Leading Simple with Rusty George: Recent Episodes
Rusty George
Rusty George is the Lead Pastor at Real Life Church in Southern California; a multi-site church with campuses in Canyon Country, Valencia and a large online community. Under Rusty’s lead, Real Life has become one of the fastest growing churches in America–growing by 111% in 2011 alone.
Beyond leading his church of 6,000+ members every weekend, Rusty is a global speaker, leader and teacher focusing his message on helping people find and follow Jesus. Rusty has also written several books and writes regularly at pastorrustygeorge.com.
Aside from being a loyal Chiefs, Royals and Lakers fan, Rusty is first and foremost committed to his family. Rusty has been married to his wife, Lorrie, for over twenty years and they have two daughters, Lindsey and Sidney. As a family they enjoy walking the dogs, watching the Food Network and playing board games together.
Ever wonder what it takes to foster growth in a modern church, especially in a post-pandemic world? Then you'll want to join me for a real engaging conversation with Rich Birch, a church growth expert. Rich and I delve into the nitty gritty, discussing everything from the importance of communication within church ministries, to adapting the methods of the Attractional Church Movement in an evolving spiritual landscape. We examine the unique balance of roles within the church, and how to optimize the length of a message during services. The conversation gets extra interesting when we talk about fostering an 'invite culture,' a practice that has taken on a new level of importance since the onset of the pandemic. And of course, we couldn't leave out the significant connection between a robust volunteer culture and church growth.
Rich also shares some of his favorite resources for spiritual growth. Get ready to challenge your perspectives and be inspired by this candid conversation. And be sure to share it with a friend or two!
Special thanks to Subsplash for sponsoring this episode.
Resources
- Episode Transcript
- Connect with Rich
- Unseminary Instagram
- Unseminary Facebook
- Unseminary Website
I got to sit down with Pastor Matt Piland, a leader, family man, and Executive Pastor of the fast-growing Bethlehem Church. Drawing on his unique journey from Louisiana to the pulpit, Matt unravels the power of leadership coaching and how it has fostered his growth as a church leader. It was great to hear his insights on his responsibilities as an Executive Pastor, his camaraderie with the Lead Pastor, and the qualities he prioritizes in his Campus Pastors.
The conversation takes an interesting turn as we look at the dynamics of leadership within the church and the importance of communication, mutual respect, and avoiding bitterness on your team. We also get a chance to explore church growth post-pandemic and how we can measure growth in an era where more people are attending church online. If you're curious about how to help your church grow or about leadership coaching can help you grow, then this is the episode for you.
Special thanks to our sponsor for the month and one of our favorite ministry tools at Real Life Church, Subsplash, the first engagement platform for churches.
Resources
- Episode Transcript
- Connect with Matt
- A clip from Matt's most recent message.
- Bethlehem Church
- Leadership Alone Isn’t Enough: 40 Devotions to Strengthen Your Soul by Dan Reiland
- Episode 216: Leadership legend Dan Reiland makes culture simple
I had a chance to meet Kevin Lloyd, a pastor from North Carolina, and I knew I wanted him to join me on the podcast. Kevin shares his journey to becoming an executive pastor and provides insights on navigating leadership challenges while developing faith. He also opens up about the spiritual disciplines he adopted to help him stay grounded and connected to God during his transition. Kevin stresses the importance of godly relationships and finding rest. He also opens up about his experiences of loneliness while moving into his new role.
We shift gears to dig into how Emotional Intelligence (EQ) can impact leadership. We explore the challenges of helping someone with low EQ, figuring out how to tread the fine line between brutal honesty and empathy. I share my strategy of using performance evaluations to initiate the conversation and encourage growth, and touch on valuable resources like Aaron Burke's podcast series on EQ and the significance of tapping into someone's teachability.
Special thanks to our sponsor for the month and one of our favorite ministry tools at Real Life Church, Subsplash, the first engagement platform for churches.
Resources
- Episode Transcript
- Connect with Kevin
- LifePoint Church
- Courageous Pastors
- The Synergist by Les McKeown
- The Emotionally Healthy Leader (Made for More Leadership Podcast)b
Brian Dodd is back with some powerful insights from his new book, Mighty: Seven Skills You Need to Move from Pandemic to Progress, based on his popular blog posts from 2021. Listen in as he discusses how churches and small groups can leverage production, protection, perception, and passion for discipleship and leadership growth.
We also we take a look at church growth in a post-COVID world and the common threads that show up in successful churches. Hear how authenticity and genuine faith are driving church attendance and how pastors can connect with their congregations in this new landscape. Of course, it's not a Brian Dodd episode without some valuable lessons from sports, so we share lessons on leadership from the KC Chiefs' journey to the AFC Championship and a Super Bowl win, as well as valuable travel tips and the importance of kindness. Listen in, leave a comment, and let us know how you're finding success post-COVID.
Special thanks to our sponsor for the month and one of our favorite ministry tools at Real Life Church, Subsplash, the first engagement platform for churches.
Resources
- Brian Dodd on Leadership Website
- The Pursuit of Service Podcast
- Mighty: Seven Skills You Need to Move from Pandemic to Progress by Brian Dodd
- Connect with Brian:
- Listen to past episodes with Brian here:
- Bonus Episode: What Football Can Teach Us about Leadership with Brian Dodd & Mark Weigt
- Episode 198: How to make learning leadership simple with Brian Dodd
- Episode 234: Brian Dodd makes the college football playoffs simple
This week, we welcome back bestselling author and pastor Mark Batterson. It was great having him on the podcast to talk about his new book, which captures life's essence in three simple words. And we like simplicity here. As the conversation unfolds, we learn more about Mark's battle with cancer and the profound impact it had on his life. He also delves into his journey as a blogger and author, his approach to building a community, and his latest book that captures life's essence in three simple words. You'll be inspired by how he's managed to maintain a positive attitude and keep his faith strong through life's challenges. So, tune in to be part of this enlightening and thought-provoking discussion with Mark Batterson.
Special thanks to our sponsor for the month and one of our favorite ministry tools at Real Life Church, Subsplash, the first engagement platform for churches.
Resources
- Episode Transcript
- Mark Batterson's Website
- Please, Sorry, Thanks by Mark Batterson
- Connect with Mark
It's been an honor serving Real Life Church for the past 20 years. Join me and my lifelong friend Michael Hinton as we reflect on two decades of ministry at Real Life Church. Michael and I share our journey, discussing the highs, the lows, and the faithfulness of God throughout it all. Michael and I also explore the wisdom we've gathered from mentors and how it has shaped our ministry work.
We discuss the importance of asking questions, taking risks, and being wise stewards. We share insights on navigating the risks and wisdom involved in making major decisions. We also discuss how balancing roles as a pastor, husband, and father have taught us the importance of prioritizing quality time at home. This episode is packed with valuable lessons we’ve learned along the way, from leadership challenges to the power of prayer. So, join us as we reminisce, reflect, and share wisdom from 20 years of ministry at Real Life Church.
Special thanks to our sponsor for the month and one of our favorite ministry tools at Real Life Church, Subsplash: The first engagement platform for churches.
Ever wondered how to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be? Join us for this episode of Simple Faith with our guest, former pastor and current executive coach, Joseph King Barkley. It's great to have him back on the podcast as we talk about how to make transformation simple. In my chat with Joseph, we take a closer look at the power of mindset and commitment.
Joseph brings his expertise to the table, sharing his insights on phenomenology and introducing new ways of seeing our circumstances. He also introduces an interesting concept that challenges us to go past our limits and accomplish more. Finally, we talk about the unique role pastoral leadership plays in shaping the spiritual growth of a congregation. Listen in to this week's episode and share in the comments how you might be inspired to go on your own path of transformation and growth.
Special thanks to our sponsor for the month and one of our favorite ministry tools at Real Life Church, Subsplash, the first engagement platform for churches.
Resources
- Episode Transcript
- Joseph Barkley’s Website
- Connect with Joseph
- TikTok
I'm thrilled to be joined by Darren Whitehead, an extraordinary mind in the church world and founding pastor of Church of the City in Nashville. Darren shares his unique journey into ministry sparked by an unexpected visa error. We also dive into how Darren started Church of the City, how he uses humor to connect with people from the stage, and we reflect on his book Holy Roar, written with Chris Tomlin.
In this technology-driven world, Chris and Darren write about the power of worship – and the profound impact of seven Hebrew words used to express our adoration for God inside and outside the weekend service. From the role of millennials in the church to the importance of 'digital fasting', this episode is packed with some great insights. Listen in and share with a friend, because you won't want to miss this one!
Resources
- Episode Transcript
- Church of the City in Nashville, TN
- Holy Roar: 7 Words That Will Change The Way You Worship by Chris Tomlin and Darren Whitehead
- Connect with Darren
This season has seen a lot of job transitions. With tech layoffs and the great resignation, people have been seeking the perfect fit for them professionally. So what happens once you find that job and transition over? Adam Bishop knows a little about that and is on the podcast to talk about his experience with a job transition. I ask him about stepping into his new role at NewHope Church, and about how to manage change through transitions. We also talk about our experience with Courageous Pastors, a great leadership coaching organization.
If you’ve got a job transition you’re navigating or you’re just considering what that could look like for you, listen in to our conversation here.
Special thanks to our sponsor for the month, Subsplash, the first engagement platform for churches.
Resources
- Episode Transcript
- Courageous Pastors
- NewHope Church
- Connect with Adam
Two of my favorite people are on the podcast today: Pastors Mike Breaux and Gene Appel. If you’ve ever looked at your teaching calendar and been overwhelmed or unsure of where to start, then this is the episode for you. We dug into what building out a teaching calendar is like for a pastor, what to consider when building it out, and how use your teaching calendar as a tool to better care for your congregation.Between Mike and Gene, they have so many years of pastoral knowledge to share, so you won’t want to miss this episode.
Special thanks to our sponsor for the month, Saga Mental Health and Relationship Centers.
Resources
- Episode Transcript
- Connect with Gene Appel
- Connect with Mike Breaux
- YouTube
All of us wanna pray and be better at prayer. We just don't always know what to say. We panic when someone calls on us to pray in our small groups or at family gatherings. Maybe we even pull out one of the early prayers we memorized in Sunday School.But what if we could ask for something so much more? What if prayer could be so much more than praying for a good day or safe travels, but a real, open conversation with God?
In today's episode, I share the five prayers you can pray to change your day. Listen in and let me know which one resonated with you in the comments.
Special thanks to our sponsor for the month, Saga Mental Health and Relationship Centers.
Resources
- After Amen by Rusty George (Book, Audiobook, and Pastor Resources)
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Today, I wanted to share a few of my favorite books with you. These are books that really impacted the way I looked at my faith. I hope each recommendation could be helpful to your mind and soul this summer no matter where you are in your faith journey. Now, all the books mentioned in this episode are available as audiobooks as well. So if you're on the go all the time or if the idea of reading brings back memories of high school summer reading lists, trust that you're in good shape. Listen in to this week's Simple Faith to hear a bit more about why I picked these specific books, and let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Special thanks to our sponsor for the month, Saga Mental Health and Relationship Centers.
Resources
- Episode Transcript
- Invitation to a Journey: A Roadmap for Spiritual Formation by M. Robert Mulholland, Jr.
- Winning the War in your Mind by Pastor Craig Groeschel
- In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen
- Move by Brian Tome
Hey listeners! This month, we're doing something a little different and kicking off a new series: Simple Faith. Now don't worry, Leading Simple isn't going anywhere. We'll still be bringing you empowering content for church leaders. Simple Faith is a chance for us to give more focus to making faith simple. And there was no better episode to start this off with than this one.
Kyle Idleman is here to help us figure out how to follow God when your way isn't working. As a matter of fact, he wrote a whole book about it. Kyle and I dig into the process of writing that book and the lessons Kyle learned himself about following God. We also talk about how to slow down and let go of the pressure to perform so we can make room for a greater connection to Jesus. You can find Kyle's new book, When Your Way Isn't Working here and anywhere else you can purchase books.
Special thanks to our sponsor, Saga Mental Health and Relationship Centers.
Resources
- Episode Transcript
- Kyle Idleman's Website
This week’s episode was a dream come true for me. I had the chance to talk with Crawford Loritts, a pastor and evangelist with an incredible legacy. Crawford also happens to be the author of one of the best leadership books I’ve ever read (you can see some of my other recommendations here), and we get the chance to talk a bit about it as well.
We talked through his experience leading Fellowship Bible Church for 15 years, processed the impact of deconstruction on the church, and how we can impact the culture around us as Christian leaders. I know you're going to appreciate what he has to say, whether you're a church leader or a leader in a church.
Special thanks to Serve.HQ for sponsoring this week’s episode!
Highlights
Simplicity and Clarity - 1:34
- Crawford Lorrits’ background
- Becoming a cheerleader for leaders.
- Why simplicity and clarity are the keys to great leadership.
Church & Culture - 13:09
- Current trends in the church
- Crawford shares points of pride and heartbreak in the church
Getting back to basics - 28:12
- Rusty and Crawford talk through deconstruction & polarization in this age.
- Leadership as Identity
- Are we portraits of Jesus?
Resources (links to books mentioned, websites, etc)
- Leadership as an Identity by Crawford Lorrits
I had heard incredible things about Tiana Spencer as a pastor, speaker, and teacher. And I’ve got to say, I learned so much from her in our conversation. We got to talk about her love of teaching scripture and the encouragement she found to pursue it. She shared how she developed a desire for a more holistic faith. And I was moved to hear her talk about her passion for creating an emotionally healthy church. Maybe you’re wrestling with your calling or your identity. Or you’ve experienced some traumas that you’re working through. No matter where you fall on that spectrum, I think you’ll love hearing my conversation with Tiana.
Special thanks to Serve HQ for sponsoring this week’s episode!
Highlights
About Tiana Spencer - 2:47
- Tiana’s start leading bible study at 14
- Finding a starting point if you’re new to scripture
- What Tiana’s reading that’s impacting her
- How Tiana and her husband navigate ministry together.
Connecting with God - 12:59
- Tiana shares how her family connects with God
- Finding anchors to stay connected with
How Tiana found a passion for emotional healing in the church - 17:56
- How Albert Tate encouraged Tiana to teach
- Her own emotional journey
- Processing trauma and emotional healing in the church
- Developing her passion for holistic faith
Resources
- Tiana’s website
- Tiana’s Instagram
- The Other Half of the Church by Jim Wilder and Michel Hendricks
- Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas
- Children of Abraham Sermon by Tiana Spencer
- Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
- There are several resources around the Enneagram including but not limited to:
- Enneagram Today (an InterVarsity Press website)
- The Enneagram Institute (a focused view of the Enneagram)
- The Enneagram in Business (specific to business and leadership)
We’ve had some great guests come on the podcast to talk about their experiences with church planting, like Carl Kuhl, Tim Celek, and Joseph Barkley. You can listen to their episodes here, here, and here respectively. And we’re keeping that train going with our guest today.
Clint Dupin co-leads Eastown Church with his wife in San Jose, California. He gets honest with me about his experience going from a mega church to planting a church, leading that church plant during the pandemic, and the wisdom he’s gained along the way.
Special thanks to Serve HQ for sponsoring this week’s episode!
About Clint Dupin - 01:44
- Clint’s ministry background
- Clint shares about “the broken road” that led him to ministry.
Highlights and Lowlights - 13:53
- Planting a church: How do you know whether it’s from God or you?
- The highlights and lowlights Clint’s experienced
Clint keeps it real - 30:00
- Clint shares his COVID experience as a church planter.
- What it’s like co-pastoring with your spouse.
Resources
- Episode Transcript
- Eastown Church
- There are several resources around the Enneagram including but not limited to:
- Enneagram Today (an InterVarsity Press website)
- The Enneagram Institute (a focused view of the Enneagram)
- The Enneagram in Business (specific to business and leadership)
I had the chance to sit down with Shawn Lovejoy, an incredible pastor who shifted his focus from vocational ministry to developing a coaching program sure to change the lives of so many leaders. Shawn was coached by Dan Reiland, a guest on the podcast (you can listen to his episode here), and is now coaching pastors and business leaders on how they can make the days between their Sundays even better.
Shawn and I chat about how to have hard conversations with staff and what the best coaching clients he's taken all have in common. Shawn also digs into his books Be Mean About The Vision and Building A Killer Team Without Killing Yourself or Your Team. You won’t want to miss this episode full of incredible insights.
Special thanks to Serve.HQ for sponsoring this week’s episode!
I had the chance to sit down with Shawn Lovejoy, an incredible pastor who shifted his focus from vocational ministry to developing a coaching program sure to change the lives of so many leaders. Shawn was coached by Dan Reiland, a guest on the podcast (you can listen to his episode here), and is now coaching pastors and business leaders on how they can make the days between their Sundays even better.
Shawn and I chat about how to have hard conversations with staff and what the best coaching clients he's taken all have in common. Shawn also digs into his books Be Mean About The Vision and Building A Killer Team Without Killing Yourself or Your Team. You won’t want to miss this episode full of incredible insights.
Special thanks to Serve.HQ for sponsoring this week’s episode!
It’s not often that we talk politics on this podcast, so I know this will be controversial. I wanted to sit down with Theresa Brennan to help make sense of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, what it means for us, and how to better understand the variety of perspectives on this issue. I’m grateful that she took the time to sit down with me and process not just what happened, but what our responsibility is now as Christians. Take a listen to our conversation with an open heart and an open mind.
Special thanks to Serve.HQ for sponsoring this episode!
Highlights
About Theresa and the Right to Life League - 2:21
- Theresa shares about how she got started.
- The beginnings of the Right to Life League.
Making Sense of Current Events - 5:16
- Understanding the overturning of Roe v Wade.
- Answering some of the biggest questions surrounding abortion.
- The spiritual implications around abortion.
Practical Steps - 19:41
- The best way churches can support pro-life initiatives.
- Creating a healthy community for post-abortive women.
- What are the best next steps for your community?
Resources
- The Right to Life League
It’s not often that we talk politics on this podcast, so I know this will be controversial. I wanted to sit down with Theresa Brennan to help make sense of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, what it means for us, and how to better understand the variety of perspectives on this issue. I’m grateful that she took the time to sit down with me and process not just what happened, but what our responsibility is now as Christians. Take a listen to our conversation with an open heart and an open mind.
Special thanks to Serve.HQ for sponsoring this episode!
Highlights
About Theresa and the Right to Life League - 2:21
- Theresa shares about how she got started.
- The beginnings of the Right to Life League.
Making Sense of Current Events - 5:16
- Understanding the overturning of Roe v Wade.
- Answering some of the biggest questions surrounding abortion.
- The spiritual implications around abortion.
Practical Steps - 19:41
- The best way churches can support pro-life initiatives.
- Creating a healthy community for post-abortive women.
- What are the best next steps for your community?
Resources
- The Right to Life League
It’s not often that we talk politics on this podcast, so I know this will be controversial. I wanted to sit down with Theresa Brennan to help make sense of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, what it means for us, and how to better understand the variety of perspectives on this issue. I’m grateful that she took the time to sit down with me and process not just what happened, but what our responsibility is now as Christians. Take a listen to our conversation with an open heart and an open mind.
Special thanks to Serve.HQ for sponsoring this episode!
Highlights
About Theresa and the Right to Life League - 2:21
- Theresa shares about how she got started.
- The beginnings of the Right to Life League.
Making Sense of Current Events - 5:16
- Understanding the overturning of Roe v Wade.
- Answering some of the biggest questions surrounding abortion.
- The spiritual implications around abortion.
Practical Steps - 19:41
- The best way churches can support pro-life initiatives.
- Creating a healthy community for post-abortive women.
- What are the best next steps for your community?
Resources
- The Right to Life League
How can you prepare for sabotage?
What does it look like to build resilience as a leader in a time of conflict and controversy?
Tod Bolsinger explores these questions and more in his book Tempered Resilience, which I loved. Now, I hadn’t had the chance to meet Tod before we recorded this episode, but I learned so much from his input into how people can lead through uncertainty. Tod is a seminary professor, author, and leads a leadership coaching and consulting firm dedicated to helping faith leaders thrive as change leaders. That passion is evident in our conversation, and I’m so glad we had a chance to sit down together.
Let me know in the comments how you’ve been leading your church or your family through the unfamiliar. I’d love to hear some of your stories.
Special thanks to Serve HQ for sponsoring this week’s episode!
Highlights
About Tod Bolsinger - 1:26
- How Tod started in ministry
- The differences in ministry when Tod started versus now.
Digging into Tod’s books - 15:45
- Tod asks the question: how do you lead when you can’t rely on the old maps?
- How to prepare for sabotage.
- How to lead people through the unfamiliar.
Leading from the Center - 28:56
- How to disappoint people at a rate they can absorb.
- Where Tod see the church going ten years from now.
- What Tod would say to people in the church who are frustrated right now.
How can you prepare for sabotage?
What does it look like to build resilience as a leader in a time of conflict and controversy?
Tod Bolsinger explores these questions and more in his book Tempered Resilience, which I loved. Now, I hadn’t had the chance to meet Tod before we recorded this episode, but I learned so much from his input into how people can lead through uncertainty. Tod is a seminary professor, author, and leads a leadership coaching and consulting firm dedicated to helping faith leaders thrive as change leaders. That passion is evident in our conversation, and I’m so glad we had a chance to sit down together.
Let me know in the comments how you’ve been leading your church or your family through the unfamiliar. I’d love to hear some of your stories.
Special thanks to Serve HQ for sponsoring this week’s episode!
Highlights
About Tod Bolsinger - 1:26
- How Tod started in ministry
- The differences in ministry when Tod started versus now.
Digging into Tod’s books - 15:45
- Tod asks the question: how do you lead when you can’t rely on the old maps?
- How to prepare for sabotage.
- How to lead people through the unfamiliar.
Leading from the Center - 28:56
- How to disappoint people at a rate they can absorb.
- Where Tod see the church going ten years from now.
- What Tod would say to people in the church who are frustrated right now.
How can you prepare for sabotage?
What does it look like to build resilience as a leader in a time of conflict and controversy?
Tod Bolsinger explores these questions and more in his book Tempered Resilience, which I loved. Now, I hadn’t had the chance to meet Tod before we recorded this episode, but I learned so much from his input into how people can lead through uncertainty. Tod is a seminary professor, author, and leads a leadership coaching and consulting firm dedicated to helping faith leaders thrive as change leaders. That passion is evident in our conversation, and I’m so glad we had a chance to sit down together.
Let me know in the comments how you’ve been leading your church or your family through the unfamiliar. I’d love to hear some of your stories.
Special thanks to Serve HQ for sponsoring this week’s episode!
Highlights
About Tod Bolsinger - 1:26
- How Tod started in ministry
- The differences in ministry when Tod started versus now.
Digging into Tod’s books - 15:45
- Tod asks the question: how do you lead when you can’t rely on the old maps?
- How to prepare for sabotage.
- How to lead people through the unfamiliar.
Leading from the Center - 28:56
- How to disappoint people at a rate they can absorb.
- Where Tod see the church going ten years from now.
- What Tod would say to people in the church who are frustrated right now.
Drew Moore is my guest this week, and I’m so glad to have him on the podcast. Drew is the lead pastor of Canyon Ridge Church, a church in Las Vegas that has an incredible legacy. The founding pastor is my friend and friend of RLC, Mike Breaux (you can hear Mike on the podcast here). Watching Drew's journey, I can say that I've learned so much from him about what it means to make disciples and I hope you'll appreciate his insights too.
Drew and I talk about his journey becoming lead pastor, leading a church through a transition to a new direction, and practical ways to make discipleship simple for your church.
Highlights
About Drew Moore - 1:55
- Drew’s background
- What it’s like leading a church in Las Vegas, Nevada
Forging a new path - 10:39
- Following Mike Breaux and leading Canyon Ridge in a fresh direction.
- Drew’s goal and how his church got there.
How to make disciples in this day and age - 21:48
- How to approach discipleship with your average, first time attender.
- Assumptions we make about the impact of a weekend service.
Resources
- Episode Transcript
- Canyon Ridge Church in Las Vegas
- No Place Left - organization
- T4T (Training for Transformation) - organization
- The Starfish and the Spirit (KC Underground) - microchurch conference
- Future Church by Cory Hartman and Will Mancini
- A Beautiful Constraint by Adam Morgan and Mark Barden
- The Other Half of Church by Jim Wilder and Michel Hendricks
Drew Moore is my guest this week, and I’m so glad to have him on the podcast. Drew is the lead pastor of Canyon Ridge Church, a church in Las Vegas that has an incredible legacy. The founding pastor is my friend and friend of RLC, Mike Breaux (you can hear Mike on the podcast here). Watching Drew's journey, I can say that I've learned so much from him about what it means to make disciples and I hope you'll appreciate his insights too.
Drew and I talk about his journey becoming lead pastor, leading a church through a transition to a new direction, and practical ways to make discipleship simple for your church.
Highlights
About Drew Moore - 1:55
- Drew’s background
- What it’s like leading a church in Las Vegas, Nevada
Forging a new path - 10:39
- Following Mike Breaux and leading Canyon Ridge in a fresh direction.
- Drew’s goal and how his church got there.
How to make disciples in this day and age - 21:48
- How to approach discipleship with your average, first time attender.
- Assumptions we make about the impact of a weekend service.
Resources
- Episode Transcript
- Canyon Ridge Church in Las Vegas
- No Place Left - organization
- T4T (Training for Transformation) - organization
- The Starfish and the Spirit (KC Underground) - microchurch conference
- Future Church by Cory Hartman and Will Mancini
- A Beautiful Constraint by Adam Morgan and Mark Barden
- The Other Half of Church by Jim Wilder and Michel Hendricks
Drew Moore is my guest this week, and I’m so glad to have him on the podcast. Drew is the lead pastor of Canyon Ridge Church, a church in Las Vegas that has an incredible legacy. The founding pastor is my friend and friend of RLC, Mike Breaux (you can hear Mike on the podcast here). Watching Drew's journey, I can say that I've learned so much from him about what it means to make disciples and I hope you'll appreciate his insights too.
Drew and I talk about his journey becoming lead pastor, leading a church through a transition to a new direction, and practical ways to make discipleship simple for your church.
Highlights
About Drew Moore - 1:55
- Drew’s background
- What it’s like leading a church in Las Vegas, Nevada
Forging a new path - 10:39
- Following Mike Breaux and leading Canyon Ridge in a fresh direction.
- Drew’s goal and how his church got there.
How to make disciples in this day and age - 21:48
- How to approach discipleship with your average, first time attender.
- Assumptions we make about the impact of a weekend service.
Resources
- Episode Transcript
- Canyon Ridge Church in Las Vegas
- No Place Left - organization
- T4T (Training for Transformation) - organization
- The Starfish and the Spirit (KC Underground) - microchurch conference
- Future Church by Cory Hartman and Will Mancini
- A Beautiful Constraint by Adam Morgan and Mark Barden
- The Other Half of Church by Jim Wilder and Michel Hendricks
If you've been listening to the podcast for a while, then you've heard me speak to some incredible pastors who have led their churches through different tragedies and transitions. Navigating through a crisis is no easy feat. I know on our end, we've done some things right and we've done some things wrong. But through it all, we've had these experiences that we don't feel like we should keep to ourselves. That's why I’m grateful to Fred Gray, the executive pastor at Real Life Church.
Fred and I designed a course called Leading Through Crisis. Our hope is to equip you with ways to lead through a crisis as healthily as possible, so you don’t have to become one.
Now, I’d love for you to check out the course. There are so many great resources available including how to address a national loss, how to work with the press, and the preventative measures you should take before a crisis ever happens. If you’re curious and want a deeper dive into why we created this course, join my conversation with Fred Gray as we talk through our experiences leading through crisis.Special thanks to ServeHQ for sponsoring this week!
Highlights
Rusty & Fred remember their experiences leading through crisis - 2:38
- How Fred started at Real Life Church
- The importance of having a healthy staff.
- Communicating well when a crisis occurs
Preparation is Key - 14:17
- How do you need to prepare for a crisis before it occurs?
- A bit more background about the Leading Through Crisis leadership course.
- What Rusty and Fred did right, wrong, and do differently now.
What to do when you hit the wall - 19:32
- Fred’s shares his own experience hitting the wall.
- Healthier ways to cope with burnout.
- What would Fred say to himself 10 years ago?
Resources
- Episode Transcript
- Leading Through Crisis Course
My guest this week is Andrew Stanley. If his name sounds familiar, it’s just might be. His dad is Andy Stanley (you can listen to Andy on the podcast here), and his grandfather is Charles Stanley, both well known pastors. And Andrew’s carrying on the torch of on-stage communication in a different way as a stand up comedian.
I had a chance to sit down with Andy to hear more about how he got into stand up and nerd out about the ins and outs of being a comedian. Andy also shares his tips for how you can find the funny in your own life.
My guest this week is Andrew Stanley. If his name sounds familiar, it’s just might be. His dad is Andy Stanley (you can listen to Andy on the podcast here), and his grandfather is Charles Stanley, both well known pastors. And Andrew’s carrying on the torch of on-stage communication in a different way as a stand up comedian.
I had a chance to sit down with Andy to hear more about how he got into stand up and nerd out about the ins and outs of being a comedian. Andy also shares his tips for how you can find the funny in your own life.
I love getting to talk sports on the podcast, and man, have we had had some incredible guests this year, including Ned Yost from the Kansas City Royals and Marty Lamb from the LA Dodgers. (You can listen to my episodes with Ned and Marty here).
Today, you’ll get to hear from Kevin Burrell. Kevin is a talent scout for the Chicago White Sox. I sit down with Kevin to talk shop as he takes me through what day-to-day life as a talent scout looks like. Kevin also shares his passion for discipleship, and how he lives that out in his career today. If you are a baseball fan, you’re in for a great episode. But you don’t have to be a baseball fan to get some incredible value from what Kevin has to share this week.
Special thanks to Serve.HQ for sponsoring this week’s episode!
Highlights
About Kevin Burrell - 2:26
- Kevin’s start as a baseball player himself.
- What scout life looks like for Kevin.
- A few things Kevin knows that he wishes he knew when he started.
What do scouts look for in a team player? - 8:11
- The three intangible Cs scouts (and hiring managers) can look for.
- What the progression to the major leagues actually looks like.
Minister in disguise as a scout - 18:13
- Kevin’s own faith journey
- How Kevin disciples coaches and scouts.
- The seven steps of discipleship Kevin walks through.
Monte Wilkinson is a pastor, a mentor, and one of my closest friends. I have to say that I wouldn’t be the pastor I am today without his example. He’s the lead minister at NorthEast Christian Church out in Lexington, Kentucky, and has seen a thing or two when it comes to leading a ministry. I can’t wait for you to hear the wisdom Monte shares.
Take a listen to our conversation as Monte talks about what it was like having me as an intern, the lessons he learned transitioning into a new church, and how the golden rule influences the way that he leads.
Special thanks to ServeHQ for sponsoring this week’s episode!
Highlights
About Monte Wilkinson - 2:59
- A bit about Monte
- How he came to ministry
- Meeting Rusty as an intern
Leading simply from internships to lead pastoring - 05:41
- The value of internships
- Transitioning from Southland to NorthEast
- Building up disciplined time with God
More life wisdom from Monte - 37:40
- How to transition healthily from a staff role to a leadership position.
- Righting the ship after a difficult transition.
- How Rusty learned to integrate humor and reality in his sermons.
- The most valuable leadership tool you can use in your relationships.
Resources
- Episode Transcript
- NorthEast Christian Church in Lexington, KY
Volunteering at church looks different in today’s landscape. How do you navigate those waters? I had the chance to sit down with Scott Magdalein for this episode to tackle that issue.
I know leaders are trying to figure out how to recruit and support their volunteers. I hope this episode is a helpful resource for you. Listen in as Scott and I talk about how to find healthy spiritual rhythms after COVID. Scott also shares how ServeHQ can help leaders train their volunteers better, and we talk through the question that churches can ask themselves when they see volunteerism down.
Podcasts have been such a valuable part of my life.
From Craig Groeschel and Andy Stanley to Annie F Downs and my friend Michael Hinton, I’ve been able to learn from the things they’ve shared over the years. And when I started sharing my own experiences and conversations with different leaders on Leading Simple, I had no idea where we would be 217 episodes later. I’m grateful for every person who’s listened, left a comment or review, or shared an episode with someone.
So today, I want to shift my focus to you: the listener.
I’ll be announcing the winner of the listener giveaway. You’ll get to hear some exciting news about something special I’ve been working on behind the scenes. You’ll also get a preview of some of the great episodes coming up this month.
Thanks for listening, and a special thanks to this month’s sponsor, ServeHQ.
Here’s where you can find some of Rusty’s favorites:
Skyline Chili
The Road Less Stupid by Keith J. Cunningham
Kansas City Chiefs Jersey
Leadership looks like getting comfortable with growth, taking risks, and appreciating the journey along the way. And this week, we have someone who is a living, breathing example of how to live that out that well. Dan Reiland is an author, leadership coach, executive pastor, and a legend when it comes to innovation in the world of ministry. He’s passionate about developing and empowering leaders; you can hear that passion come through in our conversation.
You’ll get to hear Dan share about interning with John Maxwell, how he learned to live out his calling to reach people, and why focusing on the culture you’re building is a crucial part of leading an organization. I’m telling you, this episode is a masterclass in ministry and leadership no matter where you are in your journey.
Special thanks to Stadia Church Planting for sponsoring this week’s episode!
Highlights
Who is Dan? - 2:24
- How Dan Reiland broke John Maxwell’s internship.
- The life lesson he applies the most to this day.
- How Dan started blogging before blogging was blogging.
- Finding your rhythm and staying in your lane.
Leadership as an Executive Pastor - 17:19
- The different roles an Executive Pastor (XP) can play.
- The strategy behind bringing on an executive pastor.
- Advice for anyone stepping into the XP role for the first time.
Lessons from Great Leaders - 30:28
- Lessons from John Maxwell and Kevin Meyers.
- What is culture?
- Infusing the good and filtering out the bad in the cultural waters of an organization.
Resources
- Dan’s Facebook
- Dan’s Twitter
- Dan’s Website
- Confident Leader!: Become One, Stay One by Dan Reiland
- Culture Wins: The Roadmap to an Irresistable Workplace by William Vanderbloemen
- Leadership Alone Isn't Enough: 40 Devotions to Strengthen Your Soul by Dan Reiland
Jodi Tonarelli is my guest this week, and it's an honor to have her on the podcast. Her background in broadcast journalism (and a lot of prayers) led her to the role of Executive Pastor at The Ridge Community Church, where Mark Weigt is the lead pastor. You can hear my conversation with Mark on the podcast here. I enjoyed hearing her take on what an executive pastor does and her journey navigating that role.
There were some great takeaways from this conversation: From how to seek God before stepping into a new role to what leaders can do to create a more inclusive workplace. I'm telling you, what you'll learn from her when it comes to leadership will benefit you no matter what you do.
Special thanks to Stadia Church Planting for sponsoring this week's episode!
Highlights
About Jodi Tonarelli - 2:48
- How she got started at The Ridge.
- Her background in Broadcast Journalism
- What the transition from working outside of the church to working in the church was like for Jodi.
Being an Executive Pastor - 12:07
- What goes into being an executive pastor?
- Learning to balance the goals and the mission.
- Do’s and Don'ts for being an executive pastor.
Leaving the Door Open - 26:30
- Wrestling through what being a woman in her role means.
- What male pastors can do to better empower women.
- How to manage wearing multiple hats in your organization.
Resources
- Jodi’s Twitter
- Jodi’s LinkedIn
- The Ridge Community Church in Greenfield, Wisconsin
- The Ridge - YouTube
- The Four Disciplines of Execution by Sean Covey
- Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God by Mark Batterson
What do Notre Dame, the Coachella Valley, and John Adams have in common?
Ricky Jenkins is the Senior Pastor of Southwest Church in Indian Wells, CA, a Gospel-Centered, Multiethnic, Intergenerational church. We had the chance to talk through what it’s like leading a church that has navigated difficult transitions and trauma. He also highlighted why authenticity is key to leading a multiethnic church. There were so many noteworthy moments in this conversation that I couldn’t even write all of them down. Trust me: If you’re leading a church or any organization and you’ve questioned how to support a hurting church or how to shift the culture of your church, you’ll love this episode.
Special thanks to Stadia Church Planting for sponsoring this episode!
Highlights
About Pastor Ricky Jenkins - 2:25
- What brought Ricky and his family to Southwest Christian Church.
- The rewards and challenges of pastoring in the Coachella valley.
- Leading a church through crisis and trauma.
Gospel Centered. Multiethnic Make. Intergenerational Walk - 18:09
- What leading a multiethnic, multigenerational church means to Ricky.
- The arc of reconciliation throughout scripture.
- What does it look like to shift a church’s culture?
A Vision for Revival - 31:44
- Ricky’s prayer for California
- Ricky’s top book recommendations for summer reading.
90% of new churches in America are small churches, and there are some incredible lessons we can learn from what those are doing well. Our guest, Karl Vaters, is a champion for building a healthy small church, and I'm glad to have him back on the podcast. You can take a listen to the first episode we recorded here.
Karl sheds light on small churches' advantages when connecting with new people and shares some essential tips that anyone can integrate into their organization. He also gives a behind the scenes look at his upcoming book, the process of writing it, and what it means to be a proactive leader rather than a reactive leader. Whether you're a business owner, a pastor, or a church leader, there's something for you in our conversation.
Special thanks to Stadia Church Planting for sponsoring this week's episode!
Highlights
Lessons from small churches - 02:48
- What every church can learn from navigating COVID.
- How churches can stand out in an increasingly digital world.
- The difference between visiting a small church and a megachurch for a newcomer.
Creating a non-downloadable experience - 11:10
- How you can G.I.F.T somebody this week.
- Building the bridge to intentional relationship.
- What’s working well to help people grow in their faith?
A closer look at how we “do” church - 21:49
- Innovation and rethinking what the church can look like.
- Is there a singular best way to lead a church?
- What are the metrics that matter most in tracking a church’s success?
- Being a proactive pastor and leader.
Planting a church isn't easy. There are so many factors to consider, like where you'll plant the church and how to support the community you'll serve.
Carl Kuhl knows a thing or two about that experience, and I'm glad to have him on the podcast this week to share his insights. He's a pastor, a church planter, and an incredible leader with a fascinating perspective on leading a church.
Not only do we dig into the ins and outs of church planting, but I also had the chance to talk with Carl about his new book Blood Stained Pews and the life change that can happen when people in the church are less afraid to be honest about their struggles.Special thanks to Stadia Church Planting for sponsoring this episode!
Highlights
About Carl - 1:56
- Carl’s start in ministry.
- The benefits of growing up in a healthy church.
- How the seed was planted in Carl to start planting churches.
Planting Mosaic Christian Church - 16:32
- How Carl landed on Baltimore as the location to plant Mosaic.
- Learning the culture of the area.
- The toughest thing about being a lead pastor
Blood Stained Pews - 25:00
- The story behind the blood stained pews
- Why Carl chose to write this book.
- The value of vulnerability and what it means for us to go first.
Resources
- Carl’s Instagram
- Carl’s Facebook
- Carl’s Twitter
- Carl’s Website
- Mosaic Christian Church
- Blood Stained Pews: How Vulnerability Transforms a Broken Church into a Church for the Broken by Carl Kuhl
Everyone has opinions, and as a Pastor, I have the pleasure of hearing a lot of them, particularly regarding my teaching style.
You're not deep enough.
You talk too much sports.
We want more Bible.
We want less Bible.
How about some Greek or Hebrew.
I wish you would __________________. (You can fill in the blank)
For a long time, I didn't know what to do with that feedback. So I broke how I preach. Or, in other words, I broke myself trying to be someone else. Emulating what I thought people wanted, I looked at the success of other pastors and incorporated their style into what I did. It took me a while to learn the lessons I want to share with you on this episode of How I Broke This.
Marty Lamb is a scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He’s signed some incredible talent from high schools and colleges. Learning how to spot talent early isn’t an easy feat, so I’m grateful to hear some of his insights on what it takes to do just that every day. We get a chance to talk about some of his learnings on the road and the highlights of his career so far. Marty also takes time to share about the incredible work he does with Refuge for Women, a non profit organization that supports survivors of sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Special thanks to our sponsor Stadia for sponsoring this episode!
Highlights
About Marty Lamb - 2:11
- Marty’s start as a baseball player.
- How he became a baseball scout.
What Does it Take to Spot Talent? - 08:29
- The qualities Marty looks for in an up-and-coming player.
- What makes an LA dodger different from other players?
- How do you balance the analytics with the classic way of scouting talent?
Marty’s Work with Refuge for Women - 43:32
- What is Refuge for Women?
- An in-depth look at the work they do to help women recover from sexual exploitation.
Resources
- Marty's Twitter
- Marty's Instagram
- https://www.mlb.com/dodgers
- https://refugeforwomen.org/ - Refuge for Women
- https://refugeforwomen.org/socal/ - The Southern California Branch of Refuge for Women
- https://survivormade.org/ - Products made by those housed by Refuge for Women.
Some of the best leadership lessons I've learned have come from conversations I've had with sports legends like Ned Yost on the podcast (you can listen here as he talks about how to build a winning team culture). But there's nothing like learning alongside a friend. That's why I'm glad to have Brad Williams back for this episode of Leading Simple. Join us as we sit down to talk about the lessons on leadership we’ve picked up on throughout the summer, our hopes for the Lakers, and why magnifying the positive is crucial for any leader.
Special thanks to Stadia for sponsoring this month's podcast.
Resources
- Blood in the Garden: The Flagrant History of the 1990s New York Knicks - Chris Herring
- Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win - Jocko Willink and Lief Babin
- Discipline Equals Freedom - Jocko Willink
- Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley's Bill Campbell - by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, and Alan Eagle
- A Beautiful Constraint - Andrew Morgan and Mark Barden
- Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men - Stephen Mansfield
- Become Your Most Masculine Self - Devotional
- Not in It to Win It: Why Choosing Sides Sidelines The Church - Andy Stanley
- Top Gun: Maverick - movie starring Tom Cruise
Kyle Idleman from Southeast Christian Church is my guest for this week's episode. What you may not know is that Kyle is the one who planted Real Life Church, where I am today.
As we sat down, I learned a bit more about what it was like for Kyle to grow up under the microscope as a pastor's kid. (Something my daughters know a little something about. You can listen to their take on being a pastor's kid here). He shared with me how being open and authentic can be a catalyst for a better connection with your people. We also got to talk about his new book One at a Time. Kyle shares some great insights in this episode that I hope are helpful for you too.
Special thanks to our sponsor for the month, Stadia Church Planting!
Highlights
About Kyle - 2:05
- Kyle’s start in ministry
- Planting Real Life Church
From under the microscope to in the fishbowl - 20:28
- Kyle’s experiences as a pastor’s kid
- How that helped him navigate being a pastor himself
- Understanding brokenness
- The importance of vulnerability in leadership
Leading Southeast Christian Church - 33:02
- Stepping into the senior pastor role at Southeast Christian
- What it was like following not just one legend but two
- How to navigate a pastoral transition well.
Resources
- Kyle’s Website
- One at a Time - Kyle Idleman's book
- Southeast Christian Church
The Kansas City Royals were a significant part of my childhood. So, imagine how excited I am to have Ned Yost on the podcast. Ned Yost was the manager of the Kansas City Royals in 2014-15 when they went to the World Series and won. Ned and I sit down and talk all things baseball, of course. I got to hear some of the lessons he’s learned as a coach, how he listened to his instincts and honed his ability to develop talent. Ned also talked about his faith journey: how he because a Christian and how his faith ultimately impacted his coaching. You don’t have to be a baseball fan to learn incredible lessons from Ned’s life and leadership. And if you are a baseball fan, I have to say that this will be a special episode for you.
Lance Witt joins me on the podcast this week, and we’re talking about burnout. Burnout is an issue that I think every person, no matter their industry, has had to navigate. Lance openly shares his experience as a pastor at Saddleback and the pivotal moment when he realized he needed a shift in his life. Lance also provides some helpful tips on combating burnout and increasing your self awareness, so that you can lead and work from a healthier place.
Savannah Kimberlin is the Director of Research Solutions at Barna Group, and I am honored to have her as a guest on the podcast this week. Sometimes, data and statistics can be a little intimidating to people (myself included). Thankfully, there are people like Savannah and the incredible team at Barna Group who are called to research so we can see how the numbers reflect the world around us.
Join Savannah and me as we talk through what our culture and faith look like after COVID, how to use trends in data to inform how you lead your organization, and what the stats have to say about how different generations engage church and faith.
Special thanks to Growmentum for being our sponsor this month.
Kye Chung and Lee Coate from Growmentum sit down with Rusty and share their insights on what it takes to grow your organization. Special thanks to Growmentum for sponsoring Leading Simple throughout the month of June.
There are so many great articles and podcasts out there about how to create a healthy staff culture.
This is not one of them.
This week, Rusty reflects on how he broke his staff culture, and what it took to repair it.
Paul Hicks joins Rusty on the podcast this week. He is a part of Search Ministries based in Texas, along with another Leading Simple guest, Bruce Matthews.
When we think about evangelism, our minds can immediately go to planning some big event with a lot of people. But in Rusty's conversation with Paul, he breaks down a process to share your faith that is centered on one person, one day at a time.
If you’ve ever wondered how to get more confident in sharing the gospel with people who may not believe in God, or you are curious about what it means to make disciples, then you’ll enjoy hearing Paul's insights.
Mark and Michelle McKinney are co-pastors, parents, and the first dynamic duo on Leading Simple. Rusty sits down with the two of them to talk about the ups and downs of being a part of a church community.
Michelle shared her experiences as a pastor, a pastor’s wife, and with her children. Mark also gave some advice to husbands about what it can look like to support their partner through difficulty. Plus, if you are considering adoption, the McKinneys walk you through some things you should think about before starting the process.
Special thanks to our sponsor this month, Leadr.
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For the 200th episode, Rusty’s daughters join him to talk about what it’s really like to be a pastor’s kid. Their perspective isn’t just helpful for pastors who are parents, but for anyone raising a child in this generation. Special thanks to Leadr for sponsoring this episode and to our listeners!
Holly Tate from Leadr joins Rusty for this week's episode to tackle some of the tough questions people may be having around their careers. Employees may be wondering how to discern the next best step in their career. Employers may be questioning how to help their teams feel supported and fulfilled in their roles. Across the board, people want to know how to develop as a leader. Holly breaks down 5 simple tools that you can utilize to help develop leaders in your organization.
This week's guest is author and leadership expert Brian Dodd. Rusty and Brian take this episode to make leadership simple. Take a listen as they discuss how to look at life through a lens of leadership and the best way to see growth in your leadership. Brian also shares the top 3 lessons from his new book, 2021: The Year in Leadership.
For this week's episode, Pastor Rusty George is at Real Life Church to celebrate Easter. You can listen here or watch here
This week, Rusty is joined by Al Lopus, the founder, and CEO of the Best Christian Workplaces Institute, on the podcast today. Rusty and Al sit down to talk about workplace health as well as Al's brand new book, Road to Flourishing: Eight Keys to Boost Employee Engagement and Well-Being. You can find it anywhere you buy books on April 19th, 2022.
In this episode of Leading Simple, Rusty sits down with Richmond Wandera as he shares his story of growing up in Uganda. At only eight years old, he and his family encountered devastating loss and poverty. Despite that, it paved the way for him to experience the incredible love of Jesus through one 15 year old girl's babysitting money. Special thanks to our sponsor, Compassion International. If you want more information about how to sponsor a child, go to compassion.org/rusty.
Rusty sits down with Kevin Queen, the lead pastor of Crosspoint Church as they talk about developing as a leader and getting creative in crisis. Kevin shares his experiences leading through a leadership transition, changing church culture, and a tornado.
Is it possible to prove the resurrection? Rusty sits down with J Warner Wallace for this week’s episode. They discuss about the impact that Christ had on history, science, and the modern world. Rusty also also had the chance to get his insight on how to talk to the next generation about why Christ matters.
Matt Allman joins Rusty on the podcast today. If you’re a pastor who’s ever wondered how to promote Easter, then this episode is for you.
Rusty and Matt get the chance to talk about Easter. They also dig into how the COVID-19 pandemic affected Matt as a pastor and church planter so he could serve his people better. Matt also gives us the inside look at the two times of year you could be missing out on to help grow your church.
Rusty shares a story of a mistake he made while leading and the lessons he learned from it to be a better leader today.
Our guest on the podcast this week is Mitchel Lee. He's a speaker and the lead pastor of Grace Community Church. He is also the author of Even If: Trusting God When Life Disappoints, Overwhelms, or Just Doesn't Make Sense, a book that is particularly relevant in the world we're living in today.
Mitchel joins Rusty to share his experience leading a multi-ethnic church. They also chat about his new book and what it means to have an "even if" kind of faith.
I've got a short bonus episode today to kick off this new month. This Lent season, I'd like to invite you to go on a 40 day journey to Easter with me and Real Life Church.
If you want to learn more about what this 40 days devotional journey to Easter will look like, then take a listen and register here.
Many of us will come to a crossroads about our careers. So, how do you decide to leave a job you love for the unknown? We're seeing people wrestling with this question a lot more in the past few years as they take a look at their priorities, goals, and dreams. Clay Scroggins faced this himself as he made the decision to leave the role he loved to pursue his passion.
Clay is a speaker, author, and leadership expert who knows firsthand what it takes to leave a job you love. He left an incredible role at North Point Church to follow his dream of entrepreneurship. Clay sits down with Rusty to talk about the whys and hows of his journey, as well as some advice if you’ve found yourself in a similar situation.
Have you ever wondered how to put together a talk, message, or speech that would compel people towards action? How to tell a story that inspires people and connects them? Then you’ll really enjoy today’s episode with Steve Ryan Carter. Steve is an expert communicator who was the former lead teaching pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago. No matter what kind of group you’re speaking in front of, you’ll be able to learn something new and applicable from this episode. Steve shares about how he got started in ministry. We also talk about the lessons he’s learned from the different churches he’s been a part of over his years of speaking and teaching.
From following a legend to sitting down with one, it was an absolute honor to have Dr. LeRoy Lawson on Leading Simple. He is revered as one of the godfathers of the church and known for his wisdom and integrity. We sat down to talk through his life in ministry.
There are lessons in his story for everyone, no matter what stage of life you may be in. Maybe you’re facing your first foray into a leadership position. Or you’re making a transition from one industry to another, looking to reinvent yourself. Perhaps you are even navigating a significant loss. No matter what stage of life you are in, take a listen to hear Dr. Lawson's incredible insights in this episode.
Nate Ross has faced the unique challenges of leading an organization after his father retired from the role. Take a listen as Rusty and Nate sit down to talk about what that process was like. Nate shares some of the lessons he learned along the way, including transitioning well into a new role and overcoming some of the insecurities that can arise when following in your predecessor’s footsteps.
Eric Geiger joins Rusty on the podcast to share his insights. Eric is the Senior Pastor at Mariners Church in Irvine, California. He's also authored several books, including Simple Church (co-written with Thom Rainer). Rusty and Eric talk about what it was like for him to take over for Kenton Beshore, a pastoral legend, and how he led Mariners through the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, they discuss the research that prompted him to write Simple Church and the one thing Eric hopes to change about how the Church does discipleship.
"How do I start something and do something that gives my life tremendous significance?" Years ago, Scott Harrison asked himself that question. It led to him finding his purpose. He decided to start Charity: Water, a nonprofit with a mission to provide clean water to every person on the planet. Scott sits down with Rusty as they talk about the lessons he's learned while leading Charity: Water. He also shares three dos and don'ts when talking to high-capacity givers that will simplify the way you approach potential donors.
Pastor Brian Tome joins Rusty to talk about a question that so many pastors are wrestling with: "How do we connect men to the church?" Brian is a pastor out of Cincinnati, Ohio. He has a podcast called The Aggressive Life, he’s had a motorcycle show on Amazon Prime called Phantom Lake, he’s broken horses on stage. He has gone above and beyond to really connect with guys far from the church. Brian shares more about his passion for reaching men both in and out of the church and his insights on how to think outside of the box when it comes to doing ministry.
At one point or another, we've all asked ourselves how we can figure out God's will for our lives. If you've been wrestling with the question of how to follow God's will, whether that be in marriage, work, or any other facet of your life, then you'll want to hear Chris VandeLinde's insights on this episode of Leading Simple. Chris VandeLinde is a pastor out of St. Louis, Missouri, and leads Cornerstone Christian Church. Rusty and Chris sit down to talk about family and sports team loyalties. But more importantly, they talk about how to make finding God's will simple and what it looks like to trust in the Lord wholeheartedly when faced with major life decisions.
2021 has been a wild year. It left a lot of people with a lot of questions. "What does this mean for us? "Where's God in all of this?" "Where's the Church in all of this?" Mark Moore, a previous guest on the podcast, has written Core 52. In this book, Mark took the 52 core principles out of the bible that you need to know. Each one helps you to understand what the bible is about. Follow us on this journey over the next 52 weeks, starting in January 2022. We also want to take the time to thank everyone who has helped make Leading Simple happen from week to week. From my co-host, Brad Williams, to everyone working behind the scenes to Charisma for partnering with us. And last but not least... thank you all for listening, sharing, and supporting Leading Simple.
Merry Christmas from Rusty and the entire team at Leading Simple. Rusty joins you this week from the stage as he delivers Christmas Eve Service at Real Life Church.
Leading Simple is all about simplifying faith and inspiring leaders. But what does leadership look like when you’re leading through a crisis? This is a question so many of us have had to ask in the past year, including guest, Joel Thomas. Joel sat down with Rusty to chat about what it was like to be a part of Andy Stanley’s team during his time at Northpoint. Joel also shares his insights on leading a church through crisis, obedience when things are unclear, and why he ultimately returned to Northpoint.
We’ve spent time each month talking about mental health, and the holiday season is a critical time to do so. Every one of us has felt the impact of suicide in some capacity. Dr. Matthew Sleeth is our guest this week. Newsweek named him as one of the premier thinkers in America. And his new book, Hope Always: How to be a force for life in a culture of suicide, gives Christians a necessary look at how we can offer hope to those who are struggling. Take a listen as Rusty & Matthew discuss how he came to know Christ, warning signs we can look out for in our loved ones, and what the Church can do to better support those affected by suicide.
Today's episode is right on time. Rusty is joined by Michele Benedict. Michele is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 27 years of experience. She's helped people from all walks of life navigate their mental and relational health. She values the integration of faith into her practice as a Christian therapist, and you can hear that in our conversation. Listen as Michele and Rusty discuss setting healthy boundaries and prioritizing self-care. Michele also shares some simple tips to help take care of yourself during the busy holiday season.
If you’ve ever wanted to know just how to create bridges in a world where there seem to be so many cultural divides, then you won’t want to miss this episode of Leading Simple. Rusty sits down with Dr. Michelle Ami Reyes, an author, speaker, and activist passionate about the relationship between culture and faith. Take a listen as they chat about German folklore, being all things to all people, and her personal experiences as an Indian American woman.
There are so many lessons about leadership that you can pull from the football field and apply no matter what kind of team you’re leading. Maybe you’re figuring out how to build and get your team right from the get-go. Or you’re figuring out how to lead through a transition. You may be working out how to build a team culture that leads to success. Mark Weigt and Brian Dodd sit down with Rusty to talk about all of these lessons and more on this special bonus episode of Leading Simple.
On today’s episode of Leading Simple, we’re joined by Andy Wood. Andy has been the lead pastor of Echo Church in Northern California for the past 13 years, and has learned a lot of lessons along the way. You’ll get to hear him talk about what he'd do differently during COVID, leading a multi-site church through the pandemic, and finding a sense of work-life balance.
If you're a parent who's sent a kid off to collage, you may have asked yourself these questions before: Are my kids safe? Did I teach them enough? Will they be connected to their faith? If you can relate, you’ll love this episode of Leading Simple with Brian Marshall. He is the campus pastor at the University of Kentucky. You'll get to hear him share about what campus ministry is actually like. He also discusses the assumptions parents might make about their college-aged kids and how to help your college students find and keep their faith.
This week's guest isKay Warren, an advocate & author. After the tragic loss of her son and leading a church alongside her husband Rick in the middle of a global pandemic, Kay knows a thing or two about navigating difficult seasons while holding tightly to her faith. But it hasn’t always been easy. If you find yourself wondering how she’s done it, you’ll get to hear her share on this episode of Leading Simple. Kay also shares her insight on what it’s like to find yourself in someone else’s shadow, dealing with mental health and abuse issues, and what life has for her and Rick after Saddleback. If you or someone you love is struggling with their mental health or suicidal ideation, know that you don’t have to go through this alone. Reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for help at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to speak to someone immediately and confidentially.
In this bonus episode of Leading Simple, Richmond Wandera shares his story of growing up in Uganda. At only eight years old, he and his family encountered devastating loss and poverty. Despite that, it paved the way for him to experience the incredible love of Jesus through one 15 year old girl's babysitting money. Special thanks to our sponsor, Compassion International. If you want more information about how to sponsor a child, go to compassion.org/rusty.
What's in a name? For Dr. Michael Youssef, a name is the very thing that can help us connect with God. On this episode of Leading Simple, Rusty and Dr. Youssef sit down as he shares his incredible insight into understanding the names of God and how that impacts how we relate to Him. They also discuss the rich history of the Christian church in Egypt and Dr. Youssef's incredible work with Leading the Way.
We all have had a moment where we've looked at a celebrity or leader and thought to ourselves, "if I had that kind of platform, here's how I'd help the world." Well, what if you could leverage your voice to influence the influencers? Over the last few years, Pastor Mark Weigt has had the chance to do just that for one of the most influential people at one of the most successful sports organizations. In this episode of Leading Simple, Mark and Rusty sit down to talk about all things influence. We also discuss how he founded The Ridge Community Church and how one simple step can lead to a more significant impact where you least expect it.
If you’ve ever heard of Compassion International, then you know of the incredible work they do to support children through sponsorships. But have you wondered what the impact of those sponsorships actually is? On today’s bonus episode of Leading Simple, we get a glimpse into how people's generosity can positively influence a child's life, thanks to Keewani Vallejo-Cook. Keewani and I sit down as she shares her story of growing up in the Philippines, connecting with a sponsor through Compassion International, and experiencing the love of Jesus in a real way. If you'd like more information about how to sponsor a child, visit compassion.com/rusty
Rusty and Brad talk all things NBA for the 2021-2022 season. Who's the best in the league? Best Coach? Exciting Rookie? How the Lakers stack up against the competition. Plus, what the NBA can teach us about leadership.
In today's episode, Jenni Catron joins Rusty and shares her lessons on her path from the Christian music industry to ministry leadership. She also shares great insight on how to thrive in this post-pandemic season and what it means to lead with your whole self. As a writer, speaker, and leadership coach, Jenni Catron is in the business of inspiring others to lead well. As Founder and CEO of The 4Sight Group, she consults with individuals and teams on leadership and organizational health. In every role, Jenni is a leader who loves "putting feet to vision."
On Leading Simple this week, Joseph Barkley, lead and founding pastor of Radius Church, joins Rusty on the podcast to chat about church planting, pastoring through COVID, making the jump from the entertainment industry, and raising a child actor. Often, when people think of church planters, we may think of someone who grew up in the church, went to seminary, or started working as a youth pastor. But Joseph's story is a little different. Take a listen as Joseph shares his experience over the last few years.
Glen Keane, a 38-year animator and Academy Award winner who created many beloved characters such as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Beast, and more, joins Rusty on Leading Simple. They talk about everything from his family, time at Disney, animation, including working with Kobe Bryant on Dear Basketball, and how he weaves the gospel through his art.
Dave Dummit, the Senior Pastor at Willow Creek Community Church and a longtime friend, joins Rusty on the podcast and talks about church planting, how he decided to leave 2|42, following a legend, and the bumps of moving beyond scandal and creating healthy environments.
On this episode of Leading Simple, Rusty talks with Douglas Cob and asks a question that seems to be prevalent with all the chaos going on today, are we living in the end times? Douglas has written an incredible new book titled, And Then the End Will Come. If you're discouraged about the craziness, you see in the world today, And Then the End Will Come will offer you hope for better things soon to come -- things so great that the Bible says no one can imagine how awesome they will be.
Rusty and co-host Brad Williams discuss how to lead when your boss is not a leader. What do you do when you feel like your boss is phoning it in? How do we respond as Christians lovingly and biblically?
Former NFL player and Hall of Famer, Bruce Matthews, joins Rusty on the podcast to talk faith, family and sports.
162: Practical Steps for Protecting Your Kids Against Human Trafficking with Alan Smyth by Rusty George
As cultural and societal norms continue to shift, change, and adapt in our world today, the Christian leaders are often found asking the question: "What should we do about _____?" ... What should we do about masks, Covid, and ongoing restrictions? ... What should we do about the LGBTQ+ community? ... What should we do about conflicting political opinions? The list goes on. I'm joined today by Caleb Kaltenbach, the Research Pastor at Shepherd Church, to delve into the messy truth of Christianity in our world today. We dive deep into the content of his new book: Messy Truth: How to Foster Community Without Sacrificing Conviction, which releases on August 10th, 2021. We're all looking for truth that pertains to the shifting world around us, and my prayer is that this conversation with Caleb is a guiding light to illuminate Jesus' answers for the questions we're facing in our world today.
Schools back, can you believe it? The summer of 2021 has absolutely flown by, and we're met yet again with the beginnings of fall, the school year, and another season of half-normalcy. But with Covid restrictions continuing on and the Delta variant on the rise, going back to school can bring a lot of different emotions with it... Loneliness, anxiety, fear, depression, confusion, isolation, and so much more. Dr. Paul Alexander joins me in this episode to share simple and applicable steps for how we can have good mental health going into this new school year, from both a psychology perspective as well as a Biblical perspective. So whether you're a student, a teacher, a parent, a sibling, or a leader... I know that Paul's steps for achieving better mental health will be foundational for us all in this new season of 2021.
“I didn’t sign up for this!” “I can’t do this anymore!” “That’s it - I’m done!” Have you ever said or thought these things? Are you feeling disconnected in your marriage, not knowing what the next step holds? Toni Nieuwhof is an author, speaker and law mediator, whose powerful voice in Christian leadership is shaping influencers and leaders around the world. She joins me in this episode to discuss the steps for finding what you really want to save the future of your marriage, based on her new book "Before You Split".
158: Faith-Driven Entrepreneur Jeff Henderson on Ministry & Business Secrets from Chik Fil A by Rusty George
Greg Atkinson is a powerhouse leader and influential voice in better the modern church. His well-known books "Secrets of a Church Shopper" and "Church Leadership Essentials" have transformed churches and their pastoral leadership nation-wide. Today, Greg and I are discussing the secrets of his experience going undercover as a "church-shopper". We discuss hospitality, first-impressions, worship teams, and so much more. If you're a church leader, this episode is a must-hear. Greg's advice is poignant for this unique time in history, and I know what he has to share will transform your church and ministry.
The church is meant to be a place where you can find healing and wholeness. But, unfortunately, sometimes the church can be the very place where brokenness happens. Covid was a dark time for many of us in terms of mental health. For many of us who already struggled with mental health issues, the stress and anxiety and fear that Covid brought on only made those issues greater. I'm honored to join you all today by having an honest conversation about my own mental health journey, and about the ways that I believe that church across the world can do a better job in supporting those struggling with mental health issues.
There are a lot of keys to being a great communicator - but Danielle Strickland has a few tips that are about to change the game for speakers and leaders around the world. Best-selling author of, Danielle Strickland is a powerhouse voice for. In this episode, we discuss ways to be a positive disrupter - someone who changes the world with optimism and positivity, like Jesus did.
Churches are finally open, mask rules are waning, and the season of Covid is slowly but surely coming to an end. Praise the Lord! But even though this pandemic season is getting better by the day, churches, pastors, and church go-ers have been forever changed by the impact that the last year and a half has had. In today's episode, my friend Rich Birch from unSeminary joins me to discuss the one thing that every pastor needs to be thinking about post-Covid -- and trust me, it's a game changer. You don't want to miss hearing it. Rich also shares great insight on the importance of volunteering at a church, the best ways to serve online, and more helpful advice for how church members can make a helpful difference now that churches are faced with this new normal.
We all want to be more like Jesus, right? But sometimes it can be hard to know where to start in that journey... Fourth-generation pastor and my friend Zach Zehnder is on a mission to challenge Christians to become greater followers of Jesus. Zach and his wife Allison are the best-selling authors of the "Red Letter Challenge", a 40-day workbook that makes faith and discipleship simple, practical, and doable. Additionally, Zach shares his new resource, "Reopening Christianity" in this episode, and I can't wait for you to hear all about it. We're all on a mission to make and be better disciples every day, so I can't wait for you to be encouraged by this conversation and to hear Zach's heart for ministry.
What does the Bible tell us to do when we have faith in God, but we're still struggling with anxiety and panic attacks? Are you looking for peace and purpose? Are you fed up with stress and anxiety? Best-selling author of Rhythms of Renewal, Rebekah Lyons is a contemporary, honest voice who's works focus on mental health, and more specifically, anxiety. Her testimony of supernatural healing and peace in her own journey with panic attacks is not only inspiring, but a reminder of God's ability to do a mighty healing work that only He can do. Are you searching for answers for your struggle with anxiety today? Then I know that Rebekah's story in this episode will be life-changing for you. Listen with an open heart and mind, allowing God to do a powerful work through Rebekah's testimony of faith.
A Part 2 Q&A episode special! Pastor John Burke returns in this episode to answer the questions that our listeners submitted about the afterlife.
Ken Costa has an impressive background. He is a master of financial knowhow, as well as a spiritual leader and minister of the gospel. Ken's ministries operate at the intersection of the sacred and the secular: work and worship. His mission is to share the lesson that "if you know your why, you know your way". His unique standpoint on marketplace knowledge and Holy Spirit guidance makes him a must-hear voice for our time, and this conversation we have together is no exception. In this episode, Ken and I discuss some hot-topics: the GameStop stock debacle, how millennials feel excluded from the financial goings on in the world, how Christian leaders can make informed business decisions during such uncertain times, and much more.Ken also shares his vision and passion for "Alpha", a fantastic church resource that he's been a part of. I can't wait for you to hear the unforgettable life and work lessons that Ken has to share in this episode (and not to mention, for you to hear his cool accent).
Lead pastor of one of the most influential churches in America (Community Christian Church in Chicago) and award-winning author, Dave Ferguson and his brother Jon are on a mission to share how you can change the world one neighbor at a time. Author of "BLESS: 5 Ways to Love Your Neighbor and Change the World", Dave's insights into church planting and spreading the gospel to all parts of the world are both inspiring and effective. I know that, when you listen to this episode, you'll feel fired up to go love your neighbor like you never have before. Are you fired up to share the gospel with those around you? Are you looking for a resource to help you plant a church? If the answer is "yes", this episode will be a game-changer for you. If you're interested in church planting in the California area, reach out to me and my team at rgeorge@reallifechurch.org.
We've all faced unanswered prayers... Is God ignoring us? Does he not care? Did we pray the prayer wrong? Did our sin block us from having God hear us? The Bible has a lot to say about this topic, and today, I I want to share the real reason that God may feel silent in your life. Join me as we read an excerpt together from my most recent book, "After Amen: What to do When You're Waiting on God". If you're interested, you can check out After Amen at www.afteramenbook.com
Have you experienced tension and frustration in your marriage during Covid and lockdown? Mental health doesn't just affect the individual, but it affects your marriage too. For those who are wanting to work on the mental health of their marriage this year, I can't wait for you to listen to this episode with my friend Dave Willis. Dave Willis, the co-founder of XO Marriage and the "Naked Marriage" Podcast along with his wife Ashley, joins me in this episode to discuss practical ways that we can work on better, healthier mental health in our marriages. Dave shares their personal marriage journey, struggles him and Ashley have overcome, how their podcast was envisioned and started, and he speaks on the major pain points many people have experienced in their marriages, specifically during Covid season. This conversation with Dave is a breath of fresh air in a culture of shame and brokenness. Listen to this episode with your spouse this week, and allow God to do a great work in the mental health of your marriage and family.
Author, speaker, podcaster, and entrepreneurial coach Jo Saxton is on a mission to inspire leaders to own their voice, lead confidently, and to make a difference; and this unforgettable conversation is no exception. In this episode, Jo shares her personal journey of discovering her gifts, the process and vision that took place in writing her books, and even her love for Target. We discuss women empowerment in the church and workplace, a powerful and necessary topic. If you're looking for jolt of inspiration, a leader worth following, and even a good laugh, I know that you'll love this episode.
The Covid season has forced church leaders to make some of the most difficult and controversial decisions of their ministry career. But specifically, the question has been: "When do we move church back inside?" ... Do we wait until it's legal? Do we stay outside for the betterment of our community? Do we move indoors for the betterment of our community? What does the Bible say about this problem? My co-host Brad Williams and I have an honest discussion in this episode about how we ultimately decided to move Real Life Church and all of its campuses back indoors.
We all have questions about the afterlife... Will I be myself? Will I see friends and loved ones? What will Heaven look like? What is God like? What will we do forever? What about children and pets? John Burke is the New York Times best-selling author of "Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God's Promises, and the Exhilarating Future that Awaits You". As the lead pastor of Gateway Church and the founder of Gateway Leadership Initiative, John is a powerful leader and minister of the gospel, who's insights into life after death will leave you with awe and excitement of the life to come. John answers the most pondered questions with confidence and grace, steering us to the Bible and sharing unforgettable near-death experiences where people have seen glimpses of heaven. I know this episode will leave you stronger in your faith, and more confident than ever in the eternity to come spent with our savior. Do you have questions about the afterlife that you would like John Burke to answer in Part Two of this episode? DM me your questions on my Instagram account (@rustylgeorge), and your question might just be featured!
We want to take some time this year to discuss an important topic: mental health. But, more specifically, practical and doable ways that we can all build better, stronger mental health in 2021. This last year took quite a toll on all of us... Statistics of depression, anxiety, and suicide are through the roof as the world attempts to recover from the stress and difficulty we all experienced. So how can we recover, heal, and reclaim our mental health? Jim Beebe, LMFT has been a practicing licensed counselor for 34 years. Jim is passionate about helping his clients seek wholeness spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. And in today's episode, he guides us through just that. I believe this episode will bring healing to you today, and I pray that our conversation on establishing better mental health will guide you towards healing and wholeness.
Did Jesus Christ really raise from the dead after three days? And if yes, how can we really know for sure? This Holy Week, I'm joined in this rerun episode by best-selling author and former investigative journalist, Lee Strobel. An atheist-turned-Christian, Lee has sought answers to all of the questions that come with the Christian faith. His best-selling novel "The Case for Christ" details his conversion to Christianity. For the last twenty-five years, his life’s work has been to share the evidence that supports the truth and claims of Christianity, and to equip believers to share their faith with the people they know and love. Lee and I honestly and openly discuss the facts and the evidence on Christ's resurrection, the entire crucifixion account, and much more. I believe our conversation will illuminate your path of faith, and will help you grow in both understanding and a deeper faith in God.
Tuvya Zaretsky, a leader at "Jews for Jesus", joins me to discusses the importance & significance of The Passover for Christians today. A rerun episode from last year, we discuss Tuvya's background in Judaism, his faith transformation to becoming a Christian, and what we can learn from Jesus' growing up as a Jew. I know that Tuvya's message will illuminate your path of faith this Holy Week.
Tim Celek from Stadia Church Planting Group joins me in this episode today to discuss everything that church planters need to know in 2021. Tim has pioneered and planted churches that have reached thousands for the gospel, with a keen understanding on how to make the modern church refreshing and new for young believers. Tim is a personal hero of mine, and I'm so glad that you're getting to meet and hear from him today. We discuss everything from a practical breakdown of a church plant timeline, to Tim's hardest and greatest moments in his church planting ministry. If you're at all interested in planting a church in California, please reach out to me and my team at rgeorge@reallifechurch.org
Nona Jones is a global thought leader, author, executive, and pastor taking the social media world by storm. But what's her mission? To share the kingdom impact that social media can have... As well as to shed light on the darker side. Author of "From Social Media to Social Ministry: A Guide to Digital Discipleship", Nona quite literally wrote the book on digital ministry. Our conversation today is honest and deep, opening the door to the impact that social media is really having on you, your kids, and those around you. But it's not all bad news - Nona is quick to share the impact we can have as Christians in the social media world, and how we as believers can best use these platforms for Kingdom-minded impact.
ESPN College Basketball Analyst Jimmy Dykes joins podcast host Michael Hinton and myself to discuss filling out our NCAA March Madness brackets this season. Jimmy, former basketball player and coach, gives us the expert advice that we're all looking for. We're answering all of the questions you can think of during March Madness, and I can't wait for you to listen. Jimmy is a follower of Jesus and the author of the book "The Film Doesn't Lie: Evaluating Your Life One Play at a Time"
Hearing from God... Is it possible? Is it an audible voice? Writing on the wall? How do you really know when God has spoken to you? My friend and co-host Brad Williams joins me in this episode to discuss our personal experiences in hearing God and what we believe the Bible teaches us about listening to His voice. A special welcome to our friends at Charisma Podcast Network! I'm honored to have joined your platform and team.
How is your mental health really doing? Anxiety, stress, suicide, and prescription medication statistics are on the rise at an alarming rate. And since the beginning of Covid-19, things have only gotten much, much worse. So, how do we get our mental health back on track? Dan Broyles(LMFT, Social Worker, and Care Pastor)joins me today to share how we can all have strong mental health in ourselves and in our families in 2021. In this important conversation, we talk about comfort addiction, anxiety, avoiding conflict, understanding different conflict styles, acknowledging our new fears Covid-19 has brought on, and much more. We're in this together, friends. I believe that today's conversation will be a light in the darkness that many are experiencing in their mental health journey today.
Stress less. Accomplish more. Win the day. Who doesn't want more of all of that? Well-known author of "The Circle Maker" & lead pastor of National Community Church, Mark Batterson joins me in this episode to discuss the life-changing lessons and habits he's learned on winning the day in writing, fatherhood, leadership, and pastoral ministry. We discuss his best "Jedi mind tricks" for writing and publishing books, his secrets to hitting points home in sermons, his (very unexpected) favorite book, and the shelf he runs to when he first walks into Barnes & Noble. Mark is a wealth of knowledge for habits and structures you can implement into your life and leadership to "win the day" every day. This conversation was so unforgettable for me and has truly transformed my daily habits -- I know it will be just as life-changing for you too.
Sean Morgan, KC-10 Air Force pilot and Executive Pastor, joins me in this episode to discuss crisis leadership lessons he's learning in flight, as well as learning to embrace discomfort and unpredictability in life, work, and ministry. Sean has spent the last few years inspiring leaders and pastors as he merges his ministry background with his vocational leadership as the podcast host to "Leaders in Living Rooms", where he meets with top-notch leaders from all over the world. You don't want to miss hearing Sean's story and what he has to say about "decision fatigue" and constant stress in 2020/2021. I know this episode will be life-changing for anyone feeling burnt-out and looking for ways to lead with vision clarity.
Brad Williams and I tackle one of the most difficult questions in Spirit-led leadership: How do I discover God's timing for all of my leadership decisions? It's been a difficult year, and many of us are desperately seeking ways to make the best leadership decisions possible for better outcomes than 2020 brought us. We want a better year, and we want it now. But are we operating and making decisions out of our own timelines, or in God's timeline? Why is it so hard to trust God? Tune into this episode and join our honest conversation as we tackle these difficult questions.
Every leader knows that good leadership doesn’t come without experiencing pain… But are we equipped to handle that pain with the right kind of thinking? Dr. Sam Chand (a personal hero of mine and the President Emeritus at Beulah Heights University) knows the ins and outs of leadership success and struggles. His manyHis powerful life-journey and his many books and resources has helped leaders all over the world learn to release dreams, build a healthy team, and strong leadership development. He joins us in this episode to ask the real questions: “What does church growth have to do with leadership?” “How can I differentiate between good growth pains and my own stupidity causing pain?” “As a leader, what questions should I be asking my team in meetings?” “How can I handle change to the best of my ability?” Dr. Chand says it best: “There is no growth without change, no change without loss, and no loss without pain.” I can’t wait for you to listen.
Andy Stanley, founding pastor of North Point Community Church, joins the podcast to talk leadership and his new book Better Decisions Fewer Regrets
Bonus Episode: Dr. Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. talks family, faith, forgiveness by Rusty George
131: Jonathan Pokluda on Helping Teens Become Adults, Date, and Find a Church that they Connect with by Rusty George
What are those things you are praying for in 2021? Let me share a few things that I am praying for this year.
So many of us are looking to 2021 through the shadow of 2020. In this episode, Mike Linch of "Linch with a Leader" joins me to discuss how we can define our spiritual leadership in 2021. And whether you're a leader of a church or a business or any sort of group, we believe that it's key that we leaders lean in this new year and define our spiritual leadership based on what God has to say. Mike is the pastor of NorthStar Church in Kennesaw, GA, is the kind of leader you want to stand behind, and I can't wait for you to hear what he has to say.
Best-selling author, renowned pastor of North Point Church, and one of my personal heroes: Andy Stanley joins me in this episode today to discuss his new book "Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets: 5 Steps to Help You Determine Your Next Move". Andy shares his journey of how he learned to make decisions as a leader, father, and pastor. He shares the five questions we all need to ask before making decisions, and they're life-changing.
I learn a lot from being a pastor. I also learn a lot from being a father. And, I learn a lot from being a follower of Jesus just trying to love God and love others and serve Him with my life. 2020 is wrapping up, and I've been thinking on all of the lessons I've learned from this unprecedented year. Take a listen, and share in the comments what lessons these last twelve months have taught you.
Film stars Ryan McPartlin (actor known for his role in Chuck) and Dan Angel (writer, producer, actor) join me in this episode to share what Hallmark movies have to teach us about Christmas. They're experience and expertise in these films gives us a fun and insightful inside look into the world of these films. They're more than just movies, and I can't wait for you to hear why.
It's no secret that 2020 has been draining in, well, every area... But the Bible urges us as believers to "fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7) So, how can we find purpose and energy to finish the race of 2020 strong? Join my friend Brad Williams and myself in this episode to dive into Jesus' example of how we can accomplish just that.
Every leader has faced seasons of discouragement. And many of us have faced it more than ever in 2020. So how do we overcome this discouragement and move onward? How did Jesus overcome discouragement? Join Brad Williams and I in this episode as we tackle this timely and prevalent topic.
Former ESPN Producer and newly published author Jason Romano joins us in this episode to talk about living his faith while working in a high-pressure environment like ESPN. He shares his powerful testimony of forgiveness and redemption and how God has moved in unexpected, miraculous ways in both his career and life. His recently published book, "The Uniform of Leadership" is a must-read for anyone in leadership.
A year after the tragic shooting at Saugus Highschool that claimed the life of Gracie Muehlberger, her parents, Bryan and Cindy, talk faith, family and coping with the loss of a child.
How do you discover your leadership style? How does your upbringing, personality type, and background influence the kind of leader you will be? Brad Williams joins me in this episode where we discuss our own leadership styles and what helped us discover them.
How do you craft a message or speech that connects with every audience and listener? In this episode, I'm sharing my process and my best advice. I share Andy Stanley's game-changing speech writing questions, and you'll never write messages the same after you hear them.
120: Kristina Kuzmič on Parenting During COVID & Protecting Your Kids from Social Media Bullies by Rusty George
As leaders, we've all faced rejection (especially in 2020). In fact, it's safe to say that everyone has faced rejection at some point in their life! And Jesus faced more rejection than any of us. So, how do we handle moments of rejection with the same grace and love that our Savior does? As leaders, how can we respond to rejection like Jesus?
"After Amen: What to do When You're Waiting on God" is officially live an available for purchase on all major booksellers as paperback, Kindle, and Audible as of this week. But, in today's episode, we're doing something very special: I want to read to you the first chapter of my book with some never before heard updates and comments from what has changed in my life since initially writing this chapter. (Hint... We got a cat.) I cannot wait for you all to read it. Those of you who already have your copy, share in the comments below what your favorite section is so far. https://www.afteramenbook.com/
Pastor Dudley Rutherford, founding pastor of Real Life Church, joins me in this episode in honor of the 20 year RLC anniversary to discuss his history at RLC, growing up as a pastors kid, his ministries over the recent years, and his thoughts on the NBA finals.
Renowned generational expert, author, and consultant Haydn Shaw joins us in this episode to help us understanding generational differences during a time in the world where they are more apparent than ever.
Brad Williams and I share all about the must-read leadership book that changed our lives and organizations for the better: "The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals". We truly wish we had found this book years ago! Tune in to this episode to hear all about our main takeaways and how this book has changed us for the better.
Yes, I'm passionate about Jesus, churches, my family, sports teams... But, for those of you who know me well, you know that I'm very passionate about setting goals and making progress. This episode outlines the seven things that have helped me set goals and achieve them well in life, leadership, and ministry.
Steve Cuss (lead pastor of Discovery Christian Church in Broomfield, CO) joins me in this episode to discuss managing anxiety in leadership and in life. His book, "Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs" has been integral in my own leadership studies and personal growth. Read it today, I know it will bring so much fruit to your leadership.
Local police officer, London McBride, joins Pastor Cole Parrish and I in this episode to discuss his poignant and timely insight as an African American police officer against racism. His perspective into the law enforcement world is so eye-opening, encouraging listeners that "good cops really do hate bad cops". He shares powerful advice on how to fight racism in America, starting at home with how we teach our kids.
Pastor Randy Frazee joins me in this episode to discuss building community in his church during these difficult times, making room for life amidst ministry and leadership, and shares his wisdom and insight into the afterlife.
Hurry now, there's only a limited number of spots! I would be honored to have you be a part of the group that is helping promote my new and upcoming book "After Amen" (publishing October 13th). As a part of the After Amen launch team, you will receive the following: • One free copy of After Amen upon release • Access to first chapter before release (immediately when you join) • Access to a private After Amen Facebook group where Rusty will do personal, live check ins In return, we ask that you would promote "After Amen" on your prospective channels and leave a review on major book websites. We'll even provide the social media content for you! Join today at the following link: http://eepurl.com/hbhBcz
Pastor of Embrace Church and author, Adam Weber, joins us in this episode to discuss the heart behind his new book, "Love Has a Name: Learning to Love the Different, the Difficult, & Everyone Else". We talk about the struggles of an extrovert during COVID-19 quarantine, as well his testimony of God calling him home, not away, to pursue a life of ministry.
The events of 2020 have lead to a year of full unusual amounts of negativity, negative feedback, and honest opinions for both leaders in ministry and leaders in the world. So, how do we stay optimistic amidst all of the criticism? Brad Williams joins me today to discuss how to combat negativity and stay optimistic in ministry and leadership roles. We pray that this episode encourages you to push onward in the good work you are doing in this important and unprecedented year.
Pastor Brian Jones joins us in this episode to have an honest conversation on losing his faith and finding it again. He shares his powerful testimony that touches on overcoming difficult seasons of life, mental health, and doubt and confusion in faith. He also discusses the power of time management, and how we can all utilize time management in our own lives. You can connect with Brian Jones at brianjones.com or on social media at www.instagram.com/pastorbrianjones/
Jason Rogers, an LAPD police officer, joins us in this episode to share his experience at the recent protests and riots, his thoughts on the conflict of "black vs. blue", and his advice on how he believes we can successfully bridge the gap moving forward. Thank you, Jason, for both your service in the Los Angeles police department as well as the US military.
How can we plan our lives while still remaining sensitive to the Holy Spirit? Is it important that we stay flexible to God, even if we love to feel glued to our calendar? Whether you're the 'planner' type, or you're someone who is more likely to 'follow the Spirit', you don't want to miss the work of the Holy Spirit in your life and the opportunities He has for you. Let's learn together as we dig in to what the Bible has to say about this topic in this episode.
Have you ever felt like your anxiety is fueled by your prayers? What should we do when our prayers make our anxiety worse instead of better? Philippians 4:6-7 teaches us, "to not be anxious about anything". Join me in this episode as I share my personal journey on how to tackle anxiety within your prayer life.
As an American Homicide Detective and Christian apologist, J Warner Wallace joins us in this episode to share his 'Cold Case' research and uncover the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Did it really happen? And if so, how do we know? If you have a friend or loved one who has struggled with doubting the resurrection of Jesus, this would be a great episode to share with them.
When we're going through difficult times, the Bible says that "the Holy Spirit will give us the words to speak". It is no secret that God speaks to his people, but it's not always the booming, audible voice from above you see in movies ... No, the Holy Spirit often tends to speak in gentle nudges, often with words we have heard or read before, calling them to our mind at the time of need. Memorizing the verses in this episode, or any verse in the Bible, will better equip your mind to hear what God has to say to you today. What verses have you memorized that have helped you in your time of need?
After three weeks of protests, so many of us are striving to learn, educate, and find answers to move forward in the continued fight against racism. Brad Williams joins me in this episode to share his powerful perspective on what he has learned from these protests as a person of color. In this episode, Brad shares how he's talking to his kids about these difficult topics and how we can open up those conversations in our own homes. He also shares his solution that he believes will result in an anti-racist world (one that may sound familiar to you, from Jesus himself). We are so grateful for these powerful and difficult conversations that we're able to have here on The Rusty George Podcast. If you have any questions or thoughts regarding this episode, reach out to us on social media at @rustylgeorge or at www.pastorrustygeorge.com
My former professor, Dr. JK Jones (Professor at Lincoln Christian Seminary and Pastor at Eastview Christian Church), joins me in this episode to discuss the power of reading, his top book recommendations, and how books have changes his life and faith over the years. If you yourself are looking to become a reader, JK's many recommendations in this episode will kickstart your journey with some amazing books that will never leave you the same.
We are three months into online church and quarantining due to COVID-19, and at Real Life Church we have learned so much about the heart, purpose, and the logistics of doing only online services to reach people for Jesus. These days, many people are asking "Is online church really.. church?" And the short answer is, yes! We believe that you can experience the love and transformational power of Jesus at home in the exact same way you can in a church building. While we are excited to gather together again, we have seen God move in big ways during this unique church season. I'm joined in today's episode by two of our RLC staff: Erika Watkins (Communications & Weekend Service Programing) and Clayton Boek (Tech & Audio/Visual) to discuss each of our perspectives and what we've learned during this unique era of church.
Ted Wright joins us in this episode to share his testimony and perspective on racial injustice today. Sharing his personal story of growing up in the Bahamas and later moving to America, Ted gives insight into the minimal tolerance that he's experienced in interracial relationships and friendships with Americans. He urges us all to learn to listen: to fight ignorance and to open our hearts and ears to learn about people of different backgrounds and colors.
In celebration of our 100th episode of The Rusty George Podcast, Brad and I are joined by a very, very special guest: my wife, Lorrie George. In this episode together, we discuss how Lorrie and I met, all things marriage, ways we're taking care of our family during these difficult times, and much more. Make sure to enter our 100th episode listener giveaway at: https://woobox.com/o4ec52
Michael Hinton joins us in this episode to breakdown understanding racism in 2020. As many of us are seeking ways to understand and further educate ourselves in understanding racism, Michael breaks down the history of racism and how our history has built racist systems and norms that many of us live unaware of. My prayer is that through this heartfelt and honest conversation that many of your questions on this difficult topic would be answered. My prayer is that God would continue to open the eyes of Christians all over the world to how we can fight the continuation of racism in any and every way possible.
I am beyond heartbroken over the injustice and cruelty displayed in our country over the past few weeks. The reality is that racism is evil, and unity and love is Christ like. And as your pastor, I am committed to being on the forefront of difficult and necessary conversations regarding racism in America and the world. Today I am joined by Pastor Anthony Hendricks to discuss systematic racism. My prayer is that this episode would provide further education and next steps for us all on how to fight against racism.