Breaking Barriers

Pastor Skip Allen joins Jonathan Yarboro to talk about how Hope Community Church went from a small merger to 1,200 weekly attendees. In this Breaking Barriers episode, discover actionable church growth strategies including multi-campus development, going to multiple services, and much more. Website: ⁠ https://breakinggrowthbarriers.com ⁠ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/breakinggrow...

Vision without follow-through is just a dream. The execution part of vision is always the hardest, and the execution doesn't happen without courage. Vision without follow-through is just a dream. The execution part of vision is always the hardest, and the execution doesn't happen without courage. Website: ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://breakinggrowthbarriers.com⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups...

In this episode, we cover Commandments 4-10 of the 10 Commandments of Kids Week. This is one of our "Big Days" [read: Weeks] in our calendar year. Kids Week is all hands on deck: staff, volunteers, security, pastors, everyone! Don't miss this opportunity to connect with families and volunteers during the summer! Website: ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://breakinggrowthbarriers.com⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.fac...

In this episode, we cover the ethos and the first 3 Commandments of Kids Week. This is one of our "Big Days" [read: Weeks] in our calendar year. Kids Week is all hands on deck: staff, volunteers, security, pastors, everyone! Don't miss this opportunity to connect with families and volunteers during the summer! Website: ⁠ https://breakinggrowthbarriers.com ⁠ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com...

Part 2, continuing the conversation about a Church Growth Flywheel. What if your church could build the same kind of unstoppable momentum that Amazon used to become a global giant? In this episode, we take a look at the Biblical strategy that has built the church over the last 2,000 years. Based on Acts 2, we share the simple flywheel system that aligns your entire church, from staff structure to...

What if your church could build the same kind of unstoppable momentum that Amazon used to become a global giant? In this episode, we take a look at the Biblical strategy that has built the church over the last 2,000 years. Based on Acts 2, we share the simple flywheel system that aligns your entire church, from staff structure to budget decisions. This long-term strategy shows how individual disci...

In this in-depth episode of Breaking Barriers, learn the key to church merger success. Pastor Andrew shares the "two hearts, one vision" strategy that produced four successful mergers and explains why the majority of church mergers fail. Both churches require the same gospel-centered heart posture; how to recognize senior church members, and the discipleship opportunities presented by me...

Are you a lead pastor struggling with burnout, depression, or physical health issues? You're not alone. In this Breaking Barriers episode, Pastor Andrew Hopper explains why preaching pastors face unique health and physical challenges that most people don't understand. Let's not ignore the hidden physical demands of preaching, and why your sympathetic nervous system is constantly trigge...

In this episode, we break down the critical difference between directional and shepherding elders, revealing how this biblical framework allows churches to grow while maintaining organizational health. Learn the six key responsibilities of directional elders and how to create clear role expectations that prevent ministry paralysis. Whether you're planting a church or looking to scale your curr...

What if your church could generate unstoppable momentum? In this episode, we break down the flywheel concept from Jim Collins' "Good to Great" and apply it to church growth. Learn why some churches struggle with isolated wins while others create compound growth through the flywheel model. Discover practical strategies to identify your church's key momentum drivers, maintain disciplined focus, and...

Church leaders often struggle between being the "hype person" and the bearer of bad news. The Stockdale Paradox offers a better way forward. Join us as we explore how Admiral Stockdale's experience as a POW provides a framework for effective leadership: confronting the brutal facts of reality while maintaining unwavering faith. Learn why this approach builds trust, leads to better de...

Many churches doubt the value of investing heavily in "Big Days" (think: Easter Services) when attendance drops the following week. In this episode, we debunk this myth with five data-backed takeaways that prove big days are crucial for long-term church growth. From creating adequate space and mobilizing volunteers to leveraging baptism moments and implementing effective follow-up systems, discove...

"We're going for 30 years, not 3." In this episode, we unpack a powerful staff retention strategy that will help your leadership team stay for the long haul: the sabbatical. We address the common objections, break down the implementation details, and share three compelling reasons this practice transforms ministry sustainability. If you're tired of constant staff turnover and want to build a team...

Pastor Andrew breaks down his complete process of sermon series planning using the "Big Idea Document" approach. Learn how he creates compelling series concepts, and develops a 12-week planning rhythm that helps you and your entire team prepare for a sermon series. Includes practical tips for crafting series titles, scripture selection, big ideas, and creative elements that will engage b...

Discover when and why your church should consider hiring an executive pastor. In this episode, we break down the crucial relationship between lead pastors and executive pastors, exploring how this partnership creates "rocket fuel" for church growth. Learn the ideal qualities to look for in a second chair leader, when to make this strategic hire, and how to clearly define roles that maximize your c...

"Generosity initiatives are discipleship initiatives." Over the past two practical episodes, we explore 5 axioms for effectively leading your church through a giving campaign. Learn why church funding isn't just about raising money but raising maturity, how to strategically allocate resources between ongoing ministry, special projects, and future vision, and why every dollar is a "kingdom dollar"...

"Generosity initiatives are discipleship initiatives." In the next two practical episodes, we explore 5 axioms for effectively leading your church through a giving campaign. Learn why church funding isn't just about raising money but raising maturity, how to strategically allocate resources between ongoing ministry, special projects, and future vision, and why every dollar is a "kingdom dollar" in...

Every growing church faces critical leadership pain points that determine its future. In this episode, we explore six essential leadership challenges—from reorganization to narrowing focus—that pastors must navigate to scale their ministry effectively. Discover why comfort and growth can never coexist and how embracing necessary pain (and the right pain) is the gateway to church multiplication. We...

In this episode, Pastor Andrew and Pastor Bobby continue their conversation on how church leaders can organize their lives to support both personal health and church growth. They explore the critical areas of fitness, family, flock, and finances, explaining why a pastor's vision for these personal areas should be as detailed and vivid as their vision for their church. Discover practical strate...

In this episode, we explore the "flywheel concept" for pastoral health and church growth. Discover how intentionally investing in your personal well-being creates momentum that carries into your family, ministry, and finances. Learn why passivity is never the pathway to health and how creating a strategic flywheel can prevent burnout while fostering sustainable church growth. If you're a pastor wi...

Why do some churches thrive while others plateau? In this episode, we explore how effective church leadership requires working across multiple time horizons simultaneously. Using Mercy Hill's new Ridge campus project as a case study, we break down the four essential time frameworks every ministry leader must navigate: vision (3-10 years), strategy (1-3 years), tactics (90 days to 1 year), and...

1 year into Breaking Barriers, we wanted to revisit the reason we started Breaking Barriers to begin with. In this episode, Pastor Andrew and Pastor Bobby continue the conversation around the false dichotomy between church growth and spiritual depth. Learn why many churches simultaneously mourn decline while refusing to celebrate growth, and discover how this mindset may be holding ministries back...

1 year into Breaking Barriers, we wanted to revisit the reason we started Breaking Barriers to begin with. In this episode, Pastor Andrew and Pastor Bobby re-tackle the false dichotomy between church growth and spiritual depth. Learn why many churches simultaneously mourn decline while refusing to celebrate growth, and discover how this mindset may be holding ministries back. They share practical...

We believe that parent-planting churches is the best way to plant churches, but partner-planting is the best pathway to parent-planting. In this episode we discuss 6 axioms, 3 to move into planting and 3 to move into parent-planting. Website: ⁠ https://breakinggrowthbarriers.com ⁠ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/breakinggrowthbarriers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakinggrow...

Are you in charge of leading people? It might be an entire staff-team of 75 people, maybe it's 10 people on kids' staff, or it might just be 3 volunteers; if you lead people, this episode looks at 3 guiding principles for leading staff. Website: ⁠ https://breakinggrowthbarriers.com ⁠ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/breakinggrowthbarriers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakingg...