The Apostolic Leadership Podcast: Recent Episodes

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In this interview, Missionary Rene Bettis shares her wealth of experience with our listeners. Be encouraged today that God is with you and He is working for you. 

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In this episode, Austin is interviewed by Jesse Welch and Jacob Purifoy from the Car Talk Podcast about the call of God. We pray that this episode is a blessing to you! 

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In this Episode, Austin interviews his pastor Dennis Anderson about pastoring at a young age, keys to leading a debt-free church, hiring church staff, and the difference between leadership and lordship.

About Dennis Anderson:Dennis Anderson has served as Senior Pastor at Apostolic Faith Tabernacle in Pearcy, Arkansas since 1985. He served the Arkansas District UPCI as Superintendent from 2009-2017.

Key Takeaways from this Episode:Advice to those pastoring at a young age (he started pastoring at 23):

• You must overcome the mindset that you're too young.
• It’s not your Church, it’s Gods Church.
• You’re not alone. God has got your back.
• The anointing brings respect and relevance.
• The anointing breaks the yoke. The "yoke" could be your inferiority complex.
• Preach the Word and let God confirm it. He will back you up.
• Don’t take things personal. Be who God has called you to be.
• Lean on God’s call on your life and His anointing.

On keys to leading a debt-free church:

• Focus on what God really wants from your church. Resources come.
• The Church is a living organism and it tells you what it needs.
• Take it one step at a time like you would eat a steak one bite at a time.
• Numbers tell the truth. Act on faith, but be aware of reality.
• Don’t let others pressure you into stepping over your head into debt.
• The best time for you to get in the best financial position is before you get committed.
• People will give when they can see the need. You can’t see a monthly payment the same way you can see the need for a building.

On Leadership instead of Lordship:

• Love God and Love People.
• Inspire people to do right instead of aggressively pushing people.

These are just a few notes from this conversation. We pray it encourages, equips, and challenges you in your leadership.

Episode Links and Resources:* "Failing Forward" by John Maxwell * "Total Church Growth" by Tim Massengale

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In this Episode, Austin interviews Larry Gimnich about Leading from the Second Chair and Building a Leadership Team.

About Larry Gimnich:Larry Gimnich serves as Associate Pastor at New Life Church in Cabot, Arkansas as well as the Dean of the Cabot Purpose Institute Campus.

Key Takeaways from this Episode:On Leading from the Second Chair:

• Ministry is pouring yourself in wherever you are at instead of always looking at the horizon.
• Your location of ministry is not a level of value, but gifting.
• Second-chair is not a lesser ministry, but a location of ministry.
• "Every church is better off when they have secure and committed second chairs." - Larry Gimnich
• For successful second-chair ministry, you need a confident and Christ-like first chair.
  • First-chairs who aren't threatened by others having influence in the church.
  • First-chairs who are not only willing to share the work, but also the people's hearts.
• 2 Keys of Cabot's Success: The attitude of the first-chair (Tim Gaddy) and the attitude of the congregation.

On the Importance of Building a Leadership Team and Casting Vision:

• "You can't afford to not build a team." - Larry Gimnich
• We are called to equip saints to do the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:12).
• Jesus had a compelling vision and He invited the disciples to take part in it.
• Sometimes, you can pay people just by having a clear vision for them to buy into.
  • "People want to work for someone who has vision." - Larry Gimnich
• "People want to be involved in a work that is others-centered and not just menial tasks." - Larry Gimnich
  • "Delegate real responsibility." - Chantry Dean
• You don't need a team if you don't have a vision bigger than yourself.
  • "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." - African Proverb
  • "Individualism isn't productive in the Kingdom of God." - Larry Gimnich
• Volunteers must feel that they are a part of the shared experience.
• In order to increase your volunteer base, you've got to share with them.
  • Invite them in.
• "We are all called to lead. It is God's best version of us." - Larry Gimnich

These are just a few notes from this conversation. We pray it encourages, equips, and challenges you in your leadership.

Episode Links and Resources:* "The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown * "How to Lead When You're Not in Charge" by Clay Scroggins * "Leading from the Second Chair" by Mike Bonem & Roger Patterson * "Thriving in the Second Chair" by Mike Bonem * "Follow to Lead" by Stan Gleason * "The Way of the Shepherd" by Kevin Leman

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In this Episode, Austin interviews James Wilson about Worship Ministry and Spiritual Entrepreneurship.

About James Wilson:James Wilson is an Assistant to the Pastor at Living Hope Church in Great Mills, Maryland. James and his team ensure that each service at Living Hope creates an atmosphere in praise and worship that allows God to change the lives of those who are seeking Him. James is also an Apostolic recording artist who recently released the album "Songs for the Church."

Key takeaways from this Episode:On Worship Ministry:

• "If a seed is not planted on good soil, that seed's potential could be severely compromised."
• It is the worship team's responsibility to prepare the atmosphere for rain.
• Do not make what you are doing for God about you.
• It's human to like compliments and affirmation. We just have to redirect it.
• You probably are having a greater impact than you realize.
• Don't ever forget where God brought you from.

On Spiritual Entrepreneurship:

• There is a vision side to things, but there is also a business side to things.
• "What God has spoken to you is real."
• God placed that desire or dream in you. It is your responsibility to do something with it.
• "The challenge is not viewing your giftings and talents through the lease of self."
• Life in the Kingdom of God operates in seasons. Identify what season you are in and go with it.

These are just a few notes from this conversation. We pray it encourages, equips, and challenges you in your leadership.

Episode Links and Resources:* jameselliswilson.com * The "Beyond Sunday Worship Leader Podcast" by David Santisteven * The "Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast" * "The Restorationist" by Adam Shaw * "Your Life in Rhythm" by Bruce B. Miller * "The Myth of Balance" by Frank Bealer * "The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth" by John Maxwell * "The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer"

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In this Episode, Austin interviews David Bryan about his recent pastoral transition, the spiritual, mental, and emotional health of leaders, and an introduction to his new ministry, Mission37.

About David Bryan:David Bryan is an international evangelist, teacher, author, and former pastor who now leads Mission37.

Key takeaways from this Episode:On transition:

• We must design and create ministry that will honor the work of God beyond us.
• “I have to recognize that there is something beyond me.” - David Bryan [tweet this]
• “I’m not here to build myself a memorial. I really want to see the kingdom advance.”
• David Bryan [tweet this]
• Work to empower others to do what we could not do.
• When working in the kingdom of God, we should be expecting next things. Greater things.
• Point everyone toward what’s coming next.
• You’ve got to be willing to follow the cloud and pillar of fire when they move.
• Don’t try to do what only God can do.

“We put in 20 years worth of work in 5 and a half years.” - David Bryan on his years in pastoral ministry. [tweet this]

On struggles and the social pressure in ministry:

• “We’ve set for ourselves terms of success that are not Biblical. They’re social.”
• David Bryan [tweet this]
• As a minister or a potential minister we need to ask ourselves hard questions like:
  What do we do with the spiritual, mental, emotional, social pressures and situations that we contend with on a constant basis? How do we deal with the realities of ministry?
• Every story [in ministry] is not what we would call a success story that is marketable.
• “We’ve got so many people gifted of God, but they’re so disconnected from their purpose.“ - David Bryan [tweet this]

On the need for rest in ministry:

• We do God, our family, and those we minister to a service by taking a vacation.

These are just a few notes from this conversation. We pray it encourages, equips, and challenges you in your leadership.

Episode Links and Resources:* Mission37 * Recommended book: "Leading on Empty" by Wayne Cordeiro

Thanks for listening to The Apostolic Leadership Podcast! Be sure to check out our store and other resources.

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In this Episode, Austin interviews Pastor Tim Sullivan about the call of God, Pastoral Succession, Preparing for the Future, Leading a Ministry Team, and Constructing a New Church Building.

About Tim Sullivan:Tim Sullivan has been the Senior Pastor at The Pentecostal Church in Fort Smith since 2006, when he and his wife, Lea Ann, moved to Fort Smith with their three daughters, Kaitlyn, Malorie and Gabrielle. They were married in 1989, after graduating from Jackson College of Ministries with Bachelor’s Degrees in Theology and Music, and have served side-by-side ever since. Pastor Sullivan has filled the roles of Assistant Pastor, Pastor and Church Planter in Washington, Louisiana, and Texas, as well as evangelizing across the country and around the globe. Since God has brought the Sullivan family to TPC, the church has experienced continuous growth under their dynamic leadership. Pastor Sullivan is a driven and optimistic leader, with an impassioned vision to see the Kingdom of God expand in the River Valley. He remains a sought-after itinerant speaker, and is also currently serving as District Secretary for the Arkansas District UPCI. Sis. Sullivan serves the TPC body as both Ladies’ Coordinator and Music Director. Her quick wit and inherent kindness contribute to the family-oriented atmosphere at TPC. She and Pastor Sullivan are a joyful couple, and their girls are enthusiastic participators in ministry. They strive to ensure that TPC is a safe haven for people of all walks of life, and that the Gospel and the love of Jesus Christ shine brightly in all they do.

Key takeaways from this Episode: Be encouraged that, whether you are paid or volunteer, giving your life to ministry is completely worth it. * Pastor Sullivan likens a ministry team to conduit. Your ministry team is a conduit for everything else to flow through. * We are challenged in this episode to create a culture of excellence in our churches no matter what size we are. * When it comes to delegation and leading a ministry team, we have to be willing to let other people take ownership. * On alignment:* + Keep the vision simple and clear + Cast that vision often + Your team has their own engines, but you give them the lane to run in + Growing churches have clear vision

These are just a few notes from this conversation. It is loaded with thought-provoking content. We pray it encourages, equips, and challenges you in your leadership.

Episode Links and Resources:Recommended book: “Failing Forward” by John Maxwell

Thanks for listening to The Apostolic Leadership Podcast! Be sure to check out our store and other resources.

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In this Episode, Austin interviews Pastor Jeff Morgan on transitions in ministry and the journey in ministry that lead him to Mountain Home, Arkansas. It is a very rich and encouraging conversation that makes it very clear that God sees us right where we are and that He has a plan for us.

Other items discussed in this episode include parenting, discipleship in the local church, and a discussion about the goal of church.

We pray this conversation encourages, equips, and challenges you in your leadership.

Episode Links and Resources:Recommended book:“Leading on Empty” by Wayne Cordeiro

See the doorfrom the T. F. Tenney story told in this Episode. Here’s a picture of the replica of that door hanging above Bro. Morgan’s desk.

Episode Quotes:

“Abraham argued with God over the killing of Sodom and the Sodomites, but he never argued one time over the killing of his own son.” - Jeff Morgan Click to Tweet

“Why would God want me to pray more for your children than He would my children?” - Jeff MorganClick to Tweet

On Discipleship:“The common denominator should not be that we all look alike. The common denominator is we’re all headed the same direction.” - Jeff MorganClick to Tweet

Thanks for listening to The Apostolic Leadership Podcast! Be sure to check out our store and other resources.

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In this episode, Austin interviews Tim Gaddyon all of the above. It is a very rich episode and we pray that it is a blessing to all of our listeners. Tim Gaddy is a trusted voice in the Apostolic movement and he is a phenomenal leader. It was our honor for him to join us on the podcast!

Episode Links and Resources:Recommended book: “The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism” by Timothy Keller

timgaddy.com

The Ken Coleman Show

leadlikeneverbefore.com

Episode Quotes:

“Lean into your strengths as opposed to trying to just shore up your weaknesses.” - Tim Gaddy tweet this

“What can I do as a Christian to help someone else take the next step toward following Jesus?” - Tim Gaddy tweet this

“Jesus didn’t say ‘go ye therefore and be fed.’ He said ‘go ye therefore and make disciples.” - Tim Gaddy tweet this

“My role is to help saints act in Kingdom ways which build up the body of Christ.” - Tim Gaddy tweet this

“Insecure leaders breed small thinking.” - Tim Gaddy tweet this

“We can be a praying church without being a process church and we can mute what God wants to do.” - Tim Gaddy tweet this

“If you will find yourself genuinely interested in people, you will never want for influence.” - Kenneth Haney

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What is The Apostolic Leadership Podcast? Why start a leadership podcast and why start it now? Who is the target audience of this podcast? What is the vision for this podcast? These are just a few of the questions Austin answers in this Introductory Episode. Also, there is a sneak peek of Episode 1 with Tim Gaddy. Enjoy!