Breaking Barriers

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

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

What does it really look like to be a pastor's wife? Not the Pinterest-perfect version—the real, messy, beautiful reality. Anna pulls back the curtain on 20 years of ministry life, from church planting with toddlers to navigating special needs adoption while her husband leads a growing church. She tackles the hard questions: How do you keep your identity when you're known as "the pastor's wife"? What do you do when you can't say yes to everything? How do you find joy when ministry demands feel overwhelming? Discovering freedom in your calling, serving from your actual gifts, and supporting your pastor husband without losing yourself. If you're a pastor's wife feeling stuck, a pastor wanting to set your wife up for success, or a church leader wondering how this all works, this conversation is for you.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

Part 2 of the conversation around church planting vs multisite church: Are multi-site campuses and church plants really the same thing? Pastor Andrew and Pastor Jonathan Yarborough dive deep into the crucial differences between campus planting and church planting strategies. Using the starfish vs spider analogy, they explain the critical differences with a "both, and" mindset, not an "either, or"; and the "magnet effect" that keeps churches from multiplying.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

What's the difference between launching a multi-site campus and planting a church? We explore why we believe multi-site campuses serve as growth strategies while church plants function as multiplication strategies [unSeminary], and why treating them as identical could limit your church's long-term kingdom legacy. We look at the "multiply everything" principle and how it prepares churches for both campus expansion and church planting success. Perfect for pastors, church planters, and ministry leaders navigating growth and multiplication strategies.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

What do you do when God calls you to something that scares you? Every church leader faces moments when fear, excuses, and negativity create artificial barriers to growth and ministry. Today, Pastor Andrew looks at Moses' burning bush encounter and his three revealing excuses that mirror our own leadership struggles. From church planting to difficult conversations, discover how God's power, presence, and purpose crush fear and instill the courage needed to lead with breakthrough faith. Perfect for pastors ready to move from indecision to action.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

Part 2 | In 2024, Mercy Hill Church became the #1 missionary sending church in the Southern Baptist Convention. This doesn't happen overnight, and it doesn't happen without intentionality. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Pastor Andrew talks with our Missions Director, Landon about Mercy Hill's 2-year training process that has sent out 212 people (71 international) to unreached people groups. Learn practical strategies for missions mobilization, church planting systems, and how to transition from church growth to global sending. Perfect for pastors, church leaders, and missions committees wanting to build sustainable missionary training programs.Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://breakinggrowthbarriers.com⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/breakinggrowthbarriers⁠Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/breakinggrowthbarriers⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/breakinggrowthbarriers⁠

In 2024, Mercy Hill Church became the #1 missionary sending church in the Southern Baptist Convention. This doesn't happen overnight, and it doesn't happen without intentionality. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Pastor Andrew talks with our Missions Director, Landon about Mercy Hill's 2-year training process that has sent out 212 people (71 international) to unreached people groups. Learn practical strategies for missions mobilization, church planting systems, and how to transition from church growth to global sending. Perfect for pastors, church leaders, and missions committees wanting to build sustainable missionary training programs.Website: ⁠https://breakinggrowthbarriers.com⁠Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/breakinggrowthbarriersFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakinggrowthbarriersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakinggrowthbarriers

Every church leader hates the "summer slump," but what if summer could actually be your secret weapon for growth? This episode breaks down 4 strategies that flip the script on summer ministry and can turn your slowest season into your most strategic one.If you're a pastor or on a church leadership team and you're tired of writing off summer as a dead season, this episode will change how you think about ministry planning. Your fall growth might just depend on what you do this summer.Website: ⁠https://breakinggrowthbarriers.com⁠Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/breakinggrowthbarriersFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakinggrowthbarriersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakinggrowthbarriers