Intentional Churches Podcast

In this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, we shift from challenges to encouragement—and what we’re seeing right now across the Church is incredibly hopeful.While many narratives suggest decline, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Churches are growing. Young people are showing up. Leaders are leaning in. And something deeper is beginning to take shape.Doug, Bart, and Erin unpack some of the most encouraging discoveries emerging from churches that are aligning around the Great Commission—and what it means for your church, your leadership, and your future.You’ll hear real stories from churches across the country, insights from the first-ever Partner Church Summit, and practical ways leaders are rediscovering the life-giving power of personally owning the mission of Jesus.This conversation will challenge the narratives you’ve been hearing—and replace them with something far more powerful: hope rooted in action.If you’ve been wondering whether the Church’s best days are behind us… this episode is for you.Timestamps00:00 – Is the Church really in decline? Challenging the narrative 01:15 – Introducing Radical Alignment and the Alignment Workshop 03:00 – Why church leaders need encouragement right now 04:00 – The Partner Church Summit: unity across diverse churches 06:00 – A spiritual awakening and what’s happening beneath the surface 08:30 – The danger of fear-based church narratives 10:00 – Why the future of the Church is brighter than you think 11:00 – The opportunity with the next generation of leaders 14:30 – What younger leaders are really looking for in older leaders 16:30 – The untapped power of multigenerational leadership 18:30 – The turning point: It starts with you 19:30 – Why owning the Great Commission is life-giving 21:00 – Real stories of churches seeing transformation and growth 24:30 – Practical ways to integrate mission into everyday life 26:30 – Staff vs. personal ownership: breaking the mindset barrier 27:30 – Simple practices: prayer calendars and relational rhythms 29:00 – Preparing to share your faith naturally and consistently 31:00 – Low-cost, high-impact ways to lead your team into alignment 33:00 – Final encouragement for church leadersWebsite: intentionalchurches.comThe Radical Alignment BookBlog: intentionalchurches.com/blogYouTube: @IntentionalChurchesFacebook: Intentional ChurchesInstagram: @IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: @IntentChurches

In this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, Erin Johnston sits down with Doug Parks and Bart Rendel to talk about their newest book, Radical Alignment.After more than a decade of working with over a thousand churches, Doug and Bart share the surprising lessons they’ve learned about why alignment in the church is much harder than they expected—and why it matters more than ever.The conversation explores the hidden challenges many churches face: the pull of Christian consumerism, the difficulty of collaboration between churches, impulsive leadership decisions, and the growing disconnect between evangelism and discipleship.Doug and Bart also explain why Radical Alignment serves as a “prequel” to their earlier work—laying the biblical and missional foundation for what it truly means to be an intentional church.If you're a church leader trying to move your church from an inward focus to mission-focused disciple making, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.Episode Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to the Podcast01:57 – Why Write This Book Now?04:30 – The Journey of Learning from 1,000+ Churches07:05 – Why This Book Is the Best Starting Point for Leaders08:26 – When Big Vision Meets Real Challenges11:17 – Why Collaboration Between Churches Is So Difficult13:10 – The Role of Theology, Mission, and Church Identity14:11 – Leadership Impulsiveness and “Not Invented Here” Thinking17:40 – The Dynamic Work of God in Reaching People22:10 – The Challenge of Christian Consumerism25:00 – Institutional Thinking vs Personal Mission27:10 – Why Staff Culture Often Reinforces Consumerism31:00 – Real Examples of Institutional Thinking in Churches36:49 – The Dangerous Divide Between Evangelism and Discipleship39:17 – Rediscovering the Biblical Model of Disciple Making41:17 – Measuring Spiritual Depth the Right Way43:11 – The Adventure of Owning the Great Commission Personally45:00 – How Leaders Can Start Moving Toward AlignmentWebsite: 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 kick off Season 10 with a candid and energizing conversation about what’s happening beneath the surface at Intentional Churches.Yes, there’s a little “Storytime with Bart” (including airline boarding chaos and a mysterious food allergy, but the heart of this episode is much deeper.Doug and Bart unpack why Radical Alignment and personal ownership of the Great Commission is proving to be one of the most transformative discoveries of their entire ministry journeys.This isn’t about adding another program.It’s about rediscovering the fundamental mission of the Church.If you’re a church leader who feels tired, stretched thin, or stuck maintaining complexity, this episode may reawaken something in you.Episode Timestamps00:00 – A surprising confession: parenting differently because of Radical Alignment 01:10 – Welcome to Season 10 of the Intentional Churches Podcast 01:26 – Why 2026 feels like a turning point for Intentional Churches 02:00 – Storytime with Bart: Southwest airline boarding chaos 06:46 – Entitlement, culture, and what airlines reveal about society 09:13 – Bart’s unexpected (and serious) allergy scare 12:13 – Transition: Why Radical Alignment is reshaping everything 13:16 – Bart reflects on 20 years of ministry models and what’s changed 16:30 – The discovery: There isn’t one model — there are biblical fundamentals 17:12 – How personal ownership of the Great Commission transforms everything 19:06 – Why many discipleship pathways miss heart transformation 23:28 – Macro strategies vs. micro relational mission 26:24 – Evangelism: From transactional to transformational 30:47 – Why this moment feels urgent in a rapidly changing culture 32:35 – Introducing the Radical Alignment Assessment 34:00 – How simple meeting changes are unlocking momentum 37:58 – A powerful story of conviction and mercy in action 40:22 – 18 churches fly in for 24 hours — what that signals 41:30 – “This is beyond us now.” A movement forming 43:27 – Encouragement for tired church leaders 44:40 – Season 10 preview and what’s coming nextWebsite: intentionalchurches.comThe Radical Alignment BookBlog: intentionalchurches.com/blogYouTube: @IntentionalChurchesFacebook: Intentional ChurchesInstagram: @IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: @IntentChurches

On this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug and Erin sit down with Sean Kelly, Lead Pastor of Mount Pleasant Christian Church in Greenwood, Indiana, for a candid conversation about succession, silos, and what it really takes to bring alignment back to a growing church.Sean shares his journey in Ohio to stepping into a historic, multi-generational church, navigating a leadership transition. Together, they unpack why churches drift into siloed ministry, how misalignment slowly creeps in, and what practical leaders can do to realign their staff, systems, and preaching around the Great Commission.From staff trust-building tools like the “Four Helpfuls,” to cross-functional VIP teams, to using preaching as a catalyst for radical alignment, this episode is full of actionable insight for senior pastors, executive pastors, and church leadership teams who want to move from good activity to unified mission.If you’re leading through transition, or sensing your church has energy but lacks clarity, this conversation will help you diagnose misalignment and take your next faithful step forward.New to Intentional Churches? Start here:intentionalchurches.comTimestamps00:00 – “If we were fired tomorrow…”: why change feels harder than it is 00:22 – Welcome to the Intentional Churches Podcast 00:35 – Erin returns after a major generosity initiative 01:29 – Meet Sean Kelly: background, family, and pastoral journey 02:43 – Ministry context: Youngstown, Ohio and multi-campus leadership 04:28 – Why Sean said yes to Mount Pleasant Christian Church 06:18 – Leading through succession: what went right (and why it mattered) 09:47 – Context matters: understanding Greenwood & the Indianapolis area 11:43 – The Restoration Movement and Christian Church distinctives 13:11 – First impressions: culture, DNA, and early warning signs 16:47 – Why silos form—and how leaders unknowingly reinforce them 18:02 – The “Four Helpfuls” tool: right, wrong, missing, confused 21:49 – From good to great: aligning people, roles, and accountability 24:07 – What is a VIP (Very Important Project)? 26:45 – Building alignment through cross-functional teams 29:01 – Low-hanging fruit and momentum-building wins 30:08 – Using preaching to drive Radical Alignment (Erin’s approach) 34:23 – Sean’s preaching framework: mission-anchored sermons 37:21 – Aligning ministry programs with the pulpit 39:02 – Discernment rhythms and organizational focus 42:34 – Final encouragement + Radical Alignment book mentionWebsite: intentionalchurches.comThe Radical Alignment BookBlog: intentionalchurches.com/blogYouTube: @IntentionalChurchesFacebook: Intentional ChurchesInstagram: @IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: @IntentChurches

On this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug sits down with longtime broadcaster, ministry leader, and AI researcher Drew Dickens for a timely and thought-provoking conversation on AI, spirituality, and the future of the Church.With more than 30 years of vocational ministry experience—and a front-row seat to the rise of artificial intelligence—Drew helps church leaders move beyond fear and hype to thoughtfully engage how AI is already shaping the pulpit, the pew, and spiritual formation.Together, Doug and Drew explore:Why AI is morally neutral—and how the Church must lead with discernment instead of fearHow AI is quietly becoming a spiritual authority in people’s livesThe threat AI poses to embodiment, community, and relational discipleshipWhat pastors need to understand about how congregants are already using AI for therapy, prayer, and guidanceHow church leaders can use AI responsibly as a tool, not a replacement for Spirit-led formationPractical ways AI can support relational evangelism without replacing human connectionDrew also shares a powerful personal story that illustrates both the real comfort and the real dangers of AI—and why everything must ultimately be brought back into Spirit-filled community.If you’re a senior pastor, ministry leader, or church staff member wondering how to lead faithfully in a rapidly changing digital landscape, this conversation will help you think clearly, lead courageously, and shepherd wisely in the age of AI.New to Intentional Churches? Start here:intentionalchurches.comTimestamps00:00 – A late-night conversation with AI that changed everything01:00 – Welcome to the Intentional Churches Podcast01:26 – Meet Drew Dickens: broadcaster, ministry leader, and early AI adopter03:10 – Drew’s journey from national radio to evangelism and contemplative prayer apps05:19 – Reaching hundreds of thousands daily through Scripture and meditation06:33 – Why AI is everywhere—and why most people don’t even realize it07:14 – Is AI “of the devil”? A biblical framework for discernment08:38 – What history teaches us about technology and temptation10:30 – Why pastors can’t ignore how AI is shaping everyday spirituality11:14 – How congregants are already using AI in their spiritual lives13:37 – The three biggest threats AI poses to the Church14:55 – Threat #1: AI and the erosion of spiritual authority16:47 – Threat #2: Disembodiment and the loss of real community18:06 – Threat #3: Algorithm-driven spiritual formation19:47 – How pastors should educate and lead their congregations around AI21:55 – Why transparency from the pulpit matters more than fear24:39 – Embodiment, discipleship, and why relationships still matter most26:17 – AI as therapist: what church leaders need to understand now28:03 – A deeply personal story: grief, AI, and prayer at 1 a.m.30:31 – Bringing AI experiences into Spirit-filled community33:22 – Evangelism, awe, and what AI can never replace35:30 – Why relational evangelism transforms the believer38:07 – Using AI to practice gospel conversations wisely39:58 – A powerful evangelism tool pastors should pay attention to42:34 – AI debating theology: creativity without replacing the Spirit44:12 – Revival, Gen Z, and the Church’s moment of responsibility47:13 – AI as a tool for exploration—not authority48:10 – Where to learn more from Drew Dickens50:09 – Final encouragement for church leaders navigating AI faithfullyWebsite: intentionalchurches.comThe Radical Alignment BookBlog: intentionalchurches.com/blogYouTube: @IntentionalChurchesFacebook: Intentional ChurchesInstagram: @IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: @IntentChurches

Join Chris Steele, Lead Minister at North Terrace Church, as he shares his journey of transforming church culture from merely creating attenders to fostering true disciples. Discover how a revelation during COVID prompted a complete renovation of their approach, leading to dramatic growth in baptisms—34 in 2023 and 138 already this year! Chris highlights the power of prayer, simplicity, and personal ownership in evangelism. He emphasizes the importance of unity and core values that drive their mission, inspiring leaders everywhere to reignite their church's purpose.

Bart Rendel, a senior leader and writer within the Intentional Churches movement, discusses his new book, Radical Alignment, which delves into the heart of church mission alignment. He shares fascinating stories, including a unique ice-bath baptism and a Tennessee church mobilizing hundreds to reach their 'One.' Bart emphasizes the importance of personal Great Commission ownership and how urgency and clarity are transforming churches. This conversation inspires leaders to rethink evangelism and reconnect with core church missions.

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!