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Carey Nieuwhof

Why do churches keep making the pastor the product?


Hi Reader,

Why do churches keeping making the pastor the product? Especially large, growing churches?

Doesn't that just put too much pressure on everyone? Especially the lead pastor and preacher?

Those are just a few of the surprising questions and insights arising from my conversation with Ashley Wooldridge, Senior Pastor of Christ’s Church of the Valley, one of the fastest-growing churches in America.

With over 50,000 people gathering each weekend, Ashley opens up about what’s really driving sustainable growth—not just at his church, but in leadership at large.

In this episode, Ashley shares powerful lessons from his decade at Intel, how emotional intelligence—not just IQ—catapulted his career, and what church leaders must do to keep culture from collapsing under growth.

We also dive into the hard stuff: how to make sure the pastor doesn’t become the product, what radical humility looks like at scale, and why culture—not strategy—is your real growth engine.

This conversation is packed with practical leadership takeaways and spiritual insight that’ll stay with you long after the episode ends.

🎧 Listen now and take the next step toward healthier leadership. Watch it on YouTube or tune in wherever you listen to podcasts.

This episode is brought to you by...

Global Leadership Summit

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Show Notes

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Carey Nieuwhof Communications, PO Box 160, Oro Medonte, Ontario L0L 2X0

Carey Nieuwhof

Don’t settle for an impact smaller than you’re called to make. It's time to unlock your potential and lead confidently into a future filled with growth — for yourself, your church, and your mission. Get access to some of my best leadership content, only published in my newsletters.

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