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Reversal #4: From Critical Mass to Critical Yeast
Posted on: Tuesday September 01, 2026

Pre-Order Pete Scazzero's forthcoming book, Emotionally Healthy Success, at www.emotionallyhealthy.org/success and get a free chapter.

For years, I measured ministry impact by one word: bigger. I remember walking into one of the largest churches in America, watching thousands of people fill the room, and thinking, this is it, this is critical mass. A staff member who'd been there since it was a thousand people told me something shifted at 7,500. Point people in a direction, he said, and it felt like a tidal wave.

Jesus never built his kingdom that way. He picked twelve. Pulled three in closer. Sent seventy out two by two. The crowds came last, if they came at all. He called it yeast, a small amount, buried deep, working quietly until the whole loaf rises.

In this episode, I walk through the fourth of four reversals from my new book: the move from critical mass to critical yeast. If you've ever measured your ministry by the size of the room, this episode will show you a slower, harder, far more fruitful way to measure it.

A leadership formation intensive for pastors and leaders. Grow in practical EHD skills such as incarnational listening, clean fighting, and understanding your family of origin to build honest, life-giving relationships rooted in the love of Jesus.


Learn more about the 2026 FALL SEMESTER School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/leadershipschool/


Archives:
Tuesday January 07, 2020

In his first podcast of 2020, Pete shares with us the first five important questions that will make sure we make room for God to do His work in our lives. If we can learn to apply these questions to our lives, then these will surely help many leaders and preachers to preach in ways that will lead others to more authentic transformations. 

If you're ready to go deeper with the ideas shared on this podcast, the School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership is your next step. It's where leaders slow down, do the inner work, and come out equipped to lead from health instead of hurry. Learn more and apply for the upcoming Fall semester at emotionallyhealthy.org/leadershipschool.


Learn more about the 2026 FALL SEMESTER School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/leadershipschool/


Tuesday December 31, 2019

In his last podcast for 2019, Pete offers us an inside view of Moses and his leadership in the midst of great pressure at the Red Sea. It is through this pressure that Moses makes critical leadership choices, and Pete offers us a model of those five leadership choices for us to reflect on as we enter 2020.

 

 

 

If you're ready to go deeper with the ideas shared on this podcast, the School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership is your next step. It's where leaders slow down, do the inner work, and come out equipped to lead from health instead of hurry. Learn more and apply for the upcoming Fall semester at emotionallyhealthy.org/leadershipschool.


Learn more about the 2026 FALL SEMESTER School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/leadershipschool/


Tuesday December 24, 2019

In his podcast, Pete shares a critical truth that has shaped his life and leadership for many years. Pete expands on the spiritual truth found in the story of Mary's visit to Elizabeth. As you listen to this podcast, may you be able to meditate on the new thing God may be birthing in you. Jesus is inviting you to slow down to listen to Him. Will you do this for Him?

If you're ready to go deeper with the ideas shared on this podcast, the School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership is your next step. It's where leaders slow down, do the inner work, and come out equipped to lead from health instead of hurry. Learn more and apply for the upcoming Fall semester at emotionallyhealthy.org/leadershipschool.


Learn more about the 2026 FALL SEMESTER School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/leadershipschool/


Tuesday December 17, 2019

In this week's podcast, Pete touches on a subject that is a challenge to every leader-being able to have patience in a world that is impatient. Pete explains why learning to wait patiently is one of the greatest gifts we can give to those around us. May we be able to "Be still before the Lord" and learn to wait on Him.

If you're ready to go deeper with the ideas shared on this podcast, the School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership is your next step. It's where leaders slow down, do the inner work, and come out equipped to lead from health instead of hurry. Learn more and apply for the upcoming Fall semester at emotionallyhealthy.org/leadershipschool.


Learn more about the 2026 FALL SEMESTER School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/leadershipschool/


Tuesday December 10, 2019

In this week's podcast, Pete shares five specific leadership mistakes to avoid around the Christmas season. He shares from his personal mistakes that took many years to learn from, and in doing so, it is his prayer that you may also hear the voice of Jesus and that you may lead and serve others around Christmas.

If you're ready to go deeper with the ideas shared on this podcast, the School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership is your next step. It's where leaders slow down, do the inner work, and come out equipped to lead from health instead of hurry. Learn more and apply for the upcoming Fall semester at emotionallyhealthy.org/leadershipschool.


Learn more about the 2026 FALL SEMESTER School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/leadershipschool/


Tuesday December 03, 2019

In Part 2 of his podcast, Pete expands on the final five hard lessons he learned during his first 21 years serving as Lead Pastor at New Life. In sharing these lessons, Pete's hope is that future generations of leaders would profoundly meditate on these lessons and learn from these mistakes so they will not be repeated.

 

 

If you're ready to go deeper with the ideas shared on this podcast, the School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership is your next step. It's where leaders slow down, do the inner work, and come out equipped to lead from health instead of hurry. Learn more and apply for the upcoming Fall semester at emotionallyhealthy.org/leadershipschool.


Learn more about the 2026 FALL SEMESTER School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/leadershipschool/


Tuesday November 26, 2019

In part 1 of this podcast, Pete expands on lessons birthed out of difficult labor, costly mistakes, and painful suffering. He offers us the first five lessons that became a turning point for his life, and in offering these lessons, may future generations not repeat those mistakes.

 

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If you're ready to go deeper with the ideas shared on this podcast, the School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership is your next step. It's where leaders slow down, do the inner work, and come out equipped to lead from health instead of hurry. Learn more and apply for the upcoming Fall semester at emotionallyhealthy.org/leadershipschool.


Learn more about the 2026 FALL SEMESTER School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/leadershipschool/


Tuesday November 19, 2019

This podcast invites you into a lesson God brought into Pete's life that shifted his view of himself and his leadership when God met him powerfully through the story of David in 1 Samuel 17.

If you're ready to go deeper with the ideas shared on this podcast, the School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership is your next step. It's where leaders slow down, do the inner work, and come out equipped to lead from health instead of hurry. Learn more and apply for the upcoming Fall semester at emotionallyhealthy.org/leadershipschool.


Learn more about the 2026 FALL SEMESTER School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/leadershipschool/


Tuesday November 12, 2019

In this podcast, Pete answers the question, "How do you measure success in your own leadership and how might that be different from the way I'm measuring it today?"

Pete offers nine points as a response to that very important question.

 

 

If you're ready to go deeper with the ideas shared on this podcast, the School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership is your next step. It's where leaders slow down, do the inner work, and come out equipped to lead from health instead of hurry. Learn more and apply for the upcoming Fall semester at emotionallyhealthy.org/leadershipschool.


Learn more about the 2026 FALL SEMESTER School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/leadershipschool/


Tuesday November 05, 2019

When we step back to see the global, cross-racial, international, historical church as God sees, it is powerfully transformative. In part 3 of this podcast series, Pete expounds on why it is so essential to learn from Christians different than us, as well as from history if we are going to make serious disciples of Jesus. After giving a brief overview of church history, he shares ten treasures for mission from Scott Sunquist, President at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

If you're ready to go deeper with the ideas shared on this podcast, the School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership is your next step. It's where leaders slow down, do the inner work, and come out equipped to lead from health instead of hurry. Learn more and apply for the upcoming Fall semester at emotionallyhealthy.org/leadershipschool.


Learn more about the 2026 FALL SEMESTER School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/leadershipschool/