Public prayer often gets treated like a warm-up act in church. But what if it’s one of the most spiritually potent moments in the whole service? Natalie Ray wants us to stop coasting and start leading prayers that actually lead.
Why public prayer is often flat — and how to fix it
What changes when we treat prayer as intercession, not narration
The real reason your church probably struggles with prayer
How the Lord’s Prayer can reshape more than just the words we say
Natalie leads the Magnification and Maturity ministries at Toongabbie Anglican Church
TOOL BOX:
Prayerfulness by Peter Adam
Preparing to Lead Intercessions in Church by Peter Adam
Be Thou My Vision by Jonathan Gibson
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Youthworks
The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia
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Acronyms might save time, but are they costing us people? Dominic Steele wants pastors to rethink their acronym addiction — not just because it’s annoying, but because it is anti-gospel.
Why church leaders cling to acronyms that no one understand
Biblical principles that challenge coded language
How acronyms can quietly push people away from church
The hidden arrogance behind insider shorthand
Practical ways to audit your church’s insider language
Dominic is the senior pastor of Village Church in Annandale and the host of The Pastors Heart.
TOOL BOX:
Do an audit of your ministry today!
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Trellis
The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia
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Most ministry teams don’t fall apart because of conflict. They often drift because people stop showing up — in body, heart, or prayer.
In this episode, Dave Moore talks about what helps teams become healthy, dependable, and deeply Christian. He unpacks the four things that make a team worth being part of — the kind that actually helps people follow Jesus together.
In this episode:
The four things every team needs to get right
The quiet crisis of people in ministry who’ve stopped showing up
What happens when Christians act like Christians in conflict and frustration
Dave Moore became a Christian through SRE at primary school. Dave is the Executive Pastor at Hunter Bible Church in Newcastle. He is also an author and the Founding Director of Safe Ministry Check online.
TOOL BOX:
The Team Member’s Handbook by Dave Moore
The Team Leader’s Handbook by Dave Moore
Episode 393 Handing Volunteer Team Leaders Responsibility with Dave Moore
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Safe Ministry Check
The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia
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For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au
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Young men are trickling back into churches, but are they here to stay — and are we ready for them? Steve McAlpine joins to unpack the subtle but significant shifts in cultural currents and what churches must rethink to disciple a new kind of Christian convert.
Key points:
Why Google searches for “Bible” and “Christianity” are spiking — and what it might mean.
The end of nominalism and the rise of “full-fat” faith.
What young men are really looking for when they show up at church.
Why Sunday attendance and midweek group aren’t enough.
The critical role of Christian households in modeling a different life.
Why tone, not just truth, matters more than ever.
Stephen McAlpine worked as a National Communicator for City Bible Forum, and was also pastoring a church in Perth. He has degrees in journalism and theology and enjoys combining the two through writing and blogging, especially on matters of church planting and cultural negotiation for Christians in the increasingly complex West.
TOOL BOX:
Disruptive Witness by Alan Noble
You Are Not Your Own by Alan Noble
First Things – journal of religion and public life
“Full Fat Faith” article by James Marriott (The Times, UK)
Wes Huff – Christian apologist (his YouTube channel)
Questioning Christianity by Dan Paterson
Stephen's Substack – a great place to start working through a platform for cultural commentary and analysis
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Trellis
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
AI is knocking at the church door. Do we let it in? We debate that topic today with Emma Wilkins and Paul Matthews as they wrestle with how pastors and gospel workers can engage with AI.
AI is knocking at the church door. Do we let it in? We debate that topic right here today, hear arguments from both Emma Wilkins and Paul Matthews as they wrestle with how pastors and gospel workers can engage with AI.
Highlights:
Paul Matthews is a teacher, AI tech founder and consultant. He is a regular keynote speaker for education conferences, Ed Tech festivals, and spoke at TEDxHobart in 2024.
Emma Wilkins is Tasmanian journalist and freelance writer. Emma is also an Associate for the Centre for Public Christianity, and serves on the AFES (Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students) board of directors. She attends Crossroads Presbyterian Church.
TOOL BOX:
Five Lies of the AI World by Paul Matthews
Made in Our Image by Stephen Driscoll
TOT Ep 398 on Sunflower AI technology
Articles on managing AI change and discipleship
Paul’s TEDx talk
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Stanton Dahl
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
Ministry wives carry unseen pressures and influence. It’s the role no one defines but everyone watches. Cathie Heard talks about what ministry wives are really carrying, and why support can’t wait.
We cover:
TOOL BOX:
Wives Network - Reach Australia
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Trellis
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
If your preaching only speaks to Christians, you're missing half the room. Al Stewart lays out why preaching to both believers and unbelievers is not optional. It is essential for any church that wants to grow through gospel impact. This is a sharp call to lift your preaching game, build a culture of invitation, and make every sermon count for eternity.
What’s discussed:
• Why preaching should always assume two audiences
• How to critique worldviews without alienating people
• Preaching Psalm 1 to Christians and non-Christians
• How to handle historical books like Chronicles
• The importance of trust for invitation culture
• Practical tips for preparation and next steps
• What small groups can learn from this model
TOOL BOX:
This week we recommend you find your own passage and think about how you’ll apply it to two different audiences
For a great example check out: Preaching by Tim Keller
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by EA Insurance
The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia
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For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au
Support Reach Australia's online library
Churches often revolve around couples and families, but what message does that send to the growing number of single Christians? This episode unpacks the hidden assumptions behind “couples bias” and what it means to build churches where singles aren’t just welcomed, but necessary. We cover:
Why the nuclear family isn’t the centre of church life
How singleness points to eternity, just like marriage
What pastors miss when they overlook single adults
Easy fixes that do more harm than good
How married people can be better friends to singles
The challenge to name all the single people in your church
Rev. Dr Danielle (Dani) Treweek is a theological researcher, author, and speaker with a focus on singleness, sexuality, and worldview formation. She leads the Single Minded ministry and serves as Sydney Anglican Diocesan Research Officer. She writes for Christianity Today, ABC Religion & Ethics, and The Gospel Coalition Australia.
TOOL BOX:
The Meaning of Singleness by Danielle Treweek
Single Ever After by Danielle Treweek
Dani’s website with further resources
No Greater Love by Rebecca McLaughlin
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Youthworks
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
City life changes the way small groups work. Jess Ngo from Scots Presbyterian Church Sydney shares what she’s learned leading groups in the CBD — where people move in and out quickly, apartments are small, and the community is incredibly multicultural.
She talks about why they meet at the church building, how they keep studies short and sharp, and why raising up new leaders every year is so important.
Jess shares how they’ve adapted — meeting at the church building, keeping studies tight, and raising leaders every year — and why it matters to shape groups for your own context.
Jess is a pastoral assistant of Scots Presbyterian Church in the middle of the Sydney CBD.
TOOLBOX:
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by ChurchSuite
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For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au
Where do small groups come from and why does it matter? Silas Thiem explores the origins of small groups in focussing on Sydney churches, highlighting how cultural shifts and para-church movements helped shape their development. It’s a reminder that small groups weren’t always about structured Bible study—they started as spaces for connection. This episode asks whether they’re still the right tool for the job, or if it's time to rethink how they function in the life of the church.
Silas Thiem is the equipping minister at St Alban's Lindfield in the North Shore of Sydney.
TOOLBOX:
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Trellis
The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia
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How do you actually measure whether small groups are actually working? Richard Sweatman from Hunter Bible Church joins us to unpack what matters most – from clarifying purpose, to tracking attendance trends, to assessing leader health, group dynamics, and individual growth. He shares practical tips as well as pitfalls to avoid when appointing leaders or multiplying groups.
TOOLBOX:
Leading Small Groups That Thrive by Ryan T. Hartwig, Courtney W. Davis and Jason A. Sniff
Richard’s Review of Leading Small Groups That Thrive
Unmissable Church by Richard Sweatman and Antony Barraclough
Being a Small Group Leader by Richard Sweatman
Writing a Small Group Study by Richard Sweatman
CREDITS:
The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia
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This episode was brought to you by Youthworks
Across Australia, church buildings sit underused or sold off—while church planters struggle to find space to gather. These buildings, raised by past generations, could potentially be a lifeline for thriving plants.
In this episode, we explore questions of stewardship, the identity challenges facing struggling churches, and practical models—from rentals to mergers—that could keep these spaces serving gospel purposes for decades to come.
TOOLBOX:
Contact: derek.hanna@reachaustralia.com.au
How can your church be involved in church planting
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Exdia
The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia
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Who needs to be in the room? How to choose the right voices for strategic conversations, spot unproductive meetings, avoid groupthink, and build trust-filled, high-functioning teams.
Key Points:
TOOL BOX:
Ep 404 Three dysfunctional types of teams and how to fix them
Ep 383 You're better at this than me and other phrases build-teams
Ep 357 Inheriting and building teams (Ray Galea)
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Quizworx
The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia
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For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au
Is prayer the most neglected part of ministry? In this episode, Peter Adam challenges our prayerlessness as a form of worldliness and warns that pastors must lead in prayer—not just in godliness or preaching. We explore why our prayers are often shallow, how pre-written prayers can train us to pray with greater depth, and why ignoring prayer in meetings and leadership is a missed opportunity. Peter also digs into what unanswered prayer reveals about our self-centred assumptions.
Peter Adam is a retired theologian who was previously principal at Ridley College and is now Vicar Emeritus of St Jude's Carlton in Melbourne
TOOLBOX:
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Lending Hands
The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia
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For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au
How can movies open the door to meaningful conversations about faith?
Russ Matthews from Reel Dialogue joins us to share how films can help spark gospel conversations in everyday life. We talk about why asking good questions and listening well matters, how couples can partner in mission together, and what Russ has learned from using mainstream movies as a starting point for sharing Jesus.
The power of asking good questions and listening in evangelism
Why Russ wrote Real Marriage as a story, not a manual
How couples can work together for mission in everyday life
Using mainstream movies as conversation starters for faith
What Reel Dialogue offers churches: resources, training, and events
TOOLBOX:
Reel Dialogue – Movie reviews, discussion guides, training, and events
Books:
The Maker’s Quest (for teens)
Free book giveaway: email resources@reachaustralia.com.au with your address
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Safe Ministry Check
The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia
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For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au
Support Reach Australia's online library
Multiplication—it sounds bold, ambitious, risky… maybe even unrealistic. But is it? Should every church, including yours, be involved multiplication. Derek and Scott unpack what holds churches back from multiplying, whether you're in the city or regional areas, in a large church or a small church.
TOOLBOX:
Church Multiplication Hub – where your church fits on the multiplication spectrum
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Try Fruit Trellis
The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia
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For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au
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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 rare moment of unity, clarity, and challenge.
A bold vision was laid down: double reformed evangelical churches in 20 years.
TOOLBOX:
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Stanton Dahl Architects
The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia
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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:
This episode was brought to you by Church Suite
The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia
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For ideas or questions please email resources@reachaustralia.com.au
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Planting a multisite church is like swimming in medium water. It’s a stretch—without the fear of drowning. Jade Hajj unpacks how planting Rockdale as a campus of Grace City has given him space to grow in ministry while being deeply supported by a strong team and solid structures.
Highlights:
TOOLBOX
TOT 375 Learning from two new churches that launched in 2024
Church Planting Australia Podcast
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by EA Insurance
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
Preparing the next generation for ministry is an important role for any gospel worker, but it can be hard to get started or not be distracted. The Ministry Training Strategy (MTS), as an entity, has honed their expertise to training the trainer. A part of that is expanding out the vision of what a MTS trainee can be. Clare, in particular, assisting trainers with considering hiring female apprentices.
James Hoey is Director of Partnerships and Clare Merkel is Ministry Training for Women Partnership Developer.
They are helping people to think about:
TOOLBOX:
Eager to Serve by Ray Galea
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by The Ministry Training Strategy
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