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 is a religion podcast hosted by Church Boom, with 234 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Church Boom hosts Fly on the Wall Podcast With Chris Sonksen, a religion show with 234 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Fly on the Wall Podcast With Chris Sonksen

  227 | What Can the American Church Learn From the Global Church?

  Aug 18, 202637 min

  What can the American church learn from the global church? And just as importantly, what can the global church learn from us? In Episode 217 of Fly on the Wall , I sat down with Pastor Norman Gray, who helps lead a network of 1,100 churches across India , for one of my favorite conversations we've had on the podcast. Norman brought a perspective we don't often get to hear. He's preached in 45 countries and has watched churches grow rapidly in some parts of the world while others struggle to break through. We talked about what both sides of the global Church can learn from each other. The American church has incredible strategy, systems, and resources. But in many parts of the world, there's a level of loyalty, dependence on God, and spiritual hunger that we could learn from. The goal isn't one or the other. Spirit and strategy have to coexist. We also unpacked why some churches plateau, what separates simply getting bigger from actually becoming healthier, and why numbers can tell us more about the condition of our church than we sometimes want to admit. Here's some of what we unpack: What the American church can learn from churches around the world Why loyalty and reliance on God matter more than ever Why spirit without strategy and strategy without spirit both fall short The three stages of growth: personality, programs, and process The difference between being a fan of Jesus and truly following Him Why people everywhere want to feel loved, valued, and like they belong The metrics that can reveal whether your church is actually healthy Why pastors have to stop putting a positive spin on negative data How systems and processes can help a plateaued church grow again No matter where you lead, the culture may change, but many of the principles don't. Healthy churches need the Spirit of God AND the wisdom to steward what He's entrusted to them. Listen to Episode 217 of Fly on the Wall today. Follow us on social media + Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/church.boom + Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mychurchboom + Website: https://www.churchboom.org 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.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Fly on the Wall Podcast With Chris Sonksen

  226 | The Blind Spots Every Leader Needs to See

  Aug 11, 202617 min

  Every leader has blind spots. The problem is, if you could see them yourself, they wouldn’t be blind spots. In Episode 226 of the Fly on the Wall Podcast, I sat down with my good friend Pastor T.W. Norman for a practical conversation about leadership, team development, and how to keep your church from drifting back into old patterns. Because healthy leadership requires more than making the right decisions. It requires surrounding yourself with people who are willing to tell you what you can’t see. T.W. and I talk about why pastors need coaches and trusted leaders who have permission to speak honestly into their lives. We also unpack how to recognize whether someone on your team is truly in the right seat and what it takes to create lasting change in your church. Here's some of what we unpack: -Why every leader has blind spots -How coaches and trusted leaders can help you see what you're missing -Why defensiveness can keep leaders from growing -How to know whether someone on your staff is in the right seat -The connection between effort, results, and passion -Why great leaders bring out the best in the people around them -How to keep your church from drifting back into old routines -Why cultural change requires more than a one-time conversation -How attaching a positive outcome to change helps people embrace it One of the most important reminders from our conversation was this: “Organizations don't rise to the occasion near as often as they fall back to their routines.” That’s why leadership requires intentionality. We have to keep inviting honest feedback. We have to keep evaluating whether our people are positioned to thrive. And when we make healthy changes, we have to keep reminding people why those changes mattered in the first place. Otherwise, drift happens. If you want to become a more self-aware leader, build a stronger team, and create a healthier culture that lasts, I believe this conversation will give you some practical tools to do it. Follow us on social media + Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/church.boom + Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mychurchboom + Website: https://www.churchboom.org 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.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Fly on the Wall Podcast With Chris Sonksen

  225 | Don't Let Critics Determine Your Direction

  Aug 4, 202631 min

  Every leader will face criticism. The question isn't if it will happen. The question is whether you'll allow criticism to shape your leadership—or simply sharpen it. In Episode 225 of the Fly on the Wall Podcast , I sat down with Pastor Nick for an honest conversation about leading through criticism, building trust, creating healthy culture, and staying focused on what God has actually called your church to do. Because one of the greatest temptations for any leader is trying to keep everyone happy. And that's a battle you'll never win. Here's some of what we unpack: Why church planters often lose momentum by trying to do too much too soon How to build critical mass by focusing on a few things and doing them exceptionally well Why clarity creates momentum while ambiguity creates tension How to lead without becoming addicted to approval Practical ways to build trust with people who have been hurt by previous church experiences Why leadership should be earned through intentional development—not handed out too quickly How leadership circles and apprenticeships help build a healthy leadership pipeline The importance of creating an invitation culture instead of relying on a few big Sundays How stories and celebration shape the culture of your church One of the strongest reminders from our conversation was this: "You can't lead with authority if you're addicted to approval." Every pastor wants to care for people. But caring for people isn't the same as allowing every opinion to determine the direction of your church. Healthy leadership requires the courage to stay clear on the vision God has given you—even when not everyone agrees. If you've ever wrestled with criticism, struggled to stay focused, or wondered how to build a healthier culture in your church, I think this conversation will encourage you and give you practical leadership tools you can use immediately. Follow us on social media + Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/church.boom + Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mychurchboom + Website: https://www.churchboom.org 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.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Fly on the Wall Podcast With Chris Sonksen

  223 | Hire for Progress, Not Relief

  Jul 21, 202623 min

  One of the biggest leadership mistakes churches make isn't hiring too late. It's hiring for the wrong reason. When ministry gets busy, it's natural to want more help. But adding people simply to relieve pressure isn't the same as building a team that moves the mission forward. In Episode 223 of the Fly on the Wall Podcast , I sat down with Pastor Josh for a practical conversation about developing leaders, building healthy volunteer culture, and knowing when it's actually time to hire another staff member. Because every growing church eventually faces this question: "How do I know when it's time to add another leader?" The answer has less to do with workload and more to do with vision. Here's some of what we unpack: Why every hire should be made for progress—not just relief How to know if a new staff member will actually move the ministry forward The difference between a calculated risk and an acceptable loss when making hiring decisions Healthy financial guardrails every growing church should consider before adding staff Why volunteer appreciation events sometimes struggle with engagement—and how to change that How second- and third-level leaders shape the culture of your church Practical ways to identify and develop future leaders through leadership circles Why task should come before team, and team before title How to build a leadership pipeline that creates long-term growth One of the most practical moments in the conversation was this simple principle: "Don't hire for relief. Hire for progress." The real question isn't, "What will this person do for me?" It's, "What will our church be able to accomplish because they're here?" When you begin thinking that way, every staffing decision becomes far more strategic. If you're leading a growing church, developing volunteers, or trying to determine your next staffing move, I think this episode will give you practical tools you can apply immediately. Follow us on social media + Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/church.boom + Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mychurchboom + Website: https://www.churchboom.org 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.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Fly on the Wall Podcast With Chris Sonksen

  222 | Don't Let Your Calling Become a Career

  Jul 14, 202623 min

  Most pastors don't wake up one day and decide to become complacent. It happens slowly. The passion that once fueled the calling begins to feel more like routine. The dreams get replaced with responsibilities. Before long, ministry can start feeling more like a career than the calling God originally placed on your life. In Episode 222 of the Fly on the Wall Podcast , I sat down with Pastor Bill Savage for an honest conversation about coaching, leadership, volunteer teams, and one of the greatest dangers pastors face after years in ministry. Because every leader eventually has to wrestle with this question: "Am I still leading with the same hunger I had when God first called me?" It's a conversation every pastor needs to hear—whether you've been leading for two years or twenty. Here's some of what we unpack: Why every pastor—regardless of church size—needs coaching The difference between a mentor and a leadership coach Why coaching is an investment, not an expense Practical ways to lead and develop volunteer staff members How to maximize the limited time your volunteer leaders have Why priority management matters more than time management Creative ways to stay connected with volunteer leaders without overwhelming them How to avoid drifting into autopilot after years in ministry The powerful contrast between the two Sauls in Scripture—and what every leader can learn from them One of the most challenging moments in the conversation was this reminder: "Life and ministry start as a calling. If we're not careful, they slowly become a career." The difference between finishing well and simply surviving often comes down to what happens in the middle. Will we keep learning? Will we keep dreaming? Will we stay humble enough to receive coaching and hungry enough to keep growing? If you've been in ministry for any length of time, I believe this episode will encourage you, challenge you, and help you lead with fresh intentionality. 👍🏼 Follow us on social media + Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/church.boom + Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mychurchboom + Website: https://www.churchboom.org 👋 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.

  ListenShow Notes

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.