Most pastors want to grow — but growth doesn’t start with better strategies or more discipline. It starts with something deeper.

In this episode, Mark, Scott, and Hunter unpack the foundational mindset that determines whether leaders actually grow or quietly plateau. Drawing from leadership research, Scripture, and real pastoral experience, the conversation explores why growth is never accidental — and why so many leaders stall even though they’re busy.
They walk through how a growth mindset shapes the way pastors think about their roles, their future, and their responsibility to steward what God has entrusted to them. The episode also breaks down a practical framework for intentional growth, including clarifying roles, setting standards, building 90-day goals, and surrounding yourself with the right people for accountability.
Rather than offering quick fixes, this conversation challenges leaders to take ownership of their development — spiritually, emotionally, physically, and relationally — so growth becomes sustainable, not seasonal.
If you’re serious about becoming who God is calling you to be, this episode helps you build a foundation that actually supports growth over the long haul.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Why most pastors want growth but feel stuck
02:05 – Why every great leader needs a growth mindset
04:45 – Fixed mindset vs. growth mindset (and why it matters)
07:20 – Roles vs. goals: where most leaders get confused
10:15 – Defining “good” before you try to grow
13:55 – The difference between habits and projects
16:40 – Why motivation alone always fails
18:55 – The missing piece: accountability and growth teams
21:30 – Plus, minus, and equal relationships explained
24:10 – Biblical stewardship and growth (Matthew 25)
27:10 – Where to start if you’ve never had a growth plan

If you have a question or topic you’d like us to tee up on a future episode, email us at hey@readysetgrowchurch.com

Maker vs. Manager

Visionary pastors are called to innovate — but many church leaders spend their best hours stuck in meetings, putting out fires, and managing the day-to-day. If your calendar feels full but your vision feels stalled, this episode is for you.

Mark, Hunter, and Scott unpack the powerful framework of Maker Time vs. Manager Time and why misunderstanding it quietly sabotages creativity, strategy, and momentum on church teams. They break down how managers and makers work differently, why a “productive day” looks opposite for each role, and how to structure an ideal week that protects deep work without neglecting execution.
You’ll also hear practical rhythms like batching meetings, guarding prime energy hours, and building systems that replace micromanagement. This conversation will help you reclaim the space where vision actually gets built.

Timestamps:
00:00 — Why visionary leaders feel stuck in day-to-day management
00:34 — “Maker vs. Manager”: the mental model that changes everything
01:16 — The difference between operational work and innovative work
02:27 — How managers accidentally sabotage makers
03:33 — Why makers need long, uninterrupted blocks of time
04:16 — Lead pastors: protecting your deep-work space
05:31 — Measuring productivity without micromanaging creatives
06:52 — Why 9am–1pm is prime creative time for most leaders
08:19 — How (and why) to flip your schedule for maximum output
09:55 — Building an “ideal week” for both managers and makers

If you have a question or topic you’d like us to tee up on a future episode, email us at hey@readysetgrowchurch.com

There are few leadership moments more painful than realizing a friend on your staff may need to transition out. And in a church, where team and family often overlap, that weight can feel unbearable.

In this episode, Scott, Mark, and Hunter talk through how to navigate that moment with clarity, courage, and compassion. The conversation explores why delaying the decision usually creates more pain, how clear expectations can bring honesty long before a transition is on the table, and how to lead staff change in a way that cares for the church and the person involved.
They also unpack a practical path for handling this wisely:
• using expectation + timeframe cycles (90-day clarity windows)
• separating friendship from stewardship responsibility
• bringing spouses in at the right time to avoid confusion or surprise
• keeping the final conversation short, surgical, and grace-filled
• building severance policies before emotion clouds the moment

If you’re carrying this kind of weight right now, you’re not alone — and you’re not a bad leader for feeling it deeply. This episode is here to help you lead from stewardship, not fear, and stay faithful to what God is asking of you.

0:00 — The pain of firing a friend in ministry
1:10 — Why churches feel this deeper than other organizations
2:30 — Stewardship vs. friendship: obedience to God first
3:40 — “Choose your pain” (why delaying makes it worse)
4:55 — How credibility leaks when you avoid hard calls
6:10 — Trusting God that the transition is good for both sides
7:55 — Step 1: clarify expectations before anything else
9:35 — Using 90-day clarity windows (and repeating if needed)
11:20 — Don’t fly solo: get counsel before the decision
12:45 — The “we’re family” model—helpful or harmful?
17:05 — Spouses in the process: preventing confusion & surprise
23:35 — Severance policies set before emotions hit
27:55 — Final encouragement & prayer for leaders in this moment

If you have a question or topic you’d like us to tee up on a future episode, email us at hey@readysetgrowchurch.com