Most, if not all, churches have a mission that drives what they do, but how often are we making radical alignment to that mission the main thing? Today on The Intentional Churches podcast Erin and Doug sit down with Travis Kaiser, lead pastor of Florence Baptist Church in Florence, Kentucky. Travis is passionate about fostering a Great Commission-driven mission in every aspect of his church’s culture. How does he do it? Erin and Doug ask him exactly that.

Given Florence Baptist’s historical roots (the church was originally founded in 1855!), Erin and Doug invite Travis to share a bit of the context and history behind the church before jumping into their conversation on mission. Travis then walks us through how the church went from an organization of siloed teams to a culture of mission-focused disciples bent on reaching their ones. Travis also talks about some of the challenges behind aligning to a shared mission, stories of pursuing his ones, and the practical steps any church leader can take today to make a mission based on The Great Commission the main thing for their people and church.

Register for The Intentional Churches Conference 2025 here: https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast.

New to Intentional Churches? Start here:
https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchos

Website: https://intentionalchurches.com
The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C
The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/
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CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Intentional Churches Podcast
03:05 Travis Kaiser: Background and Church Context
05:53 Radical Alignment and Leadership Challenges
08:51 Building Trust and Relationships in Ministry
12:07 Living the Great Commission: Personal Stories
17:46 Creating a Culture of Mission
21:07 Aligning Staff and Leadership with Mission
26:02 Practical Steps for Greater Alignment
32:04 Conclusion and Conference Invitation

Welcome to season 6 of The Intentional Churches podcast! For this season of the podcast, we’re talking all about inviting and preparing for that next big event on your church’s calendar in light of The Great Commission. With Christmas right around the corner, this is the perfect time to talk about the invite potential of an event that will ultimately draw people closer to Jesus.

On today’s episode Erin and Doug are joined by Doug’s good friend (and fellow Steelers fan!), Mark Weigt. Mark is the founder and lead pastor of The Ridge Community Church in Milwaukee, WI. For this conversation, Erin and Doug focus in on how we invite our ones well—those far from God and the church. Given the large unchurched population in Milwaukee, Mark is the perfect person to tackle this topic.

Together the three dive into some of the context of Milwaukee’s church population and how that’s affected Mark’s strategies as a church leader—taking a look at how Mark and his team gear up for a big invite potential season like Christmas and the ways leaders can approach inviting their ones. Plus Mark and Doug even share some personal stories of how their relationships with ones led to further connection.

We’re excited for all the conversations to come in season 6!

Don’t forget to register for The 2025 Intentional Churches Conference at a discounted rate here: https://www.intentionalchurchesconference.com/.

New to Intentional Churches? Start here:
https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchos

Website: https://intentionalchurches.com
The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C
The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches
Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches
X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Heart of Ministry and Personal Connection
02:03 Understanding the Unique Context of Milwaukee
06:13 Vision and Mission of Ridge Community Church
10:12 Strategies for Big Invite Opportunities
14:00 Engaging Ones: Personal Stories and Community Impact
20:01 Aligning Leadership with the Great Commission
23:46 Practical Insights for Effective Church Growth

On the final episode of season 5, Erin and Doug invite Intentional Churches’ president and co-founder, Bart Rendel, to the show to outline the differences between intentional and unintentional churches. Bart has a heart for helping church leaders take personal ownership of The Great Commission, and that passion bleeds through every part of this conversation.

Since Bart is Doug’s partner in crime at Intentional Churches, Erin invites Doug to share his expertise too, and together the two outline exactly what an intentional versus unintentional church looks like, the steps every church should take towards being more intentional, and how Intentional Churches has truly become a learning community for church leaders. Doug and Bart wrap up this final episode of the season by sharing practical steps churches can take today to radically align with The Great Commission.

We hope you enjoyed this season of The Intentional Churches podcast!

Download Intentional Churches’ FREE e-book on radical alignment here:
https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast.

New to Intentional Churches? Start here:
https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchos

Website: https://intentionalchurches.com
The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C
The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches
Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches
X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Heart of Discipleship
03:05 Understanding Intentional Churches
06:00 Characteristics of Unintentional Churches
12:04 Steps Towards Intentionality
20:44 Building a Learning Community

This week on The Intentional Churches podcast, Doug and Erin sit down with Mission Church’s Sarah Cole. Sarah serves as the Ventura, CA church’s welcome team lead—focusing on creating a volunteer culture that welcomes in everyone and anyone. Why is creating that culture of hospitality important to The Great Commission? How do we recruit and inspire leaders with the “why” behind welcoming new people? The three dive into these questions and more in today’s conversation!

In her time at Mission, Sarah has seen her volunteer team grow from the low numbers of the COVID-19 pandemic to over 200 individuals passionate about serving those new to the church. Together, Erin and Doug invite Sarah to share the biggest challenges—and biggest victories—behind leading such a large volunteer team, how she communicates the “why” behind the work they’re doing on a Sunday morning, and how creating that welcoming environment has led to more and more people coming to know Christ.

Hospitality in our church environments and on our welcome teams may not seem like a huge priority to some, but in reality it’s essential to inviting in and continuing to build a relationship with those who don’t know Jesus. Don’t miss this super practical, encouraging episode!

Download Intentional Churches’ FREE e-book on radical alignment here:
https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast.

New to Intentional Churches? Start here:
https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchos

Website: https://intentionalchurches.com
The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C
The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches
Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches
X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Radical Alignment
02:55 Sarah Cole's Journey and Context
06:12 Mobilizing Teams for the Great Commission
12:00 Recruitment Strategies and Team Care
18:03 Creating a Welcoming Environment
24:00 Building a Welcoming Culture
30:02 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

This week on The Intentional Churches podcast, Doug and Erin sit down with Mission Church’s Sarah Cole. Sarah serves as the Ventura, CA church’s welcome team lead—focusing on creating a volunteer culture that welcomes in everyone and anyone. Why is creating that culture of hospitality important to The Great Commission? How do we recruit and inspire leaders with the “why” behind welcoming new people? The three dive into these questions and more in today’s conversation!

In her time at Mission, Sarah has seen her volunteer team grow from the low numbers of the COVID-19 pandemic to over 200 individuals passionate about serving those new to the church. Together, Erin and Doug invite Sarah to share the biggest challenges—and biggest victories—behind leading such a large volunteer team, how she communicates the “why” behind the work they’re doing on a Sunday morning, and how creating that welcoming environment has led to more and more people coming to know Christ.

Hospitality in our church environments and on our welcome teams may not seem like a huge priority to some, but in reality it’s essential to inviting in and continuing to build a relationship with those who don’t know Jesus. Don’t miss this super practical, encouraging episode!

Download Intentional Churches’ FREE e-book on radical alignment here:
https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast.

New to Intentional Churches? Start here:
https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchos

Website: https://intentionalchurches.com
The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C
The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches
Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches
X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Radical Alignment
02:55 Sarah Cole's Journey and Context
06:12 Mobilizing Teams for the Great Commission
12:00 Recruitment Strategies and Team Care
18:03 Creating a Welcoming Environment
24:00 Building a Welcoming Culture
30:02 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Reaching the next generation is a concern for any institution, especially the church. With Gen-Z leaving traditional religion in droves, how do we disciple this next generation and build up faithful, fruitful leaders? Today on The Intentional Churches podcast, Doug and Erin chat with THINQ’S Next Gen director, Grant Skeldon, to break down how exactly to reach young people for Jesus.

As a young leader himself, Grant is on the front lines when it comes to discipling the next generation. Together Doug and Erin ask Grant to outline how Gen-Z is coming to Jesus, the different ways they’re responding to the Gospel, and how to inspire and equip this generation to make disciples. The three conclude their conversation by sharing strategies church leaders can implement today to reach and inspire this generation for Christ.

Learn more about Grant and THINQ here:
https://www.grantskeldon.com/.

Download Intentional Churches’ FREE e-book on radical alignment here:
https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast.

New to Intentional Churches? Start here:
https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchos

Website: https://intentionalchurches.com
The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C
The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches
Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches
X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Intentional Churches Podcast
03:03 Understanding Gen Z's Relationship with Faith
05:57 The Role of Prophetic Voices in Reaching Gen Z
09:11 Contrasting Generational Approaches to Evangelism
11:49 The Shift from Experience to Identity in Faith
15:05 Discipleship: The Key to Reaching the Next Generation
17:54 Equipping Gen Z for Evangelism and Discipleship
21:01 Practical Steps for Church Leaders
23:53 Conclusion and Resources for Further Learning

First Orlando’s Haley Malone never envisioned herself in ministry, but little did this former math teacher and volleyball coach know, she was already doing ministry just by building relationships with those around her. Now Haley serves as First Orlando’s groups director, overseeing all adult groups at the 150 year-old church. Doug sits down with Haley today to talk about how her passion for building authentic relationships translates to mobilizing group leaders, and how anyone—no matter your church size or position—can work to activate your people to make disciples.

During her three years at First Orlando, Haley has personally seen how investing in relationships and living out The Great Commission has led to moments of life-change. Doug invites Haley to share some of those stories on today’s episode, and together they also break down how going first in initiating relationships can inspire your leaders to do the same, why outlining what you’re activating your people toward is so important, and some encouragement for those of us who tend to want to do it all.

Download Intentional Churches’ FREE e-book on radical alignment here: https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast.

New to Intentional Churches? Start here:
https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchos

Website: https://intentionalchurches.com
The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C
The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches
Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches
X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Haley Malone and Her Journey
02:53 Haley's Role at First Orlando and Community Building
06:07 Personal Application of the Great Commission
08:53 Stories of Relational Evangelism
11:47 Mobilizing and Activating Church Leaders
15:13 Building Relationships in the Neighborhood
18:03 Tools for Group Leaders and Community Engagement
20:52 The Importance of Relationships in Ministry
24:08 Encouragement for Church Leaders
26:56 Conclusion and Resources for Listeners

Radical alignment with The Great Commission is a great goal to shoot for, but how do we actually take discipleship and make it personal? On this week’s episode of The Intentional Churches podcast, Doug sits down with Calvary Chapel’s executive pastor, Duane Roberts, to talk about authentic relationship-building, organizational alignment in a multi-campus church, and co-creation among teams.

As a 10-campus church in ethnically diverse South Florida, leading Calvary Chapel has its own unique challenges. Together Duane and Doug hit on how Duane and his team promote alignment given these inherent complexities, why co-creation has become key to building up leaders and fostering trust amongst teams, and how Duane’s personal conviction to live out The Great Commission has translated to how he leads his teams. The episode concludes with the fruit Duane has seen from his team’s commitment to personal disciple-making and its transformation of Calvary Chapel from the inside out.

Download Intentional Churches’ FREE e-book on radical alignment here: https://www.intentionalchurches.com/podcast.

New to Intentional Churches? Start here:
https://assessment.intentionalchurches.com/churchos

Website: https://intentionalchurches.com
The Book: https://a.co/d/hFlz17C
The Blog: https://intentionalchurches.com/blog/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IntentionalChurches
Facebook: https://facebook.com/intentionalchurches
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-churches/mycompany/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/IntentionalChurches
X/Twitter: https://x.com/intentchurches