Intentional Churches Podcast

Hosted by Doug Parks & Erin Johnston

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Aug 2026

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Church Leader, shift your focus from mere institutional insights to individual transformation. Be intentional. Join hosts Doug Parks (CEO and Co-Founder of Intentional Churches) and Erin Johnston (Co-Executive Pastor of Canyon Ridge Christian Church) as they share weekly thought-provoking discussions and actionable takeaways that will resource you to help your people encounter Jesus. Take the step toward authentic discipleship of your congregation so you can mobilize the ninety-nine to reach the one.

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August 12, 2026Episode 129 min

The State of AI in the Church, with Drew Dickens

Season 11 opens with returning guest Drew Dickens for a state-of-the-union on AI and the church. Four months since the IC Conference ("forty years in AI time"), Drew catches Doug up on the summer of new models, the scramble around AI policy, and why survey numbers on pastor AI usage range from 10% to 78% (hint: we haven't defined what "using AI" even means).From there, the conversation moves to what matters most for church leaders: the shift from generative to agentic AI, the sobering reality that counseling and spiritual formation remain the #1 use of AI worldwide, and what it means that congregants are taking their 3 a.m. existential crises to a chatbot. Drew shares practical steps (survey your people, talk about it from the pulpit, build an AI policy for your church and your families) alongside a real caution about "frictionless faith": when AI removes the friction, it may also remove the very thing that forms us.In this episode:Drew's takeaways from the IC Conference: efficiency excitement from XPs, quiet fear from senior pastorsThe summer of new models: Claude Fable 5, ChatGPT 5.6, Opus V, Gemini 3.6, DeepSeek 4Why fewer than 10% of churches have an AI policy (and how to start one)Which conversations belong to AI, and which belong at the kitchen tableCounseling, companionship, and spiritual formation: still 70-75% of AI useHow pastors should preach when AI is discipling their peopleAgentic AI explained: your team of 20 admins that never calls in sick"Frictionless faith" and the spiritual risks of taking humanity out of the loopWhy Anthropic is hiring philosophers and inviting spiritual leaders to Silicon ValleyTimestamps:(00:00) Welcome back: Season 11 kickoff (00:25) IC 3.0 and the Radical Alignment Assessment (01:16) Drew's takeaways from the IC Conference (03:24) The summer of new models (05:45) AI policy, rogue models, and data centers (07:17) Beyond admin: how churches are using AI (09:59) Less than 10% of churches have an AI policy (11:02) Kitchen table vs. AI conversations (11:42) The #1 use of AI: counseling and spiritual formation (13:35) The 3 a.m. crisis: how pastors should respond (15:30) Will AI change the ecclesiology of the church? (16:45) Talk about it: surveys, forums, and sermon series (17:48) What is agentic AI? (19:43) Predictions on agentic adoption (21:50) Frictionless faith and spiritual risk (24:26) Philosophy, AI labs, and what's left for humans (26:54) Leading without fear + closing call to actionResources:Take the Radical Alignment Assessment: https://alignmychurch.comDrew Dickens' AI & Spirituality podcast (weekly, on Substack): https://drewdickens.com

June 23, 2026Episode 833 min

IC Conference Main Session 4, with Robbie O'Brien

What would happen if every ministry, every leader, and every church became radically aligned around the mission of reaching the one?In this closing main session from IC Conference 2026, Robbie O'Brien, Lead Pastor of Salty Church and founder of the Surf Church Collective, challenges church leaders to embrace the radical nature of Jesus and the radical alignment required to fulfill His mission.Drawing from Luke 15, Luke 19, Matthew 28, Acts 1:8, and his own journey from surfer culture to church planting, Robbie reminds leaders that a busy ministry is not always an obedient ministry. Through powerful stories, practical challenges, and compelling illustrations, he calls churches to move beyond managing religious consumers and instead mobilize disciples who are empowered by the Holy Spirit to become witnesses to the ends of the earth.This message is a passionate reminder that radical alignment isn't simply a strategy—it's a commitment to the heart of Jesus and His mission to seek and save the lost.Episode Timeline00:00 – The Story of “The One”03:09 – Why Radical Alignment Matters04:29 – The Meaning of Radical05:20 – Surf Culture and Following Jesus07:12 – Jesus Was Radical08:12 – Luke 15 and the Heart of God09:05 – The Mission of Jesus10:45 – The “No Socks” Story12:25 – Deny Yourself and Follow Jesus13:45 – Busy Doesn’t Mean Obedient15:15 – Acts 1:8 and the Power of the Holy Spirit17:20 – Witnesses, Not Consumers19:25 – What It Means to Be a Witness20:00 – The Beach as the Ends of the Earth21:10 – Planting Salty Church22:05 – Surf Church Collective25:10 – Rochelle and Stefan’s Story28:20 – Recognizing a Prodigal on the Way Home29:00 – “I’ll Go”30:00 – Isaiah’s Response31:00 – Your Ends of the Earth32:30 – Closing Prayer and Commissioning

June 9, 2026Episode 733 min

IC Conference Main Session 1, with Dr. Carlos L. Kelly

This powerful opening session from IC Conference 2026 features Dr. Carlos L. Kelly, Senior Pastor of Beulahland Bible Church, sharing how God transformed his church through a renewed commitment to the Great Commission. Drawing from Luke 5, Dr. Kelly challenges church leaders to leave the shallow waters of comfortable ministry and launch into deeper waters where disciple-making becomes the priority.Through practical lessons, personal stories, and biblical insight, he unpacks three essential challenges for every church seeking greater Kingdom impact: making ourselves available to Christ, modifying our attitudes to trust Christ, and moving forward in total obedience to Christ. Leaders will be encouraged to examine their systems, release sacred cows, embrace alignment, and trust God to produce fruit as they pursue the mission of making disciples who make disciples.Whether your church is just beginning the journey of alignment or continuing to deepen its disciple-making culture, this message offers encouragement, challenge, and a compelling vision for reaching the one.Episode Timeline00:00 — Welcome and Personal Introduction 02:26 — How Intentional Churches Changed Their Church 03:24 — Luke 5: Launch Out Into the Deep 05:42 — The Call to Go Deeper 09:42 — Make Yourself Available to Christ 12:03 — Small Acts of Obedience Lead to Big Miracles 13:55 — Building the Discovery Team 14:25 — Why We Make Ourselves Available 15:44 — Modify Your Attitude to Trust Christ 17:00 — The Need for an Attitude Adjustment 19:05 — The Church OS Assessment Wake-Up Call 21:18 — Leaving Egos Outside the Room 22:55 — Sacred Cows and Stubborn Attachments 24:02 — “Nevertheless, At Your Word” 25:16 — Move Forward in Total Obedience 26:36 — What God Did at Beulahland 28:25 — The Five Marks of a Disciple 30:05 — Churches Helping Churches 31:12 — From Attendees to Disciple Makers 31:55 — Closing Prayer

May 27, 2026Episode 650 min

Radical Alignment: Ways to Not Get Stuck, with Doug & Bart

What happens when churches disconnect discipleship from evangelism?In this episode, Doug, Bart, and Vince unpack why so many believers never share their faith, how churches drift away from personal ownership of the Great Commission, and why relational evangelism may be one of the most overlooked drivers of real discipleship growth.Vince shares his unlikely story of becoming a Christian before ever meeting one, powerful stories from church planting in Las Vegas, and practical insight into how churches can equip believers to naturally share life, stories, and Jesus.If you've ever wondered why evangelism feels forced, why believers struggle to engage missionally, or how churches can build lasting Great Commission culture, this conversation is for you.New to Intentional Churches? Start here:intentionalchurches.comTimestamps00:00 — The evil clown who came to destroy a church… and forgot to do it01:26 — Welcome + introducing Vince Antonucci + Alignment Workshops02:39 — Vince's background: Jewish mother, gambler father, America's Most Wanted story, and discovering Jesus without ever meeting a Christian05:33 — “I held a meeting of all the Christians I knew… it was just me.”06:30 — Why relational evangelism became Vince’s lifelong passion07:26 — Why the Great Commission is still the one thing Jesus clearly told us to do09:06 — How did the church drift away from personal ownership of evangelism?12:30 — Why close friendships with lost people change everything13:33 — Church planting in Las Vegas: the rookie pimp story and unexpected transformation16:48 — The evil clown story: from sabotage plan to salvation story19:31 — The collaboration behind The One More Initiative22:22 — Vince’s journey creating an evangelism campaign for churches25:26 — How The One More Initiative fits into Radical Alignment strategy27:28 — Discipleship vs evangelism: why churches often separate what Jesus joined together30:08 — Why living on mission accelerates spiritual growth33:27 — Why many church leaders have given up hope that believers will share their faith33:52 — Forced evangelism vs natural evangelism35:14 — The story of Destiny: from never sharing Jesus to leading friends to faith37:11 — Evangelism Explosion, control, and what happens when mission becomes overly scripted41:53 — The One More Book: guidebook, devotional, inspiration, and practical equipping45:56 — Practical next steps for church leaders46:42 — Vince’s challenge: Are we equipping people to actually know what to do?48:30 — Bart’s “Relational Reach Zone” exercise50:07 — Why the Great Commission was always meant to be a team sport

May 13, 2026Episode 544 min

Radical Alignment: Steps to Jump-Start the Journey, with Doug & Bart

What actually happens when a church fully embraces radical alignment to the Great Commission? In this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug Parks, Bart Rendel, and Erin Johnston unpack the disruption, tension, and transformation that come when churches begin aligning every layer of ministry around reaching “The One.”From staff culture shifts and elder board challenges to personal conviction and congregational change, this conversation explores why lasting Great Commission momentum takes patience, honesty, and a willingness to rethink how we lead. Doug and Bart also walk through practical tools from the Radical Alignment framework, including assessments, heart-mind-strength alignment, and how churches can begin building a culture where mission becomes everyone’s responsibility.If your church is wrestling with change, struggling to stay focused on mission, or wondering how to create lasting alignment, this episode will encourage and challenge you. Timestamps00:00 – Why radical alignment is disruptive 01:08 – The Alignment Workshop and starting the journey 01:44 – The myth of “quick and painless” church alignment 02:16 – Why Great Commission transformation takes time 03:33 – Playing the long game in church leadership 05:05 – How radical alignment disrupts church culture 07:05 – Losing people while staying committed to mission 08:15 – Early churches that embraced radical alignment 09:59 – Why churches resist ongoing focus on “The One” 11:17 – The fulfillment and joy that come from mission 12:39 – Practical first steps toward radical alignment 13:08 – Getting to the “last 10% of truth” 14:15 – Casting vision and creating healthy tension 16:30 – Seeing the church through a Great Commission lens 18:03 – Stories of “The One” and collaborative mission 19:46 – Understanding the Radical Alignment Chart 21:13 – Heart, mind, and strength alignment explained 24:09 – Evaluating calendars, budgets, and attention 25:54 – The Radical Alignment Assessment and coaching insights 27:19 – Alignment across elders, staff, volunteers, and congregation 29:41 – Learning to lead the church differently 30:35 – “Once you see it, you can’t unsee it” 31:39 – Why groups align at different speeds 33:24 – Why staff and elders may struggle most with change 34:10 – Understanding disruption and organizational change 36:33 – The challenge of knowing where people really are 37:51 – Why believers often don’t want to engage missionally 39:22 – Sincere friendships and reaching “The One” 40:07 – Why self-discovery matters more than behavior management 42:13 – Encouragement for church leaders staying the course 42:51 – Resources, tools, and next steps from Intentional ChurchesGet started with Intentional Churches

April 15, 2026Episode 443 min

Radical Alignment: One Solution, with Doug & Bart

In this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug, Bart, and Erin unpack one of the most critical chapters in Radical Alignment—what alignment really means and why so many churches struggle to achieve it.From consensus-driven mediocrity to the hidden forces of individualized preferences and institutional thinking, this conversation gets to the root of why churches drift—and how to lead them back to clarity and momentum.You’ll hear real stories from church leaders, practical insights on identifying misalignment, and a powerful reminder that alignment doesn’t start with strategy—it starts with personal ownership of the Great Commission.If you’ve ever felt like your church is busy but not moving forward, this episode will help you diagnose the real issue and give you a path toward true alignment.New to Intentional Churches? Start here:https://intentionalchurches.com/radical-alignmentTimestamps00:00 – Why consensus decision-making leads to mediocrity 01:00 – What “alignment” actually means in the church 02:30 – Alignment = mutual ownership of the Great Commission 05:20 – The two forces driving misalignment in every church 08:30 – Real example: programs creeping back post-COVID 10:40 – Institutional thinking vs. mission-driven decisions 12:00 – The hidden danger of language drift on your team 14:00 – Why alignment must be constantly tended 16:30 – The myth of “arriving” at alignment 18:00 – Symptoms of misalignment leaders often ignore 19:30 – Unity vs. consensus: what the Bible actually teaches 21:00 – Why healthy tension is a sign of alignment 22:30 – Stop solving problems—start managing tensions 24:00 – Finding your “true north” as a leadership team 26:00 – Thinking vs. outcomes: what alignment really measures 27:00 – Personal alignment before church alignment 29:00 – Why Great Commission ownership must start with leaders 31:00 – Mind, heart, and action: the alignment framework 33:00 – Tools and assessments to measure real alignment 35:00 – Philippians reimagined through a mission lens 38:30 – Final advice: why alignment is worth the cost 40:00 – Daily practices to sustain alignment 42:00 – Invitation to Alignment Workshops

March 18, 2026Episode 333 min

Radical Alignment: Encouraging Discoveries, with Doug & Bart

In this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, we shift from challenges to encouragement—and what we’re seeing right now across the Church is incredibly hopeful.While many narratives suggest decline, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Churches are growing. Young people are showing up. Leaders are leaning in. And something deeper is beginning to take shape.Doug, Bart, and Erin unpack some of the most encouraging discoveries emerging from churches that are aligning around the Great Commission—and what it means for your church, your leadership, and your future.You’ll hear real stories from churches across the country, insights from the first-ever Partner Church Summit, and practical ways leaders are rediscovering the life-giving power of personally owning the mission of Jesus.This conversation will challenge the narratives you’ve been hearing—and replace them with something far more powerful: hope rooted in action.If you’ve been wondering whether the Church’s best days are behind us… this episode is for you.Timestamps00:00 – Is the Church really in decline? Challenging the narrative 01:15 – Introducing Radical Alignment and the Alignment Workshop 03:00 – Why church leaders need encouragement right now 04:00 – The Partner Church Summit: unity across diverse churches 06:00 – A spiritual awakening and what’s happening beneath the surface 08:30 – The danger of fear-based church narratives 10:00 – Why the future of the Church is brighter than you think 11:00 – The opportunity with the next generation of leaders 14:30 – What younger leaders are really looking for in older leaders 16:30 – The untapped power of multigenerational leadership 18:30 – The turning point: It starts with you 19:30 – Why owning the Great Commission is life-giving 21:00 – Real stories of churches seeing transformation and growth 24:30 – Practical ways to integrate mission into everyday life 26:30 – Staff vs. personal ownership: breaking the mindset barrier 27:30 – Simple practices: prayer calendars and relational rhythms 29:00 – Preparing to share your faith naturally and consistently 31:00 – Low-cost, high-impact ways to lead your team into alignment 33:00 – Final encouragement for church leadersWebsite: intentionalchurches.comThe Radical Alignment BookBlog: intentionalchurches.com/blogYouTube: @IntentionalChurchesFacebook: Intentional ChurchesInstagram: @IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: @IntentChurches

March 4, 2026Episode 246 min

Radical Alignment: Challenging Discoveries, with Doug & Bart

In this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, Erin Johnston sits down with Doug Parks and Bart Rendel to talk about their newest book, Radical Alignment.After more than a decade of working with over a thousand churches, Doug and Bart share the surprising lessons they’ve learned about why alignment in the church is much harder than they expected—and why it matters more than ever.The conversation explores the hidden challenges many churches face: the pull of Christian consumerism, the difficulty of collaboration between churches, impulsive leadership decisions, and the growing disconnect between evangelism and discipleship.Doug and Bart also explain why Radical Alignment serves as a “prequel” to their earlier work—laying the biblical and missional foundation for what it truly means to be an intentional church.If you're a church leader trying to move your church from an inward focus to mission-focused disciple making, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.Episode Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to the Podcast01:57 – Why Write This Book Now?04:30 – The Journey of Learning from 1,000+ Churches07:05 – Why This Book Is the Best Starting Point for Leaders08:26 – When Big Vision Meets Real Challenges11:17 – Why Collaboration Between Churches Is So Difficult13:10 – The Role of Theology, Mission, and Church Identity14:11 – Leadership Impulsiveness and “Not Invented Here” Thinking17:40 – The Dynamic Work of God in Reaching People22:10 – The Challenge of Christian Consumerism25:00 – Institutional Thinking vs Personal Mission27:10 – Why Staff Culture Often Reinforces Consumerism31:00 – Real Examples of Institutional Thinking in Churches36:49 – The Dangerous Divide Between Evangelism and Discipleship39:17 – Rediscovering the Biblical Model of Disciple Making41:17 – Measuring Spiritual Depth the Right Way43:11 – The Adventure of Owning the Great Commission Personally45:00 – How Leaders Can Start Moving Toward AlignmentWebsite: intentionalchurches.comThe Radical Alignment BookBlog: intentionalchurches.com/blogYouTube: @IntentionalChurchesFacebook: Intentional ChurchesInstagram: @IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: @IntentChurches

February 11, 2026Episode 144 min

Radical Alignment: 1000 Churches (and Counting), with Doug & Bart

On this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug and Bart kick off Season 10 with a candid and energizing conversation about what’s happening beneath the surface at Intentional Churches.Yes, there’s a little “Storytime with Bart” (including airline boarding chaos and a mysterious food allergy, but the heart of this episode is much deeper.Doug and Bart unpack why Radical Alignment and personal ownership of the Great Commission is proving to be one of the most transformative discoveries of their entire ministry journeys.This isn’t about adding another program.It’s about rediscovering the fundamental mission of the Church.If you’re a church leader who feels tired, stretched thin, or stuck maintaining complexity, this episode may reawaken something in you.Episode Timestamps00:00 – A surprising confession: parenting differently because of Radical Alignment 01:10 – Welcome to Season 10 of the Intentional Churches Podcast 01:26 – Why 2026 feels like a turning point for Intentional Churches 02:00 – Storytime with Bart: Southwest airline boarding chaos 06:46 – Entitlement, culture, and what airlines reveal about society 09:13 – Bart’s unexpected (and serious) allergy scare 12:13 – Transition: Why Radical Alignment is reshaping everything 13:16 – Bart reflects on 20 years of ministry models and what’s changed 16:30 – The discovery: There isn’t one model — there are biblical fundamentals 17:12 – How personal ownership of the Great Commission transforms everything 19:06 – Why many discipleship pathways miss heart transformation 23:28 – Macro strategies vs. micro relational mission 26:24 – Evangelism: From transactional to transformational 30:47 – Why this moment feels urgent in a rapidly changing culture 32:35 – Introducing the Radical Alignment Assessment 34:00 – How simple meeting changes are unlocking momentum 37:58 – A powerful story of conviction and mercy in action 40:22 – 18 churches fly in for 24 hours — what that signals 41:30 – “This is beyond us now.” A movement forming 43:27 – Encouragement for tired church leaders 44:40 – Season 10 preview and what’s coming nextWebsite: intentionalchurches.comThe Radical Alignment BookBlog: intentionalchurches.com/blogYouTube: @IntentionalChurchesFacebook: Intentional ChurchesInstagram: @IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: @IntentChurches

January 21, 2026Episode 943 min

From Silos to Alignment, with Sean Kelly

On this episode of the Intentional Churches Podcast, Doug and Erin sit down with Sean Kelly, Lead Pastor of Mount Pleasant Christian Church in Greenwood, Indiana, for a candid conversation about succession, silos, and what it really takes to bring alignment back to a growing church.Sean shares his journey in Ohio to stepping into a historic, multi-generational church, navigating a leadership transition. Together, they unpack why churches drift into siloed ministry, how misalignment slowly creeps in, and what practical leaders can do to realign their staff, systems, and preaching around the Great Commission.From staff trust-building tools like the “Four Helpfuls,” to cross-functional VIP teams, to using preaching as a catalyst for radical alignment, this episode is full of actionable insight for senior pastors, executive pastors, and church leadership teams who want to move from good activity to unified mission.If you’re leading through transition, or sensing your church has energy but lacks clarity, this conversation will help you diagnose misalignment and take your next faithful step forward.New to Intentional Churches? Start here:intentionalchurches.comTimestamps00:00 – “If we were fired tomorrow…”: why change feels harder than it is 00:22 – Welcome to the Intentional Churches Podcast 00:35 – Erin returns after a major generosity initiative 01:29 – Meet Sean Kelly: background, family, and pastoral journey 02:43 – Ministry context: Youngstown, Ohio and multi-campus leadership 04:28 – Why Sean said yes to Mount Pleasant Christian Church 06:18 – Leading through succession: what went right (and why it mattered) 09:47 – Context matters: understanding Greenwood & the Indianapolis area 11:43 – The Restoration Movement and Christian Church distinctives 13:11 – First impressions: culture, DNA, and early warning signs 16:47 – Why silos form—and how leaders unknowingly reinforce them 18:02 – The “Four Helpfuls” tool: right, wrong, missing, confused 21:49 – From good to great: aligning people, roles, and accountability 24:07 – What is a VIP (Very Important Project)? 26:45 – Building alignment through cross-functional teams 29:01 – Low-hanging fruit and momentum-building wins 30:08 – Using preaching to drive Radical Alignment (Erin’s approach) 34:23 – Sean’s preaching framework: mission-anchored sermons 37:21 – Aligning ministry programs with the pulpit 39:02 – Discernment rhythms and organizational focus 42:34 – Final encouragement + Radical Alignment book mentionWebsite: intentionalchurches.comThe Radical Alignment BookBlog: intentionalchurches.com/blogYouTube: @IntentionalChurchesFacebook: Intentional ChurchesInstagram: @IntentionalChurchesX/Twitter: @IntentChurches

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