Fly on the Wall Podcast With Chris Sonksen
Be a “Fly on the Wall” as Chris Sonksen takes you behind the scenes on a coaching call with a ministry leader. In each episode, you’ll get to hear how a coaching call happens, practical tips on how to grow your ministry, and what it takes to be a healthy leader in today's culture. You'll get to be a "fly on the wall" and listen to a live coaching session between Chris and a church leader like yourself.
Fly on the Wall Podcast With Chris Sonksen
216 | The Mistake That Keeps Churches Stuck
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A lot of churches don’t fail because they lack passion.
They fail because they lose focus.
In Episode 216 of the Fly on the Wall Podcast, Chris sits down with Josh from Denver for one of the most practical conversations we’ve had yet on church planting, leadership development, and building momentum from the ground up.
Because when you’re starting a church—or trying to break through a plateau—it’s tempting to think the answer is more programs, more ministries, or more activity.
But Chris makes a powerful point throughout this episode:
Growth doesn’t come from adding more.
It comes from building better processes.
This conversation is packed with practical wisdom for pastors trying to create healthy, sustainable growth without burning themselves out.
Here’s some of what they unpack:
Why most churches grow to the level of the pastor’s personality—and then get stuck
The danger of adding too many programs too early
How to focus on the few activities that actually create momentum
Why Sunday experience + follow-up + engagement should dominate your early strategy
The difference between personality, programs, and processes
How “speed of engagement” can completely change the trajectory of your church
Why churches should focus on activity goals instead of obsessing over attendance numbers
A practical framework for developing volunteers into real leaders
How leadership circles and apprenticing create long-term multiplication
One of the strongest moments in the episode:
“The scorecard has to change from results to activity.”
Chris also shares one of the biggest frustrations he sees in ministry today—the lack of hunger many pastors have for personal growth and coaching.
And honestly, that part of the conversation hits hard.
Because healthy churches are almost always led by leaders who are committed to learning, improving, and growing themselves first.
If you’re planting a church, rebuilding momentum, or trying to create stronger systems and leadership pipelines, this episode is full of immediately actionable insight.
👉 Listen to Episode 216 and join the conversation.
And if your church feels stuck right now, don’t forget to grab Church Boom’s free resource, Unstoppable Momentum—8 practical training videos and a workbook designed to help your church experience breakthrough and growth.
Get it free at churchboom.org/momentum.
Let’s build with intention.
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👋 About Us
Fly on the Wall Podcast, presented by Church Boom, takes pastors into a live coaching session with Chris Sonksen, CEO & Founder of Church Boom. Each episode features a pastor, just like you, as they share the challenges they face and get practical advice on how to overcome them.