Dents in the Darkness

Every leader needs someone in their corner. In this episode, Mike and Tim sit down with Dr. Scott and Brooke Greening of Branch Life Church and The Life Center to talk about coaching: what it is, why it matters, and how it helps leaders, churches, and businesses get unstuck and move forward. Scott brings decades of experience helping leadership teams find strategic clarity, and Brooke brings a sharp eye for messaging and sales from her years in business development. Together they share what happens when someone comes alongside you, asks the right questions, and helps you see what God is already doing.Scott and Brooke also share about the ministry coaching partnership between The Life Center and the Northeast Collaborative (NEC), which connects pastors and ministry leaders with seasoned coaches who have planted churches, developed leaders, and led through growth themselves. Whether it's leadership challenges, soul care, church planting, team development, or a conversation you don't quite have words for yet, there's a coach ready to help you think through what's next.Whether you're planting, pastoring, leading a team, or running a business, this conversation will challenge you to think about who's coaching you, and who you should be coaching.In this episode:Scott and Brooke's story, from church planting in Chicago to Branch Life ChurchWhy coaching matters for pastors, planters, and marketplace leadersWhat good coaching looks like, and what it isn'tHow The Life Center brings Christ-centered coaching to the communityThe Life Center and NEC ministry coaching partnership, and why every pastor needs a coachAbout our guests:Dr. Scott Greening is a Team Pastor at Branch Life Church and a strategic planning and leadership development coach with The Life Center. A certified StratOp facilitator with a doctorate in leadership, Scott has spent over 20 years helping leaders in churches, schools, nonprofits, and startups build strategies that align with their values and create lasting impact. He also coaches pastors and ministry leaders through strategic planning and retreat facilitation.Brooke Greening is a business development coach with The Life Center and a StoryBrand Certified Guide. With over 20 years in sales and a background in counseling, Brooke helps business owners clarify their message, strengthen their sales conversations, and build consistent revenue.Scott and Brooke have two kids, Torah and Asher.Connect:NEC Ministry Coaching (for pastors and ministry leaders): thelifecenter.info/the-life-center/coaching/necThe Life Center: thelifecenter.infoCoaching with Scott and Brooke: thelifecenter.info/the-life-center/coaching/coaching-directoryBranch Life Church: branchlife.church

In this episode, Mike Schooley and Tim Madeira sit down with Karl Vaters — pastor, author, and one of the leading voices on pastoring and leading in average-size churches. Karl has spent over 40 years pastoring normative sized churches, and his work through Helping Small Churches Thrive has reshaped how thousands of leaders think about size, health, and mission.In this conversation we talk through: *why discipleship matters no matter your church's size * how to actually build a healthy church cultureKarl Vaters is also the keynote at this years’ Leadership Summit that will be held in Cortland NY where we will invest in church leaders that minister in the Northeast.Karl has served in small-church ministry for over 40 years and is the author of several books on church health and leadership, including:Small Church Essentials: Field-Tested Principles for Leading a Healthy Congregation of Under 250The Grasshopper Myth: Big Churches, Small Churches, and the Small Thinking That Divides Us100 Days to a Healthier Church: A Step-by-Step Guide for Pastors and Leadership TeamsThe Church Recovery Guide: How Your Congregation Can Adapt and Thrive After a CrisisDe-Sizing the Church: How Church Growth Became a Science, Then an Obsession, and What's NextKarl also hosts The Church Lobby: Conversations on Faith & Ministry, and speaks and writes extensively on helping small churches thrive.

In this episode, we sit down with Justin Bleuer from Berean Bible Church in Greene, New York, to talk about the impact and journey of multisite ministry.Justin shares the story behind Berean’s transition into multisite, the challenges they faced along the way, and the lessons they’ve learned as they’ve worked to expand their reach while maintaining healthy culture and discipleship. What began as a vision to reach more people with the gospel has become a practical model for leadership development, church growth, and Kingdom multiplication in their region.Together, we discuss how multisite ministry can help churches extend their mission into neighboring communities, raise up leaders from within, and create greater opportunities for discipleship and engagement.In This Episode:The story behind Berean becoming a multisite churchInitial hesitations and challenges in the processWhy multisite made sense for their contextLeadership development through multisite ministryMaintaining church culture across campusesThe importance of communication and alignmentReaching new communities without losing mission focusHow multisite creates opportunities for discipleshipLessons learned from the journeyEncouragement for churches considering multisiteResources:- ⁠Multichurch ⁠Connect & Subscribe: If this episode encouraged you, share it with a pastor, church leader, or ministry team exploring multisite ministry. Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, multiplication, discipleship, and the future of the Church in the Northeast and beyond.

In this episode, we sit down with Wayne Lewis to explore the role of discipleship within Christian higher education. As a leader in Christian academia and ministry, Dr. Lewis shares how universities can shape not only students’ minds, but also their spiritual formation, leadership, and calling.Together, we discuss the unique opportunities Christian universities have to develop the next generation of pastors, missionaries, church leaders, and marketplace disciples. Dr. Lewis also shares insights on mentoring students, cultivating biblical community on campus, and helping young adults follow Jesus faithfully in today’s culture.In This EpisodeWhy discipleship matters in Christian higher educationCreating a Christ-centered campus cultureMentoring and investing in the next generationPreparing students for ministry and vocationHelping students navigate faith in a changing cultureLeadership development in college settingsThe partnership between churches and Christian universitiesEncouraging students toward lifelong faithfulnessResourceshttps://www.houghton.edu/

In this episode, we sit down with Pastor TJ Freeman to talk about the heart behind rural ministry, leadership development, and church planting in overlooked communities. TJ serves as the Executive Director of The Brainerd Institute and pastors Christ Church in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. His passion is helping rural churches thrive through healthy leadership, gospel-centered discipleship, and long-term pastoral faithfulness.TJ shares his own ministry journey—from church planting and pastoral ministry to leading initiatives focused on equipping leaders in rural contexts. Together, we explore why rural communities matter deeply to the mission of God and how healthy churches can multiply even in places many overlook.In This EpisodeWhy rural ministry matters more than everThe unique opportunities and challenges of leading in small townsBuilding leadership pipelines in rural churchesChurch planting outside urban centersWhy long-term pastoral faithfulness mattersHow isolation impacts pastors and leadersCreating healthy cultures in smaller congregationsPractical encouragement for rural pastors and church plantersThe vision behind The Brainerd InstituteWhat it looks like to make Christ known “in the middle of nowhere"Resources & LinksThe Brainerd InstituteRural Church Renewal PodcastBack to Rurality PodcastConnect & SubscribeIf this episode encouraged you, share it with a pastor, church planter, or ministry leader serving in a rural context. Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, multiplication, and the future of the Church in the Northeast and beyond.

In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Vet — USA Today bestselling author, futurist, and leadership thinker and follower of Jesus — to unpack what it means to lead across generations in today’s rapidly changing culture.We also dive into how these generational shifts are deeply impacting the church — especially discipleship, community, and small groups. Ryan shares why younger generations are craving authentic relationships, meaningful conversations, and spaces where they can belong before they believe. We discuss how churches can rethink small groups and community environments to better engage multiple generations while still remaining rooted in biblical truth.We talk about:Why generational leadership matters more than everThe biggest misunderstandings between generationsHow Gen Z and Gen Alpha are reshaping leadership expectationsThe value of investing in a small groupWhy younger generations value authenticity and communityHow technology and AI are accelerating cultural changeHow generational shifts are affecting discipleship and church engagementPractical ways churches can bridge generational gapsWhy healthy leaders must learn to adapt without losing convictionRyan also shares insights from his work on “The Velocity Gap” and the “Generational Prism,” helping leaders understand not just what is changing — but why it’s changing.Whether you lead a church, organization, team, or family, this conversation will help you lead people with greater clarity, empathy, and intentionality.Ryan Vet is a generational futurist, keynote speaker, and bestselling author whose work focuses on leadership, culture, generational dynamics, AI, and the future of work. His insights have been featured by Forbes, ABC, NBC, CBS, and USA Today.Ryan Vet Website: https://www.ryanvet.comThe Ryan Vet Show Podcast: https://www.ryanvet.com/podcastAbout Ryan VetResources & LinksCollide Newsletter: https://collide.ryanvet.com

Tim and Mike sit down with Antoine Lassiter to talk about what kingdom multiplication really looks like — especially in normative-size churches. Antoine shares his personal story, his heart for reaching the community, and practical insights on how multiplication doesn't have to be reserved for the mega-church down the road. It starts right where you are.Antoine Lassiter is the pastor of Think Kingdom Church in Kannapolis, NC and a Church Planting Strategist for SendNC through the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. A native North Carolinian with over 20 years of ministry experience, Antoine is a disciple maker at heart — passionate about coaching and training church planters across the state. As the founder of the Think Kingdom network, his work includes finding, assessing, and developing planters, sending churches, leaders, and church planting coaches — as well as helping local churches create a reproducing culture that leads to multiplication. Antoine and his wife, Latonia, have been married for 25 years and have two sons, Justin and Christopher.Listen to:Antoine's Story — How God shaped his journey and calling into ministry and multiplication.Reaching Your Community — Practical ways churches can engage the people right around them with the gospel.Multiplication in Normative-Size Churches — Why multiplication isn't just for large churches, and how everyday congregations can embrace a multiplication mindset.About Antoine:Website: antoinelassiter.comAntoine's book - "Beyond the Calling: The Cost of Faithful Leadership"

In this episode of Dents in the Darkness, Tim Madeira (WGRN) and Mike Schooley (NEC) sit down with Dr. Michael J. Rubino, Vice President of Learning & Resources for Be the Church Collective and Lead Pastor of Cornerstone Bible Church on Long Island, along with Gary Campbell, Lead Catalyst for Be the Church and Lead Pastor of Groton Bible Chapel.Together they discuss the current state of the church in the Northeast and the important role collaboration plays in strengthening local congregations and multiplying kingdom impact.Be the Church exists to strengthen churches, equip leaders, and multiply kingdom impact, and this conversation explores how churches can breathe new life into ministry by investing in leadership development, cultivating healthy elder teams, and partnering with other churches for greater gospel impact.Check out  https://bethechurch.org/ for more information.

On this episode of Dents in the Darkness, we sit down with Shane Pruitt to talk about the critical issues facing today’s young people. While this generation is navigating significant challenges, there is also real hope in what God is doing in and through them.In our conversation, Shane shares insights from his book Not My Jesus, addressing how our culture often reshapes Jesus into our own image—and why restoring the biblical Jesus is essential for authentic discipleship. We also explore practical ways to disciple and minister to the next generation with truth, clarity, and compassion.Shane Pruitt serves as the National Next Gen Director for the North American Mission Board (NAMB). With more than 20 years of ministry experience as a denominational leader, church planter, lead pastor, and student pastor, Shane brings deep wisdom and practical insight. He is also a traveling communicator, evangelist, and Bible teacher. Shane and his wife, Kasi, live in Texas with their five children.      Books & Bible Studies Not My Jesus – Bible Study Book with Video Access – 8-week study on reclaiming truth and rejecting cultural versions of Jesus: Lifeway listing: https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/not-my-jesus-teen-bible-study-book-with-video-access-P005850065 Reaching Generation Alpha: A Ministry Guide for Discipling the Church Beyond the Screen — upcoming book by Shane Pruitt & Shelly Melia (ministry to young children/Gen Alpha): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reaching-generation-alpha-shane-pruitt/1148263529   The GenSend Podcast – equipping leaders to reach, disciple, and mobilize the next generation (official GenSend podcast hosted in part by Shane Pruitt): https://www.gensend.org/leader-resources/

In this episode of Dents in the Darkness, host Michael Schooley (Converge Northeast & the Northeast Collaborative) is joined by NEC President- Pastor Dan Nichols of Grace Christian Fellowship (Cortland, NY) and Justin Bleuer of Berean Bible Church for a conversation centered on the Northeast Collaborative (NEC).Together, they reflect on key celebrations from the past season, the stories of encouragement God is writing across the Northeast, and what is coming in 2026. This episode also unpacks the heart behind NEC—why collaboration matters, how churches are stronger together, and the long-term vision for seeing healthy, gospel-centered churches planted and strengthened throughout the region.If this episode encouraged you, consider subscribing to Dents in the Darkness, leaving a review, and sharing it with a pastor or church leader in the Northeast.New episodes released monthly.