Why We’re Starting A Church

In this episode of Conversations, I unpack Mark 9 and what it teaches pastors, church planters, and Christian leaders about competition, territorialism, personal holiness, Spirit-filled ministry, and how we treat people while building.Can we celebrate another church when we receive none of the credit? Can we be more ruthless with the sin inside ourselves than the ministry differences we see in others? Can we pursue both the power of the Holy Spirit and the love Jesus describes in something as simple as giving a cup of water?The Kingdom is bigger than what any of us are building.This is a conversation about becoming leaders who can bless, release, send, and celebrate without compromising conviction or competing for ownership.I send a free newsletter where I share thoughts on leadership, ministry, faith, and building something that actually lasts.Subscribe here:https://conversations-with-josh-andrew.beehiiv.com/Conversations is for pastors, church leaders, church planters, and anyone passionate about building healthy churches.With more than a decade of ministry experience, I share practical teaching and conversations around church leadership, discipleship, spiritual formation, ministry culture, leadership development, and building teams that last.DescriptI use Descript to edit and produce this podcast. It makes audio and video editing simple, fast, and clean.https://descript.cello.so/5I4MealWKa2HelloFreshMake dinner easier with HelloFresh. Get simple, delicious recipes delivered to your door and claim 10 free meals plus free breakfast for life with code HF-1507.https://www.filify.co/SHabEElevenReaderTurn your reading list into a listening list with ElevenReader. Upload books, PDFs, articles, or documents and listen wherever you are. Get 30 days free plus 15% off.https://www.filify.co/SHaTRvidIQGet more views and subscribers on YouTube.https://vidiq.com/joshnandrew/Website:https://joshandrew.orgMore links:https://linktr.ee/JoshnandrewYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC079uejq90Kj-q0sgZ0Bacg

Why are churches dying across North America, and what needs to change?In this episode of Conversations, I sit down with Gary Smith, Church Planting Director for Alliance New England and author of From Dying to Dangerous, to talk about the future of the Church, church planting, evangelism, discipleship, and why many of our current strategies are falling short.Gary has served in church planting since 1998 and now helps develop and equip church planters across New England. Alliance New England is working toward a vision of 100 churches by 2033.We talk about why planting more Sunday services alone isn’t enough, the difference between gathering people and actually making disciples, why church planting has to begin in the harvest, and what it looks like to recover multiplication as a normal part of the local Church.This isn’t a conversation about giving up on the Church. It’s about believing the Church can become healthy, evangelistic, multiplying, and deeply dependent on the Holy Spirit again.Learn More About Gary Smith & Church PlantingAlliance New England Church Planting:https://www.alliancenewengland.org/church-planting📝 NewsletterI send a free newsletter where I share honest thoughts on leadership, ministry, faith, and building something that actually lasts.Subscribe here:https://conversations-with-josh-andrew.beehiiv.com/I use Descript to edit and produce Conversations. It makes audio and video editing simple, fast, and clean.https://descript.cello.so/5I4MealWKa2HelloFreshMake dinner easier with HelloFresh. Get simple, delicious recipes delivered to your door and claim 10 free meals plus free breakfast for life with code HF-1507:https://www.filify.co/SHabEElevenReaderTurn your reading list into a listening list with ElevenReader. Upload books, PDFs, articles, or documents and listen wherever you are. Get 30 days free plus 15% off:https://www.filify.co/SHaTRvidIQGet more views and subscribers on YouTube:https://vidiq.com/joshnandrew/Website:https://joshandrew.orgMore links:https://linktr.ee/JoshnandrewYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC079uejq90Kj-q0sgZ0Bacg

Narcissism in the church is talked about constantly, but what does narcissistic behavior actually look like in a pastor, church leader, or ministry environment?In this episode of Conversations, we look at seven signs of narcissistic behavior in church leadership and the difference between legitimate narcissistic traits and simply dealing with a difficult personality, unhealthy leadership, insecurity, or conflict.The word narcissist has become a catch-all for almost any leader we disagree with. But using psychological language carelessly can make it harder to recognize genuinely unhealthy patterns when they are present.We talk about behaviors like an excessive need for admiration, entitlement, lack of empathy, exploiting relationships, difficulty receiving criticism, protecting an image, and using people to reinforce a leader’s sense of importance.This conversation is not about diagnosing pastors from a distance. It’s about developing enough clarity to recognize unhealthy leadership patterns, protect people when necessary, and build church cultures marked by humility, accountability, empathy, and the character of Jesus.I send a free newsletter where I share honest thoughts on leadership, ministry, faith, and building something that actually lasts.Subscribe here:https://conversations-with-josh-andrew.beehiiv.com/I use Descript to edit and produce Conversations. It makes audio and video editing simple, fast, and clean.https://descript.cello.so/5I4MealWKa2Make dinner easier with HelloFresh. Get simple, delicious recipes delivered to your door and claim 10 free meals plus free breakfast for life with code HF-1507.https://www.filify.co/SHabETurn your reading list into a listening list with ElevenReader. Upload books, PDFs, articles, or documents and listen wherever you are. Get 30 days free plus 15% off.https://www.filify.co/SHaTRGet more views and subscribers on YouTube.https://vidiq.com/joshnandrew/Website:https://joshandrew.orgMore links:https://linktr.ee/Joshnandrew

Some of the most meaningful ministry will never happen from a stage. It happens around a table.In this episode of Conversations, I talk about the relational side of pastoral ministry and why Jesus consistently formed people through proximity, meals, conversation, and everyday life.Drawing from Acts 2:42–47 and 1 Thessalonians 2:8, we talk about hospitality, discipleship, building trust before the crisis, knowing people beyond what they contribute, and creating rhythms where public ministry and personal shepherding work together.Platforms can reach people. Tables help us know them.And if pastoring people is an honor, it should never feel like a bother.CHAPTERS00:00 Tables, Proximity & Pastoral Ministry04:14 What Tables Build That Platforms Cannot06:24 People Are More Than What They Contribute08:25 Building Trust Before the Crisis11:28 The Biblical Call to Hospitality14:22 If It’s an Honor, It’s Never a Bother#PastoralMinistry #Discipleship #ChurchLeadership🎙️Editing & ProductionI use Descript to edit and produce this podcast. It makes audio and video editing simple, fast, and clean.👉 https://descript.cello.so/5I4MealWKa2Make dinner easier with HelloFresh. Get simple, delicious recipes delivered to your door and claim 10 free meals plus free breakfast for life with code HF-1507:⁠⁠https://www.filify.co/SHabE⁠⁠Turn your reading list into a listening list with ElevenReader. Upload books, PDFs, articles, or documents and listen wherever you are. Get 30 days free plus 15% off through this link:⁠https://www.filify.co/SHaTR⁠Get More Views & Subscribers on YouTubehttps://vidiq.com/joshnandrew/🔗 Connect with Josh AndrewWebsite: https://joshandrew.orgMore links: https://linktr.ee/Joshnandrew ✨ 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐰 ✨https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC079uejq90Kj-q0sgZ0Bacg

Church planting. Celebrity pastors. Sermon length. Multisite churches. Church money. AI sermons. Leaving a church. Nothing was really off limits.In this episode of Conversations, I answer rapid-fire questions about some of the most debated topics in church leadership and ministry.We talk about whether we actually need more church plants, how long sermons should be, whether multisite churches are becoming franchises, pastors choosing cities for the wrong reasons, discipleship, next-gen leadership, excellence and church budgets, pastors without a prayer life, leaving a church, celebrity pastors, using ChatGPT for sermon preparation, and more.Some are hot takes. Some are questions I think deserve a lot more nuance. All of them come from the perspective of someone who loves pastors, loves the local Church, and wants us to build faithfully.#ChurchLeadership #Pastors #ChurchPlanting📝NewsletterI send a free newsletter where I share honest thoughts on leadership, ministry, faith, and building something that actually lasts.Subscribe here:https://conversations-with-josh-andrew.beehiiv.com/Make dinner easier with HelloFresh. Get simple, delicious recipes delivered to your door and claim 10 free meals plus free breakfast for life with code HF-1507:⁠⁠https://www.filify.co/SHabE⁠⁠Turn your reading list into a listening list with ElevenReader. Upload books, PDFs, articles, or documents and listen wherever you are. Get 30 days free plus 15% off through this link:⁠https://www.filify.co/SHaTR⁠🎙️ Editing & ProductionI use Descript to edit and produce this podcast. It makes audio and video editing simple, fast, and clean.👉 https://descript.cello.so/5I4MealWKa2Get More Views & Subscribers on YouTubehttps://vidiq.com/joshnandrew/🔗 Connect with Josh AndrewWebsite: https://joshandrew.orgMore links: https://linktr.ee/Joshnandrew

What if we’ve become more interested in being seen following Jesus than actually following Him?In this episode of Conversations, I talk about aesthetic Christianity, social media, and the temptation to turn sacred moments into content.Using Matthew 6, we look at Jesus’ teaching on giving, prayer, and fasting, and the repeated invitation to build a life with God that doesn’t require an audience. We talk about generosity becoming content, vulnerability becoming performance, recording worship, our obsession with visibility, and the motives behind what we choose to share.Public faith isn’t the problem. Needing to be seen is.The question I keep coming back to is simple: Would I still do this if nobody ever knew?It’s time to recover the secret life. A life where communion with Jesus is enough, obedience doesn’t need documentation, and God seeing us in secret is enough of an audience.IN THIS EPISODE00:00 Being Seen vs. Actually Following Jesus01:12 The Aesthetic Christianity Problem02:41 Jesus’ Warning in Matthew 606:19 The Brutal Test of Our Motives06:59 Some Sacred Moments Should Stay Offline09:24 When Generosity Becomes Content13:13 Vulnerability or Performance?16:34 Worship Without the Camera18:54 Recovering the Secret Life20:32 The Future Is Human22:38 Final Challenges & Closing🎙️ Editing & ProductionI use Descript to edit and produce this podcast. It makes audio and video editing simple, fast, and clean.👉 https://descript.cello.so/5I4MealWKa2Make dinner easier with HelloFresh. Get simple, delicious recipes delivered to your door and claim 10 free meals plus free breakfast for life with code HF-1507:⁠⁠https://www.filify.co/SHabE⁠⁠Turn your reading list into a listening list with ElevenReader. Upload books, PDFs, articles, or documents and listen wherever you are. Get 30 days free plus 15% off through this link:⁠https://www.filify.co/SHaTR⁠Get More Views & Subscribers on YouTubehttps://vidiq.com/joshnandrew/🔗 Connect with Josh AndrewWebsite: https://joshandrew.orgMore links: https://linktr.ee/Joshnandrew ✨ 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐰 ✨https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC079uejq90Kj-q0sgZ0Bacg

In this episode of Conversations, I talk pastor-to-pastor about bringing joy, faith, passion, expectation, and genuine hospitality back into our churches.Joy doesn't mean ignoring pain, and depth doesn't require heaviness. Scripture says the joy of the Lord is our strength. Our worship, preaching, hospitality, and church culture should remind people again and again that Jesus is alive and the gospel is good news.We talk practically about building joyful church services, creating expectation before Sunday, expression in worship, hospitality, and why faith changes the atmosphere of a room.Joy isn't hype. Expectation isn't performance. Church should feel alive.CHAPTERS00:00 Joy in the Middle of Pain00:22 Why Does Church Feel So Heavy?02:09 Passion Is Expression, Not Personality04:51 The Joy of the Lord Is Our Strength07:59 Worship Should Inject Faith11:38 Why a Smile Creates Safety14:57 Hugs, Hospitality & Belonging17:50 Heaviness Is Not Holiness19:47 Expectation Changes the Atmosphere22:05 Church Should Feel Like Good News23:43 How to Bring Joy Back to Church26:42 Outro & Resources#ChurchLeadership #Pastors #ChurchCulture📝🎙️ Editing & ProductionI use Descript to edit and produce this podcast. It makes audio and video editing simple, fast, and clean.👉 https://descript.cello.so/5I4MealWKa2Make dinner easier with HelloFresh. Get simple, delicious recipes delivered to your door and claim 10 free meals plus free breakfast for life with code HF-1507:⁠⁠https://www.filify.co/SHabE⁠⁠Turn your reading list into a listening list with ElevenReader. Upload books, PDFs, articles, or documents and listen wherever you are. Get 30 days free plus 15% off through this link:⁠https://www.filify.co/SHaTR⁠Get More Views & Subscribers on YouTubehttps://vidiq.com/joshnandrew/🔗 Connect with Josh AndrewWebsite: https://joshandrew.orgMore links: https://linktr.ee/Joshnandrew ✨ 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐰 ✨https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC079uejq90Kj-q0sgZ0Bacg

Why are we starting a church in Omaha, Nebraska?In this episode of Conversations, I share the story behind Origin Church, why Lexi and I believe God is leading us to Omaha, and the kind of church movement we believe we’re called to build.The vision for Origin began years ago, but we’re starting differently. Before Sunday services, stages, or infrastructure, we’re building around tables, relationships, prayer, communion, hospitality, and the presence of God.We talk about why Origin is beginning with Supper Clubs, what we can learn from the early Church, why we want to empower local pastors and couples rather than build around one personality, and what the road toward Origin Omaha in 2027 looks like.This is the story of why we’re starting Origin and the convictions shaping how we build it.Learn more about Origin Churchoriginchurch.cc00:00 Why Origin Won’t Be Built Around a Personality00:28 Why We’re Starting a Church01:29 The Origin Church Story and Vision05:44 What the Early Church Can Teach Us08:23 What Is the Origin Church Movement?10:48 Building Community Before Church Services13:40 Why Supper Clubs Come Before Sundays19:29 Why Omaha? Origin Church Omaha 202723:56 Learning to Wait on God’s Timing27:16 The Invitation and What’s NextI send a free newsletter where I share thoughts on leadership, ministry, faith, and building something that actually lasts.Subscribe to the Conversations newsletterMake dinner easier with HelloFresh. Get simple, delicious recipes delivered to your door and claim 10 free meals plus free breakfast for life with code HF-1507.Try HelloFreshTurn your reading list into a listening list with ElevenReader. Upload books, PDFs, articles, or documents and listen wherever you are. Get 30 days free plus 15% off.Try ElevenReader🎙️ Editing & ProductionI use Descript to edit and produce Conversations. It makes audio and video editing simple, fast, and clean.Try DescriptGet More Views & Subscribers on YouTubevidIQJoshAndrew.orgMore links

In this episode of Conversations, I sit down with Preston Zeller to talk about faith, grief, creativity, entrepreneurship, and what it looks like to keep building without letting the outcome define you.Preston shares his journey from film and software into art, the loss of his brother, how creativity became part of his grieving process, and how that eventually led to The Art of Grieving and Psalm Log. We also talk about the ministry of presence, why unresolved grief can follow us into new seasons, the real cost of entrepreneurship, trusting God with outcomes, and what biblical stewardship actually looks like.This is a conversation about building, healing, faithfulness, and learning to release what you cannot control.NewsletterI send a free newsletter where I share honest thoughts on leadership, ministry, faith, and building something that actually lasts.Subscribe here:https://conversations-with-josh-andrew.beehiiv.com/🎙️ Editing & ProductionI use Descript to edit and produce this podcast. It makes audio and video editing simple, fast, and clean.👉 https://descript.cello.so/5I4MealWKa2Make dinner easier with HelloFresh. Get simple, delicious recipes delivered to your door and claim 10 free meals plus free breakfast for life with code HF-1507:⁠⁠https://www.filify.co/SHabE⁠⁠Turn your reading list into a listening list with ElevenReader. Upload books, PDFs, articles, or documents and listen wherever you are. Get 30 days free plus 15% off through this link:⁠https://www.filify.co/SHaTR⁠Get More Views & Subscribers on YouTubehttps://vidiq.com/joshnandrew/🔗 Connect with Josh AndrewWebsite: https://joshandrew.orgMore links: https://linktr.ee/Joshnandrew ✨ 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐰 ✨https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC079uejq90Kj-q0sgZ0Bacg

Every pastor says they want high-capacity leaders. But what happens when those leaders have vision, ideas, ambition, and calling of their own?In this episode of Conversations, I talk about how pastors and church leaders can identify, develop, and release high-capacity people without controlling them or eventually driving them away.Drawing from Ephesians 4, Acts 13, Exodus 18, and Paul's relationship with Timothy, I unpack why healthy church leadership requires more than delegation. We have to give people real authority, mission and margin, permission to fail, credit when they win, and freedom to eventually outgrow the roles we've given them.The goal isn't finding talented people to build your vision.It's becoming the kind of pastor who helps build what God has placed inside them.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Leading High-Capacity People in Church02:26 Look for Leaders Who Already Have Vision04:40 Become Interested in Their Calling06:52 Give Leaders Mission and Margin08:25 Stop Making People Rent Authority09:42 Give Away the Credit11:51 Let Your Leaders Fail15:26 Don't Punish Leaders for Growing17:22 Your Platform Should Become Their Floor22:44 Final Thoughts#ChurchLeadership #Pastors #LeadershipDevelopment📝 NewsletterI send a free newsletter where I share honest thoughts on leadership, ministry, faith, and building something that actually lasts.Subscribe here:https://conversations-with-josh-andrew.beehiiv.com/Make dinner easier with HelloFresh. Get simple, delicious recipes delivered to your door and claim 10 free meals plus free breakfast for life with code HF-1507:⁠⁠https://www.filify.co/SHabE⁠⁠Turn your reading list into a listening list with ElevenReader. Upload books, PDFs, articles, or documents and listen wherever you are. Get 30 days free plus 15% off through this link:⁠https://www.filify.co/SHaTR⁠🎙️ Editing & ProductionI use Descript to edit and produce this podcast. It makes audio and video editing simple, fast, and clean.👉 https://descript.cello.so/5I4MealWKa2Get More Views & Subscribers on YouTubehttps://vidiq.com/joshnandrew/🔗 Connect with Josh AndrewWebsite: https://joshandrew.orgMore links: https://linktr.ee/Joshnandrew