Church Planting 2.0

ChurchPlanting.com
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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. When Church Attendance Drops...

    6d ago

    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

  2. May 21

    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

  3. May 11

    12 Things Every Church Needs to Know in Year One

    12 Things Every Church Needs to Know in Year One Launching a new church is filled with challenges, nerves, and big dreams. In this episode, Jeff Hoglen shares practical, biblically grounded insights on what it takes to survive and thrive during the critical first year of church planting. Whether you're in the early stages or planning ahead, these tips will help you build a resilient foundation. Key topics: The importance of humility over proving yourself Why outreach is the lifeblood of new churches Understanding the slow but steady process of God's work Creating a spiritual culture of service and generosity The significance of vision from the very first day Prioritizing your city as the primary mission field Spirit-led worship as a catalyst for change Discipleship through caring for the poor Making outreach a core focus, not just a program The influence of leadership modeling on church culture Practical steps for identifying immediate growth areas The role of prayer and intentionality in leadership Timestamps: 00:00 - The realities of launching a church and the fears involved 01:00 - The #1 mistake: trying to prove yourself instead of staying humble 01:58 - Outreach as the lifeblood for building momentum 03:23 - Guard your time and avoid inward-focused ministry traps 04:25 - Trusting the slow but meaningful process of God's work 04:55 - Creating a culture of service and generosity 05:55 - The importance of prioritizing people over success 06:53 - Teaching on living generously to sustain the vision 08:00 - Dreaming big from day one: building for multiplication 08:52 - Your immediate city as the primary mission field 09:21 - Spirit-inspired worship as the environment for true change 10:46 - Discipleship includes caring for the poor 11:45 - Outreach must be the engine, not a side program 12:37 - The impact of your leadership exemplified in church culture 13:24 - Leaders set the tone through their actions and attitudes 14:27 - Focus on one area from the list—start today! Resources & Links:  Steve Sjogren – Servant Evangelism  Reach Out! : 77 Ways to Ignite Your Church's Mission Connect with Jeff Hoglen: ChurchPlanting.com Jeff Hoglen Facebook ChurchPlanting.com on Facebook JeffHoglen.com Remember, implementing these lessons one step at a time makes the journey manageable and sustainable. Focus on the one area God is highlighting for your church now and trust Him to grow it from there.

    13 min

  4. May 4

    Why Guests Visit Once and Never Return

    Most churches are losing first-time guests before they even hear the sermon — because everything happening before that, like parking or a smile, makes or breaks their entire experience. If you think worship or great preaching is enough to keep newcomers coming back, think again. The real secret is what happens before they even take their seat, and surprisingly, it’s all about first impressions and genuine connection. In this eye-opening episode, Jeff Hoglen dives into the often-overlooked moments that send guests out the door for good. You’ll discover why the parking lot can kill your church growth and learn simple, practical adjustments—like walking your campus with fresh eyes—that could make all the difference. Jeff unpacks research from Tom Rainer and shares how the first 10 minutes shape a guest’s entire experience, even before the service begins. You'll also hear how small acts of kindness, intentional signage, and authentic hospitality can turn visitors into members. We break down the critical timing for follow-up—why reaching out within 24 to 48 hours skyrockets the chance of a recurring visitor—and how a handwritten note or genuine call beats automated follow-ups every time. Plus, Jeff highlights the core need of modern seekers: belonging. They want to feel like they have a place at the table before they even believe or understand the theology. This episode is perfect for pastors, leaders, and volunteers committed to transforming their welcome culture and building a church that truly feels like family from the very first visit. If you’re ready to stop losing guests and start creating a community that invites people to stay, this conversation is your game changer. Your guest’s experience begins long before they hear the first song. Make every moment count — because when you focus on belonging, people don’t just attend. They return. Main topics covered: The critical importance of first impressions before the sermon starts How parking, signage, and simple navigation affect guest retention The tension between guest anonymity and meaningful connection The vital role of follow-up within the first 48 hours Why belonging, not just belief, keeps visitors coming back Practical steps to improve guest experience and build community Timestamps: 00:00 - The frustration of first-time guests not returning 00:40 - The first impression begins in the parking lot 01:50 - How signage and campus navigation influence guest retention 02:42 - Guests decide whether to come back within 10 minutes of arrival 03:11 - Why the parking lot experience is crucial to guest impressions 04:07 - The importance of a welcoming environment from the start 05:00 - How interactions and treatment of guests impact their decision 06:00 - The tension between guest anonymity and connection 07:12 - The value of genuine, low-pressure interactions 08:42 - Creating spaces for authentic relationships without forcing them 09:40 - Critical post-visit follow-up within 24-48 hours 10:19 - Personal follow-up methods that impact return rates 11:44 - Belonging versus belief — what truly keeps people coming back 12:14 - The importance of community over just attending events 13:12 - Practical ways to foster relationships and build community 14:12 - Focus on one area to significantly improve guest retention 14:40 - Every visitor counts — be intentional and ready for new guests Resources & Links: Tom Rainer on church guest retention Barner Group research on Belonging and engagement Books by Jeff Hoglen Churchplanting.com Connect with Jeff Hoglen: ChurchPlanting.com on FaceBook Twitter LinkedIn

    12 min

  5. Apr 27

    How to Build a Healthy Church Culture

    How to Build a Healthy Church Culture Most churches overlook the one factor that determines whether they thrive or decline — their culture. In this episode, Jeff Hoglen reveals how rapid growth is often sabotaged by unnoticed cultural cracks and shares strategies to build a life-giving church environment. Discover why the culture you allow is the culture you create, even if it’s unintentional. Jeff breaks down the vital differences between stated values and actual behaviors—showing how leadership modeling, conflict resolution, and celebrating wins shape your community from the inside out. You'll learn how dishonest conflict, gossip, or neglecting small moments can silently devastate your church’s unity and trust. You’ll uncover: The realities every church leader must confront to build a healthy culture How modeling authentic behavior sets the tone more than formal policies Why conflict handled poorly is often the biggest threat to community health—and how to resolve it biblically and effectively The importance of celebrating what matters to foster growth A simple “culture audit” to identify blind spots This episode is for pastors, church leaders, and volunteers committed to transformation. Ignoring culture risks stagnation but shaping it positions your church for sustainable growth and lasting impact. Key topics Why culture trumps vision and strategy in church growth The distinction between stated and actual church values How leadership models behaviors that shape culture Handling conflict constructively using Matthew 18 principles The impact of gossip and how to prevent it Celebrating wins to reinforce desired behaviors Conducting a culture audit to identify gaps between words and actions The role of organizational health in church effectiveness Timestamps: 00:00 - Why church culture is the most overlooked yet critical element 00:30 - The danger of losing people through backdoor exit despite appealing strategies 00:58 - Peter Drucker’s principle: "Culture eats strategy for breakfast" 01:27 - How unhealthy culture causes strategic plateau and decline 01:56 - Four realities every church leader must understand about culture 02:24 - The difference between stated values and lived values 02:51 - The importance of organizational health according to Patrick Lencioni 03:15 - What behaviors are truly valued in your church 03:42 - The importance of honesty and integrity at all levels of leadership 04:12 - The necessity of self-awareness in culture building 04:41 - Leaders model behaviors that followers emulate 05:10 - The impact of private modeling over mandated rules 05:39 - The significance of setting the tone through daily interactions 06:09 - The question: "What does my team observe in me?" 06:39 - How leadership modeling shapes the actual culture 07:07 - Handling conflict: avoiding or exploding, and its consequences 07:38 - The biblical framework for conflict resolution (Matthew 18) 08:08 - Strategies for healthy conflict engagement in the church 08:38 - The destructive nature of gossip and how to address it 09:24 - Zero-tolerance approach to gossip to protect the culture 09:54 - Redirecting and addressing gossip effectively 10:29 - The importance of focusing on positive reinforcement 11:00 - What you celebrate is what you will see repeated 11:30 - The impact of public celebration on culture formation 12:27 - Making celebration a core leadership discipline 12:57 - Practical tips: starting with wins, giving shout outs 13:25 - Building a deliberate, healthy church culture is a leadership choice 13:40 - Culture is shaped over time through intentional effort 14:08 - Conducting a culture audit: what would a first-time guest observe? 14:38 - Closing encouragement: seeing your culture clearly is the first step toward improvement Resources & Links The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni Matthew 18 Bible Passage Books by Jeff Hoglen Churchplanting.com Connect with Jeff Hoglen: ChurchPlanting.com on Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

    13 min

  6. Apr 20

    How to Preach Better Sermons That Truly Connect

    How to Preach Better Sermons That Truly Connect Preaching is more than just delivering a biblical message — it's about connecting with people and leading them toward transformation. In this episode, Jeff Hoglen shares practical tips for making sermons impactful, memorable, and life-changing. In this episode: The importance of starting with the person, not just the passage Crafting a single clear idea to enhance memorability Using stories to bypass resistance and connect emotionally Preaching with conviction and a sense of urgency Aligning sermons with the goal of transformation and discipleship Practical advice on sermon preparation and delivery Timestamps: 00:00 - Why connection, not just information, matters in preaching 00:30 - The danger of sermons that sound good but don’t land 00:40 - Start with the person, not just the passage 01:10 - Know your audience to make your sermon relevant 01:39 - The importance of clarity and one central idea 02:05 - Why relevance beats solely theological accuracy 02:35 - Focus on one clear takeaway for your audience 03:04 - Speak to the heart, not just the head 03:34 - The power of application and next steps 04:04 - Using stories to make sermons memorable 04:32 - The role of stories in bypassing resistance 05:01 - Preaching like it matters and with conviction 05:33 - The importance of real passion and urgency 06:01 - Connecting scripture with real-life stories for impact 06:30 - Preach with conviction because lives are on the line 07:00 - Avoid sermons that lack passion and conviction 07:29 - Every sermon should lead to a response and transformation 07:58 - The core mission: changed lives, discipleship, and impact 08:28 - Summary: Preach with clarity, purpose, and people in mind 08:56 - Final encouragement: Share this message and keep multiplying disciples Resources & Links: Preaching with Clarity by Andy Stanley Books by Jeff Hoglen Churchplanting.com Connect with Jeff Hoglen: ChurchPlanting.com on facebook Twitter LinkedIn

    7 min

  7. Apr 13

    Are We Making Disciples or Just Drawing a Crowd?

    Are We Making Disciples or Just Drawing A Crowd? In this episode, Jeff Hoglen challenges church leaders and pastors to rethink how they evaluate success. Instead of focusing solely on attendance and social media reach, he urges us to prioritize genuine spiritual transformation and discipleship. Key topics: The difference between gathering crowds and forming a church Why size does not equate to health or spiritual growth The limitations of traditional church metrics like attendance and giving How to shift from consumer-focused to discipleship-centered systems The importance of authentic community, accountability, and follow-up Leaders' role in disrupting the crowd mentality for deeper spiritual impact Practical steps to assess whether your church is truly making disciples The cost and necessity of challenging church culture to prioritize transformation Timestamps: 00:00 - Rethinking church metrics: From attendance to transformation 00:42 - Filling rooms vs. filling lives: What's the real goal? 01:42 - Size isn't everything: The difference between crowd and church health 02:10 - Attraction vs. mission: How churches form around consumerism or covenant 03:08 - The necessity of real discipleship beyond Sunday service 03:36 - Understanding true metrics: From attendance to spiritual change 04:06 - The findings of the Willow Creek Reveal study on spiritual growth 05:22 - Are people actually growing in their faith? Asking the tough questions 06:19 - Entertainment vs. investment: Building devoted disciples 07:50 - The early church’s focus on community and devotion over production 08:47 - The leadership challenge: Disappointing some for long-term growth 09:38 - Systematic follow-up and accountability as keys to transformation 10:52 - The importance of intentionality over performance 11:04 - Holding the line and aligning church practices with the mission 11:45 - Reflecting on the true measure: How many are being formed, not just present 12:15 - Action step: Have honest conversations about discipleship before next week's attendance report Resources & Links: Churchplanting.com Books by Jeff Hoglen on Amazon Connect with Jeff Hoglen: LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

    10 min

  8. Apr 6

    So, What Is Church Planting?

    Are you curious about what church planting really involves or how it impacts communities? In this episode, we dive into the core principles of church planting, dispelling common misconceptions, and exploring how everyone has a part to play in spreading the gospel through new church communities.  Key topics:  The simple definition of church planting: establishing new churches in communities that need it What church planting is not: a church split, franchise, or just a service in a new location The historical roots: early church growth through planting, not buildings or livestreams Research insights: new churches reach unchurched people more effectively How context matters: the importance of location and community needs Spirit-led calling versus strategy-driven planning Collaboration and team support as essential for success Practical steps for those who want to support or participate in church planting Recognizing the opportunity to influence communities lacking healthy gospel-centered churches The ongoing call for every believer to find their part in this mission Timestamps:  00:00 - What comes to mind when you hear 'church planning'?  00:26 - Why understanding church planting is critical for the mission  00:53 - Defining church planting in its simplest form 01:05 - What church planting is not  01:28 - The essence of real church planting: going to underserved communities  02:07 - The early church’s growth through planting, not buildings 0 2:51 - The data behind new churches reaching more unchurched individuals  03:33 - Challenges of established churches and advantages of new churches  04:19 - Why location and contextualization matter  04:42 - The importance of spirit-initiated, not strategy-initiated, church planting  05:00 - The necessity of teamwork and support networks  06:25 - The role of supporters who aren’t the primary planters  07:11 - How everyone can participate in the mission, even if not a church planter  07:39 - The communities still waiting for healthy churches  08:32 - Reflective question: What's your role in expanding the gospel?  09:04 - Closing thoughts and encouragement to share and participate. Resources & Links:  Church Planting Done Different by Jeff Hoglen — for deeper insights into adaptable church planting approaches Lifeway Research - Church Growth Data Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission — the foundation of mission-driven church planting Books by Jeff Hoglen Connect with Jeff Hoglen:  Twitter LinkedIn Jeff Hoglen - Pastor, Author, CEO

    10 min
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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.

Information

  • Creator
    ChurchPlanting.com
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © ChurchPlanting.com
  • Show Website
    Church Planting 2.0