The Unstuck Church Podcast
With THE UNSTUCK CHURCH PODCAST, we invite you into the real-time conversations our team is having about church leadership every week. Hosted by Amy Anderson, this podcast explores common challenges in ministry and practical steps for tackling them. It’s like getting to be a fly on the wall of our staff meetings. Tune in weekly for: Insights, observations and trends for church leaders from the Unstuck team. Benchmarks in church growth and health from The Unstuck Group’s work serving hundreds churches across North America each year. Practical advice to help you lead your church towards sustained health. We think that after listening to The Unstuck Church Podcast, you’ll want to start these discussions with your own team at your next staff meeting. Add your thoughts to the conversation on social media using #unstuckchurch.
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Just Maintaining (Part 1): Why Aren’t We Growing? - Episode 399
06/04/2025
Just Maintaining (Part 1): Why Aren’t We Growing? - Episode 399
Has your church’s growth slowed down or hit a plateau? Maybe you're financially stable, and everything seems fine on the surface, but something feels off from your perspective as the leader. There are telltale signs your church is drifting away from sustained health. In this candid series, we'll explore why churches unconsciously slip into “maintenance mode,” what it costs them and, most importantly, how to break free. In this episode, Amy and Sean discuss the warning signs of shifting into maintenance mode, the key metrics to pay attention to and the first steps to take toward getting unstuck. This Episode is Sponsored by Planning Center: Are you struggling to keep your church organized and connected? Planning Center is the all-in-one church management software that solves your administrative challenges. You can effortlessly track first-time guests, manage volunteer schedules, and create easy ways for your congregation to get involved—all from a single platform. Whether you need a check-in system, event signups, or an online giving solution, Planning Center helps you nurture your community and keep people connected. Visit to get started for free. Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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Brand New Data on Church Staffing Trends: Q2 2025 Unstuck Church Report - Episode 398
05/28/2025
Brand New Data on Church Staffing Trends: Q2 2025 Unstuck Church Report - Episode 398
The newest edition of The Unstuck Church Report is here! Every quarter, The Unstuck Group compiles all the data we’ve collected to monitor trends in churches in the United States. Our Q2 report focuses on current staffing data and trends in North American churches. For this quarter’s report, we received survey responses from 251 churches, giving us valuable insights into current church trends. These churches ranged from 100 to over 9,900 in physical attendance for worship gatherings. The average in-person attendance of churches that participated was 978 people. In this episode, Sean and Amy discuss findings from the Q2 2025 Unstuck Church Report and take a targeted look at key staffing data and metrics, the top staffing challenges churches are facing today and the future of church staffing. Plus, the report sponsor Vanderbloemen provides exclusive hiring insights. This Episode is Sponsored by Vanderbloemen: You have enough to-do’s on your plate—finding the right church executive shouldn’t be one of them. When you let Vanderbloemen do the heavy lifting, you gain a trusted, experienced executive search team, allowing you to save time and feel confident hiring a leader who lasts. Ready to hire the right leader? Head to Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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Teaching Model Regrets - Episode 397
05/21/2025
Teaching Model Regrets - Episode 397
Live teaching or video teaching? It’s one of the most debated questions in any multisite conversation. Everyone seems to have a strong opinion, but the best choice isn’t always the most obvious. In this episode, Sean and Amy answer this age-old question with proven data and real stories. They also outline what to consider when making this decision (including technology) and offer practical strategies to help you avoid missteps in your teaching model. If you’re launching a campus—or just wondering if it’s time to rethink your approach—this episode is for you. This Episode Is Brought to You by Are you considering adding a second or third campus to your growing church? Need help telling your church’s unique story across every location? PlainJoe, a Storyland Studio, has you covered. Their team of creative storytellers, talented designers and innovative architects are passionate about helping churches tell their stories through spatial, interactive and strategic storytelling. Reach out to learn more at . Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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Multisite Structure & People Problems - Episode 396
05/14/2025
Multisite Structure & People Problems - Episode 396
If you’ve ever tried to launch a second campus, you know the struggle is real. Turns out, most churches get their staffing and structure wrong from day one, but we’re here to save you from those painful missteps. In this episode, Amy and Sean dive into the math behind multisite staffing (hint: your ratios probably need to change), why rushing to build a massive central team is a recipe for disaster, and how to avoid turning your campus pastor into a lonely island. We’ll also tackle the ever-present challenge of who actually gets to make decisions in this whole multisite dance. Whether you’re thinking about going multisite or feeling “multi-stuck” right now, we discuss practical guidance you may need to build a structure that actually works. This Episode Is Brought to You by Are you considering adding a second or third campus to your growing church? Need help telling your church’s unique story across every location? PlainJoe, a Storyland Studio, has you covered. Their team of creative storytellers, talented designers and innovative architects are passionate about helping churches tell their stories through spatial, interactive and strategic storytelling. Reach out to learn more at . Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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Multisite Missteps (Part 1): It's Us Vs. Them feat. Carlos Cardenas - Episode 395
05/07/2025
Multisite Missteps (Part 1): It's Us Vs. Them feat. Carlos Cardenas - Episode 395
If you’ve got multiple locations and your team feels divided, this episode is for you. The dreaded “us vs. them” mentality can creep into any multisite church, creating unhealthy competition and fractured relationships between campus and central teams. Amy, Sean and special guest Carlos Cardenas, from Christ Fellowship Church in Miami, share their battle-tested wisdom on preventing and addressing this division before it derails your mission. You’ll learn practical steps to foster unity, establish clear decision-making frameworks and build the communication rhythms that keep everyone rowing in the same direction. Whether you’re just starting your multisite journey or need to course-correct an existing divide, this conversation delivers the straight talk you need to build a healthy multisite culture. This Episode is Brought to You By PlainJoe. Are you considering adding a second or third campus to your growing church? Need help telling your church’s unique story across every location? PlainJoe, a Storyland Studio, has you covered. Their team of creative storytellers, talented designers and innovative architects are passionate about helping churches tell their stories through spatial, interactive and strategic storytelling. Reach out to learn more at .
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Navigating Generosity in the Modern Church (feat. Doug Turner) - Episode 394
04/30/2025
Navigating Generosity in the Modern Church (feat. Doug Turner) - Episode 394
In this episode, Amy sits down with Doug Turner, President of GenerosityOS, to talk about how church giving strategies have evolved (spoiler alert: episodic capital campaigns are so 2004). Doug brings decades of experience from helping churches like Willow Creek and Redeemer Presbyterian fund their vision, and he’s got some fresh insights on why year-round generosity and vision clarity are the new power couple in church finance. If you’re tired of the same old “pass the plate and pray” approach, this conversation is for you. Doug unpacks why traditional capital campaigns are shifting, how to build a culture of generosity that doesn’t feel like a permanent fundraiser, and why churches need to stop trying to fund unclear visions (seriously, stop it). Plus, he shares practical first steps for church leaders ready to level up their generosity game. Whether you’re a pastor who breaks out in hives at the mention of money talks or a church leader looking to build a more sustainable funding model, this episode delivers the straight talk you need about modern church giving. This Episode Is Brought to You by Are you considering adding a second or third campus to your growing church? Need help telling your church’s unique story across every location? PlainJoe, a Storyland Studio, has you covered. Their team of creative storytellers, talented designers and innovative architects are passionate about helping churches tell their stories through spatial, interactive and strategic storytelling. Reach out to learn more at . Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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When Church Finances Feel Like Mission Impossible (feat. George Kamel) - Episode 393
04/23/2025
When Church Finances Feel Like Mission Impossible (feat. George Kamel) - Episode 393
Do you wish your church could have more financial margin for ministry? Are your people struggling with debt and low giving? In this episode of The Unstuck Church Podcast, Sean interviews George Kamel from Ramsey Solutions about how Financial Peace University is helping churches break free from financial stress. We’re shooting straight with these questions. Why are so few churchgoers tithing regularly? How is debt truly impacting healthy church growth, and what are practical ways church leaders can start transforming their church’s financial health today? George shares some remarkable statistics about how FPU is increasing per-donor giving in churches while helping congregations get serious about biblical stewardship. If money was one of Jesus' most discussed topics, it should probably tell us something. If you’re tired of avoiding money conversations in your church, this episode is for you. This Episode is Brought to You By Are you struggling to keep your church organized and connected? Planning Center is the all-in-one church management software that solves your administrative challenges. You can effortlessly track first-time guests, manage volunteer schedules, and create easy ways for your congregation to get involved—all from a single platform. Whether you need a check-in system, event signups, or an online giving solution, Planning Center helps you nurture your community and keep people connected. Visit to get started for free. Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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How to Not Hate Preaching About Money (feat. Jason Anderson) - Episode 392
04/16/2025
How to Not Hate Preaching About Money (feat. Jason Anderson) - Episode 392
Talking about money in church can feel like walking on eggshells while juggling chainsaws. (Okay, that may be a bit dramatic, but are we wrong?) What if it didn’t have to be that way? In this episode, Pastor Jason Anderson (yes, that Anderson—he’s Amy’s husband and somehow still agreed to be on our podcast!) from Crossroads Church shares how he turned potentially awkward “money talks” into powerful moments of discipleship and life change. From personal stories that build trust to practical strategies that won’t send your congregation running for the exit, Jason breaks down how to tackle one of ministry’s most challenging topics. Whether you’re a pastor who dreads the annual giving message or a church leader looking to build a culture of generosity, this conversation will help you find your voice on the topic of money. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about what we want from people—it’s about what we want for them. This Episode is Brought to You By Are you struggling to keep your church organized and connected? Planning Center is the all-in-one church management software that solves your administrative challenges. You can effortlessly track first-time guests, manage volunteer schedules, and create easy ways for your congregation to get involved—all from a single platform. Whether you need a check-in system, event signups, or an online giving solution, Planning Center helps you nurture your community and keep people connected. Visit to get started for free. Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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Designing a Vision-Minded Funding Plan - Episode 391
04/09/2025
Designing a Vision-Minded Funding Plan - Episode 391
Feeling uneasy when it comes to church finances? You’re not alone. In this week’s episode, Sean and Amy dive deep into something that’s close to their hearts—creating a funding plan that actually supports your church’s vision. We’re not just talking spreadsheets and budgets here (though those are important!). We’re talking about aligning your resources with God’s mission for your church. We’ll explore practical ways to evaluate your current budget, identify gaps between your financial reality and ministry strategies and make meaningful adjustments, even mid-fiscal year. If you’re wrestling with questions about church finances or feeling stuck in your current funding approach, this episode offers the guidance you need to move forward with confidence. Plus, we’ve included a helpful tool for subscribers to put these principles into practice right away. This Episode is Brought to You By Are you struggling to keep your church organized and connected? Planning Center is the all-in-one church management software that solves your administrative challenges. You can effortlessly track first-time guests, manage volunteer schedules, and create easy ways for your congregation to get involved—all from a single platform. Whether you need a check-in system, event signups, or an online giving solution, Planning Center helps you nurture your community and keep people connected. Visit to get started for free. Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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Wise and Foolish Church Budgeting - Episode 390
04/02/2025
Wise and Foolish Church Budgeting - Episode 390
Budgeting. Giving. Financial health. Money is often a taboo topic in churches. But what if we flipped the script? Money shouldn't be a source of anxiety—it should be a tool for mission. In this new series, Amy and Sean and some special guests will help church leaders develop a healthier relationship with church finances. From practical budgeting strategies to creating a culture of biblical generosity, we'll walk through how to align your financial practices with your ministry vision without the awkwardness that typically accompanies "money talks" in church. In the first episode, Sean and Amy don’t hold back: They make a clear case for the wise way, explaining how churches can budget according to biblical principles instead of the foolish approach many churches take. This Episode is Brought to You By Are you struggling to keep your church organized and connected? Planning Center is the all-in-one church management software that solves your administrative challenges. You can effortlessly track first-time guests, manage volunteer schedules, and create easy ways for your congregation to get involved—all from a single platform. Whether you need a check-in system, event signups, or an online giving solution, Planning Center helps you nurture your community and keep people connected. Visit to get started for free. Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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Engaging New People in Their Calling - Episode 389
03/26/2025
Engaging New People in Their Calling - Episode 389
It's an oft-overlooked but crucial aspect of retention: engaging people in their calling. In this final episode of our series called "Reach & Retain Strategies," Amy interviews Noah Herrin, lead pastor of Way Church in Nashville, who shares insights from the remarkable journey of growing a church plant to 800 people in just 16 months while primarily reaching Gen Z and Millennials. Noah shares how Way Church is addressing the crisis of meaning and purpose among younger generations through intentional community building and helping people discover their unique contributions to the church's mission. Listen in to discover: How to create an environment where people can easily discover and use their spiritual gifts Practical strategies for engaging Gen Z and Millennials in church ministry The importance of intentional community building in retention Fresh approaches to digital ministry and social media engagement Ways to remove barriers and create flexible opportunities for service This Episode Is Brought to You by : The Church Lawyers’ Client Member program was created for organizations just like yours. Their team of Christian legal professionals are personally called to empower and protect churches, ministries and their leaders to fulfill their mission by providing biblically informed and ministry-focused legal solutions. Whether governance, employment, litigation or other matters, let The Church Lawyers walk alongside you as you navigate legal issues facing your ministry. Sign up for the The Church Lawyers’ Client Member program today at . Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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Crafting the Right Next Steps - Episode 388
03/19/2025
Crafting the Right Next Steps - Episode 388
In this episode of The Unstuck Church Podcast, Sean and Amy continue their series on reach and retain strategies, featuring a compelling conversation with Doug Dameron from Orchard Church in Brighton, CO, about crafting effective next steps for new attendees. Doug shares how his team transformed their follow-up process, leading to dramatic improvements in engagement—from just 5% of new believers becoming known to over 40% today. This episode also unpacks how the church used their data to drive strategic changes, resulting in a 600% increase in next steps engagement and a 300% growth in people taking action through baptism, community and serving. Listen in to discover: Why traditional connection methods might be failing your church How small “renovations” to your process can lead to exponential results Practical ways to remove barriers and increase engagement The power of digital follow-ups in discipleship This Episode Is Brought to You by : The Church Lawyers’ Client Member program was created for organizations just like yours. Their team of Christian legal professionals are personally called to empower and protect churches, ministries and their leaders to fulfill their mission by providing biblically informed and ministry-focused legal solutions. Whether governance, employment, litigation or other matters, let The Church Lawyers walk alongside you as you navigate legal issues facing your ministry. Sign up for the The Church Lawyers’ Client Member program today at . Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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Leveraging Your Biggest Front Door - Episode 387
03/12/2025
Leveraging Your Biggest Front Door - Episode 387
In this episode of The Unstuck Church Podcast, Amy and Sean dive into part two of our conversation on reach and retain strategies, focusing on how churches can leverage their weekend services as effective “front doors” for connecting with new people. From common misses like poor signage and untrained volunteers to practical solutions that create excellent guest experiences, Amy and Sean unpack what’s working (and what isn’t) in churches today. They share insights on creating a clear guest services presence, developing intentional follow-up processes and ensuring weekend experiences connect with both churched and unchurched people. Listen in to learn how your church can create more effective entry points through your weekend services and establish systems that help new people take their next steps toward Christ. Join us for a where we'll dive deeper into proven strategies for reaching and retaining new people in your church. This Episode is Brought to You By : The Church Lawyers’ Client Member program was created for organizations just like yours. Their team of Christian legal professionals are personally called to empower and protect churches, ministries and their leaders to fulfill their mission by providing biblically informed and ministry-focused legal solutions. Whether governance, employment, litigation or other matters, let The Church Lawyers walk alongside you as you navigate legal issues facing your ministry. Sign up for the The Church Lawyers’ Client Member program today at . Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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Equipping Your Church for the Mission Field - Episode 386
03/03/2025
Equipping Your Church for the Mission Field - Episode 386
Frustrated by the persistent tug between pleasing your core people and reaching new guests? In this episode, Sean and Amy explore why reaching new people requires focus and how lack of clarity about who you’re trying to reach leads to ineffective ministry. We’re discussing how churches get stuck trying to be everything to everyone, what Scripture teaches us about having a clear mission field and practical ways to lead your church toward greater effectiveness in reaching the unchurched in your community. If you’re sensing tension between maintaining what’s working for your core and making changes to reach new people, this conversation will give you practical next steps for leading your congregation forward. This Episode is Brought to You By : The Church Lawyers’ Client Member program was created for organizations just like yours. Their team of Christian legal professionals are personally called to empower and protect churches, ministries and their leaders to fulfill their mission by providing biblically informed and ministry-focused legal solutions. Whether governance, employment, litigation or other matters, let The Church Lawyers walk alongside you as you navigate legal issues facing your ministry. Sign up for the The Church Lawyers’ Client Member program today at . Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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New Data - Q1 2025 Unstuck Church Report - Episode 385
02/26/2025
New Data - Q1 2025 Unstuck Church Report - Episode 385
In this quarter’s edition of The Unstuck Church Report, Amy Anderson unpacks the latest trends showing both encouraging growth and engagement challenges in churches across America. While attendance numbers are increasing, the data reveals churches are grappling with engagement metrics that aren’t keeping pace. From small group participation to per capita giving, the numbers tell a story of churches needing to strengthen their connection systems. Join Sean and Amy as they break down the Q1 2025 data, examining multisite momentum, staffing ratios, financial health indicators and practical steps churches can take to build sustainable growth. Listen below for insights that will help you evaluate your church’s health and chart a course for greater impact. This quarter’s report was sponsored by StudioC: If discipleship is your church’s ultimate Why, engagement is your How. The problem is most churches struggle to extract meaningful insights from their database, leaving leadership teams without the clear picture they need. Most church communication is simply a flood of every message to every person across every channel, leaving your people frustrated and overwhelmed with information. With a deep understanding of ministry needs, StudioC brings the science of personalized engagement to the Church, enabling you to create personalized discipleship journeys at scale. Their two flagship software solutions – ChurchIQ and Member Engagement Solution – help your church unlock the full potential of combining rich data-driven analytics with highly targeted messaging. With StudioC’s software, you can: - Know the macro- and micro-level movements of your people - Match them to their relevant next steps - Tell them through your existing church app See for yourself at thestudioc.org Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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The Perfect Staff Structure for Never - Episode 384
02/19/2025
The Perfect Staff Structure for Never - Episode 384
We’re wrapping up our series on church staffing oxymorons by tackling perhaps the most challenging one yet: the perfect staff structure for never. Many churches find themselves caught in a structure that doesn’t work for today’s needs and definitely won’t support tomorrow’s vision. It’s that nagging feeling that something’s off—workloads are uneven, decision-making is unclear and leadership gaps are widening. In Part 3, Sean and Amy explore why churches get stuck in ineffective structures and, more importantly, how to build a staff model that works for the present and the future. Listen as they share practical metrics to assess your current situation and strategic steps to move toward a healthier organizational structure. This Episode is Brought to You By Planning Center is an all-in-one toolkit to organize and run your ministries. And what is a ministry without volunteers? Planning Center helps you build a sustainable and balanced volunteer schedule that aligns ministry needs with people’s availability. Then, you can connect with your team using chat, where you can coordinate ministry details, make announcements, and engage in fun conversations with your teammates. Get started for free at . Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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The Team with The Right Wrong People - Episode 383
02/12/2025
The Team with The Right Wrong People - Episode 383
In Part 2 of our church staffing series, Sean and Amy tackle another challenging oxymoron: having the right wrong people on your team. In this episode, we unpack: How to assess your current staff leaders beyond basic performance metrics Understanding the four levels of leadership capacity (10s, 50s, 100s, 1000s) The importance of evaluating roles separately from the people in them Tools and assessments for understanding staff wiring and capacity Plus, we discuss the value of outside perspective when making tough staffing decisions, share practical next steps for leaders and explain how to avoid creating the same challenges in future hiring. We also address the personal growth needed from senior leaders to build and maintain healthy staff structures. This Episode is Brought to You By Planning Center is an all-in-one toolkit to organize and run your ministries. And what is a ministry without volunteers? Planning Center helps you build a sustainable and balanced volunteer schedule that aligns ministry needs with people’s availability. Then, you can connect with your team using chat, where you can coordinate ministry details, make announcements, and engage in fun conversations with your teammates. Get started for free at .
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The Understaffed Team with Too Many People - Episode 382
02/05/2025
The Understaffed Team with Too Many People - Episode 382
In Part 1 of a new series we're calling "Church Staffing Oxymorons," Sean and Amy explore a common staffing oxymoron that all too many churches face: teams that are simultaneously understaffed and overstaffed. In this episode we unpack: Why churches often end up with misaligned staffing What this tension feels like for different ministry areas Common but ineffective solutions churches try How to properly assess your starting point The importance of having true leaders in leadership roles Practical next steps for evaluating and addressing staffing imbalances Plus, we share real church examples, discuss assessment tools that can provide objective data about your staffing reality and provide guidance for leaders who want to build healthy, sustainable team structures that support effective ministry. This Episode is Brought to You By Planning Center is an all-in-one toolkit to organize and run your ministries. And what is a ministry without volunteers? Planning Center helps you build a sustainable and balanced volunteer schedule that aligns ministry needs with people’s availability. Then, you can connect with your team using chat, where you can coordinate ministry details, make announcements, and engage in fun conversations with your teammates. Get started for free at .
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The 90's Called... They Want Their 3-Ring Binder Back - Episode 381
01/29/2025
The 90's Called... They Want Their 3-Ring Binder Back - Episode 381
The '90s called again, and they want their 3-ring binder back. In Part 4 of our series, Sean and Amy explore: Why documenting a strategy isn't the same as creating aligned action How churches sometimes use planning to avoid significant change The difference between treating symptoms vs. solving root problems What true organizational alignment looks like and why it matters Practical steps for moving from documentation to implementation Plus, they discuss how to assess whether your teams are truly aligned, share real examples of effective and ineffective alignment and provide guidance for leaders who want to create living, active ministry plans that drive results instead of static documents that collect dust. This Episode is Brought to You By Planning Center is an all-in-one toolkit to organize and run your ministries. And what is a ministry without volunteers? Planning Center helps you build a sustainable and balanced volunteer schedule that aligns ministry needs with people’s availability. Then, you can connect with your team using chat, where you can coordinate ministry details, make announcements, and engage in fun conversations with your teammates. Get started for free at .
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The 90's Called... They Want Their Core Values Back - Episode 380
01/22/2025
The 90's Called... They Want Their Core Values Back - Episode 380
The '90s called, and they want their core values back. In Part 3 of our series, Sean and Amy discuss how churches can move beyond generic “permission to play” values to define authentic, culture-shaping behaviors that drive real organizational change. They cover: Why traditional church core values often end up as meaningless wall art The difference between “permission to play” values and true culture-shaping behaviors How to identify and define values that reflect who you actually are (not who you wish to be) Practical steps for embedding these behaviors into hiring, firing and performance management Why senior leaders must model the behaviors they want to see in their culture Plus, they explain why values should be tangible and observable, share real examples of effective culture-shaping behaviors and provide guidance for leaders who want to intentionally shape their organizational culture through clear behavioral expectations. This Episode Is Brought to You by Unleash the power of your church’s story with , a Storyland Studio! Their creative, fun-loving team of designers, architects, and specialists will come alongside your church to help you excel in your storytelling—and reach the people who need you most. PlainJoe has expertise in strategic, spatial, and digital storytelling, from brand development to architecture, website design, and beyond. Learn more at . Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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The '90s Called, They Want Their 10-Year Vision Back - Episode 379
01/15/2025
The '90s Called, They Want Their 10-Year Vision Back - Episode 379
The ‘90s called again, and they want their 10-year visions back. In Part 2 of our series, Amy and Sean explore how churches can move beyond outdated vision-setting approaches to create more focused, time-bound visions that actually drive change. In this episode, we discuss: Why the 10-year vision approach from the ‘90s no longer works in today’s fast-changing world How to start with identifying the core problem in your mission field before crafting a vision What makes a vision effective for the modern church (hint: it’s specific and time-bound) Practical examples of bold moves from real churches Plus, they’ll share key questions every church should ask when developing their vision and explain why getting crystal clear on the problem you’re trying to solve is essential for rallying your entire church body around a common purpose. This Episode Is Brought to You By Unleash the power of your church’s story with , a Storyland Studio! Their creative, fun-loving team of designers, architects, and specialists will come alongside your church to help you excel in your storytelling—and reach the people who need you most. PlainJoe has expertise in strategic, spatial, and digital storytelling, from brand development to architecture, website design, and beyond. Learn more at . Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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The '90s Called, They Want Their Mission Statement Back - Episode 378
01/08/2025
The '90s Called, They Want Their Mission Statement Back - Episode 378
The '90s called, and they want their strategic planning process back. That binder that’s still on the shelf. The 10-year vision that has come and gone. So many churches are still doing vision, planning and strategy following an old playbook—a 30+ year-old playbook. Is there a more modern way to unify your church body around your vision? In this series, Amy and Sean will kick off 2025 by helping you learn a more nimble, actionable approach to planning and aligning your staff and church around a common purpose. And in Part 1, they’re picking on church mission statements and sharing what makes more sense. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at This Episode Is Brought to You By Unleash the power of your church’s story with , a Storyland Studio! Their creative, fun-loving team of designers, architects, and specialists will come alongside your church to help you excel in your storytelling—and reach the people who need you most. PlainJoe has expertise in strategic, spatial, and digital storytelling, from brand development to architecture, website design, and beyond. Learn more at . Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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Looking Back & Looking Ahead - Episode 377
01/01/2025
Looking Back & Looking Ahead - Episode 377
Wow, 2024, what a year of highs and lows. If there were ever a year to pause and look back, this is the one for us. In this episode, Sean and Amy are joined by Tiffany Deluccia, the third member of The Unstuck Group’s leadership team. We reflect on God’s faithfulness in 2024 and preview some of what’s to come in 2025. For the full episode transcript, visit this episode’s Show Notes at . No Leader Conversation Guide this week! This Episode Is Brought to You By Unleash the power of your church’s story with , a Storyland Studio! Their creative, fun-loving team of designers, architects, and specialists will come alongside your church to help you excel in your storytelling—and reach the people who need you most. PlainJoe has expertise in strategic, spatial, and digital storytelling, from brand development to architecture, website design, and beyond. Learn more at . Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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Predictable Challenges of Leading a Growing Church (Part 3): The Systems Side - Episode 376
12/18/2024
Predictable Challenges of Leading a Growing Church (Part 3): The Systems Side - Episode 376
We have covered the things that can start to feel like crises related to the people side of growth, and we’ve covered the challenges you can expect related to the emotional side of growth. But there's one more area that contains a lot of practical, preventable challenges in a growing church: the systems and structure side of growth. In this episode, we're talking all about the logistics. The practical obstacles you start to run into as more and more people show up. The really obvious issues that have less obvious solutions. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at This Episode is Sponsored by Planning Center is an all-in-one toolkit to organize and run your ministries. And what is a ministry without volunteers? Planning Center helps you build a sustainable and balanced volunteer schedule that aligns ministry needs with people’s availability. Then, you can connect with your team using chat, where you can coordinate ministry details, make announcements, and engage in fun conversations with your teammates. Get started for free at . Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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Predictable Challenges of Leading a Growing Church (Part 2): The Emotional Side - Episode 375
12/11/2024
Predictable Challenges of Leading a Growing Church (Part 2): The Emotional Side - Episode 375
Continued growth can feel like an engine. As a leader, you’re seeing results. You’re running on the high of seeing the fruits of all the effort, intention and faithfulness. You and the team have been on mission, and you’ve sensed God’s blessing and hand on the ministry. And then it all starts taking a toll, and if you’re not careful, things can go sideways. In part two of our series “Predicable Challenges of Lead a Growing Church,” Sean and Amy talk about the emotional side of growth. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at This Episode is Sponsored by Planning Center is an all-in-one toolkit to organize and run your ministries. And what is a ministry without volunteers? Planning Center helps you build a sustainable and balanced volunteer schedule that aligns ministry needs with people’s availability. Then, you can connect with your team using chat, where you can coordinate ministry details, make announcements, and engage in fun conversations with your teammates. Get started for free at . Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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Predictable Challenges of Leading a Growing Church (Part 1): The People Side - Episode 374
12/04/2024
Predictable Challenges of Leading a Growing Church (Part 1): The People Side - Episode 374
When your church is in a season of growth, there are certain challenges that you are bound to run into. The good news is these challenges are predictable. But just because they are predictable doesn’t mean they are easy to navigate. In fact, some of the pastors going through a season of big momentum would tell you it’s one of the hardest seasons they’ve led through, but it’s also extremely rewarding. We’re kicking off a new series called “Predictable Challenges of Leading a Growing Church,” where we will be discussing the tensions growing churches face and, most importantly, how to combat them. In this episode, Sean and Amy talk about what’s most important in a growing church—people. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at This Episode is Sponsored by Planning Center is an all-in-one toolkit to organize and run your ministries. And what is a ministry without volunteers? Planning Center helps you build a sustainable and balanced volunteer schedule that aligns ministry needs with people’s availability. Then, you can connect with your team using chat, where you can coordinate ministry details, make announcements, and engage in fun conversations with your teammates. Get started for free at . Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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New Multisite Church Data & Trends: Q4 2024 Unstuck Church Report - Episode 373
11/27/2024
New Multisite Church Data & Trends: Q4 2024 Unstuck Church Report - Episode 373
It's the most wonderful time of the year... time for The Unstuck Church Report! Every quarter, The Unstuck Group compiles all the data we’ve collected to monitor trends in churches in the United States. Our Q4 report focuses on current data and trends in multisite churches specifically. We received data from over 100 multisite churches ranging from fewer than 500 people in physical attendance to more than 20,000 people in attendance. These churches had as few as two locations to more than 20 locations, and the average attendance of the churches responding to the survey was 2,982 people. In this episode, Sean and Amy discuss findings from the Q4 2024 Unstuck Church Report and take a targeted look at trends and data for multisite churches. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at This episode is sponsored by Horizons Stewardship: utilizes a collaborative and integrated ministry framework designed to fit each organization’s unique culture and support church and faith-based nonprofit leaders in their mission to grow disciples and fund ministry through coaching, planning, technology, and analytics. Horizons has over three decades of experience and has developed a spiritually focused approach that consistently yields more funding for ministry and more effective disciplemaking strategies. With the support of seasoned ministry strategists, proven generosity guides, and ICF-trained coaches, ministries that partner with Horizons experience, on average, a double-digit increase in giving within the first year. Interested in learning more? Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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Evaluating Your Online Service Experience - Episode 372
11/20/2024
Evaluating Your Online Service Experience - Episode 372
In this series, we’ve talked about how to evaluate your in-person weekend experience. But there is another aspect to the weekend that we don’t want to overlook—the online service experience. Evaluating your online service can be tricky; it’s both part of the weekend and not. How do we measure the quality of it? In this episode, Sean and Amy close out our Weekend Quality Check series by discussing how to evaluate your online service experience. Aaron Bennett from Stonecreek Church in Milton, GA, also shares his insights in an interview with Amy. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at This Episode is Sponsored by Unleash the power of your church’s story with , a Storyland Studio! Their creative, fun-loving team of designers, architects, and specialists will come alongside your church to help you excel in your storytelling—and reach the people who need you most. PlainJoe has expertise in strategic, spatial, and digital storytelling, from brand development to architecture, website design, and beyond. Learn more at . Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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Evaluating Effectiveness - Episode 371
11/13/2024
Evaluating Effectiveness - Episode 371
You’re ready for first-time guests. You’ve planned your sermon series. You’ve prepared your message. But how do you know if it’s working? How do you evaluate your weekend experience? Throughout the “Weekend Quality Check” series, we’ve shared some practical ways you can increase the quality of your weekend planning, preparation and execution. Now, it’s time to evaluate it. In this episode, Sean and Amy talk through some ways to evaluate our weekends. Plus, we have another great interview to share with you from a very strategic Millennial pastor whom we love dearly: Jimmy McCloud at First Christian in Canton, Ohio. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at This Episode is Sponsored by Unleash the power of your church’s story with , a Storyland Studio! Their creative, fun-loving team of designers, architects, and specialists will come alongside your church to help you excel in your storytelling—and reach the people who need you most. PlainJoe has expertise in strategic, spatial, and digital storytelling, from brand development to architecture, website design, and beyond. Learn more at . Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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Teaching That Transforms - Episode 370
11/06/2024
Teaching That Transforms - Episode 370
How do you teach in a way that engages insiders without alienating the outsiders? How do you develop teachings that are relevant, relatable and truly transformational? Sean and Amy address these questions and more in Part 3 of the “Weekend Quality Check” series. In this episode, we dig into the core tensions pastors face in developing transformational messages that engage both insiders and outsiders, sharing practical solutions to navigate that tension while preparing messages. We also host Pastor Carlos Ortiz from Gateway Church in Austin, Texas, who shares insights about how he develops teachings that transform. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at This Episode is Sponsored by Unleash the power of your church’s story with , a Storyland Studio! Their creative, fun-loving team of designers, architects, and specialists will come alongside your church to help you excel in your storytelling—and reach the people who need you most. PlainJoe has expertise in strategic, spatial, and digital storytelling, from brand development to architecture, website design, and beyond. Learn more at . Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag and .
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