Breaking Barriers

The anti-church growth movement is filled with myths that hold churches back from their mission. Can a church grow large and still disciple deeply? Are numeric goals unspiritual? Does multi-site ministry prevent real shepherding? We're debunking these common objections and showing why mission-focused church growth honors both the Great Commission and biblical discipleship. Join us for an honest conversation about what Scripture really teaches about growing and tending the flock.

Want to crush your end-of-year church giving campaign with proven strategies that grow both your church's mission and your congregation's hearts? In this episode, we walk pastors through a framework for year-end generosity initiatives, covering everything from pre-planning in September to execution through December. Learn why December giving naturally increases and how to strategically leverage this momentum. We discuss the critical "why" behind generosity campaigns—it's about discipleship first, budget second. Get practical insights on packaging your vision, telling compelling stories, setting up remembrance stones of God's faithfulness, and communicating effectively with different groups of people.Website: ⁠https://breakinggrowthbarriers.com⁠Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/breakinggrowthbarriersFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakinggrowthbarriersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakinggrowthbarriers

****Spotify keeps removing episodes due to the music in the PreRoll Bumper (Even though we have the license to use it), so for now, we're uploading episodes without the Bumper until we can get it resolved.***Should your church focus on individual discipleship plans or corporate pathways? In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Pastor Bobby and Pastor Andrew tackle a listener's question about why Mercy Hill Church chose a church-wide discipleship pathway over individualized plans. Discover the 5 reasons behind their Acts 2 "flywheel" approach (Gather, Group, Give, Go), why simplicity beats complexity in discipleship, and how to align your church's front-stage and back-stage conversations. Perfect for pastors, church leaders, and ministry teams wrestling with discipleship strategy, church growth, and creating sustainable pathways for spiritual formation.

Should your church focus on individual discipleship plans or corporate pathways? In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Pastor Bobby and Pastor Andrew tackle a listener's question about why Mercy Hill Church chose a church-wide discipleship pathway over individualized plans. Discover the 5 reasons behind their Acts 2 "flywheel" approach (Gather, Group, Give, Go), why simplicity beats complexity in discipleship, and how to align your church's front-stage and back-stage conversations. Perfect for pastors, church leaders, and ministry teams wrestling with discipleship strategy, church growth, and creating sustainable pathways for spiritual formation.

****Spotify keeps removing episodes due to the music in the PreRoll Bumper (Even though we have the license to use it), so for now, we're uploading episodes without the Bumper until we can get it resolved.***PART 2: What does pastoral ministry really cost? Not just your time—but your emotions, your body, and your soul?Former lead pastor Ben Tugwell planted and grew Integrity Church for over 15 years. He had coaches, healthy boundaries, took time off, and did "all the right things." Yet six months after transitioning out of vocational ministry, he's still discovering just how much the role affected him.In this honest conversation, Ben breaks down the "relational tightrope" pastors walk every Sunday—navigating people in crisis, unrepentant sin, disgruntled members, and hundreds of heartbreaking situations that pile up over years. He shares why even healthy pastors carry an unavoidable weight, and how emotional intelligence and self-awareness are critical for long-term ministry effectiveness.Ben's Coaching Program: ⁠⁠Citizenscoaching.com

What does pastoral ministry really cost? Not just your time—but your emotions, your body, and your soul?Former lead pastor Ben Tugwell planted and grew Integrity Church for over 15 years. He had coaches, healthy boundaries, took time off, and did "all the right things." Yet six months after transitioning out of vocational ministry, he's still discovering just how much the role affected him.In this honest conversation, Ben breaks down the "relational tightrope" pastors walk every Sunday—navigating people in crisis, unrepentant sin, disgruntled members, and hundreds of heartbreaking situations that pile up over years. He shares why even healthy pastors carry an unavoidable weight, and how emotional intelligence and self-awareness are critical for long-term ministry effectiveness.Ben's Coaching Program: Citizenscoaching.com

Are you playing it too safe in your church leadership? In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we explore the concept of living on the "edgy side of wise"—taking calculated risks that honor God without crossing into foolishness. Discover practical strategies for risk-taking in four critical areas. Learn why preparing the jars before the miracle matters, how to invest in growth when you don't have all the resources, and why stewardship might mean sending rather than just saving.

Are you playing it too safe in your church leadership? In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we explore the concept of living on the "edgy side of wise"—taking calculated risks that honor God without crossing into foolishness. Discover practical strategies for risk-taking in four critical areas. Learn why preparing the jars before the miracle matters, how to invest in growth when you don't have all the resources, and why stewardship might mean sending rather than just saving.

The Why, Where, When, and Who of Multisite Church

Discover the 6 most common reasons churches plateau and stop growing. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we explore why many faithful, spiritually deep churches remain stuck... from policy paralysis and lack of clear vision to being personality-driven instead of process-driven. Learn practical strategies to overcome growth barriers. Conference: https://breakinggrowthbarriers.com/conferenceWebsite: ⁠https://breakinggrowthbarriers.com⁠Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/breakinggrowthbarriersFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakinggrowthbarriersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakinggrowthbarriers