In this episode of the Better Roots Podcast, pastors Ryan Follis and Breck Nelson reflect on how the church has changed—and how small churches can continue to thrive by staying rooted in genuine relationships, service, and disciple-making.

From conservative church upbringings and unexpected calls to ministry to the realities of reaching people today, Ryan and Breck discuss moving beyond consumer Christianity, using church spaces for meaningful community impact, and helping everyday believers live out their faith at work, at home, and in their neighborhoods.

They also share encouraging stories from Back to Church Sunday, men’s ministry, and the simple power of a warm welcome. Whether your church is 15 or 150 years old, this conversation offers a hopeful reminder: ministry is still about meeting people where they are and pointing them toward Jesus.

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In this episode of the Better Root Podcast, Ryan Follis reflects on Back to Church Sunday and the challenge of extending a genuine invitation to faith and community. Drawing from Matthew 22 and Luke 14, he explores why the gospel’s good news can sometimes be met with resistance—and how churches can respond with grace, curiosity, and persistence.

Rather than retreating from difficult conversations or getting pulled into surface-level debates, Ryan encourages pastors, leaders, and believers to build trust, listen well, and invite people into meaningful relationship. It’s a practical conversation about conviction, cultural tension, authentic discipleship, and continuing to make room at the table.

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When big plans meet real life, the details don’t always cooperate—and that may be where the holy moments begin.

In this week's episode, Ryan Follis shares a rain-soaked Cancun excursion gone sideways and how it connects to the challenges of planning Back to Church Sunday in a small church. Explore how to balance vision with flexibility, delegate wisely, invite people with intention, and stay present enough to notice the relationships God places right in front of you.

Because the goal isn’t a flawless event. It’s faithful people, meaningful connection, and room for God to work in the unexpected.

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In this episode of the Better Roots Podcast, Ryan Follis reflects on the response to a recent social-media clip and explores the difference between perceived experience and personal experience. He invites listeners—especially pastors and church leaders—to step away from outrage and doom scrolling, listen more carefully, and choose real conversations over comment-section conflict.

Ryan also shares why ministry is about more than a single ceremony or online moment: it’s about walking alongside people through marriage, family, loss, faith, and life together.

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Ryan isn’t holding back in today's episode. After walking alongside a church family grieving the loss of their son last week, Ryan and Kenzie have a raw, emotionally charged conversation about what real ministry looks like in a crisis. While providing tangible tips for how to practically care for families, they challenge churches to stop treating care like a checklist. This episode is a blunt reminder that people may forget the sermon, but they won’t forget who stepped into the dark moments with them.

This isn’t an episode for people who like everything wrapped in eloquent, polished language. It’s raw, honest, and a little fired up—because caring for families in crisis is too important for empty church-speak.

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In this episode, Pastor Ryan Follis explores the tension every church faces: becoming a museum—rigid, stagnant, and inward-focused—or becoming a concert—experience-driven, culturally familiar, and spiritually shallow.

Using the image of riding a bike, Ryan shares why faithful ministry requires ongoing balance: holding firmly to biblical truth while extending genuine grace, building meaningful community, and actively reaching people beyond the church walls. He reflects on leadership culture, changing ministry methods, outreach that creates real connection, and one essential question: If Jesus walked into your church this Sunday, what would He see?

A practical encouragement for church leaders and believers who want their faith to keep moving forward with purpose, joy, and integrity.

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Slow down, silence the noise, and rediscover prayer as a deep conversation with God. This episode explores contemplative prayer, Scripture reflection, and the courage to bring God-sized prayers into His presence.

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In this episode of the Better Roots Podcast, Ryan Follis challenges small-church pastors and leaders to turn vision into action through intentional planning.

As fall approaches, Ryan shares why churches need more than a calendar full of events. Healthy ministry requires clear goals, assigned responsibilities, and practical steps to make the vision happen. Using the metaphor of coaches and players, he encourages pastors to equip others rather than trying to do everything themselves.

From Back to Church Sunday and small groups to worship and special events, Ryan offers practical ways to use a simple 90-day planning rhythm to empower volunteers, avoid last-minute chaos, and create healthier ministry.

Vision matters—but planning is what turns vision into ministry.

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