Conversations with Josh Andrew

Let’s talk about it — why don’t people want to work at church anymore?

In this episode of Conversations, I break down the real reasons behind the growing disinterest in vocational ministry — especially among Gen Z and millennials. Spoiler: it’s not a passion problem, it’s a perception problem.

From burnout and over-programming to outdated staffing models and reactive leadership, I unpack what’s pushing people away — and how we can lead differently.

You’ll learn:

• What Barna’s data says about Gen Z and ministry in 2025

• The 3 culture shifts that are driving staff turnover

• Why influence and impact matter more than org charts

• How to recruit leaders with vision, not just fill roles

• What churches must do to attract, build, and keep high-capacity people

Connect with me on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshnandrew

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshnandrew

Website: https://joshandrew.org

If you’re a church leader or team builder, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership, recruitment, and calling in today’s world.

This week on Conversations, I’m diving into a leadership trap that’s easy to fall into — convenience.

If you want to build something that lasts, you can’t lead from what's easy. You have to lead from conviction. In this episode, I share 7 signs your leadership might be costing your team more than you realize, from dumping tasks and avoiding conflict to praising loyalty over development and staying busy without building anything of real value.

We’ll cover:

• Why “I trust them” is sometimes just avoidance

• How busyness often hides a lack of intentionality

• Why you can’t expect fruit from trees you’ve never watered

• The difference between managing and multiplying leaders

If you're tired of putting out fires, running on empty, and seeing shallow results, this episode is your leadership check-in.

 

Connect with me on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshnandrew

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshnandrew

Website: https://joshandrew.org

Welcome to the Conversations Podcast — a space for ministry leaders, church planters, and Kingdom builders who are passionate about making disciples and multiplying impact. Each episode unpacks the real questions leaders are asking — about spiritual formation, healthy church culture, leadership challenges, and mission-focused living.

Hosted by a seasoned church leader and coach, Conversations blends biblical insight, raw honesty, and practical strategy. Whether you're planting a church, leading a team, or simply want to grow in your calling, this podcast will stretch your thinking, strengthen your spirit, and stir your vision.

🎯 Topics include:

• Church planting strategy & readiness

• Spirit-led leadership

• Building healthy, multiplying discipleship models

• Multicultural ministry & hospitality

• Leadership development & team culture

• Leading from the secret place with God

New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe now and step into the conversation.

These five lies sound logical—but they're quietly eroding your church leadership from the inside out.

In this episode of Conversations, we confront the subtle beliefs that undermine leadership development in the church. From rushing to fill roles, to avoiding tough conversations, these leadership traps are more common than you think. We unpack what’s really going on beneath the surface and offer practical, Jesus-centered truth to help you build a leadership culture that lasts.

Whether you're leading staff, volunteers, or just starting to raise up new leaders, this episode will challenge and equip you to lead differently.

🔔 Subscribe and share with a leader who needs this conversation.

 

Connect with me on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshnandrew Website: https://joshandrew.org

In this episode of Conversations, we’re diving into a truth that many leaders miss: while the church isn’t a startup, it still demands structure, systems, and strategy.

Drawing from over a decade of ministry leadership and business experience, I unpack why the Holy Spirit isn’t opposed to order—and how building healthy, sustainable churches requires more than fire and passion.

You’ll learn:

• Why spiritual momentum dies without structure

• The difference between relying on superstars vs. servant teams

• How systems protect your people and sustain your mission

• What clarity and simplicity do for discipleship

• And how to build momentum that doesn’t burn out your team

Connect with me on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshnandrew

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshnandrew

Website: https://joshandrew.org/

If you’ve ever felt torn between “being led by the Spirit” and “leading with strategy,” this one’s for you. Let’s build churches that last.

The words you use shape the culture you lead. In this episode of Conversations, we unpack 5 common words and phrases that quietly kill church culture—and what to say instead. If you’ve ever said, “We need you,” or caught yourself thinking, “I’ll just do it,” this episode is for you.

Learn how language impacts leadership development, volunteer engagement, and your team’s ability to grow and thrive. We’ll walk through practical mindset shifts and give you simple replacements that promote ownership, empowerment, and innovation in your ministry.

Whether you're a pastor, team lead, or just passionate about healthy church culture, this conversation will give you real tools to lead better and build stronger teams.

In This Episode:

• Why “we need you” creates burnout, not buy-in

• How “help” minimizes contribution

• The problem with calling someone “just a volunteer”

• The subtle danger of “we’ve always done it this way”

• Why “I’ll just do it” blocks leadership development

Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction: What’s Killing Your Culture?
00:11 – The Power of Words in Shaping Culture
01:23 – The Dangers of “Need”
04:56 – The Problem with “Help”
07:52 – You’re More Than Just a Volunteer
11:38 – Breaking the “We’ve Always Done It This Way” Mentality
14:52 – The Control Hidden in “I’ll Just Do It”
16:37 – Changing Your Vocabulary to Change Culture

🔔 Follow the show and share with your team!
🎙 Let’s build churches that grow people—not just fill roles.

#ChurchLeadership #MinistryGrowth #VolunteerLeadership #HealthyCulture #TeamDevelopment #PastorPodcast

In this episode of Conversations, we unpack a critical mindset shift for pastors and church leaders: stop using people to build the church—start using the church to build people.

We dive into five key thoughts that challenge the way we lead, manage, and care for those in our churches. From the tension between organizational and spiritual leadership to the importance of honoring people over gifting, this episode offers both conviction and practical steps to help you lead with heart.

Topics include:
• Building a people-first church culture
• The true role of a shepherd in leadership
• How to empower, not extract, from your leaders
• Why presence matters more than performance
• Reflective questions to help assess your leadership approach

Connect with me on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshnandrew

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshnandrew

Website: https://joshandrew.org/

If you’re ready to create a healthy, sustainable, and people-centric ministry, this episode will give you tools to do just that.

🎧 Subscribe, rate, and share with other church leaders who are committed to building people, not just platforms.

In this episode of Conversations, I’m walking through 7 leadership truths I’ve been personally processing—thoughts that are shaping how I lead, grow, and build others. Whether you lead in a church, business, or at home, these truths are for you.

We’ll talk about:
• Why being in front doesn’t mean you’re leading
• How real leaders create clarity—not chase it
• The necessity of accountability in leadership
• Why systems > potential
• The trap of leading to impress
• How tolerating dysfunction shapes culture
• And the ultimate role of a leader: not being the hero, but building them

This is a shorter, straight-to-the-point episode—but one that I believe could give you a thought that shifts everything. One sentence can change the way you lead.

Connect with me on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshnandrew
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshnandrew
Website: https://joshandrew.org/

 

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