Church Leadership Radar - Thursday, March 26, 2026

Today's Episode Summary:A powerful insight from George Barna's research on discipleship: while only 19% of Americans show full biblical alignment, there are 25 million "Emergent Followers" in the middle—people with some biblical beliefs but lacking a cohesive worldview. That's not a crisis. That's leverage. That's where intentional discipleship efforts could make the biggest gains.Plus: The quiet staff health crisis that's eroding your best leaders. Over three years, healthy staff has declined from 82% to 75%—not from one dramatic crisis, but from leaders continuously adding responsibilities without removing anything. And breaking research on church growth: 86% of churches are growing, but the growth rate is slowing from 19% to 14% year-over-year.The Bright Spot: A Midwest church with just 30 members is reaching 1,400 kids through sports ministry. One thousand, four hundred kids. Thirty members. Not by adding staff or programs, but by having everyone clear on their role.Key Takeaway: The question isn't whether you can keep adding. You're probably already doing it. The question is: what are you removing so your staff can actually breathe?Sources & Links:George Barna Research on Biblical WorldviewTodd Rhoades' Staff Health ResearchThe Unstuck Group Church Growth SurveySubscribe & Connect:Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar NewsletterListen to the Healthy Church Staff PodcastLearn more at True North Church Group