The Advantage Podcast

In this episode of The Advantage Podcast, David Ashcraft sits down with Pearl Parks (LCBC's Global & Local Impact Director) and Javy Diaz (World Vision Church Engagement Director) for a candid, practical conversation about rethinking how your church engages global missions. They cover: - Why LCBC moved away from the traditional missions model — and what replaced it. - The power of focused partners...

In this episode of The Advantage Podcast, David Ashcraft sits down with Roy Clair, co-founder of Clair Global—the company behind the sound at the majority of the world’s major tours and many leading churches today. Roy shares: • How a small-town hobby in Lititz grew into a global organization of 8,000 employees • The mindset and work ethic that fueled six decades of growth

Episode 29 features Dan Reiland—one of the most seasoned executive pastors and leadership coaches in the church world. Dan served alongside John Maxwell for years at Skyline Church and spent 24 years as the Executive Pastor at 12Stone Church with Kevin Myers. He now coaches senior pastors and executive teams full time, and his wisdom in this conversation is the kind you don't find in a book. In th...

What if the entrepreneurs in your church could become your greatest ministry partners? In the newest episode of The Advantage Podcast, David Ashcraft talks with Mike Grunden from Faith Driven Entrepreneur about the ways pastors can engage high-capacity leaders for Kingdom impact.   In their conversation, you'll discover: - Why revival often starts in "pockets of awakening" - How to overcome intimi...

In our newest episode of The Advantage podcast, David sits down with two leaders who are helping churches all over the country navigate one of the most confusing and rapidly changing areas of ministry today—technology. Adam Hann (LCBC) and Christian Nelson (The Christian Consulting Group) join him for a practical and eye-opening conversation about how churches can leverage technology without losin...

We’re excited to welcome Kent Jacobs, founder and lead pastor of Epic Church in Philadelphia. Kent’s journey—from meeting Jesus at age 12 to launching Epic with just a handful of people—has been marked by courage, faith, and a deep desire to help every person in the city know God. In the early days of Epic, Kent reached out to LCBC simply looking to learn. That small step sparked a meaningful conn...

In this episode David Ashcraft is joined by Chris Hodges, a leader known for his passion for equipping pastors and building thriving churches. Chris opens up about his personal story, the pivotal moment that led him into ministry, and how Church of the Highlands grew from a small launch team to a multi-campus church impacting thousands.  You’ll hear insights on creating effective systems, raising...

This month, host David Ashcraft sits down with Bobby Gruenewald, the visionary leader behind the global phenomenon, the YouVersion Bible App, and a key figure at Life. Church. In this insightful conversation, Bobby shares his unique journey, offering a wealth of wisdom for leaders and innovators alike: - From Early Entrepreneur to Ministry Leader: Explore Bobby's unexpected path from growing up in...

In this episode of The Advantage Podcast, David Ashcraft interviews Les McKeown, author of "Predictable Success," about the stages of growth that organizations go through, and how these principles apply to churches and faith-based organizations.  Les shares insights on:  • The "Early Struggle" phase and why the term "startup" can be misleading.  • How a visionary leader's role evolves as an organi...

In this episode of the Advantage podcast, David Ashcraft talks with Ned Pelger, a construction expert, about his experience with church building projects and more. Ned shares his unique perspective on the importance of prioritizing value, simplifying design, and understanding the specific needs of the community the building is intended to serve.  Tune in to hear:  • Why churches aren't always the...

Today, we're incredibly excited to welcome Bart Rendel and Doug Parks, the creative minds behind Intentional Churches. Bart and Doug are passionate about helping churches clarify their vision, implement strategic planning, and cultivate healthy leadership, all while staying deeply rooted in biblical truth.  Get ready for a dynamic and insightful conversation about revitalizing your church and maki...

In this episode, Kevin shares his unique journey into ministry, his perspective on supporting ministry spouses, and practical ways to identify and develop emerging leaders within your congregation. He also emphasizes the critical importance of NOT doing ministry alone – a message that deeply resonates with the core values of The Advantage.  Here are a few key takeaways:  • How to identify potentia...

We're excited to share our latest podcast episode—a conversation with Steve Cuss about how leadership anxiety and reactive habits can hold us back, and what it looks like to lead from a place of grace and freedom.  Steve, the author of Managing Leadership Anxiety, offers practical insights on recognizing false needs like control, approval, and perfection that often drive burnout. He shares key too...

In this episode of The Advantage Podcast we dive into Part Two of a conversation with David Ashcraft and Shawn Williams, Senior Pastor of Willow Creek, as he shares how his church turned around after a season of crisis, focusing on rebuilding, values over vision, staff surveys, and community trust. He also discusses future goals to reach more for the kingdom.  Watch Part 1 here if you missed it: h...

We're excited to share the latest episode of The Advantage Podcast, featuring Shawn Williams, Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church.  In this episode, Shawn discusses his experience navigating the challenges at Willow Creek, including:  - Taking on leadership during a post-crisis season.  - Making difficult decisions during times of uncertainty.  - The importance of trust and communicatio...

In this episode David Ashcraft interviews Jason Mitchell, the senior pastor at LCBC Church, about his journey and experiences.  In this episode, you'll discover:  · The importance of trust and open communication during transitions.  · How to navigate the unique dynamics of leading a church where you've grown up.  · The value of waiting and character formation in leadership.  · Strategies for reinv...

In this episode, we delve into the critical topic of long-term leadership in ministry, featuring a conversation with Peter Greer, author and President & CEO of Hope International. Peter shares invaluable insights on navigating the challenges and rewards of sustained leadership, emphasizing the importance of: - Maintaining a clear vision and avoiding mission drift. - The cumulative impact of small...

In this episode of the Advantage Podcast David Ashcraft and Dave Ferguson discuss the importance of church multiplication, sharing insights from their experiences with multi-site churches and church planting.  Dave Ferguson highlights his journey from founding Community Christian Church in Chicago to leading the New Thing network and Exponential conference, emphasizing the significance of reproduc...

In this episode, David interviews Jenni Catron about her new book "Culture Matters" and her insights on building healthy church cultures and teams.  Jenni shares her background in church leadership, the importance of defining your church's culture and values, aligning your team around a shared mission, and continually nurturing a thriving ministry environment.  Whether you lead a large or small ch...

In this episode, we have a special guest, Mark Miller, a Wall Street Journal bestselling author and leadership expert who spent over 45 years with Chick-fil-A. Mark’s journey is remarkable, starting as an hourly team member and rising to key leadership roles, making him a wealth of knowledge on leadership development. In our conversation, Mark discusses: · How to identify and develop young talent...

On this month's episode of the Advantage Podcast, we are looking forward to continuing the conversation with Dr. Henry Cloud, in this second of a two-part recording. Leadership, Confrontation, and Development 1. Confrontation Skills: What techniques or approaches do you find effective when performing confrontations with staff or church members, and how do you prepare for these difficult conversati...

An unscripted conversation with David Ashcraft and top leaders impacting our world. Created by pastors for pastors to expand our knowledge and influence. This is part one of a two-part interview between David Ashcraft and Dr. Henry Cloud as they have a comprehensive discussion on the challenges and strategies for pastoral leadership. They explore the importance of relational connectedness, the nee...

In this episode team member Mark Stuenzi talks to Amy Anderson as he prepped for our one day, Staffing and Restructuring Workshop.  Amy Anderson, director of consulting at The Unstuck Group, joined our workshop to discuss church structure and staffing.  The Unstuck Group has consulted with over 675 churches, helping them navigate various challenges. Amy emphasized the importance of strategy, struc...

On episode 8 of The Advantage Podcast, we hear from Stephanie Chung. With over 40 years of experience in the American Aviation Industry with positions ranging from baggage handler to CEO - Stephanie brings a valuable perspective to leadership, ministry, and life in general. And she does it with zest, enthusiasm, decisiveness, and confidence. We are excited and grateful for this conversation. You c...

David connects with successful businessman and follower of Jesus, Rob Gregory, as he shares the similarities between running a business and a church. He also wanted to give you a copy of the Philosophy, Mission, and Vision that guides his company. Discussion Questions: 1. How does Rob Gregory's perspective on pride and humility impact his approach to leadership? 2. What are some potential entry po...