The Unstuck Church Podcast with Amy Anderson

Possibilities. With the turning of the calendar, there's often a renewed sense of hope and a dream of what could be. We all tend to believe this is the year things will be different. Too often, though, leaders hold onto this hope without a plan to achieve it. In this episode, Tony and Amy explain why hope is not a strategy for your church and explore some practical ways that you can create a plan for greater ministry impact. - Why Christians should be the best planners in the world based on what we see in Scripture, and why the old debate of "planning" vs. "relying on the Holy Spirit" is a false dichotomy, and really, just bad theology - 4 questions you need to answer in any effective planning process, and why we bring in an outside facilitator to help our team plan - The "sweet spot" number of people to involve in your planning team, plus why the larger a church grows the smaller its planning teams tend to be - What happens when you involve too many people in planning for the future (Hint: The extroverts get more extroverted, and the introverts get more introverted.) For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode126. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode 126] in your post for reference.

We're still on a high from a gathering we had in Phoenix a few weeks ago. The Unstuck Group's team members—about 30 of us—got together for our annual meet-up. Tony shared highlights from the last 12 months of helping churches get unstuck, which included celebrating 10 years of The Unstuck Group, serving our 400th church, kicking off a merger-succession to join Jim Tomberlin's MultiSite Solutions to our team, launching the Multisite Unstuck Course, and adding 5 new team members. In this episode, Tony and Amy and reflect on what we've learned over the last 12 months helping churches get unstuck and share some things we're celebrating as a team, as well as preview some exciting things that are on the way! For the full episode transcript and links mentioned during the show, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode125. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode 125] in your post for reference.

The results are pretty predictable… vision stalls out, staff teams can get dysfunctional, and tension can develop in the relationship with the lead pastor. All because the wins for the Executive Pastor role aren't 100% clear. In our recent webinar, Dan Reiland, Jenni Catron and Paul Alexander joined Tony for a practical conversation how to get an XP firing on all cylinders. When an Executive Pastor own the roles they can't delegate, the results are a clear path from vision to execution, high impact staff teams, and a lead pastor free to focus on what only he or she can do. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode124. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode 124] in your post for reference.

When people see their church being led intentionally and efficiently with wise financial decision making, they will become incredibly generous. Unfortunately, many churches make unwise decisions when it comes to budgeting and planning that result in regular cuts and spending freezes. Churches can operate with enough healthy margin that will prepare them for some of the amazing opportunities God will send their way—it only requires following a few proven principles. This week on the podcast we conclude our four part series on financial challenges that churches face today. Chris Hodges from the Church of the Highlands talks about how churches can become more practical in financial planning. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode123. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode 123] in your post for reference.

When churches plan their finances strategically, they can fund even the biggest visions and dreams from God. Unfortunately, poor financial planning can lead to money dictating ministry instead of driving it. This week on the podcast we continue our four part series on financial challenges that churches face today. Jill Mutimer from the Strategic Consulting Group joins me to talk about how churches can become more strategic in their financial planning. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode122. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode 122] in your post for reference.

Churches today are facing more challenges than ever when it comes to their finances. Discipling givers, managing money and creating annual budgets are complicated issues that every church has to navigate. This week on the podcast we continue a four part series on the specific issues churches face when it comes to money. In this episode, Tony is joined by Dan Dorner from In Rhythm Consulting for a conversation on how churches can better steward their money and resources. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode121. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode 121] in your post for reference.

I think most church leaders would agree that they're experiencing some shifts in giving. And while it's not always easy to talk about money, financial means resource our ministry and our church. In the past 15 years, the percentage of households giving to charity has dropped 18%. Research says that the number one corollary to generosity is being a Christian. With trends showing a significant decrease in generosity, how can we adjust? How can we develop cultures of generosity in the church? On this week's episode, Joe Park, from Horizons Stewardship, joins me on the podcast to talk all things money and giving. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode120. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode 120] in your post for reference.

How do we develop great leaders? This seems to be the golden question of church leaders today. But the truth is no organization can thrive without great leadership. And it's not likely that you'll stumble upon enough great leaders to maintain the health and growth of your ministry. When we work with churches, we consistently see a tension with how to not only find potential leaders, but how to develop them, as well. How do you take them to the next level and increase their capacity? In this episode, Tony and Paul Alexander, Executive Pastor of Sun Valley Community Church in Arizona, are digging into how effective leadership development really works in the context of the church. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode119. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode 119] in your post for reference.

Churches decorate, plan and hold extra services—but are we really connecting with the people who only come to church during the most wonderful time of the year? Our culture still embraces Christmas. Easter? Not so much. Church leaders can leverage this holiday better than any other to generate momentum for reaching people outside the church. In this replay of a popular episode, Tony and Amy review "the wins" every church can experience during the Christmas season... if they just reframe how they think about it. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode118. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode 118] in your post for reference.

It's possible to grow a church that is not healthy. It's also possible for healthy churches to get stuck. But we think the win is for there to be both health and growth in a church. When that happens, we get to celebrate as churches continue to fulfill the Great Commission and make more disciples. In the second part of this episode series, Tony and Amy unpack the next 5 things on a list we brainstormed of 10 things we regularly see unstuck churches doing right—and all of them stand the test of time. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode117. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode117] in your post for reference.

It's possible to grow a church that is not healthy. It's also possible for healthy churches to get stuck. But we think the win is for there to be both health and growth in a church. When that happens, we get to celebrate as churches continue to fulfill the Great Commission and make more disciples. In this episode, Tony and Amy unpack the first 5 things on a list we brainstormed of 10 things we regularly see unstuck churches doing right—and all of them stand the test of time. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode116. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode116] in your post for reference.

Many people are more familiar with what the church is against than what the Church is for. Jeff Henderson's new book Know What You're FOR: A Growth Strategy for Work, An Even Better Strategy for Life is all about shifts organizations can make to be for their communities. In this episode, Jeff joins Tony for a conversation about practical ideas leaders can implement to reframe how their churches think and behave, at the staff and congregational levels, to become a church the community would beg to keep its doors open. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode115. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode115] in your post for reference.

We've found many church staff teams operate in one of two extremes: They get along with each other but struggle to execute plans... or they are impressively productive but unhealthy and dysfunctional. The undercurrent is often that we church leaders can get so busy "doing" ministry that we never think about how we "do" team. It's the Sunday's always coming syndrome. But the truth is, a church's kingdom impact is directly correlated with the health and performance of its team. Your team is the most valuable asset you have in making progress toward your vision. In this episode, we're sharing a portion of our recent webinar featuring Tony Morgan, Amy Anderson and Lance Witt that focused on what we're learning about healthy, high-performing church staff teams. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode114. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode114] in your post for reference.

Churches drift towards an insider-focus over time—more attention is given to discipleship of Christ followers than to effective outreach and evangelism. How do you fight that tendency? We've noted four steps that help churches open their "front door" wider. All four are critical—but we've found most churches only have strategies and structure to engage one or two of them. In this four-part series, Tony and Amy unpack the key steps we see helping churches reach more new guests with the love of Jesus: Pre-Guest Engagement The 1st-Time Guest Experience First Steps Engagement Next Steps Engagement In this episode—Engaging Your Mission Field (Part 4)—Tony and Amy unpack how we can do a better job helping people find their place in the body of Christ. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode113. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode113] in your post for reference.

Churches drift towards an insider-focus over time—more attention is given to discipleship of Christ followers than to effective outreach and evangelism. How do you fight that tendency? We've noted four steps that help churches open their "front door" wider. All four are critical—but we've found most churches only have strategies and structure to engage one or two of them. In this four-part series, Tony and Amy unpack the key steps we see helping churches reach more new guests with the love of Jesus: Pre-Guest Engagement The 1st-Time Guest Experience First Steps Engagement Next Steps Engagement In this episode—Engaging Your Mission Field (Part 3)—Tony and Amy dig into how we can better engage new guests beyond the weekend experience, including several key strategies that will help new guests take those first steps. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode112. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode112] in your post for reference.

Churches drift towards an insider-focus over time—more attention is given to discipleship of Christ followers than to effective outreach and evangelism. How do you fight that tendency? We've noted four steps that help churches open their "front door" wider. All four are critical—but we've found most churches only have strategies and structure to engage one or two of them. In this four-part series, Tony and Amy unpack the key steps we see helping churches reach more new guests with the love of Jesus: Pre-Guest Engagement The 1st-Time Guest Experience First Steps Engagement Next Steps Engagement In this episode—Engaging Your Mission Field (Part 2)—Tony and Amy clarify the real "win" for engaging first-time guests. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode111. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode111] in your post for reference.

Churches drift towards an insider-focus over time—more attention is given to discipleship of Christ followers than to effective outreach and evangelism. How do you fight that tendency? We've noted four steps that help churches open their "front door" wider. All four are critical—but we've found most churches only have strategies and structure to engage one or two of them. In this four-part series, Tony and Amy unpack the key steps we see helping churches reach more new guests with the love of Jesus: Pre-Guest Engagement The 1st-Time Guest Experience First Steps Engagement Next Steps Engagement In this episode—Engaging Your Mission Field (Part 1)—Tony and Amy share unpack three elements of an effective pre-guest engagement strategy and how you can get started in your church. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode110. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode110] in your post for reference.

You had more questions about church engagement—so we are taking this week to answer them. We recently hosted a webinar on the topic of ​increasing church engagement​, and as part of the event, we fielded questions from people who tuned in. We weren't able to get through all of the questions live, so in this episode, we're digging a bit deeper. We saw some themes in the questions that came in. Participants were asking things like... How do you measure engagement of people before they attend your church? How do you engage more empty-nesters in serving? What does engagement looks like in a transient area, where the turnover every year or two is significant? Does the nature of the serving (internally within the church vs. externally in the community) have any impact on engagement? What are best practices for churches who live stream their services to increase engagement from those who watch online? How do you successfully re-engage people who stop taking steps on your discipleship path? In this episode, Tony and Amy share their answers to these questions and more! For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode109. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode109] in your post for reference.

Bus ministry, cassette tape messages, door-to-door evangelism... all ministry strategies have a lifespan. Is multisite nearing its end? Recently, some high profile multisite churches made the decision to un-multisite. For a variety of reasons, their ministry strategy has shifted from "one church in many locations" to "multiple independent churches," some even boldly downsizing to one location. Do these public shifts in strategy signal the beginning of the end for the multisite era? In this episode, Tony sits down with Geoff Surratt, pastor and author of The Multisite Revolution, for a conversation on the future of multisite church, and whether or not it's still an effective strategy in today's culture. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode108. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode108] in your post for reference.

What's the "win" for your church's social media activity? If you don't know, at best you'll waste time and resources, and at worst you'll do damage to your brand and the potential you have to engage people outside your church. Social media platforms play a big role in the success of an inbound marketing strategy, and it seems like most churches are struggling to use them well. (Not sure what "inbound marketing" means? We covered it in Episode 61). Why are they struggling? For one, the nuances of social media are always changing. In this episode, Tiffany Deluccia from The Unstuck Group's team joins Tony and Amy to help unpack some things you need to know to maximize the potential of social media for reaching more people and increasing engagement. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode107. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode107] in your post for reference.

Engagement—It's the buzz word we hear church leaders discussing across the country. What does it really mean and how do you know if you're hitting a mark? Truth be told, we find many pastors are confused about engagement. How do we increase it? Why do people show up, come back, plug in or leave? Recently, Tony, Amy and Sean hosted a live webinar for church leaders on the topic of engagement. In this episode, we're sharing that conversation with you. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode106. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode106] in your post for reference.

It's one of the big responsibilities every pastor has—the planning process for message series. Few pastors tell us they have a great process. Often, there's no plan at all, or the plan only goes a few months out and lacks an aspect that brings focus to the big picture. While it may work for the lead pastor's writing rhythm, it rarely serves the rest of the team well. In this episode, Tony and Amy talk best practices for taking the frustration out of sermon series planning for both you and your team. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode105. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode105] in your post for reference.

It can feel like a losing battle. You want to help new guests feel welcome and decide to return, but how do you even identify them? The most common strategies don't work very well anymore. Many churches don't have an intentional plan to identify, welcome and follow up with their new guests. And, if they do have a plan, it's often too cumbersome for a new guest to engage. In this episode, Tony, Amy and Sean share the method we've seen some churches use that's working incredibly well, and how simple it is to bring your guest connection strategy into the 21st century. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode104. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode104] in your post for reference.

The good news is that things have gotten better. A few decades ago, churches weren't talking about design or brand or project management or technology. The bad news? Many churches are doing those things now, but overall our outcomes are not better. Many churches are still in decline, and all this cool stuff we're creating is not putting the mission and vision in action or within reach. In this episode, Tony and Amy interview Kem Meyer, author of Less Chaos. Less Noise., about how we can reframe our understanding of brand and communications for this decade. Kem also shares a practical tool to help you get started. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode103. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode103] in your post for reference.

Church growth vs. spiritual growth. Churches often operate like the two are mutually exclusive. The truth is, Jesus charged us both with reaching new people and helping them learn to be more like Him. We find unstuck churches are effective on both sides of the equation. In this episode, Tony and Amy share 3 reasons why churches are struggling to help people grow spiritually, and some practical next steps you can take as a leader to turn things around. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode102. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode102] in your post for reference.

167 hours per week. That's how much time people spend doing all the things that don't happen at a weekend church service. If you're interested in redeeming all that time to help people take next steps in their relationship with Christ, there's one particular strategy we'd encourage you to employ. And very few churches are trying it. This episode is all about podcasting. A few reasons to look at your church podcast through a new lens: 32% of the US population is consuming podcast content monthly 22% are engaging weekly The average weekly podcast consumer listens to 6+ hours of podcast episodes 80% of podcast listeners listen to the entire episode or most of the episode In this episode, Sean Bublitz joins Tony and Amy to talk about how your church podcast could be so much more than a replay of your weekend message and could help you extend the reach of your church directly into people's lives. Listen for a practical discussion about why and how to get started. For the full episode transcript and links mentioned during the show, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode101. Get the Beginner's Guide to Starting a Church Podcast Instead of the usual leader conversation guide, in this episode we wanted to give you something practical to help you get started. So, we created a PDF guide called A Beginner's Guide to Starting a Church Podcast. Show Notes subscribers get it free. Not subscribed? What are you waiting for? Subscribe to the Show Notes Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode101] in your post for reference.

Tension. Your multisite church has some frustration bubbling below the surface if you hear team members asking questions like... Who do I (really) report to? Who made that decision? Why didn't they ask me about that? Why can't we do that? We find there are 3 areas every multisite church must clarify to reduce tensions in the multisite matrix. In this episode, Tony and Amy dig deep into all of them, and share some practical next steps that will help you get unstuck. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode100. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode100] in your post for reference.

One church. Multiple Locations. It's the mantra of the multisite movement. But in our experience? Few are truly one unified church meeting in multiple locations. Instead, what we find is that many multisite churches are connected through one leadership structure, but beyond that, they are splintered in their ministry strategy. They are really multiple churches trying to operate as one church. In this episode, Tony and Amy unpack 3 specific warning signs a church that thinks it's using a multisite strategy is really doing... something else. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode99. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode99] in your post for reference.

More leaders. Every pastor we talk to is hoping to find more of them. But how well are you multiplying the ones you have? Multiplication is the element of small groups strategy churches tend to leave out. But if you're developing leaders through small groups, that's discipleship that leads to multiplication. You can eventually send them out to start new groups or let them take over existing ones. Then you send out the original leaders as disciple makers to create more. In this episode, Tony Morgan interviews Chris Surratt. Chris is an author, a ministry consultant at The Unstuck Group, and the Discipleship & Small Groups Specialist at Lifeway Christian Resources. This is a conversation with practical tips for how you can equip group leaders to build effective, multiplying small groups. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode98. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode98] in your post for reference.

What if your church's back-door problem is actually a front-door problem? That's the question Connexus Church in Barrie, ON (yep, Carey Nieuwhof's church) found itself wrestling with several years ago. In a post-Christian culture like Canada's, it couldn't been disheartening: Realizing that even though they'd been designing the ministry strategy to reach people outside the church they still weren't seeing enough first-time guests to grow like they hoped to. But after a lot of prayer and a significant strategy change, Connexus Church is seeing more first-time guests than they've ever seen—and overall attendance is growing faster than ever, too. In this episode, Tony interviews lead pastor Jeff Brodie to share the story of what changed. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode97. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode97] in your post for reference.

There are some things a senior pastor just can't delegate. Leaders are often told they're trying to do too much—and it's usually true. But if you succeed at empowering and developing other leaders, where does that leave you? What are the things only the senior pastor can and should do? In this episode series, Tony and Amy dig deeper into the most popular topic of all time on this podcast: the roles a senior pastor just can't delegate. We'll unpack the four areas where senior pastors need to focus their time and energy, especially as they grow their churches beyond 1,000. Part 4 is all about Culture. It really does start at the top of the organization. It is the senior pastor's responsibility to set the tone for their team and lead the church by example. When done right, not only do you shape the culture of the team, but of the entire church. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode96. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode96] in your post for reference.

There are some things a senior pastor just can't delegate. Leaders are often told they're trying to do too much—and it's usually true. But if you succeed at empowering and developing other leaders, where does that leave you? What are the things only the senior pastor can and should do? In this episode series, Tony and Amy dig deeper into the most popular topic of all time on this podcast: the roles a senior pastor just can't delegate. We'll unpack the four areas where senior pastors need to focus their time and energy, especially as they grow their churches beyond 1,000. Part 3 is all about Leadership. It may sound obvious, but senior pastors need to be the primary leader of leaders in the church. Leadership requires evolution. You can't be the same leader that you were a year ago and expect to keep your church moving forward. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode95. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode95] in your post for reference. ----- Learn how we help churches get unstuck at theunstuckgroup.com.

There are some things a senior pastor just can't delegate. Leaders are often told they're trying to do too much—and it's usually true. But if you succeed at empowering and developing other leaders, where does that leave you? What are the things only the senior pastor can and should do? In this episode series, Tony and Amy dig deeper into the most popular topic of all time on this podcast: the roles a senior pastor just can't delegate. We'll unpack the four areas where senior pastors need to focus their time and energy, especially as they grow their churches beyond 1,000. Part 2 is all about teaching. You can't delegate the teaching, and you MUST delegate the things that get in the way of great teaching. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode94. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode94] in your post for reference. ----- Learn how we help churches get unstuck at theunstuckgroup.com.

There are some things a senior pastor just can't delegate. Leaders are often told they're trying to do too much—and it's usually true. But if you succeed at empowering and developing other leaders, where does that leave you? What are the things only the senior pastor can and should do? In this episode series, Tony and Amy dig deeper into the most popular topic of all time on this podcast: the roles a senior pastor just can't delegate. We'll unpack the four areas where senior pastors need to focus their time and energy, especially as they grow their churches beyond 1,000. Up first? Vision-casting. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode93. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode93] in your post for reference. ----- Learn how we help churches get unstuck at theunstuckgroup.com.

Tim Celek and Andrew Brownback have a rare shared experience: They've successfully navigated the passing of the baton from founding pastor of a thriving, growing church to successor who will lead that church for a new generation. Tim had only recently closed the door on his 40s, when he—with that visionary knack for forward-thinking—started a conversation with his board about succession planning. (In his words, a "spirited" conversation followed.) Over about a decade, Tim and his team at The Crossing did their research, formed a plan, onboarded Tim's successor, identified the right timing and rolled out a communications plan. The result? One of the smoothest examples of pastoral succession we've seen, and a thriving church positioned for sustained health. In this episode, Tony interviews founding pastor, Tim, and current lead pastor, Andrew, to tell the story. This episode is packed with practical wisdom and recommended resources. Get the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, in this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode92. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode92] in your post for reference. ----- Learn how we help churches get unstuck at theunstuckgroup.com.

It's all interim work. The sooner you can get your mind around that one point, the sooner you can be freed up to start thinking about what happens next. In a recent study, Barna Research found that half of the senior pastors in America are 55 or older, and that the number of pastors older than 65 has tripled in the last 25 years. This week, Tony sits down with William Vanderbloemen for a frank conversation about pastoral succession, the one cardinal rule of planning, and the most common roadblocks to a healthy transition (for both the pastor and the congregation). For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode91. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode91] in your post for reference. ----- Learn how we help churches get unstuck at theunstuckgroup.com.

What does "engagement" really mean? We hear that word buzzing among church leaders, but it's kind of a loose term. You could define engagement however you want. We recently partnered up with Blackbaud to survey church leaders across the country and find out more about how church leaders are actually defining and measuring engagement In this episode, Tony and Amy shared a few of the findings that jumped out at us—namely, the differences growing and declining churches are seeing in terms of engagement. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode90. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode90] in your post for reference. ----- Learn how we help churches get unstuck at theunstuckgroup.com.

It's a dance. One church leads, the other has to follow. The data is telling us more than 40% of all multisite campuses today are the result of a church merger or the acquisition of a church building. How do you ensure a successful outcome? Jim Tomberlin joins Tony Morgan in this third episode in our multisite series to explain what you need to know about church mergers and how you can leverage this strategy for healthy church expansion. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode89. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode 89] in your post for reference. ----- Check out our newest online course—Multisite Unstuck, or learn how we help churches get unstuck at theunstuckgroup.com.

90%. That's the success rate surveys are showing churches are having with launching multisite campuses. Five years after launch, they're still up and running. What's more—57% of multisite churches are planning to launch another campus in the next 12 months. Tony Morgan and Jim Tomberlin recently announced that our two ministries—MultiSite Solutions and The Unstuck Group—are coming together. In Part 2 of this episode, Jim says that among the churches that have already launched, he's still seeing a high confidence in the model. He joins Tony on the show to talk advice for vision-casting multisite, choosing your model, and the five keys to success that Jim has named over his many years helping churches launch thriving campuses. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode88. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode 88] in your post for reference. ----- Check out our newest online course—Multisite Unstuck, or learn how we help churches get unstuck at theunstuckgroup.com.

Why is Tony so passionate about getting churches to track more numbers? Really it's just about being a good steward of the resources God has given us. Stories are important, but the numbers confirm the stories. And... the numbers serve as warning signs that your church is getting stuck. In this episode, Tony and Amy share how tracking metrics related to the Front/Back Door, Leadership, Engagement & Culture can help you get a more accurate view of your church's health, and how you can use that perspective to take action. If you haven't been monitoring church health metrics closely, this episode digs into why you should start now. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode87. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode 87] in your post for reference. ----- Learn how we help churches get unstuck at theunstuckgroup.com.

Inwardly-focused churches don't grow. And every church is at risk of becoming inwardly-focused. It's the natural tendency over time if intentional steps aren't taken to address the warning signs when they flash. In this episode, Tony and Amy discuss what it really means to think like a missionary in your own community, and how making that mindset shift will cause your team to view all of your church's strategies in a different light. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode86. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode 86] in your post for reference. ----- Learn how we help churches get unstuck at theunstuckgroup.com.

The goal is to equip people to become more like Christ. So why do many churches spend so much time just keeping people busy? None of us start out intending to lead over-programmed, complex churches, but most of us find ourselves there. This topic of "programs vs. a discipleship path" has gotten a ton of attention in our articles over the years. How do churches really make disciples? What do you do if your church is over-programmed? Is it possible to shift your strategy to something that more effectively helps people grow to become like Christ? In this episode, Tony and Amy answer these questions and more. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode85. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions and add your comments about the topic. If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode 85] in your post for reference. ----- Learn how we help churches get unstuck at theunstuckgroup.com.

They sound simple, but implementing these communications best practices means big operational changes for most churches. Churches tend to be reactive instead of proactive in their communication—and that's one reason why churches we're guiding through the Unstuck Process almost always self-identify communication as a "core issue" that's getting them stuck. In this episode, Tony shares the top 3 mistakes he sees churches make when it comes to how they approach communications, and Phil Bowdle, author of Rethink Communication: A Playbook to Clarify and Communicate Everything in Your Church weighs in with his perspective on how churches can get more strategic. Jesus said, "Go and tell," but he didn't say that had to happen on a Sunday morning platform. Listen to this episode for a fresh perspective on your church's communication strategies. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode84. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday morning, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions, add your comments about this topic, or check out the Show Notes for the questions we plan to discuss! If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode 84] in your post for reference.

Tony Morgan and Jim Tomberlin recently announced that our two ministries—MultiSite Solutions and The Unstuck Group—are coming together! Jim was one of the pioneers of the multisite movement back in the early 1990s and has been helping churches effectively transition from being one church to being one church in multiple locations ever since. In this episode, Jim joins Tony on the show to discuss the history of the multisite movement, where it is today, bad reasons churches go multisite, the strategy differences between church planting and launching campuses, and more. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode83. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday morning, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions, add your comments about this topic, or check out the Show Notes for the questions we plan to discuss! If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode83] in your post for reference. ____ Check out our newest online course—Multisite Unstuck, or learn how we help churches get unstuck at theunstuckgroup.com.

Staffing issues get churches stuck. We see it all the time. We recently took a look at all of the Staffing & Structure assessments The Unstuck Group completed in the last year. We were looking for themes or trends, and boy, did we find some. In this episode, Tony and Amy share the remaining most common staffing pain points we uncovered in our analysis. They share some indicators these issues are at play in your staff team (even if you haven't been able to clearly define them yet), as well as practical recommendations for addressing them. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode82. Join the Live Conversation on Social Media If you're listening on Wednesday morning, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team, including Tony and Amy, will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions, add your comments about this topic, or check out the Show Notes for the questions we plan to discuss! If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode82] in your post for reference.

Staffing issues get churches stuck. We see it all the time. We recently took a look at all of the Staffing & Structure assessments The Unstuck Group completed in the last year. We were looking for themes or trends, and boy, did we find some. In this episode, Tony and Amy share 2 of the 5 most recurring staffing pain points we uncovered in our analysis. They share some indicators these issues are at play in your staff team (even if you haven't been able to clearly define them yet), as well as practical recommendations for addressing them. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode81. Join the Live Conversation on Social If you're listening on Wednesday morning, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team, including Tony and Amy, will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions, add your comments about this topic, or check out the Show Notes for the questions we plan to discuss! If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode81] in your post for reference.

Depression. Loneliness. Anxiety. They're becoming recurring health issues in our culture—even among church leaders. The danger is the secret, being in the condition alone. Lifeway Research found that 23% of pastors say they've had personal struggles with mental health. Still 49% said they rarely or never speak on the topic to their congregation. The Unstuck Group's team heard Pastor Chris Hodges from Church of the Highlands give a compelling, practical talk on this subject at a conference last year. In this episode, Chris shares with Tony some practical things he thinks all pastors need to know—both for your personal mental health and to guide your congregations through these now prevalent challenges. For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode80. Join the Live Conversation on Social If you're listening on Wednesday morning, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team, including Tony and Amy, will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions, add your comments about this topic, or check out the Show Notes for the questions we plan to discuss! If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode80] in your post for reference.

It's not something anyone in ministry wants to think about—legal trouble, and the circumstances that could lead to it. The alarming thing we've noticed is that church leaders are often ignorant of the areas of the law that most pertain to them, both the protections and limitations the law creates. And that can lead to nightmare situations. In this episode, Tony invites attorneys Steven Goodspeed and Dustin Gaines from The Church Lawyers to give you a crash course on 4 legal risks they think all church leaders need to be aware of and how to take the appropriate measures to protect your ministry. For help taking this discussion back to your SLT or board, check out the Leader Conversation Guide in this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode79. Join the Live Conversation on Social If you're listening on Wednesday morning, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team, including Tony and Amy, will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions, add your comments about this topic, or check out the Show Notes for the questions we plan to discuss! If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode79] in your post for reference.

They're just trying to decide whether or not to come back. And we hit 'em with everything we've got. We highly value first-time guests... we just don't necessarily know the right ways to show it. In this episode, Tony and Amy share 4 WORST practices for connecting with new guests that they commonly see when serving churches for The Unstuck Group. Is your church using any of these strategies? It's time to make a shift. For links to the resources Tony and Amy mentioned during the episode, visit the Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode78. Join the Live Conversation on Social If you're listening on Wednesday morning, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team, including Tony and Amy, will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions, add your comments about this topic, or check out the Show Notes for the questions we plan to discuss! If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode78] in your post for reference.

"The toughest test of a manager is not how they deal with poor performance — it's how they address mediocrity." It's a quote we read in the Harvard Business Review a while back, and boy, is it true. Leaders can tend to blame mediocrity on ineffective employees or volunteers, instead of recognizing our own ineffective leadership as the problem. In this episode, with a bit of sarcasm, Tony and Amy point to 4 strategies to employ if you want to embrace mediocrity in your ministry. Assuming that's not actually what you want to do, they also share some practical next steps leaders can take to turn the tide. For links to the resources Tony and Amy mentioned during the episode, visit the Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode77. Join the Live Conversation on Social If you're listening on Wednesday morning, when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team, including Tony and Amy, will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook. Ask your questions, add your comments about this topic, or check out the Show Notes for the questions we plan to discuss! If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode77] in your post for reference.