Intentional Churches Podcast

In this episode, Erin and Doug talk through the challenges of being short-staffed in churches and how to navigate this issue. They discuss the importance of having a developmental mindset and raising up leaders from within the church. They also highlight the concept of agency, where individuals have the freedom and permission to act and contribute. They share examples from churches in Brazil that thrive with minimal staff and discuss the need to challenge assumptions about the necessity of staff positions. They also provide practical tactics for church leaders to address staffing shortages.Thanks for listening to this episode of the Intentional Churches podcast!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 Navigating the Challenges of Being Short-Staffed06:24 Developing a Mindset of Raising Up Leaders11:04 The Importance of Agency in Creating a Culture of Engagement13:27 Learning from Thriving Churches in Brazil15:46 Challenging Assumptions about Staffing Needs

This week we were live at the Intentional Churches Conference in Orlando! Erin and Doug gathered with Allie Bryant, Bishop McCrae, and Mike Hickerson at the Intentional Churches Conference. They discuss critical topics for church leaders, focusing on aligning team members with church culture, addressing misalignment, and effectively handling team members who may hinder progress. The conversation explores practical strategies for fostering a cohesive team spirit and aligning individual actions with broader church missions. Through dynamic discussions and sharing of personal experiences, the panel provides insightful guidance on nurturing a productive and harmonious church environment.Thanks for listening to this episode of the Intentional Churches podcast!Sign up for next year's conference here: https://www.intentionalchurchesconference.com/iccon-25 Intentional Churches: Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C 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 Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/ Allie Bryant is the Strategic Alignment Executive at Traders Point Christian Church in Indianapolis, IN. https://tpcc.org/ Bishop Derrick L. McRae is the Senior Pastor of The Experience Christian Center in Orlando, FL.https://www.eccorlando.com/our-pastor Mike Hickerson is the Lead Pastor of Mission Church in Ventura, CA.https://www.missionventura.com/ Chapters:00:00 Podcast Introduction00:13 Panelist Introductions01:03 Overview of Season Three Focus03:06 Discussion on Building Culture10:11 Utilizing Digital Honor Boards11:16 Sharing Practical Examples and Experiences17:05 Defining and Developing Outreach Strategies25:34 Integrating Outreach into Church Strategy29:18 Shift from Institutional to Relational Approach Post-COVID38:33 Final Reflections and Questions

Chris VandeLinde, pastor of Cornerstone Christian Church, shares his church's journey leading up to Easter and the strategies they implemented to engage and activate new attendees. They focused on personal relational evangelism, providing tools and resources for their members to reach out to their 'ones' (people they are praying for). They also emphasized the importance of early entrance opportunities to serve and avoiding cul-de-sacs by keeping new attendees spiritually moving. The conversation concludes with practical next steps for church leaders, including thinking like a church planter and starting small with a core group of members to invest in relationships.Thanks for listening to this episode of the Intentional Churches podcast!Intentional Churches: Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C 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 Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/ Cornerstone Christian Church:Website: https://onecornerstone.org/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OneCornerstoneOnline Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onecornerstone Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onecornerstone/ Blog: https://onecornerstone.org/blog Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Overview of Church Goals00:37 Chris Vandelinde's Background and Church Experience01:09 Current Challenges and Approaches in Church Leadership02:31 The Role of Big Events in Church Engagement07:04 Strategies for Post-Event / Easter Engagement13:21 The Importance of Relational Evangelism19:09 Integrating Newcomers Post-Easter / Events24:08 Concluding Thoughts and Practical Steps for Church Leaders

Erin & Doug talk with Jeff Bennett from Stadia about developing future church leaders. They emphasize the importance of looking within the church for potential leaders and investing in their development. They discuss the need for a shift in mindset from hiring specialists to becoming people developers. Their conversation also touches on the current shortage of church leaders and the importance of creating a culture of discipleship and development. Practical advice is given, such as asking questions about who you are developing and investing time in raising up the next generation of leaders.Thanks for listening to this episode of the Intentional Churches podcast!Intentional Churches: Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesStadia:Website: https://stadia.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stadiachurchplanting Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stadiachurchplanting/ X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/stadia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stadiachurchplanting YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StadiaChurchPlanting LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stadiachurchplanting Chapters:(00:00) Finding Future Church Leaders Within Your Church(07:51) Shifting from Hiring Specialists to Becoming People Developers(13:45) Investing in the Development of Future Leaders for Church Multiplication(27:31) Practical Steps for Developing Future Church Leaders

Kristin Miller, Director of Resident Development at Leadership Pathway, discusses developing the next generation of church leaders. Topics include what young leaders seek, soft skills, and mentorship. Churches should focus on intentional investment, reevaluating youth ministry, and starting with one person for development.

Matthew Robinson, Executive Pastor at First Orlando, joins Erin and Doug to explore the importance of personal alignment to the Great Commission and how it impacts church leadership teams, staff, and volunteers. The guests share their personal journeys and realizations about the need for personal commitment to the Great Commission. They discuss practical steps for church leaders to align themselves personally and create space for alignment in their teams. The conversation emphasizes the importance of lowering the pressure and focusing on planting seeds rather than closing deals. The episode concludes with a reminder that personal alignment starts with church leaders and flows into the congregation. Thanks for listening to this episode of the Intentional Churches podcast! Learn more at: https://intentionalchurches.com Chapters: (00:00) Introduction and Background (01:40) The Importance of Personal Alignment to the Great Commission (03:32) Recognizing Personal Responsibility for the Great Commission (04:30) The Shift from Institutional to Personal Alignment (06:19) Personal Realizations and Renewed Commitment (09:00) The Journey of Personal Alignment (11:57) Helping Staff and Leaders Align Personally (13:23) Creating Space for Personal Alignment (19:29) Churches Getting Aligned Personally (21:42) Making Space for Alignment in Leadership Teams (23:11) Practical Steps for Personal Alignment (26:31) Practical Steps for Church Leaders (30:17) Summary and Conclusion

This episode focuses on the topic of alignment in church staff and governance boards. Erin and Doug discuss signs of misalignment, practical steps for achieving alignment, and the benefits that come from being aligned. They also share stories of both epic fails and success stories related to alignment. The episode concludes with a discussion on the first steps church leaders can take towards greater alignment, including leading effective meetings. Thanks for listening to this episode of the Intentional Churches podcast! Learn more at: https://intentionalchurches.com Chapters: (00:00) Signs of Misalignment (01:12) Alignment in Church Staff and Governance Boards (08:43) Creating a Shared True North (09:29) DNA Statements and Values (11:54) Corporate Discernment (13:45) Benefits of Alignment (19:47) First Steps Towards Alignment (20:41) Leading Great Meetings

Explore the challenges of alignment in church leadership with insights on personal alignment to the Great Commission. Learn about practical tips and tools for moving towards alignment and avoiding institutional thinking. Hear alignment stories and examples, recent wins, and preview future topics and the Intentional Churches Conference.

Drew Moore, lead pastor at Canyon Ridge Christian Church, discusses the transition to a disciple-making church and the challenges and successes they have experienced. They define disciple-making movements and emphasize the importance of empowering individuals to make disciples. The conversation explores the shift from an institutionally focused approach to one that encourages agency and engagement from all members. They discuss the challenges faced during the transition and the positive outcomes they have seen, such as increased baptisms and volunteer engagement. The conversation also touches on the importance of thinking beyond individual discipleship and considering the impact on relational networks. To learn more, please visit https://www.intentionalchurches.com Learn more about Canyon Ridge Christian Church here: https://www.canyonridge.org Chapters: (00:00) Introduction and Background (00:55) Defining Disciple Making Movements (03:17) Shifting Perspectives on Disciple Making (05:29) Transitioning to a Disciple-Making Church  (07:51) Unleashing Agency in Disciple Making (09:55) Challenges and Headwinds in the Transition (14:10) Overcoming Resistance and Change  (20:34) Fruit and Challenges in the New Approach (27:24) Challenges and Questions for the Future (31:12) Thinking about Relational Networks

This conversation explores the lost art of developing authentic friendships, particularly among the younger generation. The discussion highlights the impact of social media and technology on social connection and the rise of the loneliness epidemic. The importance of deep listening and powerful questions is emphasized as a means to address loneliness and foster meaningful relationships. The conversation also delves into the implementation of these practices in church leadership and preaching. Despite the challenges, there is hope for a culture that values and cultivates authentic friendships. To learn more, please visit: intentionalchurches.com   Chapters: (00:00) The Lost Art of Developing Authentic Friendships  (03:00) The Loneliness Epidemic  (05:44) Addressing Loneliness in Church  (08:37) The Power of Deep Listening and Powerful Questions  (11:19) Improving Questioning Skills (14:28) Implementing Deep Listening and Powerful Questions (17:46) The Impact on Preaching (20:41) Practicing Deep Listening and Curiosity  (22:23) Hope for Developing Authentic Friendships