The Innovative Church Leaders Podcast

In this video, Laurie Short shares her journey of faith and resilience. She explores the profound question: what does trusting in God mean? Through her personal experiences, Laurie illustrates how trusting in God's plan can transform our lives, even when circumstances seem bleak. Her story is a testament to how struggle builds character and how trusting God's plan for my life can lead to u...

In this episode of the Innovative Church Leaders podcast, host Jenni Wong Clayville interviews Dr. Chesarae Fletcher about the importance of Sabbath, rest, and community for women of color and church leaders. They explore practical ways to incorporate Sabbath into daily life, the theological significance of rest, and the power of sisterhood in healing and renewal. They also discuss the anthology:...

In this video, child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Philip Hash discusses the importance of creating inclusive church environments. He shares insights on how to embrace neurodiversity. Dr. Hash emphasizes that the desire for relationships and joy is present in everyone, even if the pathways to get there differ. Dr. Hash's work at Valley Church in Ohio highlights the need for church community...

In a culture chasing the next big church model, what if the secret to growth is getting back to the basics? After 20+ years of faithful ministry in South Arlington, Dr. Maurice Pugh has seen God double New Life Fellowship's attendance since COVID — adding one new service every year — simply by trusting Jesus with the results. Maurice Pugh and Eric Bryant explore what it looks like to build a t...

Join us for an insightful conversation where Filipe and Mandy Santos of Echo Church in the Bay Area interview John Ortberg and they explore spiritual formation, the origins of the 12-step program, and its relevance for church leaders today. Discover practical wisdom on character, vulnerability, and leveraging technology in a polarized culture. Spiritual formation is not just about personal growth;...

Are you feeling called to start something new? Discover the transformative journey of how to start a house church and create a community that thrives on faith and fellowship. Starting a house church can be a rewarding experience, offering a unique opportunity to connect with others on a deeper level. In this video, Jesse Reeves of King's Porch , explores the essential steps and considerations...

Discover the most effective ways to engage a community with church outreach ideas. Whether you're part of a small congregation or a large ministry, these strategies will help you connect meaningfully with your community. Join us as we explore innovative approaches that have proven successful in various settings. In this video, Jeff Brodie , the lead pastor of Connexus Church in Toronto shares...

In today's rapidly changing world, understanding the trends in church attendance is crucial for effective Christian leadership. As society evolves, so do the dynamics of faith communities, and leaders must adapt to these shifts to remain relevant and impactful. Carey Nieuwhof and Eric Bryant explore the future of the church in the context of modern challenges and opportunities. With the rise o...

Discovering How to Experience God's Presence In today's fast-paced world, many are searching for deeper meaning and connection. This video explores how to experience God's presence in everyday life, offering insights into the intersection of faith and culture. Join us as we delve into the power of the word and its transformative impact on our lives. Our guest, Dr. Nijay Gupta, shares h...

What if our misunderstanding of forgiveness is actually causing more harm than good? In this profound episode of the Innovative Church Leaders podcast, host Dr. Eric Bryant welcomes back world-renowned apologist and advocate Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing . Together, they tackle one of the most weaponized and misunderstood topics in the modern church: Forgiveness. Dr. Orr-Ewing shares insights from her new boo...

What if the "success" of growing a large church is actually hiding a shallow reality of disciple-making? In this catalytic conversation, David Putman - author of Detox for the Overly Religious and founder of Planting the Gospel - shares the "divine encounter" that forced him to stop measuring the crowd and start measuring the kingdom. After growing a church to 2,500 people, Dav...

What if the most polarized issue in our country is actually one of the oldest commandments in the Bible? In this enlightening episode of the Innovative Church Leaders podcast, host Eric Bryant talks with Dr. Sandy Richter - Old Testament scholar, Westmont professor, and author of Stewards of Eden . Discover how to move beyond partisanship and rediscover the biblical mandate to "tend and defen...

What if your church’s "welcome" is actually scaring people away? In this eye-opening conversation, Richard Riccardi —author of The Wandering Worshiper —shares his radical social experiment: visiting 33 different houses of worship in a single year. From Hindu temples to black congregations, Richard moved from being an "irregular and uninspired" cradle Catholic to a passionate de...

Sociologists  ⁠ Mark Mulder ⁠  and  ⁠ Gerardo Martí ⁠  join  ⁠ Eric Bryant ⁠  to reveal lessons from the rise and fall of the ministry of Robert Schuller and the Crystal Cathedral. As we navigate a post-Christian landscape marked by political polarization and disaffiliation, Mulder and Martí offer a look at what happens when congregational life is mapped onto capitalism.  Discover why the "ra...

What if the question "How do I grow my church?" is keeping you from actual kingdom impact? In this vision-casting conversation, Dave Ferguson - founder of Exponential and author of Multiplier - reveals why waking up asking "How do we multiply God's kingdom?" changes everything, how churches with a vision to plant 10+ churches grow 10% faster annually (while non-planting chu...

What do you do when God feels absent in your deepest suffering? In this raw and hope-filled conversation with host Toriano Mayo (lead pastor of The Well in Austin), Tiffany Stein - author of Mourning God - shares how losing her infant son led her to a secondary loss she never expected: the felt absence of God's presence. Tiffany reveals what Job's friends got right (silence) and wrong (tal...

What if the greatest barrier to making disciples isn't lack of resources—but the assumption you're already doing it? In this paradigm-shifting conversation, Mark "Moose" Bright - Director of Relational Discipleship Network - shares how life groups become the tip of the spear (not the holy huddle). Discover the power of kingdom ambition, why vulnerability sets the bar for disciple...

What if communion isn't just a ritual—but the most powerful way to practice hope in a broken world? In this moving conversation, Anglican priest Hannah Miller King shares how the Eucharist became her lifeline after losing her father at 14 and her youngest brother to suicide, why the Lord's Table can become "the altar call every Sunday," and how bottom-up healing through embodied...

What if 67% of Americans claim to be Christian but only 6% actually have a biblical worldview?  In this eye-opening conversation, Freddy Davis - missionary, author, and worldview expert - reveals why most Christians don't even realize they're viewing reality through a non-Christian lens, how American culture shifted from theism to naturalism while we weren't looking, and why worldview...

What if the Bible's clearest teaching on women in leadership isn't what you've been told?  In this thoughtful conversation, Dr. Preston Sprinkle — bestselling author and founder of the Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender — shares findings from his three-year, 1,000-hour journey studying what Scripture actually says about women in church leadership. Preston unpacks what shocked him...

What if the secret to standing out as a leader isn't about being smarter, more connected, or going viral - but about 12 simple habits you can learn?  In this energizing conversation, William Vanderbloemen—founder of Vanderbloemen Search Group—shares why he's more bullish on the church than he's been in 30 years, what data reveals about top-performing leaders, and the one habit that nat...

"If it were not for the black church, there would be no church in America." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1931) In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Walter Strickland II—professor, author, and teaching pastor—reveals why Dietrich Bonhoeffer said there would be no church in America without the African-American church, and what that means for leaders today. Dr. Walter Strickland II unpacks the b...

What does it look like when the church truly sees and mourns with those who mourn? In this powerful conversation, Latasha Morrison —founder of Be The Bridge and bestselling author—shares why lament is essential for healing, how the church can practice true reconciliation, and what it means to create spaces where brown faces feel seen in predominantly white spaces. Tasha unpacks the biblical practi...

Feeling burned out? You're not alone. In this hope-filled conversation, leadership coach J.R. Briggs reveals why the quality of your life is determined by the quality of questions you ask—and how changing one question can transform your ministry. J.R. unpacks the art of asking better questions, shares why Jesus asked over 300 questions but only answered 5, and offers practical rhythms for past...

If you've been wondering whether young people still care about faith, this conversation will challenge your assumptions.  Thai Lam shares firsthand accounts of what's happening on college campuses: 5,000 students gathering for worship, 200 baptisms in one night, and Bible sales up 50% in five years. After decades of church decline in the West, something shifted. Young people are asking que...