

The Unstuck Church Podcast with Amy Anderson
Amy Anderson
With THE UNSTUCK CHURCH PODCAST, we invite you into the real-time conversations our team is having about church leadership every week.
Hosted by Amy Anderson, this podcast explores common challenges in ministry and practical steps for tackling them. It’s like getting to be a fly on the wall of our staff meetings.
Tune in weekly for:
Insights, observations and trends for church leaders from the Unstuck team.
Benchmarks in church growth and health from The Unstuck Group’s work serving hundreds churches across North America each year.
Practical advice to help you lead your church towards sustained health.
We think that after listening to The Unstuck Church Podcast, you’ll want to start these discussions with your own team at your next staff meeting.
Add your thoughts to the conversation on social media using #unstuckchurch.
Hosted by Amy Anderson, this podcast explores common challenges in ministry and practical steps for tackling them. It’s like getting to be a fly on the wall of our staff meetings.
Tune in weekly for:
Insights, observations and trends for church leaders from the Unstuck team.
Benchmarks in church growth and health from The Unstuck Group’s work serving hundreds churches across North America each year.
Practical advice to help you lead your church towards sustained health.
We think that after listening to The Unstuck Church Podcast, you’ll want to start these discussions with your own team at your next staff meeting.
Add your thoughts to the conversation on social media using #unstuckchurch.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 23, 2025 • 18min
Playing The Hits: The Understaffed Team With Too Many People - Episode 406
This discussion dives into the paradox of churches being both understaffed and overstaffed. It highlights the emotional toll on ministry teams and offers strategies for aligning staffing with church vision. Real stories reveal the challenges of burnout tackled by multi-site churches. Tools for effective evaluation of staffing structures are shared, with an emphasis on meaningful assessments over quick fixes. Listeners gain insights into improving team dynamics and addressing staffing imbalances for healthier church leadership.

4 snips
Jul 16, 2025 • 28min
Playing the Hits: Leveraging Your Biggest Front Door - Episode 405
Discover how to turn weekend services into welcoming front doors for newcomers. Learn effective guest services strategies that enhance accessibility and connection. Explore the importance of digital outreach and major holiday events for attracting first-time visitors. Delve into creative approaches for engaging audiences during traditional church holidays. Find out practical tips for improving the visitor experience, including clear signage and intentional follow-up processes to foster lasting community connections.

5 snips
Jul 9, 2025 • 27min
Playing The Hits: The People Side of Growth - Episode 404
Explore the often-overlooked people challenges churches face during growth. Discover strategies for effective staffing and volunteer engagement, while balancing leadership responsibilities. Learn how self-awareness and team dynamics can drive successful ministry transitions. Hear about the importance of integrating new members and cultivating relationships within the congregation. Finally, delve into actionable tactics for enhancing volunteerism and ensuring a supportive church environment.

6 snips
Jul 2, 2025 • 29min
Playing The Hits: Crafting The Right Next Steps - Episode 403
Doug Dameron, the Lead Pastor at Orchard Church in Brighton, Colorado, shares insights on refining engagement processes for new church attendees. He reveals how they've utilized data-driven strategies to create effective next steps that boost retention rates. Doug discusses the importance of understanding audience needs and employing innovative engagement methods, including digital solutions, to foster community connections. His experiences highlight the balance between evangelism and spiritual growth, making it essential for churches to evaluate their performance.

Jun 25, 2025 • 22min
How Does My Mindset Have To Change? - Episode 402
Church leaders often face fears that stall growth, but shifting mindset can ignite change. Honest decision-making and engaging the congregation are vital for fostering a transformative vision. Transparent communication and team collaboration help navigate program evaluations for better outreach. Courage is essential in stewardship, especially when ending programs to honor past contributions. Finally, embracing change is crucial as ministries evolve; celebrating past achievements fuels the courage to pursue new directions for impactful growth.

Jun 18, 2025 • 25min
How Do I Need To Adjust My Leadership? - Episode 401
Explore the challenges of leading a church in maintenance mode, especially when it comes to adjusting your leadership approach. Discover the importance of transitioning from individual leadership to collaborative teams for fostering growth. Senior pastors are reminded of their core responsibilities like vision casting and cultural setting. The conversation highlights essential mindset shifts, such as embracing tension and the power of delegation, to lead effectively through change. Gain insights on managing resistance and empowering others for a revitalized ministry.

11 snips
Jun 11, 2025 • 23min
How Do We Break The Next Growth Barrier? - Episode 400
Many churches find themselves in maintenance mode, seeing healthy signs yet failing to grow. The hosts discuss the importance of shifting focus back to outreach and creating a welcoming environment for newcomers. They emphasize cultivating an invite culture to boost engagement and attendance. Practical strategies are shared based on successful case studies, highlighting how to enhance the church experience for both new and long-time members. Networking among churches is also crucial in overcoming stagnation and fueling growth.

Jun 4, 2025 • 24min
Why Aren’t We Growing? - Episode 399
Feeling stuck in your church’s growth? Discover the warning signs of maintenance mode, like declining attendance and community engagement. Explore essential metrics to monitor and assess healthy outreach efforts. Learn practical strategies for revitalization that help pastors reignite their mission. From tracking newcomers to aligning services with goals, this conversation offers a roadmap for transformation. Don't let stagnation define your community—find out how to break free and foster growth!

May 28, 2025 • 27min
Brand New Data on Church Staffing Trends: Q2 2025 Unstuck Church Report - Episode 398
William Vanderbloemen, the founder of Vanderbloemen Search Group, shares insight into the latest church staffing trends. He discusses the significant challenges many churches face due to financial constraints and a shifting focus toward fewer, highly skilled staff members. The conversation reveals troubling increases in adult ministry roles and a decline in volunteer engagement. Vanderbloemen also emphasizes the importance of internal leadership development and adapting recruiting strategies to tackle the current staffing crisis in churches.

May 21, 2025 • 25min
Teaching Model Regrets - Episode 397
The debate over live versus video teaching in multi-site churches takes center stage, revealing strong opinions and emotions. Proven data and real stories illustrate the effectiveness of various teaching models. Strategic approaches and technology investments are essential for success. Practical steps for transitioning to multi-site locations are explored, with a focus on budgeting and building skilled tech teams. Insights on enhancing engagement and consistency provide valuable guidance for church leaders rethinking their teaching methods.