The Advantage Podcast

In this episode of The Advantage Podcast, David Ashcraft interviews Les McKeown, author of "Predictable Success," about the stages of growth that organizations go through, and how these principles apply to churches and faith-based organizations. 

Les shares insights on: 

• The "Early Struggle" phase and why the term "startup" can be misleading. 

• How a visionary leader's role evolves as an organization grows. 

• The "Whitewater" stage and the importance of high-quality team-based decision-making. 

• Moving from a founder mindset to a CEO mindset. 

• Practical steps for navigating complexity and achieving predictable success. 

Whether you're a pastor, church leader, or involved in any growing organization, this episode offers valuable frameworks for understanding and navigating the challenges of growth.

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.

Download the discussion guide here: https://lcbcchurch.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/theadvantage/Ef0Xace1I5pKkQ5J1STtllAB8dOR_O5rDb5pAv5TrL6Mug?e=hgu9CW

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.