams. They dive into the various assessment tools available for identifying individual personalities and professional strengths, offering practical advice on how to leverage these insights to create a balanced dynamic ministry environment. Tune in to learn how understanding your team’s unique wiring can transform your leadership and organizational health.

What actually makes a workplace "work"? In this episode, we’re stripping away the buzzwords to define what workplace culture really is and how it shapes every minute of your team's day.

⁠Ken Tan⁠ and ⁠Chris Purnell⁠ are joined by ⁠Stan Reiff ⁠to break down the unmistakable traits of a healthy environment, versus the red flags of a toxic one, exploring the profound impact both have on staff morale and your overall operational results. Whether you're leading a team or looking for your next career move, join us as we navigate the high stakes of organizational culture.

For more visit:

https://www.criadv.com

https://www.capincrouse.com

In a world where "busy" is often worn as a badge of honor, is true work-life balance actually achievable? In this episode, Ken Tanand Chris Purnellpull back the curtain on how they navigate the high-pressure demands of the industry while keeping family and personal priorities at the forefront. Join us for a candid conversation on shifting the narrative from constant hustle to sustainable success and finding a balance that actually works.

For more, visit:

https://www.criadv.com

https://www.capincrouse.com