The Unstuck Church Podcast

What's really going on with Gen Z?

Gen Z is the most engaged generation right now: Research shows that they are going to church more than anyone else.

However, their questions, their expectations and how they explore belief are unlike any other generation, leaving church leaders feeling puzzled.

What's resonating with Gen Z? What's falling flat? How should church leaders respond with wisdom, humility and hope?

In this episode, Amy interviews Chris Allen, Executive Pastor of CenterPoint Church in Orem, Utah, about the misconceptions of reaching Gen Z, how CenterPoint is approaching Gen Z's interest in church and some best practices for connecting with Gen Z.

This episode is sponsored by Donorbox:

Still relying on cash and checks for offerings? Half of churchgoers already prefer to give electronically. Donorbox Live Kiosk helps churches like yours boost giving by 35%. Imagine thousands more dollars each month to fortify your ministry.

All you need is a tablet, card reader and Donorbox's app. Donorbox lets congregants make tithes, offerings and donations instantly with cards or digital wallets, like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Get two months free at donorbox.org/unstuckpodcast.

We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.

Our culture is experiencing a massive shift fueled by one piece of technology: artificial intelligence.

Yep, we're going there.

How might AI impact ministry? How are churches adapting to (or resisting) the AI movement? What does AI even have to do with church?

In this episode, Amy and Sean are joined by Paul Alexander, Executive Pastor at Sun Valley Community Church in Arizona and a member of the Unstuck team, and Mika Casey, Executive Director of IT at Sun Valley.

They discuss key questions and changes surrounding AI, how to use AI tools in your ministry (and what guardrails to put in place) and what's at stake for the church in the era of AI.

This episode is sponsored by Donorbox:

Still relying on cash and checks for offerings? Half of churchgoers already prefer to give electronically. Donorbox Live Kiosk helps churches like yours boost giving by 35%. Imagine thousands more dollars each month to fortify your ministry.

All you need is a tablet, card reader and Donorbox's app. Donorbox lets congregants make tithes, offerings and donations instantly with cards or digital wallets, like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Get two months free at donorbox.org/unstuckpodcast.

We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.

Burnout is something we hear about constantly when we're working with churches.

This topic is incredibly timely and personal for a lot of pastors. Burnout is not just about being tired or having a busy season—it's much deeper than that. It affects leaders physically, emotionally and spiritually, and it impacts their team and church in ways they might not even realize.

In this episode, Sean and Amy are joined by Jimmy McLoud, the Lead Pastor of First Christian Church in Canton, Ohio and a ministry consultant on the Unstuck team, to talk about how burnout affects church staff members.

This episode is sponsored by Donorbox:

Still relying on cash and checks for offerings? Half of churchgoers already prefer to give electronically. Donorbox Live Kiosk helps churches like yours boost giving by 35%. Imagine thousands more dollars each month to fortify your ministry.

All you need is a tablet, card reader and Donorbox's app. Donorbox lets congregants make tithes, offerings and donations instantly with cards or digital wallets, like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Get two months free at donorbox.org/unstuckpodcast.

We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.

December is the busiest season in the church world.

Between Christmas services, end-of-year wrap-up and planning for 2026, you probably don't have the time or mental bandwidth to digest a content-heavy podcast series.

So this month, we're doing something fun. We're focusing on some "hot topics"—things every church leader is talking about and thinking about right now.

What better way to kick off this series than by talking about Christmas? In this episode, Amy and Sean have a real, honest conversation about what's on pastors' minds as Christmas approaches.

This episode is sponsored by Donorbox:

Still relying on cash and checks for offerings? Half of churchgoers already prefer to give electronically. Donorbox Live Kiosk helps churches like yours boost giving by 35%. Imagine thousands more dollars each month to fortify your ministry.

All you need is a tablet, card reader and Donorbox's app. Donorbox lets congregants make tithes, offerings and donations instantly with cards or digital wallets, like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Get two months free at donorbox.org/unstuckpodcast.

We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.

The success of a new campus hinges on one critical hire: the campus pastor. In this episode, Amy Anderson and Sean Bublitz break down the five essential traits every campus pastor needs to thrive— especially in churches that use video teaching.

Whether you're launching your first campus or refining your multisite strategy, this conversation will help you identify the right leader who can carry your church's DNA, rally people and build sustainable ministry through volunteers.

This Episode is Sponsored By Portable Church:

For over 30 years, Portable Church Industries has equipped thousands of churches with custom portable solutions that make launching, expanding, and thriving in rented spaces efficient and sustainable.

We believe the smartest way to launch strong is to Go Portable First.

From complete portable systems to expert coaching, we help churches save money, stay flexible, and focus on what matters most, reaching their communities. Whether you're a church planter or a church launching a new location, PCI is your trusted partner in creating church anywhere.

We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.

Growth always brings complexity, and multisite is no exception.

As churches grow, it's easy to slip into reactive mode. But with intentional planning, multisite can create a sustainable path forward and ultimately reach more people with the hope of Jesus.

We're wrapping up our series on "Growing Church Problems" with a conversation about multisite.

In this episode, Sean and Amy talk about the different challenges that monosite churches and multisite churches face, how to approach multisite strategically and the specific strategies that continue to allow room for growth.

This Episode is Sponsored By DonorBox:

This Christmas season could be your biggest fundraising opportunity: church attendance often doubles and generosity surges. Donorbox Live Kiosk ensures you won't miss a single gift.

No cash? No problem. Your congregants can tap, swipe, or use their phone to donate instantly. Automatically capture contact information, send tax receipts, and even set up recurring gifts.

Join 100,000 organizations raising billions with Donorbox.

Try Live Kiosk free at donorbox.org/unstuckpodcast

We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.

Systems are one of those things we can be reluctant to change.

Most churches outgrow their systems without even realizing it. What worked then suddenly doesn't work now. And churches get stuck using old systems that are beyond their usefulness, all while hoping for different results.

When you're in seasons of growth, you have to get more intentional about scaling up the systems that have started to break down due to growth to make your ministry sustainable.

In this episode, Amy and Sean discuss why systems function poorly for so long, what to do when you recognize key systems are broken and how to redesign systems during growth.

This Episode is Sponsored By DonorBox:

This Christmas season could be your biggest fundraising opportunity: church attendance often doubles and generosity surges. Donorbox Live Kiosk ensures you won't miss a single gift.

No cash? No problem. Your congregants can tap, swipe, or use their phone to donate instantly. Automatically capture contact information, send tax receipts, and even set up recurring gifts.

Join 100,000 organizations raising billions with Donorbox.

Try Live Kiosk free at donorbox.org/unstuckpodcast

We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.

As churches grow, one of their biggest challenges is finding the right people to add to their team.

On paper, it may look like they have enough staff, but they often find themselves with a shortage of strategic leaders on their team.

We're continuing our series on "Growing Church Problems" with an important topic that impacts every expanding ministry: structure and finding the right staff.

In this episode, Amy and Sean talk about the structural pain points of growing churches, the tensions around staffing and practical next steps to take to address these challenges.

Plus, Amy got to sit down with Jonathan Smith, lead pastor of OneChurch.to in Toronto and one of the newest members of our consulting team. Drawing from years of experience, he shares some best practices for hiring and promoting from within the congregation.

This Episode is Sponsored By DonorBox:

This Christmas season could be your biggest fundraising opportunity: church attendance often doubles and generosity surges. Donorbox Live Kiosk ensures you won't miss a single gift.

No cash? No problem. Your congregants can tap, swipe, or use their phone to donate instantly. Automatically capture contact information, send tax receipts, and even set up recurring gifts.

Join 100,000 organizations raising billions with Donorbox.

Try Live Kiosk free at donorbox.org/unstuckpodcast

We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.

Church growth is exciting…until it creates problems you've never had to solve before.

This is the tension of leadership: growth always brings complexity.

And yet, when you're prepared, growth doesn't have to lead to burnout or stuckness. With the right decisions about space, staff, systems and strategy, you can create a sustainable path forward.

We're kicking off a new series called "Growing Church Problems." We're unpacking the real, practical challenges leaders are facing, starting with: How do you make wise decisions about service times and facilities before you're boxed in?

In this episode, Sean and Amy discuss the common signs you're starting to outgrow your current space, how to evaluate new service times and practical next steps to take when you're ready to make changes to your space and service times.

This Episode is Sponsored By DonorBox:

This Christmas season could be your biggest fundraising opportunity: church attendance often doubles and generosity surges. Donorbox Live Kiosk ensures you won't miss a single gift.

No cash? No problem. Your congregants can tap, swipe, or use their phone to donate instantly. Automatically capture contact information, send tax receipts, and even set up recurring gifts.

Join 100,000 organizations raising billions with Donorbox.

Try Live Kiosk free at donorbox.org/unstuckpodcast

We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.

Gen Z's interest in church is rising.

Most churches want to reach the next generation, but they often lack the practical tools and strategies to make it happen. Russ Ewell from Bay Area Christian Church is helping young men and women step into leadership and faith, and he has a valuable perspective to share.

In this bonus episode, Amy had the chance to connect with Russ about Gen Z's interest in church, what's actually working to reach and develop Gen Z leaders, and how his church is engaging them to become future leaders and managers in ministry.

This Episode is Sponsored By ChurchCopy.AI

There's no shortage of things happening in your church—kids, students, groups, outreaches, special events, the list goes on. Keeping communication clear across it all can be exhausting. With ChurchCopy.ai, you can turn a simple event description into a complete communication package—emails, posts, texts, and more—working together to create awareness, build anticipation, drive engagement, and provide follow-up. All organized in one place, all in your church's voice. Start free today at churchcopy.ai/unstuck.

We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.