Claim OwnershipFly on the Wall Podcast With Chris Sonksen
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© 2025 Fly on the Wall Podcast With Chris Sonksen
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Be a “Fly on the Wall” as Chris Sonksen takes you behind the scenes on a coaching call with a ministry leader. In each episode, you’ll get to hear how a coaching call happens, practical tips on how to grow your ministry, and what it takes to be a healthy leader in today's culture. You'll get to be a "fly on the wall" and listen to a live coaching session between Chris and a church leader like yourself.
192 Episodes
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Hey Pastor, What do you do when growth creates pressure—and not everyone’s ready for what’s next? In this week’s episode of the Fly on the Wall Podcast, I sit down with Pastor Marty from a small but growing church in rural America to talk about one of the most practical leadership challenges we all face: how to manage change and mobilize volunteers when your systems are stretched to the limit. We unpack the realities of increasing attendance, limited space, and a stretched team—and how to lea...
What if coaching isn’t a luxury—but a lifeline? In this week’s Fly on the Wall Podcast, I talk with Pastor Steve from California about two things every leader needs to get better at: receiving coaching and casting vision. Here’s what we break down in Episode 192: Why every pastor needs a coach (yes, even you!)The difference between coaching and consulting—and why both matterHow to communicate vision with clarity, language, and urgencyThe biggest mistake leaders make when casting visionWhat se...
What if the biggest growth barrier in your church… is your leadership pipeline? In this week’s Fly on the Wall Podcast, I sit down with Pastor Darren from Oklahoma to talk about the difference between discipleship and leadership development, the qualities that set apart high-capacity leaders, and how to stop leaving leadership to chance. Here’s what we get into in Episode 191: Why “just being discipled” isn’t enough What Jesus modeled in leadership circles—and how to do the same The exac...
It’s one thing to grow a church—it’s another thing to sustain that growth with the right leaders in the right places. In Episode 190 of the Fly on the Wall Podcast, I sit down with Pastor Eli from Ohio for a powerful conversation about building leadership pipelines that work—not just for a season, but for the long haul. If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly plugging holes, re-training the same people, or doing too much yourself, this episode is going to hit home. Here’s what we talk abou...
There are two big questions we don’t talk about enough in ministry: How do I prepare now for the next 20 years of leadership and life?What do I do with the pain I’ve already walked through?In Episode 189 of the Fly on the Wall Podcast, I sit down with Pastor Jonathan for a powerful, vulnerable conversation on both. We talk about financial readiness, family rhythms, spiritual obedience—and the emotional toll ministry can take when betrayal and burnout hit home. You’ll hear: What it looks like ...
Episode 188 of the Fly on the Wall podcast is here, and it's a must-listen for any church ready to stand out in a crowded city. In this episode, Chris Sonksen sits down with Pastor Brian from New Mexico for a dynamic coaching session on how to differentiate your church, double in size, and scale with clarity and confidence. If you’ve ever wrestled with how to define your church’s unique identity—or how to build smart structure without losing heart—this one is packed with gold. 🎧 In This Episo...
Episode 187 of the Fly on the Wall podcast is live—and it’s a big one for pastors and leaders. In this episode, Chris Sonksen sits down with Pastor Clyde to tackle a quiet challenge that’s holding churches back: We’re great at building teams, but not at building tribes. 👉 If your volunteers feel like they're just filling a spot… 👉 If your part-time or stipend staff aren’t sure what’s expected… 👉 If your staff meetings lack energy and buy-in… This episode is exactly what you need. ...
Episode 186 of the Fly on the Wall podcast just dropped—and this one is packed with insights that can help any pastor lead with greater focus, clarity, and momentum. In this episode, Chris Sonksen sits down with Pastor Nathan from Tennessee to unpack a bold question: What are great leaders doing that others are not?From coaching thousands of pastors across the country, Chris has spotted a few patterns—and a few major pitfalls. If your church is growing (or wants to), this conversation will he...
Episode 185 of the Fly on the Wall podcast is live—and this one cuts to the core of leadership. Chris Sonksen sits down with Pastor Joseph to tackle a topic many leaders avoid: how to give and receive correction in a way that builds trust and maturity. You’ll hear: ✅ How to create a culture of feedback without fear ✅ The #1 phrase that defuses defensiveness ✅ Why emotional intelligence is a non-negotiable for your team ✅ A game-changing perspective on raising disciples and l...
In this week’s episode of the Fly on the Wall Podcast, Chris Sonksen sits down with Pastor Brenton from Atmosphere Church for a powerful and honest conversation about living up to your God-given potential. If you’ve ever wrestled with discouragement, doubt, or wondering whether you’re truly making the most of what God has placed in your hands, this episode is for you. 💥 In This Episode, You’ll Discover: Why so many pastors hit a wall—and how to break through itThe difference between calling a...
Episode 183 of the Fly on the Wall Podcast is live— and if you’re navigating church growth, staff retention, or post-COVID tension, this one is for you. In this episode, I sit down with Pastor Frank for a real coaching conversation around two key challenges: Building a budget that actually reflects your mission, not just your maintenance.Leading through political and cultural tension in a multicultural church without losing unity.So many pastors feel stuck in either “survival mode” or “divis...
You’ve got passionate worship. A solid message. An engaged team. But if guests aren’t coming back—or your services feel flat—it might be time for a gut check on your Sunday experience. In Episode 182 of the Fly on the Wall podcast, I coach my friend Matt Fielder through a deep dive on how to elevate the weekend. We don’t just talk theory—we get into the gritty details. Here’s what we unpack: ✅ How to spot the “growth lid” in your Sunday experience ✅ The critical 30 minutes before and after...
You’re doing the work. Preaching your heart out. Leading your team. Pouring into your people. But if your first-time guest numbers are low, you’re likely fighting against a quiet drift—and growth will stall before you even realize it. In Episode 181 of the Fly on the Wall podcast, I talk with my friend Jason Norman about one of the most vital ingredients for church growth: invite culture. We break down: ✅ The real numbers you should be hitting with first-time guests ✅ Why new blood is the ...
Momentum is a powerful gift—but it can also be deceiving. In Episode 180 of the Fly on the Wall podcast, I sit down with my good friend Chris Norman to talk about the two most common places pastors get stuck: when the church is growing… and when it’s not. This episode is packed with insight for both seasons. We cover: ✅ Why momentum hides weakness—and what to do before it runs out ✅ How to break free from “the weeds” and lead from the right level ✅ The four rings that pull you away from you...
You made it through the launch. You survived the first year. You’ve built momentum. But now… things are stalling. In Episode 179 of the Fly on the Wall podcast, I talk with David and Randall—church planters in L.A.—about breaking the 120 barrier and the realities of leading beyond year four. Here’s what we unpack in this raw, practical coaching convo: ✅ Why growing churches must move from ministering to people to ministering through people ✅ The surprising danger of keeping the same leade...
Are you spending your time doing what actually moves the mission forward—or just what needs to get done? In Episode 178 of the Fly on the Wall podcast, I sit down with my friend Scott to talk about one of the most important leadership principles we teach: Mission Critical. What is it? It’s the few things that only you can do—the ones that, if you don’t, your church’s future is at risk. In this episode, we unpack: ✅ The one question every leader should ask: “If I don’t do ___, our future is...
Change is necessary—but it’s not always easy. Especially when you’re leading a legacy church with deep roots, multiple campuses, and a congregation that’s sensitive to every shift. In Episode 177 of the Fly on the Wall podcast, I sit down with Pastor Ben, who recently stepped into leadership at a church with 75 years of history and only three pastors before him. What followed? Mergers. Staff transitions. A shift in preaching and leadership style. And the tension? Every time he made a change...
If you’re leading a small church or juggling bivocational ministry, this one’s for you. In Episode 176 of the Fly on the Wall Podcast, I sit down with Pastor Bill from Oklahoma for a powerful conversation about the unique challenges (and opportunities) small church pastors face—especially when it comes to balance, burnout, and building a leadership pipeline. If you’ve ever wondered: How do I grow when my church is in a small town?How do I build a team without a big budget?Can I take time off ...
Let’s be honest—most staff meetings are too long, too vague, and too ineffective. But they don’t have to be. In Episode 175 of the Fly on the Wall Podcast, I sit down with Pastor Marlando from Washington to talk about how to lead better meetings, handle passive-aggressive attitudes on your team, and prepare for multi-site expansion the right way. If your team meetings have lost energy—or if you’re leading through team tensions or growing pains—this coaching session will give you clarity. 🎙️ I...
In Episode 174 of the Fly on the Wall Podcast, Chris Sonksen sits down with Pastor Hutson L Goza from Missouri to tackle a challenge so many pastors face: how to regain momentum when your church feels stuck. Hudson leads an 89-year-old church with a deep legacy and a desire for renewal. Together, they unpack real frustrations—plateaued growth, volunteer droughts, cultural tension between generations—and most importantly, how to move forward with clarity and strategy. If you’re in a season whe...
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