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
6 snips
Oct 1, 2025 • 36min
Management Versus Leadership - Episode 416
Lance Witt, founder of Replenish Ministries and author of "High-Impact Teams," joins to explore the vital relationship between management and leadership in churches. He discusses the misconception that management is inferior to leadership and emphasizes that effective management is essential for achieving goals. Witt offers insights on the balance between visionary leadership and operational execution, sharing valuable strategies for developing strong managers. He also highlights the importance of systems and delegation, drawing lessons from Exodus 18.
Sep 24, 2025 • 24min
Own Your Role: Breaking the MultiStuck Barrier - Episode 415
Multisite churches often hit a frustrating growth barrier known as the 'MultiStuck' barrier, particularly around the third campus. Excessive autonomy and too many programs can sap momentum and create complexity. Leaders are encouraged to audit their models, prune unnecessary initiatives, and ensure structural clarity. Pausing new launches to fix underlying issues before expanding can foster healthier growth. Each leader has a vital role in sustaining this momentum, focusing on vision and replicable strategies to move forward.
Sep 17, 2025 • 21min
Own Your Role: Breaking the 2000 Barrier - Episode 414
Crossing the 2000 attendance barrier transforms church dynamics. The hosts tackle the complexities of managing growth and emphasize the need for strategic leadership. They discuss the pivotal mindset shifts required for pastors and boards to thrive. Key insights focus on personal connections, effective systems, and reevaluating ministries to maintain mission clarity. Innovative outreach strategies also emerge as crucial for integrating new members and fostering community engagement. Truly, it's about leading with intention rather than just chasing numbers.
Sep 10, 2025 • 24min
Own Your Role: Breaking the 1000 Barrier - Episode 413
Church leaders often grapple with breaking the daunting 1,000 attendance barrier. Insights on leadership transformation reveal how to navigate these growth challenges effectively. The importance of collaboration among pastors and the necessity of clear governance roles come to the forefront. Real-life examples illustrate success through empowering staff and emphasizing a clear mission. With practical guidance, this conversation unveils strategies to foster sustained growth and vibrant community engagement.
41 snips
Sep 3, 2025 • 34min
Own Your Role: Breaking the 200 and 500 Barriers - Episode 412
Chad Hunt, a seasoned consultant with The Unstuck Group, shares his extensive experience helping churches overcome growth barriers. He discusses the common struggle of churches hovering around attendance milestones of 200 and 500. Key topics include the importance of structural changes, welcoming newcomers effectively, and how leadership collaboration can foster community. Chad introduces the 'swing thought' concept to help pastors simplify focus and drive growth, emphasizing the need to embrace change and stay mission-focused for sustainable development.
18 snips
Aug 27, 2025 • 41min
Brand New Data on Church Trends: Q3 2025 Unstuck Church Report - Episode 411
Discover the latest growth trends from the recent Unstuck Church Report, revealing an impressive 11% attendance boost and 35,000 new followers of Jesus. Learn actionable strategies to enhance volunteer engagement and streamline church activities. Explore staffing shifts toward empowering congregants and effective financial approaches to navigate inflation impacts. Uncover surprising trends in church giving, urging churches to improve generosity with data-driven insights. Don't miss this deep dive into thriving and struggling church dynamics!
7 snips
Aug 20, 2025 • 35min
3 Communication Challenges for Churches (Part 3): Better Communication With Outsiders - Episode 410
Phil Taylor, a branding and storytelling expert from Plain Joe Studios, joins the conversation to unpack the nuances of outreach for churches. They discuss effective communication with outsiders, stressing the importance of building genuine relationships beyond church walls. With practical strategies, they explore how clear branding can transform church engagement, making spaces inviting for newcomers. The discussion emphasizes actionable steps churches can take to enhance their outreach and foster meaningful connections with the community.
7 snips
Aug 13, 2025 • 30min
3 Communication Challenges for Churches (Part 2) - Better Communication with Insiders - Episode 409
Blue Van Dyke, an expert at Studio C, shares his passion for helping churches communicate better with their congregations. He highlights the need for churches, especially larger ones, to connect more effectively with their insiders. The conversation dives into pursuing personalized engagement strategies and utilizing an omni-channel approach to keep members involved. Blue emphasizes the importance of tailored messaging and integrating announcements into sermons to foster genuine connections and improve the overall church experience.
8 snips
Aug 6, 2025 • 35min
3 Communication Challenges for Churches (Part 1): Better Team Communication - Episode 408
As the ministry season ramps up in August, churches face unique communication challenges. With families overloaded by messages from schools and other organizations, engaging congregants becomes critical. The discussion highlights the importance of clear internal communication among staff to foster alignment and collaboration. Strategies for enhancing meeting effectiveness and the role of technology in improving communication are also explored. Practical tips are offered to help church leaders build a healthier church culture and streamline team processes.
5 snips
Jul 30, 2025 • 28min
Playing the Hits: Engaging New People in Their Calling - Episode 407
Noah Herrin, the lead pastor of Way Church in Nashville, shares insights on engaging Gen Z and Millennials through community building. He highlights the importance of creating spaces for young adults to discover their gifts and build trust within church communities. Noah emphasizes new strategies for combating loneliness, using social media effectively, and fostering genuine relationships. With practical tips on service involvement and data-driven church health assessments, this conversation is all about helping younger generations find meaning and purpose in their faith.
