Vitalnomics: The Church Vitality Podcast

Hosted by Gary Moritz and Friends

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Welcome to The Church Vitality Podcast, a digital arm of The Church Vitality Network. This podcast is hosted by Dr. Gary Moritz and today's leaders in Church Revitalization. Each podcast is designed to help you think and grow in your leadership.

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60 recent

August 4, 202627 min

Disciplogy: The Art and Science of Making Disciples with Peyton Jones

Peyton joins us to unpack his new book, The Art and Science of Making Disciples. He coins a word for what the church has lost. Discipology. The art and science of making disciples in the way of Jesus. Not a rebrand. A recovery. We dig into one distinction most of us have missed. Discipleship and disciple-making are not the same thing. Discipleship is Tuesday night at the small group. Disciple-making is a lifestyle aimed at people who do not yet follow Jesus. We need both. We confuse them constantly. Peyton traces disciple-making back to the source. He read close to 200 books on the subject and kept asking one question nobody answered. What exactly did Jesus do? So he mapped the chronological Gospels in his own quiet time and found a pattern hiding in plain sight. Resources mentioned on this show: The free Discipology audio journey (no ads, no fees) Through the Word plan page: https://app.throughtheword.org/discipology-the-art-and-science-of-making-disciples On the YouVersion Bible App: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/70038-discipology-the-art-and-science-of-making-discip It's a 28-step journey: a seven-step intro, then three rhythms of seven steps each for Time, Teaching, and Tactics. Through the Word  The book — Discipology: The Art and Science of Making Disciples Amazon (print): https://www.amazon.com/Discipology-Science-Making-Disciples-Exponential/dp/0310180333 Amazon (audiobook, narrated by Jon Gauger): https://www.amazon.com/Discipology-Art-Science-Making-Disciples/dp/B0FLZM88CF Christianbook: https://www.christianbook.com/discipology-art-and-science-making-disciples/9780310180333/pd/180333 Exponential: https://exponential.org/product/discipology/ The companion workbook/journal — Journey to Disciple-Making: A Discipology Journal (Peyton called this "Journey to Disciplemaking" on the show) Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Disciple-Making-Discipology-Journal-Exponential/dp/0310180368 Logos: https://www.logos.com/product/401068/journey-to-disciple-making-a-discipology-journal Through the Word app (home of the 10-minute daily audio guides) Website: https://throughtheword.org/ Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.throughtheword.v2 New Breed Training (Peyton's training collective) Site: https://newbreedtraining.com/ Discipology resource page: https://newbreedtraining.com/resources/discipology/

June 9, 202619 min

Finding Resilience in Revitalization

In this episode, we explore the six key principles to discover resilience in church revitalization and effective leadership. It’s common for pastors to feel overwhelmed, and when pressure mounts, it can become really tough. Tune in as we discuss how to build supportive systems, foster a positive culture, and nurture your energy and resilience.

February 24, 202628 min

Building Mental Health Vitality in Your Church with Dr. Bryan Loney

PODCAST NOTES: Mental Health in Ministry with Dr. Bryan Loney THE CRISIS: Between 2015 and 2023, pastors reporting excellent mental and emotional well-being collapsed from 39% to 14%. Our leaders are carrying weight they were never meant to carry alone. This conversation addresses the mental health crisis affecting church leaders and outlines the path forward. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: The shocking reality: Only 27% of churches have a plan to assist families affected by mental illness—73% are flying blind Why anxiety is a discipleship issue, not just a mental health problem How churches can partner with experts without becoming counseling centers The three-tier approach: Educational resources, triage care, and leader care for pastors Why we need to move from reactive mode to proactive discipleship in mental health WHO IS DR. BRYAN LOWNEY: Dr. Bryan Loney stands at the unique intersection of clinical expertise and pastoral heart. With doctoral training in clinical psychology and years in pastoral ministry, Bryan leads the Church Mental Health Partnership at Harbor Christian Counseling in Boston. His personal battle with severe anxiety fuels his mission to equip churches for proactive care. Bryan speaks both languages—clinical and pastoral—making him the bridge churches need to care for hurting people with biblical truth and professional wisdom. CONNECT WITH DR. BRYAN LONEY: Website:harborchristiancounseling.com/cmhp Email: bryan@harborcc.us Free initial consultation available for church leaders YOUR NEXT STEP: Don't carry the burden alone. Reach out. Get connected. Get help. The church should be the safest place to bring your burdens.

December 9, 202514 min

Setting Momentum for Your Year

In this episode, Gary tackles the December grind and shows leaders how to turn a chaotic month into the launchpad for their strongest January yet. Instead of being dragged through the calendar, Gary lays out how intention can flip the script and shift you from survival mode to strategic momentum.Also meantioned in the episode: Get Your Free Checklist Here

September 9, 202515 min

Dealing with Toxic Relationships within the Church

Ready to transform your church culture and unlock explosive growth? The post-COVID church landscape has created unique challenges, but here's the breakthrough moment - Solomon's ancient wisdom in Proverbs 22:24-25 holds the keys to building thriving, healthy communities that attract people like magnets! This episode reveals four game-changing strategies that turn toxic situations into transformation opportunities, showing you, how biblical truth and smart leadership create churches where revival flows, and vision becomes reality. Discover how to channel difficult personalities into positive change, build unstoppable leadership unity, and create environments so healthy that visitors can't wait to come back. The churches implementing these principles are experiencing breakthrough growth and sustainable revitalization that defies every statistic. Your church doesn't have to settle for drama and division. God has called you to lead a community where His presence transforms lives and His mission moves forward with unstoppable momentum.

August 19, 202514 min

When You Know It's Time to Lead in Your Church

Today, we're diving deep into the leadership crisis that's strangling 90% of American churches. Yes, you heard that right - nine out of ten churches are dying a slow death because they lack one critical ingredient. And I'm going to show you exactly how to address it. Whether you're a pastor, board member, or someone faithfully sitting in the seats thinking, 'this doesn't apply to me' - stick around. Because by the end of this episode, you'll know exactly why your church's future depends on YOU stepping up, and I'll give you a proven framework to do it. "When you step into leadership, you're not just helping with a program - you're creating a culture."Other Quotes in this episode: "Church vitality isn't about size - it's about health. And health comes when people like you step up." "The question isn't whether you're qualified - the question is whether you're available. The question isn't whether you have all the answers - the question is whether you're willing to learn." "Leadership isn't about having a title. It's about influence. And if people come to you for advice, if they trust you with their problems, if they look to you when things get tough - you're already leading."_____________________________* Since data shifts are continual and explanding, statistics and data may change or shift prior to this episode launch. Data:¹ Hartford Institute for Religion Research. (2021). Twenty Years of Congregational Change: The 2020 Faith Communities Today Overview. Faith Communities Today. Retrieved from https://faithcommunitiestoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Faith-Communities-Today-2020-Summary-Report.pdf² Thumma, S., & Bird, W. (2020). Megachurch 2020: The Changing Reality in America's Largest Churches. Hartford Institute for Religion Research. Retrieved from https://hirr.hartsem.edu/megachurch/megachurches.html³ LifeWay Research. (2022). 7 Aspects of Healthy Church Leadership. LifeWay Christian Resources. Retrieved from https://research.lifeway.com/2022/06/06/7-aspects-of-healthy-church-leadership/Church Growth & Decline Statistics:⁴ Cooperative Congregational Studies Partnership. (2021). FACT 2020 Survey Results: 15,278 congregations across 80 denominations. Faith Communities Today. Retrieved from https://faithcommunitiestoday.org/fact-2020-survey/⁵ Barna Group. (2023). A New Chapter in Millennial Church Attendance. Barna Research. Retrieved from https://www.barna.com/research/church-attendance-2022/⁶ Barna Group. (2024). Small Churches Struggle to Grow Because Of The People They Attract. Barna Research. Retrieved from https://www.barna.com/research/small-churches-struggle-to-grow-because-of-the-people-they-attract/Evangelism & Commitment Data:⁷ LifeWay Research. (2022). 22 Vital Stats for Ministry in 2022. LifeWay Christian Resources. Retrieved from https://research.lifeway.com/2022/01/05/22-vital-stats-for-ministry-in-2022/⁸ Barna Group. (2023). Year in Review: Barna's Top 10 Releases of 2023. Barna Research. Retrieved from https://www.barna.com/research/year-in-review-2023/Leadership Development Research:⁹ LifeWay Research. (2025). Equipping Men for Spiritual Leadership at Home and in the Church. LifeWay Christian Resources. Retrieved from https://research.lifeway.com/2025/07/17/equipping-men-for-spiritual-leadership-at-home-and-in-the-church/¹⁰ Barna Group. (2023). Five Trends Defining Americans' Relationship to Churches. Barna Research. Retrieved from https://www.barna.com/research/current-perceptions/   Data Collection Periods Noted: Most statistics reflect pre-pandemic (2019-2020) or post-pandemic (2021-2025) data.

August 5, 202527 min

Revitalizing Leadership: Discipling Leaders to Fulfill the Mission

Gary Moritz continues his powerful conversation with Mac Lake, diving deep into the heart of leadership development. This episode reveals the game-changing shift from traditional leadership training to intentional discipleship. Mac challenges pastors to stop just filling roles and start discipling leaders who multiply other leaders. You'll discover why leading like Jesus requires a different approach than living like Jesus. What You'll Discover: Why leadership is a discipleship problem, not a training problem The difference between living like Jesus and leading like Jesus The mindset shift that multiplies leaders instead of adding them How to overcome the fear of delegation and development A practical starting point for stuck churches KEY CONVERSATION POINTS Theme: From leadership development to discipleship multiplication Key Insights: Discipling leaders vs. traditional training Apprenticing matters more than teaching Choose your pain: addition vs. multiplication Do less and get more done Resources: Free eBook: multiplygroup.org/ebook Tools and training: multiplygroup.org The Multiplication Effect Book Book: Leading Others This conversation transforms how you think about developing leaders. You'll shift from filling positions to discipling people, creating a multiplication culture that extends Kingdom impact far beyond what you can do alone. Action Step: Stop training leaders and start discipling them. Get the free resources to build a culture of multiplication in your church.

July 2, 202516 min

Summer Revitalization: Finding Rest While Renewing You and Your Church

In this episode, Gary Moritz talks about how summer is not just a break—it's a blessing. He challenges pastors to reframe these slower months as a sacred opportunity for both personal and church-wide renewal. Gary walks through practical ways pastors can lean into rest, reconnect with their calling, and reimagine the health of their ministry. From spiritual renewal to leadership development, he outlines how summer can become a season of deep soul work that leads to lasting church revitalization.  Gary Covers: Why summer matters more than we think; it’s a gift of margin for the soul. How to reset spiritually, physically, emotionally, and relationally. The link between your health and your church’s health—they rise and fall together. Practical rhythms for July and August: personal retreats, leadership touchpoints, and family reconnection. How to say yes to rest without guilt, and no to distractions without regret. Sabbath as a strategy, not just a suggestion, and why every pastor needs it now more than ever. How to close the summer stronger, ready for a powerful fall launch. Takeaway: Summer is your chance to gain altitude, not to coast, but to climb. Rest isn’t weakness. It’s preparation. The clarity, healing, and vision you gain now will ripple into every sermon, decision, and relationship come fall. Take five minutes after this episode to pray and commit to one next step toward rest and renewal. Your ministry depends on it.  Need help? Take the free assessment here, and let's book a call together. 

June 3, 202525 min

Revitalizing Leadership: Understanding the Leadership Pipeline

Join Gary Moritz as he sits down with Mac Lake, founder of The Multiply Group, for a game-changing conversation about church leadership development. Mac reveals why every pastor says "We don't have enough leaders" and introduces the leadership pipeline framework that transforms struggling churches into thriving communities. This episode unpacks practical solutions for the leadership crisis facing churches today. What You'll Discover: - The real reason churches struggle to develop leaders - What a leadership pipeline is and why your church needs one - Warning signs your leadership development is broken - One high-leverage step you can take today   Resources Mentioned:- Free eBook: multiplygroup.org/ebook The Multiplication Effect (full framework) This conversation equips you to identify leadership gaps in your church and provides a clear framework to build leaders who multiply Kingdom impact. 

April 1, 202525 min

The Emotional Toll of Revitalization and Ministry

In this powerful episode, hosts Gary and Jana Moritz open up about the often-overlooked emotional challenges of church revitalization. Drawing from their decade-long experience at City United Church, they explore the personal cost of ministry leadership—from anxiety and isolation to spiritual warfare and leadership loneliness. The episode provides honest insights and practical strategies for maintaining emotional health while navigating the demanding journey of church transformation. Episode Notes Introduction Gary and Jana Moritz introduce the topic of emotional toll in church revitalization Alarming statistics: Over 50% of pastors struggle with depression Many pastors would leave ministry if they had alternative income Church revitalization is spiritually, physically, and emotionally demanding Impact extends beyond pastors to spouses and families Personal Challenges Constant scrutiny and "living in a fishbowl" Gary experienced anxiety in year two after implementing governance changes Jana faced social isolation when relationships changed during transition Carrying others' emotional reactions to change (grief, fear, identity loss) Leadership loneliness from bearing confidential burdens Spiritual warfare - multiple simultaneous challenges Support Systems Ministry coaching relationship - monthly video calls with experienced mentors Mentors normalized experiences and identified warning signs Support group of other ministry couples provided understanding Professional counseling helped process emotional patterns Establishing healthy emotional boundaries Question: "Who has permission to determine your worth and success?" Practical Wellness Strategies Regular personal and couple retreats for renewal Physical activity as emotional release (Gary's weekly workouts) Creative outlets unrelated to ministry (Jana's reading and shows) Celebrating small wins to maintain perspective Friendships outside church to ground identity "Emotion mapping" - regular check-ins using 1-10 scale Adjusting expectations when one partner is emotionally depleted Closing Thoughts: Emotional health is as important as strategy and theology Successful revitalization requires emotionally healthy leadership Encouragement to find coaching, support groups, and counseling Free assessment offered to listeners feeling stuck "Guard your emotional health as carefully as your theology"Other Helps: EverydayDose CoffeeEmotional Healthy LeaderBook a call for help

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