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Discussion Questions: 1. What does Mandy Smith mean when she says “limitation is a ministry resource,” and how does this perspective challenge traditional views of pastoral leadership? 2. Tod Bolsinger mentions taking notes anytime Mandy Smith speaks due to her wisdom. Can you recall a piece of advice or insight from a mentor or…
Discussion Questions: 1. How does Terry Walling’s personal journey from pastoring to leadership development reflect the larger shifts happening within church leadership today? 2. Walling suggests that the church is at a “defining moment.” What do you think this defining moment is, and how might it reshape the future of church communities? 3. What…
Discussion Questions: 1. Can resilience truly be learned only through experiencing suffering and fire, as Steve Carter suggests? How do you understand the connection between resilience and suffering or adversity? 2. Markus Watson mentions that Steve Carter was set to succeed Bill Hybels at Willow Creek Church but ultimately offered his resignation due to…
Discussion Questions: 1. How does Daniel Lee’s perspective on God’s relationship with individuals challenge common perceptions of theology within a multi-ethnic church setting? 2. Why does Daniel Lee emphasize the absence of modern-day racial constructs in the Bible, and how might this influence our understanding of biblical interactions between God and people? 3. In…
Discussion Questions: 1. Tod Bolsinger highlights the importance of taking responsibility as a fundamental aspect of leadership. How does this perspective align with your own understanding of leadership? In what ways might it differ? 2. How does Tod Bolsinger’s view on leadership as a collaborative experience resonate with you? Can you provide examples from…
Discussion Questions: 1. How did Adam McHugh describe the feeling of “phoning it in,” and have you ever experienced this in your own spiritual or professional life? 2. In discussing the transition from ministry to a different career path, what were some of the fears and challenges both Adam McHugh and Markus Watson shared?…
Discussion Questions: 1. How does Steven Garber define vocation, and what does it mean for every Christian to have a calling to participate in God’s work of bringing renewal to the world? 2. What does Tod Bolsinger mean by saying that vocation is integral, not incidental, to a person’s identity, and how does this…
Discussion Questions: 1. How does the concept of the first half and second half of life, as introduced by Richard Rohr, resonate with your own spiritual journey or that of leaders you know? 2. In what ways do you see the transition from doing to being present, and how has this shift impacted your…
Discussion Questions: 1. How does the concept of disequilibrium apply to various systems, such as ecosystems, biological systems, and business systems? 2. According to the discussion, why is prolonged equilibrium described as a precursor to death for a system? Do you agree with this assessment? 3. What does Tod Bolsinger mean when he says…
Discussion Questions: 1. How could your church begin to discern its specific parish boundaries and understand the unique needs within it? 2. Why does Tim Soerens emphasize the concept of a “minimum viable presence,” and how can this approach benefit the efforts of local churches in community engagement? 3. In what ways can churches…
Discussion Questions: 1. In what ways has the pandemic impacted congregations, and how has it influenced their approach to worship and community building? 2. How does Tod Bolsinger define adaptive leadership, particularly in the context of changing worship practices? 3. According to Bolsinger, what are the essential values that congregations should prioritize when considering…
Discussion Questions: 1. How do you personally relate to the concept of integrating faith and work, and how might Barry Rowan’s insights impact your perspective on your own career or business endeavors? 2. Consider Barry Rowan’s model of the “spiritual art of business cycle” (surrender, transformation, becoming new creations, going out), and reflect on…
Discussion Questions: 1. What is the difference between change and transition, and why is it important to recognize this distinction in leadership and personal development? 2. How does acknowledging loss and grief contribute to developing resilience and perseverance during times of transition? 3. In what ways can patience and intentionality help leaders and individuals…
Discussion Questions: 1. How does Michael Rhodes redefine discipleship to incorporate justice and mission, in contrast to E.K. Strawser’s perspective (Ep. 185: From Sunday Services to Real Transformation)? 2. What role does Rhodes believe justice plays in the biblical narrative and in the practice of discipleship? How does this challenge traditional views of discipleship?…
Discussion Questions: 1. In what ways do you think ministry leaders might struggle to be fully themselves in their roles? 2. How do you interpret the story of Moses and the veil in relation to the challenges of being authentic in ministry leadership? 3. Do you believe that leaders in professional ministry are more…
Discussion Questions: 1. How have clergy and congregations experienced resistance and tension in adapting to post-pandemic changes within congregational life? 2. In what ways has the pandemic impacted congregational dynamics, both positively (e.g., giving, attendance) and troublingly? 3. As a pastor, how does the information shared in this episode about congregational dynamics during the…
Q&A: 1. What does Andy Crouch mean by “meaningful risk” in the context of leadership and flourishing? 2. According to Tod Bolsinger, why is it important to discern what constitutes a meaningful risk in leadership? 3. How does vulnerability play a role in taking meaningful risks in leadership, as discussed in the episode? 4.…
Discussion Questions: 1. In the episode, Todd Hunter discusses the concept of “bad religion” and its impact on individuals and communities. What are some examples of bad religion that you have encountered, and how do you think they can be addressed within the church? 2. Todd Hunter emphasizes the importance of listening and engaging…
Q&A: 1. How does the quote from Alexia Salvatierra, “If you don’t listen, you can’t see what God is doing,” challenge traditional leadership notions, particularly the idea of vision casting? 2. In what ways does Tod Bolsinger describe Alexia’s unique ability to discern the work of the Holy Spirit, and how can leaders cultivate…
Discussion Questions: 1. How does Jeff Crosby’s exploration of the concept of an undivided life resonate with your own experiences as a leader or individual striving for spiritual growth? 2. Jeff Crosby discusses the importance of recognizing and naming our longings as a means of shaping healthy leadership and personal development. Can you identify…
Q&A: 1. How does the discussion about healthy anger in leadership apply to the challenges of addressing anger in ministry settings? 2. What strategies can be effective in navigating the dynamics of anger in ministry, considering both the leaders’ responses and the responses of those within the congregation? 3. Can you share a specific…
Discussion Questions: 1. What challenges does Roy Inzunza face as a corporate chaplain, particularly in a diverse workplace where most employees may not identify as Christian? 2. In what ways does Roy’s Doctor of Ministry degree help him in his role as a corporate chaplain? 3. What is the concept of moving from the…
Discussion Questions: 1. How can leaders effectively adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of church ministry? 2. What are some specific challenges that churches face when trying to be vital in a changing world? 3. How does anxiety affect the ability to be adaptive and creative as a pastor or church leader? 4. What…
Q&A: 1. How do you personally deal with conflict? Are you more inclined to avoid it or to confront it head-on? 2. What are some reasons why the absence of conflict may not always be possible or even good? 3. How can conflict be healthy and beneficial for personal growth and organizational progress? 4.…
Discussion Questions: 1. Jay Kim mentioned the challenge of syncretism in the church. In what ways do you see syncretism present in our modern church culture? 2. How does the context of the Colossian Christians parallel with our cultural moment today? Are there any specific challenges or ideologies that you can identify? 3. What…
Q&A: 1. What does Scot McKnight mean when he says, “We are not leaders of others, we are followers of Jesus”? 2. How can bad leadership be detrimental to a church or ministry? 3. How does Jesus challenge the notion of abusive and dysfunctional leadership? 4. What are some dysfunctional patterns of leadership that…
Discussion Questions: 1. Have you experienced any adaptive challenges in your leadership or ministry? How did you handle them? 2. How do you see the role of humility in adaptive leadership? Why is it important? 3. In your opinion, what are the key differences between technical challenges and adaptive challenges? How do they impact…
Q&A: 1. How does Chuck DeGroat’s quote about the story of God being a story of relationship apply to leadership? 2. What are the dangers of leaders lacking deep relationships? How does this lead to narcissism? 3. In adaptive leadership, why is it important for leaders to support and accompany others through change? 4.…
Discussion Questions: 1. How does E.K. Strawser’s perspective on discipleship align with your own understanding? 2. How do you define discipleship in your own context? How does it align or differ from Strawser’s definition? 3. What role do you believe mission plays in discipleship? How can discipleship without mission be limited or incomplete? 4.…
Q&A: 1. How have you personally experienced the challenges of ministry leadership during times of great change? 2. Do you agree with the statement that churches pre-COVID were overprogrammed and under-discipled? Why or why not? 3. What is the connection between programming and discipleship? How has COVID disrupted this connection? 4. Share an example…
Discussion Questions: 1. How does commodifying individuals in society and in the church go against the principles of valuing people beyond their societal roles and consumption patterns? 2. In what ways do you see the dangers of reducing people to their purposes and activities in today’s culture? 3. How do you think fame intersects…
Q&A: 1. According to Tom Sine, what are two past ways of thinking that hinder our ability to see the future? 2. In what ways does the Enlightenment and individualism impact our understanding of faith and community? 3. How does the quote from Tom Sine highlight the perspective of middle class white folks in…
Discussion Questions: 1. How have stories influenced your own spiritual formation and growth? 2. Are there any stories or narratives that you have accepted without critically examining them? How might this impact your faith? 3. How can the church create space for sharing and hearing each other’s stories? Why is this important for spiritual…
TIMESTAMPS: 00:01:32 Being vulnerable is crucial for leading churches through change. Stay open to correction, empathize with others, and reflect on yourself. Security in relationships is essential. 00:03:27 Leaders need three types of relationships: partners (who care more about the mission than themselves), friends (who care more about the person than the mission), and…
Discussion Questions: 1. How does the concept of being the “wrong person” for the job resonate with you in your own life or leadership roles? 2. Do you agree that salvation is about becoming the person God meant us to be? Why or why not? 3. What are some common interferences that prevent us…
TIMESTAMPS: 00:01:31 The Church Leadership Institute teaches adaptive leadership for a changing world. People resist change because they fear loss of the familiar. Letting go feels like abandoning family. We must prepare for an unfamiliar future. 00:04:00 The Lord’s Supper is a foretaste of the future wedding feast; we should focus on the future…
Discussion Questions: 1. How can churches effectively identify adaptive challenges and bridge the gap between the church and the community? 2. In what ways can churches listen to the hopes, longings, dreams, and joys of the community they serve? 3. Why is it important for churches to pay attention to changes in the community…
TIMESTAMPS: 00:01:43 The pandemic and political division have caused church and familial splits when people refuse to accept differing views. This goes against the teachings of Jesus to break down divisions. The church needs to focus on reconciliation rather than creating more divisions. 00:05:07 Jim Harrington on the Leader Journey Podcast, where Jim asks…
TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 Overworked preacher seeks rest, struggles with burnout in ministry. 00:04:19 Book inversion: Prevent burnout in ministry, become high capacity leader. 00:08:51 Control isolates; false sense of reality. 00:14:37 Control linked to childhood affects leadership negatively. 00:18:37 Avoid entanglements that dampen your flame. 00:23:21 Depend on Lord, choose right people, seek freedom. 00:26:01…
TIMESTAMPS: 00:01:16 Unresolved pain leads leaders to hurt others. 00:05:16 Ways trauma passes on. Loyalty vs. commitment. Q&A: 1. What is the quote mentioned that serves as a central theme for the discussion? The quote mentioned is, “If our pain isn’t transformed, it’s going to be transmitted.” 2. How does pain get transmitted…
TIMESTAMPS: [00:04:46] Navigating cultural allegiances as Christians and leaders. [00:07:25] Defining culture: soil or force field? [00:11:52] Culture’s magnetism shapes human perspectives and questions. JH Bavink identified “magnetic points” that religious thought always engages with. These points are meaning, power, ethics, religion, and aesthetics. They represent questions about connectedness, choices, goodness, facing anxiety, and…
TIMESTAMPS: [00:05:41] Scot McKnight grew up in a Baptist dispensationalist church but lost interest in eschatology after college. He became intrigued again during his Ph.D. studies on Jewish apocalyptic literature. [00:08:07] Scot McKnight discusses how he came to view the book of Revelation as part of the Jewish world at the time and not…
TIMESTAMPS: [00:04:45] Volf’s book explores idea of a worthy life, centered on God’s creation and redemption of the world for its own sake and our delight. Answering question of life’s meaning requires context of larger story. [00:08:40] The Bible suggests God created the world for His glory to dwell among the people. [00:11:28] Why…
TIMESTAMPS: [00:00:00] Imperfect church filled with various people. [00:04:21] “You can’t separate Jesus and the church.” [00:06:47] Pain leads to withdrawal from community. [00:13:07] American church challenges: which, minorities, margin, influence, opportunity. [00:14:45] Call to Christ, city, world, and each other. [00:20:49] Adjustment, persecution, scattering, faithfulness, cultural distinctives, discernment, courage. [00:22:18] “Surrendering control and…
TIMESTAMPS: [00:00:00] The Importance of Low Anthropology in Leadership [00:08:35] “The Fallout of a High Anthropology: Burnout, Vulnerability, and Loneliness” [00:15:12] “The True Nature of Love and Grace” [00:18:29] “Embracing Limitations and Doubleness as Humans” [00:23:44] “Churches Struggle to Meet Community’s Needs” [00:32:09] “Finding Freedom and Grace in Low Anthropology” [00:35:36] “Leading Ministries in…
TIMESTAMPS: [00:04:04] “Experiencing a Day of Midnight Sun: Interview with Lisa Lamb, Author of Resonate” [00:10:12] “Preachers: Embrace Vulnerability in Sermon Preparation” [00:14:02] “Declaring God’s Goodness: The Final Step” [00:18:03] Interpreting God’s Work in the Present: A Call to Action [00:26:06] “Preaching as a gift from God” [00:32:52] “Lisa Lamb shares tips for preaching…
Mark Lau Branson and Markus Watson discuss the question raised by “Modernity’s Wager.” That question is, “Can life be lived well without God?”
