Intentional Churches Podcast

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

With election season ramping up and all the political turmoil we’ve experienced as a country in the last few weeks, it’s no wonder church leaders are talking about how to navigate politics from the pulpit. First Orlando’s senior associate pastor, Danny de Armas, joins Erin and Doug for this week’s timely conversation on all things politics and how to engage with what’s going on without becoming addicted to the noise. Politics is everyone’s favorite talking point, especially those in church leadership where your every potential misstep is recorded and live-streamed on a Sunday. But this is a subject we need to address. Together, Erin and Doug start off by asking Danny what he and his church learned through the turmoil of the 2020 election cycle and what, if anything, he’d do differently this time around. The three then discuss practical ways to keep Jesus at the center of all political discussions, how to mobilize our people to pray in this political season, and encourage church leaders to root themselves in the Gospel before tuning into any news cycle. Given all that’s happened on the national stage in the last few weeks—and all that will happen this fall—this is a can’t-miss episode on leading our people well from now until November and beyond. 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 Guest Introduction03:42 Navigating Politics from the Pulpit05:37 Lessons Learned from the Political Unrest of 202009:54 Challenges of Navigating Politics in a Diverse Church14:12 Being Intentional and Careful in Addressing Political Issues19:27 The Power of Prayer and Scripture in Navigating Politics25:09 Advancing the Kingdom of God: The Ultimate Goal

What do we as ministry leaders do when our facilities begin to run out of space? Should we immediately begin a building campaign, or are there other creative ways to still serve our people in our current spaces? Too many people in too small a space is a good problem to have, but it can be a hard one to solve. Executive pastor Jeremy Thiessen joins Erin and Doug for this week’s episode of The Intentional Churches podcast to talk how to prepare for physical expansion without losing sight of your church’s vision for developing disciples. Jeremy has served as the executive pastor for Shelter Cove in Modesto, California for five years, and from 2022 to 2024, saw their weekend attendance double in size. That fast growth prompted Jeremy and his team to start thinking about expansion, and the challenges and opportunities that come with that conversation. Throughout the episode Erin and Doug also share their own insights when it comes to building, creative solutions if a building campaign isn’t possible or isn’t the right way to serve your people, and how to always keep the Great Commission front of mind, rather than getting caught up in a building project. Whether your church is running out of physical space, or you’re simply needing a word on how to continue discipling your people well—this episode is for you! 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 Background03:11 Preparing for the Next Season of Ministry04:07 The Journey of Shelter Cove Community Church06:01 Transition to an Attractional Model07:23 Engaging with Intentional Churches08:47 Experiencing Significant Growth09:46 National Trends in Church Growth and Space Challenges14:24 Space Challenges at Shelter Cove Community Church16:20 Considering Capital Campaign and Building Plans20:46 Creative Solutions for Space Challenges23:17 Cautionary Thoughts on Building Projects25:44 Aligning Vision and Addressing Space Needs28:55 Practical Advice for Planning and Space Management32:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

On this week’s episode of The Intentional Churches podcast, we’re continuing to talk about how we prepare well for that next big “push” in ministry—specifically how to prioritize our own mental, spiritual, and emotional health as leaders. Licensed professional counselor and Gallup Strengths Coach, Stefanie Rowe, joins Erin and Doug, outlining the crisis many pastors and church leaders are facing when it comes to the state of their mental health. Throughout their conversation, Stefanie shares stats that might surprise you, including: 1 in 5 pastors are struggling with addiction, 50% struggle with depression, 1 in 3 with burnout, and 60% feel lonely. Additionally, only 1 out of 6 pastors are getting the help they need. So, what can those of us in ministry do to make sure we’re prioritizing our own mental health? Stefanie draws on her years of experience and background as a teaching pastor to outline some best practices for pastors (or anyone!) struggling. Erin and Doug add their own insights, talking about taking intentional time off during slower seasons of ministry, putting relationships first, refusing to neglect your own time with God, and being off social media. Whatever season of life or ministry you find yourself in, this conversation is full of practical tips to help us all practice what we preach and work to prioritize our own mental health! Learn more about Stefanie and her work on her website:https://www.stefanierowe.com/ Two helpful resources Stefanie recommends for pastors and church leaders struggling in any of the areas mentioned in this episode include The State of Pastors volumes 1 and 2:https://shop.barna.com/products/the-state-of-pastors-vol-2 The Resilient Pastor:https://a.co/d/08YrszjG Intentional Churches: 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 | Introduction and Overview03:10 | The State of Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Health of Church Leaders12:22 | Prioritizing Self-Care: Practicing What You Preach22:46 | Taking Breaks from Social Media: Reducing Stress and Improving Well-Being25:31 | Taking Inventory: Reflecting on What Went Well and What Didn't26:59 | Setting Boundaries: Prioritizing Self-Care for Long-Term Health

In this episode, Erin and Doug welcome Holly Gillespie to discuss the importance of designing church systems and processes with the one in mind. They spotlight the need to shift from a buffet-style approach to a more intentional and targeted strategy that focuses on those who are far from God. They talk through the importance of mindset shifts, such as considering what it's like on the other side of the church experience and overcoming the fear of neglecting the 99. They also discuss the need for prayer, team conversations, and small steps to begin implementing these changes.Intentional Churches: 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 Designing Church Systems and Processes with the One in Mind06:33 The Evolution and Transition in Church10:43 Shifting from a Buffet-Style Approach to Intentional Targeting14:07 Mindset Shifts and Overcoming Fear

Just a quick break for July 4th. We hope you have a wonderful week and we can't wait to jump back into Season 4 with you next Tuesday. See you soon!

In this episode, Erin and Doug discuss the evolution of church leadership and the shift in mindset between different generations. They specifically focus on the pros and cons of small group models and the need for integration between church life and everyday life. They talk through the importance of disappointing people at a rate they can tolerate and shifting the mindset from providing answers to equipping and empowering individuals to be the answer. They discuss the priority of building relational fabric in the church and the need for ongoing coaching and training for leaders. They also share practical ideas for weaving relational fabric, such as using gatherings and events as key relational moments and encouraging people to linger longer in Sunday services.Intentional Churches: 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 Evolution of Church Leadership and the Generational Shift03:53 The Pros and Cons of Small Group Models13:04 Disappointing People at a Rate They Can Tolerate16:31 Equipping and Empowering Leaders26:25 The Importance of Ongoing Coaching and Training29:43 Practical Ideas for Weaving Relational Fabric

Welcome to season 4! This season is all about helping you prepare for your church's next big push!  In this fist episode Erin & Doug talk with Bart Rendel on the concept of the relational reach zone of churches and how it impacts strategic planning for the next season. Bart stresses the importance of knowing who the church is trying to reach and being aware of the potential impact they can have within their relational networks. They suggest practical steps such as identifying the people connected to the church, evaluating the frequency of their attendance, and multiplying the average attendance to estimate the size of the relational footprint. They also highlight the need for individual awareness of personal relational reach zones and the importance of mobilizing and training church members to reach people within their own networks.Intentional Churches: 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:00:18 Introduction and Season 4 Focus02:23 Defining the Relational Reach Zone04:04 Identifying the Church's Relational Reach Zone08:03 Guiding Teams with Relational Reach Zone10:43 Paradigm Shift: Institutional vs. Relational Evangelism12:57 Community Impact through Relational Reach Zone14:00 3D Chess: Overlapping Church Footprints16:06 Planning Next Season with Relational Reach Zone18:25 Practical Steps for Raising One Awareness20:44 Annual One Where Audit for Strategy21:43 Summary of Relational Reach Zone Concept22:59 Evaluating Programmatic Schedule and Great Commission24:01 Personal Relational Reach Zone Importance26:17 Next Steps for Church Leaders and Volunteers28:16 Evaluating Ministry Programs with Great Commission Questions29:14 Encouragement for Planning and Reflection

In this last episode of Season 3 Erin and Doug are joined by Mitch Harrison to discuss church leadership challenges, focusing on the critical issue of burnout. Mitch shares his personal journey of experiencing and overcoming burnout, and the need for intentional replenishment. The conversation highlights the importance of balancing stress with restorative practices and offers a framework involving rest, emotional release, renewed purpose, recreation, and meaningful relationships. This episode encourages leaders to create a sustainable plan for personal replenishment and to foster a supportive culture within their organizations to prevent burnout and maintain effective ministry.Intentional Churches: 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     Mitch Harrison:Website: www.refillcoaching.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitch-harrison-3653b539 Chapters:00:23 Podcast Introduction01:28 Mitch Harrison's Background02:19 Question: Managing Ministry Demands03:03 Mitch's Personal Burnout Journey05:15 Doug Parks on Burnout in Ministry06:29 Defining Replenishment08:45 The Five R's Framework12:45 Doug Parks on Escapism vs. Replenishment16:04 Personal Application for Leaders17:04 Creating a Replenishment Plan19:10 Doug's Current Challenges with Replenishment21:04 Mitch on Church Staff Replenishment22:20 Generational Differences in Work Ethic24:29 Millennials' Perspective on Work and Burnout26:43 Organizational Replenishment Practices28:14 Applying the Framework Corporately