The first Church Solutions Podcast episode of 2026 kicked off with family stories, laughter, and an honest conversation about one of the biggest challenges pastors face today: balancing people, administration, and ministry without burning out, especially if you happen to be by-vocational.
Hosts Phil Thompson and Steve Lacy welcomed their guest, Justin Schultz, for a discussion that blended ministry, design thinking, and practical tools for church leadership.
A Journey That Started in Youth Ministry
Justin’s story began in the early 2000s as a youth pastor who needed a website. With no formal training, he jumped in, built one, and slowly grew into design work. That journey eventually led to the creation of JPixel, a full-scale design agency serving churches and organizations across the country.
Along the way, Justin wore nearly every ministry hat imaginable: youth pastor, worship pastor, associate pastor, executive pastor, and now senior pastor of the Nashville Church of the Nazarene… in Michigan, not Tennessee.
This blend of ministry and business shaped how Justin thinks about leadership.
When Business Skills Meet Ministry Reality
Running a design agency taught Justin lessons that transferred directly into church leadership:
- How to organize complex workloads
- How to turn big ideas into actionable plans
- How to say “no” when something isn’t a good fit
- How to manage time intentionally
But he also learned the limits of business thinking in ministry. Growth metrics and efficiency matter, but people always come first.
That tension between structure and shepherding became the spark for a new idea.
Why The Pastor’s Desk Was Created
Justin openly shared what many pastors feel but rarely say out loud: sticky notes, notebooks, and scattered reminders eventually stop working.
Out of that reality came The Pastor’s Desk, a tool designed to help pastors spend less time managing tasks and more time with their people.
Not to replace ministry, but to support it.
What Makes The Pastor’s Desk Different
At its core, The Pastor’s Desk focuses on clarity and care.
Ministry Task Board
A simple, visual task system that replaces scattered reminders with scheduled, organized ministry actions.
Pastoral Care Board
One of the most used features. Pastors can track hospital visits, home visits, and follow-ups using a visual “drag and move” workflow that mirrors how care actually happens.
Church Directory Integration
Members and regular attenders can be linked directly to care tasks, making follow-up more intentional and less reactive.
Sermon Planning Tools
The platform includes lectionary support and sermon-planning resources. While AI-assisted outlines are available, Justin made a deliberate decision to step back from AI-written sermons.
His conviction is simple: sermons should be shaped through prayer, Scripture, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Technology should support the pastor, not replace the calling.
Monthly Ministry Reports
Tasks and care activities logged throughout the month can be turned into clean, board-ready reports with a few clicks, eliminating last-minute scrambling before meetings.
Technology with Theology in Mind
One of the most thoughtful moments of the conversation centered on AI in ministry. While many pastors are experimenting with AI-generated sermons, Justin chose restraint.
AI is a tool. Preaching is a calling.
That philosophy runs through the entire platform: tools exist to remove friction, not replace discernment.
A Word on Church Websites and Online Presence
The conversation also turned toward church websites and online identity. Justin shared a hard truth for many churches:
The biggest mistake churches make online is trying to look like a church they’re not.
Rather than stock photos and polished imagery that doesn’t match reality, churches should aim for authenticity. A website should reflect what someone will actually experience when they walk through the doors.
Through TheBestChurchWebsites.com, Justin focuses on:
- Honest, real photography
- Clear messaging
- Strong backend SEO foundations
- A “pay what you can” model that serves small churches without pressure
In one recent case, his team even built a website for a church of 20 people at no cost.
How to Get Started
Pastors and ministry leaders can explore The Pastor’s Desk at:
A free lifetime account is currently available using the promo code:
FREEACCOUNT
Churches looking for website help can learn more at:
Starting the Year with Intention!
Episode 502 of the Church Solutions Podcast set the tone for 2026: practical tools, thoughtful conversations, and a clear focus on helping pastors lead well without losing sight of people.
As Phil reminded listeners at the close of the episode, technology should serve ministry, not distract from it.
For more conversations like this, subscribe to the Church Solutions Podcast wherever you listen, and if you need help navigating church tech, streaming, or digital ministry, the team at StreamingChurch.tv is always ready to help.
Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and here’s to a strong start to the new year!