Church Planting 2.0

ChurchPlanting.com

Church Planting 2.0 is the podcast for pastors, church planters, and ministry leaders who want practical strategies that actually work. Hosted by Jeff Hoglen of ChurchPlanting.com, this podcast delivers real-world insights on church planting, leadership, discipleship, outreach, preaching, church systems, volunteer culture, and ministry growth. No hype. No fluff. Just practical tools, honest conversations, and proven strategies to help you build healthy churches and develop strong leaders. Practical insights. Proven strategies. Real church stories.

  1. How to Keep Momentum After Launch Sunday!

    1 day ago

    How to Keep Momentum After Launch Sunday!

    If you've ever put your heart into launching a new church,you know the adrenaline rush of Launch Sunday. But what comes next? This episode offers practical insights to keep the momentum alive long after that initial launch, ensuring your church continues to grow spiritually and numerically. Key Topics • The significance of momentum and common pitfalls after Launch Sunday • Strategies for maintaining and building momentum over time • The importance of follow-up, celebrating wins, and volunteer encouragement • Cultivating an outward focus and consistent vision casting • Discipleship as the core of enduring growth, not just attendance • Stewarding momentum rather than manufacturing it Timestamps 00:00 - The real challenge after Launch Sunday: sustainingmomentum 00:30 - Launch Sunday is just the starting line, not the finish line 01:28 - Why momentum leaks and how to prevent it 02:55 - Tracking meaningful engagement over attendance numbers 03:23 - The importance of celebrating wins and recognizing volunteers 04:54 - Keep volunteers encouraged through appreciation and connection 06:19 - Maintaining outward focus with community engagement 06:50 - Continually cast vision and keep the mission clear 09:20 - Shift focus from attendance to disciple-making 10:26 - The danger of growing crowds without spiritual growth 11:27 - Building a sustainable church culture over time 12:23 - The importance of faithfulness over one-time events 12:52 - Final encouragement: steward momentum through daily faithfulness Resources & Links churchplanting.com Connect with Jeff Hoglen jeffhoglen.com

    11 min
  2. From Invisible to Unavoidable How Your Church Can Truly Reach Its Community

    6 days ago

    From Invisible to Unavoidable How Your Church Can Truly Reach Its Community

    Your church has been in the neighborhood for two decades — and your neighbors still don't know you exist. Or worse, they know you exist and they just don't care. In this episode, we dig into why the "come to us" model is dead, and lay out a real, reproducible strategy for churches that are serious about breaking through and finally reaching their community. Scripture References: Matthew 5:14-16 — "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." Acts 2:44-47 — The early church's community presence and favor Luke 15:4 — The shepherd who leaves the 99 Matthew 28:19 — "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" Are you wondering if your church is making a real impact nearby? Jeff Hoglen dives deep into why traditional "come to us" strategies fail and shares practical, proven ways to embed your church into the life of your neighborhood. If your community isn't noticing, this episode is essential listening for church leaders committed to transformation. Main Topics Covered: The limitations of the "come to us" model and why it no longer works Four key shifts churches must make to engage their neighborhoods effectively How to turn participation into trust and build credible relationships Practical system for everyday outreach: map, bless, connect, celebrate The importance of church leaders modeling presence and relationally-driven ministry Timestamps: 00:00 - Is your church invisible to your neighborhood? Why it matters 02:29 - Debunking the traditional "come to us" approach 03:00 - The stark reality: most unchurched people are not wandering toward church 03:28 - The power of personal invitation from trusted relationships 04:16 - Introducing four strategic shifts to reach your community 04:44 - Shift 1: From programs to presence in the neighborhood 05:41 - How authentic presence opens doors for real relationships 06:56 - Shift 2: From Sunday-only focus to daily relationship-building 07:47 - Engaging your church community as everyday missionaries 09:12 - Shift 3: From transactional outreach to earning trust 09:59 - Credibility is built quietly through authentic service 12:12 - Shift 4: From one-time events to sustainable systems — the four-step process 13:09 - Step 1: Map your neighbors; know their names 14:09 - Step 2: Bless your neighborhood with simple acts of kindness 14:39 - Step 3: Connect through low-barrier community events 15:06 - Step 4: Celebrate and share stories of God’s work in neighborhoods 16:06 - Leading the way: pastors as neighborhood neighbors, not distant managers 17:04 - Practical challenge: Introduce yourself to three neighbors this week 18:04 - The real mission field is right outside your door Resources & Links: ChurchPlanting.com – for more on missional strategies and community engagement Source Citations: Barna Group, The State of the Church 2020 — 38% of U.S. adults are "unchurched" Barna Group, Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age, 2018 — 47% of Millennials agree that it is wrong to share your faith LifeWay Research, Churchless, 2014 (Ed Stetzer & Thom Rainer) — Most unchurched people have been invited to church; the barrier is relational credibility. Thom Rainer, Becoming a Welcoming Church, 2018 — 82% of unchurched people say they would attend church if a friend invited them Leadership Network / Exponential Network community engagement research NAMB Church Planting research on community presence and conversion rates Keywords:  church outreach strategy, how to reach your community, church not growing, missional church, church community engagement, how to break through in your neighborhood, church evangelism strategy, church planting outreach, reaching unchurched people

    15 min
  3. 24 Jun

    Plant. Adopt. Foster. Three Kingdom Strategies to Consider

    Discover the often-overlooked strategies for extending kingdom impact by exploring the three primary paths: church planting, adopting, and fostering. This episode challenges believers to consider their role in revitalizing existing churches and communities with intentionality and clarity. Key Topics: The limitations and opportunities in church planting versus revitalization How church adoption differs from planting and the necessary commitments The role and process of fostering churches for temporary support and reconciliation Statistical insights on church decline and transition strategies Practical questions to determine which path suits your church and community Timestamps: 00:00 - Why conversation about church planting is incomplete without considering existing churches 00:30 - Common misconceptions around church planting and other strategies 00:59 - The stark reality of declining churches in America and globally 01:22 - The three paths for extending church impact: planting, adopting, and fostering 01:52 - Defining church planting: starting from scratch and what it really entails 02:21 - Challenges and realities of church planting efforts and resource needs 03:27 - The concept of church adoption: partnership that assumes full responsibility 04:51 - The importance of cultural transplantation in church adoption 06:08 - When adoption fails: the significance of resource capacity and leadership health 07:35 - What is church fostering? A support-oriented, temporary partnership 09:10 - Practicalities and boundaries in fostering relationships 11:02 - The importance of clarity in fostering agreements and process 12:01 - The necessity of cultural transformation in church adoption 13:23 - Handling membership transitions and preserving healthy church DNA 14:52 - The burden and benefits of adopting or fostering—knowing your church's capacity 16:40 - When fostering turns into adoption or should be concluded 18:05 - Situations where fostering is the best path for church health restoration 20:08 - Essential guidelines for effective fostering relationships 21:45 - Managing leadership and maintaining independence in fostering 22:42 - Recognizing when fostering should transition to adoption or conclusion 24:09 - Practical framework for determining the appropriate strategy for struggling churches 25:55 - Challenging the church to look around their local community for opportunities 26:52 - The call to action: plant, adopt, or foster in your Jerusalem Resources & Links: Association of Related Churches (ARC) for resources on church planting and growth strategies Churchplanting.com Connect with Jeff Hoglen: Twitter Website Final Thoughts: The church's future doesn't just depend on planting new churches but also valuing and revitalizing the churches already present in our communities. Take the initiative in your local context—plant, adopt, or foster—and participate in God's kingdom expansion.

    21 min
  4. What to Do When Core Leaders Get Tired

    15 Jun

    What to Do When Core Leaders Get Tired

    In this episode, Jeff Hoglen explores the crucial topic of leadership fatigue within church communities. He shares five actionable insights to help leaders recognize signs of exhaustion early, foster rest, and develop resilient teams that thrive long-term. Key Topics: Recognizing early signs of leadership fatigue before burnoutEncouraging leaders to take intentional rest as stewardshipDifferentiating between exhaustion caused by ministry versus personal issues. Building leadership pipelines to distribute workload effectively Reminding leaders of their original purpose to reignite passion Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction: Addressing leadership fatigue in ministry00:31 - Why leaders get tired, not necessarily lazy or uncommitted01:00 - Signs of fatigue: energy drops, withdrawal, emotional shifts01:56 - The importance of monitoring both ministry and personal wellbeing03:22 - Giving leaders permission to rest and recognizing rest as stewardship04:34 - Understanding the real causes of fatigue beyond ministry overload05:04 - How to ask questions and listen to leaders’ underlying issues06:25 - The importance of sharing leadership load and developing pipelines07:44 - Building a culture of multiplying future leaders08:12 - Reminding leaders why they started and renewing their purpose08:42 - The significance of encouragement and perspective during exhaustion09:12 - Leaders are people: caring well for their emotional and physical health09:43 - Rest is part of strategic leadership, not weakness10:14 - Final encouragement: slow down to grow stronger Resources & Links:John Maxwell Leadership Principles churchplanting.com Church Planting Done Different: Moving Beyond the Cookie-Cutter Copy-Paste by Jeff Hoglen Remember: Healthy leadership fosters healthy churches. Recognize fatigue early, prioritize rest, and invest in developing future leaders to sustain your ministry’s impact.

    9 min
  5. 10 Jun

    Why Your Church Is Broke.... It's Probably Not What You Think

    In this episode, Jeff Hoglen addresses a common challenge faced by church leaders: How to fund growth amid limited resources. He explores the core issues behind stagnant finances and practical solutions grounded in diagnosis, leadership, and strategic planning. Key Topics: The importance of diagnosing the real problem: culture, allocation, or revenueHow to shift from a budget conversation to a discipleship and formation conversationThe significance of a strong culture of generosity and consistent teaching on givingAligning church expenses directly with mission-driven prioritiesPractical steps for leveraging networks, asking for partnership, and running effective vision campaignsThe role of bivocational models in sustainable church growthDeveloping high-capacity leaders to foster generosity and discipleshipThe example of Nehemiah’s strategic approach to community rebuildingJeff Hoglen explains why most advice skips crucial diagnosis and how that leads to spinning wheelsHe discusses the three core church financial problems and how to identify themHow to build a culture of generosity that sustains growth over timePractical tips for reallocating budgets to maximize mission impactThe power of network asking and running vision campaigns with clarityThe long-term benefits of investing in leaders and developing people rather than just focusing on fundraisingChurch Plantology by Peyton JonesThe North American Mission Board (NAMB)Stadia MissionsJeff Christofferson on Co-vocational StructuresLinkedInTwitterIn this episode: Timestamps:00:00 - How churches can fund growth when resources are tight00:33 - The mistake of jumping straight to solutions without diagnosis01:02 - The three key problems: culture, allocation, and revenue01:30 - Why a discipleship approach is essential for generosity02:25 - Jesus’ emphasis on money as a spiritual indicator03:35 - Shifting from a budget talk to a formation conversation04:26 - Building a strong, consistent culture of generosity04:56 - How to evaluate and realign church expenses with mission06:45 - When to consider bivocational models for sustainability07:13 - The power of marketplace engagement and partnership asking08:36 - The story of Nehemiah as a model for strategic planning09:27 - Running clear, vision-driven campaigns that inspire giving10:47 - How to craft a compelling vision that fuels generosity11:17 - Developing leaders to foster long-term growth and giving12:34 - The importance of investing in high-capacity people13:31 - Summarizing the path: diagnose, build culture, realign resources, and ask boldly14:28 - Final encouragement and call to action Resources & Links: CP on Facebook ChurchPlanting.com Connect with Jeff Hoglen: JeffHoglen.com

    12 min
  6. 1 Jun

    Exposed: The Real Reason Churches Fail at Making Disciples

    Are you ready to move from attendance to discipleship? Tune in, take action, and start leading your church toward a true, life-changing mission today.In this episode, Jeff Hoglen dives deep into the disconnect many churches face: you experience good attendance but low discipleship. He emphasizes that while churches excel at gathering people, they often fall short in forming believers into true followers of Jesus. The core question: how do we move from audiences to fully discipled disciples?Key Topics Covered: The difference between attendance and discipleship systemsWhy a clear next step is essential for spiritual growthThe importance of relationships in transformational discipleshipDiscipleship as the church’s mission, not just a programPractical steps for pastors and leaders to invite deeper commitmentThe Great CommissionActs 2:42-47Craig Groeschel on DiscipleshipBarnagroup ResearchTwitterLinkedInTimestamps:00:00 - Why attendance isn’t equivalent to discipleship00:31 - The gap between gathering and spiritual transformation00:58 - Jesus' Great Commission: from filling seats to making disciples01:28 - The reality of systems built for attendance, not transformation01:57 - The lack of a pathway from first visit to deep discipleship02:26 - Data: Only one in five church-going adults have a biblical worldview02:55 - The difference between a discipleship program and process03:22 - Why activity isn’t the same as spiritual formation03:51 - The necessity of a clear, specific next step04:21 - The impact of timely follow-up on spiritual decisions04:50 - How low barriers increase engagement05:19 - What a practical next step looks like in a church context05:49 - The relational environment as the primary setting for discipleship06:24 - Jesus’ model of relational discipleship06:51 - Building relational infrastructure: authentic groups and accountability07:21 - Acts 2 church: an example of relational discipleship in practice08:14 - Moving from "discipleship light" to real life-on-life accountability08:43 - Discipleship has to be the church’s mission, not just a ministry09:32 - The sequence: church growth follows faithful disciplemaking09:57 - Measuring success by transformation, not attendance10:27 - Financial priorities: discipleship formation vs. Sunday production10:57 - Discipleship is an active ongoing process, not a one-time decision11:25 - The power of personalized invitations to go deeper11:56 - Identifying and calling up faithful, hungry members12:25 - The model of personal invitation: the true core of discipleship13:43 - From gathering to aligning around a spiritual mission14:06 - Creating clear, relational pathways from curiosity to commitment14:32 - Discipleship is costly—time, ego, intentionality15:01 - Practical challenge: Pray and reach out to three people this week15:30 - The foundation: starting small, personal, and immediate16:01 - Closing encouragement: become intentional in disciplemaking Connect with Jeff Hoglen: • ChurchPlanting.com• JeffHoglen.com

    13 min
  7. When Church Attendance Drops...

    25 May

    When Church Attendance Drops...

    5 Things to Do When Church Attendance Drops In this episode of Church Plan 2.0, Jeff Hoglen addresses a common challenge for church leaders: what to do when attendance drops. He shares five practical, grounded strategies to navigate this often emotional situation with wisdom and purpose. Key Topics: The emotional impact of attendance drops and the importance of leadership stabilityWhy not to overreact by making drastic changes immediatelyAsking better questions to understand the underlying issuesPersonal shepherding and relationship-building with missing attendeesRefocusing outreach efforts and cultivating an invitation cultureReturning to core fundamentals to rebuild strength and momentumThe importance of patience, persistence, and faithfulness in ministryRich Birch, Unseminary Podcast Timestamps:00:00 - Understanding the emotional effects of attendance drops on church leaders00:29 - The importance of not panicking and making rash changes00:54 - How to assess if attendance dips are part of a trend or just a moment01:22 - The significance of cultural context in attendance patterns01:51 - Asking better questions: Are guests returning? Are relationships forming?02:17 - Handling large attendance events and subsequent dips responsibly02:44 - The risk of reacting emotionally to attendance patterns03:13 - Building stability through cultural awareness and patience03:43 - The importance of leadership consistency amid fluctuations04:11 - Recognizing and addressing seasonal and external influences04:41 - How weather, holidays, and life stages affect attendance05:10 - Identifying patterns and avoiding unnecessary fear05:39 - Asking deeper questions about connection and engagement06:10 - Monitoring relational health in the church06:39 - The value of clear vision and momentum maintenance07:09 - Leadership’s role in asking tough questions and staying focused07:35 - Recognizing signs of loss of momentum and routine drift08:07 - Keeping vision and mission at the forefront of church life08:34 - Reaching out personally to absent members09:03 - The power of relational follow-up over criticism09:33 - Recognizing silent struggles of church members10:02 - When departures are not due to offense but circumstances10:33 - Building a culture of outreach and invitation11:02 - Practical ways to promote evangelism and invitation culture11:41 - Avoiding insularity by focusing on outsiders and community outreach12:10 - Recommended resources for fostering invite culture (Rich Birch, Unseminary)12:37 - Consistent follow-up and creating welcoming environments13:07 - Simple, intentional outreach strategies with social media and events13:45 - Ensuring greeters and environments encourage open access for newcomers14:13 - The church’s core mission to reach the unreached, not just entertain14:42 - Returning to the basics: preaching clearly, praying passionately, and discipling intentionally15:12 - Going back to fundamentals like leadership development and follow-up15:41 - The importance of authenticity and truth in today’s church climate16:05 - Faithfulness in ministry and trusting God’s timing16:34 - The danger of chasing superficial trends at the expense of the core17:02 - Encouragement from Galatians 6:9 about perseverance and patience17:31 - Ministry seasons: planting, watering, and trusting God for growth17:59 - The call to lead prayerfully and consistently, not emotionally18:28 - Final encouragement: healthy growth is a long-term process rooted in faithfulness Resources & Links: • ChurchPlanting.com • Jeff Hoglen Facebook • ChurchPlanting.com on Facebook • JeffHoglen.com

    16 min
  8. 21 May

    The 5 Most Powerful Ways to Lead

    The 5 Most Powerful Ways to LeadIn this episode, Jeff Hoglen emphasizes the importance of revisiting the fundamentals of leadership. Instead of chasing new trends, he advocates for strengthening core qualities that have stood the test of time—leading with heart, clarity, timing, activity, and love. Key Topics: ·      The significance of evaluating how you lead, notjust what or where ·      The importance of foundational leadershipqualities over flashy tactics ·      Five basic yet powerful ways to lead: Godly,simple, timely, active, and loving ·      How strong fundamentals prevent leaders fromplateauing or burning out ·      Practical questions to assess your leadershipeffectiveness ·      The role of love and relational connection inlong-term influence Timestamps: 00:00 - The importance of working on how we lead, not just what or where00:32 - Foundations matter: why leaders fail when their basics crack01:03 - Introduction to five foundational ways to lead01:20 - Inspiration from Artie Davis on checking the basics01:49 - The significance of having solid basics in leadership02:19 - Lead Godly: empowering others with humility and service (Matthew 23)02:48 - The importance of heart-driven leadership focused on service03:14 - Making decisions with others' growth in mind rather than self-promotion03:35 - Leadership as a posture of the heart, not just behavior04:03 - The need to continually check and correct our motives04:22 - Lead Simply: clarity over complexity in communication and initiatives04:52 - Overcoming overcomplication and focusing on what truly matters05:29 - Leaders like Craig Rochelle and Andy Stanley on simplicity and focus06:08 - Assessing what part of your leadership needs simplification06:36 - Lead Timely: knowing when to act and when to wait07:05 - The balance of movement: moving at the right moment and seeking counsel08:04 - Lead Actively: the importance of presence and engagement08:42 - Leadership is not about delegation alone, but being actively involved09:08 - The power of showing up and leading in the trenches09:37 - The impact of personal presence on team motivation and commitment10:24 - Encourage active engagement to foster sacrifice and follow-through10:33 - Lead Lovingly: love as the ultimate leadership foundation (1 Corinthians 13)11:03 - Genuine love as the key to healthy, effective leadership11:34 - Love in leadership is sacrificial, honest, and consistent12:03 - The correlation between loving the people you lead and long-term success12:44 - A quote highlighting love as the greatest indicator of leadership effectiveness13:13 - Reflective questions on how well you lead in each of the five areas13:30 - Picking one area for improvement and focusing on it for a week14:20 - The importance of mastering the basics: lead godly, simply, timely, actively, and lovingly15:25 - Encouragement to lead well and use your unique gifting to impact the world   Resources & Links: • Artie Davis / Cornerstone Church • Craig Groeschel - Focused Church Leadership • Andy Stanley - Clarity in Leadership Connect with Jeff Hoglen: • ChurchPlanting.com• Jeff Hoglen Facebook• ChurchPlanting.com on Facebook• JeffHoglen.com

    12 min

About

Church Planting 2.0 is the podcast for pastors, church planters, and ministry leaders who want practical strategies that actually work. Hosted by Jeff Hoglen of ChurchPlanting.com, this podcast delivers real-world insights on church planting, leadership, discipleship, outreach, preaching, church systems, volunteer culture, and ministry growth. No hype. No fluff. Just practical tools, honest conversations, and proven strategies to help you build healthy churches and develop strong leaders. Practical insights. Proven strategies. Real church stories.