Why do so many faithful Christians feel exhausted by their own faith?
Jessie Cruickshank, a Harvard-trained expert in the neuroscience of transformation, joins Jenni Wong Clayville (Nova Community Church) to unpack her new book, “Becoming Good News,” co-written with Julia Schmaltz.
Jessie explains why most discipleship models fail — because they’re built on the wrong memory system in the brain — and what actually creates lasting change.
She dives into the difference between “human doing” and “human being,” why identity (not behavior) is the real starting point for transformation, why community requires real eye contact and attunement (not just a group chat), and how her own story of trauma led her to put down the pen on authoring her own life and let God write the story instead.This is a rich, science-meets-Scripture conversation for anyone leading discipleship, small groups, or their own spiritual formation — and for anyone tired of trying to earn a love they already have.
THE INNOVATIVE CHURCH LEADER PODCAST AND GIVEAWAYS:
We want to help pastors experience and bring renewal through Spirit-led innovation, reaching new people, and making disciples who make disciples.
Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter at innovativechurchleaders.org/join-us for a chance to win future book giveaways, retreats, cohorts, workshops, and assessments!
Only one in three pastors finish well. And 78% say they have no close friends. Kevin Abbott, who leads pastoral health and resilience work for Texas Baptists, joins Eric Bryant to talk honestly about the isolation that quietly derails so many pastors — and what it actually takes to keep going the distance.
Drawing from 30 years in ministry, a season as a military chaplain, 13 years as a senior pastor, and now years spent walking hundreds of pastors through cohorts built on his doctoral research at Fuller Seminary, Kevin shares the habits that separate leaders who finish well from those who burn out. He gets real about his own dark nights of the soul, why “every leader has a limp,” and the power of having a Paul, a Barnabas, and a Timothy in your life.
This conversation is packed with practical wisdom and real stories — including pastors who found physical, emotional, and spiritual breakthrough through community, coaching, and the kind of friendship most pastors never let themselves have.
📚Resources mentioned:
“Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership” by Ruth Haley Barton
“Sacred Rhythms” by Ruth Haley Barton
“The Making of a Leader” by J. Robert Clinton
THE INNOVATIVE CHURCH LEADER PODCAST AND GIVEAWAYS:
We want to help pastors experience and bring renewal through Spirit-led innovation, reaching new people, and making disciples who make disciples.
Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter at innovativechurchleaders.org/join-us for a chance to win future book giveaways, retreats, cohorts, workshops, and assessments!
What does it look like to bring your full faith into a 30-year career at the top of London banking?
Filipe Santos, lead pastor at Echo Church in the Bay Area interviews Ken Costa — former Vice Chairman of UBS Investment Bank, Chairman of Alpha International, and advisor to the UK government on Saudi economic reform. They talk about the moment that changed everything for Ken as he realized his workstation was his worship station.
In this conversation, Ken unpacks why “work-life balance” is the wrong framework, how to steward time, energy, and money as one integrated life, why the local church matters more than ever in a digital, disconnected age, and what he sees coming in the massive wealth transfer happening right now between generations. He also shares a candid word on AI, spirituality, and why church leaders can connect more with high-octane people working in the marketplace.
Whether you’re pastoring a church, leading in business, or just trying to figure out what your work has to do with your faith, this conversation will challenge how you see both.
📚Resources mentioned:
God at Work, Know Your Why, Joseph of Arimathea, and The 100 Trillion Dollar Wealth Transfer — books by Ken Costa
THE INNOVATIVE CHURCH LEADER PODCAST AND GIVEAWAYS:
We want to help pastors experience and bring renewal through Spirit-led innovation, reaching new people, and making disciples who make disciples.
Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter at innovativechurchleaders.org/join-us for a chance to win future book giveaways, retreats, cohorts, workshops, and assessments!
Ministry leader David Kim discusses the profound question of what is spiritual formation and its impact on our daily lives. He shares insights from his work at Goldenwood and Redeemer Presbyterian, focusing on the intersection of faith and work.
David explores the concept of calling in work, emphasizing that our professional lives are not just about achieving titles but understanding God’s intention for work. He challenges the notion that work is merely a punishment, instead presenting it as a joyful collaboration with God.
The discussion also touches on the idea of business as mission, where work becomes a platform for living out one’s faith. David highlights how churches can support this by creating ministries that validate the significance of work in God’s eyes.
Practically, David suggests slowing down to discern God’s presence in our work. This spiritual practice is crucial for understanding what is spiritual formation and how it relates to faith and work.
Summary
Understanding what is spiritual formation in the context of work.
Integrating faith and work to transform professional environments.
Recognizing calling in work as a divine purpose.
Implementing business as mission strategies in daily tasks.
THE INNOVATIVE CHURCH LEADER PODCAST AND GIVEAWAYS:
We want to help pastors experience and bring renewal through Spirit-led innovation, reaching new people, and making disciples who make disciples.
Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter at innovativechurchleaders.org/join-us for a chance to win future book giveaways, retreats, cohorts, workshops, and assessments!
Entrepreneurial church leader Todd Wilson shares insights on the church growth movement and the importance of disciple making movements. Todd’s journey from a nuclear engineer to a ministry leader highlights his passion for a discipleship church model.
Todd discusses the historical context of the growth of the church, emphasizing the need for a shift from traditional methods to a more sustainable church growth strategy. He argues that the focus should be on creating a discipleship church that fosters disciple making movements. Todd discusses the pitfalls of focusing solely on numbers in church growth, emphasizing the need for a shift towards discipleship and church planting.
The conversation delves into the challenges faced by churches today, such as the reliance on programs that do not reproduce themselves. Todd suggests that a successful church growth strategy involves empowering individuals to become everyday missionaries, contributing to the growth of the church.
Focus on creating a discipleship church environment.Encourage disciple making movements to ensure sustainable growth.Implement a church growth strategy that adapts to modern challenges.
Practical steps include fostering a culture of mentorship and leadership development within the church. This approach not only supports the growth of the church but also aligns with the principles of disciple making movements.
THE INNOVATIVE CHURCH LEADER PODCAST AND GIVEAWAYS:
We want to help pastors experience and bring renewal through Spirit-led innovation, reaching new people, and making disciples who make disciples.
Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter at innovativechurchleaders.org/join-us for a chance to win future book giveaways, retreats, cohorts, workshops, and assessments!
Daniel’s work at the Lumen Center bridges academic disciplines with Christian culture, providing a unique “perspective in history” that is both enlightening and challenging.
Daniel’s research focuses on “evangelicals in America” and their influence on culture and politics. This exploration offers a “perspective in history” that highlights the complexities of faith and culture.
The video also touches on “how to lead with a focus on historical truths,” emphasizing the importance of understanding past events to navigate current challenges. Daniel’s insights into “evangelicals in america” provide a framework for leaders seeking to integrate faith with historical awareness.
Daniel’s work underscores the significance of “the bible as wisdom literature” in shaping cultural narratives.
THE INNOVATIVE CHURCH LEADER PODCAST AND GIVEAWAYS:
We want to help pastors experience and bring renewal through Spirit-led innovation, reaching new people, and making disciples who make disciples.
Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter at innovativechurchleaders.org/join-us for a chance to win future book giveaways, retreats, cohorts, workshops, and assessments!
In this week’s episode, founder of Peacemaker Ministries and Relational Wisdom 360, Ken Sande, shares insights on how to encourage open communication in conflict resolution. His experience in biblical peacemaking offers valuable lessons for those seeking to resolve disputes.
Ken discusses the importance of encouraging dialogue and understanding in conflicts. He emphasizes that the process is a rescue mission, not a prosecution. This approach is crucial in how to mediate disputes between church members, where the goal is to restore relationships.
The video explores how to encourage open communication in conflict resolution by focusing on God-awareness and engagement. Ken highlights that starting with God is essential in biblical peacemaking. This perspective helps in encouraging dialogue and understanding in conflicts, ensuring that the focus remains on reconciliation.
Ken provides practical steps for how to mediate disputes between church members. He suggests beginning with self-reflection and seeking to honor God in every situation. This mindset is vital for how to encourage open communication in conflict resolution and achieving lasting peace.
THE INNOVATIVE CHURCH LEADER PODCAST AND GIVEAWAYS:
We want to help pastors experience and bring renewal through Spirit-led innovation, reaching new people, and making disciples who make disciples.
Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter at innovativechurchleaders.org/join-us for a chance to win future book giveaways, retreats, cohorts, workshops, and assessments!
In this week’s interview Jenni Wong Clayville interviews the founder and president of Trochia Ministries and one of the teaching pastors at Mariners Church, Ines Franklin. Ines shares her insights on how to make blended families work. With her extensive experience in a blended family, Ines discusses the importance of active listening and understanding the unique dynamics involved.
Blended family challenges are numerous, and Ines emphasizes that addressing these issues with blended families requires patience and empathy. Ines also touches on the issues with blended families, such as the stigma and misunderstandings they face. She believes that recognizing these challenges is crucial for creating a supportive environment to foster a sense of belonging and understanding among family members.
Some key ideas for church leaders include the following:
Recognize the unique dynamics of blended families. Emphasize the importance of active listening. Address blended family challenges with empathy. Understand the issues with blended families to provide better support.
Discover healing in through faith and in a church community.
THE INNOVATIVE CHURCH LEADER PODCAST AND GIVEAWAYS:
We want to help pastors experience and bring renewal through Spirit-led innovation, reaching new people, and making disciples who make disciples.
Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter at innovativechurchleaders.org/join-us for a chance to win future book giveaways, retreats, cohorts, workshops, and assessments!
Cross Point Ministry‘s Executive Director, Clifton Roth discusses the importance of presence in pastoral care. He emphasizes that the best gift pastors can offer is their transformed and transforming presence, which is central to the journey of spiritual formation for pastors.
Clifton shares insights into spiritual disciplines for pastors, highlighting how these practices are essential for maintaining emotional and spiritual health. He explains that strategies for building strong pastoral communities involve fostering authentic relationships and being present to God and others.
The discussion also touches on how does recovery relate to spiritual formation for pastors? Cliff notes that recovery processes, such as 12-step programs, are integral to spiritual growth and healing. These programs are part of the broader journey of spiritual formation for pastors, helping them navigate personal and professional challenges.
Cross Point Ministry offers various resources, including retreats and counseling, to support pastors. These initiatives are part of their strategies for building strong pastoral communities, ensuring that pastors have the tools they need for effective ministry.
Understanding how does recovery relate to spiritual formation for pastors is crucial.
THE INNOVATIVE CHURCH LEADER PODCAST AND GIVEAWAYS:
We want to help pastors experience and bring renewal through Spirit-led innovation, reaching new people, and making disciples who make disciples.
Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter at innovativechurchleaders.org/join-us for a chance to win future book giveaways, retreats, cohorts, workshops, and assessments!
Two stories are unfolding in American Christianity right now, and most people are only hearing one of them.
The first story is the one making headlines: young people are walking back into church. The second story is quieter, and it’s the one we can’t afford to ignore — the people leading those churches are, in many cases, running on empty.
Both stories are true. And the way we respond to the first one depends entirely on how we respond to the second.
The Quiet Crisis Behind the Pulpit
For years, the narrative around pastoral burnout has swung between alarming and reassuring — and the truth is somewhere in the tension between the two.
The encouraging news first: Barna’s newest research shows the share of pastors seriously considering leaving full-time ministry dropped to 24% in 2025, down from a high of 42% during the pandemic years. More pastors say they can now speak openly about their mental health, and more report strong marriages and support systems than in years past.
But 1 in 4 pastors still contemplating walking away is not a healthy church. And the deeper data tells a more complicated story. Lifeway Research found that nearly half of pastors feel the demands of ministry are more than they can handle, and one in three describe themselves as isolated in their role. Two out of three pastors say they feel they must be available to their congregation around the clock.
When pastors do leave the pulpit, Christianity Today reports that the number who point to burnout as a factor has doubled over the past decade. Political division inside congregations has become one of the sharpest sources of that strain — pastors caught between competing camps, expected to referee culture-war conflicts they never signed up to lead.
None of this shows up on a Sunday morning. A tired, isolated, spiritually depleted pastor can still preach a good sermon. But over time, that exhaustion reshapes everything — a pastor’s marriage, their capacity to love difficult people, their ability to lead a church toward anything bigger than survival. And when a pastor breaks down, whether through burnout or moral failure, it’s rarely just one family that absorbs the damage. It’s a congregation. It’s a neighborhood that quietly decides the church isn’t who it claims to be.
The Generation Nobody Saw Coming
Here’s what makes this moment so urgent — and so hopeful.
After two decades of decline, something is shifting among young adults. Barna’s 2025 State of the Church research found that Gen Z and Millennial Christians are now attending church more often than Gen X or Boomers — a reversal nobody was predicting even five years ago. The typical Gen Z churchgoer now shows up nearly twice a month, and researchers are calling it one of the most significant generational shifts in decades.
Not everyone agrees on how far this “revival” goes, and that’s worth being honest about. Christianity Today’s own reporting points out that a widely cited UK study behind the “Quiet Revival” narrative was later retracted for flawed data — a reminder to hold big claims with open hands. But the same article, written by researchers who work directly with congregations and young people, argues the underlying hunger is real, even if the institutional numbers are messier than the headlines suggest. Young people are asking bigger questions about meaning, belonging, and truth than the culture assumed they would.
Outreach Magazine captures it well: this generation isn’t necessarily returning out of nostalgia or obligation. When they do show up, they’re looking for something real — depth, honesty, a community that will let them belong before they believe.
Which raises the question every church leader has to sit with: if this generation is finally curious again, who is going to lead them? And will that leader have anything left to give?
Why We Exist
This is the exact intersection Innovative Church Leaders was built for.
We believe the church can become a living picture of God’s kingdom — diverse, healthy, engaged in its community, and unwilling to let politics have the last word on what Christianity means. We believe a spiritually curious generation deserves pastors who are not just theologically equipped, but personally whole. And we believe that healthy pastors are the single most overlooked lever for renewal in the American church.
Our goal is to see 30,000 pastors — roughly 10% of all pastors in the U.S. — genuinely pursuing health across every part of their lives: spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, and relational. We believe that’s the tipping point. Once 1 in 10 pastors is on a real trajectory toward wholeness, it doesn’t just change their own lives. It changes their churches, their communities, and the story the next generation tells about what following Jesus looks like.
What Your Gift Does
Right now, your support is funding two cohorts launching this fall:
Surprised by the God of Hope — 100 pastors studying with renowned theologian N.T. Wright, learning what it means to bring beauty, justice, and the presence of Jesus into their neighborhoods.
A 12-Step Cohort for Pastors — built around John Ortberg’s newest book, helping pastors break free from burnout patterns, old wounds, and hidden habits before those things break their churches.
Every day, your support funds:
Free counseling, coaching, and retreat grants for pastors who couldn’t otherwise afford them
A podcast (145,000 YouTube subscribers) and weekly newsletter (6,000 pastors and church leaders) telling the stories the news won’t — where the church is getting it right
Grant-writing partnership and Google Ad Grant strategy that multiplies every dollar you give into new pastors reached
Two Stories, One Turning Point
A curious generation is showing up at the door. A generation of pastors is quietly running on fumes. Those two facts are colliding right now, in real churches, in your city and mine.
We don’t think that’s a coincidence. We think it’s an invitation.
Join the Movement
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Friend
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You’re part of the steady, committed base this movement is built on
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You’re a core part of our community — helping us plan ahead with confidence
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You’re a driving force behind the pastors we reach this year
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You’re shaping the future of this movement as part of our Strategic Advisory Team
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$5,000/mo
You’re enabling us to reach out further and faster towards our goal of spiritual renewal in our country
