In this special roundup episode of the unSeminary podcast, we highlight key insights from three previously recorded interviews focused on strengthening church staff teams. In celebration of the Summer 2025 issue of Executive Pastor Magazine, this curated compilation revisits rich conversations with leadership experts Dr. Ryan Hartwig and Dr. Warren Bird, executive pastor Ken McAnulty of Arise Church, and Diana Rush from Eastside Church. Each segment dives into unique aspects of staff development—from shared leadership and onboarding strategies to the art of leading from the middle in multisite churches.
Healthy Leadership Teams: The Power of Shared Leadership [
Listen to the full episode]With Dr. Ryan Hartwig & Dr. Warren Bird
* Hartwig and Bird, co-authors of Teams That Thrive, argue that shared leadership isn’t just biblical—it’s practical. Thriving church leadership teams intentionally embrace collaboration and commit to daily disciplines like running effective meetings and distributing leadership tasks evenly.
* One surprising insight from their research of over 140 churches was that many teams couldn’t even agree on who was actually on their team. This pointed to a broader lack of clarity and intentionality in team design.
* Bird challenges the myth that advising the senior pastor equates to real team leadership. Instead, churches must foster environments where diverse voices are heard, decisions are made together, and leadership is seen as developmental—not pre-baked.
* Hartwig shares compelling profiles of senior pastors who made humility-driven shifts in their leadership posture—either by stepping back to allow others to lead or stepping in to fill critical gaps.
Onboarding That Sets the Pace for Staff Success [
Listen to the full episode]With Ken McAnulty, Executive Pastor at Arise Church
* McAnulty unpacks Arise Church’s robust onboarding week, a deliberate strategy designed to eliminate the awkward, often disconnected experience new hires typically face.
* Instead of simply orienting staff to logistics, the goal is to shape culture, build community, and prepare new team members to run. Arise focuses on four key areas: Culture, Care, Competency, and Course.
* From pre-arrival office setups to custom music playing on a new hire’s first day, the details matter. Arise also includes intentional relational components like storytelling sessions with existing staff, which accelerate trust and cultural understanding.
* A unique highlight is their
“Last Day at Arise” document, where new staff articulate how they want to be remembered. This future-focused exercise helps shape present-day behavior and sets a clear tone for engagement and legacy.
Leading from the Middle: Managing Up, Down, and Inward [
Listen to the full episode]With Diana Rush, Senior Director of Build Community at Eastside Christian Church
* Rush provides practical advice for navigating the complexities of middle management in a large, multisite church. She emphasizes that effective leadership begins with self-awareness and spiritual integrity—what comes ...
