In a season where church scandals, spiritual abuse, and leadership failures are making headlines, how should Christian leaders respond?

This episode of Beyond the Numbers tackles ethical and moral dilemmas inside the church — from subtle favoritism and blurred boundaries to serious misconduct and leadership cover-ups.

This isn’t about outrage. It’s about integrity.

We talk about:

• Why accountability is biblical

• How leaders drift into compromise

• The danger of protecting platforms over people

• The difference between exposure and restoration

• Mandatory reporting and moral responsibility

• Why victims must be protected — not silenced

If you’re a pastor, ministry leader, youth pastor, church staff member, or committed church member, this conversation matters. Integrity should matter more than position. Character should matter more than brand. Truth should matter more than influence. Healthy churches don’t happen by accident.

They happen when leaders choose humility, transparency, and accountability — even when it costs them.

🎙 Subscribe for more conversations on healthy leadership, church culture, and ministry integrity.

Connect with me: https://jawilliams693.wixsite.com/beyond-the-numbers

#MoralFailure

#EthicalLeadership

#ChristianLeadership

#IntegrityMatters

#ChurchLeadership

#MinistryAccountability

#LeadershipIntegrity

#FaithAndCharacter

In this episode of Beyond the Numbers, Josh shares a deeply personal story that reveals how untreated wounds don’t stay private — they leak into leadership, culture, and relationships.

From a childhood hospital stay to years of ministry experience, this episode explores:

• Why churches are good at treating symptoms but afraid to address wounds
• How unhealed pain shows up as control, isolation, overwork, or spiritual language
• The difference between leading from scars versus leading from open wounds
• Why God can use you while wounded, but never intends for you to stay there

This isn’t an episode about shame.

It’s about responsibility, healing, and protecting the people we’re called to shepherd.

If you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or volunteer carrying pain beneath the surface — this conversation is for you.

🎧 Beyond the Numbers exists to help leaders pursue healthy, sustainable ministry — not just growth, hype, or metrics.

What happens when a leader replaces Jesus at the center of someone’s faith?

In this episode of Beyond the Numbers, Josh explores the hidden danger of leader centered faith— and why faith built on people eventually cracks. Through personal stories and honest reflection, we unpack how misplaced devotion forms, why it feels like discipleship, and what happens when leaders fall or disappoint.

You’ll hear about:

• Faith deconstruction that begins with devotion, not doubt
• How pastors unintentionally become idols
• The difference between discipleship and dependency
• Why healthy leadership always points past itself
• How to rebuild faith after church hurt or leadership failure

This episode is for pastors, ministry leaders, and anyone wrestling with faith after disappointment in the church.

Connect with me by visiting: jawilliams693.wixsite.com/beyond-the-numbers

What happens when loyalty in the church becomes toxic?

In this episode of Beyond the Numbers, we unpack how manipulation and control often hide behind spiritual language and expectations of “faithfulness.” We talk about the warning signs of toxic loyalty, why people stay in unhealthy systems, and what healthy leadership should actually look like.

This episode is for pastors, ministry leaders, staff, and anyone navigating church hurt or leadership pressure — and wondering if what they experienced was really biblical.

I would love to talk with you and hear your story. Check out the podcast website at: https://jawilliams693.wixsite.com/beyond-the-numbers

#ToxicLoyalty

#ChurchManipulation

#SpiritualAbuse

#ChurchHurt

#HealthyLeadership

#BeyondTheNumbers

#MinistryLeadership

#FaithAndHealing

#ChurchCulture

Ministry transitions don’t have to hurt people — but too often, they do.

In the Season 2 opener of Beyond the Numbers, Josh unpacks what happens when church leadership transitions go wrong — and what healthy, Gospel-centered handoffs actually look like.

From erased leaders to unhealthy comparisons, we explore why many transitions feel more like corporate rebrands than spiritual shepherding. Rooted in Scripture and real experience, this episode offers practical wisdom for incoming leaders, outgoing leaders, and churches navigating change with integrity.

If you’ve been wounded by a ministry transition — or want to lead one well — this conversation is for you.

#ChurchLeadership

#MinistryTransitions

#HealthyMinistry

#YouthPastor

#PastoralLeadership

#ChurchCulture

#BeyondTheNumbers

::Warning This Episode Does Talks About Navigating Abuse Including SA and More::

In this Voices From the Field episode of Beyond the Numbers, host Josh Williams sits down with Pastor Mark Sowersby, the author of "Forgiving The Nightmare", to talk about healing from deep trauma, forgiveness, and leading well after pain.

Mark shares his powerful story of surviving childhood abuse from ages seven to fourteen, and how that trauma shaped his faith, leadership, and understanding of forgiveness. Rather than minimizing the pain, Mark speaks honestly about the long journey of healing, the role of community, and why forgiveness is a process, not a moment.

This conversation is especially important for pastors, ministry leaders, and church staff who are carrying unprocessed wounds while still serving others. Mark also shares insights from his book, Forgiving the Nightmare, and offers practical wisdom for pursuing healing without letting pain become your identity.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Healing from childhood trauma and abuse
• Forgiveness as a process, not a quick fix
• Leading in ministry while wounded
• Healthy boundaries and emotional healing
• Why sharing your story matters for recovery and growth

If you’re a church leader, pastor, or ministry worker navigating pain, burnout, or unresolved trauma, this episode will meet you with honesty, hope, and grace.

👉 Subscribe/Follow for more conversations redefining healthy ministry

👉 Share this episode with a leader who needs encouragement

👉 Comment with what stood out to you from Mark’s story

Mark's Links:

Website and Info: https://forgivingthenightmare.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/forgivingthenightmare

#BeyondTheNumbers #VoicesFromTheField #ChristianPodcast #FaithAndLeadership #ministryleadership #Forgiveness #HealingFromTrauma #TraumaRecovery #ForgivingTheNightmare #ChildhoodTrauma #HealingJourney

What makes a ministry transition healthy—and why do so many go wrong?

In this Voices from the Field episode of Beyond the Numbers, Josh Williams sits down with returning guest Matt Holcomb, Student Director at Colonial Church in Wichita Falls, Texas, to talk about one of the smoothest and healthiest youth ministry transitions either of them has ever experienced.

Too often, church transitions feel rushed, unclear, or even divisive—leaving students, parents, and leaders confused or hurt. But Matt’s story offers a different way forward: intentional planning, clear communication, humility, and shared leadership.

In this conversation, we unpack:

• What a healthy youth pastor transition actually looks like

• Why transition plans matter (and why “winging it” usually fails)

• How overlap, communication, and trust build long-term stability

• The role of the outgoing pastor in setting the next leader up for success

• Why students need consistency, not competition

• Practical wisdom for churches, boards, and incoming leaders navigating change

Whether you’re a youth pastor stepping into a new role, a leader preparing to transition out, or a church trying to avoid unnecessary damage, this episode offers real-world insight and biblical leadership principles that prioritize people over platforms.

🎙️ Voices from the Field brings pastors and leaders together to share what’s actually happening on the ground—so we can grow healthier churches together.

👉 Watch / Listen now

📌 Subscribe for more conversations on church health, leadership, and ministry beyond metrics.

💬 Share this episode with a leader or church navigating transition right now.

Matt's Links:

Ministry Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colonialchurchstudents/

Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thematthewholcomb/

Connect with us: https://jawilliams693.wixsite.com/beyond-the-numbers

#BeyondTheNumbers #VoicesFromTheField #YouthMinistry

#ChurchLeadership #MinistryTransitions #NextGenMinistry

#HealthyChurch #YouthPastor #ChurchHealth #PastorLife

Christmas has always been my favorite time of year — the lights, the nostalgia, the warmth.

But there was one Christmas where I completely missed Jesus.

Not because I didn’t love Him…

But because I was too busy doing things for Him to actually be with Him.

If you’re a pastor, leader, or volunteer who’s exhausted by Christmas services, productions, or ministry demands — this episode is for you.

We’ll explore:

✨ Why so many ministry leaders “miss” Jesus during Christmas

✨ What Bethlehem teaches us about spiritual busyness

✨ How to refocus your heart and rediscover peace this season

✨ What healthy, restful ministry looks like at Christmas

Don’t rush through this season. Don’t miss Jesus.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of Beyond the Numbers — available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

#ChristmasMessage #ChristianPodcast #MinistryLeaders #BeyondTheNumbersPodcast #Jesus #Faith #ChristmasDevotional #ChurchLeaders #Burnout #Peace #Hope #NextGenMinistry #ChristianEncouragement #Advent #Bethlehem #PastorLife #ChurchLife #ChristianLeadership #FaithOverFear #MinistryBurnout #RestInJesus #Christmas2025 #MinistryHealth #ChristmasInMinistry #DontMissJesus