Whether you’re looking for an ongoing relationship, a way to serve the churches you already support, or one specific promotional opportunity, there are several ways to work with Small Church Ministry.
Small Church Ministry has spent years building trust with pastors, ministry leaders, and volunteers serving in small churches.
Our audience isn’t simply a large email list. It’s a highly specific community of people actively looking for practical ideas, trusted tools, and organizations that understand their context.
Small Church Ministry exists to equip the everyday people serving in small churches with practical tools, meaningful development, and opportunities to grow in their influence.
We also believe good partnerships can help all of us serve them better.
Our partnerships are built around more than advertising. We work with organizations, authors, businesses, ministries, and other trusted voices whose work can genuinely serve the small-church community.
You make it easy to partner. It’s always an easy yes. Small Church Ministry has helped me connect with small churches around the country that I may not have connected with otherwise.
Brittany Nelson Deeper KidMin
Four Ways to Partner
Different roles. A shared mission.
Each partnership option is designed to create value for you and for the small churches we all want to serve.
Growth Partner
$400/year Founding Partner rate
For authors, coaches, creators, smaller ministries, niche organizations, and growing businesses that want an ongoing relationship with SCM, built-in visibility, and connection throughout the year.
For established organizations and companies that want significant guaranteed visibility across multiple SCM channels plus a deeper year-round relationship, preferred pricing, and priority access.
For denominations, associations, church networks, and other aligned organizations that already have trusted connections with groups of churches, pastors, ministry leaders, or volunteers.
Grow your connection and reach in the small-church world.
Growth Partnership is designed for authors, coaches, resource creators, consultants, smaller ministries, startups, niche organizations, and other aligned organizations that want an ongoing relationship with Small Church Ministry.
You’ll receive built-in promotional opportunities throughout the year, ongoing connection with SCM, and opportunities to participate in events and other initiatives as they fit.
Built-In Promotional Value
2 Recommended Resource Email Features
À la carte value: $800
We’ll feature an approved resource, product, event, or opportunity in the Recommended Resources section of two separate SCM emails during the year. Each includes an image, short description, and direct link.
Complimentary Expo Booths
Anticipated annual value: $1,000+
Receive a virtual booth at SCM events that include an Expo, giving you opportunities for visibility, connection, and list building with attendees. We anticipate a minimum of four Expo opportunities each year.
$1,800+ in included promotional value.
And that’s before assigning a dollar value to your website presence, Partner Group Calls and training, affiliate potential, Event Resource Bundle opportunities, or the relationships and collaborations that may develop throughout the year.
Plus Year-Round Partner Benefits
Partner Listing + Link on the SCM Website
Be listed as an approved SCM Growth Partner with a direct link to your organization or website.
Growth Partner Badge
Receive an SCM Growth Partner badge to use on your own website or promotional materials.
Event Resource Bundle Opportunities
When your work fits a specific event and audience, you may be invited to contribute an approved resource to an SCM Event Resource Bundle, with additional visibility and Partner recognition connected to your contribution.
Monthly Partner Newsletter
Stay ahead of upcoming SCM events, promotional opportunities, important dates and deadlines, affiliate opportunities, and potential ways to participate or collaborate.
Quarterly Partner Group Calls with Laurie
Connect throughout the year around upcoming SCM opportunities, followed by optional practical business and marketing conversations on topics like messaging, email, audience growth, partnerships, and getting more value from the audience you already have.
40% Affiliate Commission
Earn 40% commission when you share eligible SCM events, products, memberships, and other offers with your audience.
Additional Promotional Opportunities
Purchase additional approved promotional opportunities à la carte whenever you want additional visibility.
Partnership can open the door to more.
Growth Partners may also be considered for conference sessions, podcast conversations, trainings, bundles, collaborations, referrals, and other opportunities when there is a strong fit.
These opportunities aren’t guaranteed as part of your paid partnership. They grow from relationship, timing, fit, and mutual value.
More visibility. More access. A deeper year-round partnership.
Strategic Partnership is designed for established organizations and companies looking for significant visibility across the Small Church Ministry ecosystem along with a closer ongoing relationship.
This may include publishers, software and curriculum companies, seminaries, larger ministry organizations, and other established organizations that want to reach and serve the small-church community.
Rather than purchasing one promotion at a time, Strategic Partners receive a substantial annual promotional package across multiple SCM channels, along with preferred pricing and priority access to additional opportunities.
Built-In Promotional Value
1 Dedicated SCM Email
À la carte value: $1,500
One email sent to our 38,000+ subscriber audience focused specifically on your approved organization, product, service, event, or opportunity.
4 Recommended Resource Email Features
À la carte value: $1,600
Four visual features within the Recommended Resources section of separate SCM emails, each including an image, short description, and direct link.
2 Sponsored Guest Articles
À la carte value: $500
Two approved educational articles published on smallchurchministry.com during the partnership year, including an author bio and approved backlink to your organization or professional work. All articles must meet SCM editorial standards.
Premium Expo Booths
Standard Expo value: $250/event | Anticipated annual value: $1,000+
Receive premium virtual booth placement and Strategic Partner identification at SCM events that include an Expo. We anticipate a minimum of four Expo opportunities each year.
1 Podcast Sponsorship
À la carte value: $750
A 30-second host-read sponsor message in four consecutive episodes of The Small Church Ministry Podcast. Sponsor messages remain permanently included in those episodes for continued exposure over time.
$5,350+ in included promotional value.
And that’s before assigning any additional monetary value to premium Expo placement, live recognition, website visibility, affiliate potential, preferred pricing, priority access, or the relationships and additional opportunities that may develop throughout the year.
Plus Year-Round Strategic Partner Benefits
Featured Strategic Partner Placement + Link
Receive more prominent identification and placement on the SCM website than a standard Growth Partner listing, with a direct link to your organization.
Strategic Partner Badge
Receive a Strategic Partner badge to use on your own website or promotional materials.
Priority Placement for Event Resource Bundle Contributions
When an approved contribution fits a specific SCM event, Strategic Partners receive enhanced positioning within the Resource Bundle along with VIP Partner recognition and logo placement on the event sales page.
Live Strategic Partner Recognition
Strategic Partners participating in event Expos receive additional live recognition connected to those events.
Monthly Partner Newsletter
Get advance notice of upcoming SCM events, promotional opportunities, important dates and deadlines, affiliate opportunities, and potential ways to participate or collaborate.
Annual 1:1 Partnership Conversation with Laurie
A dedicated conversation about your organization, what you’re working toward, what SCM is seeing in the small-church space, and where there may be meaningful opportunities to work together in the coming year.
40% Affiliate Commission
Earn 40% commission when you share eligible SCM events, products, memberships, and other offers with your audience.
20% Preferred Pricing on À La Carte Opportunities
Receive 20% off additional approved sponsorship and promotional opportunities purchased during your partnership year.
Priority Access to Selected Opportunities
Strategic Partners are among the first organizations we consider when appropriate opportunities arise for additional visibility, collaboration, participation, and other ways to work together.
Partnership can open the door to more.
Strategic Partners are among the first organizations SCM considers when opportunities arise for conference sessions, podcast conversations, trainings, bundles, collaborations, referrals, joint initiatives, and other opportunities.
These opportunities aren’t guaranteed as part of your paid partnership. They grow from relationship, timing, fit, and mutual value.
I have had the privilege of partnering with Laurie and Small Church Ministry for several years, and I am incredibly grateful for her ministry and the impact she is having in the small-church community. Her online workshops are excellent: informative, practical, relational, and deeply encouraging. More importantly, their ministry is making a meaningful difference in the lives of small-church leaders.
Pastor Doug Beutler LifeWater Community Church CEO, Seeds of Change
Friends of Small Church Ministry
No partnership fee
Not every partnership with SCM is promotional.
Some organizations aren’t primarily looking for access to the Small Church Ministry audience.
They’re already serving an audience of their own.
Friends of Small Church Ministry is a collaborative relationship for denominations, associations, church networks, and other aligned organizations that already have trusted connections with groups of churches, pastors, ministry leaders, or volunteers.
Small Church Ministry creates events, training, and ongoing development specifically for people serving in small churches.
Friends help us connect those opportunities with more of the people who can benefit from them. In return, we help Friends bring additional development, training, and support to the churches and leaders they already serve.
There is no partnership fee.
This relationship is built around mutual value, expanded reach, and helping each other serve small churches better.
Get advance notice of upcoming SCM events, training, and important dates, along with ready-to-share copy, graphics, links, and details that make it easy to connect your churches and leaders with relevant opportunities.
Preferred Everyday Influence Rate
People within Friend networks receive 20% off Everyday Influence, SCM’s ongoing coaching and development community.
Annual Friend Content Feature
Contribute one approved educational article each year for the SCM website, sharing expertise that serves the small-church audience. Your article may include information about and a link to your organization so readers can learn more about your work.
Up to 2 Virtual Speaking or Training Appearances with Laurie Each Year
Based on availability, fit, timing, and audience, Laurie may join up to two virtual gatherings or events you’re already hosting to provide training or conversation for the people you serve.
Annual Leadership Conversation with Laurie
Connect one-on-one around what you’re seeing among the churches and leaders you serve, what SCM is seeing across the small-church space, and where there may be opportunities to serve them better together.
Direct Connection with Small Church Ministry
Stay connected throughout the year as we identify relevant events, training, existing resources, collaborations, and other opportunities that may benefit your churches and leaders.
What We Ask from Friends
Friends regularly help connect their churches, pastors, ministry leaders, and volunteers with relevant Small Church Ministry opportunities through the communication channels they already use.
That might mean sharing an upcoming conference, passing along a training opportunity, including something in a newsletter, or connecting a leader with an SCM event that fits what they need.
There is no required number of emails, posts, or promotions.
This isn’t an affiliate arrangement where we’re counting clicks or requiring a promotional calendar.
It’s a collaborative relationship.
We want to make it easy for you to share the SCM opportunities that genuinely serve your people, and we want to help you bring additional development and support to the small churches in your network without having to create everything yourself.
Who Is a Good Fit?
Friends of Small Church Ministry may include:
Denominations
Associations
Church networks
Regional or national ministry networks
Seminaries & colleges
Other aligned organizations with an existing trusted relationship with groups of churches or ministry leaders
The biggest question isn’t the size of your organization.
Do you already have a trusted relationship with a group of churches or ministry leaders we want to serve, and is there a meaningful way for us to help you serve your people while you help connect them with SCM?
If the answer is yes, there may be a great opportunity to work together.
Friends + Paid Partnerships
Friends of SCM is a reciprocal relationship built around serving one another’s communities, not guaranteed promotion to the SCM audience.
Friends do not automatically receive Growth or Strategic Partner promotional benefits.
If a Friend also wants guaranteed visibility for their organization, product, event, or initiative to the SCM audience, they can apply for a paid partnership or purchase approved à la carte opportunities.
In some cases, an organization may be both a Friend of Small Church Ministry and a Strategic Partner because both relationships make sense.
You don’t have to create every development opportunity your small churches need.
Small Church Ministry creates events, training, and ongoing development specifically for the pastors, ministry leaders, and volunteers serving in small churches.
Let’s look for ways to serve them better together.
Apply to Become a Friend of Small Church Ministry
Tell us a little about your organization, who you serve, and how you currently connect with your churches or ministry leaders.
You don’t need to become an annual partner to work with Small Church Ministry.
Maybe you have a book launching. An event coming up. A new product or service. Or one specific opportunity you’d like to put in front of the small-church community.
À la carte sponsorship and promotion lets approved organizations choose the visibility that makes sense for what they’re promoting right now.
These aren’t simply pay-to-play advertising opportunities. Organizations must be approved by SCM based on mission alignment, audience relevance, and overall fit. Many opportunities are intentionally limited to protect the trust of the SCM audience and the value of each placement.
Email
Dedicated SCM Email
$1,500
A dedicated email to the SCM email audience focused on an approved organization, product, service, event, or opportunity.
Recommended Resource Email Feature
$400
One visual feature in the Recommended Resources section of a regular SCM email, including an image, short description, and direct link.
Website
Sponsored Guest Article
$250
One approved educational article published on smallchurchministry.com with an author bio and approved professional or organizational link.
Podcast
Time-Bound Podcast Promotion
$500
A 30-second host-read promotional message dynamically inserted across The Small Church Ministry Podcast for two weeks, reaching approximately 3,500 downloads across new and past episodes during that period. Includes a promotional link in the episode description. Ideal for conferences, events, launches, registration deadlines, and other timely opportunities.
4-Episode Podcast Sponsorship
$750
A 30-second host-read sponsor message in four consecutive episodes of The Small Church Ministry Podcast. Sponsor messages remain permanently included in those episodes for continued exposure over time.
Events
Virtual Expo Booth
$250
A virtual booth at one SCM event that includes an Expo. Expo booths are included for Growth and Strategic Partners.
Supporting Event Sponsor
$750
Supporting sponsor visibility connected to an SCM event.
Featured Event Sponsor
$1,500
Higher-level event visibility and sponsor recognition.
Presenting Event Sponsor
Starting at $2,500
Top-level sponsorship connected to a specific SCM event. Availability is limited.
Training + Campaigns
Sponsored Training, Webinar, or Conversation
Starting at $1,500
An approved training, webinar, or conversation developed around a topic that genuinely serves the SCM audience while creating appropriate visibility for your organization.
Integrated SCM Campaign
Starting at $2,500
A customized combination of SCM channels and promotional opportunities built around a specific campaign, launch, event, or initiative.
Unlike customized collaborations initiated by SCM, Integrated SCM Campaigns are paid promotional packages that approved organizations may request around a specific launch, event, product, or initiative.
Strategic Partners receive 20% preferred pricing on additional à la carte opportunities.
Not ready for Strategic Partnership but want more visibility than Growth alone provides?
Growth Partners can add à la carte opportunities throughout the year, allowing you to build the combination that makes sense for your organization, your timing, and your budget.
Our partnerships are built around more than advertising.
We don’t sell access to the Small Church Ministry community to just anyone.
Every partnership and promotional opportunity begins with an application and SCM review. We look for strong alignment, genuine value for our community, and organizations we’re comfortable putting our name beside.
Occasionally, SCM may identify additional opportunities for collaboration based on shared audiences, relationships, expertise, resources, or other ways we could bring value to one another.
These customized opportunities are initiated by Small Church Ministry.
Laurie Graham Ertl is the founder of Small Church Ministry and creator of Everyday Influence. Through SCM’s conferences, podcasts, training, and online communities, her work has reached more than one million people around the world.
After decades of serving and leading in small churches, Laurie brings both firsthand ministry experience and a deep understanding of the people, challenges, and opportunities unique to smaller churches.
Partnering with Small Church Ministry helped us build a sustainable revenue stream, grow our email list, and dramatically increase brand awareness. But what stands out most is that SCM genuinely cares about the people it serves. Laurie showed me what it looks like to truly care for your audience AND run a business.
Mike Haynes G Shades Youth Ministry Curriculum
What Happens After You Apply?
1
You submit the application
Tell us about your organization, your work, and the partnership type or types you’re interested in.
There is one partnership application, and you may select more than one partnership type.
2
We review your application
Small Church Ministry reviews each organization as a whole, including its work, products or services, messaging, reputation, public presence, and overall alignment.
Submitting an application does not guarantee approval, and the ability or willingness to purchase a partnership or promotional opportunity does not determine approval.
We typically review partnership applications within 10 business days.
3
Next steps
If we believe there’s a good fit, we’ll be in touch with the partnership or promotional opportunity you’ve been approved for and next steps.
Let’s serve small churches better together.
Different roles. Different organizations. Different ways to contribute.
A shared commitment to genuinely serving the people who make small churches what they are.
