The Unstuck Church Podcast with Amy Anderson

Do you wish your church could have more financial margin for ministry? Are your people struggling with debt and low giving? In this episode of The Unstuck Church Podcast, Sean interviews George Kamel from Ramsey Solutions about how Financial Peace University is helping churches break free from financial stress.  We’re shooting straight with these questions. Why are so few churchgoers tithing regularly? How is debt truly impacting healthy church growth, and what are practical ways church leaders can start transforming their church’s financial health today?  George shares some remarkable statistics about how FPU is increasing per-donor giving in churches while helping congregations get serious about biblical stewardship. If money was one of Jesus' most discussed topics, it should probably tell us something. If you’re tired of avoiding money conversations in your church, this episode is for you.   This Episode is Brought to You By Planning Center: Are you struggling to keep your church organized and connected? Planning Center is the all-in-one church management software that solves your administrative challenges. You can effortlessly track first-time guests, manage volunteer schedules, and create easy ways for your congregation to get involved—all from a single platform. Whether you need a check-in system, event signups, or an online giving solution, Planning Center helps you nurture your community and keep people connected. Visit planningcenter.com to get started for free.   Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram. 

Talking about money in church can feel like walking on eggshells while juggling chainsaws. (Okay, that may be a bit dramatic, but are we wrong?) What if it didn’t have to be that way? In this episode, Pastor Jason Anderson (yes, that Anderson—he’s Amy’s husband and somehow still agreed to be on our podcast!) from Crossroads Church shares how he turned potentially awkward “money talks” into powerful moments of discipleship and life change. From personal stories that build trust to practical strategies that won’t send your congregation running for the exit, Jason breaks down how to tackle one of ministry’s most challenging topics.  Whether you’re a pastor who dreads the annual giving message or a church leader looking to build a culture of generosity, this conversation will help you find your voice on the topic of money. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about what we want from people—it’s about what we want for them.   This Episode is Brought to You By Planning Center: Are you struggling to keep your church organized and connected?   Planning Center is the all-in-one church management software that solves your administrative challenges. You can effortlessly track first-time guests, manage volunteer schedules, and create easy ways for your congregation to get involved—all from a single platform. Whether you need a check-in system, event signups, or an online giving solution, Planning Center helps you nurture your community and keep people connected.   Visit planningcenter.com to get started for free.     Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram. 

Feeling overwhelmed by church finances? Discover how to align your funding with your church’s vision. Learn practical strategies to evaluate your budget and prioritize outreach and discipleship. Explore methods to revise your financial plans mid-year, ensuring resources support your mission. Dive into the importance of staffing in budget decisions while maximizing community engagement. Plus, get a handy tool to help implement these concepts right away!

This discussion flips the script on church finances, emphasizing money as a tool for mission rather than a source of anxiety. Practical budgeting strategies are showcased to help churches align financial practices with their ministry vision. From assessing giving trends to promoting a culture of generosity, hosts explore how to foster a healthier relationship with finances. The conversation encourages leaders to reflect on their budgeting practices and highlights innovative methods for financial management that support ministry growth.

It's an oft-overlooked but crucial aspect of retention: engaging people in their calling. In this final episode of our series called "Reach & Retain Strategies," Amy interviews Noah Herrin, lead pastor of Way Church in Nashville, who shares insights from the remarkable journey of growing a church plant to 800 people in just 16 months while primarily reaching Gen Z and Millennials. Noah shares how Way Church is addressing the crisis of meaning and purpose among younger generations through intentional community building and helping people discover their unique contributions to the church's mission.  Listen in to discover: How to create an environment where people can easily discover and use their spiritual gifts Practical strategies for engaging Gen Z and Millennials in church ministry The importance of intentional community building in retention Fresh approaches to digital ministry and social media engagement Ways to remove barriers and create flexible opportunities for service This Episode Is Brought to You by The Church Lawyers: The Church Lawyers’ Client Member program was created for organizations just like yours. Their team of Christian legal professionals are personally called to empower and protect churches, ministries and their leaders to fulfill their mission by providing biblically informed and ministry-focused legal solutions. Whether governance, employment, litigation or other matters, let The Church Lawyers walk alongside you as you navigate legal issues facing your ministry.   Sign up for the The Church Lawyers’ Client Member program today at thechurchlawyers.com. Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.

In this episode of The Unstuck Church Podcast, Sean and Amy continue their series on reach and retain strategies, featuring a compelling conversation with Doug Dameron from Orchard Church in Brighton, CO, about crafting effective next steps for new attendees. Doug shares how his team transformed their follow-up process, leading to dramatic improvements in engagement—from just 5% of new believers becoming known to over 40% today. This episode also unpacks how the church used their data to drive strategic changes, resulting in a 600% increase in next steps engagement and a 300% growth in people taking action through baptism, community and serving. Listen in to discover:  Why traditional connection methods might be failing your church How small “renovations” to your process can lead to exponential results Practical ways to remove barriers and increase engagement The power of digital follow-ups in discipleship   This Episode Is Brought to You by The Church Lawyers: The Church Lawyers’ Client Member program was created for organizations just like yours. Their team of Christian legal professionals are personally called to empower and protect churches, ministries and their leaders to fulfill their mission by providing biblically informed and ministry-focused legal solutions. Whether governance, employment, litigation or other matters, let The Church Lawyers walk alongside you as you navigate legal issues facing your ministry.     Sign up for the The Church Lawyers’ Client Member program today at thechurchlaywers.com.   Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.

In this episode of The Unstuck Church Podcast, Amy and Sean dive into part two of our conversation on reach and retain strategies, focusing on how churches can leverage their weekend services as effective “front doors” for connecting with new people. From common misses like poor signage and untrained volunteers to practical solutions that create excellent guest experiences, Amy and Sean unpack what’s working (and what isn’t) in churches today. They share insights on creating a clear guest services presence, developing intentional follow-up processes and ensuring weekend experiences connect with both churched and unchurched people. Listen in to learn how your church can create more effective entry points through your weekend services and establish systems that help new people take their next steps toward Christ. Join us for a free webinar on March 13th where we'll dive deeper into proven strategies for reaching and retaining new people in your church. This Episode is Brought to You By The Church Lawyers: The Church Lawyers’ Client Member program was created for organizations just like yours. Their team of Christian legal professionals are personally called to empower and protect churches, ministries and their leaders to fulfill their mission by providing biblically informed and ministry-focused legal solutions. Whether governance, employment, litigation or other matters, let The Church Lawyers walk alongside you as you navigate legal issues facing your ministry.     Sign up for the The Church Lawyers’ Client Member program today at thechurchlaywers.com.   Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram. 

Feeling the strain between serving your core members and attracting newcomers? Discover how lack of clarity can hinder effective ministry. The discussion explores strategies for churches to focus on their mission field and enhance outreach. Learn about empowering congregations to take an active role in spreading their faith and the need for consistent messaging. Plus, get tips on refining your outreach for significant events like Easter, ensuring your church is welcoming to everyone in the community.

Blue Van Dyke, the President and founder of Studio C, shares insights on church member engagement and the latest trends in this quarter's report. While attendance is rising, the discussion highlights a disconnect with engagement metrics. They emphasize the need for clearer discipleship pathways, showcasing remarkable growth stories from churches like Centerpoint and Upward Christian Fellowship. The conversation also dives into the importance of personalized communication to address the diverse needs of congregants and adapt to evolving challenges in church leadership.

Discover the challenges churches face with outdated staffing structures that hinder growth. The hosts tackle leadership gaps and the need for effective organizational models. Dive into practical metrics to assess current staffing and strategies to realign for future needs. They emphasize the importance of adapting roles to meet post-COVID demands and ensuring effective leadership development. Tune in for insights on how to build a sustainable and balanced team that can thrive today and tomorrow.