PODCAST · religion
Breaking Barriers
by Andrew Hopper and Bobby Herrington
We’re here to help pastors and churches grow so that they can go. Churches can grow without going, but they can’t go without growing. Do you ever feel like church growth and sending is an uphill battle? You’re not alone, many leaders face common barriers that hinder mission success. At Breaking Barriers, we understand these challenges because we’ve been there. Now, we are on a mission to guide churches and leaders like you with Biblical strategies to help your church grow to go. Join Pastors Andrew Hopper and Bobby Herrington from Mercy Hill Church in Greensboro, NC.
Episodes
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E138 - 5 Principles for Fast and Faithful Decision Making
Is your church’s decision-making process slowing your growth? Seats, parking and kids’ space limit churches, but so does the inability to decide. In this Breaking Barriers episode, we discuss why layers of approval create red tape, how to set up an efficient elder board, and how to push decisions...
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E137 - Pastor Burnout | Overindulgence
Pastor burnout, overconsumption, and stress eating are connected, and Proverbs 23 speaks to all three. In this episode of the Breaking Barriers podcast, Pastor Andrew explains why preaching week after week strains your nervous system. He shows why overconsumption of food and alcohol is a…
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E136 - Pastor Mental Health: Are You Thriving or Drowning? (Part 2)
Pastor burnout is one of the biggest threats to long-term ministry, and it starts with how we measure our emotional health. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we offer a biblical framework for pastor mental health, church leader self-care, and building an inner life that can carry the weight…
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E135 - Pastor Mental Health: Are You Thriving or Drowning? (Part 1)
Pastor burnout is one of the biggest threats to long-term ministry, and it starts with how we measure our emotional health. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we offer a biblical framework for pastor mental health, church leader self-care, and building an inner life that can carry the weight…
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E134 - Building a Preaching Culture - Sermon Prep (Part 2)
What happens to a church's preaching when the lead pastor is gone for 12 weeks? Andrew Hopper and Bobby Herrington break down how Mercy Hill built a reproducible sermon culture — one big idea, one application, and a Word-centered service every single week — so that no single voice is the…
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E133 - Building a Preaching Culture - Sermon Prep
What happens to a church's preaching when the lead pastor is gone for 12 weeks? Andrew Hopper and Bobby Herrington break down how Mercy Hill built a reproducible sermon culture — one big idea, one application, and a Word-centered service every single week — so that no single voice is the…
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E132 - Why Churches Grow on Big Days, Not in Seasons | 3 Takeaways
Big days, first-time guests, and church growth strategy: this episode covers how to identify, plan, and maximize the days your church naturally sees a spike in attendance. We share our own big days calendar (Back to School weekend, Sent Weekend, Kids Week, Easter, Church at the Ballpark, and...
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E131 - Why Most Churches Plan Too Late (And How to Fix It)
Most churches wait too long to plan, and it costs them their best ideas. In this episode, we break down our real, internal process for planning a church's entire year: starting with vision casting, moving into high-level calendar planning, building ministry-specific plans, and finally tackling...
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E130 - Preparation and Prayer: Why Working Hard Doesn't Mean You Trust God Less (Part 2)
Excellence in ministry and dependence on God aren't opposites, they belong together. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Andrew and Brant answer a question pastors ask them again and again: does striving for excellence lead to the kind of pride and burnout seen in stories like Mars Hill?…
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E129 - Preparation and Prayer: Why Working Hard Doesn't Mean You Trust God Less
Excellence in ministry and dependence on God aren't opposites, they belong together. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Andrew and Brant answer a question pastors ask them again and again: does striving for excellence lead to the kind of pride and burnout seen in stories like Mars Hill?…
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E128 - The 80/20 Rule of Church Contextualization (What Actually Changes in When You Contextualize)
How much should really change when you plant a church in a new context? In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Pastor Andrew sits down with Pastor Jeremy Dagger — who helped plant Mercy Hill Church before launching Port City Church in Halifax, Nova Scotia — to talk contextualization in church...
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E127 - How to Try Something New in Your Church Without Losing Momentum (Summer Community Group)
New ministry ideas can feel risky — but they don't have to be random. Learn how to know when to innovate vs. repeat what's working, and how to cast vision for a new program. Most of what a healthy church does every year should not be new. But every so often, a gap between your vision and your...
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E126 - Stop Measuring the Wrong Things: Building an Effective Ministry Scorecard
A scorecard is one of the most practical leadership tools for churches, but most pastors have never seen one built. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we break down what a ministry scorecard is, why lead measures matter more than lag measures, and the exact step-by-step process our team uses…
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E125 - Why Volunteer Culture Is Sending Culture (Most Churches Miss This)
Most churches try to flip a switch and expect a sending culture overnight. It doesn't work that way. In this episode, we break down the real pipeline that turns first-time volunteers into missionaries and church planters — the small, inconvenient "yeses" that build up over years until someone's...
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E124 - Small Town, Big Vision: Growth Beyond Big Cities | Skip Allen
Most churches overlook the college campus right in their backyard. Skip Allen of Hope Church in Shelby, NC shares how his small-town church built a thriving college ministry at Gardner-Webb University using a simple Gather-Group-Give-Go flywheel. They are now sending out residents, missionaries,...
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E122 - 8 Cultural Distinctives of the Mercy Hill Collaborative Church Planting Network (Part 2)
What does it take to build a healthy church-planting collaborative? In this episode, Pastor Andrew and Pastor Bobby share the 8 cultural distinctives that define the Mercy Hill Collaborative. From being unapologetically growth-oriented to prioritizing parent planting over partner planting to...
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E122 - 8 Cultural Distinctives of the Mercy Hill Collaborative Church Planting Network
What does it take to build a healthy church-planting collaborative? In this episode, Pastor Andrew and Pastor Bobby share the 8 cultural distinctives that define the Mercy Hill Collaborative. From being unapologetically growth-oriented to prioritizing parent planting over partner planting to...
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E121 - From Warrior to King: How Pastors Transition Leadership in Their 40s
Pastors in their 30s run on energy. Pastors in their 40s have to learn to run on something else. In this episode, we get honest about what that transition actually looks and feels like — from preaching five services a weekend and doing sermon planning at 9:30 PM, to realizing that the...
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E120 - Bryan Frye - Building a Multiplication System That Lasts (Part 2)
What does it actually take to build a church that grows and sends? In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we sit down with Brian Frye from the North American Mission Board (NAMB) during a live NAMB event — an all-access experience that brought 170 leaders from 50 churches across the country. We...
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E119 - Bryan Frye - Building a Multiplication System That Lasts
What does it actually take to build a church that grows and sends? In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we sit down with Brian Frye from the North American Mission Board (NAMB) during a live NAMB event — an all-access experience that brought 170 leaders from 50 churches across the country. We...
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E118 - J.D. Greear on Building a Church That Sends: Multisite, Church Planting, and the Culture of Multiplication (Part 2)
Part 2: J.D. Greear started at a church with two people in the college class. Today, The Summit Church has planted more than 700 churches and is chasing a vision of 1,000. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Andrew Hopper and J.D. unpack the philosophy, the failures, and the flywheel behind one...
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E117 - J.D. Greear on Building a Church That Sends: Multisite, Church Planting, and the Culture of Multiplication
J.D. Greear started at a church with two people in the college class. Today, The Summit Church has planted more than 700 churches and is chasing a vision of 1,000. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Andrew Hopper and J.D. unpack the philosophy, the failures, and the flywheel behind one of the...
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E116 - The 4 Keys to Operational Alignment in Your Church (Part 2)
Most churches have a clear vision at the top — but somewhere between the lead pastor and the kids volunteer, that vision gets lost. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we dig into operational alignment: what it means for every ministry team — not just senior leadership — to know exactly why…
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E115 - The 4 Keys to Operational Alignment in Your Church (Part 1)
Most churches have a clear vision at the top — but somewhere between the lead pastor and the kids volunteer, that vision gets lost. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we dig into operational alignment: what it means for every ministry team — not just senior leadership — to know exactly why…
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E114 - Why Every Church Has a Brand (And Why You Should Stop Fighting It) Part 2
What if the reason your church isn't growing is that you're fighting against who you actually are? In this episode, we tackle one of the most misunderstood topics in church planting and church growth: the power of owning your church's brand. We explore why contextualization that's celebrated on…
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E113 - Why Every Church Has a Brand (And Why You Should Stop Fighting It)
What if the reason your church isn't growing is that you're fighting against who you actually are? In this episode, we tackle one of the most misunderstood topics in church planting and church growth: the power of owning your church's brand. We explore why contextualization that's celebrated on…
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E112 - How to Lead Your Church Team Through Quarterly Planning: 4 Essential Components Part 2
Part 2: Most churches plan — but few have a rhythm that actually keeps vision and execution in sync. In this episode, we walk through the four essential components of the quarterly planning meeting we use at Mercy Hill Church. We break down how the check-in builds team trust, how to build an…
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E111 - How to Lead Your Church Team Through Quarterly Planning: 4 Essential Components
Most churches plan — but few have a rhythm that actually keeps vision and execution in sync. In this episode, we walk through the four essential components of the quarterly planning meeting we use at Mercy Hill Church. We break down how the check-in builds team trust, how to build an issues list...
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E110 - 5 Core Functions of an Executive Pastor: What Does an XP Actually Do?
What does an executive pastor actually do — and how do you know if you're doing it well? In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Bobby and Randy break down the 5 core functions every executive pastor (or ministry director) must own. Whether you're a solo XP at a church of 300 or part of an…
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E109 - Holistic Health + Sanctification For Pastors PART 2
PART 2: Have you ever seen that guy at the gym who only trains his biceps? A lot of pastors preach the same way... all spirit, no body, no whole-life health. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we have an honest conversation about what holistic sanctification actually looks like, why the church...
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E108 - Holistic Health + Sanctification For Pastors
Have you ever seen that guy at the gym who only trains his biceps? A lot of pastors preach the same way... all spirit, no body, no whole-life health. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we have an honest conversation about what holistic sanctification actually looks like, why the church has…
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E107 - Why Your Church Feels Stuck: How Vision, Momentum & Systems Create Real Movement
What does it actually feel like when your church has momentum but no vision? Or great systems but no momentum? In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we unpack the three essential elements every growing church needs — vision, momentum, and systems — and what breaks down when even one of them is...
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E106 - 5 Limiting Beliefs That Are Killing Your Church's Growth
Every pastor has them — unexamined assumptions that quietly set the ceiling on what you believe God can do through your church. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we unpack five of the most common limiting beliefs in church leadership, why they're more dangerous in ministry than anywhere else,...
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E105 - 5 Key Principles on How to Focus on What Matters Most in Church Leadership and Ministry
Learn how to focus on what matters most in pastoral ministry with 5 essential principles for long-term success. Pastors Bobby and Andrew discuss identifying your core responsibilities, using your calendar strategically, avoiding the passion trap, delegating effectively, and embracing the process...
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E104 - Identify and Develop the Right People Early (How to Identify Future Church Planters)
How do you identify a future church planter before they even know they're one? In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we walk through 8 early indicators to look for in high school and college students — from entrepreneurial drive and dynamic communication to physical discipline and commitment to…
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E103 - Why Pastors Burn Out: Understanding Ministry Seasons and Capacity Changes (Part 2)
[Part 2] We explore a critical issue affecting 40% of pastors today: burnout caused by failing to adapt to new life seasons. Discover why many ministry leaders implode not from lack of commitment, but from refusing to acknowledge when their capacity has changed. Learn how marriage, kids, crisis,...
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E102 - Why Pastors Burn Out: Understanding Ministry Seasons and Capacity Changes (Part 1)
We explore a critical issue affecting 40% of pastors today: burnout caused by failing to adapt to new life seasons. Discover why many ministry leaders implode not from lack of commitment, but from refusing to acknowledge when their capacity has changed. Learn how marriage, kids, crisis, and...
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E101 - How to Cast Vision in Church: From Concept to Execution for Pastors and Leaders (Part 2)
Think you need to be a natural visionary to cast compelling vision for your church? Think again. This episode breaks down vision casting into practical, repeatable steps any pastor can implement. Discover how to develop a clear vision, why "God's will is something you do, not something you find,"...
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E100 - How to Cast Vision in Church: From Concept to Execution for Pastors and Leaders
Think you need to be a natural visionary to cast compelling vision for your church? Think again. This episode breaks down vision casting into practical, repeatable steps any pastor can implement. Discover how to develop a clear vision, why "God's will is something you do, not something you find,"...
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E99 - Personality Assessments in Ministry | Helpful or No?
Discover how personality assessments like StrengthsFinder and Working Genius help church leaders hire the right staff and build stronger teams. Learn practical ways to use personality profiles for team development, understand your staff's wiring, and create a healthy church culture. Perfect for...
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E98 - Strategic Planning for Church Growth - 5 Key Principles
Discover the 5 key components of effective strategic planning for churches and nonprofits. Pastors Bobby, Andrew, and Randy share insights from their 3-day strategic planning retreat, covering accountability systems, SWOT analysis, 3-year vision planning, yearly goal setting, and 90-day rocks....
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E97 - How to Execute on Big Days
Learn how to execute successful big days at your church with practical project management strategies. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we dive deep into the execution side of church event planning—from clarifying vision and setting goals to using RACI charts, building accountability culture,...
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E96 - Community Ministry | Adoption & Foster Care
What happens when a pastor and his wife adopt a child with Down syndrome—and it transforms their entire church? Andrew and Anna Hopper share their adoption journey with daughter Faith Anne, the challenges of special needs parenting, and how Mercy Hill Church built a foster care and adoption...
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E95 - Baptisms on Big Days
What if you could plan baptisms in a way that actually creates momentum in your church? In this episode, we talk about the "big days" strategy: identifying your church's highest attendance weekends (Easter, Christmas, back-to-school) and scheduling baptisms around those moments. You'll see why...
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E94 - 5 Ways to Lead Your Church In Biblical Generosity | End of Year Giving
Struggling to talk about money and generosity with your church? In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we explore five essential principles that help pastors authentically lead their congregation in biblical giving. Learn why generosity is one of the most powerful discipleship tools available, how...
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E93 - From Community Ministry to the Gospel: Connecting Adoption & Foster Care to Church Mission
Many churches struggle with community ministry that feels disconnected from making disciples. In this episode, we break down how adoption and foster care ministry serves as a powerful evangelistic tool—not just a "feel good" initiative. From reaching biological parents to discipling children in...
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E92 - Execution Over Theory: How to Actually Make Disciples in Your Church
Most churches have solid theology about discipleship but still struggle to make disciples. Why? Because good theology ALONE doesn't lead to good discipleship, relentless execution on good theology does. In this episode, Pastor Bobby breaks down the critical difference between discipleship theory...
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E91 - Debunking Church Growth Myths
The anti-church growth movement is filled with myths that hold churches back from their mission. Can a church grow large and still disciple deeply? Are numeric goals unspiritual? Does multi-site ministry prevent real shepherding? We're debunking these common objections and showing why...
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E90 - End of Year Giving Plan: Vision Casting, Storytelling & Discipleship Tips for Pastors
Want to crush your end-of-year church giving campaign with proven strategies that grow both your church's mission and your congregation's hearts? In this episode, we walk pastors through a framework for year-end generosity initiatives, covering everything from pre-planning in September to…
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E89 - Corporate Discipleship VS Individual Pathways (2)
****Spotify keeps removing episodes due to the music in the PreRoll Bumper (Even though we have the license to use it), so for now, we're uploading episodes without the Bumper until we can get it resolved.*** Should your church focus on individual discipleship plans or corporate pathways? In this...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
We’re here to help pastors and churches grow so that they can go. Churches can grow without going, but they can’t go without growing. Do you ever feel like church growth and sending is an uphill battle? You’re not alone, many leaders face common barriers that hinder mission success. At Breaking Barriers, we understand these challenges because we’ve been there. Now, we are on a mission to guide churches and leaders like you with Biblical strategies to help your church grow to go. Join Pastors Andrew Hopper and Bobby Herrington from Mercy Hill Church in Greensboro, NC.
HOSTED BY
Andrew Hopper and Bobby Herrington
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Breaking Barriers have?
Breaking Barriers currently has 140 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Breaking Barriers about?
We’re here to help pastors and churches grow so that they can go. Churches can grow without going, but they can’t go without growing. Do you ever feel like church growth and sending is an uphill battle? You’re not alone, many leaders face common barriers that hinder mission success. At Breaking...
How often does Breaking Barriers release new episodes?
Breaking Barriers publishes regularly with 140 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Breaking Barriers?
You can listen to Breaking Barriers on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Breaking Barriers?
Breaking Barriers is created and hosted by Andrew Hopper and Bobby Herrington.
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