Podcast
The Unstuck Church Podcast
Hosted by The Unstuck Group · EN
With THE UNSTUCK CHURCH PODCAST, we invite you into the real-time conversations our team is having about church leadership every week.
Hosted by Amy Anderson, this podcast explores common challenges in ministry and practical steps for tackling them. It's like getting to be a fly on the wall of our staff meetings.
Tune in weekly for:
Insights, observations and trends for church leaders from the Unstuck team.
Benchmarks in church growth and health from The Unstuck Group's work serving hundreds churches across North America each year.
Practical advice to help you lead your church towards sustained health.
We think that after listening to The Unstuck Church Podcast, you'll want to start these discussions with your own team at your next staff meeting.
Add your thoughts to the conversation on social media using #unstuckchurch.
28episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
This Isn't Working Anymore: Vision Vs. Direction - Episode 447
1w ago00:23:18Tap to summarizeThis isn't working anymore... Too many churches keep running the same plays that used to work, even when the results have clearly changed. Ministry is a moving target, and what worked in 2010 doesn't automatically work in 2026. The ministry landscape has shifted, and it's time to make some upgrades. At The Unstuck Group, one of our core values is "Make It Better," and we are committed to practicing what we preach. So, in this series, we're being honest about where we've had to upgrade our own thinking and why we think you should, too. In this episode, Sean is joined by Tiffany Deluccia, our Director of Business Development, to discuss a topic that might be one of the most talked about—but least understood topics—in ministry: the difference between vision and direction. And why, in this era, we've learned that clear direction wins. The problem with "organizational statement clutter" The design flaw in the traditional format of vision statements Creating concrete, current and actionable direction This Episode is Sponsored by Planning Center: Planning Center is software designed to help churches help people. With multiple tools in one connected platform, you can stay organized, communicate with your team, and create meaningful ways to connect with your congregation. Start for free at planningcenter.com—pay only for what you need, and cancel anytime. Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.
Transcribe →How Fountain City Church Navigated Structure and Growth Challenges: Interview With Donny Wadley - Episode 446
2w ago00:24:56Tap to summarize"Structure changes have really changed our church... and it's changed me." We're doing something different this week on the podcast. We invited Pastor Donny Wadley from Fountain City Church in Knoxville, TN, to share his experience of going through The Unstuck Process. Before engaging with us, the church was hitting a growth barrier—like many of the churches in our tribe. They had facility challenges and questions about making room for all the people who were coming to their church, and they needed an outside perspective to guide them through it. In this episode, Sean and Pastor Donny talk about the impactful learnings and changes Fountain City went through as they navigated growth. Using metrics to look at ministry in a comprehensive way Getting the right people in the right positions The journey to creating a fresh vision This Episode is Sponsored by PlainJoe Studios: Unlock the power of story in your worship space. The creative, passionate team at PlainJoe, a Storyland Studio, works with churches to create beautiful, engaging spaces that connect with your community. They're a team of architectural, design, and branding experts who transform worship spaces into attractive, engaging hubs for the community. Reach out to their team at plainjoestudios.com and dream up the bright future of your church. Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.
Transcribe →Leading From a Healthy Soul With Lance Witt - Episode 445
3w ago00:35:23Tap to summarizeHow do you know if burnout isn't structural...but is personal? We're closing out our "Structured for Burnout " series with something that doesn't always make it onto the agenda: caring for yourself and your soul while you're busy caring for everyone else. We invited Lance Witt, a member of The Unstuck Group's lead team and a respected voice to pastors all across the country on the topic of leading from a healthy soul, to share his wisdom and experience. In this episode, Lance and Sean dig into the topic of personal burnout: what it actually looks like and what practical next steps leaders can take to lead from a healthier place. Burnout warning signs for church leaders: structurally and personally Why do we believe that busyness equals importance? How to keep yourself out of burnout and stay replenished This Episode is Sponsored by PlainJoe Studios: Unlock the power of story in your worship space. The creative, passionate team at PlainJoe, a Storyland Studio, works with churches to create beautiful, engaging spaces that connect with your community. They're a team of architectural, design, and branding experts who transform worship spaces into attractive, engaging hubs for the community. Reach out to their team at plainjoestudios.com and dream up the bright future of your church. Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.
Transcribe →Structuring Around Your Wiring With Cody Thompson - Episode 444
Apr 1500:42:16Tap to summarizeNoticing signs of burnout on your team? You could have the right people, just in the wrong roles. Teams work best when they're structured around each person's unique wiring. Understanding your own wiring, what each role requires and how your team's strengths fit together can help you lead and work in a way that is more effective, fulfilling and sustainable. In this episode, Amy and Sean sit down with Cody Thompson, Chief Operating Officer at The Table Group, to talk about how Working Genius can help your staff avoid burnout and serve in the way God has wired them. What is Working Genius? How to tell if someone is in the right role or the wrong role Burnout patterns that show up when people work outside their natural strengths How to build a team with a healthy mix of strengths IMPORTANT NOTE FOR OUR UNSTUCK PODCAST LISTENERS: We are sad to have share that Amy experienced a brain bleed last week that caused her to have a stroke. She is recovering, and we are sharing updates here. We recorded this episode prior and made the decision with her husband Jason to move forward with releasing this conversation. Thank you for your prayers for Amy and her family as she heals. This Episode is Sponsored by PlainJoe Studios: Unlock the power of story in your worship space. The creative, passionate team at PlainJoe, a Storyland Studio, works with churches to create beautiful, engaging spaces that connect with your community. They're a team of architectural, design, and branding experts who transform worship spaces into attractive, engaging hubs for the community. Reach out to their team at plainjoestudios.com and dream up the bright future of your church. Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.
Transcribe →Getting the Senior Leadership Team Structure Right - Episode 443
Apr 800:22:28Tap to summarizeA personality might draw a weekend crowd, but it takes a team to create the healthy systems that foster sustained growth—that's the role of the Senior Leadership Team. Without it, you're depending on heroism at the top. If the SLT is structured well, you can take the lid off your church and create space for sustained health. If it's not, you'll keep funneling everything back to the top. In this episode, Sean and Amy talk about the Senior Leadership Team—the team of people who sit at the top of your org chart. They'll help you see: What the SLT should actually look like How the roles of each member are defined Why getting the SLT right is so important This Episode is Sponsored by PlainJoe Studios: Unlock the power of story in your worship space. The creative, passionate team at PlainJoe, a Storyland Studio, works with churches to create beautiful, engaging spaces that connect with your community. They're a team of architectural, design, and branding experts who transform worship spaces into attractive, engaging hubs for the community. Reach out to their team at plainjoestudios.com and dream up the bright future of your church. Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.
Transcribe →Structure Moves That Fuel Lead Pastor Burnout - Episode 442
Apr 100:20:24Tap to summarizePastoral burnout is one of the most critical issues facing church leaders today. And it's not just about overwork or lack of boundaries: Your structure might be the very thing that's creating the conditions for burnout—for both you and your staff. We're seeing this pattern play out in churches everywhere. Lead pastors are drowning under impossible spans of care, unclear role definitions and organizational structures that create silos. Meanwhile, growth is creating momentum that feels exciting but leaves no time to build the systems that would actually sustain health. In this series, we're going beyond the symptoms to address the structural realities that either fuel burnout or create space for sustained health. This week Sean and Amy discuss the structure moves that lead to burnout and provide a set of structural questions to ask to help relieve it. This Episode is Sponsored by PlainJoe Studios: Unlock the power of story in your worship space. The creative, passionate team at PlainJoe, a Storyland Studio, works with churches to create beautiful, engaging spaces that connect with your community. They're a team of architectural, design, and branding experts who transform worship spaces into attractive, engaging hubs for the community. Reach out to their team at plainjoestudios.com and dream up the bright future of your church. Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.
Transcribe →Q1 2026 Unstuck Church Report - Episode 441
Mar 2500:28:40Tap to summarizeEver wonder how your church's metrics, wins and challenges compare to other like-minded churches? This quarter's Unstuck Church Report shows what the "Big C Church" is looking like in 2026 so far. The data covers the biggest barriers churches are facing when it comes to growth, gives perspectives on finances, informs how well churches are helping people engage in their churches, and many other interesting, helpful learnings. Sean and Amy dive into all the data of the Q1 2026 Unstuck Church Report in this episode: Growth Is Happening… But It's Slowing Are People Actually Connecting or Just Attending? WHAT'S BLOCKING GROWTH: The #1 Barrier Will Surprise You Exclusive insights from The Church Lawyers This Episode is Sponsored by The Church Lawyers When ministry meets legal complexity, The Church Lawyers are in your corner. Exclusively dedicated to serving churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations, the firm brings specialized legal expertise that general practice firms simply can't match. From church formation and governance to employment law, property matters, IRS compliance, crisis management, and more — our comprehensive counsel covers every dimension of ministry life. No legal concern is too big or too small. With affordable services and a membership program offering discounted legal rates, quality legal protection is accessible to ministries of every size. Visit TheChurchLawyers.com for free resources and everything you need to get started. Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.
Transcribe →Multisite Model Best Practices - Episode 440
Mar 1800:28:00Tap to summarizeYou can start multisite for all the right reasons: healthy momentum, strong mission and a genuine desire to reach more people. But then a few years in, you find yourself looking around thinking, "Wait… is this actually producing what we hoped it would?" Alignment feels harder. Decision-making feels heavier. Outcomes aren't quite matching the vision you had in mind when you started. And that's where a lot of churches begin asking a really honest question: Did we choose a model that's leading us to different results than we were hoping for? In this episode, Sean and Amy shift from problems to solutions—they share multisite model best practices you can actually benchmark against as you're evaluating where your multisite church might feel stuck. This Episode is Sponsored by The Church Lawyers Every church needs trusted legal counsel, but finding attorneys who truly understand ministry can be challenging. The Church Lawyers specialize in church and nonprofit law, serving thousands of organizations nationwide. From by-laws and governance, to IRS compliance and employment matters, The Church Lawyers provide the expertise you need with sound legal advice giving you peace of mind. Discover practical free resources and affordable membership options at thechurchlawyers.com. Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.
Transcribe →Top Challenges of Multistuck Churches - Episode 439
Mar 1100:17:58Tap to summarizeNo one goes into multisite thinking, "This model isn't going to work." Everyone starts for the right reasons: more people reached and more communities engaged. But over time, tensions begin to show up. But it's not just normal complexity; it's the kind that starts to impact clarity and limit effectiveness if you don't pay attention to it. Last week, Sean and Amy interviewed three leaders about their experience with multisite. All three pastors made the case that how you start multisite doesn't have to be your model forever. In this episode, Sean and Amy reflect on the takeaways from those stories and start pulling out some of the common challenges we see churches facing in multisite. This Episode is Sponsored by The Church Lawyers Every church needs trusted legal counsel, but finding attorneys who truly understand ministry can be challenging. The Church Lawyers specialize in church and nonprofit law, serving thousands of organizations nationwide. From by-laws and governance, to IRS compliance and employment matters, The Church Lawyers provide the expertise you need with sound legal advice giving you peace of mind. Discover practical free resources and affordable membership options at thechurchlawyers.com. Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.
Transcribe →Multisite Church Case Studies - Episode 438
Mar 400:42:23Tap to summarize"Are we doing multisite right?" The truth is that many churches launch multisite with great intentions but eventually find themselves stuck—operationally overwhelmed, financially strained or culturally fragmented across locations. In this series, we're pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to build a healthy, sustainable multisite strategy. We're starting with something a little different—we're letting some church leaders we've served tell their multisite stories in their own words. In this episode, you'll hear from three pastors who have had very different experiences with multisite: Nick Cleveland from Grace Church in Wooster, OH; Christy Gibas from The Table Church in Pittsburgh; and Mike Reinsel from Stonecreek Church in Georgia. This Episode is Sponsored by The Church Lawyers Every church needs trusted legal counsel, but finding attorneys who truly understand ministry can be challenging. The Church Lawyers specialize in church and nonprofit law, serving thousands of organizations nationwide. From by-laws and governance, to IRS compliance and employment matters, The Church Lawyers provide the expertise you need with sound legal advice giving you peace of mind. Discover practical free resources and affordable membership options at thechurchlawyers.com. Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.
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