Intentional Churches Podcast

On this episode of The Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug talks with Chris Steele about the incredible transformation happening at North Terrace Church in Zanesville, Ohio.Chris shares the honest story of how their team realized they were making church attenders instead of disciples, and how that single insight pushed them to rebuild unity, clarify their mission, and align everything around the Great Commission.You’ll hear how that alignment sparked a movement of everyday people leading their friends to Jesus, resulting in 34 baptisms in 2023, 125 in 2024, and already 138 baptisms this year. Chris explains how prayer, simple tools, and personal ownership of “the one” have reshaped their entire culture.If you’re a church leader looking to rebuild momentum, re-ignite evangelism, or move your people toward mission, this conversation will encourage you and give you practical next steps.New to Intentional Churches? Start here:intentionalchurches.comTimestamps00:00 Welcome + Why This Story Matters01:25 Chris Steele’s Ministry Background03:02 Early Faith Influences05:01 Ministry Journey & Leadership Wounds07:19 Zanesville Culture & Ministry Context11:17 Opportunities and Challenges in Appalachia13:35 Rebuilding Generosity and Discipleship18:15 Early Culture Shifts at North Terrace23:10 COVID Collapse & Losing Half the Church24:07 Realizing They Weren’t Making Disciples26:44 Building a New Discipleship Pathway28:55 A Turning Point: Staff & Elder Unity30:42 Discovering IC’s Tools and Language31:46 The “One More” Mission34:11 The Baptism Explosion36:26 Everyday People Leading Their One37:37 Young Families Searching for Purpose41:36 Preparing for Future Growth43:36 How to Join the IC Learning CommunityLinksWebsite: intentionalchurches.comThe Radical Alignment BookBlog: intentionalchurches.com/blogYouTube: @IntentionalChurchesFacebook: Intentional ChurchesInstagram: @IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: @IntentChurches

On this episode of The Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug and Bart unpack the heart behind Radical Alignment: The Surprising Journey of Becoming an Intentional Church—the brand-new book that takes church leaders inside the “why” behind the IC toolbox.Together, they share the behind-the-scenes story of how the book came to life—from early church interviews and the conference book challenge to the powerful stories that emerged along the way. You’ll hear about ice-bath baptisms in Florida, a thousand-person Tennessee church mobilizing 597 members to reach their “One,” and the connection between personal Great Commission ownership and lasting church alignment.Doug and Bart also explore how urgency, clarity, and obedience are reshaping churches across the IC network, why Radical Alignment serves as a prequel to the original Intentional Church book, and how every leader can reframe their calling through the lens of the Great Commission.If you’ve ever wondered how to make evangelism personal again—or how to help your church rediscover its core mission—this conversation will encourage, challenge, and reorient you to what matters most.New to Intentional Churches? Start here:intentionalchurches.com00:00 The Gathering Church and a 70-Year-Old’s Ice Bath Baptism 02:04 Doug and Bart Catch Up on Life, Travel, and Nicknames 05:12 Florida Church Plant Stories: Courage and Obedience 09:51 When Baptism Becomes a Movement 13:06 Planting, Watering, and Trusting God for the Growth 15:23 Inside the “One Life” Project and Culture Change in Churches 18:50 Writing Radical Alignment: The Story Behind the Book 20:53 The “Why” Behind the IC Toolbox 23:08 How IC’s Learning Community Shaped the Book 26:07 Why Radical Alignment Is a Team Study, Not a Solo Read 27:30 The 25 Foundational Beliefs and IC’s Secret Sauce 29:27 Church Stories that Prove Great Commission Alignment Works 31:21 The Hope for Church Leaders Who Read Radical Alignment 34:17 Doug’s Challenge: “Relational Evangelism Is the Football” 35:26 From the Road: Nashville’s Airport Gridlock Story 38:33 Travel Chaos, Grace, and Gratitude 39:30 Closing Thoughts and Book DetailsWebsite: intentionalchurches.comGet The Book: Radical AlignmentBlog: intentionalchurches.com/blogYouTube: @IntentionalChurchesFacebook: Intentional ChurchesLinkedIn: Intentional Churches LinkedInInstagram: @IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: @IntentChurchesJoin the conversation and tell us how you’re leading your church toward Great Commission alignment.

On this episode of The Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug and Erin sit down with Pastor Riley Halliday, a former U.S. Air Force special operations leader who’s now leading Manna Church in Newport News, Virginia.Riley shares how his church embraces the constant movement of military life as a disciple-making opportunity. With families rotating every two years, his team trains every believer to live on mission, ready to reach their “One” wherever God sends them next.We unpack how urgency can fuel alignment, what it takes to build a training and sending culture, and why clarity beats complexity every time.If your church is in a transient community or you need fresh inspiration to fight for alignment around the Great Commission, this conversation will stir you up.New to Intentional Churches? Start here:https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignment00:00 Training and Sending with Urgency in a Military Church 00:33 Doug and Erin Welcome Riley Halliday to the Podcast 02:04 Meet Riley: From Air Force Special Operations to Church Planting 05:06 The Birth of Manna Church and a Vision for Military Families 07:26 Launching During COVID and Finding God’s Provision Through a Merger 09:51 How a 100-Year-Old Church Became Manna’s New Home 10:39 Leading Near Military Bases: Nellis, Creech, and Beyond 12:54 The Two-Year Window: Training and Sending Before Families Move 14:13 Micro-Sites, Military Moves, and Multiplying Disciples 15:05 How Military Life Fuels Disciple-Making and Multiplication 16:19 Doug on “Radical Alignment” and Reuniting Evangelism and Discipleship 18:33 Fighting for Clarity and Simplicity in a Growing Church 19:59 How Canyon Ridge Fought for Vision and Alignment 22:08 Creating a Culture That Repeats the Mission 23:36 Practical Tools: Circle-Ups, Vision Rhythms, and For the One Bracelets 27:28 Keeping Alignment Simple, Transferable, and Repeatable 29:00 Fighting Misalignment with Elders, Staff, and New Ideas 31:30 Saying “No” to Good Things to Protect the Mission 33:42 When Church Members Want a Bookstore (and Other Distractions) 34:40 How the IC Toolbox and ChurchOS Keep Teams on Track 37:01 Every New Initiative Is an Opportunity for Alignment—or Drift 38:05 Riley’s Lesson: You Reproduce Who You Are, Not What You Say 39:59 Doug’s Closing Thoughts: Returning to the Root of the Great Commission 40:53 The Radical Alignment Book and Upcoming AssessmentWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

Doug and co-host Daniel Goulding sit down with Andy Cook, Executive Director of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center, to unpack why relational evangelism belongs at the center of discipleship. Together they explore sobering stats (60% of U.S. churches are stagnant or declining), Gen Z’s surprising openness to spiritual conversations, and the practical rhythms leaders can model—from Alpha tables to breakfast-booth friendships.Daniel shares church-plant lessons around decisions and baptisms, while Andy unpacks BGC research, revitalization cohorts, and the vision behind the Amplify Conference. Along the way, they wrestle with transfer growth vs. true conversion, the seeker-sensitive debate, preaching clearly into cultural issues, and how “radical alignment” mobilizes everyday believers. The conversation is actionable, hopeful, and data-informed.New to Intentional Churches? Start here:https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentCHAPTERS: 00:00 The Sobering Statistic: 60% of Churches in Decline or Stagnant 01:03 Meet Co-Host Daniel Goulding and His Church Plant Story 01:21 Andy Cook’s Journey: From Willow Creek to Wheaton College 03:28 Daniel’s Radical Conversion: From Fraternity Life to Faith 06:43 Early Lessons in Relational Evangelism 08:03 Inviting Friends, Broken Hearts, and the “Lonely Bench” at Willow 10:33 Why Evangelism Must Begin with Leaders 13:32 Everyday Evangelism: Breakfast Tables and Baptism Stories 15:02 Making Evangelism a Regular Appointment on the Calendar 16:56 Why Andy Leads Alpha and Steps Outside the Christian Bubble 17:13 Inside the Billy Graham Center and Its Institutes 20:30 State of Evangelism in America Today 23:15 Transfer Growth vs. True Kingdom Growth 24:48 Why Evangelism Feels Scary—and Why It’s Still Biblical 26:20 Bad Evangelism vs. Good Evangelism: Learning Like Toddlers 28:56 Discipleship and Evangelism: Two Sides of the Same Coin 30:40 Can You Have Deep Discipleship Without Evangelism?32:23 Gen Z’s Spiritual Openness and New Research Insights34:46 Preaching Boldly into Cultural Issues36:58 Calling Men to Biblical Masculinity37:50 Convening Evangelism Leaders at the Billy Graham Center39:18 Digital Spaces, AI, and the Future of Evangelism40:18 The Amplify Conference: Keeping Evangelism Central40:56 The Radical Alignment Assessment and New DataWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

David Ashcraft joins Doug and co-host Daniel Goulding on this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, sharing lessons from decades of leadership at LCBC in Pennsylvania.From painful early years where elders walked out, to the explosive growth that brought thousands of people across multiple campuses, David unpacks how radical alignment and a relentless focus on “best vs. good” shaped a disciple-making movement.During their conversation, you’ll hear why alignment matters more than keeping everyone happy, how LCBC codified its culture without losing passion, and what the 90–10 rule teaches us about the need for some people to be upset if you’re truly moving forward. David also unpacks how to discern between “good” opportunities and the “best” mission, and he shares honestly about the personal cost leaders pay to remain faithful through seasons of growth.New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentCHAPTERS: 00:00 When Elders Walk Out: The Pain of Early Leadership 01:10 Meet Co-Host Daniel Goulding and His Church Plant Story 02:44 David Ashcraft’s Journey: From Texas to Pennsylvania 04:48 Facing Opposition: Letters from Abe and the Worship Wars 07:11 LCBC’s Growth: From 150 to 25,000 Across 25 Campuses 08:23 The Core Issue: Alignment vs. Misalignment in the Church 09:40 Good vs. Best: The Principle that Guides Every Decision 11:19 Lessons from Rapid Growth and Staff Alignment Challenges 14:00 Codifying Culture: From Intuition to Intentionality 16:33 Multi-Site Expansion and Why Limitations Became Opportunities 18:52 Stewardship, Buildings, and Keeping the Mission Central 22:12 Guarding Staff Culture While Scaling Fast 25:56 The 90–10 Rule: Leading with Clarity, Not Popularity 29:20 Picking Battles Carefully Without Losing Alignment 33:52 Codifying the “Gut”: Axioms and Culture Statements 39:02 Encouragement for Leaders in Shrinking or Struggling Churches 43:25 The Real Cost of Growth and Leadership Pain 45:25 Why David Stepped Into The Advantage and Global Leadership Network 47:17 Final Wisdom: Lead, Don’t Chase PopularityWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

Pastor Ben Ellefritz joins Doug for today’s episode of The Intentional Churches podcast, exploring what church growth, rural revitalization, and alignment around disciple making look like in real life. As Executive Pastor at The Crossing Church, Ben leads in a context where no town has more than 80,000 people—and some have as few as 125. Despite this, The Crossing is thriving across 12 campuses, reaching thousands each weekend.During their conversation, you'll hear how their church realigned its multi-site strategy after discovering their previous launch model lacked commitment and sustainability. Their 12th campus launch—built entirely on pre-launch engagement, giving, and disciple-making—became their first financially self-sustaining plant from day one.Ben also unpacks the intentional language around “Difference Makers” (not volunteers), their high expectations for both staff and lay leaders, and how they use visible scoreboards and discipleship pathways to drive alignment around the Great Commission. This conversation is a must-listen for church leaders in rural, suburban, or multi-site contexts who want to strengthen alignment, empower their people, and move from programming to pastoring.New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentCHAPTERS:00:00 Redefining Church Strategy in a Shifting Culture01:45 Meet Ben Ellefritz and The Crossing Church04:07 From Principal to Pastor: Leadership Lessons07:35 Revitalizing Rural Churches through Campus Acquisition09:59 Why They Changed Their Church Planting Strategy12:53 Defining “Difference Makers” Instead of Volunteers14:52 Staff Gaps and the Future of Lay Leadership16:11 Rebuilding Disciple Making from Baptism to Maturity19:51 Using Scoreboards and Systems to Align Staff22:03 Training Staff to Pastor, Not Just Program23:54 What Hasn’t Worked: Lessons from FailureWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

Kicking off Season 9 of Intentional Churches, Doug is joined by IC co-founder, Bart Rendel, for a behind-the-scenes look at Intentional Churches, their leadership rhythms, and the realities many pastors face today. Bart introduces “the spanking machine”—a vivid and humorous metaphor born out of ministry burnout. Together Bart and Doug explore the constant pressure church leaders face from the unrelenting pace of weekend ministry and the need to name it honestly.The heart of the episode centers on the remarkable story of First Christian Church in Newburgh, Indiana. Once a thriving congregation, FCC faced deep decline after leadership transitions, financial hardship, and even a tornado. When the Intentional Churches team engaged with them, they found a deeply committed leadership team willing to lean in and realign around the Great Commission. Bart and Doug close the episode by reflecting on signs of spiritual awakening across the country, highlighting churches seeing dramatic growth and salvations—not because of gimmicks, but because of alignment with Jesus’ mission. This is an episode for pastors who feel weary, discouraged, or unsure of what’s next. It’s a reminder that the spiritual moment is here—but the church must be ready.New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentCHAPTERS:00:00 Revival Requires Two Things01:44 Bart Hates Vacations02:56 The Origin of “The Spanking Machine”06:47 Courageous Leadership Stories07:49 The Comeback of FCC Newburgh12:06 COVID Super-Spreader Story16:27 What’s Happening at FCC Now19:24 Prayer, Pain, and Progress20:40 Other Signs of Spiritual Momentum21:52 Bart and Doug’s Random Thoughts24:46 Are We Ready for Revival?25:16 The Need for Great Commission AlignmentWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

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-alignmentCHAPTERS:00:00 Helping People Is Slow, But Worth It01:17 Meet Paige Peltier03:16 Paige’s Journey at Chapel Street Church06:28 Staff Flexibility & Finding Best Contribution09:47 Churches Must Shift How They Develop Staff11:11 What Leadership Pathway Really Does14:27 Why Residencies Are So Valuable16:15 Development Is Messy—And Mission-Critical19:49 Gen Z Leaders: What Churches Need to Know23:14 Advice for Older & Younger Generations24:45 Leadership Pathway by the Numbers26:48 What Great Churches Are Doing Right29:00 One Next Step to Get Started Developing Leaders31:11 Paige’s Encouragement to Church LeadersWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin 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-alignmentCHAPTERS:00:00 The Cost of Legacy Programs01:17 Meet Maggie Moberly03:15 The Unique Context of Bloomington06:09 Differences Between Campuses07:06 Church History and Leadership Transitions09:55 Deciding to Partner with IC12:49 Wins From Installing ChurchOS15:27 Killing Sacred Cows with Courage18:11 How the Team is Developing Differently20:45 Creating Space for Hard Conversations22:07 Modeling Feedback and EvaluationWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin 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-alignmentCHAPTERS: 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 ChurchesWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin 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-alignmentCHAPTERS:00:00 No More "Versus": Discipleship and Evangelism01:06 Meet Eric Rauch from 2|42 Church04:21 2|42's Multi-Site History and Cultural Dynamics06:20 Adopting Three Churches Pre-COVID07:57 Redefining Disciple-Making and Evangelism10:26 From Attractional to Multiplying Movement14:33 Why Make the Shift? Leadership Insights16:37 Tangible Program and Strategy Changes20:49 Rethinking Group Models: The Kitchen Metaphor23:29 Discovery Bible Study as Group Strategy24:56 Rethinking Engagement Pathways30:27 Volunteer Orientation and Retention32:10 Baptism: Event to Journey35:28 Highlights from the IC Conference Pre-Con38:28 Biggest Takeaways and Collaborative Learning41:35 Final Thoughts on Collaboration and Next StepsWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin 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-alignmentCHAPTERS:00:00 Dr. Carlos Kelly Introduction01:15 Beulahland’s Legacy and Community Impact05:40 What It Means to Serve in a Food Desert07:27 Moving from Consumerism to Discipleship11:48 Practical First Steps Toward Culture Shift14:51 Fruit from a Younger Generation19:03 Braxton’s Journey from Attender to Leader23:12 Shifting from Solo Leadership to Collaboration29:44 Building the Right Steering Team33:25 Defining Success and Discipleship Culture36:06 Two Campuses, Two Reach Zones37:56 Leading Through Resistance and GriefWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin 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-alignmentCHAPTERS: 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 GenerationsWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin 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 Intros02:30 What’s Keeping You Up at Night?09:45 Evangelism vs. Discipleship: The Tension15:10 What’s Working in Your Context Right Now22:40 Radical Alignment to the Great Commission28:15 How Are You Measuring Success?30:00 One Thing to Figure Out in the Next Five Years31:00 Final ReflectionsJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!Website: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/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-alignmentCHAPTERS: 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 leadersJoin the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!Website: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/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-alignmentCHAPTERS: 0:00 Welcome & Introduction02:45 Meet Gregg and Leilani Sizemore06:55 Church Planting Right Before COVID11:50 Working Together in Marriage and Ministry16:05 Burnout, Momentum, and Hitting Walls21:30 Re-engaging with Intentional Churches26:20 Volunteer Burnout and Cultural Pushback30:10 Shifting to Evangelistic Focu35:25 Rolling Out Alignment Through "Bless"39:20 Fighting for Alignment Through Resistance42:00 Encouragement to Keep Going44:30 A Sunday Worth the FightWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin 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-alignmentCHAPTERS: 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 LeadersWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin 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/communityDon’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-alignmentCHAPTERS:00:00 - Introduction to the Intentional Churches Podcast02:10 - Meet Nate Bush: Church Planting in Albuquerque06:45 - The Reality of a "Low-Hope" City12:30 - Balancing Justice Work and Evangelism18:15 - The Role of Prayer in Church Vision24:00 - The "Go There for the One" Initiative29:30 - Encouragement for Church LeadersWebsite: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurchesJoin 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/communityDon’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 Evangelism00:17 - Welcome & Introduction to Juan Carlos Heredia01:42 - Juan Carlos’ Background and Calling to Ministry04:59 - The Diversity of Houston as a Mission Field07:14 - Integration vs. Segregation in Houston’s Cultural Landscape09:09 - Challenges of Hispanic Ministry in America12:35 - Creating a Culture of Invitation and Evangelism15:19 - How Sugar Creek Integrates Spanish Ministry19:10 - The Future of Multicultural Church Partnerships24:54 - Practical Steps for Assimilation Without Assimilation30:44 - Personal Ownership of the Great Commission33:35 - Using Events as Evangelistic Tools37:22 - The Challenge of Retaining Young Generations in Faith40:08 - 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-alignmentWebsite: 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 Gathering01:35 What is IC Becoming? A Collaborative Movement04:00 Highlights from Last Year’s Conference06:24 What Makes This Conference Different?08:51 Practical Ways This Year’s Conference Will Help Church Leaders11:31 Final Invitation: Join Us in April!