Hi Reader,
Imagine being 28-years-old, planting a church, and two years later, breaking 1,000 in attendance.
What's that journey like?
Well, believe it or not, it's...mixed. Among the hardest challenges you'll get are the cynical critics who complain that you're growing that fast. Yep, fellow church leaders hate on growing churches.
That's Andrew Hopper's story, and he doesn't sugarcoat any of it.
In this episode, we get into what it actually costs to grow that fast, why the church world has overcorrected against growth, and the four practical barriers that will quietly kill momentum if you don’t pay attention.
Here’s what you’ll take away:
👉 Why we’ve learned to simultaneously mourn decline while refusing to celebrate growth (and why this is killing the church)
👉 What 2022 taught Andrew about panic attacks, preaching fear, and why he eventually went on medication
👉 Why you can grow without going, but you cannot go without growing
👉 The #1 question every church planter needs to be able to answer before they plant
If you lead anything that’s supposed to grow, this one’s going to make you think.
🎧 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...
AI AND THE FUTURE CHURCH: A BARNA LEADERSHIP INTENSIVE
Decisions about using AI are already being made on your staff. With or without you.
On November 10th, I’m teaming up with Barna for a three-hour leadership intensive called AI and the Future Church, where you’ll get never-before-seen research on how pastors and congregations are actually using AI, and leave with a one-page plan including the language for the AI policy your church needed yesterday.
Register at barna.com/aiandthefuturechurch.
COMPASSION
Compassion International has been a trusted partner of mine for years. They’re reaching the most vulnerable children with the gospel and working with churches of all sizes to do it. They equip churches with free family resources, church-wide experiences, and global partnerships with local churches serving children in poverty.
Find out more and watch my conversation with Compassion’s CEO Jimmy Mellado at compassion.com/carey.
