Breaking Barriers

We’re here to help pastors and churches grow so that they can go. Churches can grow without going, but they can’t go without growing. Do you ever feel like church growth and sending is an uphill battle? You’re not alone, many leaders face common barriers that hinder mission success. At Breaking Barriers, we understand these challenges because we’ve been there. Now, we are on a mission to guide churches and leaders like you with Biblical strategies to help your church grow to go. Join Pastors Andrew Hopper and Bobby Herrington from Mercy Hill Church in Greensboro, NC.

Breaking Barriers is a religion podcast hosted by Andrew Hopper and Bobby Herrington, with 137 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Andrew Hopper and Bobby Herrington hosts Breaking Barriers, a religion show with 137 episodes published.

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  Breaking Barriers

  E135 - Pastor Mental Health: Are You Thriving or Drowning? (Part 1)

  Sep 28, 202631 min

  Pastor burnout is one of the biggest threats to long-term ministry, and it starts with how we measure our emotional health. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we offer a biblical framework for pastor mental health, church leader self-care, and building an inner life that can carry the weight of your calling. Looking at Jesus' rhythms of withdrawal and rest, we explain why you can't evaluate emotional health in a vacuum, and how to balance your inner life capacity against your outward calling as a pastor, husband, dad, and leader. You'll also learn how to spot the difference between thriving and just surviving, and why sabbaticals are about staying healthy, not fixing what's broken. Breaking Barriers helps pastors and churches grow so they can go.

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  Breaking Barriers

  E134 - Building a Preaching Culture - Sermon Prep (Part 2)

  Sep 21, 202637 min

  What happens to a church's preaching when the lead pastor is gone for 12 weeks? Andrew Hopper and Bobby Herrington break down how Mercy Hill built a reproducible sermon culture — one big idea, one application, and a Word-centered service every single week — so that no single voice is the linchpin. If you've ever wondered how to build a preaching culture, structure sermon prep, or make the weekend gathering the hub of your church, this episode is for you.

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  Breaking Barriers

  E133 - Building a Preaching Culture - Sermon Prep

  Sep 14, 202625 min

  What happens to a church's preaching when the lead pastor is gone for 12 weeks? Andrew Hopper and Bobby Herrington break down how Mercy Hill built a reproducible sermon culture — one big idea, one application, and a Word-centered service every single week — so that no single voice is the linchpin. If you've ever wondered how to build a preaching culture, structure sermon prep, or make the weekend gathering the hub of your church, this episode is for you.

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  Episode #26

  E132 - Why Churches Grow on Big Days, Not in Seasons | 3 Takeaways

  Sep 7, 202621 minS3

  Big days, first-time guests, and church growth strategy: this episode covers how to identify, plan, and maximize the days your church naturally sees a spike in attendance. We share our own big days calendar (Back to School weekend, Sent Weekend, Kids Week, Easter, Church at the Ballpark, and Christmas), the biblical case for big days from the book of Acts, and three practical takeaways every pastor can use to prepare for their next high-attendance Sunday. A must-listen for church leaders serious about outreach and first-time guest strategy.

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  Episode #25

  E131 - Why Most Churches Plan Too Late (And How to Fix It)

  Aug 31, 202631 minS3

  Most churches wait too long to plan, and it costs them their best ideas. In this episode, we break down our real, internal process for planning a church's entire year: starting with vision casting, moving into high-level calendar planning, building ministry-specific plans, and finally tackling budget and resource management. We also dig into the tension every growing church faces between staying nimble and planning ahead, and why the "speedboat vs. aircraft carrier" problem changes as your staff grows. If you're a pastor, executive pastor, or ministry leader wondering when, and how, to start planning next year, this episode gives you a practical framework you can use right now. Website: ⁠https://breakinggrowthbarriers.com⁠ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/breakinggrowthbarriers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakinggrowthbarriers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakinggrowthbarriers

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