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-alignment

Timestamps

00:00 – 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