Leading From Alignment: Recent Episodes
Converge Coaching
A podcast from Converge Coaching. Through their more than 50 years of ministry experience, Jim Wiegand and John Opalewski bring Pastors weekly tips and tools to help lead better, lead longer, and enjoy it more.
Few pastors enjoy difficult conversations, but every pastor must learn how to navigate them well. The way you navigate conflict doesn't just impact the issue at hand—it shapes your church's health, your own well-being, and the spiritual growth of everyone involved.In this week's episode, we unpack six practical, biblical principles for leading through conflict with wisdom and grace.
Ministry and conflict go hand in hand. Difficult conversations, challenging people, and tough decisions are simply part of leading God's people. The question isn't if you'll face conflict . . . it's how you'll navigate it.In this week's episode, we explore a healthier approach to conflict that begins with your identity. When you remember that your worth is rooted in who you belong to, not what you accomplish, you can stop reacting out of fear, defensiveness, or self-criticism. Instead, you can approach conflict with clarity, courage, and a perspective that sees challenges as opportunities for growth.If you've ever postponed a hard conversation, wrestled with people decisions, or felt drained by ongoing conflict, this episode will give you practical and biblical insights to help you lead with greater confidence and peace.
The people you lead are constantly taking cues from your inner life. Your level of peace, joy, health, and emotional resilience has a profound impact on the culture around you. In other words, healthy leaders tend to reproduce healthy leaders.In today's episode, we explore why the pathway to developing a healthy leadership pipeline begins with you. We'll discuss the concept of limbic resonance, why leaders never outgrow their need for meaningful connection, and three practical behaviors that help leaders cultivate greater health.
Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is let go. In this week's podcast, Dr. Ralph Neighbour joins us for a candid conversation about one of the hardest realities of life: endings. Why do we cling to situations that are no longer healthy? How do we know when an ending is necessary rather than impulsive? And how do we grieve well when it's time to move on?If you're wrestling with a relationship, role, season, or dream that may have run its course, this episode offers wisdom, clarity, and hope for what comes next.
Most leaders aren't afraid of starting new things. They're afraid of ending old ones. We keep unhealthy ministries alive. We tolerate programs that drain energy and resources. We hold on to good activities that no longer serve the mission. Why? Because leaders often wrestle with the tension between being a shepherd who cares deeply for people and a leader who must make difficult decisions to steward the organization’s mission and vision. In this week's episode, we invite Dr. Ralph Neighbour to the podcast to unpack the powerful insights from Henry Cloud's book, Necessary Endings, and discuss why healthy leadership requires healthy endings.
In today’s episode we challenge a reflex most of us don’t even realize we have . . . the instinct to label discomfort as offense. Not everything that stings is harmful, and not every hard conversation is a wrong done to you. Sometimes, what feels like offense is accountability knocking at your door. And if we’re not careful, we’ll reject the very thing designed to help us grow. Today we unpack the difference between being wronged and simply being called higher.
In a world where offense is almost automatic, how do we tell the difference between real harm and a bruised ego? Today, we’re unpacking why so many people feel easily offended and what it’s costing us. From the rise of emotionally driven reactions and digital outrage to what it really means to carry a “spirit of offense,” this conversation challenges us to slow down, think deeper, and respond with maturity. Because the goal isn’t to feel nothing, it’s to become discerning, resilient, and the kind of people who know what to do when offense inevitably comes.
What if the reason you feel stretched thin isn’t your workload—but your isolation? Many of us quietly believe we don’t have time for friendships, but the truth is we make time for what we value. And in the pursuit of productivity, relationships are often the first thing we sacrifice. Yet from the very beginning God declared: “it is not good for man to be alone.” We were never designed to do life or leadership on our own. In this episode, we’re confronting the hidden cost of isolation and why meaningful friendships might be the missing piece to a fuller, healthier, more impactful life.
In our newest podcast episode, we welcome Mike Kern to the mic for a conversation every leader needs to hear. With decades of experience spanning both the corporate world and church ministry, Mike brings a rare perspective on leadership, wisdom, and decision-making.Mike’s unique blend of business insight and ministry experience has equipped him to help churches and leaders navigate complex challenges with clarity and confidence. In this episode, we unpack his powerful framework: “A Recipe for Good Decisions.”
In today's episode, we explore what it really looks like to protect the most important part of who you are. From what you consume, to where you focus your eyes, to the thoughts you allow to take root, and the rhythms you build into your life . . . guarding your heart isn’t passive, it’s intentional. This conversation gets practical about how leaders can stay grounded, focused, and healthy in a dangerous world, and why that matters more than ever.
When everything feels fragmented, stability becomes magnetic. In a culture of constant updates, endless scrolling, and reflexive rebellion, it’s no surprise that more than a few young people are gravitating toward the structure and seriousness of the Catholic Church. What’s interesting is this shift may be less about belief—and more about what modern life is missing. In this week’s episode, we unpack three reasons behind this trend—and what the rest of us can learn from it.
The way we relate to ourselves—whether with truth, kindness, and grace or with harsh criticism—is more than a personal issue; it’s a defining factor for our entire life. It powerfully shapes our longevity, our health, and ultimately the kind of fruit we produce in ministry and leadership. In today’s episode we unpack what it means to be properly related to yourself and why it matters to both your life and your leadership.
What does it really take for pastors to thrive in today’s ministry landscape? In this episode of Leading from Alignment, we sit down with Aaron Hlavin, Michigan Assemblies of God Network Superintendent, for an honest and insightful conversation about both the opportunities and challenges pastors are facing right now.
After a big Sunday, the noise doesn’t always fade when the room empties. Sometimes on the Monday after it gets louder. In this episode, we’ve invited our good friend Lewis Brandon to the mic. We’re talking about how to process the emotional aftermath of a big Sunday and share practical ways for a leader to actively recover.
When betrayal comes from someone close, it’s more than a surface wound. It is a deep gash. In this week’s episode, we step into one of the hardest realities leaders face . . . being wounded by someone they trust.
Many pastors were trained primarily to preach and teach. Some were also equipped to provide pastoral care. But in today’s ministry environment, faithful and effective pastoral leadership needs something more. Pastors are increasingly called to live at the intersection of four vital roles—Theologian, Shepherd, Leader, and Missionary. In this episode, we explore why integrating these four pastoral callings is essential for healthy ministry today and how pastors can begin to grow into a more holistic vision of leadership that serves both the church and the mission of the gospel.
Coming back from vacation should mean easing back into rhythm—but instead, I walked into six or seven different crises. Different churches, different situations, but the same underlying reality: people are angry. So, what’s really going on? And more importantly, how do we pastor faithfully in a moment like this without becoming reactive ourselves?
Earlier this year, Laura and John were given the rare gift of three uninterrupted weeks away. They rented a condo on the ocean, where each morning began with coffee on the balcony and the sun rising over the Atlantic, the steady rhythm of the waves setting the pace for unhurried days. In the quiet space created by slowing down, clarity began to surface. As often happens when life’s noise fades, Father God met them in those moments—dropping what John calls “mic drops” into his heart. In this episode, he shares the powerful “aha” breakthroughs that emerged from the beach.
Many pastors struggle to share the ministry load—especially perfectionists who feel it’s easier to do everything themselves. In this episode, we explore why delegation is so hard for pastors and how sharing leadership leads to healthier, more sustainable ministry.
Leading a church can be one of the most meaningful callings in the world—but it can also quietly cost you the very things God never intended you to lose. In this episode, we’re narrowing the noise down to three truths every lead pastor must understand to stay healthy for the long haul: why your family matters more than your role, why your identity can’t be built on your ministry, and why an unchecked pace is the fastest path to burnout. If you want a ministry that lasts—and a life that’s still whole when it does—this conversation is for you.
Pastors and church staff regularly call others into community, vulnerability, and asking for help—but many of us struggle to live that out ourselves. The expectations are high. The roles are visible. And the pressure to stay strong can quietly lead to isolation.In today’s episode, we explore five reasons pastors avoid asking for help—and the real cost of carrying the weight of leadership alone. This conversation is honest, practical, and rooted in the belief that pastors need care just as much as the people they serve. If you’ve ever felt like you had to hold it all together, this episode is for you.
In Paul’s letter to the Romans and his first letter to the Corinthian church, he spends a significant amount of time addressing what he calls disputable matters—those behaviors and choices that aren’t clearly spelled out in Scripture. These gray areas often create the most tension, confusion, and division in our churches. How do we lead faithfully when Scripture isn’t explicit? How do we shepherd people with conviction and grace? In today’s episode, we unpack three key questions every leader should ask—and answer—when it comes to navigating disputable matters wisely and biblically.
What do you do when the season you’re living in looks nothing like the one you prayed for? When your personal life, your ministry life—or both—feel swallowed by disappointment? Life doesn’t always unfold the way we envision, but that doesn’t mean hope is off the table. In this episode, we talk honestly about unmet expectations, messy seasons, and the surprising hope God offers even when the story isn’t going the way we planned.
Pastors, ever feel like your phone has a spiritual gift for ringing at the worst possible moment? In this episode, we dive into the holy art of becoming—brace yourself—radically unavailable. Yes, we’re talking about saying “no,” ignoring notifications, and trusting that the Kingdom of God will not collapse if you take a nap. Join us as we talk with Michael Forney, COO of the Free Methodist Church USA. Together we explore how stepping away (without guilt) might just save your sanity, your family, and your ministry.
Most of us carry at least one relationship that feels fractured. Maybe we’ve avoided the hard conversation. Maybe we’ve held our breath, hoping time will fix what’s unresolved. But healing rarely comes through avoidance. Fractured relationships may heal when we address them—and sometimes they don’t. Yet the moment we stop delaying, the power they hold over our well-being begins to break. If you’re walking through relational strain—or helping others navigate it—today’s episode offers clarity, compassion, and real hope.
In ministry, every pastor wears two essential hats: the shepherd and the leader. Jesus modeled this perfectly—coming “full of grace and truth”—and Paul echoed it when he urged us to “speak the truth in love.”The challenge? Most leaders naturally lean toward one hat or the other. But when we rely on only one, we either keep people too comfortable to grow or push them too hard to stay encouraged. In today’s episode, we’re diving into how to integrate both hats so the people you serve can grow, stretch, and thrive.Email blast one-liner: Shepherd or Leader? Why Your Ministry Needs Both.
Today we welcome Jenni Catron to the podcast. Jenni is recognized as a trusted leadership voice in both church and marketplace worlds. In today’s conversation, we explore the growing challenge of disengagement among staff and volunteers—looking at what’s driving it and how ministry leaders can respond with wisdom, clarity, and care.
Many of the moral failures we hear about—and countless more that never make the news—can often be traced back to two forces: isolation and exhaustion. In today’s episode, we unpack why these two quiet pressures are so dangerous, how they sneak up on even the strongest leaders, and what it really takes to build a life and leadership that can withstand them.
In our latest episode, we’re diving into what it really takes to “get younger” as a church. We unpack the common misunderstandings churches often have about younger members and attendees, and we explore practical ways to bridge the growing generational gap. If the church you lead is trying to connect with Gen Z, Gen Alpha, or even young Millennials, this conversation is for you.
Every January, John reflects on the biggest “aha moments” from the past year. Normally, he would share three or four major insights, but this past year, one stood out so strongly that it deserves an entire episode of its own. It’s a deep one—personal, vulnerable, and maybe even a little shocking. So today, John is pulling back the curtain to share the single biggest “aha” that changed everything for him in 2025.
Today we kick off the new year with a challenge that could change everything: what if the biggest barrier to your growth isn’t your strategy, resources, or talent—but your mindset? In this episode, we dive into how great leaders think differently, exploring the power of a true growth mindset and why it’s the secret ingredient that separates the exceptional from the average.
In our latest episode, Hal Donaldson, president and founder of Convoy of Hope, joins the conversation to share how leaders and everyday people can stay spiritually grounded and emotionally healthy—while making a real difference in the lives of others.
Our words carry incredible power — not just the ones we speak to others, but the ones we whisper to ourselves about ourselves. Last week, Jim unpacked the first four of seven daily declarations that shape how he lives, leads, and relates to God. In Part 2 of our conversation, Jim shares the final three declarations — powerful truths that anchor us in God’s love and purpose, helping us live and lead from a strong foundation.
Every journey of faith begins with a question of identity — not who we think we are, but who God says we are. Over the next two weeks, we’re unpacking seven powerful declarations that are invitations to see ourselves through our Heavenly Father’s eyes.
If you can’t remember the last time you felt “off duty,” this one’s for you. We’re talking about boundaries, burnout, and the courage to step out of compulsion and back into calling. Learn how to protect your soul, your relationships, and your joy—because faithfulness doesn’t mean being available all the time.
More than a few pastors and leaders are leading on empty—spiritually dry, but outwardly active. They’re still preaching, leading, praying, and showing up for their people, but inside, the well has run dry. In today’s episode we explore the reasons why this phenomenon is occurring and outline five practical steps a leader can take to fill their inner tank.
Have you ever been in a season where everything looks good on paper—your ministry is thriving, your schedule is full, your people are happy . . . but you feel empty? You’re functioning fine but not feeling much. You’re getting things done, but you’ve stopped being moved by any of them. Today, we’re talking about emotional exhaustion, the kind that often hides behind impressive productivity—and what to do about it
Have you ever noticed that the higher your influence rises, the smaller your circle seems to get? You’re surrounded by people, yet somehow… you feel unseen. Unheard. Unknown. Today we’re talking about isolation—one of the quietest and most dangerous realities in leadership
For some leaders, ministry has become maintenance. Vision has turned into management. The work that once felt sacred now feels like a grind. In today's episode, we talk about what’s underneath the loss of joy. Losing joy doesn’t make you a bad leader. It makes you a human one. But it does mean it’s time to pay attention to your soul.
In this powerful and practical episode, David Cooke shares the five essential relationships every pastor needs for long-term health, growth, and sustainability. Leadership can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be isolating. In today's conversation we unpack the kinds of people who help leaders stay spiritually grounded, emotionally healthy, and relationally connected.
It’s easy to blame our staff, our church, or our circumstances for ministry stress. But often the real issue lies deeper—in our own hearts. In this episode, we unpack how unchecked ambition, workaholism, and misplaced identity quietly undermine pastoral health. With insights from Genesis 3, Romans 12, and real coaching conversations, John and Jim talk about how pastors can move from surface fixes to genuine transformation.
Pastors live in a world overflowing with smart-sounding ideas, leadership hacks, and cultural “truths.” But how do we discern what aligns with Christ—and help the people we lead do the same? In today's episode, John and Jim explore Paul’s warning in Colossians 2, the difference between gospel essentials and disputable matters, and how pastors can resist cultural currents that subtly try to reshape their faith and leadership.
Have you felt the tension between ministry and marketplace? Some pastors fear marketplace strategies strip away the heart of ministry; others fear without marketplace strategies the church they lead won’t survive. This week’s podcast explores how mission and marketplace can work together—strengthening your calling, stewarding resources, and multiplying impact.
There comes a point when paychecks, promotions, and possessions no longer define us. A deeper question takes over: What legacy will I leave behind? This week’s podcast explores the shift into the legacy stage of life and ministry—moving from building for ourselves to investing in others, from accumulating to multiplying, from success to lasting impact.
Last week in Episode 302 we confronted a troubling trend: Christians throwing bombs at each other. It’s disheartening to watch, and it’s driven me to my knees in prayer. In Part 2 of our discussion, we unpack three more reflections on this critical subject. We’d love for you to join us as we wrestle honestly and hopefully with what it means to build up the Church in a divided world.
Jesus is a builder. When He said, “I will build My Church,” He wasn’t talking about bricks and mortar—He was making a promise to create something lasting, life-giving, and beautiful. For some though, “building the Church” feels complicated—or even painful—because the Church has also been a place of hurt. In today’s episode, we begin Part 1 of a vital conversation about what it really means for Jesus to build His Church. We believe you’ll find encouragement, healing, and fresh perspective along the way.
Last week, we hit a major milestone—Episode 300! To celebrate, we kicked off a special two-part series highlighting the six biggest aha moments we've uncovered in six years of podcasting. In case you missed it, here’s a quick recap:Joy and pain often travel alongside each other.The world is big enough for all of us to succeed.Living a converged life takes risk, sacrifice, and consistency.In today’s episode, we’re back with three more powerful aha moments that have shaped our journey and our leadership.
Can you believe it? Episode 300 drops today! We're celebrating six amazing years of podcasting together. As we reflected on how to mark this milestone, one question kept coming to mind: What have been the biggest aha moments from our journey so far? It quickly became clear we couldn’t fit them all into one episode. So—we made an executive decision. We’re taking two episodes, 300 and 301, to unpack the six most powerful aha moments we've experienced over the past six years.
In Part 2 of his conversation with John and Jim, Mike Kern III emphasizes the importance of personal financial health for pastors—urging proactive salary discussions, use of benchmarking tools, and wise financial habits. He also addresses emotional resilience, encouraging pastors to reject limiting beliefs, seek counsel, and reframe their mindset for greater clarity and confidence.
In this insightful episode, John and Jim sit down with Mike Kern III—former President/CEO of two financial service companies and now a trusted advisor to pastors and churches through Churchway Advisors.This conversation is packed with wisdom for pastors navigating the unique challenges of organizational financial leadership.
Every pastor wants to see their church love Jesus . . . but what about their kids? Today we’re getting real about one of the most important — and personal — parts of ministry: helping your own children fall in love with the Savior you serve.
Every pastor wants to see their church love Jesus . . . but what about their kids? Today we’re getting real about one of the most important — and personal — parts of ministry: helping your own children fall in love with the Savior you serve.
Last week, we unpacked key ideas for building a church hiring playbook. This week, we turn to the less exciting — but equally critical — side of the people equation: a church firing playbook.There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to staff transitions and trying to force one can do more harm than good. Still, some guiding principles can help ensure every exit is handled with wisdom, grace, and clarity. Join us as we navigate this challenging but necessary aspect of church leadership.
In ministry, every hire is more than a role filled — it’s a person stewarding the mission of the Church. A great hire strengthens the team, brings unity, and fuels Kingdom impact. A bad hire? It can create division, drain energy, and stall momentum. Hiring well is essential to building a healthy, thriving church. In today’s episode John and Jim focus on improving your hiring batting average.
Serving alongside your spouse can be one of the most meaningful experiences in leadership—but let’s be honest, it’s not always easy. Sharing a mission deepens your connection, but without clear boundaries and communication, it can also blur the lines between work and home. In this week’s episode, we get real about the joys and perils of working with your spouse. They unpack four practical strategies to help you lead well together—without losing each other in the process.
It’s not the external obstacles that trip leaders up most—it’s the internal ones: self-doubt, fear of failure, ego, perfectionism, or an unwillingness to listen or adapt. But when leaders grow in self-awareness and learn to manage their inner dialogue and emotional triggers, their influence and effectiveness increase significantly. Today, John and Jim dive into four powerful strategies for overcoming the internal roadblocks that hold leaders back.
Today we welcome back our good friend, Josh Spurlock. Today is part two of our series: How to Heal Deep Pain. Whether you're carrying past wounds or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers hope and practical steps toward healing. Once again . . . Let’s lean in.
Today we welcome our good friend Josh Spurlock, founder of My Counselor Online, which provides faith-based counseling worldwide. We're kicking off part one of a two-part series: How to Heal Deep Pain. If you're carrying hurt or walking with someone who is, this conversation offers hope and guidance. Let’s dive in!
Welcome to Part 2 of our conversation on navigating organizational change. In today’s episode, we dive into three more essential behaviors that will help you confidently and compassionately pastor your people through the necessary changes that come with pursuing your church’s full potential.
Today’s episode kicks off a two-part conversation where we unpack six key behaviors that help leaders navigate organizational change with greater confidence and clarity. Whether you are leading through a season of transition or preparing for what's ahead, these behaviors are practical, grounded, and tested in real-world leadership
Struggles often strip away the illusion of control. It's an unsettling process, but it can also be freeing. It reminds us to lean into trust rather than self-reliance.Today, John and Jim welcome Jason Holdridge back to the mic for part two of their conversation on leadership and vulnerability. In this episode, Jason courageously shares his gripping journey with anxiety—and how he’s learned to navigate it while leading a vibrant and growing church. They close out the conversation with the powerful lessons anxiety has taught him, and how embracing those lessons has shaped him into a more effective, grounded, and authentic leader.
How open should a pastor be when it comes to sharing their personal struggles?That is such a good question—and one a lot of pastors wrestle with. Today, John and Jim welcome Jason Holdridge to the mic. Jason is the lead pastor of Impact Church in Lowell, Michigan. They dive into Jason’s personal faith journey, his calling into vocational ministry, and the unexpected twists, surprises, and growth he has experienced over more than two decades of serving in ministry.
In Episode 284, John and Jim covered the first three of six inspirational thoughts from John's February vacation. Today in Episode 285, they present three more insights from his time soaking in God’s awe-inspiring and creative masterpieces.
In today’s episode John and Jim welcome Karl Vaters to the mic to discuss his bestselling book, De-Sizing the Church. We dig into Karl’s research on the church growth movement and explore how discipleship and integrity are the answers to every problem a church encounters.
In today’s episode John and Jim welcome Karl Vaters back to the mic to continue our conversation around his compelling book, De-Sizing the Church. Today Karl reveals what he is most optimistic about and most concerned about regarding pastors and the local churches they serve.
It is amazing what God can reveal to us when we slow down and listen.In today’s episode we unpack the first three of six inspirational moments from John’s vacation earlier this year. If you feel tired, or discouraged, or even a bit distant from God, this episode is the medicine you need.
The top contributor to pastoral burnout? The ongoing stress of the role. If you have answered the divine call to pastoral ministry, you have signed up for both a fulfilling and stressful journey. In today’s episode John and Jim work through five of the most stress-inducing realities of the pastoral role and then offer a practical tip to successfully navigate each of those five stressors.
Leadership is a journey fraught with peril. Numerous temptations lurk. In today’s episode John and Jim explore three less talked about, more subtle temptations that threaten to sneak up on and ambush a leader.
Hurrying seems to be our national pastime. And pastors are among the biggest hurry-ers.The question is—how do we deal with the tension between our God-given assignment and His call to stop hurrying? How can we be productive without always being on the move? Into today’s episode John and Jim unpack four master keys to embracing a less-hurried life.
You do not exist to cater to every whim of those you lead. It’s not good for them . . . or for you . . . nor the organization you lead. In today’s episode John and Jim explore three ideas that help leaders locate the middle ground between the extremes of people-pleasing yeses and people-dodging no’s.
Are you in pain today? Even while the organization you lead is growing? Growth, while often desirable, is usually accompanied by pruning, both in our personal and pastoral lives. And pruning often is joined by an unwelcome companion . . . pain. In today’s episode John and Jim outline four ways pruning brings more fruit into our life at home and at the church or ministry we lead.
It’s not easy to finish. It’s even less easy to finish well. With the attrition of well-known ministry leaders over the past several years, you can begin to wonder, does anyone finish well?The good news is that with intentionality, God’s help, and the help of our Christian community, we can finish with a flourish. In today’s podcast John & Jim consider three ideas that increase the chances of finishing our race in full stride.
How we forgive is a harbinger of leadership fruitfulness and longevity. In part two of their conversation about Leadership & Forgiveness, John and Jim focus on extending forgiveness to ourselves, and then close with four powerful forgiveness principles we need to know.
One of the hardest things to do for most lead pastors is to separate from work. Failure to pivot from work to our personal life leads to overscheduling, overcommitting, and rest-deprivation. So here is the question: How do we work hard, how do we fulfill our calling, without running ourselves into the ground? We learn how to pivot.
Here’s something most pastors didn’t learn at college: Difficult people go to church.The 2nd thing they didn’t learn: Difficult people can cause a great deal of harm.In today’s episode John and Jim dive into a two-part conversation around why getting better at forgiveness helps us lead at a higher and healthier level.
Last week John and Jim started a two-part series about casting your 2025 vision. In today’s episode they continue their conversation on vision with extremely practical vision development exercises that will help you begin the vision-development process.
In the past two episodes John and Jim focused on vision development and vision-casting. Vision answers the question, where? Today they begin another two-part conversation on the irreplaceable role core values play. Core values answer the question, how? How do we behave on our way to where God is telling us to go?
Last week John and Jim began a two-part conversation on the irreplaceable role core values play. Core values answer the question, how?. How do we behave on our way to the vision God has given us? Core values provide the fuel that thrusts our organization toward that vision. Today’s episode unpacks how leaders can utilize core values to shape the culture they need.
In 1900, the Ford Motor Company commissioned a series of tests to determine how long a workweek should be to optimize productivity. Ford discovered the “sweet spot” was 40 hours per week. If you are a pastor, a 40-hour work week is likely elusive, not practical, even difficult to conceptualize. But the question remains, how do pastors migrate toward a smarter, more reasonable weekly work rhythm? In today’s episode John and Jim attempt to answer this most important question.
What is the top contributor to the ongoing burnout crisis for pastors? The ongoing and immense stress of the role. The solution is not the total elimination of stress. The truth is some stress is actually good for us. But the unrelenting variety of stress is where challenges emerge. So, what is a leader to do? In today’s podcast we unpack three big ideas and five practical behaviors that will help you reduce your risk of burnout, or help you recover from its menacing grip.
Vision is a clear, compelling, mouthwatering picture of where God wants to take the organization you lead. In today’s episode contains part one of our conversation around this most important leadership skill: Vision development and casting. We are cheering for you to dream big this year!
Human nature leans toward noticing problems with other people while being blind to our own. Jesus identifies this tendency when He asks: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” This tendency can trip up even the best of leaders. In today’s episode John and Jim unpack how we as leaders can take care of our “own yard” first.
The second leading cause of pastor burnout is isolation. All of us need people in our life who energize us, refresh us, make us laugh, who we can have mask-off community with. Leadership is too hard to do alone. In today’s episode John & Jim explore two major friendship obstacles, and then outline seven quick friendship tips for pastors.
What is it like to be on the other side of you? The answer can be a leading indicator of your emotional intelligence level. Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand your emotions, the emotions of those near you, and the impact your emotions have on the emotions of those near you. In today’s episode we focus on four threads that help a leader gain more of this precious leadership commodity
Ever feel like there is more work to do than hands to help? If so . . . you need a team. A team that feels free to help you. In today’s episode we explore three master keys to developing and releasing a team to help share the ministry load with you.
What is the most limiting behavior for a leader? The inability or unwillingness to have tough conversations with those you lead. In today’s episode John and Jim unpack six practical steps that will help you find the sweet spot between the tendency to bully and the tendency to wimp out when it comes to difficult conversations.
One of the most vulnerable times in an organization’s life is when it is transitioning from its current senior leader and passing the baton to the next one. In today’s episode John and Jim explore a high-level plan for a senior leadership transition. They answer two of the most frequent questions pastors ask when being coached through the leadership transition journey and then outline an example of a succession plan.
Should I stay, or should I go? A question most pastors have asked multiple times. Churches can experience two extremes when it comes to lead pastors: pastors who leave prematurely, or pastors who hang on too long. In today’s episode John and Jim unpack four powerful questions and four practical steps to help leaders discern if a necessary ending is nearing
In last week’s episode 257 we explored a leader’s most important assignment . . . building a strong inner life. In today’s episode we piggyback on that idea today by unpacking a practical way to get arrive at a stronger inside life . . . responding to Jesus’ invitation to weary leaders. The more we say yes to His invitation in Matthew 11, the stronger our inner life grows.
In today’s episode John and Jim do a quick flyover of three quotes from Peter Scazzero’s book, The Emotionally Healthy Leader. Together they unpack the #1 assignment of every pastor—an assignment that if taken seriously, is the biggest contributor to a pastor’s longevity and fruitfulness.
It’s national election season again. It’s safe to assume there’s going to be some tension leaking into the churches you lead. In today’s episode John & Jim unpack four perspectives we hope will help you manage that tension.
Today John and Jim welcome to the mic Lewis Brandon, pastor of Jordantown Wesleyan Church in Vinton, Virginia. A vibrant, growing church led by a vibrant, growing pastor. His powerful journey of healing from brokenness, anxiety, and depression is one of the most moving interviews we’ve had in the history of this podcast.
Finding character-filled, talented people to add to your team is challenging. In today’s episode Johne and Jim conclude their three-part series on Staffing Your Church from Within. They welcome to the mic today, Pastor Jim Westheim, Director of Operations at Faith Alive Church in West Branch, Michigan. He will unpack the practical steps Faith Alive has taken to successfully build their team from within (including 225 volunteers) over the last three years.
Finding character-filled, talented people to add to your team is becoming increasingly challenging. The pool of available candidates seems thin right now, and we sense it could stay that way for the near future.Considering those realities, we offer Part 2 of our series, Staffing Your Church from Within. In today’s episode we get extremely practical about taking next steps to implement this way of adding to your team.
Over the past few weeks, more than a dozen pastors have reported to us they are trying to add staff. They have the budget for it but are finding the talent pool shallow. We believe this trend will continue to grow in the years ahead. With that in mind, today’s episode is the first in a series of three podcasts dedicated to the idea of staffing your church from within.
The health of your marriage is foundational to the health of the organization you lead. The most impactful thing a pastor does for a church’s health is to have a healthy marriage. In Part 2 of their conversation with Greg and Rachelle Colegrove, founders of The Fun Marriage Workshop, John and Jim explore what pastors and their spouse can do if they find themselves in marital crisis, how they can get in front of marital struggles, and the impact marital health has on the church they lead.
In today’s episode, Greg and Rachelle Colegrove, founders of The Fun Marriage Workshop, join John and Jim on the mic. Together they unpack the leadership marriage landscape, the contributing factors to marital stress in a leader’s life, and finally what leaders can do to address those stressors both biblically and practically.
There is beauty in order. But the truth is there is also a beast . . . a dark side to task-orientation. In today’s episode John and Jim take a look at the darker side of task-oriented leadership, and what leaders can do to minimize its negative impact.
In today’s episode John and Jim explore a seismic shift in leadership style that holds the promise of leadership excellence over a long period of time . . . becoming a leader of leaders.
Statistics drawn from over 12,000 coaching and/or counseling sessions with pastors during the years 2022-2023 revealed the following top four needs being addressed in descending order were: Burnout/exhaustion;marriage counseling (both critical and preventative maintenance); unhealthy addictions/behavior (pornography, alcohol); and leadership coaching.In today’s episode John and Jim explore the second most addressed need . . . the health of our marriage. The most powerful influence for good or not so good in the churches we pastor is the health of our marriage.
Discouragement is the universal experience of leadership. Extended seasons of discouragement can cause leaders to doubt their calling, capability, and value. Some leaders even prematurely exit ministry due to a growing sense of hopelessness. In today’s episode John and Jim unpack four master keys to beating this unwelcome trouble of all leaders.
Welcome back to Part 2 of John and Jim's conversation centered around eight trends emerging in churches this year. Last week in Episode 244 they explored the first four trends: The gravitational pull toward the tactical at the expense of the strategic; the way church health is measured; the loneliness of the people we lead; and the need your team has for face time with you. In today’s episode they unpack four additional trends in the Church post-pandemic.
Pastoring in 2024 is not like it was pre-pandemic. We can either live in denial or figure out how to adapt without diluting our message. In today’s episode John & Jim explore four trends they are noticing in the Church post-pandemic and how pastors can respond to those trends.
In today’s episode, John and Jim welcome back Greg Surratt, founding pastor of Seacoast Church in South Carolina, co-founder of the Association of Related Churches (ARC), and a pastor to thousands of pastors across the world.Today's conversation concludes a compelling two-part look at the challenges regarding the health and wellbeing of pastors. It unpacks a pathway for responding to elevated levels of burnout among pastors and . . . explores how to get in front of this problem with higher-risk younger and emerging leaders.
Today John and Jim welcome Greg Surratt to the mic. Greg is the founding pastor of Seacoast Church in South Carolina, the co-founder of the Association of Related Churches (ARC), and a pastor to thousands of pastors across the world. In their conversation today, they begin a two-part look at how to reduce your risk of pastoral burnout.
Have you ever felt like an underdog? Like you are operating at a disadvantage? If so . . . welcome to the club! The Bible is full of people who felt they were underdogs. In today’s episode, John and Jim unpack an encouraging idea: You + God is a winning combination!
Psalm 23 is one of the most beloved of all the Psalms. It carries fresh meaning for those of us who lead. Before God leads you in your calling . . . He leads you to Himself. In today’s episode, John and Jim unpack how leaders can navigate chaotic times by getting quiet enough to tune in, listen to, and follow God’s voice.
Do you want to lead better? Longer? Have more fun along the way?If so, three foundational items in your life need to get healthier: Identity, Affection, and Affirmation. In today’s episode we unpack these three pillars of healthy living and leadership that, if properly applied, will improve your leadership, lengthen your shelf-life, and increase the enjoyment of your calling.
Gossip . . . perhaps the most pervasive problem in the church today. And the lack of unity it produces weakens the witness of the Church and ultimately the reputation of Jesus.In today’s episode John and Jim tackle a subject that comes from a friend of Converge Coaching, Jay Fowler . . . collapsing relational triangles. Today's conversation carves a path that will help build unity in the church or ministry you lead.
Conflict . . . for most leaders, the bane of their existence. Something to be postponed instead of embraced. But the way we deal with conflict is a barometer of our future leadership capacity. In today’s episode John and Jim unpack a biblical and practical approach to a problem many leaders would rather avoid . . . managing conflict.
Are younger male leaders, and female leaders more emotionally aware than their older male leader counterparts? In today’s episode we welcome back our friend, Josh Spurlock for Part 2 of our conversation focusing on how the way our personal world impacts our ministry world, and how leading with a limp makes a leader easier to follow, and the generational and gender nuances of pastoral leadership.
In today’s episode we welcome back to the mic our friend, Josh Spurlock, founder of My Counselor Online. In our conversation today we unpack the current leadership landscape in terms of wellbeing and explore how leaders from different generations can help each other become more resilient.
In Episode 233 John & Jim unpacked this idea: part of understanding the value of time is determining what and to whom we say yes or no. In today’s episode they explore how the way we value time has a lot to do with what and to whom we say yes or no
In today’s episode John & Jim unpack two powerful lessons John discovered on his most recent vacation. If you get your arms around these two items, they will shape your life and leadership in a profound manner.
Today John & Jim welcome Kyle Isabelli back to the mic for Part 2 of their conversation on the subject, Responding to a Forced Exit. In today’s episode they explore, among other things, the stats behind the forced termination of pastors, the proper tension between looking in the mirror and evaluating the contributions of their supervisors, and questions to ask early on to help determine philosophical alignment.
Today John & Jim welcome Kyle Isabelli to the mic for Part 1 of their conversation on the subject, Responding to a Forced Exit. In today’s episode they unpack Kyle’s forced termination, a few big lessons he learned through the journey, and how to leave a church well, even when you have been unexpectedly let go.
Today we welcome Mike Clarensau back to the mic for Part 2 of our conversation about the current health of the Church in America. In our discussion today we explore the role of coaching in church health, and the challenge of next gen leaders’ struggle with the call of God on their lives. Mike closes out our conversation with the best piece of advice he would give to local church pastors.
Today we welcome Mike Clarensau to the mic. As a proven strategist, Mike has helped churches and ministry organizations identify new direction or the steps necessary for greater effectiveness. In Part 1 of our conversation, Mike unpacks how the Church in America is doing, what needs to change, and why churches struggle so much with change.
In Part 2 of our conversation with Craig Owens about his newest book, When Sheep Bite, we unpack how to express gentleness in the face of biting sheep and why gentleness matters; how to find a “release valve” for our anger; and how to effectively confront biting sheep.
If you have pastored for any length of time, you have suffered “bite marks” from those you lead. Sheep who criticize you . . . sometimes unfairly. And it causes you pain. Today we bring Craig Owens back to the mic for Part 1 of our conversation around his newest book, When Sheep Bite. When you’ve been bitten, it can be hard to manage. In today’s episode we explore with Craig practical strategies that help us respond better when the inevitable “bites” happen.
Today we wrap up two months’ worth of podcasts about a leader’s well-being. We have taken the following position: Our wellbeing is a matter of obedience not a matter of preference. In today’s episode we finish the conversation by exploring what it takes to lead from a full tank. Our premise is simply this: You cannot give what you do not have.
We’ve been talking almost exclusively in 2024 about whole-person wellbeing. Today we continue talking about whole-person health by exploring our ubiquitous need for friendship. Genesis 2:18 reminds us it is not good for us to be alone for extended periods of time.
We’ve rapped about work/rest rhythms multiple times over the 4+ years we’ve been podcasting. We’ve unpacked four of them in the past: Daily, weekly, quarterly, and annually. In today’s episode we explore a fifth rhythm: our capacity vs. the demand on that capacity.
In today’s episode we continue our series of podcasts on a leader’s well-being. We unpack three important questions: What does it mean to be properly related to yourself? How do you get there? And . . . why does it matter? Our capacity to be properly related to those we love and lead begins with being properly related to ourselves.
How do you successfully navigate the long, dark tunnel of depression? With over 40% of pastors reporting suffering with depression, answering this question correctly is of utmost importance. In today’s episode we continue our compelling conversation with Dave Barringer about the epidemic of these twin evils in today’s culture. Dave gives us practical tips on how to get and stay mentally/emotionally healthy.
Depression and anxiety are waging war on the wellbeing of adults and young people in our country. We feel these twin evils are at epidemic proportions – 33% of Americans report suffering with symptoms of depression. In today’s episode we welcome Dave Barringer to the mic for Part 1 of our conversation around this most important subject. Dave unpacks his journey with depression in such a powerful way that you will want to share this podcast with your friends and family.
At the beginning of every year, we take the first two episodes to reflect on the biggest lessons we learned in the previous year. Last week in Episode 219 we considered the first two indelible lessons from 2023: First, refuse to put God in a box. Second, to move forward, you must let go of something. Today in Episode 220 we unpack the next two indelible lessons. Believing with you for an amazing 2024!
It’s our tradition to take the first two episodes of the year to reflect on the biggest lessons we learned in the previous year. These are indelible takeaways we aspired to carry forward into 2024. We’ll unpack two takeaways today in episode 219, and 2 more in Episode 220 next week. Happy New Year!
It’s December 19th, six days before Christmas. This time of year can get very busy for pastors. Extra events at church. Extra events with family and friends. Finishing up the year and planning for next year. In today’s episode John & Jim talk about the subject of Holiday Rhythms and suggest three important ideas leaders may want to consider regarding the last 12 days of 2023.
Today we welcome Daniel Whitehead, CEO of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries back to the mic. In Part 2 of our conversation with Daniel, we explore what is contributing to the worldwide challenges we face with anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. And then we lay out a practical strategy pastors can take to help those suffering with these evil triplets in the churches they lead.
Today we welcome Daniel Whitehead, CEO of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries to the mic. In Part 1 of our conversation with Daniel, we unpack what is happening—in the arena of wellbeing—in the lives of people who attend the churches we lead. We hope you enjoy this powerful episode!
The average age of a clergy member today is 57, compared to age 50 in 2000 Half of all American pastors today are older than age 55. These realities are ubiquitous across almost every denomination. And it begs the question: Is the talent pool merely shallow? Is God not calling enough leaders into vocational ministry? Or . . . is the talent pool afraid? Afraid to take on a role that while extremely fulfilling, also carries with it a lot of complexity? In Part Two of their conversation around engaging the next generation of leaders, John & Jim unpack helpful answers to the question posed to more than twenty young leaders: “What would you say to pastors who want to engage and enlist a younger generation?”.
Everywhere we turn, it seems the alarm is sounding about the graying of pastors. Legitimate concerns exist, including, “What happens if at some point we don’t have enough qualified leaders?” In today’s episode, we begin a two-part conversation on this most important subject: Engaging and Incorporating the Next Generation of Leaders.
The average age of a clergy member today is 57, compared to age 50 in 2000 (Lifeway Research). Half of all American pastors today are older than age 55. In 1992, 24% of all American pastors were older than 55 (Barna). One of the impacts of these alarming trends? The pastor talent pool is getting shallow. Every denomination is dealing with a leadership shortage. In today’s episode, John and Jim unpack the talent shortage issue and offer four things all of us can do to help address this clear and present danger to the health and well-being of the local church.
In today’s episode John & Jim welcome back Shannon Shaffer to the mic to continue their compelling conversation about worship leaders. In today's chat they explore the personal and public components of worship leading, the traits of an effective worship leader, and how worship leaders can avoid an age-old trap the devil often sets for them.
In their work across the country, John and Jim are noticing a troubling trend . . . worship pastors and lead pastors butting heads. Sparring over worship styles, over who’s in charge, or over whose kingdom is being built. Today's episode contains Part 1 of their powerful conversation with Shannon Shaffer, Worship Pastor at Auburn Hills Christian Center, focusing on factors that cause turbulence between worship pastors and lead pastors, and practical steps worship pastors and lead pastors can take to work together more effectively.
What does success in pastoral or ministry leadership look like? And what can make success—though desirable—dangerous? In today’s episode John and Jim outline what success from God’s perspective looks like, share two of the most common snares success brings, and what leaders can do to avoid getting trapped by those snares.
Discernment is an often overlooked and underutilized tool in a leader’s repertoire. Finely tuned discernment can become one of a leader’s best friends. It can spare you heartache, save you time, and protect the people you lead and serve. In today’s episode we unpack three ways discernment helps you as a leader, and then explore four practical ways you can hone this most important skill
In the final segment of the Leadership & series, John and Jim unpack Leadership & Soft Skills. You as a leader are the biggest contributor to your team’s level of production. And most of the things you can do to increase good outcomes have to do with soft skills. Today’s episode outlines eight powerful contributors to a team’s productivity and five impactful soft skills that will help your team consistently deliver good outcomes
John & Jim are in the third segment of the Leadership & series. In Episode 205, they explored Leadership & Communication. In 206, Leadership & Seismos Moments. Today’s episode focuses on Leadership & Delegation. In today’s pod we unpack five helpful delegation tips, and five levels of delegation that will allow you to successfully share the ministry load
Leadership tosses a variety of storms our way . . . some are garden variety storms, others are more intense. Today John and Jim tackle the subject of Leadership and Seismos Moments. They explore some of the larger storms leadership tosses at us, and then outline four helpful and encouraging tips.
Effective communication is a super important leadership skill, but it is hard. In today’s episode we explore four types of communication and then share three secrets to doing it effectively. If you want the culture of the organization that you lead to be healthy . . . effective communication is non-negotiable.
In 2015, more than 38% of pastors in the U.S. were co-vocational. In today’s episode, we unpack three of the many challenges facing co-vocational pastors and offer helpful tips in navigating the often-exhausting world of co-vocational leadership.
Humility . . . a word often misunderstood and misapplied in the world of leadership. Our culture bombards us with images of leaders who are strong, smart, skilled, super-men and super-women who lead their organizations to triumph. In today’s episode we unpack six powerful ways humility shapes our leadership and sets us up not only to bear good fruit . . . but to do so over a long span of time.
In Part 2 of our conversation with JD Wiegand, JD unpacks what he wishes he could have said to his parents, shares insightful advice for pastors who have children, and offers encouragement to kids whose parents pastor a church.If you are pastoring a church and still have children at home, you are not going to want to miss today’s episode
In Part 1 of a two-part conversation, we interview JD Wiegand, Jim’ son. We explore a few of JD’s favorite things about being a pastor’s kid, some of the challenges he experienced, and three things he wished he could have said to the congregation his dad pastored
As we approach our 200th episode, we thought it might be fun to re-release our most popular five podcasts. Today’s episode is our most listened to and watched episode of all time: Shaping the Culture You Need. Culture is fuel. You can craft an amazing vision, have a dynamic playbook, but a healthy culture provides the fuel for that vision and playbook.
Sometimes a leader has to . . . well . . . lead. Some situations call for swift action instead of collaborative consensus. And in those situations, leaders lead. In today’s episode we unpack how to lead confidently without being too full of yourself or running over the team you lead
When you love what you do for a living—when work doesn’t feel like work because of your passion for it—you’re at more risk than most of falling into the workaholic treadmill. Workaholic behavior puts leaders, their families, and their ministries at serious risk. Today’s episode unpacks three hidden dangers of workaholic addiction, and what you can do to protect yourself from them
Words are one of the most powerful forces for good in the organizations we serve. Our teammates often rise to the level of the words we speak to them. For every human, words matter. For humans that lead, they matter even more. In today’s episode, we explore how leaders can leverage the power of words in a way that moves their organization—and the people in their organization—in a positive direction. We hope today’s episode inspires you!
Lead pastoring is quite possibly the ultimate bench vise. The lingering sense of weight, the messiness of people, and the unrelenting demands of the role squeeze even the best leaders. Here’s the good news: When difficult challenges emerge, all is not lost. In fact, something good is on the horizon. We hope you enjoy this episode today!
The first 30 days on a new team are the most important 30 days in that person’s experience with you, or whoever is leading the team they’re on. In today’s post, we unpack how to implement this often-missed step that helps a new teammate get off to a great start, and why it matters so much
It is amazing isn’t it that the Bible never gets boring, stale, or old? In today’s episode John and Jim explore one of the many timeless principles found in Genesis chapters 1 and 2 . . . Rhythms of the Garden
What are you 40 days away from if you tried and had a plan? In today’s pod John & Jim reveal their thoughts on what we might be 40 days away from if we tried and had a plan . . . and the incredible impact following through will have on both our life and our leadership.
We live in a world where success is idolized and so-called shortcuts to success abound. If we are not careful as leaders, we can find ourselves frustrated, confused, overwhelmed, and maybe even burned out by the relentless pursuit of success. In today’s episode John & Jim explore four ideas reimagining success in a way that keeps us healthy and in the game for the long haul
Did you grow up in an environment where failure was embarrassing, hidden from, and often considered fatal? Was failure treated as the enemy?In today’s episode we focus on reframing failure and why it matters so much to your leadership longevity and fruitfulness
Small is not a problem, a virtue, or an excuse!In today’s episode we welcome Karl Vaters back to the mic for Part 2 of an insightful and truly powerful conversation around what it takes to lead a vibrant, healthy church—regardless of its size.
In today’s episode we chat with Karl Vaters about the positive trends he is observing with churches across the country, a few challenging trends, and what leaders can do about those challenging trends
Today’s episode focuses on getting a leader ready to enjoy an amazing vacation this summer. In Episode 188, John and Jim focus on three foundational pieces to getting the best out of your time off . . . Pre-vacation planning; the vacation itself ; and then re-entry to work afterwards
More pastors tell us in July they want to quit than in any other month of the year. In today’s episode John & Jim unpack a fresh perspective that outlines two ways you can grow deeper and wider during the summer months
In today’s episode we continue our conversation with Sean Nemecek, author of The Weary Leader’s Guide to Burnout. In Part 2 we dig into how anxiety and shame fuel burnout, and then we outline a practical pathway toward recovery
The latest report from Barna (2023) reveals an explosive statistic: 40% of pastors report they’re suffering from burnout. In 2015, that number was 11%.In today’s episode, we interview author Sean Nemecek about his book, The Weary Leader’s Guide to Burnout. Together we unpack why this is happening, and share dashboard warning lights that alert us to looming burnout
Unless you live under a rock, you’re likely aware of the revival that broke out at Asbury College in Wilmore Kentucky. In today’s episode, John and Jim continue their conversation around the amazing move of God’s Spirit on college campuses across our country. . . both Christian and secular—and then outline what leaders can/should do in response
In today’s episode John and Jim start a two-part series exploring what God is up to at Asbury College and at college campuses across our country . . . and what our response as leaders to these goings-on might/should be
Ever feel like you’re spinning your wheels when it comes to engaging the communities around you?In today’s episode, Pastor Chris Brooks returns to unpack three effective ways a church can impact the communities they serve: Community Service, Community Development, and Community Empowerment.
Caring for the health of those who serve alongside us in ministry is one of the most important responsibilities a pastor has. In today’s episode John interviews Pastor Chris Brooks, lead pastor of Woodside Bible Church, about the staff care effort at Woodside, and how churches of any size can get started with this initiative
Mental and emotional health is achievable. It’s a lot of work . . . but it ultimately is doable. In today’s episode we wrap up our seven-week focus on mental and emotional well-being by unpacking two powerful pieces of a preventive plan to help you get and stay healthy
God has called you as a leader to run a marathon, not a sprint. To finish strong. In today’s episode, we explore the impact that running and leading on a full tank has on our longevity and sustained fruitfulness as leaders
We’re currently in the middle of a series of pods focused on mental and emotional health. We’ve talked about becoming our own best friend; telling our anger where to go. Today we’ll focus on protecting ourselves from people whose mission in life is to hurt us
In today’s episode we continue our conversation which started in Episode 176 . . . Telling Anger Where to Go. All of us experience this most human of emotions. Those of us who get and stay healthy mentally/emotionally are learning how to process our anger in a way that honors God and simultaneously frees us from the suffocating grip of bitterness
In today’s episode we continue our series of conversations on mental and emotional wellbeing. Today’s pod focuses on the most human of emotions . . . anger . . . and increases our understanding of this emotion’s ability to complicate our life if we don’t handle it skillfully
Anxiety and depression are at epidemic levels in the United States. And leaders are not immune. In today’s episode, John and Jim continue their conversation around how to become your own best friend without becoming a self-centered narcissist
It’s February, and here in Michigan it’s the dead of winter, and often the height of Seasonal Affective Disorder. In today’s episode, John and Jim kick off a series of pods centered on the mental/emotional wellbeing of leaders with the subject: Become Your Own Best Friend
A church or a business won’t get to their end zone without fuel—the culture created by meaningful values provides that fuel.In today’s episode, John & Jim discuss a pathway to identify your organization’s core values, and highlight the powerful impact they have on you, your team, and the future of the organization you lead
Vision is about destination. Vision speaks to where you and the organization you lead are ultimately heading over a period of time. Using a football metaphor, vision is the end zone. In today’s episode, John and Jim help us exercise our visioning muscles by exploring three powerful outcomes of a clear, compelling, mouthwatering view of the future
Can you believe it’s 2023? Blink, and here comes another year. A year full of opportunity . . . surprises probably . . . and likely, some challenges. We think one of the best things a leader can do with a new year is to take stock of the prior year. In today’s episode, John takes time to reflect on the three most significant lessons he learned in 2022
In today’s episode John and Jim welcome Paul Feuerstein back to the mic. In Part 2 of their conversation, they unpack some of the biggest challenges facing leaders today, and practical things leaders can do about those challenges
In today’s episode, John and Jim interview Paul Feuerstein, lead pastor of Helena First in Helena Montana. Together they unpack six axioms that are common to leadership no matter the size/demographic/location of the church you lead
In today’s episode, we welcome Josh Spurlock back to the mic for Part 2 of their conversation. Josh is the founder of My Counselor Online, an amazing organization dedicated to the mental and emotional well-being of leaders. In this powerful follow-up to Episode 167 John, Jim, and Josh explore where the mental and emotional health landscape is going in the United States, and how leaders can create a culture of mental and emotional health in the organization they lead. Once again, this a can’t miss episode!
In today’s episode, John and Jim welcome Josh Spurlock to the mic. Josh is the founder of My Counselor Online, an amazing organization dedicated to the mental and emotional well-being of leaders. In this powerful conversation, John, Jim, and Josh unpack current trends regarding burnout among leaders, what’s contributing to it, and what leaders can do to get and stay healthy. This is a can’t miss episode!
Gratitude is a choice. A powerful choice. The question is . . . how does a leader—with everything swirling around them as they lead an organization--acquire it? And why does it matter? In today’s episode we offer three practical steps to increasing your gratitude level—and how that positively impacts your leadership
In today’s episode, we welcome Jaime Hlavin back to the mic for Part 2 of her conversation with us. Part 1 (Jen add link to Episode 164 here) was so well-received that we can’t wait for you to hear today’s pod!Together we unpack three additional survival tips for introverts who are called to fulfill an extroverted role.
In today’s episode, we welcome Jaime Hlavin to the mic. Jaime explores the sometimes head-scratching challenges facing introverts who—surprisingly—find themselves in an extroverted calling. In Part 1 of the conversation, Jaime reveals three myths about introverts, and two practical survival tips for those introverts who must “turn on the extrovert” to get their job done
In today’s episode, John and Jim continue to unpack some of the most powerful moments of the Helping Small Churches Thrive Conference, that featured Karl Vaters, a specialist in helping small churches get healthy. In today’s pod, they explore three essentials of a healthy church. Once again, no matter the size of the church you lead, this episode will both encourage and challenge you
In today’s episode, John and Jim recap some of the most powerful moments of the Helping Small Churches Thrive Conference, that featured Karl Vaters, a specialist in helping small churches get healthy. No matter the size of the church you lead, this episode will both encourage and challenge you
Don’t attend every argument you’re invited to. Jesus said “yes” many times. But He also said “no” on occasion. In today’s episode, John & Jim help us find the middle between the extremes of people-pleasing and people-dodging
Jesus is on the move and building His church today. In a world where bad news seems to rule, Jim and John unpack two additional positive trends they’re noticing across their network of church clients, and how leaders can ride the wave of these two encouraging currents
Jesus is on the move and building His church today. In a world where bad news seems to rule, Jim and John unpack two of the positive trends they’re noticing across their network of church clients, and how leaders can ride the wave of these two encouraging currents
In today’s episode, Andrea Bassett joins John and Jim again to talk about trauma, anxiety, and the damaging lies people tell themselves. Andrea unpacks practical pathways to successfully deal with these three challenges that threaten our well-being
In today’s episode, John & Jim interview Andrea Bassett, founder of Cora Journey. In this powerful conversation, Andrea explains how traumatic events can result in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and outlines a pathway to help those suffering with PTSD.
No matter how great a leader you are, there will always be a few parishioners who don’t like you and feel it’s their calling to criticize you. In part two of their conversation, John & Jim unpack two more behaviors that help leaders when those they lead attack them
Criticism hurts. No matter how great a leader you are, there are always a few people who don’t like you and feel it’s their calling to criticize you. In today’s episode John and Jim unpack two powerful ways a leader can respond—and maybe even grow—when the people they lead go on the attack
In today’s episode John and Jim welcome Craig Owens back to the mic. Their conversation unpacks the adjustments humble leaders need to make and why these tweaks matter so much
In today’s episode John and Jim welcome Craig Owens to the mic. Craig is a pastor, a consultant, and author of the book, Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics that really matter. Pod 153 explores how our strengths can become our kryptonite if we’re not careful
In Part 2 of his interview with Chip Judd, Care Pastor at Seacoast Church in South Carolina, John and Chip focus on the inner life of leaders, and also on what can be done about the shrinking leadership pool
In today's episode, John interviews Chip Judd, Care Pastor at Seacoast Church in South Carolina. This powerful conversation unpacks important insights into the call of God on a leader's life, and the top challenges they face in a quickly changing culture
As the leader goes, so goes the organization they lead. What does health look like for a leader? In today’s episode—Part 2 of a 2-part series—John and Jim unpack two more consistent behaviors observed in pastors who’ve maintained robust health over a long period of time
As the leader goes, so goes the organization they lead. What does health look like for a leader? In today’s episode John and Jim unpack two behaviors they’ve observed in pastors who’ve maintained a good level of health over a long period of time
In today’s episode, John interviews JP Dorsey, former President of Northpoint college. In this compelling conversation, JP and John unpack important questions around the movement of leaders, two of the biggest challenges currently facing the Church, and what we can do about the shrinking leadership talent pool. This is a can’t miss episode!
It’s said that many pastors quit every Monday morning, only to re-up sometime later in the week. On Monday morning, Sunday gatherings get replayed in our head. The good and the not-so-good. “Thank you, Lord for those people who said yes to following You. For how well our teams served.” These positive thoughts are often countered by: “Why didn’t so-and-so show up? Am I failing? Do I want to do this anymore?” What can we do about those pesky Monday morning blahs? In today’s episode Jim and John unpack three realities that can help leaders better navigate Mondays in Pastor Land
We need to put in hours to obtain good outcomes. But putting in hours doesn’t guarantee good outcomes. In today’s episode, John & Jim unpack how managing to outcomes instead of hours helps you get the results you want and have more fun along the way
Jealousy is an emotion almost every leader deals with. The “green-eyed monster” is a thief. It robs us of healthy relationships. It steals our joy. In today’s episode, John and Jim reveal three signals jealousy is getting a foothold in your life, and then outline four ways to prevent it from ripping you off
Increasing your team’s weekly hours by 50 percent (from 40 to 60 hours) does not result in 50 percent more productivity. Most leaders assume the extra hours will produce an equally matched extra output . . . but usually, this formula fails. In today’s episode, John & Jim outline why everyone who leads should take a long, hard look at how to keep their team bright, healthy, safe, and productive for the long haul
Busy-ness doesn’t guarantee productivity. Busy can fool us into thinking we’re achieving when we’re really not. In today’s episode, John and Jim chat about the idea of “guarding our assignment” and answer the question, “How can we avoid being faked out by busy?”
Occasionally we still encounter a leader or two who think self-care is a fancy word for selfishness. In today’s episode, John & Jim unpack the differences between healthy self-care and plain-old self-centeredness . . . and why distinguishing between the two matters
Several weeks ago, our teammate Jaime Hlavin wrote a powerful post on the subject of leading through personal pain. It’s a fact of leadership life . . . occasionally you have to lead even when you’re experiencing significant headwinds in your personal life. In today’s episode, John and Jim relay five master keys Jaime shared that help leaders who find themselves in the middle of a storm
How do we deal with the tension between our task list and God’s invitation to stop hurrying? How can we be productive without being always on the move? In today’s episode, John & Jim unpack three ways eliminate hurry from your life and still be productive at work
Hiring from within has many advantages. But it’s not always possible. When hiring from the outside, a well-thought-out approach reduces your risk. In today’s episode, John and Jim explore three keys that help you make better hiring decisions
Driven by perfectionism, many pastors overanalyze, over-criticize, and behave less than graciously toward themselves after preaching. In today’s episode John and Jim unpack a prayer every preacher should consider praying before they get to the platform that will help them relax, have more fun, and get out of God’s way
Today's episode contains Part 2 of John & Jim's interview with Chad Deerman, pastor of Faith Alive Church in West Branch, MI. In Part 2 Chad unpacks how he uses focused work segments at home, how this helps him never find himself behind at home, and how it helps him achieve a more replenishing day off each week
In today’s episode, John and Jim interview Chad Deerman, pastor of Faith Alive Church in West Branch, MI. Together they unpack Chad’s powerful approach to focused work segments that have enable the church he leads to get healthy and grow while simultaneously allowing Chad to stay healthy in his personal life
Leadership is a journey fraught with peril. Numerous traps await even the best of pastors and business leaders. In today’s episode, John and Jim explore three of the most common pitfalls that threaten to ambush a leader, and what he/she can do to avoid getting entangled in them
It’s possible to be seriously out of rhythm in your life and not know it. In today’s episode, John & Jim unpack four dashboard lights we can pay attention to that might signal arrythmia is present in our life
How does a leader take a great day off? What are some elements? Leaders are asking this question more and more. In today’s episode, John and Jim unpack the answers to these most important questions.
In today’s episode we welcome back Josh Spurlock to the podcast. In part two of our interview, we explore how to humanize the role of pastor and how a leader can get/stay healthy as they begin to dream, strategize, and grow again.
In today’s episode we welcome back Josh Spurlock to the podcast. In part one of our interview, Josh unpacks the current leadership landscape in terms of mental and emotional health; the silver lining issuing out of the struggles of the past two years, and the core building blocks of preventive self-care
A church or a business won’t get to their goal without fuel—the culture created by meaningful values provides that fuel. In today’s episode, John and Jim unpack what values are, what they mean, and why they matter.
You can have an enticing goal line, a brilliant playbook—but without the right players in the right positions, you won’t get to your destination. In today’s episode, Jim and John unpack how to discover and release the right players into the right roles
Creating and casting a compelling vision is great, But a compelling vision without an easy to follow playbook leads to frustration. Today’s pod unpacks a simple approach to creating a winning playbook for the organization you lead
During recent conversations with leaders, along with internal conversations here at Converge Coaching, we’re sensing that the dark cloud that’s hung over churches during the pandemic may be dissipating. We’re making no predictions of course, but our perspective is it’s time to get back to vision. In today’s episode John and Jim unpack what vision is and why it matters
In today’s episode John and Jim unpack three revelations John received while on his recent vacation. Rediscovering what fills up your emotional tank and make that the centerpiece of your annual time away will help you achieve the admirable goal of leading better, leading longer, and enjoying it more
Today Jim and John continue their compelling conversation with Karl Vaters. Karl pastors a vibrant church in California. His heart is to help pastors of small churches find the resources to lead well, and to capitalize on the unique advantages that come with pastoring a small church
Over 90% of churches in the United States are 200 and under in attendance. In today's episode, John & Jim interview Karl Vaters, a pastor of a vibrant church in California. Karl’s heart is to help pastors of small churches find the resources to lead well, and to capitalize on the unique advantages that come with pastoring a small church
: We spend a lot of time on the podcast talking about identity and its impact on our leadership. In today’s episode, John and Jim take a deep dive into how working from a more accurate sense of identity helps us get and stay healthier as leaders, and the powerful influence it has on those we lead
Every year, as the year unfolds, I try to keep track of the most important lessons of that year. My intention is to internalize those lessons and carry them into the next year. Here are the most important things I learned in 2021. Jim and I hope some of them speak to you
Today we welcome Aaron Hlavin to the podcast. Aaron is the District Superintendent of the Michigan District of the Assemblies of God. He previously served as a Lead Pastor for thirteen years, and an associate pastor for ten years. We invited Aaron to talk with us about a serious subject today: how the craziness of the past two years has impacted pastor's children
The most important decision a church or any organization for that matter will ever make is who they choose as their senior leader. In today’s episode, John & Jim outline 7 practical steps a search committee can take to increase their chances of making a home run hire
Why do we leaders overschedule? Really, why? Our first response might be: “Well I’m a responsible person. I have to get this stuff done.” Or, “I love what I do!” Good answers. Today’s episode unpacks three-lee-than-noble reasons we stuff our calendar, and then explores what we can do about each one of them
Today we welcome back Dr. Ralph Neighbour to the podcast as we unpack a subject too many leaders put off until it’s too late . . . getting ready for life outside of the pulpit. We are watching many pastors in the 60s, 70s, or 80s who have no defined off-ramp. Today’s episode gives leaders permission to prepare financially for retirement, and to dream about the things they could do in their next season to be a blessing to humanity
Summary: The number one challenge in a church revitalization for pastors? The pastors themselves. It’s a rare pastor who admits he needs help and is willing to do the work required to revitalize. Today we welcome Dr. Ralph Neighbour to the podcast. Ralph oversees the revitalization efforts for 2300 Baptist churches in California, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table
Pastors are on the move. In its most recent study, Barna discovered that 38% of pastors have thought about quitting full-time ministry this year. In today’s episode, Jim & John unpack the reasons why this phenomenon is happening, and what we can do about it
“God, why am I going through this incredibly difficult time while those who don’t love you are living the good life?” Has some version of that thought ever crossed your mind, or some version of those words ever crossed your lips? The truth is, God is good . . . but we’re not exempt. We’re not exempt from the trials and tribulations inherent in a fallen world. In today’s pod, John and Jim unpack a pathway to weather those seasons when life doesn’t make sense
Pastoring has become increasingly complex. Churchgoers expect their pastor to juggle an average of 16 major tasks! If we lead without a clear set of Biblical leadership values, we set ourselves up for frustration! In the New Testament epistles – predominantly those Paul wrote to Timothy and in his letter to Titus… we discover the model
Some of the worst days in a pastor’s life is when people they care about decide to leave—but those don’t have to be their worst days. When people leave the church we lead, it can feel like it’s our fault. And usually, it really hurts. In today’s episode, Jim & John unpack a pathway to help pastors navigate the choppy waters caused by the departure of people
Historically, the Church has not known what to do with depression, anxiety, or suicide. Our silence in the past was deafening. And while we’re grateful that increasingly, churches are talking about these three enemies more openly, we’re concerned the conversation isn’t always helpful. In today’s episode, Jim and John explore three powerful steps that will help you talk intelligently and compassionately about the evil triplets of depression, anxiety, and depression
When you love what you do for a living—when work doesn’t feel like work because of your passion for it—you’re at more risk than most of falling into the workaholic treadmill. Workaholic behavior puts leaders, their families, and their ministries at serious risk. Today’s episode unpacks three hidden dangers of workaholic addiction, and what you can do to protect yourself from them
Do you ever arrive at mid-afternoon on a work day, and feel like your brain is slowly transforming into jello? Today’s episode unpacks three dashboard warning lights that signal it is probably time to punch out for the day. Implementing a healthy daily work/rest rhythm will help you produce more, stress less, and increase your leadership longevity
The dynamics of your team—the way you work together to achieve the mission—flows throughout everything in your organization. Culture always wins. In today’s episode, John & Jim interview Jenni Catron on how culture impacts the organization you lead, why culture matters, and how to get started shaping the culture you want and need
The dynamics of your team—the way you work together to achieve the mission—flows throughout everything in your organization. Culture always wins. In today’s episode, John & Jim interview Jenni Catron on how culture impacts the organization you lead . . . and why it matters
Today's episode is pure gold. Andy Swart is back for Part 2 of our conversation about Hitting The Target When We Communication. On today's pod we explore three communication hacks that will up your communication game, and we also unpack three key next steps that will get you started
Communication has become a tricky business for leaders. Our current culture stands ready to pounce on any misspoken word or idea, and use it to attack/or criticize us. How can we hit the mark when we speak in such a volatile environment? Our guest, Andy Swart, Teaching Pastor at The Mount Church in Keller, Texas, unpacks practical ways leaders can hit the target when they communicate
Sometimes a leader has to . . . well . . . lead. Some situations call for swift action instead of collaborative consensus. And in those situations, leaders lead. In today’s episode, John and Jim unpack how to lead confidently without being too full of yourself or running over the team you lead
Retaining high-character, high-performing staff is one of the most difficult challenges facing leaders today. And yet with a thoughtful and consistent approach, staff longevity is doable. Unfortunately, A-players don’t grow on trees. In today’s pod, John & Jim unpack six practical and powerful ideas that will make your organization a great work place to work
Building a strong, productive team is one of the hardest things a leader has to do. No leader bats a thousand when it comes to hiring.
When hiring staff, it’s not unusual to operate in one of two extremes: We go totally with our gut and ignore objectivity . . . or we go totally with objectivity and ignore our gut. Both extremes reduce our batting average when it comes to hiring.
In today’s episode, Jim & John outline a hiring framework that increases your chances of of hiring success
Church history (and world history) is full of stories about talented people who started well and had great upside only to eventually crash and burn. In today’s episode, Jim & John unpack three behaviors that help leaders grow in the most important area of teachability, and how teachability lends to longevity
The leadership model that brought the church you lead to where it is now probably won’t get the church to where God wants it to go next. The most influential contributor to the growth of an organization? The growth of its leader. In today’s episode, John & Jim explore three practical behaviors that will help remove the lid from the organization you lead.
Today we celebrate the 100th episode of Leading From Alignment! Since we launched the podcast two years ago, we’ve had over 16,000 listens and video through plays. Today, John and Jim interview three special guests, asking them to share their favorite episodes, how the podcast is helping them and the church they lead, and what advice they would give their “just-out-of-bible-school-self.” This is a can’t miss episode!
Words . . . one of the most powerful forces for good in the organizations we serve. Our teammates often rise to the level of the words we speak to them. For every human, words matter. For humans that lead, they matter even more. In today’s episode, John & Jim explore how leaders can leverage the power of words in a way that moves their organization—and the people in their organization—in a positive direction
In 2015, more than 38% of pastors in the U.S. were bi-vocational. While there are some advantages to bi-vocational ministry, one of the biggest challenges is pace. How does a leader work in the marketplace full-time, pastor a church at the same time, and yet have any hope to find space for rest and rejuvenation? In today’s episode, John & Jim outline creative ways bi-vocational leaders can lead well and find space for rest/refreshing at the same time
In Episode 96 we mentioned a 2009 Barna report that stated the average church member expects their lead pastor to be great in sixteen competencies! And we’ve observed that some lead pastors expect the same out of themselves. If you ever want to grow sustainably, and keep your sanity at the same time, letting go of some of these sixteen roles is necessary. Question is, where does a lead pastor start? In today’s pod, John and Jim explore the reconstruction of the lead pastor role and encourage leaders to shift from a performative model of ministry to a formative model.
A vast range of opinions exist regarding online/digital church vs. in-person physical gatherings. Some leaders have fully bought into digital; others reject it outright; while most find themselves somewhere in the middle of those two extremes. Today’s pod unpacks how digital may be both helping and hurting the local church
The past eighteen months have radically impacted the way churches measure success. Most of the numbers that screamed progress in the past have been flipped upside-down. In today’s pod, John and Jim explore four possible new metrics that move us toward working on what we can control and trusting God for what we can’t control
One of the hardest things to do for most lead pastors is to separate from work. According to a Barna research study of 14,000 U.S. lead pastors, published in January 2017, 37% of lead pastors are at medium to high risk of burnout. Many of the moral failures by pastors we read about can be traced to exhaustion. One of the key contributors to this mess? Failure to pivot. The devious idea that a pastor always has to be “on.” In today’s episode, John and Jim unpack four ideas that will help you pivot away from work and toward the most important disciples in your life: Your spouse and children
Leadership possesses the uncanny capacity to keep us busy with work that gets us off-mission. On today’s episode we’re going to talk about three practical ways to manage what God’s given us to do so we can stay on-mission and one day hear, “well done, good and faithful servant.”
Welcome to Part 2 of our conversation on the subject Shaping the Culture You Need. You can craft an amazing vision, have a dynamic playbook, but only a healthy culture provides the fuel for that vision and playbook to become reality. Today’s pod unpacks a practical pathway to use core values to shape your organization’s culture
Jim & John spend a lot of time on the podcast talking about things they never learned in bible college or seminary. Today’s subject—shaping culture—is one of those things. Culture is fuel. You can craft an amazing vision, have a dynamic playbook, but only a healthy culture provides the fuel for that vision and playbook to become reality. Today’s pod unpacks a framework for shaping culture that will fuel the vision God’s given you for the church or even business you lead
Lead pastoring is quite possibly the ultimate bench vise. The lingering sense of weight, the messiness of people, and the unrelenting demands of the role squeeze even the best leaders. Here’s the good news: When difficult challenges emerge, all is not lost. In fact, something good is on the horizon. In today’s pod, Jim and John unpack four action items that can transform leadership pain into your legacy
Wounds and unfinished business from the past impact us as leaders in the present. Part 2 of John's conversation with Josh Spurlock unpacks how this dynamic plays out in the life of a leader. Today's pod outlines practical pathway to address past wounds so leaders can lead better, lead longer, and enjoy it more
Wounds and unfinished business from the past impact us as leaders in the present. In today's podcast, John and special guest Josh Spurlock unpack how this dynamic plays out in the life of a leader. They outline practical approaches to identify and address these past wounds so leaders can lead from health more and from dysfunction less
We humans tend to think we know what something feels like, until we experience it firsthand. With COVID-19, there is no lack of opinions about what it feels like. “It’s just a bad flu” or “It’s a made-up crisis” are some of the more popular opinions. In today’s podcast, we talk about the impact of COVID-19 on our relationships, our bodies, and our minds. And how these realities should shape the way we as leaders think, feel, and respond to those suffering with the virus
In today's pod John and Jim unpack some practical ways leaders can develop a most important character quality . . . resilience. The word resilient is defined as being capable of withstanding shock without permanent rupture. In other words, it's the ability to bounce back. Today's pod will outline three things leaders can do to help them bounce back in these most difficult of times
In today’s pod, we going to turn the mic around as John interviews his cohost, Jim Wiegand, as he lays out a proven, simple-to-follow method that helps churches with one of their most pressing problems . . . rebuilding their volunteer force. Today’s pod is loaded with practical, easy to follow tips that will help you build teams again.
By now, most of us thought we would be on the other side of the pandemic. Back to growing, visioning, releasing, discipling, etc. Over the past few weeks, we’ve observed fresh weariness among leaders. A recurring sentiment has been, “when is this going to let up?” Today’s pod unpacks two critical questions every leader must ask and then answer if they want to keep leading effectively during a most challenging season
If the last 13-14 months have revealed anything, it’s our need to revisit the way we disciple. Today we welcome Brian Pruitt back to the Leading From Alignment Podcast for Part Two of a two-part conversation. Brian serves as Outreach & Discipleship Pastor at Saginaw First Assembly. Today’s pod is packed full of practical gems that will get you and your church started down the pathway of more effective/impactful discipleship
If the last 13-14 months have revealed anything, it’s our need to revisit the way we disciple. Today we welcome Brian Pruitt to the Leading From Alignment Podcast for Part One of a two-part conversation. Brian serves as Outreach & Discipleship Pastor at Saginaw First Assembly. Today’s pod is packed full of practical gems that will get you and your church started down the pathway of more effective/impactful discipleship
We’ve heard more than one pastor tell us the reason they overwork is they don’t want to disappoint people. On multiple occasions, Jesus didn’t do what people expected Him to do. And yet the Scriptures tell us He finished His mission. Today’s pod outlines the reasons leaders fear disappointing those they lead, how they can overcome this fear, and why it matters
Most leaders have an innate drive to be successful. The challenge is . . . what is success? In many ways, how we define success defines us . . . our choices, our priorities, our relationships, etc. In today’s pod, Jim & John unpack fresh thoughts about what true success looks like, and how to move toward it as leaders.
Isn’t strange that often when we’re experiencing a season of tremendous growth, we can find ourselves anxious and depressed? On the surface, it doesn’t add up. But when you dig deeper, it’s really not that hard to figure out why. Today’s pod gets personal as John unpacks three critical errors he made during seasons of growth and momentum
One of the more challenging responsibilities of a senior leader is dealing with their team’s performance. Especially when a member of that team is underperforming. Dealing with a staff member’s lack of good outcomes starts with you. Today’s pod will outline a practical pathway to addressing performance issues with your team
Sometimes our compassion for people gets us in trouble. It can fool us into thinking we have to function in every role a hurting person needs to recover. Today we present Part 2 of our conversation with Josh Spurlock, founder of My Counselor Online. In this pod we unpack what Jesus has to say about our responsibility to the people we lead and care for, and how following His example helps us increase our leadership shelf-life.
Welcome to Part 1 of a wonderful, can’t-miss two-part interview with Josh Spurlock, founder of My Counselor Online, a clinically-informed faith-based counseling ministry. Josh's organization comes alongside pastors, missionaries, and their families to hold up their arms as they face the challenges of being on the front lines for the Kingdom. Today in part 1 of our conversation with Josh, we'll explore the subject, The Pastor as a First Responder
Today we wrap up a three-part series of pods on mental and emotional health. Jesus said in Matthew 11 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." For leaders, the rest Jesus promises can prove elusive, and so they often find themselves running on emotional fumes. Today's pod will help you learn how to keep your emotional tank full so you can serve God and others better.
One thing many leaders (especially Christian leaders) don’t know about anger is they have permission to express it properly. If Jesus expressed anger in certain moments, it means we’ll have moments where anger, properly expressed, is right and appropriate. Today' s pod will explore the positive impact assertiveness has on our health
We live in a time where depression, anxiety, and suicide are on a rapid rise in the United States. One of the pillars of mental and emotional well-being is the relationship we with have with ourself. In today’s pod John & Jim unpack why becoming our own best friend matters, and explore four practical behaviors to get us there.
We are delighted to welcome Pastor Chris Brooks once again to the Leading From Alignment Podcast! Chris is the lead pastor of Woodside Bible Church. Part 2 of our conversation with him centers on more of the most important things pastors need to know (and do) in 2021 and beyond. The depth, wisdom, and practicality Chris shares about leadership will strengthen, encourage, and challenge you, and makes Part 2 of our interview with him a can’t miss episode!
We are delighted to welcome Pastor Chris Brooks to the Leading From Alignment Podcast! Chris is the lead pastor of Woodside Bible Church. Part 1 of our conversation with him centers on the most important things pastors need to know (and do) in 2021 and beyond. The depth, wisdom, and practicality Chris shares about leadership will strengthen, encourage, and challenge you, and makes this pod a can’t miss episode!
Some stress is good. Eustress is the good variety. It’s generally short-term and can improve our performance. Distress often depletes our energy. It is usually long-term and actually decreases our performance over time. In today’s pod, John and Jim explore three big ideas and five practical behaviors to take charge of stress before it takes charge of you
2020 . . . the toughest year ever for most of us. And yet, probably the year most of us learned more than we ever have. At the beginning of a New Year, we like to reflect on the year that just ended, and identify the top three lessons the year prior has taught us. In today's pod, John & Jim unpack the three most important things John learned in the goldmine that was 2020
Our special guest once again on the podcast this week is Jenni Catron. Jenni is back for part 2 of her conversation with us regarding the multiple challenges women face in leadership circles. Jenni shares more of the biggest lessons she’s learned along the way as a leader in an often male-dominated world, and how to stay faithful to your God-given calling.
Our special guest on the podcast this week is Jenni Catron. Jenni unpacks her amazing leadership journey with us and speaks powerfully to the multiple challenges women face in leadership circles. Jenni shares with us her biggest lessons learned along the way as a leader in an often male-dominated world, and how to stay faithful to your God-given calling.
2020 has been a bear of a year for everybody . . . especially leaders. Pastors are telling us, “John and Jim, it feels like the struggle has no end to it.” “I’m not sure how much longer I can hang in there.” Today’s pod explores the subject of staying or leaving, and three critical questions to answer before you decide to leave your current assignment
While planning ahead organizationally may not be possible in the same way we’ve historically approached it . . . we can plan personally for 2021. A great personal growth plan starts with asking five questions: What, Why, Who, Where, and When. Today’s pod will unpack each question.
Today’s post is part two of a simple two-step process (simple to understand . . . not so simple to do) that will propel you into healthier thinking and feeling, and will powerfully impact your leadership.
Today’s pod unpacks the first step simple of a two-step process (simple to understand . . . not so simple to do) that will propel you into healthier thinking and feeling, and will powerfully impact your leadership.
If you’re a Jesus-follower who is leading at any level, even when the circumstances swirling around you are inexplicable and stupefying, today’s pod will help you rest in this unshakable truth: You belong to Him. He has you firmly in His grip, and won’t let go
Creating and casting a compelling vision is great, But a compelling vision without an easy to follow playbook leads to frustration. Today’s pod unpacks a simple approach to creating a winning playbook for the organization you lead
Leaders are grieving the loss of what was before the pandemic. Before the national unrest. Some leaders deflect their grief. Others grieve alone because they fear admitting it might be a poor reflection on their leadership. Grief is meant to be shared. Today’s pod unpacks eight stages of grief a leader can expect to go through when he/she experiences organizational loss
Leaders are grieving the loss of what was before the pandemic. Before the national unrest. Some leaders deflect their grief. Others grieve alone because they fear admitting it might be a poor reflection on their leadership. Grief is meant to be shared. Today’s pod explores five baselines that help leaders process organizational loss
COVID-19 has profoundly changed the way we do church. It’s impact on the priority of organizational vision has been profound Today’s pod unpacks why vision matters more than ever, and why leaders need to once again cast a compelling picture of the future.
Your team is the most important asset in the organization you lead. But this is true only when they are engaged. Today’s pod unpacks five powerful things we as leaders can do to increase the level of our team’s engagement at work.
As we find ourselves re-gathering in church, one of the pesky issues many leaders are dealing with is figuring out who is still on board in terms of serving on a team. Today’s pod unpacks practical ways to rebuild the volunteer force in the churches we lead.
God has called leaders to run a marathon . . . not a sprint. In today’s pod, our guest Steve Zarrilli, Executive Pastor at Woodside Bible Church, unpacks a holistic, powerful, and practical approach to helping your team get and stay emotionally healthy
God has called leaders to run a marathon . . . not a sprint. In today’s pod, our guest Steve Zarrilli, Executive Pastor at Woodside Bible Church, unpacks a holistic, powerful, and practical approach to helping your team get and stay emotionally healthy
The increasing complexity of leading in the twenty-first century calls for personal alignment in the life of a leader. Today’s pod explores why alignment matters . . . why you should care. : Bringing a healthier, more aligned, and less anxious version of yourself to the people you lead is the most influential and catalytic behavior you bring to the table.
Today’s pod unpacks five components of personal alignment from John’s new book, Unshakable Leader: The Simple Yet Amazing Power of Alignment. The way through the choppy waters we are all faced with is to bring a healthier, more aligned, less anxious version of ourselves to the mix.
Leading well is hard. Our sense is in the days ahead, it will only get harder. Today’s pod unpacks three big ideas from John’s new book, Unshakable Leader: The Simple Yet Amazing Power of Alignment. The most influential thing we can do as leaders? Bring a more aligned version of ourselves to the table.
Today on the pod we once again welcome Chad Deerman, lead pastor of Faith Alive Church in West Branch, Michigan. Over the past 20 years, Chad has seen the community of believers he leads grow from 19 to over 800 . . . in a town with a population of approximately 2500. Chad shares incredibly impactful insights that will help you lead the church you pastor to its full potential
Today on the pod we welcome Chad Deerman, lead pastor of Faith Alive Church in West Branch, Michigan. Over the past 20 years, Chad has seen the community of believers he leads grow from 19 to over 800 . . . in a town with a population of approximately 2500. Chad shares incredibly impactful insights that will help you lead the church you pastor to its full potential.
With all of the stress leaders are experiencing, the last thing on many of our minds is taking extended time off. Many leaders struggle to really be on vacation even when they do take one. In today’s pod Jim and John unpack five insights about vacation and why leaders need time away from work.
As the stress and strain of COVID-19 lingers on, and the polarization of people seems to be getting worse, some leaders are tossing in the towel. They’ve determined leading is no longer something they want to do. The rate of depression and anxiety among leaders is growing at an alarming rate. Today we’re going to explore four key questions relating to the mental and emotional health of leaders, and unpack helpful (we hope) answers to them.
How easy it is to spot the weeds in a neighbor’s yard while being blind to the dandelions growing in my own? As leaders, how do we take care of our own yard first? We humanoids tend to lash out at others as a protective mechanism that keeps us from having to look at our own shortcomings.
Today’s pod explores four safeguards that will keep us from obsessing over the “the speck of sawdust in our brother’s eye while paying no attention to the plank in our own eye.”
We are living and leading through a stretch unlike any other in recent memory. The noise level in churches and businesses has increased substantially. And this noise often finds its way into the social platforms. JP Dorsey, President of Northpoint Bible College in Grand Rapids, MI, joins the pod today to continue the conversation about five markers to consider before hitting “send.”
We are living and leading through a stretch unlike any other in recent memory. The noise level in churches and businesses has increased substantially. And this noise often finds its way into the social platforms. JP Dorsey, President of Northpoint Bible College in Grand Rapids, MI, joins the pod today to talk about five markers to consider before hitting “send.”
Quarantine has forced many churches to set aside its goals for 2020 – at least temporarily. Long range planning has been replaced by short-term planning.
As staffs start to reconvene, meet, and get re-engaged with planning for the future, a significant number of leaders are reporting they’re having a hard time focusing for very long. It seems as though their concentration muscles have atrophied.
Today’s pod explores four questions, that if we answer them correctly, will help leaders get their teams focused again. To crush their goals without crushing themselves in the process.
What’s it like to be on the other side of you? The answer to that question is a leading indicator of your emotional intelligence level. While the people you lead may or may not care about your intelligence, they do care about your emotional intelligence In today’s pod, we’ll explore four threads of emotional IQ. These four threads of emotional intelligence - self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills - are the makings of amazing leadership
After 3+ months of crisis after crisis, leaders are frazzled and exhausted. Some leaders want to stop leading and start selling ice cream instead. We are seeing the floodgates burst, and a huge uptick in calls to Converge Coaching from leaders who are on the edge of burnout or already there. Today’s pod will explore three behaviors that will help you put more fuel in your emotional tank.
Today we’re delighted to again welcome Jenni Catron to the Leading From Alignment Podcast. Jenni is a leadership coach, author and speaker. Her passion is to lead well and to inspire, equip and encourage others to do the same. Today’s pod is Part 2 of our interview with Jenni, dealing with the subject of The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership. This is a can’t miss podcast!
Over the next couple of weeks on the Leading From Alignment Podcast, we have the privilege of talking with leadership coach, author, and speaker Jenni Catron. In addition to her role as Founder and CEO of The 4Sight Group, Jenni speaks at conferences and churches nationwide and has written several books including The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership – which she’ll be talking with us about over the next couple of weeks. We’re excited to glean from Jenni’s wisdom on leadership and team culture.
Today’s pod is Part 1 of our interview with Jenni, dealing with the subject of The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership.
For many leaders, the idea of needing a mentor signals weakness. The crazy idea that somehow if I admit the need for help, I’m not a strong leader. Nothing could be further from the truth.
On today’s pod, we’ll unpack three major benefits a mentor or a coach brings to your leadership life
We can serve God and others better when we’re physically fit. Today’s pod focuses on three key areas that contribute to it: exercise, nutrition, and sleep Leadership is difficult. It requires energy over sustained periods of time, it requires the ability to make tough decisions. Energy and decisiveness can be directly linked to our level of physical fitness.
If you’re out of sync with Jesus, the leadership journey is exponentially more difficult. We can do a lot of good things as a leader and still forget the most important thing . . . love for God. In today’s pod, we’ll unpack four ideas that will deepen our hunger for God, and help us get a better grasp on why we should care.
What happens when things get back to “normal?” When the COVID-19 shelter-in-place restrictions are lifted, what will the churches and businesses we lead look like? What do we need to bring forward from this experience in terms of how we lead in the future? If we go back to business as usual, we’ll have wasted a great opportunity. Today’s pod, part two of a two-part series, will unpack three key foundational stones to bring forward with us from this season of quarantine.
What happens when things get back to “normal?” When the COVID-19 shelter-in-place restrictions are lifted, what will church look like? What do we need to bring forward from this experience into our leading once we can gather again? Today’s pod will explore three powerful takeaways for leaders in this challenging season.
This week on the Leading From Alignment Podcast, we once again have the privilege of talking with Doug Clay, General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God. We’re excited to share with you Part 2 of Doug’s thoughts on leading during quarantine and leading in a post-quarantine world.
This week on the Leading From Alignment Podcast, we have the privilege of talking with Doug Clay, General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God. We’re excited to share with you Doug’s thoughts on leading during quarantine and leading in a post-quarantine world.
Every relationship carries some degree of risk. Isolating ourselves carries risk as well—maybe even more risk. God has wired us for deep friendship. Leadership doesn’t immunize us from our need for honest, meaningful, and replenishing relationships. With these challenges in mind, today’s podcast will explore seven friendship hacks leaders can use to improve the relational currency in their life.
The coronavirus has unleashed an amazing amount of stress into a leader’s world. It’s isolated many of us from friends and family. As with any challenging season of life, we tend to learn and grow a lot . . . if we take time to reflect and internalize what God is teaching us. Today’s pod will explore four lessons we’ve learned during this unprecedented time in our nation. We hope you find each one of them encouraging and uplifting.
The amount of white space in our calendar (or a lack thereof) is a pretty accurate predictor of the amount of emotional fuel we have in our tank. If our schedule contains long stretches with no white space, it’s likely we’re running on emotional fumes, regardless of what our adrenaline and cortisol hormones may be telling us. If we want to lead better, lead longer, and enjoy it more, we need margin.
Today’s pod will help you understand what margin is and how to get more of it in your week.
Today’s pod explores another building block that helps us build emotional resilience: Refueling Emotionally. If you observe Jesus’ life, you discover He was never stressed out (except for Gethsemane). One reason why? He had this refueling thing figured out.
Difficult people go to church. Difficult people who go to church can cause a great deal of harm to a leader. Today’s pod, Protect Yourself from Abuse, will give you three safeguards you can use to protect yourself from abusive people who attend the church you serve and lead.
We live in an angry world. Anger is a human emotion common to us all. In previous pods, we’ve established that pastors experience a significant rate of depression . . . and I wonder if one reason is because we’re afraid to be honest about our anger. We mistakenly believe pastors “shouldn’t” get angry, and for them to express anger is immature. One thing many leaders don’t know don’t know about anger is it doesn’t magically dissipate on its own. If we don’t tell anger where to go, it will take us to places we don’t want go. In today’s pod, we’ll explore four fundamentals that help us better understand this most human of emotions, and then two places where to tell anger to go
It’s possible to be serving in the center of your God-given calling and still crash into a wall of anxiety and/or major depression.
Being a pastor or ministry leader or missionary has its great points, Being used by God to influence others is fun! But being a ministry leader has it’s not so great points too. And if we fail to take a thoughtful approach to what God’s called us to do… we can get into emotional trouble.
In today’s podcast, Love Yourself, we’ll explore four ways to love ourselves without becoming self-centered narcissists. And we’ll learn why loving ourselves is foundational to mental and emotional health . . . and to leadership longevity.
Many leaders struggle with the demon of insecurity. (I’m using the word “demon” metaphorically, not literally.)
King Saul was the crown prince of this particular character flaw. Chosen by God to be Israel’s first king, Saul had good looks, leadership skills, flashes of spirituality . . . but he was painfully insecure. And his insecure tendencies led to a string of bad decisions.
Fast forward to the 21st century. Insecure leaders are found everywhere: in the business world, in politics, in education—and unfortunately—in the Church. Today’s episode will uncover five behaviors that reveal a strong sense of security in a leader, and why it matters.
If you’re a leader in any capacity, I’m guessing you have more opportunities than you have time or energy. If you’re in a caregiver role, I suspect you have more invitations to care for people than you have calendar space to do so. It’s so easy to get lost in the day-to-day execution of our work we fail to periodically take a step back and consider this challenging question: Am I only doing what only I can do? Today’s pod will stretch you, challenge you . . . maybe even frustrate you a bit. But I believe how we grapple with the question, am I only doing what only I can do, is a great predictor of whether or not we’ll finish our God-given race well.
Nothing good ever comes from a ministry devoted to pleasing people ~ Chuck Swindol When I think about my first fifteen years of pastoral ministry, so much of it was tinged with a subconscious desire for people to like me. I craved approval without realizing it. Today’s podcast will look at some sure-fire signs indicating you’re stuck in people-pleasing mode, and offer a few ideas about how to get unstuck.
A Barna 2017 Study of 14,000 Protestant Lead Pastors in U.S. revealed that 37% of lead pastors are at medium to high risk of burnout. Here’s the thing about burnout – getting healed up from it is not like flipping a switch. It takes longer to recover than you imagine. So . . . how can you know if burnout is near? How can you prevent it? Today’s pod explores five key contributors to burnout, and three powerful behaviors that keep burnout at bay.
In pod 19, we considered what lead pastors need from their staff. Today in Episode 20 of Leading From Alignment, we’re flipping the script and exploring what associate staff members need from their lead pastor. Essentially, the staff needs their lead to answer five questions for them: Why, where, what, when, and how. Clear answers to these five questions will help a lead pastor get more out their team without killing them in the process. Answering these five questions isn’t easy. But it’s 100% necessary for your staff to reach its full potential.
Nobody knows what it’s like to be a lead pastor unless they’ve been a lead pastor.
Today’s pod is the result of our combined 30+ years as lead pastors, as well as 6 years of church consulting and 15 years as mentors to pastors.
Between all of those inputs – five consistent themes emerge regarding what a lead pastor seems to need from an associate: Integrity, humility, hunger, interpersonal skills, and understanding.
Today’s pod will unpack those five themes.
Near the end of every calendar year, I take time to write down the two or three most important things I learned during the year. Then I spend time reflecting on those items, because I want to remember them. Practice them. Live life differently because of them. Well . . . 2019 is in the books. And I find myself reflecting on another year of learning. Today’s pod is extremely personal. It includes the three biggest epiphanies I experienced this past year. One of them? On the other side of what I fear – God has something amazing planned for me. Listen to the pod to discover the other two aha moments.
If you want to lead well for a long time—you have to figure out how to handle difficult conversations. When it comes to tough conversations, some leaders tend to bully, while others tend to wimp out. Health lies somewhere between the two. How do we find the sweet spot between these two extremes? Today’s pod focuses on six practical ideas around how to navigate these tough conversations.
Difficult people go to church. Difficult people work at the company you lead. Not all people who go to church are difficult. Not all people you work with are difficult. The vast majority are not. But the few who are difficult can make life miserable for a leader.
Leaders who intend on leading for the long-haul need steel in their spine. Today’s episode focuses on how to think—from God’s perspective—about difficult people—from God’s perspective. What should we do? Ignore them? Or be direct with them?
How do you make sense of life when you feel God is leading you down a confusing path?
Most of the time, His directives are logical. The numbers add up. The pieces fit together. But sometimes the numbers don’t add up when it comes to discerning God’s assignment for a particular season in your life.
Today’s episode will look at three quick takeaways that hopefully will help you if you’re in a season of decision, and especially if the path you feel God is asking you to take doesn’t make total sense.
It’s not easy to finish. It’s even less easy to finish well. Question is, how do we live today to increase our chances of reaching the finish line tomorrow? Today’s podcast will explore three behaviors—going upward; going inward, and going outward. These three actions will help you finish your life’s race with a flourish.
A good night’s sleep is a leader’s cheat code. It’s an undervalued weapon in a leader’s quiver. In today’s pod we’ll explore several reasons why sleep matters, and practical ways we can leverage its power to lead our organization better and more effectively. If you’re a leader, you’re running a marathon, not a sprint. Only well-rested leaders can run the long-distance race they’ve been called to.
According to an extensive Barna research study of 14,000 U.S. lead pastors, published in January 2017, 37% of lead pastors are at medium to high risk of burnout. A whopping 66% say they have no deep friendships. 40% are not energized by ministry work. Expastor.com reports 47% of pastors suffer from depression.
Many of the moral failures we read about (and those that never make the news) can be traced to exhaustion. One of the key contributors to this mess? Overscheduling, overcommitting, and rest-deprivation.
The truth is, the organization you lead will only go as far as your health allows it to. Today’s episode will reveal some of the most common objections leaders give for neglecting rest . . . and what a leader can do about it.
What drives you? Passion? Or adrenaline? Passion is an intense desire or enthusiasm for something. Adrenaline is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, especially in conditions of stress, increasing rates of blood circulation, breathing, and preparing muscles for exertion.
Passion gets us out of bed in the morning, ready to take on the day. Adrenaline keeps us up at night, unable to let go of the cares of the day. Passion produces an appropriate sense of urgency. Adrenaline makes everything seem urgent. Passion draws us, adrenaline drives us.
Today’s podcast will help you to be passionate without being driven. And devoted to your cause without being devoured by it.
Transition is a reality every leader has to deal with at some point in their work life. The majority of leaders who leave for supposedly greener pastures do so prematurely. Some stay too long. Some leave at the first sign of sustained trouble—some stay in toxic environments that have no realistic hope of changing.
So . . . how does a leader know: “Should I stay or should I go?”
Today’s episode will zero in on five questions leaders should ask themselves before moving on to their next assignment.
One of the biggest mistakes I made as a young lead pastor was spending too much time trying to get uncommitted people to be committed. It’s a losing strategy to spend more time with problem people than with promising people.
Today’s pod will shed light on how we use our time leading an organization or a team. Why do some of us fall into the trap of obsessively chasing the unfaithful fringe? We’ll explore three reasons why too many leaders operate this way . . . and why they shouldn’t.
If you’ve answered the divine call to pastoral ministry, you’ve signed up for both a fulfilling and stressful journey. It’s one thing to know what forces create and sustain stress in your life. It’s another thing to know what to do about them. Today’s pod offers five practical hacks pastors can use to address five common stressors ministry leaders face: Difficulty separating from work; the wear and tear of spiritual warfare; societal dysfunction, finances, and sensitivity. Stress is an inescapable part of the leadership role. The good news? Stress doesn't have to destroy you. You can’t totally eliminate it from your life, but you can reduce its negative impact.
In Episode 6, we introduced the concept of personal alignment and its impact on our professional leadership. Being misaligned personally leads to a host of problems: Anxiety and depression. Fatigue and lack of energy. Isolation and loneliness. In last week’s podcast, we considered the first 3 components of personal alignment: First, spiritual – basically, developing our walk with God. Second, medical – working with our doctor to ensure we’re physiologically aligned. And third, psychological – adding a counselor and/or mentor to our team to help us learn healthier thought patterns Today’s podcast will explore the remaining four alignment pieces: Physical, Schedule, Relational, and Rhythms The better aligned you are, the healthier you become. The healthier you become, the more likely it is you’ll reach your God-given potential.
When a leader casts a bold vision or enlarges their facilities to accommodate growth, it’s almost always accompanied by a certain percentage of people leaving. It throws some of these leaders into a bit of a panic: “Wait a minute! How can anyone not be excited about the clear direction we’re heading toward? How can they deny the energy and momentum we’re experiencing? Why don’t they see what I see?”
From the human perspective, it often doesn’t make sense. But from the divine vantage point, it makes perfect sense. Growth often starts with subtraction. Today’s podcast will outline three reasons why this happens.
You’ll discover a better way to interpret the “pruning of people” that almost always accompanies growth. It will help you resist the urge to panic when the “thinning of the herd” happens.
The other day I was talking to a bi-vocational associate pastor who was “the guy” for 3 months while his lead pastor was on sabbatical. He said something stunning to me: “Now that our pastor is on sabbatical, it’s like a switch turned on with our people. They know they have to step up, that they can’t rely on him to do all of the work because he’s not here! And it’s been an amazing season for us!” I wonder how many lead pastors get in the way of people stepping up to serve just because they try to do it all?” Because they get lost in the micro at the expense of the macro? They favor the tactical at the expense of the strategic? Today’s podcast will provide three practical hacks to getting out of your staff’s or team’s way. You’ll learn how to spend more time working “on” your ministry than “in” your ministry. How to increase the amount time you spend being strategic and reduce the amount of time you spend being tactical. Getting out of your team’s way will help you lead longer, lead better, and enjoy it more.
Have you ever wondered how your calling in life can at times be so hard? You heard the voice of God calling you to do something special, exciting—and yes, maybe even risky—and you jumped in with both feet. You’ve felt fulfilled in that calling, watched God help people through your calling, and even pinched yourself thinking: “I can’t believe I get to do this for a living!” And then comes the inevitable tough stretches. Tough stretches stretch us. They’re uncomfortable. Challenging. Sometimes they’re mystifying. And these seasons of difficulty can leave you asking: “Why?” “God, if I’m called to do this, why is it so stinking hard right now?” Today’s podcast will explore how to handle those stretches when fulfilling your calling seems hard and even confusing.
How often do we think: “I’ll be happy when the church I pastor grows to 400 people” or “when the business I lead reaches $10 million in revenue” or “when I get my Master’s degree” etc.? Leaders tend to wait to be joyful until they arrive at a certain destination, and discover when they get there, they often find themselves disappointed because they imagined they’d feel happier. Jim Branch writes: “Lord help us not live for the distant day when the in-between will be no more, but help us to have the courage to step into that sacred space of the in-between—knowing that this is the place where life is transformed.” Today, Episode 2 of Leading from Alignment Podcast. [insert link] The journey is the place where God lays the foundational blocks that will support the weight of what lies ahead in our next destination. Today’s podcast [insert link] will explore three practical ways we can embrace the journey and learn everything God wants to teach us on the way to our destination.