Intentional Churches Podcast

Doug Parks & Erin Johnston
  • 4.8 (17)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED DAILY

Church Leader, shift your focus from mere institutional insights to individual transformation. Be intentional. Join hosts Doug Parks (CEO and Co-Founder of Intentional Churches) and Erin Johnston (Co-Executive Pastor of Canyon Ridge Christian Church) as they share weekly thought-provoking discussions and actionable takeaways that will resource you to help your people encounter Jesus. Take the step toward authentic discipleship of your congregation so you can mobilize the ninety-nine to reach the one.

  1. FEB 11

    The Most Fun We’ve Had in 30 Years of Ministry, with Bart Rendel

    On this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug and Bart kick off Season 10 with a candid and energizing conversation about what’s happening beneath the surface at Intentional Churches. Yes, there’s a little “Storytime with Bart” (including airline boarding chaos and a mysterious food allergy, but the heart of this episode is much deeper. Doug and Bart unpack why Radical Alignment and personal ownership of the Great Commission is proving to be one of the most transformative discoveries of their entire ministry journeys. This isn’t about adding another program.It’s about rediscovering the fundamental mission of the Church. If you’re a church leader who feels tired, stretched thin, or stuck maintaining complexity, this episode may reawaken something in you. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – A surprising confession: parenting differently because of Radical Alignment 01:10 – Welcome to Season 10 of the Intentional Churches Podcast 01:26 – Why 2026 feels like a turning point for Intentional Churches 02:00 – Storytime with Bart: Southwest airline boarding chaos 06:46 – Entitlement, culture, and what airlines reveal about society 09:13 – Bart’s unexpected (and serious) allergy scare 12:13 – Transition: Why Radical Alignment is reshaping everything 13:16 – Bart reflects on 20 years of ministry models and what’s changed 16:30 – The discovery: There isn’t one model — there are biblical fundamentals 17:12 – How personal ownership of the Great Commission transforms everything 19:06 – Why many discipleship pathways miss heart transformation 23:28 – Macro strategies vs. micro relational mission 26:24 – Evangelism: From transactional to transformational 30:47 – Why this moment feels urgent in a rapidly changing culture 32:35 – Introducing the Radical Alignment Assessment 34:00 – How simple meeting changes are unlocking momentum 37:58 – A powerful story of conviction and mercy in action 40:22 – 18 churches fly in for 24 hours — what that signals 41:30 – “This is beyond us now.” A movement forming 43:27 – Encouragement for tired church leaders 44:40 – Season 10 preview and what’s coming next Website: intentionalchurches.com The Radical Alignment Book Blog: intentionalchurches.com/blog YouTube: @IntentionalChurches Facebook: Intentional Churches Instagram: @IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: @IntentChurches

    45 min

  2. JAN 21

    From Silos to Alignment, with Sean Kelly

    On this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug and Erin sit down with Sean Kelly, Lead Pastor of Mount Pleasant Christian Church in Greenwood, Indiana, for a candid conversation about succession, silos, and what it really takes to bring alignment back to a growing church. Sean shares his journey in Ohio to stepping into a historic, multi-generational church, navigating a leadership transition. Together, they unpack why churches drift into siloed ministry, how misalignment slowly creeps in, and what practical leaders can do to realign their staff, systems, and preaching around the Great Commission. From staff trust-building tools like the “Four Helpfuls,” to cross-functional VIP teams, to using preaching as a catalyst for radical alignment, this episode is full of actionable insight for senior pastors, executive pastors, and church leadership teams who want to move from good activity to unified mission. If you’re leading through transition, or sensing your church has energy but lacks clarity, this conversation will help you diagnose misalignment and take your next faithful step forward. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: intentionalchurches.com Timestamps 00:00 – “If we were fired tomorrow…”: why change feels harder than it is 00:22 – Welcome to the Intentional Churches Podcast 00:35 – Erin returns after a major generosity initiative 01:29 – Meet Sean Kelly: background, family, and pastoral journey 02:43 – Ministry context: Youngstown, Ohio and multi-campus leadership 04:28 – Why Sean said yes to Mount Pleasant Christian Church 06:18 – Leading through succession: what went right (and why it mattered) 09:47 – Context matters: understanding Greenwood & the Indianapolis area 11:43 – The Restoration Movement and Christian Church distinctives 13:11 – First impressions: culture, DNA, and early warning signs 16:47 – Why silos form—and how leaders unknowingly reinforce them 18:02 – The “Four Helpfuls” tool: right, wrong, missing, confused 21:49 – From good to great: aligning people, roles, and accountability 24:07 – What is a VIP (Very Important Project)? 26:45 – Building alignment through cross-functional teams 29:01 – Low-hanging fruit and momentum-building wins 30:08 – Using preaching to drive Radical Alignment (Erin’s approach) 34:23 – Sean’s preaching framework: mission-anchored sermons 37:21 – Aligning ministry programs with the pulpit 39:02 – Discernment rhythms and organizational focus 42:34 – Final encouragement + Radical Alignment book mention Website: intentionalchurches.com The Radical Alignment Book Blog: intentionalchurches.com/blog YouTube: @IntentionalChurches Facebook: Intentional Churches Instagram: @IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: @IntentChurches

    44 min

  3. JAN 7

    AI, Spirituality, and the Future of the Church, with Drew Dickens

    On this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug sits down with longtime broadcaster, ministry leader, and AI researcher Drew Dickens for a timely and thought-provoking conversation on AI, spirituality, and the future of the Church. With more than 30 years of vocational ministry experience—and a front-row seat to the rise of artificial intelligence—Drew helps church leaders move beyond fear and hype to thoughtfully engage how AI is already shaping the pulpit, the pew, and spiritual formation. Together, Doug and Drew explore: Why AI is morally neutral—and how the Church must lead with discernment instead of fearHow AI is quietly becoming a spiritual authority in people’s livesThe threat AI poses to embodiment, community, and relational discipleshipWhat pastors need to understand about how congregants are already using AI for therapy, prayer, and guidanceHow church leaders can use AI responsibly as a tool, not a replacement for Spirit-led formationPractical ways AI can support relational evangelism without replacing human connectionDrew also shares a powerful personal story that illustrates both the real comfort and the real dangers of AI—and why everything must ultimately be brought back into Spirit-filled community. If you’re a senior pastor, ministry leader, or church staff member wondering how to lead faithfully in a rapidly changing digital landscape, this conversation will help you think clearly, lead courageously, and shepherd wisely in the age of AI. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: intentionalchurches.com Timestamps 00:00 – A late-night conversation with AI that changed everything 01:00 – Welcome to the Intentional Churches Podcast 01:26 – Meet Drew Dickens: broadcaster, ministry leader, and early AI adopter 03:10 – Drew’s journey from national radio to evangelism and contemplative prayer apps 05:19 – Reaching hundreds of thousands daily through Scripture and meditation 06:33 – Why AI is everywhere—and why most people don’t even realize it 07:14 – Is AI “of the devil”? A biblical framework for discernment 08:38 – What history teaches us about technology and temptation 10:30 – Why pastors can’t ignore how AI is shaping everyday spirituality 11:14 – How congregants are already using AI in their spiritual lives 13:37 – The three biggest threats AI poses to the Church 14:55 – Threat #1: AI and the erosion of spiritual authority 16:47 – Threat #2: Disembodiment and the loss of real community 18:06 – Threat #3: Algorithm-driven spiritual formation 19:47 – How pastors should educate and lead their congregations around AI 21:55 – Why transparency from the pulpit matters more than fear 24:39 – Embodiment, discipleship, and why relationships still matter most 26:17 – AI as therapist: what church leaders need to understand now 28:03 – A deeply personal story: grief, AI, and prayer at 1 a.m. 30:31 – Bringing AI experiences into Spirit-filled community 33:22 – Evangelism, awe, and what AI can never replace 35:30 – Why relational evangelism transforms the believer 38:07 – Using AI to practice gospel conversations wisely 39:58 – A powerful evangelism tool pastors should pay attention to 42:34 – AI debating theology: creativity without replacing the Spirit 44:12 – Revival, Gen Z, and the Church’s moment of responsibility 47:13 – AI as a tool for exploration—not authority 48:10 – Where to learn more from Drew Dickens 50:09 – Final encouragement for church leaders navigating AI faithfully Website: intentionalchurches.com The Radical Alignment Book Blog: intentionalchurches.com/blog YouTube: @IntentionalChurches Facebook: Intentional Churches Instagram: @IntentionalChurches X/Twitter: @IntentChurches

    51 min

  4. 12/10/2025

    Leading Alignment in a Fast-Growing Church, with Chris Steele

    On this episode of The Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug talks with Chris Steele about the incredible transformation happening at North Terrace Church in Zanesville, Ohio. Chris shares the honest story of how their team realized they were making church attenders instead of disciples, and how that single insight pushed them to rebuild unity, clarify their mission, and align everything around the Great Commission. You’ll hear how that alignment sparked a movement of everyday people leading their friends to Jesus, resulting in 34 baptisms in 2023, 125 in 2024, and already 138 baptisms this year. Chris explains how prayer, simple tools, and personal ownership of “the one” have reshaped their entire culture. If you’re a church leader looking to rebuild momentum, re-ignite evangelism, or move your people toward mission, this conversation will encourage you and give you practical next steps. New to Intentional Churches? Start here:intentionalchurches.com Timestamps 00:00 Welcome + Why This Story Matters01:25 Chris Steele’s Ministry Background03:02 Early Faith Influences05:01 Ministry Journey & Leadership Wounds07:19 Zanesville Culture & Ministry Context11:17 Opportunities and Challenges in Appalachia13:35 Rebuilding Generosity and Discipleship18:15 Early Culture Shifts at North Terrace23:10 COVID Collapse & Losing Half the Church24:07 Realizing They Weren’t Making Disciples26:44 Building a New Discipleship Pathway28:55 A Turning Point: Staff & Elder Unity30:42 Discovering IC’s Tools and Language31:46 The “One More” Mission34:11 The Baptism Explosion36:26 Everyday People Leading Their One37:37 Young Families Searching for Purpose41:36 Preparing for Future Growth43:36 How to Join the IC Learning Community Links Website: intentionalchurches.comThe Radical Alignment BookBlog: intentionalchurches.com/blogYouTube: @IntentionalChurchesFacebook: Intentional ChurchesInstagram: @IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: @IntentChurches

    45 min

  5. 11/13/2025

    The Heart Behind Radical Alignment, with Bart Rendel

    On this episode of The Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug and Bart unpack the heart behind Radical Alignment: The Surprising Journey of Becoming an Intentional Church—the brand-new book that takes church leaders inside the “why” behind the IC toolbox. Together, they share the behind-the-scenes story of how the book came to life—from early church interviews and the conference book challenge to the powerful stories that emerged along the way. You’ll hear about ice-bath baptisms in Florida, a thousand-person Tennessee church mobilizing 597 members to reach their “One,” and the connection between personal Great Commission ownership and lasting church alignment. Doug and Bart also explore how urgency, clarity, and obedience are reshaping churches across the IC network, why Radical Alignment serves as a prequel to the original Intentional Church book, and how every leader can reframe their calling through the lens of the Great Commission. If you’ve ever wondered how to make evangelism personal again—or how to help your church rediscover its core mission—this conversation will encourage, challenge, and reorient you to what matters most. New to Intentional Churches? Start here:intentionalchurches.com 00:00 The Gathering Church and a 70-Year-Old’s Ice Bath Baptism 02:04 Doug and Bart Catch Up on Life, Travel, and Nicknames 05:12 Florida Church Plant Stories: Courage and Obedience 09:51 When Baptism Becomes a Movement 13:06 Planting, Watering, and Trusting God for the Growth 15:23 Inside the “One Life” Project and Culture Change in Churches 18:50 Writing Radical Alignment: The Story Behind the Book 20:53 The “Why” Behind the IC Toolbox 23:08 How IC’s Learning Community Shaped the Book 26:07 Why Radical Alignment Is a Team Study, Not a Solo Read 27:30 The 25 Foundational Beliefs and IC’s Secret Sauce 29:27 Church Stories that Prove Great Commission Alignment Works 31:21 The Hope for Church Leaders Who Read Radical Alignment 34:17 Doug’s Challenge: “Relational Evangelism Is the Football” 35:26 From the Road: Nashville’s Airport Gridlock Story 38:33 Travel Chaos, Grace, and Gratitude 39:30 Closing Thoughts and Book Details Website: intentionalchurches.comGet The Book: Radical AlignmentBlog: intentionalchurches.com/blogYouTube: @IntentionalChurchesFacebook: Intentional ChurchesLinkedIn: Intentional Churches LinkedInInstagram: @IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: @IntentChurches Join the conversation and tell us how you’re leading your church toward Great Commission alignment.

    40 min

  6. 10/15/2025

    Alignment from a Military-Focused Church, with Riley Halliday

    On this episode of The Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug and Erin sit down with Pastor Riley Halliday, a former U.S. Air Force special operations leader who’s now leading Manna Church in Newport News, Virginia. Riley shares how his church embraces the constant movement of military life as a disciple-making opportunity. With families rotating every two years, his team trains every believer to live on mission, ready to reach their “One” wherever God sends them next. We unpack how urgency can fuel alignment, what it takes to build a training and sending culture, and why clarity beats complexity every time. If your church is in a transient community or you need fresh inspiration to fight for alignment around the Great Commission, this conversation will stir you up. New to Intentional Churches? Start here:https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignment 00:00 Training and Sending with Urgency in a Military Church 00:33 Doug and Erin Welcome Riley Halliday to the Podcast 02:04 Meet Riley: From Air Force Special Operations to Church Planting 05:06 The Birth of Manna Church and a Vision for Military Families 07:26 Launching During COVID and Finding God’s Provision Through a Merger 09:51 How a 100-Year-Old Church Became Manna’s New Home 10:39 Leading Near Military Bases: Nellis, Creech, and Beyond 12:54 The Two-Year Window: Training and Sending Before Families Move 14:13 Micro-Sites, Military Moves, and Multiplying Disciples 15:05 How Military Life Fuels Disciple-Making and Multiplication 16:19 Doug on “Radical Alignment” and Reuniting Evangelism and Discipleship 18:33 Fighting for Clarity and Simplicity in a Growing Church 19:59 How Canyon Ridge Fought for Vision and Alignment 22:08 Creating a Culture That Repeats the Mission 23:36 Practical Tools: Circle-Ups, Vision Rhythms, and For the One Bracelets 27:28 Keeping Alignment Simple, Transferable, and Repeatable 29:00 Fighting Misalignment with Elders, Staff, and New Ideas 31:30 Saying “No” to Good Things to Protect the Mission 33:42 When Church Members Want a Bookstore (and Other Distractions) 34:40 How the IC Toolbox and ChurchOS Keep Teams on Track 37:01 Every New Initiative Is an Opportunity for Alignment—or Drift 38:05 Riley’s Lesson: You Reproduce Who You Are, Not What You Say 39:59 Doug’s Closing Thoughts: Returning to the Root of the Great Commission 40:53 The Radical Alignment Book and Upcoming Assessment Website: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches Join the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

    41 min

  7. 10/01/2025

    Landscape of Evangelism in America, with Andy Cook

    Doug and co-host Daniel Goulding sit down with Andy Cook, Executive Director of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center, to unpack why relational evangelism belongs at the center of discipleship. Together they explore sobering stats (60% of U.S. churches are stagnant or declining), Gen Z’s surprising openness to spiritual conversations, and the practical rhythms leaders can model—from Alpha tables to breakfast-booth friendships. Daniel shares church-plant lessons around decisions and baptisms, while Andy unpacks BGC research, revitalization cohorts, and the vision behind the Amplify Conference. Along the way, they wrestle with transfer growth vs. true conversion, the seeker-sensitive debate, preaching clearly into cultural issues, and how “radical alignment” mobilizes everyday believers. The conversation is actionable, hopeful, and data-informed. New to Intentional Churches? Start here:https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignment CHAPTERS: 00:00 The Sobering Statistic: 60% of Churches in Decline or Stagnant 01:03 Meet Co-Host Daniel Goulding and His Church Plant Story 01:21 Andy Cook’s Journey: From Willow Creek to Wheaton College 03:28 Daniel’s Radical Conversion: From Fraternity Life to Faith 06:43 Early Lessons in Relational Evangelism 08:03 Inviting Friends, Broken Hearts, and the “Lonely Bench” at Willow 10:33 Why Evangelism Must Begin with Leaders 13:32 Everyday Evangelism: Breakfast Tables and Baptism Stories 15:02 Making Evangelism a Regular Appointment on the Calendar 16:56 Why Andy Leads Alpha and Steps Outside the Christian Bubble 17:13 Inside the Billy Graham Center and Its Institutes 20:30 State of Evangelism in America Today 23:15 Transfer Growth vs. True Kingdom Growth 24:48 Why Evangelism Feels Scary—and Why It’s Still Biblical 26:20 Bad Evangelism vs. Good Evangelism: Learning Like Toddlers 28:56 Discipleship and Evangelism: Two Sides of the Same Coin 30:40 Can You Have Deep Discipleship Without Evangelism? 32:23 Gen Z’s Spiritual Openness and New Research Insights34:46 Preaching Boldly into Cultural Issues36:58 Calling Men to Biblical Masculinity37:50 Convening Evangelism Leaders at the Billy Graham Center39:18 Digital Spaces, AI, and the Future of Evangelism40:18 The Amplify Conference: Keeping Evangelism Central40:56 The Radical Alignment Assessment and New Data Website: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches Join the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

    42 min

  8. 09/17/2025

    Leading through Resistance, with David Ashcraft

    David Ashcraft joins Doug and co-host Daniel Goulding on this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, sharing lessons from decades of leadership at LCBC in Pennsylvania. From painful early years where elders walked out, to the explosive growth that brought thousands of people across multiple campuses, David unpacks how radical alignment and a relentless focus on “best vs. good” shaped a disciple-making movement. During their conversation, you’ll hear why alignment matters more than keeping everyone happy, how LCBC codified its culture without losing passion, and what the 90–10 rule teaches us about the need for some people to be upset if you’re truly moving forward. David also unpacks how to discern between “good” opportunities and the “best” mission, and he shares honestly about the personal cost leaders pay to remain faithful through seasons of growth. New to Intentional Churches? Start here: https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignment CHAPTERS: 00:00 When Elders Walk Out: The Pain of Early Leadership 01:10 Meet Co-Host Daniel Goulding and His Church Plant Story 02:44 David Ashcraft’s Journey: From Texas to Pennsylvania 04:48 Facing Opposition: Letters from Abe and the Worship Wars 07:11 LCBC’s Growth: From 150 to 25,000 Across 25 Campuses 08:23 The Core Issue: Alignment vs. Misalignment in the Church 09:40 Good vs. Best: The Principle that Guides Every Decision 11:19 Lessons from Rapid Growth and Staff Alignment Challenges 14:00 Codifying Culture: From Intuition to Intentionality 16:33 Multi-Site Expansion and Why Limitations Became Opportunities 18:52 Stewardship, Buildings, and Keeping the Mission Central 22:12 Guarding Staff Culture While Scaling Fast 25:56 The 90–10 Rule: Leading with Clarity, Not Popularity 29:20 Picking Battles Carefully Without Losing Alignment 33:52 Codifying the “Gut”: Axioms and Culture Statements 39:02 Encouragement for Leaders in Shrinking or Struggling Churches 43:25 The Real Cost of Growth and Leadership Pain 45:25 Why David Stepped Into The Advantage and Global Leadership Network 47:17 Final Wisdom: Lead, Don’t Chase Popularity Website: https://intentionalchurches.comThe Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17CThe Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurchesFacebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurchesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches Join the conversation and let us know how you are leading your church toward the Great Commission!

    51 min
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4.8
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Church Leader, shift your focus from mere institutional insights to individual transformation. Be intentional. Join hosts Doug Parks (CEO and Co-Founder of Intentional Churches) and Erin Johnston (Co-Executive Pastor of Canyon Ridge Christian Church) as they share weekly thought-provoking discussions and actionable takeaways that will resource you to help your people encounter Jesus. Take the step toward authentic discipleship of your congregation so you can mobilize the ninety-nine to reach the one.

Information

  • Creator
    Doug Parks & Erin Johnston
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    83
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Intentional Churches