The Unstuck Church Podcast

Your church staff team is the greatest asset you have for accomplishing your vision. So, when hiring new staff for your team, how can you find (and become) the standouts—the unicorns—with the traits that only the best of the best have?

In this bonus episode, Tony sits down with William Vanderbloemen to discuss how the findings in his new book, Be the Unicorn: 12 Data-Driven Habits that Separate the Best Leaders from the Rest, can empower senior and executive pastors to make better hiring decisions.

This Episode is Sponsored by PlainJoe Studios

PlainJoe: A Storyland Studio partners with churches, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and educational environments to create unforgettable strategic, digital, and spatial stories that lift the Spirit. To learn more about working with PlainJoe's team of down-to-earth specialists, architects, strategists, artists, and problem solvers, visit plainjoestudios.com/getunstuck.

For the full episode transcript and links mentioned during the show, visit this episode's Show Notes.

If you're listening on Wednesday when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook.

The right bold moves will help your church reach more people for Jesus.

In this episode, Tony and Amy walk through four examples of successful bold moves that have led real churches to experience health and growth—and explain the common reasons why some bold moves fail.

Free Webinar: 4 Bold Moves for Churches & How to Make Them Happen

Ready to make a bold move in 2024? Join the Unstuck team and guests Derwin Gray, Rick Atchley, and Jonathan Smith on November 16 to help you clarify the next bold move God may be calling your church to make—and unpack the next steps to get there.

This Episode is Sponsored by Planning Center

A lot of people in ministry feel overwhelmed by the amount of details they need to organize, volunteers they need to schedule, or events they need to plan to cultivate community. But Planning Center, an all-in-one church management system, can help you organize your ministries and give your congregants a place to engage. Anyone can sign up for the free plan of any product to try it out today at planningcenter.com!

For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode322.

If you're listening on Wednesday when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook.

When it comes to the future of our church, we all want to pursue God-sized dreams.

In this episode, Tony and Amy explain how to clarify your next bold move—including how to know if your goal is too bold or not bold enough—and how to begin communicating your bold moves once you've defined them.

Free Webinar: 4 Bold Moves for Churches & How to Make Them Happen

Ready to make a bold move in 2024? Join the Unstuck team and guests Derwin Gray, Rick Atchley, and Jonathan Smith on November 16 to help you clarify the next bold move God may be calling your church to make—and unpack the next steps to get there.

This Episode is Sponsored by BELAY

Between your ministry and your life at home, managing your time as a church leader can feel impossible. If you're feeling overwhelmed, our friends at BELAY can help. Since time is the most valuable resource we have, BELAY wants to help you maximize it by offering our listeners an exclusive free download of their newest ebook, The Power of Productivity. Start making the most of the time you have each day and lead with BELAY.

For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode321.

If you're listening on Wednesday when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook.

Having a clear bold move in front of us is the opposite of being stuck as a church. It's how vision becomes actionable and the church continues to move forward.

In this episode, Tony and Amy discuss what a bold move is and why many churches fail to embrace them.

Free Webinar: 4 Bold Moves for Churches & How to Make Them Happen

Ready to make a bold move in 2024? Join the Unstuck team and guests Derwin Gray, Rick Atchley, and Jonathan Smith on November 16 to help you clarify the next bold move God may be calling your church to make—and unpack the next steps to get there.

This Episode is Sponsored by BELAY

Between your ministry and your life at home, managing your time as a church leader can feel impossible. If you're feeling overwhelmed, our friends at BELAY can help. Since time is the most valuable resource we have, BELAY wants to help you maximize it by offering our listeners an exclusive free download of their newest ebook, The Power of Productivity. Start making the most of the time you have each day and lead with BELAY.

For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode320.

If you're listening on Wednesday when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook.

Even after a senior leadership team has been established, it's expected that this team will shift and change as the church grows.

In this episode, Tony and Amy explain how your senior leadership meetings should change as your church grows and offer advice for navigating personnel changes on your team.

This Episode is Sponsored by Ministry Brands

Introducing Ministry Brands' brand new flagship solution, Ministry Brands Amplify: a cutting-edge all-in-one Church Ops solution helping empower healthy churches, connect, engage, and grow their Ministry while boosting member engagement, allowing church staff and volunteers to focus on their calling. Empower your Ministry today with this all-in-one Giving, People, Streaming, App Builder, and Website solution. Learn more.

For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode319.

If you're listening on Wednesday when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook.

The effectiveness of the senior leadership team impacts every aspect of the ministry.

In this episode, Tony and Amy outline the seven key roles of a senior leadership team and offer six tips for empowering your leaders.

This Episode is Sponsored by Ministry Brands

Introducing Ministry Brands' brand new flagship solution, Ministry Brands Amplify: a cutting-edge all-in-one Church Ops solution helping empower healthy churches, connect, engage, and grow their Ministry while boosting member engagement, allowing church staff and volunteers to focus on their calling. Empower your Ministry today with this all-in-one Giving, People, Streaming, App Builder, and Website solution. Learn more.

For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode318.

If you're listening on Wednesday when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook.

Often when churches are building a senior leadership team, the tendency is to invite team members based on their title or tenure—but the criteria for a healthy and effective senior leadership team goes much deeper than that.

In this episode, Tony and Amy offer practical guidelines and defining questions to help you identify the right leaders for your senior leadership team.

This Episode is Sponsored by Ministry Brands

Introducing Ministry Brands' brand new flagship solution, Ministry Brands Amplify: a cutting-edge all-in-one Church Ops solution helping empower healthy churches, connect, engage, and grow their Ministry while boosting member engagement, allowing church staff and volunteers to focus on their calling. Empower your Ministry today with this all-in-one Giving, People, Streaming, App Builder, and Website solution. Learn more.

For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode317.

If you're listening on Wednesday when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook.

The people who hold the senior leadership positions of your church are the best chance your church has to achieve the vision and mission God designed your church to accomplish at this moment in time.

In this episode, Tony and Amy dive into the importance of developing a healthy and effective senior leadership team on your church staff.

This Episode is Sponsored by Ministry Brands

Introducing Ministry Brands' brand new flagship solution, Ministry Brands Amplify: a cutting-edge all-in-one Church Ops solution helping empower healthy churches, connect, engage, and grow their Ministry while boosting member engagement, allowing church staff and volunteers to focus on their calling. Empower your Ministry today with this all-in-one Giving, People, Streaming, App Builder, and Website solution. Learn more.

For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode316.

If you're listening on Wednesday when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook.

25 years ago, Tony Morgan left his job in city management to enter full-time ministry.

In this bonus episode, Tony shares the story of how he got started in ministry, the people who encouraged him along in this path, the challenges he faced, and his biggest takeaway from 25 years in ministry.

For the full episode transcript, visit this episode's Show Notes here.

If you're listening when this episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook.

Gen Z is now a crucial part of the workforce and on the front lines of ministry. So how can we effectively raise up Gen Z leaders for both ministry and leadership?

In the final episode of our series, Tony sits down with Chris Hodges (Lead Pastor of Church of the Highlands) and Mark Pettus (President of Highlands College) to discuss their strategies and advice for identifying and empowering the next generation of leaders.

Free Webinar: How to Structure Your Staff to Develop Next Gen Leaders

If we want the legacy of our leadership to outlive us, we have to focus on giving leadership away to the next generation. Join Tony Morgan and Amy Anderson on September 28 for this free 1-hour webinar where you'll be empowered with the systems and strategies to confidently structure your church for future impact.

This Episode is Sponsored by Planning Center

A lot of people in ministry feel overwhelmed by the amount of details they need to organize, volunteers they need to schedule, or events they need to plan to cultivate community. But Planning Center, an all-in-one church management system, can help you organize your ministries and give your congregants a place to engage. Anyone can sign up for the free plan of any product to try it out today at planningcenter.com!

For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode315.

If you're listening on Wednesday when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on Twitter. Or you can join in on Facebook.