The Unstuck Church Podcast with Amy Anderson

Amy Anderson
  • 5.0 (4)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

With THE UNSTUCK CHURCH PODCAST, we invite you into the real-time conversations our team is having about church leadership every week. Hosted by Amy Anderson, this podcast explores common challenges in ministry and practical steps for tackling them. It's like getting to be a fly on the wall of our staff meetings. Tune in weekly for: Insights, observations and trends for church leaders from the Unstuck team. Benchmarks in church growth and health from The Unstuck Group's work serving hundreds churches across North America each year. Practical advice to help you lead your church towards sustained health. We think that after listening to The Unstuck Church Podcast, you'll want to start these discussions with your own team at your next staff meeting. Add your thoughts to the conversation on social media using #unstuckchurch.

  1. 5D AGO

    5 Common Core Issues in Churches: The Engagement & Capacity Issues - Episode 436

    ​​Two common issues in churches tend to show up together, even though at first glance they don't feel related at all: first engagement steps and physical capacity. On the surface, they sound like two completely different problems. But, in reality, they're way more connected than most leaders realize. You can't grow sustainably if you're not engaging people well, and you can't engage people well if you don't have the space to serve them. These are two of the most common barriers we see; however, the good news is that these have proven solutions.  We're wrapping up our series on Five Common Core Issues in Churches by talking about revitalizing your playbook for first engagement steps, getting ahead of your capacity limits and thinking strategically to support health and growth in these areas.    This Episode is Sponsored by Planning Center Planning Center is software designed to help churches help people. With multiple tools in one connected platform, you can stay organized, communicate with your team, and create meaningful ways to connect with your congregation. Start for free at planningcenter.com—pay only for what you need, and cancel anytime.   Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.

    26 min

  2. FEB 11

    5 Common Core Issues in Churches: The Leadership Bench Issues - Episode 435

    Churches everywhere, no matter the size, are struggling with this: the lack of a deep leadership bench.  One of the most common pain points we see in churches is not having enough leaders in the pipeline. This puts them in a constant reactive mode, often filling positions out of desperation rather than developing leaders intentionally. New leaders don't identify themselves; you won't drift into success here. You have to be intentional to take the time to work on your leadership bench. We'll show you how. In part two of our series, "Five Common Core Issues in Churches," Sean and Amy talk about the symptoms of a shallow leadership bench, how to build out a leadership development framework and what to start (and stop) doing if this issue sounds familiar to you.   This Episode is Sponsored by Planning Center Planning Center is software designed to help churches help people. With multiple tools in one connected platform, you can stay organized, communicate with your team, and create meaningful ways to connect with your congregation. Start for free at planningcenter.com—pay only for what you need, and cancel anytime.   Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.

    25 min

  3. FEB 4

    5 Common Core Issues in Churches: The Strategy Issues - Episode 434

    After serving more than 750 churches, we've noticed a clear pattern: No matter the size, style, or model, many churches wrestle with a similar set of challenges. They show up in different ways, but the root issues are surprisingly common across the board. That's good news for pastors and ministry leaders—because if the challenges are common, the solutions can be too. You're not alone. And you're not the first church to navigate these obstacles. In this series, we're taking a closer look at five of the most common challenges that consistently show up in our work with churches, starting with the strategy issues.  In this episode, Amy and Sean talk about strategies to reach your mission field and strategies for financial health.    This Episode is Sponsored by Planning Center Planning Center is software designed to help churches help people. With multiple tools in one connected platform, you can stay organized, communicate with your team, and create meaningful ways to connect with your congregation. Start for free at planningcenter.com—pay only for what you need, and cancel anytime.   Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.

    34 min

  4. JAN 28

    What's Going on With the Church in Canada? Talking Ministry in 2026 with Jonathan Smith and Drake Farmer - Episode 433

    For years, the narrative in Canada was slow decline, polite disengagement and post-Christian skepticism. But that's not the story they're living right now. There are people from every background actually exploring faith and showing up at church. What's going on in Canada? We're doing something a little different in this episode of the podcast. Sean and Amy invited our Canadian consultants, Jonathan Smith and Drake Farmer, to introduce themselves and talk about what they're seeing in the "big C" church in Canada. In this episode, we have a conversation about the real spiritual hunger emerging across Canada, how a strong invitational culture and posture of hospitality are becoming the new front door and what to be ready with when your growth is outpacing your resources.   This Episode is Sponsored by Tyndale: As ministry leaders, you are walking with people through anxiety, grief, conflict, and big questions every week. The HelpFinder Bible is a simple, practical tool to help you point them to Scripture. Its unique HelpFinder Index includes more than 100 life topics—so whether someone is struggling with stress, relationships, or doubt, you can turn straight to relevant verses that speak to their situation. Find God's answers to life's questions—check out HelpFinderBible.com.   Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.

    26 min

  5. JAN 21

    Time To Move - Episode 432

    So far in this series, we've talked about how to clarify vision and how to build strong strategies. But even when leaders feel really good about those pieces, there's still a sticking point: getting the whole team aligned and moving together. This is where you might hit a wall. There's a gap between defining your vision and actually making it happen. So it's time to move. In the final episode of our series "How to Not Waste January," Amy and Sean talk about typical signs that show a church is lacking alignment and the three critical steps you can take to realign with your vision.    This Episode is Sponsored by Tyndale: What if your Bible could do more than just be read? Experience the innovative, awe-inspiring Filament Bible app! When you pair your Filament-enabled Bible with the FREE Filament app, you'll unlock thousands of study notes, hundreds of videos, interactive maps, devotionals, audio Bibles, and more—all designed to deepen your understanding of and enrich your time in God's Word. Discover more ways to interact with God's Word. Learn more at FilamentBibles.com.   Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.

    24 min

  6. JAN 14

    Time To Refocus - Episode 431

    In January, you have permission to slow down enough to be intentional about the rest of your year. The goal isn't perfection; it's progress. And progress starts with planning. In the next part of our series, "How to Not Waste January," we're moving from reflection to talking about what's next. It's time to refocus by creating plans and establishing rhythms for the new year.  In this episode, Amy and Sean talk about how to plan when things are going well at your church, the key questions to ask when planning and how to calendar tangible planning rhythms.    This episode is sponsored by PlainJoe Studios.  Is your church building a throwback to the wood-paneled world of the 1980s? Does it feel more like going to worship or taking a big step back in time? PlainJoe's fun-loving, passionate team of designers, architects and specialists will transform your dated space, imagining and creating a worship environment that communicates your church's unique story and appeals to people of all ages. Learn more at plainjoe.net.   Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.

    26 min

  7. JAN 7

    Time To Reflect - Episode 430

    January can feel like a throwaway month. If you didn't get strategic planning scheduled early, it can feel like a few weeks of just drifting. Despite all the "New Year, New You" energy our culture puts out, hibernating is often more appealing. But you're leading a church, and you still have a live event every week. You might be leading your church through a season of fasting and prayer or getting small groups up and running again. It's not exactly a slow month.  If leveraged well, January can result in a fruitful year. But if you let it slip by, you'll be stuck playing catch-up month after month. So we put our heads together: What practices, initiatives and conversations do we WISH every church leader would set aside time for in January? In the first episode of our new series, "How to Not Waste January," Sean and Amy talk about the importance of taking time to reflect and practical ways to do so.   This episode is sponsored by PlainJoe Studios.  Is your church building a throwback to the wood-paneled world of the 1980s? Does it feel more like going to worship or taking a big step back in time? PlainJoe's fun-loving, passionate team of designers, architects and specialists will transform your dated space, imagining and creating a worship environment that communicates your church's unique story and appeals to people of all ages. Learn more at plainjoe.net.   Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.

    20 min

  8. 12/31/2025

    Hot Topics: Gen Z - Episode 429

    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.   Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram.

    28 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

With THE UNSTUCK CHURCH PODCAST, we invite you into the real-time conversations our team is having about church leadership every week. Hosted by Amy Anderson, this podcast explores common challenges in ministry and practical steps for tackling them. It's like getting to be a fly on the wall of our staff meetings. Tune in weekly for: Insights, observations and trends for church leaders from the Unstuck team. Benchmarks in church growth and health from The Unstuck Group's work serving hundreds churches across North America each year. Practical advice to help you lead your church towards sustained health. We think that after listening to The Unstuck Church Podcast, you'll want to start these discussions with your own team at your next staff meeting. Add your thoughts to the conversation on social media using #unstuckchurch.

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