Intentional Churches Podcast

In this final episode of season 8, Doug sits down with Paige Peltier of Leadership Pathway to unpack what it really looks like to develop young leaders for long-term ministry impact. Paige draws on her journey through multiple ministry roles at Chapel Street Church and shares how strategic flexibility in staffing—based on a leader’s growth and God’s prompting—can dramatically impact retention and effectiveness. Together, Doug and Paige dive into the two-year residency model at the heart of Leadership Pathway, where churches commit to hands-on, intentional development and coaching of next-gen leaders. Paige explains how Leadership Pathway partners with churches not only to recruit residents but also to equip staff with tools for leadership coaching. She also offers direct insights for church leaders wrestling with team structure, staff culture, and how to practically support the growth of Gen Z and Millennial leaders. For any church leader wondering how to build a pipeline of future leaders and move away from the “microwave mentality” of quick hires, this conversation will provide a hopeful and highly practical blueprint. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignment CHAPTERS: 00:00 Helping People Is Slow, But Worth It 01:17 Meet Paige Peltier 03:16 Paige’s Journey at Chapel Street Church 06:28 Staff Flexibility & Finding Best Contribution 09:47 Churches Must Shift How They Develop Staff 11:11 What Leadership Pathway Really Does 14:27 Why Residencies Are So Valuable 16:15 Development Is Messy—And Mission-Critical 19:49 Gen Z Leaders: What Churches Need to Know 23:14 Advice for Older & Younger Generations 24:45 Leadership Pathway by the Numbers 26:48 What Great Churches Are Doing Right 29:00 One Next Step to Get Started Developing Leaders 31:11 Paige’s Encouragement to Church Leaders Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches Join the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

Sherwood Oaks Christian Church has walked through significant change in recent years—from a leadership transition after 40 years and weathering the challenges of COVID to launching a new campus. Maggie Mobley, Executive of Ministries at Sherwood Oaks, joins Erin and Doug on today’s episode of Intentional Churches to talk about how to find clarity and alignment during seasons of disruption. During their conversation, Maggie opens up about the courage it took to sunset beloved events that were no longer missional and how having a common language and calendaring rhythms empowered the staff to have hard, healthy conversations. Together the three also discuss developing a team culture, leading change in different campus contexts, and how Maggie helped transition the staff from skepticism to ownership of a shared vision. Whether you’re navigating transition on your own team, evaluating programs, or trying to build trust amongst your people, this episode offers rich insights into the power of alignment and evaluation. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignment CHAPTERS: 00:00 The Cost of Legacy Programs 01:17 Meet Maggie Moberly 03:15 The Unique Context of Bloomington 06:09 Differences Between Campuses 07:06 Church History and Leadership Transitions 09:55 Deciding to Partner with IC 12:49 Wins From Installing ChurchOS 15:27 Killing Sacred Cows with Courage 18:11 How the Team is Developing Differently 20:45 Creating Space for Hard Conversations 22:07 Modeling Feedback and Evaluation Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches Join the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

On this week’s episode of the Intentional Churches podcast, pastor Tom Kopp joins Erin and Doug to share the inspiring transformation of Kimball Christian Church in rural Minnesota. Despite being located in a town of just 800, the church has become one of the largest churches in the restoration movement in the state, defying expectations through a strong vision and a deep commitment to The Great Commission. In this candid conversation, Tom unpacks how focusing on church culture, casting a consistent vision, and making small yet intentional shifts can lead to an outsized impact. From implementing the “three-minute rule” for welcoming guests to celebrating baptisms churchwide, Tom shares practical strategies that any church can adopt, regardless of size. Together, the three also discuss Tom’s involvement in a ChurchOS One Team cohort, which has catalyzed a new wave of mission-minded leadership among churches across Minnesota. With humor, wisdom, and hard-earned insight, this episode offers a blueprint for revitalization and unity in small church contexts, all while keeping the focus on reaching the one. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignment CHAPTERS: 00:00 Three-Minute Rule: A Culture of Guest Awareness 01:29 Tom’s Ministry Background and Family 04:05 Small-Town Ministry in Kimball, Minnesota 07:49 A 150-Year Legacy and New Growth 09:51 Building a Culture of Joy and Evangelism 12:56 Navigating Growth Resistance 15:32 Dripping Vision Weekly 17:08 The Drift Toward Inward Focus 19:30 ChurchOS Cohort Impact in Minnesota 22:37 Tangible Church Growth and Baptism Stories 26:31 Practical Tips for Churches Starting the Journey 29:17 Personal Connection Over Systems 32:17 Preaching for Transformation 33:08 What Large Churches Can Learn from Small Churches Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches Join the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

Eric Rauch from 2|42 Church joins Doug and Erin for this week’s Intentional Churches conversation—exploring what it means to lead churches through a true disciple-making transformation. Together the three share honest reflections, practical adjustments, and philosophical shifts away from attractional church models and toward multiplying disciples. The episode explores how both 2|42 and Erin’s church, Canyon Ridge, are redefining what it means to lead congregations into spiritual maturity and mission. They discuss practical shifts—from canceling outdated programs to redesigning volunteer engagement—and offer a window into the tough but rewarding process of redefining metrics and expectations. Plus Eric shares how his team made it harder, not easier, to get baptized—shifting from events to journeys. Finally they look at what happens when churches stop simply informing and start truly equipping—using tools, powerful questions, and active collaboration to multiply disciples who will be the hands and feet of Jesus. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignment CHAPTERS: 00:00 No More "Versus": Discipleship and Evangelism 01:06 Meet Eric Rauch from 2|42 Church 04:21 2|42's Multi-Site History and Cultural Dynamics 06:20 Adopting Three Churches Pre-COVID 07:57 Redefining Disciple-Making and Evangelism 10:26 From Attractional to Multiplying Movement 14:33 Why Make the Shift? Leadership Insights 16:37 Tangible Program and Strategy Changes 20:49 Rethinking Group Models: The Kitchen Metaphor 23:29 Discovery Bible Study as Group Strategy 24:56 Rethinking Engagement Pathways 30:27 Volunteer Orientation and Retention 32:10 Baptism: Event to Journey 35:28 Highlights from the IC Conference Pre-Con 38:28 Biggest Takeaways and Collaborative Learning 41:35 Final Thoughts on Collaboration and Next Steps Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches Join the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

Dr. Carlos Kelly, Senior Pastor of Beulahland Bible Church in Middle Georgia, joins Erin and Doug for a candid conversation on shifting church culture from consumerism to intentional evangelism and discipleship. With over 26 years in ministry and a legacy-rich church behind him, Dr. Kelly explains how Beulahland’s engagement with ChurchOS has reignited his pastoral passion and started that culture shift away from consumer Christianity. Together the three talk about the challenges of pastoring in a food desert—where Carlos’ church has become a vital source of basic needs like food and community support. Through strategic clarity, patient leadership, and collaboration with a steering team, Beulahland is seeing younger demographics, especially those ages 18–35, engage at unprecedented levels. Carlos also discusses the impact of defining clear reach zones for each campus, redesigning the church’s web presence through the lens of “the one,” and creating representation of young adults in leadership and communication roles. If you're a church leader navigating change, this episode offers encouragement, strategic wisdom, and a powerful testimony of what God can do through intentional, Spirit-led planning and teamwork. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignment CHAPTERS: 00:00 Dr. Carlos Kelly Introduction 01:15 Beulahland’s Legacy and Community Impact 05:40 What It Means to Serve in a Food Desert 07:27 Moving from Consumerism to Discipleship 11:48 Practical First Steps Toward Culture Shift 14:51 Fruit from a Younger Generation 19:03 Braxton’s Journey from Attender to Leader 23:12 Shifting from Solo Leadership to Collaboration 29:44 Building the Right Steering Team 33:25 Defining Success and Discipleship Culture 36:06 Two Campuses, Two Reach Zones 37:56 Leading Through Resistance and Grief Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches Join the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

Today Erin and Doug are joined by Drew Moore of Canyon Ridge Christian Church to talk all about how to unleash—rather than curtail—the dynamic young leaders on your church staff. Following the organizational upheaval of COVID-19, Drew and his team leaned into flexibility, collaboration, and contribution-based leadership—moving away from hierarchical systems and expertise-driven silos. The result? More than half of their staff is now made up of younger leaders. Drew walks listeners through exactly how this happened—from flattening structures and inviting internal volunteers into staff roles to focusing on unleashing people rather than fitting rigid positions. Drew also unpacks some practical methods his team has used, like “Development Days,” liberating structures, peer-driven feedback loops, and guided corporate discernment. And these aren't just theoretical tools—they’ve led to real-life multiplication. This conversation is a must-listen for any church leader wanting to future-proof their staff culture and embrace the call to multiply leaders in meaningful ways, no matter their age. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignment CHAPTERS: 00:00 Space to Fail 01:24 Meet Drew Moore 02:25 Canyon Ridge’s Staff Culture Shift 04:51 From Hierarchy to Collaboration 05:28 Where Are Future Staff Coming From? 07:12 Cultivating Contribution from Within 08:29 Challenges of a Young Staff 12:35 Practical Development Structures 16:42 Advantages of a Young Staff 18:24 Innovations from Young Leaders 20:44 Leading Across Generations 24:40 Prioritizing Contribution Over Role 27:54 Guided Discernment & Staff Clarity 30:23 Redefining Multiplication 32:55 Relational Evangelism & Simple Tools 35:17 Releasing Agency to Young Leaders 38:32 Authority, Mess, and the Priesthood 39:05 Mental Models and Generational Collaboration 41:51 Unified Contribution Across Generations Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches Join the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

From digital congregations to rapidly growing local churches, leaders from across the country gather in this special live panel episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, recorded at the IC Conference. Co-hosted by Erin Johnston and Daniel Goulding, Lead Pastor at Echoes Church in Phoenix, AZ, this engaging conversation digs into the real-world challenges churches are facing—from building space constraints and volunteer fatigue to measuring success and navigating cultural shifts. The panel includes leaders from diverse church contexts—Logan Phillips, Worship Pastor at Stateline Church in Rockford, Illinois, Katie Blemker, Executive Minister at North Terrace Church of Christ in Zanesville, Ohio, Mark Lutz, Lead Pastor of Lux Digital Church, Antoine Davis, Sr., Associate Pastor of Evangelism at Hope Church, in Orlando, Florida. Together they openly share what’s working, what’s broken, and how Intentional Churches tools have helped shape their responses. Topics include evangelism versus discipleship, radical alignment to mission, rethinking metrics, and embracing tension as a sign of progress. Mark Lutz unpacks how Lux Digital is designed for a very specific "one," and how their ministry methods—including camera angles and language—are tailored for a digital native. Katie and Logan speak to the rapid growth and logistical hurdles they face, while Antoine Davis Sr.'s focus on simplifying the Gospel and engaging the 99 to reach the one has sparked exciting growth and cultural shift in his context. He emphasizes the power of building evangelism into church culture rather than treating it as an event. This episode is a must-listen for any church leader wrestling with the tension between sending and forming, trying to mobilize a congregation, or simply trying to keep up with what’s next. No easy answers here—just leaders learning together. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignment CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Intros 02:30 What’s Keeping You Up at Night? 09:45 Evangelism vs. Discipleship: The Tension 15:10 What’s Working in Your Context Right Now 22:40 Radical Alignment to the Great Commission 28:15 How Are You Measuring Success? 30:00 One Thing to Figure Out in the Next Five Years 31:00 Final Reflections Join the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission! Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches

Eduardo Rivera, a leader within Mosaic Church in Winter Garden, Florida, joins Erin and Doug to talk about what it really means to lead in a multicultural church environment. With deep roots in Puerto Rico and over two decades in Central Florida, Eduardo shares his first-hand experience of how the region has shifted dramatically in Hispanic population and diversity. Eduardo explains how his calling transitioned from planting a new church to leading existing multicultural ministries, emphasizing the importance of creating spaces where both first-generation immigrants and their second-generation children can thrive spiritually. He describes the need for the Anglo church to embrace Hispanic culture—not as a project of assimilation, but as a movement of true integration grounded in shared values, mission, and trust. This episode highlights the difference between proximity and unity, the cultural nuances of relational evangelism, and the church's responsibility to engage in local mission right in their own neighborhoods. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how cultural intelligence, leadership collaboration, and genuine curiosity can shape a church culture that honors and celebrates diversity. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignment CHAPTERS: 00:00 Meet Pastor Eduardo 04:15 Eduardo’s journey from Puerto Rico to Florida 08:10 Demographic shifts in Central Florida 11:50 Understanding the realities of Hispanic ministry 15:30 From church planting to leading within Mosaic 18:30 Defining integration vs assimilation 24:10 What the Anglo Church can learn from Hispanic cultures 29:00 Shifting from global to local missions 34:30 Relational evangelism in multicultural settings 38:45 The role of leadership and trust in integration 42:00 Final encouragement to church leaders Join the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission! Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches

Don’t forget to reserve your spot for the Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurchesconference.com/ Gregg and Leilani Sizemore, co-pastors of Creekside Church in Dallas, GA, join the podcast to share their incredible story of planting a church six months before the COVID-19 pandemic. From early momentum to massive disruption, and ultimately to realignment and spiritual renewal, they give church leaders a transparent look into the challenges and breakthroughs that come with living out the Great Commission in a post-COVID world. They reflect on their early days of ministry, their complementary roles as husband and wife in leadership, and how their personal faith was tested through burnout and the weight of unmet expectations. The Sizemores share how re-engaging with Intentional Churches helped them reassess everything from service structure to language alignment, catalyzing a renewed focus on reaching people far from God. Listeners will gain practical insights into implementing missional rhythms, navigating cultural and theological preferences within the church, and pushing forward when alignment feels impossible. The episode also explores how pruning and resistance can precede spiritual fruit, and how a single Sunday of breakthrough can make all the long work worth it. From stories of young families walking away to finding joy in conversations with first-time believers, this episode is packed with hope, honesty, and actionable steps for every church leader fighting to stay faithful to the mission of Jesus. The Intentional Churches Community is a free-to-join online community platform designed to foster individual growth while nurturing collective wisdom and best practices from church leaders like yourself from across the country. Get started with your free account at intentionalchurches.com/community. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignment CHAPTERS: 0:00 Welcome & Introduction 02:45 Meet Gregg and Leilani Sizemore 06:55 Church Planting Right Before COVID 11:50 Working Together in Marriage and Ministry 16:05 Burnout, Momentum, and Hitting Walls 21:30 Re-engaging with Intentional Churches 26:20 Volunteer Burnout and Cultural Pushback 30:10 Shifting to Evangelistic Focu 35:25 Rolling Out Alignment Through "Bless" 39:20 Fighting for Alignment Through Resistance 42:00 Encouragement to Keep Going 44:30 A Sunday Worth the Fight Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches Join the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

Church leaders often ask, "How do we reach people in places that seem anti-church or post-Christian?" Jesse DeYoung, Executive Lead Pastor of Flatirons Community Church, provides honest and actionable answers to that question in this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast. Jesse shares his journey from a youth group kid in Kentucky to leading one of the largest churches in Colorado, all while navigating the unique cultural challenges of Boulder County and the Denver Front Range—a region often marked by skepticism, individualism, and a deep love for the outdoors over traditional church. From rethinking how to engage transient, mountain-loving populations, to challenging his staff to identify someone who might be going to hell and actively pursue them with love and intention, Jesse brings a fresh perspective on evangelism, leadership, and culture. Doug and Jesse explore: -Why loving people for who they are—not who they might become—is key to lasting ministry. -How Flatirons addresses the complexities of legal marijuana use and its impact on church culture. -The deep roots of misalignment in growing churches and the three key practices for addressing it: the stories you tell, the behaviors you reward, and the incidents you confront. -The importance of personal evangelism at every level—executive team, staff, and board. -How Flatirons supports church planting without becoming an over-extended multi-site machine. This is a must-listen episode for church leaders across the size spectrum—from church planters to executive pastors—who are serious about aligning people to the Great Commission, even in tough cultural climates. The Intentional Churches Community is a free-to-join online community platform designed to foster individual growth while nurturing collective wisdom and best practices from church leaders like yourself from across the country. Get started with your free account at intentionalchurches.com/community. Don’t forget to reserve your spot for the Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurchesconference.com. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignment CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome & Intentional Churches Community 03:15 Meet Jesse DeYoung & His Ministry Journey 07:50 The Culture of Boulder County & Reaching the Unchurched 14:30 Flatirons’ Origin and DNA of Evangelism 19:20 Stories from the Front Lines (Including the "Weed King") 23:10 Parenting & Pastoring in a Weed-Legal Culture 28:05 Personal Evangelism and Jesse’s “One” 32:20 Culture of Evangelism: Staff, Board, and Church 36:50 Misalignment in Growing Churches & How to Fight It 42:05 Church Planting the Flatirons Way 45:30 Jesse’s Final Words to Church Leaders Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches Join the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

Albuquerque presents both deep challenges and incredible opportunities for ministry. Pastor Nate Bush of New City Church shares how his team navigates the complexities of serving a city with both high levels of poverty and a large population of PhDs. He discusses the importance of balancing justice work with evangelism and how New City Church has shifted to ensuring every member owns the Great Commission. Nate outlines how initiatives like the Shine School Partnership and Getting Ahead have helped connect churches with schools and support individuals in escaping poverty. He also introduces "Go There for the One," a church-wide commissioning strategy aimed at mobilizing every member for personal evangelism. This episode is filled with practical insights for church leaders looking to impact their communities while keeping the gospel at the center of their mission. The Intentional Churches Community is free-to-join online community platform designed to foster individual growth while nurturing collective wisdom and best practices from church leaders like yourself from across the country. Get started with your free account at intentionalchurches.com/community Don’t forget to reserve your spot for the Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurchesconference.com New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignment CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Introduction to the Intentional Churches Podcast 02:10 - Meet Nate Bush: Church Planting in Albuquerque 06:45 - The Reality of a "Low-Hope" City 12:30 - Balancing Justice Work and Evangelism 18:15 - The Role of Prayer in Church Vision 24:00 - The "Go There for the One" Initiative 29:30 - Encouragement for Church Leaders Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches Join the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

The future of the church in America is increasingly multicultural—compelling leaders to be intentional about fostering environments where diverse cultures can thrive together. Juan Carlos Heredia, Spanish Ministry Pastor at Houston’s Sugar Creek Baptist Church, joins Doug for this eye-opening episode of The Intentional Churches podcast to discuss the evolution of Hispanic ministry, the importance of personal ownership in evangelism, and how churches can strategically integrate different cultural groups without forcing assimilation. During their conversation Juan Carlos shares his personal story of growing up between Ecuador, Mexico, and the U.S., how his calling led him into ministry, and the challenges of leading a Spanish-speaking congregation. He also gets into why Houston is a strategic hub for global missions and how its diversity presents both opportunities and challenges for churches. This timely episode offers practical advice for churches looking to engage Hispanic communities, emphasizing the need for leadership that understands both cultures and the importance of contextualizing ministry without losing the gospel’s core message. The Intentional Churches Community is free-to-join online community platform designed to foster individual growth while nurturing collective wisdom and best practices from church leaders like yourself from across the country. Get started with your free account at intentionalchurches.com/community Don’t forget to reserve your spot for the Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurchesconference.com New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignment Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches CHAPTERS: 00:00 - The Importance of Tools in Evangelism 00:17 - Welcome & Introduction to Juan Carlos Heredia 01:42 - Juan Carlos’ Background and Calling to Ministry 04:59 - The Diversity of Houston as a Mission Field 07:14 - Integration vs. Segregation in Houston’s Cultural Landscape 09:09 - Challenges of Hispanic Ministry in America 12:35 - Creating a Culture of Invitation and Evangelism 15:19 - How Sugar Creek Integrates Spanish Ministry 19:10 - The Future of Multicultural Church Partnerships 24:54 - Practical Steps for Assimilation Without Assimilation 30:44 - Personal Ownership of the Great Commission 33:35 - Using Events as Evangelistic Tools 37:22 - The Challenge of Retaining Young Generations in Faith 40:08 - Final Thoughts & Leadership Challenge

The Intentional Churches Conference is not your typical church leadership event—it's a movement. In this week’s special bonus episode, Erin sits down to interview Doug all about how The Intentional Churches Conference is evolving and what attendees can expect this year. Doug explains that IC is about more than just content—it's a collaborative network where church leaders learn from one another in real-time. Last year’s conference highlights included a hands-on coffee-making experiment, a panel of non-Christians sharing their perspectives, and interactive networking designed to spark innovation. This year, IC is introducing new tools, including a conference-exclusive book—Radical Alignment to Personal Ownership of the Great Commission—and a role-based track system to help church leaders implement practical strategies in their ministries. If you're looking for an event that prioritizes collaboration over consumption, don’t miss this year’s Intentional Churches Conference! Join us April 29-30! Register now at intentionalchurchesconference.com. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignment Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches Chapters: 00:00 The Unconference: A New Kind of Church Leadership Gathering 01:35 What is IC Becoming? A Collaborative Movement 04:00 Highlights from Last Year’s Conference 06:24 What Makes This Conference Different? 08:51 Practical Ways This Year’s Conference Will Help Church Leaders 11:31 Final Invitation: Join Us in April!

What does it mean to cultivate a “missional mindset?” In this week’s episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, Momentum Christian Church’s Sheryl Riggins sits down with Erin and Doug to share her personal journey of moving from a traditional church background to a mission-driven approach to faith. During their conversation, Sheryl opens up about her early years as a preacher’s kid, her career at Coca-Cola, and her unexpected path to leadership at Momentum. She also dives into how Momentum is making shifts to prioritize relational evangelism, from practical preaching series to encouraging personal connections in everyday life. This episode is full of insights for church leaders looking to mobilize their people, as well as for anyone hoping to make their faith more outward-focused. Listen in to hear Sheryl’s inspiring story and learn how you, too, can be more intentional in reaching the ones close to you but far from God. Don’t forget to reserve your spot for the Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurchesconference.com New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignment Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 01:29 Sheryl’s Background and Journey to Momentum 04:46 Sheryl’s Musical Career and Time in Divine 08:31 Career at Coca-Cola and Ministry Priorities 15:26 Activator Training and a Shift in Mindset 21:46 The Role of Scripture in Mobilizing Believers 32:47 Living with Intentionality for the Ones 37:20 How Momentum is Raising Awareness for the Great Commission 41:30 Final Thoughts and Closing

How can churches move beyond an internal focus to reach their cities with the Gospel? Mark Ashton—lead minister at Christ Community Church in Omaha, NE—joins Erin and Doug on this week’s episode of The Intentional Churches podcast, sharing how his church—and a network of 60 churches in Omaha—is making relational evangelism a top priority. During their conversation, Mark introduces the concept of the "fat fringe"—individuals who self-identify as Christians but lack a genuine faith in Jesus. He explains how to train leaders to engage these individuals in relational evangelism. Mark also walks us through how the Within Reach network was formed, bringing churches together to share best practices, plant churches, and support citywide Gospel efforts. Throughout the episode, Mark offers practical strategies for church leaders, including how to instill a culture of evangelism within staff and congregations, ways to leverage local networks for greater Gospel impact, and how to overcome competition between churches. With powerful stories of the church working together and innovative outreach methods—like counseling centers that integrate faith and psychology—this conversation will challenge and inspire pastors and church leaders to rethink the way they see evangelism! Learn more about Mark and Christ Community Church on their website: https://www.cccomaha.org/. Don’t forget to reserve your spot for The Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchos Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction & Conference Announcement 01:10 Meet Mark Ashton: His Ministry & Evangelism Journey 04:25 The "Fat Fringe" & Evangelism in Omaha 09:01 The Within Reach Network: A Collaboration for the Gospel 16:15 Success Stories from Church Collaboration 20:37 Mark’s Personal Conviction for Evangelism 25:59 Creating a Culture of Evangelism in Church Staff 31:33 How Within Reach Stirs Evangelism Across Churches 34:50 Practical Evangelism Tactics for Church Leaders 40:08 Lessons from Willow Creek’s Evangelism Model 43:30 The Future of Evangelism & Final Takeaways

We’re back this week with another powerful conversation, this time with pastor and church planter Lou Pizzichillo of Long Island, NY! Lou and his wife planted Community Church in Long Island back in January of 2020 (ideal timing, as any church leader would know!), and he’s sharing with us the many lessons he’s learned in the five years since. Together Erin and Doug invite Lou to share his unique story of growing up Catholic in Long Island and how he eventually came to plant an evangelical church in his hometown. Along the way Lou learned the power sharing authentic stories can hold, how to navigate being a church for those who don’t go to church, and the challenges (and opportunities!) of having a lot of 1’s without as many 99’s. Towards the end of their conversation, Lou shares his best advice for continuing to disciple those 1’s in a fast-growing church environment, without expecting them to be “perfect” Christians right out of the gate. Especially if you find yourself in a similar context to Lou where going to church is the norm, but not everyone knows what an authentic relationship with Jesus truly looks like, you’re not going to want to miss this episode! Don’t forget to reserve your spot for The Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchos Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches CHAPTERS 00:00 Navigating Church Planting Challenges 03:01 Cultural Context of Long Island Ministry 06:09 The Birth of Community Church 09:04 Relational Evangelism and Church Growth 11:57 Building a Culture of Authenticity 14:55 Harnessing Technology for Community Engagement 18:11 The Power of Storytelling in Ministry 21:05 Discipleship Challenges in a Growing Church 23:58 Strategies for Effective Discipleship 26:45 Navigating Growth and Cultural Dynamics 30:07 Embracing the Journey of Faith 33:05 Conclusion and Future Outlook

Welcome to a new year and a brand new season of The Intentional Churches podcast! We’re switching things up in 2025—shifting from a weekly release schedule to releasing longer, more in-depth conversations with leaders from around the country every other week. We’re so glad to have you along for the ride in Season 7! To kick things off, Erin and Doug are joined by Jim Sheldon, the Executive Pastor of Mission Church in Ventura, CA. Jim helped plant Mission in 2011 along with a team of other ministry leaders, and in that time he’s learned what’s worked (and what hasn’t) in Ventura’s unique community. Together Erin and Doug invite Jim to share his ministry story, plus dive in to what he means by doing more than “ordinary” church, aka activating your people to lead and disciple rather than just preaching more head knowledge from stage. The three also hit on how Jim personally pursues the ones in his life, his advice for putting together teams that can be the hands and feet of Jesus as soon as there’s a need, and what it looks like to lead through the unexpected. We’re excited to kick off this new season, and new format, of Intentional Churches with you! Thanks for tuning in this week! Don’t forget to reserve your spot for The Intentional Churches Conference in April here: https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchos Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches CHAPTERS 00:00 Understanding the Desire for Depth in Faith 10:30 Creating a Culture of Activation 20:09 Relational Evangelism: The Power of Personal Connection 29:53 Navigating Crisis with Authentic Vulnerability

For this final episode of 2024, Erin and Doug sit down with First Orlando’s Tracy Bowen to talk staff culture and how to create an irresistible cultural environment based on pursuing The Great Commission. Tracy holds a unique title at First Orlando—managing director of staff engagement and culture—and she’s used the position to help align the church’s staff towards reaching the ones far from Jesus and the church. Throughout today's conversation Erin and Doug invite Tracy to share her story—from how she finds new hires that align with the church’s culture to helping build that faithful and fruitful culture from the ground up. Together the three talk about why a healthy culture is so important on a staff team (big or small), how a pursuit of The Great Commission has changed that staff culture, and Tracy’s practical tips for building what she calls an “irresistible” place to work and serve. As we approach the end of the year, this is a conversation you and your staff team are not going to want to miss! Thanks for another great year of The Intentional Churches podcast! We’ll see you back here in 2025! Register for The Intentional Churches Conference 2025 here: www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchos Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Intentional Churches Podcast 03:07 Tracy Bowen's Role and Background 06:02 The Importance of Church Culture 08:46 Building Relationships and Community 12:05 Aligning Staff with the Great Commission 15:00 Practical Steps for Cultural Improvement 17:59 Staff Engagement and Development 20:53 Communication Strategies for Teams 24:11 Conclusion and Future Insights

Larry Kelley has been with New Hope Church in Houston Texas for 16 years now, and in that time he’s seen the church go from a small group gathered in a YMCA auditorium to a large multi-site church. How have Larry and the staff stayed aligned to New Hope’s greater mission amidst all that growth and change? Today’s Intentional Churches episode is all about Larry’s answer to that question. For this super practical conversation on pursuing greater alignment on your staff team, Erin and Doug invite Larry to share his experience at New Hope—beginning as a video editor up to serving on their executive team today. Together the three discuss how New Hope’s implementation of the IC operating system allowed their staff to come together in reaching their ones, some of the challenges that still exist as the church strives to fulfill The Great Commission, and Larry’s practical advice for churches—and church staffs—of all sizes. No matter how big or small your team is, the language you use and the mission you follow is so important to the pursuit of alignment. Don’t miss this episode! Register for The Intentional Churches Conference 2025 here: www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchos Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches CHAPTERS 00:00 The Power of Personal Evangelism 03:08 New Hope Church: A Journey of Growth 05:52 Implementing the Operating System 08:53 Relational Evangelism and Community Impact 11:55 Baptisms and Personal Stories of Faith 14:48 Challenges in Alignment and Communication 18:08 Practical Advice for Church Leaders

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered the way we view online church, but where most churches have gone back to physical services, some decided to go all-in on the digital space. Enter Mark Lutz and his fully-online church, Lux. Mark served as the pastor of a traditional physical church for more than a decade before he felt God calling him into full-time online ministry. Lux launched in 2021, and the lessons Mark’s learned about relational evangelism in this fully online space serve as the foundation for today’s Intentional Churches conversation. Together Erin and Doug invite Mark to share the story behind starting Lux, his strategies for building actual engagement (not just “likes” or comments) in an online church space, and why relational evangelism and pursuing the one is so important—maybe even more important—online than it is in a traditional church setting. During their conversation Doug digs into IC’s Great Commission Engine, and Mark expands on how Lux implements these tools and others to reach those far from God. The episode ends with Mark sharing stories of usernames turning into actual, life-giving relationships, plus his advice for churches wanting to make their online services more fruitful. Register for The Intentional Churches Conference 2025 here: www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchos Website: https://intentionalchurches.com The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches CHAPTERS 00:00 The Relevance of Digital Ministry 04:24 Launching a Digital Church: The Lux Experience 08:11 The Impact of COVID-19 on Church Dynamics 11:34 Navigating the Challenges of Digital Engagement 15:43 Understanding Ecclesiology in the Digital Age 18:31 The Great Commission Engine: Strategies for Engagement 23:52 Relational Evangelism in the Digital Space 28:55 Success Stories: Transformative Relationships Online