Reinventing Church

In this episode, Derek and Danielle, along with Pastor Sarah Burtt and the Clarity House team, tackle the shift from growth to depth. They unpack how to design discipleship environments that form people, not just fill rooms, share a behind-the-scenes look at mind-mapping job descriptions, and introduce four simple practices any leader can use to develop people, not just delegate tasks. Perfect for pastors and church leaders ready to rethink what “success” looks like in their ministry.

In this episode of Reinventing Church, Derek Sanford talks with Stephen Hay about how churches can shift from customer service to coaching, from keeping people happy to helping them grow. Learn how to spot consumer Christianity, create feedback-rich coaching cultures, and lead with courage instead of comfort. Plus, behind-the-scenes updates on Grace’s Awake the Lake vision and a new Tips & Tools on turning complaints into clarity.

Instead of plugging people into roles, call them into purpose.

From Northern Lights and “read-minds-vs-fly” debates to deep reflections on what truly counts in ministry, Derek and Danielle explore how churches can move from attendance to apprenticeship. Dave Rhodes redefines success, and guest Jeremy Adelman shows how an old Minneapolis church found new life by focusing on training disciples who multiply. Perfect for church leaders ready to measure growth by transformation not turnout.

Most churches are great at teaching but weak at training. In Episode 32 of Reinventing Church, Derek and Danielle kick off with fall vibes in Erie, then dive into Dave Rhodes on building training centers. Derek sits down with Pastor Mark Canada of Parkway Bible to talk about shifting from passive content delivery to active, experiential discipleship. Expect practical tools, a fourth grader’s gospel story, and a conflict tip you can use today.

Is your church’s leadership pipeline multiplying or just maintaining? In this episode of Reinventing Church, Derek and Danielle sit down with Brent Minter, Lead Pastor of Keystone Church, to talk about making the critical shift from staff-driven ministry to leader-multiplying culture.

Is your church’s discipleship pathway clear or just crowded? In this episode, Derek and Danielle talk with Phil EuBank of Menlo Church about moving from ministry complexity to clarity. Discover how to simplify your discipleship strategy, build shared rhythms, and guide people with a multiplication map instead of a ministry menu.

Sunday is important, but it’s not the finish line. In this episode, Derek and Danielle talk with Trey Taylor, Lead Pastor of City Hope Church, about the critical shift churches must make—from Sunday services to everyday discipleship. Trey unpacks how his team is reframing vocation as ministry, equipping everyday missionaries, and training leaders through tools like Dust: A Disciple’s Journey.

In this kickoff to Season 3, Derek and Danielle set the stage for an exciting new chapter of Reinventing Church. They revisit the five original mind-shifting insights that sparked the whole podcast. They preview this season's theme of 11 pivotal shifts every church must make. This episode also introduces a brand-new Ministry Tools and Tips segment. Derek explores the theological boundaries of AI, offering both cautions and practical guidelines for church leaders

This special audio-only bonus episode of 'Reinventing Church' features Danielle, Derek, and Aaron discussing the critical components of their church's vision frame for the staff and broader community. They delve into the mission, values, strategy, and measures that guide their ministry, all aimed at aligning with their 'Awake the Lake' 10-year vision. The episode outlines the mission of following Jesus and living out God's story every day, the core values that drive their decisions, the four-part strategy for discipleship, and the specific measures used to gauge success. The speakers emphasize the importance of each staff member and churchgoer understanding and embodying these ideas to achieve their vision of mobilizing 30,000 people by 2035 to bring gospel influence into everyday life.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Episode

00:55 Vision Frame Overview

05:05 Mission: What Are We Doing?

07:47 Values: Why Are We Doing It This Way?

10:57 Strategy: How Are We Doing It?

13:19 Measures: When Are We Successful?

15:11 Vision Proper: Where Is God Taking Us?

16:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts