In this episode of The Leader’s Journey Podcast, Jim Harrington is joined by coaches Rick Rorick and Nate Pyle to unpack what culture actually means within a church or organization—and why it matters more than we think. Together, they explore why “culture eats strategy for breakfast,” how culture shapes daily experiences for staff and volunteers, and how leaders can take intentional steps to build a healthy, life-giving environment that aligns with their values. If you’ve felt stuck in your church or organization’s culture, or if you’re wondering how to lead meaningful change, this conversation will give you both clarity and courage to take your next faithful steps.
Rick Rorick is a Leader’s Journey coach with decades of leadership in the business world, including at Invesco and Coca-Cola, bringing a passion for helping leaders and organizations build healthy, effective cultures.
Nate Pyle is the pastor of Christ Community Church in Fishers, Indiana, and the author of Man Enough and More Than You Can Handle. He coaches leaders to cultivate emotionally healthy systems within their teams and churches, helping them navigate change with integrity and clarity.
Conversation Overview:
- The true definition of culture
- Navigating the gap between aspirational values and lived experiences
- How addressing mistakes and conflicts builds healthier culture
- Why building culture requires personal transformation from leaders
- Why culture work is hard and why coaching is essential for lasting change
Resources:
- Man Enough by Nate Pyle – Explores masculinity and faith through the lens of Jesus.
- More Than You Can Handle by Nate Pyle – Challenges the cliché “God won’t give you more than you can handle” with practical faith for hard seasons.
- “Culture eats strategy for breakfast” – Often attributed to Peter Drucker, emphasizing the priority of culture over strategic plans.
- The Leader’s Journey – The coaching organization where Rick and Nate serve, offering culture-building processes, leadership coaching, and resources for emotionally healthy leadership.
- The Leader’s Journey Podcast on YouTube
