Building Trust and Unity in a Fast-Growing Church: Drew Karschner’s Insights on Empathy and Authenticity
Sep 5, 2024
auto_awesome
Drew Karschner, Lead Pastor at Northridge Church in Rochester, shares insights from his experience leading one of the fastest-growing churches in the U.S. He discusses the vital balance of empathy and authenticity in leadership, especially during difficult times. Drew emphasizes the importance of recognizing struggles while fostering hope, navigating issues like racial injustice and community unrest. He also highlights the role of genuine engagement and personal recognition in building trust and unity among congregants.
Acknowledging challenges and being honest about tough times fosters trust and connection within a growing church community.
Authenticity in leadership promotes real connections and unity among staff, enhancing relationships and teamwork in times of adversity.
Deep dives
Launching New Locations Amid Growth
Churches experiencing growth should consider launching new locations to maintain momentum and outreach. Resources such as a structured guide on how to launch a new location in under 150 days can assist leadership teams in this process. By sending parts of their congregation back to their neighborhoods, churches can enhance mission work and community engagement. The podcast emphasizes that now is the optimal time for churches that are thriving to take bold steps towards expansion.
Navigating Challenges in Leadership
Leading a fast-growing church often comes with its unique set of challenges, such as navigating grief, racial tensions, and staffing issues. The experience of leading through hardships, especially during crises like COVID-19, highlights the complexities of church leadership. Acknowledging these difficulties is crucial; leaders must openly admit when situations are tough to build trust and connection with their congregations. This candidness fosters an environment where both leaders and members can navigate hard times together.
Building Authentic Relationships
Authenticity is vital in leadership, particularly in today’s culture where people seek real connections. Maintaining open communication with staff encourages a culture of trust and support, allowing leaders to share their genuine feelings. Creating opportunities for informal interactions, such as staff retreats that focus on building camaraderie, enhances relationships and unity within the team. Leaders are reminded that expressing vulnerability can strengthen their influence and foster loyalty among team members.
Thanks for tuning in for the unSeminary podcast. This week Drew Karschner is joining us. He’s the Lead Pastor at Northridge Church in Rochester, New York – one of the fastest-growing churches in the country. While church growth is a blessing, it often comes with hardships that must be navigated carefully. Whether your church is […]
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode