There’s a trap many churches fall into — often with the best intentions — that quietly limits growth, burns out leaders, and keeps ministries from becoming what God designed them to be.

In this episode of the Breaking 1000 Podcast, Mark, Scott, and Hunter explore why the tension between Spiritual and Strategic leadership is often misunderstood — and how treating them as opposites creates unnecessary ceilings in the life of the church.
The conversation reframes growth as a both/and, not an either/or, and walks through:
why many churches plateau despite prayer, passion, and faithfulness
how Scripture consistently models strategy as a spiritual responsibility
the difference between godly strategy and self-driven ambition
why pastors burn out when structure and discipleship are missing
how intentional leadership actually protects spiritual health
If you’ve ever felt stretched thin, stuck at a ceiling, or unsure how to lead faithfully and wisely — this episode brings clarity without compromise.

Timestamps:
00:00 – The tension pastors feel: spiritual vs. strategic
02:00 – Why treating this as “either/or” creates a growth trap
04:00 – The real reason most churches plateau (it’s not prayer)
06:30 – What happens when a pastor tries to do everything
08:30 – Moses, Jethro, and the biblical case for delegation
10:45 – “The church isn’t a business”… but business still exists
13:00 – When strategy replaces God (Tower of Babel warning)
15:15 – Why burnout is rising among faithful pastors
17:30 – Jerusalem vs. Antioch: two very different models
20:45 – The real formula: spiritual intention + strategic action

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

Two people can meet with the same mentor and walk away with completely different results.
The difference usually isn’t the mentor — it’s how prepared the leader is to receive.

In this episode of the Breaking 1000 Podcast, Mark, Scott, and Hunter unpack the often-overlooked discipline of how to be mentored well. From coming prepared with questions, to reporting progress, to honoring the people who invest in you, this conversation walks through what actually helps mentorship lead to real growth.
They share real stories from decades of coaching relationships, including what mentors are really looking for, why “just showing up” isn’t enough, and how preparation multiplies the value of every meeting.
You’ll hear practical insights on:
why mentors don’t want compliments — they want implementation
how preparation signals hunger, humility, and respect
what to bring to mentoring, coaching, or counseling sessions
how reporting progress deepens trust and investment
why honoring your mentor’s vision changes the relationship
Whether you’re a senior pastor, staff leader, or developing under someone else’s leadership, this episode reframes mentorship as something you actively steward, not passively receive.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Why many leaders don’t know how to be mentored
01:10 – Two people, same mentor, wildly different results
02:10 – “Bring a bucket to the well”
03:06 – Hearing vs implementing (wise vs foolish builder)
04:23 – John Maxwell & Coach Wooden story
05:34 – Why showing up unprepared wastes mentorship
06:34 – What great mentoring prep actually looks like
07:00 – Monthly reporting that changed everything
08:52 – Making it easy for mentors to bring their best
09:49 – Collecting dots so mentors can connect them
10:35 – Why growth stalls when questions stop
11:44 – “I had to grow faster to stay ahead of your questions”
13:19 – Reporting creates accountability and momentum
13:40 – Always take notes (and clarify in real time)
15:10 – Sharing wins the right way
16:23 – Honoring mentors beyond the meeting
17:18 – Getting out of the “pile” of people
18:10 – Serving your mentor’s vision
19:16 – Growth teams multiply impact
21:15 – Why being late is a character issue, not a time issue
23:09 – Faithfulness that leads to more influence

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

In this episode of the Breaking 1000 Podcast, Scott Wilson and Hunter Wilson break down the difference between having goals and actually growing as a leader. The missing link? A growth team.

Scott shares the exact framework he used to build his own growth team, including why your spouse should be “true north,” how to find the right people for specific areas (health, finances, preaching, emotional health), and why information alone isn’t enough without accountability.

00:00 — Welcome & why leadership growth stalls
01:25 — Goals vs. plans vs. teams
04:30 — Why leaders need a growth team
06:40 — Build your team around roles
10:05 — Master vs. student mindset
16:45 — Spouse as “True North”
21:25 — How to build your growth team
24:45 — Information vs. accountability

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

The #1 way staff build trust with their leader is by receiving delegation well — not just taking the task, but owning the responsibility and follow-through.
In this episode, Mark, Scott, and Hunter unpack what it actually looks like to “receive the baton” as a staff member. Because delegation only works when the handoff is handled with clarity, pace, and trust — and too often, great leaders delegate well but teams don’t know how to carry the weight.
You’ll learn how to:
- Understand your leader’s communication style (and why over-communication always wins)
- Protect quality and pace so your leader never feels like they need to take the task back
- Ask the five clarity questions every receiver needs before saying “got it”
- Use the 5 Levels of Delegation so you know exactly what authority you have
Solve problems before escalating them (and use the 1-3-1 method when you can’t)
- Build trust by inviting feedback early instead of waiting until it’s “perfect”

Whether you’re a senior pastor delegating to your team, a staff pastor carrying major responsibility, or a leader trying to grow in reliability and influence — this episode will help you stop dropping the baton and start earning more trust.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 — Why unresolved problems in delegation leak trust
00:36 — The #1 way to get promoted: receiving delegation well
01:42 — The relay race metaphor: why batons get dropped
02:06 — Two types of delegators: “no news is good news” vs “silence = nothing’s happening”
03:31 — Over-communicating progress builds trust with any leader
05:08 — What leaders are always thinking: quality + pace
06:32 — How weekly red/yellow/green updates keep alignment
07:31 — Don’t rush to say yes — slow down for clarity
08:39 — The 5 questions every receiver must ask
09:34 — The 5 Levels of Delegation (circle the one you’re in)
12:19 — Define “done” + what a home run looks like
13:43 — Agree on update cadence before you start
15:10 — “Yes, but…” how to clarify priorities without saying no
17:23 — Solve before you escalate + the 1-3-1 method
21:01 — Ask for feedback early (don’t protect your “precious snowflake”)
22:30 — Final recap: how to stop dropping the baton

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

When a team member keeps asking “why?”, it can feel like you’re dealing with a questioning attitude rather than simple curiosity. Those moments can be frustrating—but they’re also revealing. Most of the time, persistent “why?” questions point to something deeper: a gap in clarity, alignment, or vision.

In this episode, Scott unpacks why *the why* matters so much. The “why” is the **fuel of the vision**—it motivates your team, brings unity, and helps everyone understand the purpose behind every decision. When a leader doesn’t clearly and consistently communicate the why, people start to fill in the blanks themselves… and that’s when attitudes shift.

You’ll learn how to answer the why in a way that builds trust, how to discern when a question carries hidden frustration, and when to take the conversation private rather than addressing it in the room. Most importantly, we talk about leading proactively—*cascading vision, not just decisions*—so your staff feels informed, aligned, and supported before changes roll out.

We also walk through our team’s **Honesty Policy**, a framework for communication that creates trust, invites healthy conversation, and eliminates relational fog. It calls us to speak the truth “to the last 10%” in the right way, at the right time, to the right person. **We have zero tolerance for gossip.**

If you want a staff culture marked by clarity, unity, maturity, and trust, this episode gives you the tools to lead those conversations with confidence and calm.


⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 — When “Why?” Questions Become Something More
01:18 — Curiosity vs. Questioning Attitudes
02:08 — The Public Move: Answering the Why Clearly
03:01 — Why the Why Is the Fuel of Vision
04:15 — Casting Vision Instead of Cascading Decisions
05:10 — Preparing Your Why Before the Meeting
06:14 — The Private Move: Addressing Attitude 1-on-1
07:33 — Giving the Benefit of the Doubt First
08:42 — How to Use the Honesty Policy in Real Conversations
09:57 — “Last 10%” Conversations That Build Trust
11:21 — Questioning Spirit vs. Healthy Pushback
12:48 — When Misalignment Becomes a Grace-Lifting Issue
14:10 — Why You Must Address Small Problems Early

Ask us anything: hey@readysetgrow.church