After 25 years of vision coaching, I've heard every excuse for why churches stay stuck.

"We need more people first." "If we just had a bigger building..." "Once we hire the right staff..."

But the real problem isn't what pastors think it is.

There's a quote from freelance writer Robert Brault that haunts me: "We are kept from our goal not by obstacles but by a clear path to a lesser goal."

This is my favorite quote because it names the silent killer of breakthrough ministry—not the obvious obstacles we prepare for, but the comfortable compromises we don't see coming.

Here's what I've discovered: Most churches aren't failing because they hit walls. They're failing because they found easier paths.

Three areas where I see this happening:

CLARIFYING VISION You're chasing attendance growth, campus expansion, or platform building instead of the harder work of defining your unique vision. These feel like progress, but they're detours from breakthrough.

STRENGTHENING CULTURE You're hiring new talent, managing board politics, or driving departmental goals instead of the messier work of team transformation. These keep you busy, but they don't create the culture you actually need.

ACTIVATING CALLING You're recruiting volunteers, offering trending programs, or launching external ministries instead of the slower work of developing disciple-makers. These generate activity, but they don't multiply your mission.

Each of these "lesser goals" offers a clear path. Each one feels productive. Each one keeps you from the breakthrough you actually need.

This is why I'm launching The Clear Path Series.

Over the next 9 posts, I'm going to expose the nine specific lesser goals that seduce ministry teams away from their breakthrough potential. I'll show you exactly how each one works, why it's so seductive, and what to do instead. Here is a brief overview. Each less goal is categorized in three areas based on our services at RunFree.Co:

The Nine Lesser Goals

CLARIFYING VISION: The Seductive Substitutes

1. ATTENDANCE GROWTH

The Clear Path Lie: "More people = more impact" The Deadly Truth: You're building a crowd, not creating disciples

Core Ideas:

• Problem: Every weekend becomes your report card instead of your launching pad
• Pain Point: You celebrate numbers that don't actually measure what Jesus measured
• Deeper Issue: Attendance addiction creates churches full of consumers, not contributors
• The Trap: Growth metrics that make you feel successful while your discipleship stays shallow
• Reality Check: Jesus never counted attendance—He counted transformation

Watch Out For:

• "Butts in seats vs. hearts in motion"
• "Measuring the wrong thing perfectly"
• "Consumer Christianity"
• "The weekend worship mirage"

Run Free Solution: Vision clarity that pivots from adding attenders to multiplying disciples

2. CAMPUS GROWTH

The Clear Path Lie: "Bigger buildings = bigger kingdom impact" The Deadly Truth: You're multiplying square footage while your mission gets buried under debt

Core Ideas:

• Problem: Buildings become your master instead of your tool
• Pain Point: Every leadership conversation becomes about facilities instead of formation
• Deeper Issue: Capital campaigns steal emotional energy from discipleship campaigns
• The Trap: Concrete and steel feel like progress when your spiritual momentum stalls
• Reality Check: The early church turned the world upside down without owning a single building

Watch Out For:

• "Mortgage payments vs. movement multiplication"
• "Real estate vs. real transformation"
• "Building maintenance vs. building disciples"
• "The concrete trap"

Run Free Solution: Unique ministry DNA that defines impact beyond infrastructure

3. PERSONAL PLATFORM GROWTH

The Clear Path Lie: "Influence equals impact" The Deadly Truth: You're building your brand while your church builds... what exactly?

Core Ideas:

• Problem: Your speaking calendar becomes more important than your shepherding calendar
• Pain Point: Platform opportunities seduce you away from local pastoral presence
• Deeper Issue: Personal fame becomes a substitute for congregational formation
• The Trap: Being known outside becomes more important than being effective inside
• Reality Check: Jesus could have had the biggest platform in history—He chose twelve guys instead

Watch Out For:

• "Speaker vs. shepherd"
• "Building brand vs. building believers"
• "Conference celebrity vs. church catalyst"
• "The influence illusion"

Run Free Solution: Kingdom confidence that prioritizes local calling over global recognition

STRENGTHENING CULTURE: The Team Temptations

4. HIRE NEW TALENT

The Clear Path Lie: "Fresh blood fixes fundamental problems" The Deadly Truth: You're hiring your way out of leadership gaps instead of growing through them

Core Ideas:

• Problem: Staff shopping becomes a substitute for culture shaping
• Pain Point: New talent gets contaminated by existing toxic systems
• Deeper Issue: Hiring can't solve what leadership development could prevent
• The Trap: Thinking personnel changes create cultural transformation
• Reality Check: You can't hire your way to health—you have to grow your way there

Watch Out For:

• "Staff shopping vs. staff shaping"
• "Hiring hope vs. development discipline"
• "New blood, old problems"
• "The talent trap"

Run Free Solution: Team renaissance that transforms existing team dynamics

5. KEEP THE BOARD CONTENT

The Clear Path Lie: "Happy board = healthy church" The Deadly Truth: You're managing personalities instead of mobilizing purpose

Core Ideas:

• Problem: Peace-at-any-price approach trades visionary tension for committee comfort
• Pain Point: Board meetings become negotiations instead of inspiration sessions
• Deeper Issue: Conflict avoidance creates vision erosion
• The Trap: Keeping people happy while keeping the mission stagnant
• Reality Check: Jesus had massive conflict with religious leaders—and changed the world

Watch Out For:

• "Peace vs. purpose"
• "Committee comfort vs. kingdom calling"
• "Managing personalities vs. mobilizing purpose"
• "The harmony trap"

Run Free Solution: Break-thru clarity that unifies teams around compelling vision

6. DRIVE DEPARTMENTAL GOALS

The Clear Path Lie: "If every department succeeds, the church succeeds" The Deadly Truth: You're optimizing parts while the whole suffers from coordination chaos

Core Ideas:

• Problem: Silo success doesn't equal system effectiveness
• Pain Point: Departments compete for resources instead of collaborating for results
• Deeper Issue: Individual ministry victories that don't serve the larger vision
• The Trap: Departmental wins become expensive distractions from unified direction
• Reality Check: A body where every part works independently is called paralysis

Watch Out For:

• "Silo success vs. system synergy"
• "Parts vs. the whole"
• "Department kingdoms vs. unified mission"
• "The fragmentation trap"

Run Free Solution: Collaborative process that aligns all ministries toward singular vision

ACTIVATING CALLING: The Mobilization Mirages

7. RECRUIT VOLUNTEERS

The Clear Path Lie: "More volunteers = more ministry capacity" The Deadly Truth: You're filling slots without filling souls

Core Ideas:

• Problem: Warm body hustle that focuses on programs instead of people
• Pain Point: Volunteers show up to serve your vision instead of discovering their own
• Deeper Issue: Recruitment becomes manipulation instead of development
• The Trap: Staffing programs while starving personal calling
• Reality Check: Volunteers serve your vision—disciples live out their own

Watch Out For:

• "Warm bodies vs. willing hearts"
• "Slot-filling vs. soul-stirring"
• "Program servants vs. purpose-driven disciples"
• "The recruitment trap"

Run Free Solution: Core activation that moves people from understanding to implementing their calling

8. OFFER TRENDING PROGRAMS (Alpha, Rooted, Practicing the Way)

The Clear Path Lie: "Viral content = ministry impact" The Deadly Truth: You're optimizing for engagement metrics while your actual engagement flatlines

Core Ideas:

• Problem: Viral validation chase confuses reach with depth
• Pain Point: Algorithm approval becomes more important than life transformation
• Deeper Issue: Digital metrics substitute for discipleship measurements
• The Trap: Going viral while going nowhere spiritually
• Reality Check: Likes don't equal lives changed, shares don't equal hearts surrendered

Watch Out For:

• "Reach vs. depth"
• "Engagement metrics vs. engagement reality"
• "Viral validation vs. spiritual transformation"
• "The content trap"

Run Free Solution: Real growth that measures what actually matters for kingdom advance

9. LAUNCHING EXTERNAL MINISTRIES

The Clear Path Lie: "More ministries = more mission fulfillment" The Deadly Truth: You're planting programs instead of planting disciples who plant movements

Core Ideas:

• Problem: Mission multiplication mirage that spreads you thin while keeping you shallow
• Pain Point: External activity becomes substitute for internal transformation
• Deeper Issue: Program proliferation without people development
• The Trap: Launching initiatives without launching disciple-makers
• Reality Check: Jesus didn't launch ministries—He launched people who launched movements

Watch Out For:

• "Program planting vs. people planting"
• "External activity vs. internal transformation"
• "Ministry multiplication vs. disciple multiplication"
• "The launch trap"

Run Free Solution: Redemptive momentum that creates sustainable multiplication through developed people

Stay tuned as I unpack each one of these in further detail. If you are interested in a free 60-minute vision call, just let me know by requesting a discovery call at RunFree.Co

If you missed our recent AI workshop, here's a less than 10-minute hack you can still use before Easter!

As you know, Easter is the highest attendance day for most churches, but the lowest retention moment. (In the last 20 years, back-to-school and Christmas Eve services have had higher retention than Easter.) What if you could increase retention by how you inspire with compelling vision-casting at the end of your sermon?

The attached prompt will help you quickly create a powerful 3-minute vision-casting moment to close your Easter sermon. Simply adapt the prompt with your church's details, paste it into ChatGPT or Claude and you'll have a customized message that encourages Easter visitors to become regular attendees. This approach is warm and inviting rather than guilt-inducing, focusing on the meaningful benefits of ongoing church attendance.

Even if you've never used AI tools before, this prompt is designed to be straightforward and effective. The entire process less than 10 minutes from prompt to polished message - giving you one less thing to prepare during this busy Easter season.

Example (I created this in under 3 minutes)

Here is the one we did live on Tuesday this last week, with a volunteer who sent in his manuscript during our workshop. Pastor Tom leads Linden Road Presbyterian in Mansfield, Ohio.

A Vision for Community at Linden Road Presbyterian

As we close our time together on this Easter Sunday, I want to take just a moment to speak to everyone here—whether you're a familiar face we see each week or someone who felt drawn to join us on this special day.

In our sermon today, we explored how Easter isn't just about Jesus' resurrection, but also about our resurrection. Remember Thomas Merton's beautiful insight that "God is shining through everything all the time"? Friends, this divine presence becomes most visible when we gather regularly in community.

Here at Linden Road Presbyterian, we've discovered something profound in the rhythm of weekly gathering. Like Dostoevsky after his life-changing experience, we've found that regular worship helps us to see the world differently—to notice the blades of grass, to savor each moment, to truly see one another. When we gather week after week, we practice awakening to the new life Christ offers us.

Throughout Mansfield's history, our Presbyterian congregation has been known for thoughtful engagement with Scripture, meaningful service to our community, and for creating space where people can ask honest questions. The Presbyterian tradition has always valued both the heart and the mind, believing that faith seeks understanding, and understanding deepens faith. This balance is something we cultivate together, Sunday after Sunday.

In this busy world where Mansfield families juggle work responsibilities, children's activities, and the demands of daily life, our church offers something countercultural—a place to slow down, to remember what truly matters, to be fully present with God and one another.

When you commit to regular attendance, something beautiful happens. You begin to form relationships that extend beyond Sunday morning. You find people who will celebrate with you in times of joy and walk with you through seasons of grief. You discover opportunities to use your unique gifts in ways that bring meaning to your life and help others.

As the Apostle Paul reminded us, we are "seated with Christ in heavenly places" and called to "walk in newness of life." This isn't something that happens in isolation—it unfolds in community as we learn from one another, challenge one another, and encourage one another.

So as we leave today, celebrating that Christ is risen, I want to extend a warm invitation. Whether you're considering attending church for the first time or returning after some time away, know that there is a place for you here. Next Sunday, we'll continue our journey together, exploring what it means to live as resurrection people in our everyday lives.

No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, Linden Road Presbyterian is a community where you can grow, serve, question, and belong. Because together—not just on Easter but Sunday after Sunday—we're learning to see with new eyes the ways God is already shining through everything around us.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! And we rise with him, together, as we gather in this place.

Here is the Prompt:

Please craft a 3-minute message to close my Easter sermon that casts a vision for regular attendance at our church. I'm looking for a warm, inviting approach that emphasizes the meaningful and practical benefits of ongoing commitment to our church community, without shaming people who attend infrequently.Our church is [CHURCH NAME] in [CITY, STATE]. Please incorporate our local context to make the message relevant to our specific congregation and community. Also, please highlight some distinctive strengths of our [DENOMINATION] tradition that would resonate with both regular attendees and visitors. The message should connect naturally with my sermon theme of [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SERMON THEME] while pointing forward to the ongoing life of our church beyond Easter Sunday.

Feel free to customize this prompt by adding specific details about:

• Key ministries or programs at your church
• Upcoming sermon series or events
• Particular challenges your community faces
• Special aspects of your church's culture or vision
• Upload your sermon manuscript

Remember that this brief vision-casting moment should feel like a natural extension of your Easter message rather than a disconnected "commercial." The goal is to help people see how the resurrection life we celebrate at Easter is cultivated through regular participation in community.

If you missed the AI Workshop...

I introduced a good friend and strategic partner at RunFree.Co, Eric Kidwell. We covered Top 10 Ways to Use AI this Easter. In addition I shared how valuable Eric's tool is to turn your website from a static, passive digital page, to a proactive pastoral voice. Check out LiveAI.co

Our clarity tribe at RunFree.Co can get a 10% discount for LifeAI using the code RUNFREE10. (And get a 30-day free trial with no credit card.)

Introducing the Bullet Book Series

Ever wish you could get game-changing leadership insights without slogging through another 300-page book? That's why we created The Bullet Book Series.

Bullet Books are designed for busy church leaders who need clear, actionable wisdom - fast. Each Bullet Book:

• Takes 20 minutes to read
• Focuses on one critical leadership challenge
• Delivers practical, implementable solutions
• Works perfectly for team discussion
• Strips away fluff to give you pure insight

Think of them as leadership espresso shots - concentrated wisdom that kicks in quick.

Today, we're launching the series with "The 7 Laws of Real Church Growth: Straight Talk About Building Disciples Instead of Drawing Crowds."

This first Bullet Book tackles the elephant in the sanctuary: Why do so many churches excel at gathering crowds but struggle to make disciples? Drawing from my book "Future Church," it delivers seven foundational laws that separate real church growth from the fake stuff.

Inside, you'll discover:

• Why starting with worship might be holding you back
• How to break free from relevance addiction
• What Jesus actually counted (hint: it wasn't attendance)
• The local impact secret most churches miss
• Why program management kills disciple making

This isn't theoretical - these laws have been tested with over 100 churches in the last five years. They work for congregations of every size and style.

Best part? It's free. No email required. No strings attached.

Download it now, read it over lunch, discuss it with your team this week. Let's start building something real.

[DOWNLOAD]

Watch for more Bullet Books coming soon. Because sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come in small packages.

Over the past few weeks, more than 1,000 church leaders have expressed interest in our upcoming Vision Sprint. Why? Because they recognize what you probably feel too - the desperate need for clarity in an increasingly complex ministry landscape.

What is the Vision Sprint?

Imagine finishing your 2030 visionary plan with total execution clarity for 2025 in just three afternoons.It's a guided journey to breakthrough clarity, designed specifically for church teams. Each sprint is limited to 12 teams, up to four participants per team. In just three afternoons, you'll:

• Move beyond generic vision to a crystal-clear picture of your church's future
• Develop practical tools for execution and casting vision daily
• Create alignment and focus as the team has never experienced
• Build momentum for 2025 and beyond

How It Works:

• Three focused afternoon sessions
• Full recording access for flexible viewing and team engagement
• Interactive exercises and practical tools
• Implementation guidance and support with 1+1 coaching

What Makes This Different?

Unlike traditional strategic planning or generic vision statements, the Vision Sprint uses the proven tools from "God Dreams" to help you discover and articulate your church's unique calling. You'll walk away with:

• Your Beyond-the-Horizon Vision (5-20 year picture)
• Your Background Vision (3-year strategic priorities)
• Your Midground Vision (1-year milestone)
• Your Foreground Vision (90-day action steps)

What Leaders Are Saying:

"Vision—so obvious and yet so fuzzy. Reading this book is like putting on reading glasses—instant clarity."- Sam Chand, Leadership Consultant

"Will Mancini creates break-through clarity for leaders. He does it again with God Dreams." -Larry Osborne, Senior Pastor, North Coast Church

Making It Accessible for Every Church I believe every church deserves clarity, regardless of size or budget. That's why:

• All sessions are recorded for flexible team viewing
• We offer a 100% money-back guarantee
• You can split your investment into two monthly payments
• Blog readers get 20% off with code: Willsblog

Recent Vision Participants Share Their Experience:

"Working with Will revolutionized our approach to vision. Our team is more aligned and energized than ever before." -Pastor John D., First Church

"The Horizon Storyline tool alone was worth the investment. It's given us clarity and momentum we've never had." -Sarah M., Executive Pastor, City Church

The Investment $3,650. Use code Willsblog for 20% off

For less than $10 per day, you will lead with stunning clarity in 2025.

Important Details:

• Registration Deadline: Wednesday, November 20
• Sessions Begin: Mon-Wed, Dec. 2-4, afternoons only
• Total Time Commitment: 3 afternoons + 1-1 coaching session

Why Now? If you want to start 2025 with clarity and momentum, the time to act is now. Waiting means another year of scattered focus and missed opportunities. Your church deserves better.

Ready to Join?

1. Register here
2. Use code Willsblog for 20% off
3. Gather your team
4. Start your journey to clarity

Questions? Email me - I'm here to help make this accessible for your church.

Remember: Registration closes Wednesday, November 20. Don't miss this opportunity to give your church the clarity it needs for 2025 and beyond.

Want to know more?

Download the Vision Sprint Overview

It's been a minute since I dropped a book on you (five years, to be exact), but I promise it's been worth the wait. I've been cooking up something special, and it's finally ready to serve. So, grab a seat at the table, because we're about to dig into some soul food for leaders.

Introducing "BlindSpotting: How to See What Faith-based Visionary Leaders Don't See"

You know me - I'm all about helping you craft crystal-clear vision for your church and ministry. We've walked that road together through "Church Unique," "God Dreams," and "Future Church." But this time, we're taking a detour. A necessary one, I might add.

See, here's the thing: You've done the work. You've crafted the vision. You've got the plan. But something's still... off. You're not quite hitting the mark you know you're capable of. Sound familiar? Well, my friend, you might be dealing with a case of leadership blindspots.

Why Blindspots? Why Now?

Let's be real for a second. We're living in a world that's changing faster than we can say "Sunday service." The pressures on pastors and ministry leaders are at an all-time high. We're expected to be visionaries, CEOs, counselors, and social media influencers all rolled into one. It's enough to make anyone's vision a little blurry.

But here's the kicker: The very things that make us great leaders - our confidence, our experience, our calling - can sometimes be the very things that blind us to new possibilities and potential pitfalls. It's like having a superpower that occasionally short-circuits. Frustrating, right?

That's where "BlindSpotting" comes in. It's not just another leadership book. It's a pair of divine spectacles, if you will, designed to bring those fuzzy areas into focus.

The Five Blindspots: Your Personal Vision Test

Now, I could just give you a list of things to watch out for, but where's the fun in that? Instead, we're going to dive into five key blindspots that affect every area of your leadership. And to make it stick, we're pairing each one with an actual vision problem. (Who says theology and optometry don't mix?)

1. Entitlement (Me) - Macular Degeneration

Remember when you first started in ministry? The excitement, the humility, the willingness to scrub toilets if it meant serving God's people? Yeah, success has a way of clouding that central vision. Like macular degeneration, entitlement creeps in slowly, dimming our view of our core purpose.

2. Presumption (You) - Astigmatism

Ever been so sure you knew what someone was thinking or what would work, only to be completely off base? That's presumption, and it's like having leadership astigmatism. It distorts how we see others and situations, leading to some seriously skewed judgments.

3. Isolation (Us) - Tunnel Vision

Ah, the leader's bubble. It's comfortable in here, isn't it? But just like tunnel vision cuts off our peripheral sight, isolation narrows our perspective to just our inner circle. Suddenly, we can't see the forest for the trees - or the congregation for the staff meetings.

4. Pathlock (It) - Myopia

You've got your vision statement, your five-year plan, your quarterly goals. But can you see beyond them? Pathlock is like leadership nearsightedness. We're so focused on the immediate and familiar that the distant future becomes a blur.

5. Scarcity (God) - Cataracts

Remember when you first felt God's call? The world was bursting with possibility. But somewhere along the way, budget constraints, staff limitations, and plain old fear can cloud our view of God's abundance. It's like developing cataracts of the soul.

What's Inside "BlindSpotting"

This isn't just a diagnostic tool - it's a corrective lens for your leadership. Here's a sneak peek at what you'll find inside:

- Personal stories that'll make you laugh, cringe, and nod in recognition

- A deep dive into each blindspot, including how to spot it and how to correct it

- Practical exercises to sharpen your leadership vision

- A revolutionary framework called the Vision Field Matrix that ties it all together

- Plenty of "I-never-thought-of-it-that-way" moments to keep you on your toes

We'll journey through each blindspot, examining how it affects your relationship with yourself, others, your organization, your vision, and ultimately, your understanding of God's work in and through you.

Why You Need This Book

Look, I get it. Your bookshelf is probably groaning under the weight of leadership tomes already. But here's why "BlindSpotting" deserves a spot:

1. It's real. No polished personas here - just raw, honest exploration of the struggles every leader faces.

2. It's relevant. This isn't repackaged leadership theory. It's built for the challenges of ministry in the 2020s and beyond.

3. It's revolutionary.By addressing these blindspots, you're not just tweaking your leadership - you're transforming it from the inside out.

Most importantly, it's a book for leaders who refuse to settle. Who know they're called to more. Who are willing to take a hard look in the mirror and do the work to level up their leadership.

Sound like you? Then saddle up, partner. We've got some blindspots to tackle.

Be Part of the "BlindSpotting" Journey

Now, here's where you come in. I'm looking for a team of frontline leaders to join me on this "BlindSpotting" journey. If you want exclusive access to tools, resources, and behind-the-scenes content as we prepare to launch this book, there's only one thing to do:

Shoot an email to will@runfree.co with the subject line "I'm Ready to See Clearly!"

Together, we'll sharpen our vision, expand our perspective, and step into the fullness of the leadership God has called us to. No blindspots allowed.

Let's do this!

Clearly in Christ,

Will

the Digital Advancement Collective

In today's digital age, reaching and engaging congregations online is no longer optional—it's essential. Modern church leaders understand the importance of adapting to the changing landscape of ministry. But where does one start? How can churches effectively leverage digital platforms to spread the Gospel and nurture their flock? Enter the Digital Advancement Collective by Run Free.

Why Digital Discipleship Matters

The way people connect, learn, and grow in their faith is evolving. Congregations are online, seeking spiritual guidance and community in the digital realm. To meet them where they are, churches need a solid strategy for digital discipleship. This isn't just about streaming Sunday services—it's about creating meaningful connections and fostering spiritual growth through digital means.

Introducing the Digital Advancement Collective

Run Free's Digital Advancement Collective is a game-changing opportunity for forward-thinking church leaders. This six-month, limited availability program is designed to equip ministry teams with the knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to thrive in the digital ministry landscape.

What Participants Will Gain:

1. Expert Guidance: Learn from Jay Kranda, the Online Community Pastor at Saddleback Church and a pioneer in digital ministry.
2. Practical Strategies: Dive deep into topics like streaming optimization, digital follow-up tactics, and social media engagement.
3. Personalized Coaching: Benefit from three private coaching sessions tailored to each church's unique needs.
4. Community of Innovators: Connect with other ministry leaders who are passionate about digital outreach.

Meet the Digital Guru: Jay Kranda

Jay Kranda isn't just another online personality—he's a seasoned veteran in the world of digital ministry. As the Online Community Pastor at Saddleback Church, Jay oversees a global network of online and home groups. His recent book, "Online Church Is Not the Answer: Beyond Streaming Church To Hybrid Disciple Making," challenges churches to think beyond simple streaming and embrace a holistic approach to digital discipleship.

With a background from Biola University and Talbot School of Theology, Jay brings both theological depth and practical experience to the table. His insights will help churches navigate the complex intersection of technology and ministry.

What Participants Will Learn

The Digital Advancement Collective covers a wide range of crucial topics:

• Developing a digital mindset for the church
• Enhancing streaming strategies
• Building thriving online communities
• Implementing effective digital follow-up and automation
• Structuring the church's digital presence
• Creating engaging content for YouTube and Instagram
• Integrating house church strategies with online presence
• Planning for high-impact seasons like Easter and Christmas

The Investment

The investment in the Digital Advancement Collective includes:

• Six group sessions (90 minutes each)
• Three private coaching sessions (60 minutes each)
• The opportunity to bring up to three participants from each church

This comprehensive program kicks off in October 2024, giving churches ample time to implement strategies for the upcoming holiday season and beyond.

Seize the Opportunity

The Digital Advancement Collective offers a unique opportunity to lead churches into the future of ministry. It isn't just about keeping up with technology—it's about harnessing its power to fulfill the church's calling more effectively.

Imagine reaching more people with the Gospel, nurturing deeper connections within congregations, and expanding impact beyond the walls of church buildings. With the skills and strategies gained from this program, churches will be equipped to do just that.

This is an opportunity that shouldn't be missed. The Digital Advancement Collective has limited availability, ensuring personalized attention and maximum value for each participating church.

Ready to revolutionize digital ministry? Visit runfree.co/digital-cohort today to reserve a spot in the Digital Advancement Collective. It's an investment that will benefit congregations—and the countless souls reached online—for years to come.

Download a PDF to share with your team.

Are you tired of chasing attendance numbers, feeling like your church is stuck on the hamster wheel of "attend, connect, serve"? What if you could break free from this program-driven model and run into what Jesus truly started?

Welcome to the Pivvot Process...

Run Free's signature service that reimagines vision framing for authentic, disciple-making church growth.

For two decades, I've guided churches in articulating their unique vision through the celebrated Vision Frame tool. Now, we've revolutionized this process to address the critical paradigm shift needed in today's church landscape.

The Pivvot Process integrates four transformative "paradigm shift" steps into our proven Vision Framing approach.

1. Move the Finish Line (Mind Shift): Redefine success beyond attendance and program participation. Shift from "attend, connect, serve" to "called, trained, sent."
2. Become a Hero-Maker (Heart Shift): Embrace the "pastorhood of every believer," empowering your congregation to live as ministers daily.
3. Build a Training Center (Hands Shift): Pivot from content-focused teaching to practice-based training, equipping disciples who make disciples.
4. Empower Each One (Platform Shift): Help individuals identify and step into their unique kingdom calling.

The Vision Frame has served 40,000 church teams. Now, Run Free's Pivvot Process takes it further - helping you articulate a truly disciple-making vision unique to your context.

Imagine leading a church where:

• Growth isn't measured by Sunday attendance, but by disciples engaging their world Monday through Friday
• Every believer is called, trained, and sent as a minister in their everyday lives
• Programs serve disciple-making, not the other way around
• There's a clear pathway for spiritual growth beyond "attend, connect, serve"
• Your community experiences the gospel through the lives of your congregation

The Pivvot Process isn't about abandoning everything. It's about realigning your church's vision, strategy, and culture with Jesus' original disciple-making mission. It's about creating a sustainable model for growth that doesn't chase numbers or rely on constant programming.

The Pivvot Process Visual Roadmap

In addition, we've built two incredible training "sprints" into the process for your staff and elders or church board:

• An 8-week High-expectation Disciple-making group based on breakthrough DMM practices (Disciple-making movements) accelerating around the globe.
• A 2-day Special Calling workshop to help your staff and key leaders clarify their personal mission and values before developing a 3-year vocational vision. The training is built from our Younique LifePlan System.

The bottom line is that the average church team uses the word "discipleship" without common experiences to draw and design from, thus dramatically limiting their ministry design and planning efforts. These two training sprints will rescue you from a naive, whiteboard-only build-out of your disciple-making strategy.

Through 10 dynamic day sessions, delivered at your preferred pace, your team will:

• Challenge assumptions about discipleship and church growth
• Develop strategies to equip and release disciple-makers
• Transition from program-centric to people-development focus
• Craft a visionary plan rooted in making disciples, not just running programs
• Learn to measure success by disciple-making impact, not just attendance

Here's what pastor Steve said after finishing the process. He leads a growing church of 600 on Florida's Gulf Coast. His mission? "We are a family, moving everyday relationships into disciple-making journeys:"

The paradigm shift that we experienced through the Pivvot Process has been immeasurable. Our staff and church leaders are launching into a new stratosphere in reaching those where we work, live, and play. The process has brilliantly catalyzed a unified mission to reach our city and the world.

Are you ready to stop the chase and run free into what Jesus started? Let's talk about how the Pivvot Process can reset your church's trajectory, ignite a culture of genuine disciple-making, and help you fulfill the Great Commission as Jesus intended.

Together, let's move beyond just running programs to truly making disciples who make disciples.

P.S. The church landscape is changing rapidly. Don't let another year go by feeling stuck in the program-driven model. Reach out today to learn how the Pivvot Process can be the catalyst for the disciple-making breakthrough your church needs. Book a discovery call today.

Thank you for coming by the blog to get the free download called, The Destiny Chapters, which is part 6 of my book entitled, Younique: Designing the Life God Dreamed for You.

I first made this available to the 200+ certified Younique coaches to use in their practice. I wanted you as a blog subscriber, to have access to it as well. Look for updates as Younique relaunches this Fall. We are debuting our 4-channel delivery LifePlan system which includes a developer's toolkit, Younique DiscipleOS, a prioritized approach to 1:1 for the full LifePlan and an executive coaching track based on Younique.

Download The Destiny Chapters

More FREE stuff...

If you are looking for other free stuff, don't miss the Vision Frame Cheat Sheet and check out the God Dreams Book Resource page!

Thanks for coming by the to get this free download. I hope you have a Vision Frame already. If not, it's time to get after it. Yet if you do, please follow my current reel series in Instagram entitled, The Five Linchpin Practices of Future Church Vision Framing.

In 2012, my dream was to reach 40,000 church teams with the Vision Frame. And by 2020 we did it! Three years ago, however I reinvented my toolbox. The first fruit of that work is the book Future Church which was completed one week before Covid closed our church doors. This month, 100 churches have gone through the completely redesigned process to get more break-through with relational disciple-making as they clarify and articulate their Vision Frame. If you are pressing into new strategies and improved disciple-making pathways, check it out at Will_be_clear.

Download the Vision Frame Cheat Sheet.

The most recent update is that my restoration journey was completed on May 12, 2023. The team met in Houston for a day of work which included in depth reviews, prayer, and accountability with the team. The team made the decision to release me back into full-time ministry. Thanks be to God for the generous riches of his grace and kindness to me through my savior, Jesus!!!

The restoration process has been overwhelming good and hard at the same time. As one who usually shares learnings from the field on my blog, I have not yet prepared my thoughts and learning to share with just yet. But they are bubbling and I will trust the Lord for his guidance on the right time to do so.

A few things I will share:

1. Jimmy told me at the onset that only 3 out of 10 finish and successfully complete a journey like this. That prompted me to want to work hard towards the grace of redemption; it raised the stakes for me as one who has been blessed with the greater awareness in ministry that being an author brings.
2. I want to thank you whether you are a reader, an acquaintance, client or friend. A vast majority (well over 90%) of people in my sphere's of influence have been cheering me on. I couldn't have completed this journey without your prayers and support.
3. Time with Romy and Poema has been wonderful. The nine months off of work, followed by another nine months of part-time work while living in Chile, have enabled me a wonderful re-founding of joy and intimacy as a husband and father to my last child at home.
4. I want to thank my entire restoration team who volunteered countless hours to serving me. None of the pastors on the team were compensated for their time- what a gift. In particular I want to thank Jimmy Dodd for leading the process, Matt Carter for being my pastor and Bruce Miller for his extra investment of time and continued leadership in an ongoing accountability group made up of three people from the team. In addition Rick Pierce, as my lead counselor (one of four that I used) was extremely thoughtful to work with and gifted me with more than a few breakthroughs.
5. I am working about 3/4 time now and will be in Chile for the rest of the year. I am launching a new coaching shop in 2024. If you would love to chat for any reason, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm sharing my latest work from the field now on Instagram in a reel series "Five Linchpin Practices of Future Church Vision Framing" at @will_be_clear. I also recently started making some free downloads available on this blog.
6. My theme verse for the process was Psalm 18:19. They way this verse fills my soul is beyond comprehension: He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.

To read the final letter of completion from the restoration team, click here.

ENDORSEMENT LETTER FROM DEC 5th, 2022

The link to a letter from Jimmy Dodd and Matt Carter recommending me to continue church consulting starting in 2023.

Pastor Serve Letter For Will

PRIOR UPDATE FROM JULY 25th, 2022

As I complete a 90-day leave of absence from my consulting work, I wanted to share my first update. As you probably already know, I resigned in May from a company I founded in August of 2020 – the Future Church Company.

Dear Friends and Ministry Leaders,

As I complete a 90-day leave of absence from my church consulting work, I wanted to share my first update. As you probably already know, I resigned in May from a company I founded in August of 2020 – the Future Church Company because of unfaithfulness to my wife Romina.

Let me first highlight the Lord’s abundant kindness to me through my wife Romy's forgiveness. While I’m deeply grieved over my sin, I have not known such wonderful acceptance and tender care from another human. I am grateful for Romy’s faith and reliance on Jesus. In addition, I am grateful for an amazing group of men have come around me to guide a journey of restoration. The team consists of 10 men (listed at the end of this post) under the authority of my home church, Sagemont Church, led by Matt Carter. We also have the benefit of an experienced restoration guide in Jimmy Dodd with PastorServe. For the last three months my daily focus has been on investing time in relationships for healing and growth; first with the Lord and then with family.

Currently, I am on an extended visit to Chile with Romy (and our young daughter, Poema) where she grew up in Santiago. We will return to Houston at the end of July. I am resting and exercising better than I have since college. My favorite part of each day is teaching Poema how to open the “gift of each day” in prayer; none of which is owed to anyone.

Please know that I am deeply sorry for my sin, and I apologize to you. If I have hurt you personally, feel free to contact me, and I will apologize one on one. God has extended favor to me over the years through my consulting platforms, books, processes, and tools. Church leaders have entrusted me with their deepest dreams and highest hopes, with core ministry design and critical ministry decisions. My breach of integrity reflects a serious failure to live out personally what I have led in vocationally.

What does the future hold for me? For now I’ll continue full time cultivating heart-time with Jesus and family as I work on my restoration. I am learning and reengaging the ready embrace of my Savior. As Dane Ortlund reflects, “What makes us cringe the most, makes him hug the hardest.”

Under the counsel and authority of my restoration team, I will not be church consulting for the remainder of 2022. Please look for updates in the near future.

Most importantly know that I covet your prayers and communication. Please feel free to reach out to me at will@LifeYounique.com.

The members of the restoration team listed below make up one of two teams helping me at this time. There is also a "friendship team" of close friends and pastors who have known me as far back as college and seminary. What do I appreciate most about each person?

• Jimmy Dodd – PastorServe (Chairman) - Jimmy deeply values activating the body of Christ to love and deeply care for one another at the moment one feels the most guilt and shame.
• Matt Carter – Pastor, Sagemont Church, Houston TX (Oversight Church) - I appreciate Matt's willingness to provide oversight and the way he brings a hefty dose of both grit and grace.
• Bruce Wesley – Pastor, Clear Creek Community Church, Houston TX - Bruce hired me in 1997 in the early days of Clear Creek and since then has been one of those amazing life mentors who relates as a friend.
• Bryant Lee – Pastor, Higher Expectations Church, Houston TX - Bryant is a gifted pastor in H-town who is a power user of clarity tools and comes to the team per the invitation of Jimmy.
• Steve Bezner – Pastor, Houston Northwest Church, Houston TX - Steve, like Bryant, is a leading pastor in Houston with a strong reputation in the community and joins the team through Jimmy's request.
• Brady White – Mosaic Church, Orlando FL - Brady has an enormous heart for restoration fused with a creative humility and comes to the team by way of invitation from Jimmy.
• David Loveless – Pastor of Discipleship, First Baptist Church, Orlando FL - as a former client David has become a great friend over the last seven years as one of our best master trainers with the Younique training system; most importantly I can blow steam with him like no one else on the team.
• Bruce Miller – Pastor, Christ Fellowship, McKinney TX - Bruce is great friend, excellent thinker, incredible writer and has been a client with several of my organizations over the years.
• Craig Oliver – Pastor, Elizabeth Baptist Church, Atlanta GA - Craig has become a true friend and trusted advisor over the last two years as a power user of Future Church's "funnel fusion" process and the Younique training system.
• Rick Pierce – Personal Counselor - Rick brings a remarkable depth of insight while being one of the safest human beings I have ever spent time with on the planet.