In this episode of the Advantage podcast, David Ashcraft talks with Ned Pelger, a construction expert, about his experience with church building projects and more. Ned shares his unique perspective on the importance of prioritizing value, simplifying design, and understanding the specific needs of the community the building is intended to serve. Tune in to hear: • Why churches aren't always the best customers • What challenges commonly arise in construction • How to keep building projects efficient and cost-effective Whether you're a pastor, a church leader, or even on the construction side, this conversation offers valuable insights.

Today, we're incredibly excited to welcome Bart Rendel and Doug Parks, the creative minds behind Intentional Churches. Bart and Doug are passionate about helping churches clarify their vision, implement strategic planning, and cultivate healthy leadership, all while staying deeply rooted in biblical truth. Get ready for a dynamic and insightful conversation about revitalizing your church and making a greater impact in your community! https://www.intentionalchurches.com/ Intentional Churches Book: https://a.co/d/4mDSwAh Intentional Churches Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5B2cLTTMQLzxjGLYDj84Pc?si=bf2878341978410e

In this episode, Kevin shares his unique journey into ministry, his perspective on supporting ministry spouses, and practical ways to identify and develop emerging leaders within your congregation. He also emphasizes the critical importance of NOT doing ministry alone – a message that deeply resonates with the core values of The Advantage. Here are a few key takeaways: • How to identify potential leaders in unexpected places. • Strategies for supporting ministry spouses and helping them thrive. • Practical ways to engage with your community while remaining focused on the Gospel. • The power of steadfastness in a changing cultural landscape.

We're excited to share our latest podcast episode—a conversation with Steve Cuss about how leadership anxiety and reactive habits can hold us back, and what it looks like to lead from a place of grace and freedom. Steve, the author of Managing Leadership Anxiety, offers practical insights on recognizing false needs like control, approval, and perfection that often drive burnout. He shares key tools like noticing, naming, and diffusing anxious patterns, as well as how resting in God's grace can transform the way we lead. Whether you're leading a team, volunteering, or managing everyday pressures, this episode is full of helpful wisdom to help you lead with peace and authenticity. Listen now—and check out the discussion guide to get the most from our conversation!

In this episode of The Advantage Podcast we dive into Part Two of a conversation with David Ashcraft and Shawn Williams, Senior Pastor of Willow Creek, as he shares how his church turned around after a season of crisis, focusing on rebuilding, values over vision, staff surveys, and community trust. He also discusses future goals to reach more for the kingdom. Watch Part 1 here if you missed it: https://youtu.be/gI4BgJECoEk

We're excited to share the latest episode of The Advantage Podcast, featuring Shawn Williams, Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church. In this episode, Shawn discusses his experience navigating the challenges at Willow Creek, including: - Taking on leadership during a post-crisis season. - Making difficult decisions during times of uncertainty. - The importance of trust and communication in rebuilding a healthy church culture. - The transition between him and Dave Dummitt. Whether you're a church leader, a student of leadership, or simply interested in organizational change, we think you'll find Shawn's insights valuable.

In this episode David Ashcraft interviews Jason Mitchell, the senior pastor at LCBC Church, about his journey and experiences. In this episode, you'll discover: · The importance of trust and open communication during transitions. · How to navigate the unique dynamics of leading a church where you've grown up. · The value of waiting and character formation in leadership. · Strategies for reinventing yourself within your role. · The impact of senior leadership on family and personal growth. Whether you're a seasoned pastor or just starting out, this episode offers valuable perspectives and practical advice.

In this episode, we delve into the critical topic of long-term leadership in ministry, featuring a conversation with Peter Greer, author and President & CEO of Hope International. Peter shares invaluable insights on navigating the challenges and rewards of sustained leadership, emphasizing the importance of: - Maintaining a clear vision and avoiding mission drift. - The cumulative impact of small decisions: How seemingly insignificant choices can significantly influence your ministry's trajectory. - The dangers of hubris and the importance of ongoing spiritual growth. - The power of prayer, reflection, and intentional relationships: Gain practical tips for enhancing your personal spiritual practices and fostering stronger team dynamics. - Servant leadership and the importance of small acts of service. This episode is packed with practical advice and powerful stories designed to help you lead with greater effectiveness and faithfulness. It's a must-listen for pastors, church leaders, and anyone striving for long-term, impactful ministry. Be sure to take a look at our discussion guide! https://www.lcbcchurch.com/GetFile.ashx?guid=3906513b-d0d8-41ea-adda-d38d5f27bc90 We encourage you to share this episode with your staff and fellow pastors. Let's continue the conversation!

In this episode of the Advantage Podcast David Ashcraft and Dave Ferguson discuss the importance of church multiplication, sharing insights from their experiences with multi-site churches and church planting. Dave Ferguson highlights his journey from founding Community Christian Church in Chicago to leading the New Thing network and Exponential conference, emphasizing the significance of reproducing churches and movements. They explore the challenges and benefits of both multi-site and church planting models, advocating for a mindset focused on multiplying disciples and leaders. The conversation underscores the need for church leaders to embrace both strategies to expand God's kingdom effectively.

In this episode, David interviews Jenni Catron about her new book "Culture Matters" and her insights on building healthy church cultures and teams. Jenni shares her background in church leadership, the importance of defining your church's culture and values, aligning your team around a shared mission, and continually nurturing a thriving ministry environment. Whether you lead a large or small church, this conversation offers a framework and practical steps to assess your current culture, define your aspirations, and equip your team to be healthy, engaged, and unstoppable in fulfilling your church's mission. Jenni also provides information on how listeners can connect with her and access additional resources. Lead Culture Podcast with Jenni Catron Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lead-culture-with-jenni-catron/id1433939621 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0QIqKrTU4D5FLTJx39LOy4?si=4fb47b4269af4c03 Culturemattersbook.com

In this episode, we have a special guest, Mark Miller, a Wall Street Journal bestselling author and leadership expert who spent over 45 years with Chick-fil-A. Mark’s journey is remarkable, starting as an hourly team member and rising to key leadership roles, making him a wealth of knowledge on leadership development. Mark Miller’s latest book: Uncommon Greatness: Five Fundamentals To Transform Your Leadership In our conversation, Mark discusses: · How to identify and develop young talent within your church · Key leadership principles he learned throughout his career · The importance of creating and maintaining a strong organizational culture · His innovative concept of Dynamic Awareness—and how it can help you lead and adapt to change more effectively. I encourage you to take some time to listen to this episode as Mark’s insights are incredibly valuable for anyone in church leadership. His wisdom on nurturing talent and culture is directly applicable to the work we are doing in our churches and ministries.

On this month's episode of the Advantage Podcast, we are looking forward to continuing the conversation with Dr. Henry Cloud, in this second of a two-part recording. Leadership, Confrontation, and Development 1. Confrontation Skills: What techniques or approaches do you find effective when performing confrontations with staff or church members, and how do you prepare for these difficult conversations? 2. Understanding Responses: How can you better assess and understand the different responses individuals may have to confrontation, and what strategies can you employ to manage those responses constructively? 3. Leadership Development: What is your vision for developing a culture of continuous leadership growth within your church, and how can you incorporate coaching or training opportunities for yourself and your staff? 4. Engaging Your Elders: In what ways can you work with your elder board to ensure they are actively supporting your health and leadership development, rather than solely focusing on church governance? 5. Creating Effective Structures: What are some practical structures or processes you can implement in your church to ensure that pastoral care and leadership health are prioritized and resourced? 6. Navigating Conflicts: How do you plan to address and navigate conflicts within your ministry team, ensuring that issues are resolved amicably and do not lead to division or strife in the church community?

An unscripted conversation with David Ashcraft and top leaders impacting our world. Created by pastors for pastors to expand our knowledge and influence. This is part one of a two-part interview between David Ashcraft and Dr. Henry Cloud as they have a comprehensive discussion on the challenges and strategies for pastoral leadership. They explore the importance of relational connectedness, the need for structured support systems, and the critical role of transformational moments in small groups. Dr. Cloud emphasizes the necessity for pastors to seek external, confidential support to maintain their well-being and effectiveness. The conversation underscores the need for elder boards to proactively support their pastors' development and health, drawing parallels with practices in the business world. Discussion Guide: 1. Emotional Well-Being: What steps can you take to prioritize your own mental health and emotional well-being as a Senior Pastor, considering the unique pressures of church leadership? 2. Fostering Connection: How can you create an environment in your church that promotes deep relational connections among congregants, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic? 3. Transformational Moments: What specific strategies can you implement in your church’s small groups to ensure they are fostering transformational moments rather than simply being content-driven? 4. Support Structures: How can you advocate for the establishment of support structures within your church, such as mentoring, counseling, or peer accountability groups, to ensure that both you and your staff feel supported? 5. Addressing Isolation: Given the isolation many pastors experience, what actionable steps can you take to build a network of relationships with other pastors and leaders for mutual support and encouragement? 6. Balancing Responsibilities: How do you manage the transition from pastoral duties to personal care, ensuring that you can fulfill your responsibilities effectively without neglecting your own needs?

In this episode team member Mark Stuenzi talks to Amy Anderson as he prepped for our one day, Staffing and Restructuring Workshop. Amy Anderson, director of consulting at The Unstuck Group, joined our workshop to discuss church structure and staffing. The Unstuck Group has consulted with over 675 churches, helping them navigate various challenges. Amy emphasized the importance of strategy, structure, and people when considering a reorganization. She also highlighted the need for clear ministry lanes, the right leaders in the right seats, and an appropriate span of care. Discussion Guide: What strategies can be used to ensure effective communication during a restructuring process? What are some potential challenges or obstacles that may arise during a restructuring process, and how can they be overcome? Is it time for our staff team to revisit and evaluate our structure to ensure it is still effective and aligned with the church's goals and vision? How can we ensure that we approach restructuring with a willingness to change and make necessary adjustments, even if it means removing certain individuals from leadership positions? How can we involve a small team to assess our current structure and staffing, identifying what is working well and what feels stuck or confusing? How can we effectively communicate the restructuring plan to minimize anxiety and ensure that everyone understands the reasons behind the changes?

On episode 8 of The Advantage Podcast, we hear from Stephanie Chung. With over 40 years of experience in the American Aviation Industry with positions ranging from baggage handler to CEO - Stephanie brings a valuable perspective to leadership, ministry, and life in general. And she does it with zest, enthusiasm, decisiveness, and confidence. We are excited and grateful for this conversation. You can pre-order Stephanie's new book, Ally Leadership, here. https://stephaniechung.com/books/ Please feel free to share this episode with others, and don't forget to take a look at the Discussion Guide for this episode, with questions that will help you get the most out of it. 1. How has the COVID-19 pandemic and other recent events affected your leadership style and approach? 2. In what ways do you feel pastors and business leaders face similar challenges in leading diverse organizations? 3. What role do pastors play in providing guidance and support to business leaders in navigating complex issues like LGBTQ inclusion? 4. How do you balance the responsibility of hiring the best people for the job with respecting and valuing diversity in your organization? 5. How has the power dynamic between leaders and employees shifted in recent years, and how have you adapted to this change? 6. How do you handle mistakes and accountability within your team, and do you take responsibility as a leader for those mistakes? 7. How do you ensure that your team members understand and follow established processes and procedures? 8. How do you approach the challenge of leading in a rapidly changing world, and how do you anticipate future shifts in leadership dynamics and expectations? 9. How are we leading our very diverse and intergenerational staff, recognizing that we don’t know what we don’t know? Are we asking, listening, and learning from staff who are different than us? How can we apply: ALLY: Ask, Listen, Learn, and You (take action). 10. How are we effectively inviting marketplace leaders into the work of the Church, fully utilizing the gifts God has equipped them with for the Kingdom? Are we thinking about what these leaders “do” in the marketplace, that might benefit the Church the most?

David connects with successful businessman and follower of Jesus, Rob Gregory, as he shares the similarities between running a business and a church. He also wanted to give you a copy of the Philosophy, Mission, and Vision that guides his company. Discussion Questions: 1. How does Rob Gregory's perspective on pride and humility impact his approach to leadership? 2. What are some potential entry points for individuals from different backgrounds to get involved in church ministry? 3. How does Rob Gregory emphasize the importance of guest experience in his business? 4. What does Rob Gregory mean when he says that every impression someone gets of a church or business is a "moment of truth"? 5. How does Rob Gregory's son's perspective challenge the idea of separating the spiritual and secular aspects of life? 6. How does Rob Gregory teach his staff to prioritize making customers feel welcome and valued? 7. How does Rob Gregory's business mission align with the principles of discipleship and loving one's neighbor? 8. How does David Ashcraft suggest pastors should approach individuals like Rob Gregory in their congregations? 9. How does Rob Gregory's perspective on leadership and business differ from traditional notions of success and profit? 10. How does Rob Gregory's concept of the five principles apply to both businesses and churches?

This month’s guest is Pastor and author Jeff Jones, from Chase Oaks Church in Plano, Tx. Jeff is the author of Rebranding Christianity: When the World’s Most Important Brand Loses Its Way. David and Jeff discuss both the challenge and necessity of how pastors can navigate the political season and stay focused on the exalted position of Christianity Discussion Guide: 1. Discuss the concept of rebranding Christianity and the need to change the perception of Christianity in a skeptical world. What does that look like at your church? 2. David and Jeff discuss the character trait of authenticity and make note that every generation seeks authenticity. That being the case, how is it that the church is still slow to recognize the importance of authenticity and addressing the issues that have caused Christianity to lose trust? 3. Jeff makes the statement that the race issue is one that Christians should “own.” · What is the role of Christians in addressing race and racism, based on the gospel message? · How can pastors address the concerns of people who feel like important issues are being ignored by staying focused on the higher topics that unify us? · How can pastors encourage radical love and unity in the church, especially during a divisive political climate? 4. How can pastors help people think with their biblical filter before their political filter when considering important issues? 5. How can pastors navigate the political season and stay focused on the exalted position of Christianity?

An unscripted conversation with David Ashcraft and top leaders impacting our world. Created by pastors for pastors to expand our knowledge and influence. This month’s episode we welcome Larry Osborne of North Coast Church & North Coast Training Network.

This month we have the opportunity to listen in as friends share learnings and perspectives from their two long-term ministry experiences, how they met, and what they’ve learned from getting to know and better understand one another. We hope you enjoy hearing from Pastor John Jenkins Sr.

Episode three gives us a special opportunity to hear from one of the most influential leaders in all of college athletics, Greg Sankey. Greg is the Commissioner of the Southeastern Conference and a devoted Christ follower.