The Unstuck Church Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Invite Strategy in a Post-Church Culture - Episode 129 Jan 22, 2020

Show notes

Taboo. When personal evangelism seems taboo, it's no surprise that invitations to new guests have decreased in many churches.

In 2019 research, Barna Group found that nearly half of practicing Christian millennials felt it is wrong to share their faith.

But what if there were a way to train and equip people to have a better understanding of why and how to talk about church?

In this episode, Tony talks with Michael Lukaszewski, founder of Church Fuel, for a conversation on how to put a spotlight on invitation in your church—including practical ways to 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/episode129.

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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.

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Planning for Sustained Church Health and Growth - Episode 128 Jan 15, 2020

Show notes

What if all of your ministry planning was aimed at the wrong objectives?

It's important to regularly check in on your church's movement in the typical life cycle so you can develop ministry plans that help you continue up the slope towards sustained health—

or reverse the decline that has already begun.

In this last episode of our ministry planning series, Tony and Amy review the typical life cycle of a church, some characteristics of each phase, and how this knowledge can blow up assumptions and help you make ministry plans that actually lead towards ministry health and growth.

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/episode128.

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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 128] in your post for reference.

Creating a Rhythm of Ministry Planning - Episode 127 Jan 08, 2020

Show notes

Repetition—It's the key to building strong muscles. It takes repetition to see stronger results. That's because it's the key to getting better at execution, too.

Good planning helps us make the right investment in the right ministry at the right time.

And organizational planning tends to be a new muscle for church leaders to develop. That is, the staff, the pastor and the senior leadership team have to embrace some new disciplines in order to become better stewards of the resources God has given them.

This is why we encourage pastors and leaders all the time to actually set up a rhythm for planning.

In this episode, Tony and Amy share an effective ministry planning rhythm we see WORKING in hundreds of churches across the country.

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/episode127.

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 127] in your post for reference.

Hope Is Not a Strategy for the New Year - Episode 126 Jan 01, 2020

Show notes

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

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.

What Happened in 2019 - Episode 125 Dec 26, 2019

Show notes

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.

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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 125] in your post for reference.

3 Roles an Executive Pastor Can't Delegate - Episode 124 Dec 18, 2019

Show notes

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

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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 124] in your post for reference.

Budgeting To Thrive with Chris Hodges - Episode 123 Dec 11, 2019

Show notes

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

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.

Strategic Financial Planning with Jill Mutimer - Episode 122 Dec 04, 2019

Show notes

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

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.

Money Management for Churches with Dan Dorner - Episode 121 Nov 27, 2019

Show notes

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

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.

Funding Ministry with Joe Park - Episode 120 Nov 20, 2019

Show notes

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

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.

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