

Breaking Barriers
Andrew Hopper and Bobby Herrington
We’re here to help pastors and churches grow so that they can go. Churches can grow without going, but they can’t go without growing. Do you ever feel like church growth and sending is an uphill battle? You’re not alone, many leaders face common barriers that hinder mission success. At Breaking Barriers, we understand these challenges because we’ve been there. Now, we are on a mission to guide churches and leaders like you with Biblical strategies to help your church grow to go. Join Pastors Andrew Hopper and Bobby Herrington from Mercy Hill Church in Greensboro, NC.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 30, 2026 • 20min
E109 - Holistic Health + Sanctification For Pastors PART 2
PART 2: Have you ever seen that guy at the gym who only trains his biceps? A lot of pastors preach the same way... all spirit, no body, no whole-life health. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we have an honest conversation about what holistic sanctification actually looks like, why the church has often reduced it to a checklist of spiritual rules, and how a gospel-centered view of grace changes everything. We walk through 1 Thessalonians 5:23, talk about the difference between fear-based and grace-motivated Christian growth, and share the moments that personally shifted our approach to ministry. Whether you're a pastor reconsidering how you preach sanctification or a church leader looking to grow in a more integrated way, this episode will challenge and encourage you.Topics: sanctification, gospel-centered faith, pastor burnout, spiritual and physical health, 1 Thessalonians, church growth, grace-based motivation

Mar 23, 2026 • 20min
E108 - Holistic Health + Sanctification For Pastors
Have you ever seen that guy at the gym who only trains his biceps? A lot of pastors preach the same way... all spirit, no body, no whole-life health. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we have an honest conversation about what holistic sanctification actually looks like, why the church has often reduced it to a checklist of spiritual rules, and how a gospel-centered view of grace changes everything. We walk through 1 Thessalonians 5:23, talk about the difference between fear-based and grace-motivated Christian growth, and share the moments that personally shifted our approach to ministry. Whether you're a pastor reconsidering how you preach sanctification or a church leader looking to grow in a more integrated way, this episode will challenge and encourage you.Topics: sanctification, gospel-centered faith, pastor burnout, spiritual and physical health, 1 Thessalonians, church growth, grace-based motivation

Mar 16, 2026 • 35min
E107 - Why Your Church Feels Stuck: How Vision, Momentum & Systems Create Real Movement
What does it actually feel like when your church has momentum but no vision? Or great systems but no momentum? In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we unpack the three essential elements every growing church needs — vision, momentum, and systems — and what breaks down when even one of them is missing. Whether you're leading a church plant with explosive early growth or an established church trying to get unstuck, this conversation will help you diagnose where your church is, and what to do about it. We also talk about what it looks like when God breathes on all three — and how to prepare your church to be ready when He does. If you're a pastor or church leader looking for practical church growth strategies, this episode is for you.

Mar 9, 2026 • 45min
E106 - 5 Limiting Beliefs That Are Killing Your Church's Growth
Every pastor has them — unexamined assumptions that quietly set the ceiling on what you believe God can do through your church. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we unpack five of the most common limiting beliefs in church leadership, why they're more dangerous in ministry than anywhere else, and how a biblical framework of stepping out in faith before you see God move can transform the way you lead. From the relationship between lead pastors and executive pastors, to what the Bible actually says about stewardship and risk, to why your city or context isn't the lid on your church's growth — this conversation will challenge you to prepare the jars before the miracle comes. If you're a pastor, church planter, or ministry leader who wants to grow so you can go, this episode is for you.

Mar 2, 2026 • 39min
E105 - 5 Key Principles on How to Focus on What Matters Most in Church Leadership and Ministry
Learn how to focus on what matters most in pastoral ministry with 5 essential principles for long-term success. Pastors Bobby and Andrew discuss identifying your core responsibilities, using your calendar strategically, avoiding the passion trap, delegating effectively, and embracing the process over outcomes. Discover why preaching, vision casting, and generosity matter more than busyness, and how to build organizational systems that free you to focus on high-impact work. Perfect for lead pastors, executive pastors, and church leaders navigating growth and complexity while avoiding burnout.

Feb 23, 2026 • 36min
E104 - Identify and Develop the Right People Early (How to Identify Future Church Planters)
How do you identify a future church planter before they even know they're one? In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we walk through 8 early indicators to look for in high school and college students — from entrepreneurial drive and dynamic communication to physical discipline and commitment to the local church. We also make the case for why parent planting (raising planters from within your own church) leads to deeper multiplication than partner planting, even though it takes significantly more time and intentionality.Website: https://breakinggrowthbarriers.comFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/breakinggrowthbarriersFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakinggrowthbarriersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakinggrowthbarriers

Feb 16, 2026 • 40min
E103 - Why Pastors Burn Out: Understanding Ministry Seasons and Capacity Changes (Part 2)
[Part 2] We explore a critical issue affecting 40% of pastors today: burnout caused by failing to adapt to new life seasons. Discover why many ministry leaders implode not from lack of commitment, but from refusing to acknowledge when their capacity has changed. Learn how marriage, kids, crisis, and blessing each demand different strategies for spiritual, physical, and emotional health. Whether you're 25 or 75, single or married, this conversation provides a biblical framework from Ecclesiastes 3 to help you recognize your current season, adjust your expectations, and maintain long-term health in ministry. Essential listening for pastors, church leaders, and anyone wanting to finish well.Website: https://breakinggrowthbarriers.comFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/breakinggrowthbarriersFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakinggrowthbarriersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakinggrowthbarriers

Feb 9, 2026 • 31min
E102 - Why Pastors Burn Out: Understanding Ministry Seasons and Capacity Changes (Part 1)
We explore a critical issue affecting 40% of pastors today: burnout caused by failing to adapt to new life seasons. Discover why many ministry leaders implode not from lack of commitment, but from refusing to acknowledge when their capacity has changed. Learn how marriage, kids, crisis, and blessing each demand different strategies for spiritual, physical, and emotional health. Whether you're 25 or 75, single or married, this conversation provides a biblical framework from Ecclesiastes 3 to help you recognize your current season, adjust your expectations, and maintain long-term health in ministry. Essential listening for pastors, church leaders, and anyone wanting to finish well.Website: https://breakinggrowthbarriers.comFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/breakinggrowthbarriersFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakinggrowthbarriersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakinggrowthbarriers

Feb 2, 2026 • 27min
E101 - How to Cast Vision in Church: From Concept to Execution for Pastors and Leaders (Part 2)
Think you need to be a natural visionary to cast compelling vision for your church? Think again. This episode breaks down vision casting into practical, repeatable steps any pastor can implement. Discover how to develop a clear vision, why "God's will is something you do, not something you find," and how to make your vision sticky enough that a teenager could explain it to their friends. From Moses painting the picture of the Promised Land to modern church growth strategies, learn proven frameworks for telling people who you are and where you're going. Whether you're leading 50 or 5,000, these tools will help you break through growth barriers and inspire your congregation toward meaningful kingdom impact. Practical wisdom for church leaders who want to grow so they can go.• Vivid Vision: https://a.co/d/4E1U8rf• Church Unique: https://a.co/d/8kcqLjp• EOS: https://www.eosworldwide.com/traction-library**(If you don't know where to start with EOS, we'd start with Traction: https://a.co/d/ajsg9zx)

Jan 26, 2026 • 23min
E100 - How to Cast Vision in Church: From Concept to Execution for Pastors and Leaders
Think you need to be a natural visionary to cast compelling vision for your church? Think again. This episode breaks down vision casting into practical, repeatable steps any pastor can implement. Discover how to develop a clear vision, why "God's will is something you do, not something you find," and how to make your vision sticky enough that a teenager could explain it to their friends. From Moses painting the picture of the Promised Land to modern church growth strategies, learn proven frameworks for telling people who you are and where you're going. Whether you're leading 50 or 5,000, these tools will help you break through growth barriers and inspire your congregation toward meaningful kingdom impact. Practical wisdom for church leaders who want to grow so they can go.


