Intentional Churches Podcast

What actually happens when a church fully embraces radical alignment to the Great Commission? In this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug Parks, Bart Rendel, and Erin Johnston unpack the disruption, tension, and transformation that come when churches begin aligning every layer of ministry around reaching “The One.”From staff culture shifts and elder board challenges to personal conviction and congregational change, this conversation explores why lasting Great Commission momentum takes patience, honesty, and a willingness to rethink how we lead. Doug and Bart also walk through practical tools from the Radical Alignment framework, including assessments, heart-mind-strength alignment, and how churches can begin building a culture where mission becomes everyone’s responsibility.If your church is wrestling with change, struggling to stay focused on mission, or wondering how to create lasting alignment, this episode will encourage and challenge you. Timestamps00:00 – Why radical alignment is disruptive 01:08 – The Alignment Workshop and starting the journey 01:44 – The myth of “quick and painless” church alignment 02:16 – Why Great Commission transformation takes time 03:33 – Playing the long game in church leadership 05:05 – How radical alignment disrupts church culture 07:05 – Losing people while staying committed to mission 08:15 – Early churches that embraced radical alignment 09:59 – Why churches resist ongoing focus on “The One” 11:17 – The fulfillment and joy that come from mission 12:39 – Practical first steps toward radical alignment 13:08 – Getting to the “last 10% of truth” 14:15 – Casting vision and creating healthy tension 16:30 – Seeing the church through a Great Commission lens 18:03 – Stories of “The One” and collaborative mission 19:46 – Understanding the Radical Alignment Chart 21:13 – Heart, mind, and strength alignment explained 24:09 – Evaluating calendars, budgets, and attention 25:54 – The Radical Alignment Assessment and coaching insights 27:19 – Alignment across elders, staff, volunteers, and congregation 29:41 – Learning to lead the church differently 30:35 – “Once you see it, you can’t unsee it” 31:39 – Why groups align at different speeds 33:24 – Why staff and elders may struggle most with change 34:10 – Understanding disruption and organizational change 36:33 – The challenge of knowing where people really are 37:51 – Why believers often don’t want to engage missionally 39:22 – Sincere friendships and reaching “The One” 40:07 – Why self-discovery matters more than behavior management 42:13 – Encouragement for church leaders staying the course 42:51 – Resources, tools, and next steps from Intentional ChurchesGet started with Intentional Churches

In this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug, Bart, and Erin unpack one of the most critical chapters in Radical Alignment—what alignment really means and why so many churches struggle to achieve it.From consensus-driven mediocrity to the hidden forces of individualized preferences and institutional thinking, this conversation gets to the root of why churches drift—and how to lead them back to clarity and momentum.You’ll hear real stories from church leaders, practical insights on identifying misalignment, and a powerful reminder that alignment doesn’t start with strategy—it starts with personal ownership of the Great Commission.If you’ve ever felt like your church is busy but not moving forward, this episode will help you diagnose the real issue and give you a path toward true alignment.New to Intentional Churches? Start here:https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentTimestamps00:00 – Why consensus decision-making leads to mediocrity 01:00 – What “alignment” actually means in the church 02:30 – Alignment = mutual ownership of the Great Commission 05:20 – The two forces driving misalignment in every church 08:30 – Real example: programs creeping back post-COVID 10:40 – Institutional thinking vs. mission-driven decisions 12:00 – The hidden danger of language drift on your team 14:00 – Why alignment must be constantly tended 16:30 – The myth of “arriving” at alignment 18:00 – Symptoms of misalignment leaders often ignore 19:30 – Unity vs. consensus: what the Bible actually teaches 21:00 – Why healthy tension is a sign of alignment 22:30 – Stop solving problems—start managing tensions 24:00 – Finding your “true north” as a leadership team 26:00 – Thinking vs. outcomes: what alignment really measures 27:00 – Personal alignment before church alignment 29:00 – Why Great Commission ownership must start with leaders 31:00 – Mind, heart, and action: the alignment framework 33:00 – Tools and assessments to measure real alignment 35:00 – Philippians reimagined through a mission lens 38:30 – Final advice: why alignment is worth the cost 40:00 – Daily practices to sustain alignment 42:00 – Invitation to Alignment Workshops

In this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, we shift from challenges to encouragement—and what we’re seeing right now across the Church is incredibly hopeful.While many narratives suggest decline, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Churches are growing. Young people are showing up. Leaders are leaning in. And something deeper is beginning to take shape.Doug, Bart, and Erin unpack some of the most encouraging discoveries emerging from churches that are aligning around the Great Commission—and what it means for your church, your leadership, and your future.You’ll hear real stories from churches across the country, insights from the first-ever Partner Church Summit, and practical ways leaders are rediscovering the life-giving power of personally owning the mission of Jesus.This conversation will challenge the narratives you’ve been hearing—and replace them with something far more powerful: hope rooted in action.If you’ve been wondering whether the Church’s best days are behind us… this episode is for you.Timestamps00:00 – Is the Church really in decline? Challenging the narrative 01:15 – Introducing Radical Alignment and the Alignment Workshop 03:00 – Why church leaders need encouragement right now 04:00 – The Partner Church Summit: unity across diverse churches 06:00 – A spiritual awakening and what’s happening beneath the surface 08:30 – The danger of fear-based church narratives 10:00 – Why the future of the Church is brighter than you think 11:00 – The opportunity with the next generation of leaders 14:30 – What younger leaders are really looking for in older leaders 16:30 – The untapped power of multigenerational leadership 18:30 – The turning point: It starts with you 19:30 – Why owning the Great Commission is life-giving 21:00 – Real stories of churches seeing transformation and growth 24:30 – Practical ways to integrate mission into everyday life 26:30 – Staff vs. personal ownership: breaking the mindset barrier 27:30 – Simple practices: prayer calendars and relational rhythms 29:00 – Preparing to share your faith naturally and consistently 31:00 – Low-cost, high-impact ways to lead your team into alignment 33:00 – Final encouragement for church leadersWebsite: intentionalchurches.comThe Radical Alignment BookBlog: intentionalchurches.com/blogYouTube: @IntentionalChurchesFacebook: Intentional ChurchesInstagram: @IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: @IntentChurches

In this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, Erin Johnston sits down with Doug Parks and Bart Rendel to talk about their newest book, Radical Alignment.After more than a decade of working with over a thousand churches, Doug and Bart share the surprising lessons they’ve learned about why alignment in the church is much harder than they expected—and why it matters more than ever.The conversation explores the hidden challenges many churches face: the pull of Christian consumerism, the difficulty of collaboration between churches, impulsive leadership decisions, and the growing disconnect between evangelism and discipleship.Doug and Bart also explain why Radical Alignment serves as a “prequel” to their earlier work—laying the biblical and missional foundation for what it truly means to be an intentional church.If you're a church leader trying to move your church from an inward focus to mission-focused disciple making, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.Episode Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to the Podcast01:57 – Why Write This Book Now?04:30 – The Journey of Learning from 1,000+ Churches07:05 – Why This Book Is the Best Starting Point for Leaders08:26 – When Big Vision Meets Real Challenges11:17 – Why Collaboration Between Churches Is So Difficult13:10 – The Role of Theology, Mission, and Church Identity14:11 – Leadership Impulsiveness and “Not Invented Here” Thinking17:40 – The Dynamic Work of God in Reaching People22:10 – The Challenge of Christian Consumerism25:00 – Institutional Thinking vs Personal Mission27:10 – Why Staff Culture Often Reinforces Consumerism31:00 – Real Examples of Institutional Thinking in Churches36:49 – The Dangerous Divide Between Evangelism and Discipleship39:17 – Rediscovering the Biblical Model of Disciple Making41:17 – Measuring Spiritual Depth the Right Way43:11 – The Adventure of Owning the Great Commission Personally45:00 – How Leaders Can Start Moving Toward AlignmentWebsite: intentionalchurches.comThe Radical Alignment BookBlog: intentionalchurches.com/blogYouTube: @IntentionalChurchesFacebook: Intentional ChurchesInstagram: @IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: @IntentChurches

On this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug and Bart kick off Season 10 with a candid and energizing conversation about what’s happening beneath the surface at Intentional Churches.Yes, there’s a little “Storytime with Bart” (including airline boarding chaos and a mysterious food allergy, but the heart of this episode is much deeper.Doug and Bart unpack why Radical Alignment and personal ownership of the Great Commission is proving to be one of the most transformative discoveries of their entire ministry journeys.This isn’t about adding another program.It’s about rediscovering the fundamental mission of the Church.If you’re a church leader who feels tired, stretched thin, or stuck maintaining complexity, this episode may reawaken something in you.Episode Timestamps00:00 – A surprising confession: parenting differently because of Radical Alignment 01:10 – Welcome to Season 10 of the Intentional Churches Podcast 01:26 – Why 2026 feels like a turning point for Intentional Churches 02:00 – Storytime with Bart: Southwest airline boarding chaos 06:46 – Entitlement, culture, and what airlines reveal about society 09:13 – Bart’s unexpected (and serious) allergy scare 12:13 – Transition: Why Radical Alignment is reshaping everything 13:16 – Bart reflects on 20 years of ministry models and what’s changed 16:30 – The discovery: There isn’t one model — there are biblical fundamentals 17:12 – How personal ownership of the Great Commission transforms everything 19:06 – Why many discipleship pathways miss heart transformation 23:28 – Macro strategies vs. micro relational mission 26:24 – Evangelism: From transactional to transformational 30:47 – Why this moment feels urgent in a rapidly changing culture 32:35 – Introducing the Radical Alignment Assessment 34:00 – How simple meeting changes are unlocking momentum 37:58 – A powerful story of conviction and mercy in action 40:22 – 18 churches fly in for 24 hours — what that signals 41:30 – “This is beyond us now.” A movement forming 43:27 – Encouragement for tired church leaders 44:40 – Season 10 preview and what’s coming nextWebsite: intentionalchurches.comThe Radical Alignment BookBlog: intentionalchurches.com/blogYouTube: @IntentionalChurchesFacebook: Intentional ChurchesInstagram: @IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: @IntentChurches

On this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug and Erin sit down with Sean Kelly, Lead Pastor of Mount Pleasant Christian Church in Greenwood, Indiana, for a candid conversation about succession, silos, and what it really takes to bring alignment back to a growing church.Sean shares his journey in Ohio to stepping into a historic, multi-generational church, navigating a leadership transition. Together, they unpack why churches drift into siloed ministry, how misalignment slowly creeps in, and what practical leaders can do to realign their staff, systems, and preaching around the Great Commission.From staff trust-building tools like the “Four Helpfuls,” to cross-functional VIP teams, to using preaching as a catalyst for radical alignment, this episode is full of actionable insight for senior pastors, executive pastors, and church leadership teams who want to move from good activity to unified mission.If you’re leading through transition, or sensing your church has energy but lacks clarity, this conversation will help you diagnose misalignment and take your next faithful step forward.New to Intentional Churches? Start here:intentionalchurches.comTimestamps00:00 – “If we were fired tomorrow…”: why change feels harder than it is 00:22 – Welcome to the Intentional Churches Podcast 00:35 – Erin returns after a major generosity initiative 01:29 – Meet Sean Kelly: background, family, and pastoral journey 02:43 – Ministry context: Youngstown, Ohio and multi-campus leadership 04:28 – Why Sean said yes to Mount Pleasant Christian Church 06:18 – Leading through succession: what went right (and why it mattered) 09:47 – Context matters: understanding Greenwood & the Indianapolis area 11:43 – The Restoration Movement and Christian Church distinctives 13:11 – First impressions: culture, DNA, and early warning signs 16:47 – Why silos form—and how leaders unknowingly reinforce them 18:02 – The “Four Helpfuls” tool: right, wrong, missing, confused 21:49 – From good to great: aligning people, roles, and accountability 24:07 – What is a VIP (Very Important Project)? 26:45 – Building alignment through cross-functional teams 29:01 – Low-hanging fruit and momentum-building wins 30:08 – Using preaching to drive Radical Alignment (Erin’s approach) 34:23 – Sean’s preaching framework: mission-anchored sermons 37:21 – Aligning ministry programs with the pulpit 39:02 – Discernment rhythms and organizational focus 42:34 – Final encouragement + Radical Alignment book mentionWebsite: intentionalchurches.comThe Radical Alignment BookBlog: intentionalchurches.com/blogYouTube: @IntentionalChurchesFacebook: Intentional ChurchesInstagram: @IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: @IntentChurches

On this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug sits down with longtime broadcaster, ministry leader, and AI researcher Drew Dickens for a timely and thought-provoking conversation on AI, spirituality, and the future of the Church.With more than 30 years of vocational ministry experience—and a front-row seat to the rise of artificial intelligence—Drew helps church leaders move beyond fear and hype to thoughtfully engage how AI is already shaping the pulpit, the pew, and spiritual formation.Together, Doug and Drew explore:Why AI is morally neutral—and how the Church must lead with discernment instead of fearHow AI is quietly becoming a spiritual authority in people’s livesThe threat AI poses to embodiment, community, and relational discipleshipWhat pastors need to understand about how congregants are already using AI for therapy, prayer, and guidanceHow church leaders can use AI responsibly as a tool, not a replacement for Spirit-led formationPractical ways AI can support relational evangelism without replacing human connectionDrew also shares a powerful personal story that illustrates both the real comfort and the real dangers of AI—and why everything must ultimately be brought back into Spirit-filled community.If you’re a senior pastor, ministry leader, or church staff member wondering how to lead faithfully in a rapidly changing digital landscape, this conversation will help you think clearly, lead courageously, and shepherd wisely in the age of AI.New to Intentional Churches? Start here:intentionalchurches.comTimestamps00:00 – A late-night conversation with AI that changed everything01:00 – Welcome to the Intentional Churches Podcast01:26 – Meet Drew Dickens: broadcaster, ministry leader, and early AI adopter03:10 – Drew’s journey from national radio to evangelism and contemplative prayer apps05:19 – Reaching hundreds of thousands daily through Scripture and meditation06:33 – Why AI is everywhere—and why most people don’t even realize it07:14 – Is AI “of the devil”? A biblical framework for discernment08:38 – What history teaches us about technology and temptation10:30 – Why pastors can’t ignore how AI is shaping everyday spirituality11:14 – How congregants are already using AI in their spiritual lives13:37 – The three biggest threats AI poses to the Church14:55 – Threat #1: AI and the erosion of spiritual authority16:47 – Threat #2: Disembodiment and the loss of real community18:06 – Threat #3: Algorithm-driven spiritual formation19:47 – How pastors should educate and lead their congregations around AI21:55 – Why transparency from the pulpit matters more than fear24:39 – Embodiment, discipleship, and why relationships still matter most26:17 – AI as therapist: what church leaders need to understand now28:03 – A deeply personal story: grief, AI, and prayer at 1 a.m.30:31 – Bringing AI experiences into Spirit-filled community33:22 – Evangelism, awe, and what AI can never replace35:30 – Why relational evangelism transforms the believer38:07 – Using AI to practice gospel conversations wisely39:58 – A powerful evangelism tool pastors should pay attention to42:34 – AI debating theology: creativity without replacing the Spirit44:12 – Revival, Gen Z, and the Church’s moment of responsibility47:13 – AI as a tool for exploration—not authority48:10 – Where to learn more from Drew Dickens50:09 – Final encouragement for church leaders navigating AI faithfullyWebsite: intentionalchurches.comThe Radical Alignment BookBlog: intentionalchurches.com/blogYouTube: @IntentionalChurchesFacebook: Intentional ChurchesInstagram: @IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: @IntentChurches

On this episode of The Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug talks with Chris Steele about the incredible transformation happening at North Terrace Church in Zanesville, Ohio.Chris shares the honest story of how their team realized they were making church attenders instead of disciples, and how that single insight pushed them to rebuild unity, clarify their mission, and align everything around the Great Commission.You’ll hear how that alignment sparked a movement of everyday people leading their friends to Jesus, resulting in 34 baptisms in 2023, 125 in 2024, and already 138 baptisms this year. Chris explains how prayer, simple tools, and personal ownership of “the one” have reshaped their entire culture.If you’re a church leader looking to rebuild momentum, re-ignite evangelism, or move your people toward mission, this conversation will encourage you and give you practical next steps.New to Intentional Churches? Start here:intentionalchurches.comTimestamps00:00 Welcome + Why This Story Matters01:25 Chris Steele’s Ministry Background03:02 Early Faith Influences05:01 Ministry Journey & Leadership Wounds07:19 Zanesville Culture & Ministry Context11:17 Opportunities and Challenges in Appalachia13:35 Rebuilding Generosity and Discipleship18:15 Early Culture Shifts at North Terrace23:10 COVID Collapse & Losing Half the Church24:07 Realizing They Weren’t Making Disciples26:44 Building a New Discipleship Pathway28:55 A Turning Point: Staff & Elder Unity30:42 Discovering IC’s Tools and Language31:46 The “One More” Mission34:11 The Baptism Explosion36:26 Everyday People Leading Their One37:37 Young Families Searching for Purpose41:36 Preparing for Future Growth43:36 How to Join the IC Learning CommunityLinksWebsite: intentionalchurches.comThe Radical Alignment BookBlog: intentionalchurches.com/blogYouTube: @IntentionalChurchesFacebook: Intentional ChurchesInstagram: @IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: @IntentChurches

On this episode of The Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug and Bart unpack the heart behind Radical Alignment: The Surprising Journey of Becoming an Intentional Church—the brand-new book that takes church leaders inside the “why” behind the IC toolbox.Together, they share the behind-the-scenes story of how the book came to life—from early church interviews and the conference book challenge to the powerful stories that emerged along the way. You’ll hear about ice-bath baptisms in Florida, a thousand-person Tennessee church mobilizing 597 members to reach their “One,” and the connection between personal Great Commission ownership and lasting church alignment.Doug and Bart also explore how urgency, clarity, and obedience are reshaping churches across the IC network, why Radical Alignment serves as a prequel to the original Intentional Church book, and how every leader can reframe their calling through the lens of the Great Commission.If you’ve ever wondered how to make evangelism personal again—or how to help your church rediscover its core mission—this conversation will encourage, challenge, and reorient you to what matters most.New to Intentional Churches? Start here:intentionalchurches.com00:00 The Gathering Church and a 70-Year-Old’s Ice Bath Baptism 02:04 Doug and Bart Catch Up on Life, Travel, and Nicknames 05:12 Florida Church Plant Stories: Courage and Obedience 09:51 When Baptism Becomes a Movement 13:06 Planting, Watering, and Trusting God for the Growth 15:23 Inside the “One Life” Project and Culture Change in Churches 18:50 Writing Radical Alignment: The Story Behind the Book 20:53 The “Why” Behind the IC Toolbox 23:08 How IC’s Learning Community Shaped the Book 26:07 Why Radical Alignment Is a Team Study, Not a Solo Read 27:30 The 25 Foundational Beliefs and IC’s Secret Sauce 29:27 Church Stories that Prove Great Commission Alignment Works 31:21 The Hope for Church Leaders Who Read Radical Alignment 34:17 Doug’s Challenge: “Relational Evangelism Is the Football” 35:26 From the Road: Nashville’s Airport Gridlock Story 38:33 Travel Chaos, Grace, and Gratitude 39:30 Closing Thoughts and Book DetailsWebsite: intentionalchurches.comGet The Book: Radical AlignmentBlog: intentionalchurches.com/blogYouTube: @IntentionalChurchesFacebook: Intentional ChurchesLinkedIn: Intentional Churches LinkedInInstagram: @IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: @IntentChurchesJoin the conversation and tell us how you’re leading your church toward Great Commission alignment.

On this episode of The Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug and Erin sit down with Pastor Riley Halliday, a former U.S. Air Force special operations leader who’s now leading Manna Church in Newport News, Virginia.Riley shares how his church embraces the constant movement of military life as a disciple-making opportunity. With families rotating every two years, his team trains every believer to live on mission, ready to reach their “One” wherever God sends them next.We unpack how urgency can fuel alignment, what it takes to build a training and sending culture, and why clarity beats complexity every time.If your church is in a transient community or you need fresh inspiration to fight for alignment around the Great Commission, this conversation will stir you up.New to Intentional Churches? Start here:https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignment00:00 Training and Sending with Urgency in a Military Church 00:33 Doug and Erin Welcome Riley Halliday to the Podcast 02:04 Meet Riley: From Air Force Special Operations to Church Planting 05:06 The Birth of Manna Church and a Vision for Military Families 07:26 Launching During COVID and Finding God’s Provision Through a Merger 09:51 How a 100-Year-Old Church Became Manna’s New Home 10:39 Leading Near Military Bases: Nellis, Creech, and Beyond 12:54 The Two-Year Window: Training and Sending Before Families Move 14:13 Micro-Sites, Military Moves, and Multiplying Disciples 15:05 How Military Life Fuels Disciple-Making and Multiplication 16:19 Doug on “Radical Alignment” and Reuniting Evangelism and Discipleship 18:33 Fighting for Clarity and Simplicity in a Growing Church 19:59 How Canyon Ridge Fought for Vision and Alignment 22:08 Creating a Culture That Repeats the Mission 23:36 Practical Tools: Circle-Ups, Vision Rhythms, and For the One Bracelets 27:28 Keeping Alignment Simple, Transferable, and Repeatable 29:00 Fighting Misalignment with Elders, Staff, and New Ideas 31:30 Saying “No” to Good Things to Protect the Mission 33:42 When Church Members Want a Bookstore (and Other Distractions) 34:40 How the IC Toolbox and ChurchOS Keep Teams on Track 37:01 Every New Initiative Is an Opportunity for Alignment—or Drift 38:05 Riley’s Lesson: You Reproduce Who You Are, Not What You Say 39:59 Doug’s Closing Thoughts: Returning to the Root of the Great Commission 40:53 The Radical Alignment Book and Upcoming AssessmentWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

Doug and co-host Daniel Goulding sit down with Andy Cook, Executive Director of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center, to unpack why relational evangelism belongs at the center of discipleship. Together they explore sobering stats (60% of U.S. churches are stagnant or declining), Gen Z’s surprising openness to spiritual conversations, and the practical rhythms leaders can model—from Alpha tables to breakfast-booth friendships.Daniel shares church-plant lessons around decisions and baptisms, while Andy unpacks BGC research, revitalization cohorts, and the vision behind the Amplify Conference. Along the way, they wrestle with transfer growth vs. true conversion, the seeker-sensitive debate, preaching clearly into cultural issues, and how “radical alignment” mobilizes everyday believers. The conversation is actionable, hopeful, and data-informed.New to Intentional Churches? Start here:https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentCHAPTERS: 00:00 The Sobering Statistic: 60% of Churches in Decline or Stagnant 01:03 Meet Co-Host Daniel Goulding and His Church Plant Story 01:21 Andy Cook’s Journey: From Willow Creek to Wheaton College 03:28 Daniel’s Radical Conversion: From Fraternity Life to Faith 06:43 Early Lessons in Relational Evangelism 08:03 Inviting Friends, Broken Hearts, and the “Lonely Bench” at Willow 10:33 Why Evangelism Must Begin with Leaders 13:32 Everyday Evangelism: Breakfast Tables and Baptism Stories 15:02 Making Evangelism a Regular Appointment on the Calendar 16:56 Why Andy Leads Alpha and Steps Outside the Christian Bubble 17:13 Inside the Billy Graham Center and Its Institutes 20:30 State of Evangelism in America Today 23:15 Transfer Growth vs. True Kingdom Growth 24:48 Why Evangelism Feels Scary—and Why It’s Still Biblical 26:20 Bad Evangelism vs. Good Evangelism: Learning Like Toddlers 28:56 Discipleship and Evangelism: Two Sides of the Same Coin 30:40 Can You Have Deep Discipleship Without Evangelism?32:23 Gen Z’s Spiritual Openness and New Research Insights34:46 Preaching Boldly into Cultural Issues36:58 Calling Men to Biblical Masculinity37:50 Convening Evangelism Leaders at the Billy Graham Center39:18 Digital Spaces, AI, and the Future of Evangelism40:18 The Amplify Conference: Keeping Evangelism Central40:56 The Radical Alignment Assessment and New DataWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

David Ashcraft joins Doug and co-host Daniel Goulding on this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, sharing lessons from decades of leadership at LCBC in Pennsylvania.From painful early years where elders walked out, to the explosive growth that brought thousands of people across multiple campuses, David unpacks how radical alignment and a relentless focus on “best vs. good” shaped a disciple-making movement.During their conversation, you’ll hear why alignment matters more than keeping everyone happy, how LCBC codified its culture without losing passion, and what the 90–10 rule teaches us about the need for some people to be upset if you’re truly moving forward. David also unpacks how to discern between “good” opportunities and the “best” mission, and he shares honestly about the personal cost leaders pay to remain faithful through seasons of growth.New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentCHAPTERS: 00:00 When Elders Walk Out: The Pain of Early Leadership 01:10 Meet Co-Host Daniel Goulding and His Church Plant Story 02:44 David Ashcraft’s Journey: From Texas to Pennsylvania 04:48 Facing Opposition: Letters from Abe and the Worship Wars 07:11 LCBC’s Growth: From 150 to 25,000 Across 25 Campuses 08:23 The Core Issue: Alignment vs. Misalignment in the Church 09:40 Good vs. Best: The Principle that Guides Every Decision 11:19 Lessons from Rapid Growth and Staff Alignment Challenges 14:00 Codifying Culture: From Intuition to Intentionality 16:33 Multi-Site Expansion and Why Limitations Became Opportunities 18:52 Stewardship, Buildings, and Keeping the Mission Central 22:12 Guarding Staff Culture While Scaling Fast 25:56 The 90–10 Rule: Leading with Clarity, Not Popularity 29:20 Picking Battles Carefully Without Losing Alignment 33:52 Codifying the “Gut”: Axioms and Culture Statements 39:02 Encouragement for Leaders in Shrinking or Struggling Churches 43:25 The Real Cost of Growth and Leadership Pain 45:25 Why David Stepped Into The Advantage and Global Leadership Network 47:17 Final Wisdom: Lead, Don’t Chase PopularityWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

Pastor Ben Ellefritz joins Doug for today’s episode of The Intentional Churches podcast, exploring what church growth, rural revitalization, and alignment around disciple making look like in real life. As Executive Pastor at The Crossing Church, Ben leads in a context where no town has more than 80,000 people—and some have as few as 125. Despite this, The Crossing is thriving across 12 campuses, reaching thousands each weekend.During their conversation, you'll hear how their church realigned its multi-site strategy after discovering their previous launch model lacked commitment and sustainability. Their 12th campus launch—built entirely on pre-launch engagement, giving, and disciple-making—became their first financially self-sustaining plant from day one.Ben also unpacks the intentional language around “Difference Makers” (not volunteers), their high expectations for both staff and lay leaders, and how they use visible scoreboards and discipleship pathways to drive alignment around the Great Commission. This conversation is a must-listen for church leaders in rural, suburban, or multi-site contexts who want to strengthen alignment, empower their people, and move from programming to pastoring.New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentCHAPTERS:00:00 Redefining Church Strategy in a Shifting Culture01:45 Meet Ben Ellefritz and The Crossing Church04:07 From Principal to Pastor: Leadership Lessons07:35 Revitalizing Rural Churches through Campus Acquisition09:59 Why They Changed Their Church Planting Strategy12:53 Defining “Difference Makers” Instead of Volunteers14:52 Staff Gaps and the Future of Lay Leadership16:11 Rebuilding Disciple Making from Baptism to Maturity19:51 Using Scoreboards and Systems to Align Staff22:03 Training Staff to Pastor, Not Just Program23:54 What Hasn’t Worked: Lessons from FailureWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

Kicking off Season 9 of Intentional Churches, Doug is joined by IC co-founder, Bart Rendel, for a behind-the-scenes look at Intentional Churches, their leadership rhythms, and the realities many pastors face today. Bart introduces “the spanking machine”—a vivid and humorous metaphor born out of ministry burnout. Together Bart and Doug explore the constant pressure church leaders face from the unrelenting pace of weekend ministry and the need to name it honestly.The heart of the episode centers on the remarkable story of First Christian Church in Newburgh, Indiana. Once a thriving congregation, FCC faced deep decline after leadership transitions, financial hardship, and even a tornado. When the Intentional Churches team engaged with them, they found a deeply committed leadership team willing to lean in and realign around the Great Commission. Bart and Doug close the episode by reflecting on signs of spiritual awakening across the country, highlighting churches seeing dramatic growth and salvations—not because of gimmicks, but because of alignment with Jesus’ mission. This is an episode for pastors who feel weary, discouraged, or unsure of what’s next. It’s a reminder that the spiritual moment is here—but the church must be ready.New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentCHAPTERS:00:00 Revival Requires Two Things01:44 Bart Hates Vacations02:56 The Origin of “The Spanking Machine”06:47 Courageous Leadership Stories07:49 The Comeback of FCC Newburgh12:06 COVID Super-Spreader Story16:27 What’s Happening at FCC Now19:24 Prayer, Pain, and Progress20:40 Other Signs of Spiritual Momentum21:52 Bart and Doug’s Random Thoughts24:46 Are We Ready for Revival?25:16 The Need for Great Commission AlignmentWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

In this final episode of season 8, Doug sits down with Paige Peltier of Leadership Pathway to unpack what it really looks like to develop young leaders for long-term ministry impact. Paige draws on her journey through multiple ministry roles at Chapel Street Church and shares how strategic flexibility in staffing—based on a leader’s growth and God’s prompting—can dramatically impact retention and effectiveness.Together, Doug and Paige dive into the two-year residency model at the heart of Leadership Pathway, where churches commit to hands-on, intentional development and coaching of next-gen leaders. Paige explains how Leadership Pathway partners with churches not only to recruit residents but also to equip staff with tools for leadership coaching. She also offers direct insights for church leaders wrestling with team structure, staff culture, and how to practically support the growth of Gen Z and Millennial leaders.For any church leader wondering how to build a pipeline of future leaders and move away from the “microwave mentality” of quick hires, this conversation will provide a hopeful and highly practical blueprint. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentCHAPTERS:00:00 Helping People Is Slow, But Worth It01:17 Meet Paige Peltier03:16 Paige’s Journey at Chapel Street Church06:28 Staff Flexibility & Finding Best Contribution09:47 Churches Must Shift How They Develop Staff11:11 What Leadership Pathway Really Does14:27 Why Residencies Are So Valuable16:15 Development Is Messy—And Mission-Critical19:49 Gen Z Leaders: What Churches Need to Know23:14 Advice for Older & Younger Generations24:45 Leadership Pathway by the Numbers26:48 What Great Churches Are Doing Right29:00 One Next Step to Get Started Developing Leaders31:11 Paige’s Encouragement to Church LeadersWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

Sherwood Oaks Christian Church has walked through significant change in recent years—from a leadership transition after 40 years and weathering the challenges of COVID to launching a new campus. Maggie Mobley, Executive of Ministries at Sherwood Oaks, joins Erin and Doug on today’s episode of Intentional Churches to talk about how to find clarity and alignment during seasons of disruption.During their conversation, Maggie opens up about the courage it took to sunset beloved events that were no longer missional and how having a common language and calendaring rhythms empowered the staff to have hard, healthy conversations. Together the three also discuss developing a team culture, leading change in different campus contexts, and how Maggie helped transition the staff from skepticism to ownership of a shared vision. Whether you’re navigating transition on your own team, evaluating programs, or trying to build trust amongst your people, this episode offers rich insights into the power of alignment and evaluation.New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentCHAPTERS:00:00 The Cost of Legacy Programs01:17 Meet Maggie Moberly03:15 The Unique Context of Bloomington06:09 Differences Between Campuses07:06 Church History and Leadership Transitions09:55 Deciding to Partner with IC12:49 Wins From Installing ChurchOS15:27 Killing Sacred Cows with Courage18:11 How the Team is Developing Differently20:45 Creating Space for Hard Conversations22:07 Modeling Feedback and EvaluationWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

On this week’s episode of the Intentional Churches podcast, pastor Tom Kopp joins Erin and Doug to share the inspiring transformation of Kimball Christian Church in rural Minnesota. Despite being located in a town of just 800, the church has become one of the largest churches in the restoration movement in the state, defying expectations through a strong vision and a deep commitment to The Great Commission.In this candid conversation, Tom unpacks how focusing on church culture, casting a consistent vision, and making small yet intentional shifts can lead to an outsized impact. From implementing the “three-minute rule” for welcoming guests to celebrating baptisms churchwide, Tom shares practical strategies that any church can adopt, regardless of size.Together, the three also discuss Tom’s involvement in a ChurchOS One Team cohort, which has catalyzed a new wave of mission-minded leadership among churches across Minnesota. With humor, wisdom, and hard-earned insight, this episode offers a blueprint for revitalization and unity in small church contexts, all while keeping the focus on reaching the one.New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentCHAPTERS: 00:00 Three-Minute Rule: A Culture of Guest Awareness 01:29 Tom’s Ministry Background and Family 04:05 Small-Town Ministry in Kimball, Minnesota 07:49 A 150-Year Legacy and New Growth 09:51 Building a Culture of Joy and Evangelism 12:56 Navigating Growth Resistance 15:32 Dripping Vision Weekly 17:08 The Drift Toward Inward Focus 19:30 ChurchOS Cohort Impact in Minnesota 22:37 Tangible Church Growth and Baptism Stories 26:31 Practical Tips for Churches Starting the Journey 29:17 Personal Connection Over Systems 32:17 Preaching for Transformation 33:08 What Large Churches Can Learn from Small ChurchesWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

Eric Rauch from 2|42 Church joins Doug and Erin for this week’s Intentional Churches conversation—exploring what it means to lead churches through a true disciple-making transformation. Together the three share honest reflections, practical adjustments, and philosophical shifts away from attractional church models and toward multiplying disciples. The episode explores how both 2|42 and Erin’s church, Canyon Ridge, are redefining what it means to lead congregations into spiritual maturity and mission. They discuss practical shifts—from canceling outdated programs to redesigning volunteer engagement—and offer a window into the tough but rewarding process of redefining metrics and expectations.Plus Eric shares how his team made it harder, not easier, to get baptized—shifting from events to journeys. Finally they look at what happens when churches stop simply informing and start truly equipping—using tools, powerful questions, and active collaboration to multiply disciples who will be the hands and feet of Jesus. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentCHAPTERS:00:00 No More "Versus": Discipleship and Evangelism01:06 Meet Eric Rauch from 2|42 Church04:21 2|42's Multi-Site History and Cultural Dynamics06:20 Adopting Three Churches Pre-COVID07:57 Redefining Disciple-Making and Evangelism10:26 From Attractional to Multiplying Movement14:33 Why Make the Shift? Leadership Insights16:37 Tangible Program and Strategy Changes20:49 Rethinking Group Models: The Kitchen Metaphor23:29 Discovery Bible Study as Group Strategy24:56 Rethinking Engagement Pathways30:27 Volunteer Orientation and Retention32:10 Baptism: Event to Journey35:28 Highlights from the IC Conference Pre-Con38:28 Biggest Takeaways and Collaborative Learning41:35 Final Thoughts on Collaboration and Next StepsWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

Dr. Carlos Kelly, Senior Pastor of Beulahland Bible Church in Middle Georgia, joins Erin and Doug for a candid conversation on shifting church culture from consumerism to intentional evangelism and discipleship. With over 26 years in ministry and a legacy-rich church behind him, Dr. Kelly explains how Beulahland’s engagement with ChurchOS has reignited his pastoral passion and started that culture shift away from consumer Christianity.Together the three talk about the challenges of pastoring in a food desert—where Carlos’ church has become a vital source of basic needs like food and community support. Through strategic clarity, patient leadership, and collaboration with a steering team, Beulahland is seeing younger demographics, especially those ages 18–35, engage at unprecedented levels.Carlos also discusses the impact of defining clear reach zones for each campus, redesigning the church’s web presence through the lens of “the one,” and creating representation of young adults in leadership and communication roles. If you're a church leader navigating change, this episode offers encouragement, strategic wisdom, and a powerful testimony of what God can do through intentional, Spirit-led planning and teamwork.New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentCHAPTERS:00:00 Dr. Carlos Kelly Introduction01:15 Beulahland’s Legacy and Community Impact05:40 What It Means to Serve in a Food Desert07:27 Moving from Consumerism to Discipleship11:48 Practical First Steps Toward Culture Shift14:51 Fruit from a Younger Generation19:03 Braxton’s Journey from Attender to Leader23:12 Shifting from Solo Leadership to Collaboration29:44 Building the Right Steering Team33:25 Defining Success and Discipleship Culture36:06 Two Campuses, Two Reach Zones37:56 Leading Through Resistance and GriefWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

Today Erin and Doug are joined by Drew Moore of Canyon Ridge Christian Church to talk all about how to unleash—rather than curtail—the dynamic young leaders on your church staff. Following the organizational upheaval of COVID-19, Drew and his team leaned into flexibility, collaboration, and contribution-based leadership—moving away from hierarchical systems and expertise-driven silos.The result? More than half of their staff is now made up of younger leaders. Drew walks listeners through exactly how this happened—from flattening structures and inviting internal volunteers into staff roles to focusing on unleashing people rather than fitting rigid positions. Drew also unpacks some practical methods his team has used, like “Development Days,” liberating structures, peer-driven feedback loops, and guided corporate discernment. And these aren't just theoretical tools—they’ve led to real-life multiplication. This conversation is a must-listen for any church leader wanting to future-proof their staff culture and embrace the call to multiply leaders in meaningful ways, no matter their age. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentCHAPTERS: 00:00 Space to Fail 01:24 Meet Drew Moore 02:25 Canyon Ridge’s Staff Culture Shift 04:51 From Hierarchy to Collaboration 05:28 Where Are Future Staff Coming From? 07:12 Cultivating Contribution from Within 08:29 Challenges of a Young Staff 12:35 Practical Development Structures 16:42 Advantages of a Young Staff 18:24 Innovations from Young Leaders 20:44 Leading Across Generations 24:40 Prioritizing Contribution Over Role 27:54 Guided Discernment & Staff Clarity 30:23 Redefining Multiplication 32:55 Relational Evangelism & Simple Tools 35:17 Releasing Agency to Young Leaders 38:32 Authority, Mess, and the Priesthood 39:05 Mental Models and Generational Collaboration 41:51 Unified Contribution Across GenerationsWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

From digital congregations to rapidly growing local churches, leaders from across the country gather in this special live panel episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, recorded at the IC Conference. Co-hosted by Erin Johnston and Daniel Goulding, Lead Pastor at Echoes Church in Phoenix, AZ, this engaging conversation digs into the real-world challenges churches are facing—from building space constraints and volunteer fatigue to measuring success and navigating cultural shifts.The panel includes leaders from diverse church contexts—Logan Phillips, Worship Pastor at Stateline Church in Rockford, Illinois, Katie Blemker, Executive Minister at North Terrace Church of Christ in Zanesville, Ohio, Mark Lutz, Lead Pastor of Lux Digital Church,  Antoine Davis, Sr., Associate Pastor of Evangelism at Hope Church, in Orlando, Florida. Together they openly share what’s working, what’s broken, and how Intentional Churches tools have helped shape their responses. Topics include evangelism versus discipleship, radical alignment to mission, rethinking metrics, and embracing tension as a sign of progress.Mark Lutz unpacks how Lux Digital is designed for a very specific "one," and how their ministry methods—including camera angles and language—are tailored for a digital native. Katie and Logan speak to the rapid growth and logistical hurdles they face, while Antoine Davis Sr.'s focus on simplifying the Gospel and engaging the 99 to reach the one has sparked exciting growth and cultural shift in his context. He emphasizes the power of building evangelism into church culture rather than treating it as an event.This episode is a must-listen for any church leader wrestling with the tension between sending and forming, trying to mobilize a congregation, or simply trying to keep up with what’s next. No easy answers here—just leaders learning together.New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignment CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Guest Intros02:30 What’s Keeping You Up at Night?09:45 Evangelism vs. Discipleship: The Tension15:10 What’s Working in Your Context Right Now22:40 Radical Alignment to the Great Commission28:15 How Are You Measuring Success?30:00 One Thing to Figure Out in the Next Five Years31:00 Final ReflectionsJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!Website: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches

Eduardo Rivera, a leader within Mosaic Church in Winter Garden, Florida, joins Erin and Doug to talk about what it really means to lead in a multicultural church environment. With deep roots in Puerto Rico and over two decades in Central Florida, Eduardo shares his first-hand experience of how the region has shifted dramatically in Hispanic population and diversity.Eduardo explains how his calling transitioned from planting a new church to leading existing multicultural ministries, emphasizing the importance of creating spaces where both first-generation immigrants and their second-generation children can thrive spiritually. He describes the need for the Anglo church to embrace Hispanic culture—not as a project of assimilation, but as a movement of true integration grounded in shared values, mission, and trust.This episode highlights the difference between proximity and unity, the cultural nuances of relational evangelism, and the church's responsibility to engage in local mission right in their own neighborhoods.  Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how cultural intelligence, leadership collaboration, and genuine curiosity can shape a church culture that honors and celebrates diversity.New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentCHAPTERS: 00:00 Meet Pastor Eduardo 04:15 Eduardo’s journey from Puerto Rico to Florida 08:10 Demographic shifts in Central Florida 11:50 Understanding the realities of Hispanic ministry 15:30 From church planting to leading within Mosaic 18:30 Defining integration vs assimilation 24:10 What the Anglo Church can learn from Hispanic cultures 29:00 Shifting from global to local missions 34:30 Relational evangelism in multicultural settings 38:45 The role of leadership and trust in integration 42:00 Final encouragement to church leadersJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!Website: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches

Don’t forget to reserve your spot for the Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurchesconference.com/ Gregg and Leilani Sizemore, co-pastors of Creekside Church in Dallas, GA, join the podcast to share their incredible story of planting a church six months before the COVID-19 pandemic. From early momentum to massive disruption, and ultimately to realignment and spiritual renewal, they give church leaders a transparent look into the challenges and breakthroughs that come with living out the Great Commission in a post-COVID world.They reflect on their early days of ministry, their complementary roles as husband and wife in leadership, and how their personal faith was tested through burnout and the weight of unmet expectations. The Sizemores share how re-engaging with Intentional Churches helped them reassess everything from service structure to language alignment, catalyzing a renewed focus on reaching people far from God.Listeners will gain practical insights into implementing missional rhythms, navigating cultural and theological preferences within the church, and pushing forward when alignment feels impossible. The episode also explores how pruning and resistance can precede spiritual fruit, and how a single Sunday of breakthrough can make all the long work worth it.From stories of young families walking away to finding joy in conversations with first-time believers, this episode is packed with hope, honesty, and actionable steps for every church leader fighting to stay faithful to the mission of Jesus.The Intentional Churches Community is a free-to-join online community platform designed to foster individual growth while nurturing collective wisdom and best practices from church leaders like yourself from across the country. Get started with your free account at intentionalchurches.com/community.New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentCHAPTERS: 0:00 Welcome & Introduction02:45 Meet Gregg and Leilani Sizemore06:55 Church Planting Right Before COVID11:50 Working Together in Marriage and Ministry16:05 Burnout, Momentum, and Hitting Walls21:30 Re-engaging with Intentional Churches26:20 Volunteer Burnout and Cultural Pushback30:10 Shifting to Evangelistic Focu35:25 Rolling Out Alignment Through "Bless"39:20 Fighting for Alignment Through Resistance42:00 Encouragement to Keep Going44:30 A Sunday Worth the FightWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

Church leaders often ask, "How do we reach people in places that seem anti-church or post-Christian?" Jesse DeYoung, Executive Lead Pastor of Flatirons Community Church, provides honest and actionable answers to that question in this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast.Jesse shares his journey from a youth group kid in Kentucky to leading one of the largest churches in Colorado, all while navigating the unique cultural challenges of Boulder County and the Denver Front Range—a region often marked by skepticism, individualism, and a deep love for the outdoors over traditional church.From rethinking how to engage transient, mountain-loving populations, to challenging his staff to identify someone who might be going to hell and actively pursue them with love and intention, Jesse brings a fresh perspective on evangelism, leadership, and culture.Doug and Jesse explore:-Why loving people for who they are—not who they might become—is key to lasting ministry.-How Flatirons addresses the complexities of legal marijuana use and its impact on church culture.-The deep roots of misalignment in growing churches and the three key practices for addressing it: the stories you tell, the behaviors you reward, and the incidents you confront.-The importance of personal evangelism at every level—executive team, staff, and board.-How Flatirons supports church planting without becoming an over-extended multi-site machine.This is a must-listen episode for church leaders across the size spectrum—from church planters to executive pastors—who are serious about aligning people to the Great Commission, even in tough cultural climates.The Intentional Churches Community is a free-to-join online community platform designed to foster individual growth while nurturing collective wisdom and best practices from church leaders like yourself from across the country. Get started with your free account at intentionalchurches.com/community.Don’t forget to reserve your spot for the Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurchesconference.com.New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentCHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome & Intentional Churches Community 03:15 Meet Jesse DeYoung & His Ministry Journey 07:50 The Culture of Boulder County & Reaching the Unchurched 14:30 Flatirons’ Origin and DNA of Evangelism 19:20 Stories from the Front Lines (Including the "Weed King") 23:10 Parenting & Pastoring in a Weed-Legal Culture 28:05 Personal Evangelism and Jesse’s “One” 32:20 Culture of Evangelism: Staff, Board, and Church 36:50 Misalignment in Growing Churches & How to Fight It 42:05 Church Planting the Flatirons Way 45:30 Jesse’s Final Words to Church LeadersWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

Albuquerque presents both deep challenges and incredible opportunities for ministry. Pastor Nate Bush of New City Church shares how his team navigates the complexities of serving a city with both high levels of poverty and a large population of PhDs. He discusses the importance of balancing justice work with evangelism and how New City Church has shifted to ensuring every member owns the Great Commission.Nate outlines how initiatives like the Shine School Partnership and Getting Ahead have helped connect churches with schools and support individuals in escaping poverty. He also introduces "Go There for the One," a church-wide commissioning strategy aimed at mobilizing every member for personal evangelism.This episode is filled with practical insights for church leaders looking to impact their communities while keeping the gospel at the center of their mission.The Intentional Churches Community is free-to-join online community platform designed to foster individual growth while nurturing collective wisdom and best practices from church leaders like yourself from across the country. Get started with your free account at intentionalchurches.com/communityDon’t forget to reserve your spot for the Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurchesconference.com New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentCHAPTERS:00:00 - Introduction to the Intentional Churches Podcast02:10 - Meet Nate Bush: Church Planting in Albuquerque06:45 - The Reality of a "Low-Hope" City12:30 - Balancing Justice Work and Evangelism18:15 - The Role of Prayer in Church Vision24:00 - The "Go There for the One" Initiative29:30 - Encouragement for Church LeadersWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

The future of the church in America is increasingly multicultural—compelling leaders to be intentional about fostering environments where diverse cultures can thrive together. Juan Carlos Heredia, Spanish Ministry Pastor at Houston’s Sugar Creek Baptist Church, joins Doug for this eye-opening episode of The Intentional Churches podcast to discuss the evolution of Hispanic ministry, the importance of personal ownership in evangelism, and how churches can strategically integrate different cultural groups without forcing assimilation.During their conversation Juan Carlos shares his personal story of growing up between Ecuador, Mexico, and the U.S., how his calling led him into ministry, and the challenges of leading a Spanish-speaking congregation. He also gets into why Houston is a strategic hub for global missions and how its diversity presents both opportunities and challenges for churches.This timely episode offers practical advice for churches looking to engage Hispanic communities, emphasizing the need for leadership that understands both cultures and the importance of contextualizing ministry without losing the gospel’s core message.The Intentional Churches Community is free-to-join online community platform designed to foster individual growth while nurturing collective wisdom and best practices from church leaders like yourself from across the country. Get started with your free account at intentionalchurches.com/communityDon’t forget to reserve your spot for the Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurchesconference.com New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignment Website: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches  CHAPTERS:00:00 - The Importance of Tools in Evangelism00:17 - Welcome & Introduction to Juan Carlos Heredia01:42 - Juan Carlos’ Background and Calling to Ministry04:59 - The Diversity of Houston as a Mission Field07:14 - Integration vs. Segregation in Houston’s Cultural Landscape09:09 - Challenges of Hispanic Ministry in America12:35 - Creating a Culture of Invitation and Evangelism15:19 - How Sugar Creek Integrates Spanish Ministry19:10 - The Future of Multicultural Church Partnerships24:54 - Practical Steps for Assimilation Without Assimilation30:44 - Personal Ownership of the Great Commission33:35 - Using Events as Evangelistic Tools37:22 - The Challenge of Retaining Young Generations in Faith40:08 - Final Thoughts & Leadership Challenge

The Intentional Churches Conference is not your typical church leadership event—it's a movement. In this week’s special bonus episode, Erin sits down to interview Doug all about how The Intentional Churches Conference is evolving and what attendees can expect this year.Doug explains that IC is about more than just content—it's a collaborative network where church leaders learn from one another in real-time. Last year’s conference highlights included a hands-on coffee-making experiment, a panel of non-Christians sharing their perspectives, and interactive networking designed to spark innovation.This year, IC is introducing new tools, including a conference-exclusive book—Radical Alignment to Personal Ownership of the Great Commission—and a role-based track system to help church leaders implement practical strategies in their ministries.If you're looking for an event that prioritizes collaboration over consumption, don’t miss this year’s Intentional Churches Conference! Join us April 29-30! Register now at intentionalchurchesconference.com.New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches  Chapters:00:00 The Unconference: A New Kind of Church Leadership Gathering01:35 What is IC Becoming? A Collaborative Movement04:00 Highlights from Last Year’s Conference06:24 What Makes This Conference Different?08:51 Practical Ways This Year’s Conference Will Help Church Leaders11:31 Final Invitation: Join Us in April!

What does it mean to cultivate a “missional mindset?” In this week’s episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, Momentum Christian Church’s Sheryl Riggins sits down with Erin and Doug to share her personal journey of moving from a traditional church background to a mission-driven approach to faith.During their conversation, Sheryl opens up about her early years as a preacher’s kid, her career at Coca-Cola, and her unexpected path to leadership at Momentum. She also dives into how Momentum is making shifts to prioritize relational evangelism, from practical preaching series to encouraging personal connections in everyday life.This episode is full of insights for church leaders looking to mobilize their people, as well as for anyone hoping to make their faith more outward-focused. Listen in to hear Sheryl’s inspiring story and learn how you, too, can be more intentional in reaching the ones close to you but far from God.Don’t forget to reserve your spot for the Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurchesconference.com New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches  CHAPTERS:00:00 Welcome and Introduction01:29 Sheryl’s Background and Journey to Momentum04:46 Sheryl’s Musical Career and Time in Divine08:31 Career at Coca-Cola and Ministry Priorities15:26 Activator Training and a Shift in Mindset21:46 The Role of Scripture in Mobilizing Believers32:47 Living with Intentionality for the Ones37:20 How Momentum is Raising Awareness for the Great Commission41:30 Final Thoughts and Closing

How can churches move beyond an internal focus to reach their cities with the Gospel? Mark Ashton—lead minister at Christ Community Church in Omaha, NE—joins Erin and Doug on this week’s episode of The Intentional Churches podcast, sharing how his church—and a network of 60 churches in Omaha—is making relational evangelism a top priority.During their conversation, Mark introduces the concept of the "fat fringe"—individuals who self-identify as Christians but lack a genuine faith in Jesus. He explains how to train leaders to engage these individuals in relational evangelism. Mark also walks us through how the Within Reach network was formed, bringing churches together to share best practices, plant churches, and support citywide Gospel efforts.Throughout the episode, Mark offers practical strategies for church leaders, including how to instill a culture of evangelism within staff and congregations, ways to leverage local networks for greater Gospel impact, and how to overcome competition between churches.With powerful stories of the church working together and innovative outreach methods—like counseling centers that integrate faith and psychology—this conversation will challenge and inspire pastors and church leaders to rethink the way they see evangelism! Learn more about Mark and Christ Community Church on their website: https://www.cccomaha.org/. Don’t forget to reserve your spot for The Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches  CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction & Conference Announcement01:10 Meet Mark Ashton: His Ministry & Evangelism Journey04:25 The "Fat Fringe" & Evangelism in Omaha09:01 The Within Reach Network: A Collaboration for the Gospel16:15 Success Stories from Church Collaboration20:37 Mark’s Personal Conviction for Evangelism25:59 Creating a Culture of Evangelism in Church Staff31:33 How Within Reach Stirs Evangelism Across Churches34:50 Practical Evangelism Tactics for Church Leaders40:08 Lessons from Willow Creek’s Evangelism Model43:30 The Future of Evangelism & Final Takeaways

We’re back this week with another powerful conversation, this time with pastor and church planter Lou Pizzichillo of Long Island, NY! Lou and his wife planted Community Church in Long Island back in January of 2020 (ideal timing, as any church leader would know!), and he’s sharing with us the many lessons he’s learned in the five years since. Together Erin and Doug invite Lou to share his unique story of growing up Catholic in Long Island and how he eventually came to plant an evangelical church in his hometown. Along the way Lou learned the power sharing authentic stories can hold, how to navigate being a church for those who don’t go to church, and the challenges (and opportunities!) of having a lot of 1’s without as many 99’s. Towards the end of their conversation, Lou shares his best advice for continuing to disciple those 1’s in a fast-growing church environment, without expecting them to be “perfect” Christians right out of the gate. Especially if you find yourself in a similar context to Lou where going to church is the norm, but not everyone knows what an authentic relationship with Jesus truly looks like, you’re not going to want to miss this episode! Don’t forget to reserve your spot for The Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches  CHAPTERS00:00 Navigating Church Planting Challenges03:01 Cultural Context of Long Island Ministry06:09 The Birth of Community Church09:04 Relational Evangelism and Church Growth11:57 Building a Culture of Authenticity14:55 Harnessing Technology for Community Engagement18:11 The Power of Storytelling in Ministry21:05 Discipleship Challenges in a Growing Church23:58 Strategies for Effective Discipleship26:45 Navigating Growth and Cultural Dynamics30:07 Embracing the Journey of Faith33:05 Conclusion and Future Outlook

Welcome to a new year and a brand new season of The Intentional Churches podcast! We’re switching things up in 2025—shifting from a weekly release schedule to releasing longer, more in-depth conversations with leaders from around the country every other week. We’re so glad to have you along for the ride in Season 7! To kick things off, Erin and Doug are joined by Jim Sheldon, the Executive Pastor of Mission Church in Ventura, CA. Jim helped plant Mission in 2011 along with a team of other ministry leaders, and in that time he’s learned what’s worked (and what hasn’t) in Ventura’s unique community. Together Erin and Doug invite Jim to share his ministry story, plus dive in to what he means by doing more than “ordinary” church, aka activating your people to lead and disciple rather than just preaching more head knowledge from stage. The three also hit on how Jim personally  pursues the ones in his life, his advice for putting together teams that can be the hands and feet of Jesus as soon as there’s a need, and what it looks like to lead through the unexpected. We’re excited to kick off this new season, and new format, of Intentional Churches with you! Thanks for tuning in this week! Don’t forget to reserve your spot for The Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches  CHAPTERS00:00 Understanding the Desire for Depth in Faith10:30 Creating a Culture of Activation20:09 Relational Evangelism: The Power of Personal Connection29:53 Navigating Crisis with Authentic Vulnerability

For this final episode of 2024, Erin and Doug sit down with First Orlando’s Tracy Bowen to talk staff culture and how to create an irresistible cultural environment based on pursuing The Great Commission. Tracy holds a unique title at First Orlando—managing director of staff engagement and culture—and she’s used the position to help align the church’s staff towards reaching the ones far from Jesus and the church. Throughout today's conversation Erin and Doug invite Tracy to share her story—from how she finds new hires that align with the church’s culture to helping build that faithful and fruitful culture from the ground up. Together the three talk about why a healthy culture is so important on a staff team (big or small), how a pursuit of The Great Commission has changed that staff culture, and Tracy’s practical tips for building what she calls an “irresistible” place to work and serve. As we approach the end of the year, this is a conversation you and your staff team are not going to want to miss! Thanks for another great year of The Intentional Churches podcast! We’ll see you back here in 2025! Register for The Intentional Churches Conference 2025 here: www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches  CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Intentional Churches Podcast03:07 Tracy Bowen's Role and Background06:02 The Importance of Church Culture08:46 Building Relationships and Community12:05 Aligning Staff with the Great Commission15:00 Practical Steps for Cultural Improvement17:59 Staff Engagement and Development20:53 Communication Strategies for Teams24:11 Conclusion and Future Insights

Larry Kelley has been with New Hope Church in Houston Texas for 16 years now, and in that time he’s seen the church go from a small group gathered in a YMCA auditorium to a large multi-site church. How have Larry and the staff stayed aligned to New Hope’s greater mission amidst all that growth and change? Today’s Intentional Churches episode is all about Larry’s answer to that question. For this super practical conversation on pursuing greater alignment on your staff team, Erin and Doug invite Larry to share his experience at New Hope—beginning as a video editor up to serving on their executive team today. Together the three discuss how New Hope’s implementation of the IC operating system allowed their staff to come together in reaching their ones, some of the challenges that still exist as the church strives to fulfill The Great Commission, and Larry’s practical advice for churches—and church staffs—of all sizes. No matter how big or small your team is, the language you use and the mission you follow is so important to the pursuit of alignment. Don’t miss this episode! Register for The Intentional Churches Conference 2025 here: www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches  CHAPTERS 00:00 The Power of Personal Evangelism03:08 New Hope Church: A Journey of Growth05:52 Implementing the Operating System08:53 Relational Evangelism and Community Impact11:55 Baptisms and Personal Stories of Faith14:48 Challenges in Alignment and Communication18:08 Practical Advice for Church Leaders

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered the way we view online church, but where most churches have gone back to physical services, some decided to go all-in on the digital space. Enter Mark Lutz and his fully-online church, Lux. Mark served as the pastor of a traditional physical church for more than a decade before he felt God calling him into full-time online ministry. Lux launched in 2021, and the lessons Mark’s learned about relational evangelism in this fully online space serve as the foundation for today’s Intentional Churches conversation. Together Erin and Doug invite Mark to share the story behind starting Lux, his strategies for building actual engagement (not just “likes” or comments) in an online church space, and why relational evangelism and pursuing the one is so important—maybe even more important—online than it is in a traditional church setting. During their conversation Doug digs into IC’s Great Commission Engine, and Mark expands on how Lux implements these tools and others to reach those far from God. The episode ends with Mark sharing stories of usernames turning into actual, life-giving relationships, plus his advice for churches wanting to make their online services more fruitful. Register for The Intentional Churches Conference 2025 here: www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches   CHAPTERS00:00 The Relevance of Digital Ministry04:24 Launching a Digital Church: The Lux Experience08:11 The Impact of COVID-19 on Church Dynamics11:34 Navigating the Challenges of Digital Engagement15:43 Understanding Ecclesiology in the Digital Age18:31 The Great Commission Engine: Strategies for Engagement23:52 Relational Evangelism in the Digital Space28:55 Success Stories: Transformative Relationships Online

Most, if not all, churches have a mission that drives what they do, but how often are we making radical alignment to that mission the main thing? Today on The Intentional Churches podcast Erin and Doug sit down with Travis Kaiser, lead pastor of Florence Baptist Church in Florence, Kentucky. Travis is passionate about fostering a Great Commission-driven mission in every aspect of his church’s culture. How does he do it? Erin and Doug ask him exactly that. Given Florence Baptist’s historical roots (the church was originally founded in 1855!), Erin and Doug invite Travis to share a bit of the context and history behind the church before jumping into their conversation on mission. Travis then walks us through how the church went from an organization of siloed teams to a culture of mission-focused disciples bent on reaching their ones. Travis also talks about some of the challenges behind aligning to a shared mission, stories of pursuing his ones, and the practical steps any church leader can take today to make a mission based on The Great Commission the main thing for their people and church. Register for The Intentional Churches Conference 2025 here: https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches   CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Intentional Churches Podcast03:05 Travis Kaiser: Background and Church Context05:53 Radical Alignment and Leadership Challenges08:51 Building Trust and Relationships in Ministry12:07 Living the Great Commission: Personal Stories17:46 Creating a Culture of Mission21:07 Aligning Staff and Leadership with Mission26:02 Practical Steps for Greater Alignment32:04 Conclusion and Conference Invitation

Welcome to season 6 of The Intentional Churches podcast! For this season of the podcast, we’re talking all about inviting and preparing for that next big event on your church’s calendar in light of The Great Commission. With Christmas right around the corner, this is the perfect time to talk about the invite potential of an event that will ultimately draw people closer to Jesus. On today’s episode Erin and Doug are joined by Doug’s good friend (and fellow Steelers fan!), Mark Weigt. Mark is the founder and lead pastor of The Ridge Community Church in Milwaukee, WI. For this conversation, Erin and Doug focus in on how we invite our ones well—those far from God and the church. Given the large unchurched population in Milwaukee, Mark is the perfect person to tackle this topic. Together the three dive into some of the context of Milwaukee’s church population and how that’s affected Mark’s strategies as a church leader—taking a look at how Mark and his team gear up for a big invite potential season like Christmas and the ways leaders can approach inviting their ones. Plus Mark and Doug even share some personal stories of how their relationships with ones led to further connection. We’re excited for all the conversations to come in season 6! Don’t forget to register for The 2025 Intentional Churches Conference at a discounted rate here: https://www.intentionalchurchesconference.com/. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches   CHAPTERS00:00 The Heart of Ministry and Personal Connection02:03 Understanding the Unique Context of Milwaukee06:13 Vision and Mission of Ridge Community Church10:12 Strategies for Big Invite Opportunities14:00 Engaging Ones: Personal Stories and Community Impact20:01 Aligning Leadership with the Great Commission23:46 Practical Insights for Effective Church Growth

On the final episode of season 5, Erin and Doug invite Intentional Churches’ president and co-founder, Bart Rendel, to the show to outline the differences between intentional and unintentional churches. Bart has a heart for helping church leaders take personal ownership of The Great Commission, and that passion bleeds through every part of this conversation. Since Bart is Doug’s partner in crime at Intentional Churches, Erin invites Doug to share his expertise too, and together the two outline exactly what an intentional versus unintentional church looks like, the steps every church should take towards being more intentional, and how Intentional Churches has truly become a learning community for church leaders. Doug and Bart wrap up this final episode of the season by sharing practical steps churches can take today to radically align with The Great Commission. We hope you enjoyed this season of The Intentional Churches podcast! Download Intentional Churches’ FREE e-book on radical alignment here: https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches   CHAPTERS00:00 The Heart of Discipleship03:05 Understanding Intentional Churches06:00 Characteristics of Unintentional Churches12:04 Steps Towards Intentionality20:44 Building a Learning Community

This week on The Intentional Churches podcast, Doug and Erin sit down with Mission Church’s Sarah Cole. Sarah serves as the Ventura, CA church’s welcome team lead—focusing on creating a volunteer culture that welcomes in everyone and anyone. Why is creating that culture of hospitality important to The Great Commission? How do we recruit and inspire leaders with the “why” behind welcoming new people? The three dive into these questions and more in today’s conversation! In her time at Mission, Sarah has seen her volunteer team grow from the low numbers of the COVID-19 pandemic to over 200 individuals passionate about serving those new to the church. Together, Erin and Doug invite Sarah to share the biggest challenges—and biggest victories—behind leading such a large volunteer team, how she communicates the “why” behind the work they’re doing on a Sunday morning, and how creating that welcoming environment has led to more and more people coming to know Christ. Hospitality in our church environments and on our welcome teams may not seem like a huge priority to some, but in reality it’s essential to inviting in and continuing to build a relationship with those who don’t know Jesus. Don’t miss this super practical, encouraging episode! Download Intentional Churches’ FREE e-book on radical alignment here: https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches   CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Radical Alignment02:55 Sarah Cole's Journey and Context06:12 Mobilizing Teams for the Great Commission12:00 Recruitment Strategies and Team Care18:03 Creating a Welcoming Environment24:00 Building a Welcoming Culture30:02 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

This week on The Intentional Churches podcast, Doug and Erin sit down with Mission Church’s Sarah Cole. Sarah serves as the Ventura, CA church’s welcome team lead—focusing on creating a volunteer culture that welcomes in everyone and anyone. Why is creating that culture of hospitality important to The Great Commission? How do we recruit and inspire leaders with the “why” behind welcoming new people? The three dive into these questions and more in today’s conversation! In her time at Mission, Sarah has seen her volunteer team grow from the low numbers of the COVID-19 pandemic to over 200 individuals passionate about serving those new to the church. Together, Erin and Doug invite Sarah to share the biggest challenges—and biggest victories—behind leading such a large volunteer team, how she communicates the “why” behind the work they’re doing on a Sunday morning, and how creating that welcoming environment has led to more and more people coming to know Christ. Hospitality in our church environments and on our welcome teams may not seem like a huge priority to some, but in reality it’s essential to inviting in and continuing to build a relationship with those who don’t know Jesus. Don’t miss this super practical, encouraging episode! Download Intentional Churches’ FREE e-book on radical alignment here: https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches   CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Radical Alignment02:55 Sarah Cole's Journey and Context06:12 Mobilizing Teams for the Great Commission12:00 Recruitment Strategies and Team Care18:03 Creating a Welcoming Environment24:00 Building a Welcoming Culture30:02 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Reaching the next generation is a concern for any institution, especially the church. With Gen-Z leaving traditional religion in droves, how do we disciple this next generation and build up faithful, fruitful leaders? Today on The Intentional Churches podcast, Doug and Erin chat with THINQ’S Next Gen director, Grant Skeldon, to break down how exactly to reach young people for Jesus. As a young leader himself, Grant is on the front lines when it comes to discipling the next generation. Together Doug and Erin ask Grant to outline how Gen-Z is coming to Jesus, the different ways they’re responding to the Gospel, and how to inspire and equip this generation to make disciples. The three conclude their conversation by sharing strategies church leaders can implement today to reach and inspire this generation for Christ. Learn more about Grant and THINQ here: https://www.grantskeldon.com/. Download Intentional Churches’ FREE e-book on radical alignment here: https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches   CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Intentional Churches Podcast03:03 Understanding Gen Z's Relationship with Faith05:57 The Role of Prophetic Voices in Reaching Gen Z09:11 Contrasting Generational Approaches to Evangelism11:49 The Shift from Experience to Identity in Faith15:05 Discipleship: The Key to Reaching the Next Generation17:54 Equipping Gen Z for Evangelism and Discipleship21:01 Practical Steps for Church Leaders23:53 Conclusion and Resources for Further Learning

First Orlando’s Haley Malone never envisioned herself in ministry, but little did this former math teacher and volleyball coach know, she was already doing ministry just by building relationships with those around her. Now Haley serves as First Orlando’s groups director, overseeing all adult groups at the 150 year-old church. Doug sits down with Haley today to talk about how her passion for building authentic relationships translates to mobilizing group leaders, and how anyone—no matter your church size or position—can work to activate your people to make disciples. During her three years at First Orlando, Haley has personally seen how investing in relationships and living out The Great Commission has led to moments of life-change. Doug invites Haley to share some of those stories on today’s episode, and together they also break down how going first in initiating relationships can inspire your leaders to do the same, why outlining what you’re activating your people toward is so important, and some encouragement for those of us who tend to want to do it all. Download Intentional Churches’ FREE e-book on radical alignment here: https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches   CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Haley Malone and Her Journey02:53 Haley's Role at First Orlando and Community Building06:07 Personal Application of the Great Commission08:53 Stories of Relational Evangelism11:47 Mobilizing and Activating Church Leaders15:13 Building Relationships in the Neighborhood18:03 Tools for Group Leaders and Community Engagement20:52 The Importance of Relationships in Ministry24:08 Encouragement for Church Leaders26:56 Conclusion and Resources for Listeners

Radical alignment with The Great Commission is a great goal to shoot for, but how do we actually take discipleship and make it personal? On this week’s episode of The Intentional Churches podcast, Doug sits down with Calvary Chapel’s executive pastor, Duane Roberts, to talk about authentic relationship-building, organizational alignment in a multi-campus church, and co-creation among teams. As a 10-campus church in ethnically diverse South Florida, leading Calvary Chapel has its own unique challenges. Together Duane and Doug hit on how Duane and his team promote alignment given these inherent complexities, why co-creation has become key to building up leaders and fostering trust amongst teams, and how Duane’s personal conviction to live out The Great Commission has translated to how he leads his teams. The episode concludes with the fruit Duane has seen from his team’s commitment to personal disciple-making and its transformation of Calvary Chapel from the inside out. Download Intentional Churches’ FREE e-book on radical alignment here: https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches   

For this week’s episode of The Intentional Churches podcast, Doug sits down with Chris Palmer, dean of ministry and theology at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, to talk all things Christian consumerism. Doug and Chris have both witnessed the church’s slow evolution towards a more consumeristic, programmatic institution in recent decades. But how can we as church leaders combat that tendency to simply give people another thing they want rather than what they need—the cross of Christ—in our ministries? Together Doug and Chris break down the indicators that your church is leaning consumeristic, look at how to combat those tendencies, and analyze how service, reflection, and emphasizing imperfection can lead us back towards radical alignment with The Great Commission. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches   CHAPTERS 

A church can be considered an “institution” but that doesn’t mean our churches should have institutional mindsets focused on programs over people. For today’s conversation on radical alignment with The Great Commission Erin and Doug sit down with Chad Booher, the community engagement minister at his local church and an individual passionate about inviting, discipling, and empowering God’s people. During their conversation Erin and Doug ask Chad to outline how he went from being a consumer in the church to a chief disciple-maker, how that heart change affected his leadership, and the problems he’s seen with an institutional mindset in churches. Erin and Doug also offer their expertise and perspective—challenging listeners to ask themselves if the churches they’re leading in or the ways they’re discipling others are more consumeristic or focused on individual heart change. Don’t forget to grab your discounted ticket for The Intentional Churches Conference 2025 here: www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches   CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Personal Journey04:19 Breaking Free from the Institutional Mindset09:59 Living Out the Great Commission Personally14:15 Shifting the Focus: From Programs to Disciple-Making19:01 Challenges and Changes in the Church25:38 Practical Strategies for Breaking the Institutional Mindset32:36 Conclusion and Call to Action

Erin and Doug are back for this week’s episode of The Intentional Churches podcast, sitting down with executive pastor Rodney Elliot to talk radical alignment with The Great Commission. Rodney serves as the executive pastor of Pathway Church in Wichita, Kansas, and during his time in that role he’s worked to align the church’s elder board with the core mission of reaching the one far away from Jesus. On this second episode of season five, Erin and Doug invite Rodney to share his experience with church and leadership misalignment—the three diving into how Rodney worked to promote radical unity around The Great Commission, the growth Doug has witnessed as part of IC’s partnership with Pathway Church, and the fruit Rodney’s seen as the church and board became aligned toward one mission. As someone who grew up on a family farm, Rodney leaves listeners with some encouragement only a true farmer could give: if we tend to the soil well, 90% of the work of growth has been done already, the rest is in God’s hands. Don’t forget to snag your early-bird pricing discount for The Intentional Churches Conference 2025! Purchase tickets and learn more here: https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches   CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Season Theme: Radical Alignment03:29 Misalignment in the Church: Resistance to the Great Commission06:19 Catalyst for Alignment: Reaching a Breaking Point08:01 Aligning the Elder Board: Personal Great Commission10:18 Alignment Down to Staff and Key Leaders18:19 Counterintuitive Approach: Back to Basics23:35 Farming Analogy: Preparing the Soil for Growth29:45 Practical Advice: Start with the Great Commission32:02 Conclusion and Invitation to Intentional Churches Conference

Welcome to season 5 of The Intentional Churches podcast! This season we’re talking all about how to radically align our churches and leaders around the promises of Scripture and the truths of The Great Commission. Luke Lezon is our featured guest today—a young lead pastor who’s faced his fair share of misalignment challenges while stepping into a lead pastor role after a major church split. On today’s episode Erin and Doug invite Luke to share his story, which he does with candor and honesty. Though Luke had to experience the battles of church misalignment firsthand, his experiences gave him the wisdom needed to take on his new leadership role and help shepherd his church into a steadier and more faith-filled future. Together Luke, Erin, and Doug discuss signs of church misalignment, how to turn the ship back toward scriptural alignment, and some practical ways to keep your team and people aligned and pulling in the same direction. Luke leaves listeners with some practical pieces of advice for anyone who’s facing misalignment in their church. This is going to be a powerful, practical, and relatable season of the show for so many of us in church leadership—don’t miss it! Follow Luke on Instagram at @lukaslezon and check out LifeBridge Orlando on their website: https://lifebridgeorlando.com/ Grab your discounted tickets for The Intentional Churches Conference in April of 2025 here: https://www.intentionalchurchesconference.com/ New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches   CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and the Importance of Clarity03:16 Misalignment and the Challenges Faced by Church Leaders08:45 Alignment as an Ongoing Process21:24 Navigating Misalignment and Transition25:07 Asking Questions and Engaging in Healthy Discussions27:02 The Role of Leadership in Alignment29:08 Conclusion and Announcement of Intentional Churches Conference

To close up season 4 of The Intentional Churches podcast, we’re releasing another bonus episode from our Intentional Churches Conference 2024, this time featuring our opening session with lead pastor Clint Nolder. Clint leads Foundation Church in Newnan, GA, and during his time with our conference attendees Clint shared on the faithfulness of God in the midst of life’s many battles. A ministry leader and parent, Clint has encountered his own fair share of battles, but no matter what he’s faced God has remained faithful. Using the story of Elisha and the Armeneans from 2 Kings chapter 6 to show that God will never leave or forsake us, Clint encourages us with practical ways to walk through any battle—leaning on community, viewing our battles as testimony, and choosing vulnerability to declare victory in Christ every time. Don’t miss out on The Intentional Churches Conference 2025! Claim your discounted rate today: https://www.intentionalchurchesconference.com/ New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches   CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction: Facing Battles and Finding Strength20:32 Seeing Battles as Opportunities29:26 The Importance of Learning from Others32:40 Conclusion: Thankfulness and Praise

We’re wrapping up season 4 of the Intentional Churches podcast with a few bonus episodes from the 2024 Intentional Churches Conference! This first bonus episode comes from the One Aware panel we did interviewing non-Christians on their thoughts on Jesus, the church, and how they’d ideally want to be approached by Christians. It’s an eye-opening, and convicting, conversation. A word of caution: this type of conversation is not a casual, one-off conversation to be replicated in any type of context, instead our team conducted this panel as a way to inspire and train the 99 in relational evangelism. We always want to be intentional about what kind of ambassadors for Christ we are in the world, and this was the perfect setting to do just that. We’re offering a special, early bird rate for the Intentional Churches Conference 2025! Here's the link:https://www.intentionalchurchesconference.com/New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches   CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction and Caution01:35 Setting the Stage for Spiritual Conversations03:30 Exploring Non-Christians' Beliefs06:05 Panelists' Introductions and Backgrounds13:13 Opinions on the Bible15:05 Perspectives on Jesus Christ19:15 Beliefs about the Resurrection23:16 Thoughts on Life After Death27:08 Confidence in Beliefs and Openness to Spiritual Conversations31:22 Past Experiences Attending Church Services31:51 Childhood Church Experiences and Sense of Community35:02 Desire for Understanding and Respect in Spiritual Conversations37:50 Building Trust and Friendship Before Discussing Spirituality40:41 Questions for God about Purpose and Impact55:05 Continuing Conversations in a Casual and Accepting Environment

On this week’s episode of Intentional Churches Doug and Erin are joined by Jill Gillie, executive director of campus ops and projects at Eastside Christian Church in Orange County, California. Jill is an expert when it comes to recruiting, sustaining, and building a volunteer culture, and that’s exactly the expertise she shares during today’s conversation. A lot changed for churches after COVID-19, including the approach to volunteers. Jill breaks down how her team looks at building that core volunteer base, post-COVID, and what she learned about consistency throughout that time. The three then launch into a discussion on how to recruit volunteers of different generations, creating a true volunteer culture at your church, and Jill’s practical tips for training your volunteer team. Members willing to serve are essential for the success of any church, no matter its size, and this conversation will leave you with practical ways to build a consistent volunteer culture that will continue to grow beyond your annual volunteering push from the pulpit. CHAPTERS00:00 The Importance of Volunteers in Church03:15 Adapting Volunteer Recruitment and Care During COVID-1911:24 Generational Differences in Volunteering18:34 Creating a Volunteer Culture26:43 Practical Tips for Recruiting and Training VolunteersNew to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches   

Welcome back to this week’s episode of The Intentional Churches podcast! We’re continuing our discussion on preparing for the push come November that is the 2024 election season. Today Erin and Doug welcome Archbishop Alan Wiggins to the show to talk about navigating politics in our own neighborhoods, which translates into how we lead people well in our churches. Archbishop Wiggins serves as the senior pastor of Hope Church Orlando, and he’s also the presiding bishop of the International Bishops Conference. Given his passion for pastoring not just the spiritual side of the individual, but the whole person, Archbishop Wiggins rebranded a 50 year-old urban youth center into Frontline Innovation Studios—a place where youth can gather to learn about technology and hone their skills for future jobs. This passion for community serves as a jumping off point for today’s conversation on navigating politics in our neighborhoods.Together, Erin and Doug talk with Archbishop Wiggins about what he and his church learned from the 2020 election cycle, how church leaders can lead their people well as we head into the fall of 2024, and the role of the church in the community when it comes to politics. Archbishop Wiggins concludes the episode by encouraging listeners to truly be the Church in this political moment—living out The Great Commission in everything we do. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchosWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.com            The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C         The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches         Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/         Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches          X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches   CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction and Setting the Context02:36 Navigating the Political Landscape in America09:24 The African-American Church and Politics12:29 Reflections on Navigating Politics in 202015:25 Leading Through the Political Climate of 202420:24 The Role of the Church in the Political Climate24:20 Practical Advice for Church Leaders27:18 Returning to the Basics of Scripture29:16 Living with Urgency and Conviction31:09 Final Thoughts and Conclusion