The Unstuck Church Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Experiencing Sustained Health: The Pinnacle of the Lifecycle - Episode 199 Jun 30, 2021

Show notes

If we're winning, why would we change? Churches in sustained health are often wondering how they can preserve what's working, when they should be asking what they need to change.

In this week's episode, Tony and Amy discuss why healthy churches still need to embrace change, explain the three multiplication strategies every healthy church needs, and offer a reflection exercise for 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/episode199.

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The Growing Side of the Church Lifecycle - Episode 198 Jun 23, 2021

Show notes

Most organizations start, grow, thrive, lose momentum, decline… and eventually end. The same is true for most churches.

In our new series, "Ask This, Not That," we're exploring the seven phases of the church lifecycle: launch, momentum growth, strategic growth, sustained health, maintenance, preservation, and life support. This week, we'll unpack the first three phases and discuss the questions many church leaders are asking in these seasons versus the questions they should be asking.

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/episode198.

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If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode 198] in your post for reference.

Re-Engage Your People in GIVING - Episode 197 Jun 16, 2021

Show notes

When it comes to giving and stewardship, you need to remind people what you want for them rather than what you want from them.

In the final part of our re-engagement series, Tony sat down with Bronson Crawford, the Stewardship Director at Athens Church in Athens, Georgia. Even before Covid, they were thinking intentionally and getting creative when it comes to engaging their congregation with the topic of stewardship.

Bronson shared five strategies that he believes set their church up for sustained financial health before, during, and after the pandemic. There are two solid action steps and one key takeaway for churches that you won't want to miss.

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/episode197.

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If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode 197] in your post for reference.

Re-Engage Your People in WEEKEND SERVICES - Episode 195 Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

The days of us turning on the "We're open" light and waiting for people to show up for church are behind us.

Reopening and re-engaging your congregation has likely already been more challenging than expected. We need to engage our mission field and compel them to come (see Luke 14:23).

There are no real experts in this season, but churches in some parts of the country are a month or two ahead of the learning curve. In Part 2, we share Crossroads Church's story and a few practical takeaways to help you re-engage people in weekend services.

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/episode195.

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Re-Engage Your People in SERVING - Episode 194 May 26, 2021

Show notes

On the other side... You've been waiting for this day for months. Instead of talking about how ministry strategy needs to shift because of the pandemic, you're starting to talk about what ministry will look like on the other side of it.

But if you're like most of the pastors we're talking to, reopening and re-engaging your congregation has already been more challenging than expected.

There are no real experts in this season, but churches in some parts of the country are a month or two ahead of the learning curve.

So, in this NEW 4-PART SERIES, we're sharing interviews with pastors who are leading the way in navigating the reopening challenges ahead of us all.

In Part 1, we share Quest Church's story and a few practical takeaways to help you re-engage people in serving roles.

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/episode194.

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If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode 194] in your post for reference.

New Benchmarks to Help You Make Ministry Decisions - Episode 193 May 19, 2021

Show notes

Giving and attendance—If you were used to measuring church health only by tracking giving and attendance, then the last year has been very confusing.

It's not an overstatement to say most pastors have been struggling to get a pulse on the health of their ministries. But truth be told, even before the pandemic most churches didn't know what to track beyond giving and attendance.

With the Vital Signs Assessment, we track data on all the metrics we encourage church leaders to track, and then with The Unstuck Church Report, we open up that data to pastors and share the trends and insights we are noticing.

You can subscribe to that quarterly report for free, or, if you're subscribed to the podcast show notes, we send it out to you for free, as well.

Each quarter, Tony and Amy dedicate one podcast episode to unpacking a few of the standout trends from the new report. Listen now for new insights from the last 12 months of data.

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/episode193.

Join the Live Conversation on Social Media

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If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode 193] in your post for reference.

How to Lead Meetings People Look Forward to Attending - Episode 192 May 12, 2021

Show notes

No one TRIES to lead ineffective meetings, but any leader can get a bit lazy. The 9 key practices we share in this episode aren't rocket science, but they are things we see many church leaders just letting slip.

When a team is clear on direction and wins, and puts these principles into practice in their meetings, people actually like meetings. They help us clarify our work and move things forward. They turn into a worthy investment of our time rather than an energy drain.

In this episode, Tony and Amy wrap-up this series by sharing how you can corral one of the biggest time-wasters on any 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/episode192.

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If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode 192] in your post for reference.

7 Hacks for Gaining Traction on Priorities - Episode 191 May 05, 2021

Show notes

What drives leaders completely crazy?

Lack of follow-through.

It's honestly one of the most common frustrations we hear from church leaders. They invest time, prayer, dreaming, talking, and planning around what God has next for their ministry, but then nothing happens. There's no follow-through. A distraction, or a crisis—something that feels more urgent—consistently derails the leader and the team from executing on the real priorities.

Sound familiar?

In Part 3 of this series on Creating Alignment, Tony and Amy discuss seven hacks leaders can use to align the team around executing on the ministry priorities.

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/episode191.

Join the Live Conversation on Social Media

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If you're catching this episode later, you can still join in! Just tag us @unstuckgroup or use #unstuckchurch, and include [episode 191] in your post for reference.

How to Determine Your Span-of-Care - Episode 190 Apr 28, 2021

Show notes

Are you leading too many direct reports? A senior leader's span of care can significantly impact a team's ability to clarify roles and maintain alignment.

Part of span of care is giving direction related to the mission, strategy, and priorities of your church, but the other piece of it is the discipleship of the people on your team.

Many leaders think that by directly trying to lead as many people as possible, more people will be directly connected to the mission. But when your span of care gets stretched too wide, you naturally have less time to invest with each person on your team.

So, what is the RIGHT number of people for you to personally lead?

In Part 2 of this series on Creating Alignment, Tony and Amy give you some really practical ways to think about getting your span of care to its healthiest place—for both you and for the ministry.

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/episode190.

Join the Live Conversation on Social Media

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 190] in your post for reference.

How To Define Reality For Your Team - Episode 189 Apr 21, 2021

Show notes

How do you define reality for your team and why is it important?

In 2019, 85% of churches that took the Unstuck Church Assessment self-identified as being in the "declining" stage of the life cycle. Now, having survived 2020, more churches than ever are feeling stuck. So we're kicking off a four-part series on how to create alignment in your ministry strategy and among your staff and volunteers.

Join Tony Morgan and Amy Anderson on this week's podcast episode for practical examples and strategies for defining reality on 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/episode189.

Join the Live Conversation on Social Media

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 189] in your post for reference.

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