In this episode of the Be The Church Podcast, Joel Wayne sits down with Dr. James Hilton, Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, for a conversation on the difference between running a church and leading a movement. After 22 years of ministry, James reveals why the traditional “church growth” model often leads to burnout and how a shift in strategy can lead to radical multiplication.
Together, they unpack the “Developer vs. Doer” trap that many leaders fall into—rewarding those who simply execute tasks while ignoring those who could multiply leadership. From the miracle of a woman walking into a baptismal tank to the humble reality of church revitalization, this conversation explores how fear of losing control quietly kills kingdom growth.
You’ll learn why your greatest strengths might actually be the biggest barrier to God’s power and how to create an environment where the Holy Spirit, not your own ego, is the primary driver of movement. Whether you are leading a staff of 50 or volunteering in your local community, this episode will challenge you to stop filling holes and start developing developers.
What you’ll learn:
- The Movement Mindset: Why church growth is a miracle you can measure, but a movement is something only God can control.
- Doers vs. Developers: How to identify if your leadership systems are rewarding dependency or fostering multiplication.
- The Power of Revitalization: Why “weddings” between dying churches and passionate leaders may be the key to reclaiming Kingdom resources.
- Leading the High-Capacity Leader: How to make room at the table for entrepreneurs and “financial wizards” without feeling threatened.
- The Paradox of Strength: Why relying on your natural talents often keeps you from experiencing the “fresh manna” of God’s current work.
- Prophetic Leadership: The importance of calling out anointing in others and creating the right environment for spiritual formation.
About James Hilton
Dr. James Hilton serves as the Lead Teacher and Pastor at The Journey Church. He and his wife, Shana, have been happily married since 1997 and are blessed with four children: their son, Josiah; twin daughters, Halyn and Gracyn; and their youngest, Ansley.
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