Watermark's Church Leadership Podcast: Recent Episodes
Watermark Community Church
A podcast designed to help church leaders. The conversation each month will focus on issues and topics relevant to church leaders across the country and around the world.
The seeds you plant when your church is still young can grow into a life-giving, God-honoring community in the years to come. On this week’s episode, John McGee recalls the ideas that shaped the early days of Watermark Community Church, the fruit that’s come from them, and how you can identify the values that are most important to focus on in your church body.
This week, John McGee broaches a topic that many church leaders grapple with but hesitate to speak about: feelings of discouragement and burnout in ministry. The weight of guiding a congregation, meeting expectations, and constantly pouring yourself out can sometimes be profoundly exhausting. If you've ever found yourself on the brink of giving up, you might need to be reminded of the truth we shared with thousands of church leaders at CLC 2023: "Don't quit - we're not home yet."
Your team can be a place of gratitude, where people feel seen and celebrated--or a place of discouragement and drudgery. It largely comes down to what you cultivate. On this week’s Church Leadership Podcast, veteran Watermark leaders Braun Brown and Joey Tisdale discuss how to craft a vision for your staff’s culture and then nurture it into being.
God has clearly revealed his moral will to us in the Bible. But what about the “should I?” questions that leaders encounter every single day? How do we make decisions that aren’t morally black or white, but gray? Watermark Lead Pastor Blake Holmes spoke at CLC this year about a framework for godly decision-making. (Want more content like this? Don’t miss CLC 2024--early registration is open now.)
Show Notes:
Should I? PDF Download
Should I? Sermon Series - Part 1
Should I? Sermon Series - Part 2
On this episode of the Church Leader's Podcast we are bringing it back to our Church Leader's Conference and listening to Timothy "TA" Ateek share wisdom from Psalm 23.
On this episode of the Church Leader's Podcast, John McGee and Watermark's Senior Director of Community and Pastoral Care, David Dzina, sit down to discuss what it looks like to step into leadership on an underperforming team.
Could you be wasting your most valuable resource? On this week’s episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, special guest Jonathan “JP” Pokluda of Harris Creek Baptist Church shares how to maximize your ministry’s potential by building a healthy team.
In our last Church Leadership Podcast, Watermark teaching pastors Timothy Ateek and John Elmore walked us through the ways they prepare messages. This week, we’re behind the curtain again to see how they continue to improve their actual sermon delivery. Understanding your audience, getting useful feedback, finding your own unique style—it's all here.
Even competent employeeswon’t last long if they can’t manage their own emotions. Unfortunately, most of us can't even identify our emotions, much less realize when we’re allowing them to drive our decisions. On this week’s podcast, Jeff Ward, Watermark Director of External Focus, shares six tips for understanding, embracing, and managing the God-given gift of emotions.
In a time of growth and transformation for Watermark, leaders invested extraordinary amounts of time and prayer into identifying, articulating, and reinforcing the church’s four strategic priorities. Elder and senior pastor Blake Holmes shares his takeaways on bringing clarity and focus and securing team buy-in.
The job isn’t done just because you’re moving on. How you leave is how you will be remembered; it starts long before you leave and doesn’t end the day you resign. John Cox draws from his own experience to share insight about building an environment of trust and navigating transitions with godliness.
There’s no shortcut around spending time with God. Theology, visions, and strategies don't matter if you aren’t leading yourself well and personally abiding with Christ. This week, T.A. and John McGee share why our defining characteristic must be that we have been with the Savior.
How can you develop your own God-given communication style? It's natural to mimic the voices of the leaders who inspire you. In today’s episode, Timothy "T.A." Ateek explains how to go a step farther and develop your own communication style that utilizes the way God has uniquely wired you to lead.
The cultural attitude toward work has shifted—and no, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Join John McGee and Adam Tarnow for a look at how church leaders can help next-generation leaders navigate this season and continue to strive for and inspire excellence (all without compromising their values or selling their souls).
By the end of his story, Joseph testified to the incredible way God had worked through all his trials. But had you caught Joseph at any other point in his life—say, in the pit, in slavery, or in prison—would he have known that things were going to end up that way? This week, John McGee explores how apparent failure can be a matter of temporal vantage point, as well as possible reasons your plan might not yet have come to fruition.
National Director of re|engage, Robert Green, knows a thing or two about running a team. This week’s Church Leaders podcast covers his personal management best practices, how to align your team’s goals with your church’s broader vision, and why it’s worth it to be "extra.”
Every leader wants to help their team be productive—but what is productivity? How can we be good stewards of the time and energy God gives us? How does a vespa scooter help John Cox keep things moving? All of this and more on today’s Church Leadership Podcast. Recommendations from this podcast: "Do More Better" by Tim Challies, "At Your Best" by Cary Nieuwhof, "Atomic Habits" by James Clear, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R. Covey, "The Productivity Project" by Chris Bailey, App: Coffitivity (coffee shop background noise), App: Bento (time management), App: Waterminder (water reminders), Website: https://alifeofproductivity.com/
Ask any church leader to summarize how they have felt over the past few years, and they will more than likely say “Tired.” Weariness decreases effectiveness and leads to burnout. On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee shares why leaders are so tired and draws strategies for ministry longevity from 1 Kings 19.
Interested in how church cultures shift over time? Want to see your own culture change or improve? On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, Jonathan Pokluda (Lead Pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church) shares from first-hand experience how cultures change and what strategies leaders need to make that happen. For show notes and more, visit: https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/9338-how-to-change-your-culture
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, enjoy this special talk by Blake Holmes (Lead Pastor of Watermark) from the 2022 Church Leadership Conference. For resources and more, visit https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/9242-discouragement-and-distance
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast John McGee sits down with Timothy "TA" Ateek (Teaching Pastor at Watermark Community Church) to talk about how to measure success. For show notes and more, visit https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/9203-measuring-success
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, David Penuel and John McGee discuss the importance of saying no and why creating healthy boundaries is crucial in ministry. For show notes and more, visit https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/9072-saying-no
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee is joined in the studio by David Penuel (Creative Director), Emma Dotter (Join the Journey Coordinator), and Blake Holmes (Elder and Lead Pastor). Together, they are covering the topic of church membership and discuss why it is both biblical and useful for the local church. For show notes and more info on church membership, please visit https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/9038-biblical-church-membership
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee is joined in the studio by Caitlin Van Wagoner to discuss a proven method for solving problems. If you are looking for more resources, please visit https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/8992-solving-problems
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John and Adam discuss what success looks like for young leaders. Listen in to find out how to stand out by showing you are all in. For a downloadable PDF and to find more resources, please visit https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/8894-success-for-young-leaders
On this special, 100th episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee is joined in the studio by Tod Bolsinger (professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, author of several excellent books, and experienced church leader). Together, they discuss the importance of adaptive leadership and how it can help organizations lead effectively through change. For show notes, resources, Tod's books, and more, visit https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/8843-adaptive-leadership
On this mini-episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee shares an important reminder for everyone in leadership. We pray that you will be encouraged to continue faithfully serving wherever you are at. For show notes and more, visit: https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/8827-privilege-of-leadership
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee sits down with Mandy Bagdanov (Director of re|engage) to discuss empathy. Listen in for reasons why empathy is crucial for leading well. For show notes and more, visit https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/8768-empathy
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John and Adam discuss silos: what they are, how to spot them, and what to do about them! If your teams seem to struggle to work together, then this episode is for you! For show notes and a downloadable PDF, please visit: https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/8734-how-to-spot-squash-and-prevent-silos
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee is joined in the studio by David Marvin, Young Adults Director at Watermark and leader at The Porch. Together they discuss anxiety and what leaders need to know to step into conversations on the topic. For show notes and more, visit https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/8715-freedom-from-anxiety
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee is joined in the studio by Blake Holmes and John Cox to discuss the Watermark Institute and explain why training the next generation is so vital. Are you or someone you know feeling called to vocational ministry? The Watermark Institute may be your next step. Find out more at https://www.watermarkresources.com/ministries/institute
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, Adam and John sit down in the studio to discuss John's experience taking a sabbatical this summer and why intentional time off is crucial for church leadership. For snow notes and more, visit https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/8598-sabbaticals
On this mini-episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee shares his reflections on why obscurity in ministry should not discourage us. For more, visit https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/8549-obscurity-is-not-an-obstacle
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John and Adam take a break from talking about individual leadership to discuss the importance of teams working together to accomplish something. For show notes and more, visit https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/8479-leading-teams
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee is joined in the studio by Watermark Campus Pastor John Cox. Together, they discuss the multi-site church model, Watermark's history with it, and what they have learned along the way. For show notes and more, visit https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/8471-multisite
This episode of the Church Leadership Podcast is part two on the topic of giving and receiving feedback. John McGee and Caitlin Van Wagoner discuss what to do when giving feedback goes poorly.
Download the Principles For Feedback PDF Resource at https://watermarkresources.lpages.co/cpl-principles-for-feedback-resource
This special episode of the Church Leadership Podcast is part one of two on the topic of giving and receiving feedback. Enjoy this recording of Caitlin Van Wagoner and John McGee’s mainstage panel from CLC 2021 and additional discussion on why feedback is so important. For show notes and more, visit https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/8443-feedback-part1.
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, Adam and John discuss the importance and practicality of optimism in the life of the leader.
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, Adam and John are in the studio to discuss the 8 things they wish they knew when they were younger and what they younger leaders to keep in mind.
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee is joined in the studio by three young leaders: Emma Dotter, JD Rodgers, and Gabrielle Odom. Together, they discuss what younger leaders want older leaders in the church to know.
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee is joined in the studio by Luke Friesen (Director of Operations) and Todd Wagner (Campus Shepherd) to discuss the difficult topic of firing. Together they discuss how to go about firing graciously, and why doing it well is important for leadership. For show notes and more visit https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/8233-how-we-think-about-firing
How should a leader engage with social media? What is a practical way to think about your online presence? On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John is joined in the studio by Jonathan Pokluda (Lead Pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, TX) and Todd Wagner (Campus Pastor at Watermark). Together they discuss best practices for leading well online. For show notes and more, visit www.watermarkresouces.com/clp/8202-leaders-and-social-media
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, Adam interviews John and Pam McGee about their leadership, marriage, and ministry. Listen in for practical advice about what it takes to be faithful both at home and in the church. For show notes and more, visit https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/8114-a-leaders-marriage
On this special episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John is joined for the first time by an outside guest: Dr. Paul David Tripp. Together, they discuss Paul's new book Lead: 12 Gospel Principles for Leadership in the Church and what it means to truly have a gospel community. We assure you that listening will leave you both encouraged and convicted. Show notes and more at https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/8042-interview-with-paul-tripp
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John is joined in the studio by returning guests Nathan Wagnon and Blake Holmes to discuss prayer. Together, they talk about some misconceptions leaders have about prayer and provide some practical steps for improving your prayer life. For show notes and more, visit www.watermarkresources.com/clp/8027-a-leaders-prayer-life
With a global pandemic bringing new challenges, many leaders are facing a whole new set of temptations. In this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, Adam Tarnow and John McGee discuss 5 new temptations characteristic of those in leadership and what leaders can do to remind themselves of truth. For show notes and more, visit www.watermarkresources.org/clp/8004-new-temptations.
At the start of a new year, we are all reconsidering what it looks like to set goals. In this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John and Adam are joined by John Cox (Director of Staff Development and Special Projects) and Caitlin Van Wagoner (Senior Director of Communications) to discuss 3 different approaches to practical and effective goal setting. For show notes and more, visit www.watermarkresources.com/clp/7984-3-approaches-to-goal-setting
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee extends a special thank you and reminds you that even when others forget to say thanks, God does not. Even if people do not know who to thank, God does. For other episodes and more, visit www.watermarkresources.org/clp
One of the most important aspects of leadership is the ability to change and grow. On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, David Penuel joins Adam and John to discuss his process of reinventing himself. By taking an intentional look at his own flaws, committing to learn, and prioritizing the success of others, David had been able to achieve transformation in his life and ministry.
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, Caitlin Van Wagoner (Senior Director of Communications) joins Adam and John in the studio to discuss women in church leadership and why the church should be an incredible place for women to utilize their gifts. For show notes and more visit www.watermarkresources.com/clp.
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, Adam and John are joined in the studio by Eric Hassfurther to discuss the importance of pairing visionaries with integrators on your team. Listen in for an explanation of these two crucial roles. Show notes and more available at www.watermarkresources.com/clp
As a leader, your words have more weight than you think. On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John and Adam discuss the impact of a leaders words and best practices for communicating wisely. For show notes and downloadable resources visit: www.watermarkresources.com/clp
In moments of indecision or uncertainty, it is often a question that gets people unstuck. On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John and Adam discuss great questions that every leader should be asking and why doing so is an incredible value to your and your team. For show notes and downloadable resources visit www.watermarkresources.com/clp.
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, Blake Holmes joins Adam Tarnow and John McGee to talk about how to care for people in crisis. Note, that while this episode was actually recorded pre-COVID-19, we believe it is more applicable than ever. For show notes please visit www.watermarkresources.com/clp
Have you ever been in a slump? In this episode, Adam and John sit down to talk about what leaders can do to get out of a season of discouragement, apathy, or ineffectiveness. For show notes and other podcast resources, check out www.watermarkresources.com/clp
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, Adam and John discuss how to lead during seasons of uncertainty. For show notes and other resources visit www.watermarkresources.com/clp
The Church Leadership Podcast is BACK! John and Adam return to the studio to discuss managing stress during COVID-19. In this unprecedented season, it is more important than ever for leaders to understand how stress is affecting them and combat it with truth. For show notes --> www.watermarkresources.com/clp/7484-managing-stress
Wondering how to best facilitate small groups and keep people connected to community amid COVID-19? David Dzina (Senior Director of Community and Connecting) joins Adam and John to discuss all things community.
On this episode of CLP Live, Adam, John, and Todd answer live questions about church leadership, finances, and devoting daily. To watch live, submit a question, see the show notes, and be a part of the conversation, go to www.watermarkresources.com/clplive
In times of crisis, leaders cannot forget to lead themselves well. On today's CLP Live, Adam and John discuss practical ways for remaining emotionally, spiritually, physically, and relationally healthy. This episode was recorded LIVE on the new Church Leadership Podcast Liveshow, a part of Watermark TV. To watch live, submit a question, see the show notes, and be a part of the conversation, go to www.watermarkresources.com/clplive
Wondering how to best lead the church amid COVID-19? Adam and John sit down to discuss! This episode was recorded LIVE on the new Church Leadership Podcast Liveshow, a part of Watermark TV. To watch live, submit a question, see the show notes, and be a part of the conversation, go to www.watermarkresources.com/clplive
Todd Wagner joins Adam and John to discuss how the church should respond to the moral failure of staff or key leaders.
Brett Billman (Director of Finance at Watermark Community Church) joins Adam and John in the studio to talk about church budgets and financial stewardship. And this isn't just a topic for accountants. Brett shares practical information relevant to every church leader! For show notes and a downloadable Application Guide, visit https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/7261-church-budgets
Adam and John discuss one of the most important skills a leader can develop: communicating with clarity. Clarity inspires change and motivates a team to take action. To download this episode's Application Guide and find more about the Church Leadership Podcast visit: https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/7233-communicating-with-clarity
There is no playbook for leadership. Leaders face a continuously changing environment that sometimes requires decisions that might seem unusual. In this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, Adam and John listen back on an interview with Todd Wagner at CLC 2018. He shares stories of when unconventional thinking helped him solve complex leadership problems. For more information and other resources, visit https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/7155-contrarian-leadership
Simply put, if you do not learn how to handle criticism, you will not remain a leader for long. Todd Wagner (Senior Pastor of Watermark Community Church), Adam, and John discuss what it looks like to respond to criticism well. For access to the show notes and a special downloadable PDF worksheet, visit https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/7121-responding-to-criticism.
Why is it that some organizations completely transform after a change in leadership? What is it that truly makes leaders stand out and instill confidence and trust? In today's episode, Adam and John discuss the leadership "X-Factor" and put practical terminology to this somewhat intangible concept. Ultimately, while God looks at heart, people inevitably look at outward appearance.
As 2019 comes to a close, Adam and John talk about their favorite books, tweets, documentaries, and stories of the past year. Listen in for some excellent recommendations and helpful leadership principles. This is much more than just a list of favorites.
David Penuel and Rebe Long (Watermark's Student Ministries) join John and Adam in the studio today to talk about leading teenagers. They provide 3 practical principles for being successful with youth ministry.
Beginning a new role is often an overwhelming process. But it doesn't have to be. Blake Holmes (Dallas Campus Pastor & Director of The Watermark Institute) joins Adam and John once again to talk about a leader's first 90 days. Whether you are starting a new job, were just promoted to a new role, or have been faithfully serving in the same place for decades, listen in to these 5 practical principles. Find the show notes and more at www.watermarkresources.com/clp.
In this episode, Blake Holmes (Dallas Campus Pastor & Director of The Watermark Institute) joins Adam and John to talk about leadership best practices. Each of them comes to the table with something new they are currently implementing. What about you? What are you currently trying? For show notes and more information, visit https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/6963-leadership-best-practices-we-are-currently-trying
On today's Church Leadership Podcast, Adam and John discuss how to stay focused on the right things. Understanding the difference between "goals" and "desires" is a crucial skill for every leader. Listen in as Adam provides us with a simple and practical framework that starts with folding a piece of paper in half. For show notes and more from the Church Leadership Podcast, visit: www.watermarkresources.com/clp/6886
John and Adam are in the studio today talking about engagement. Listen in for practical advice on communicating you are "all in" on the mission of your organization. Downloadable PDF --> https://watermarkresources.lpages.co/how-to-be-all-in Show notes --> https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/6854-how-to-be-all-in
Todd Wagner (Senior Pastor of Watermark Community Church) joins Adam and John in the studio to discuss church discipline. Care and correction is absolutely core to shepherding God's people. Church leaders must be willing to step into these situations with courage and compassion. Listen in for practical insights on what church discipline should look like. Also be sure to check out the recommended resources in the show notes: watermarkresources.com/clp/6753
In this episode, Adam and John return to the topic of leadership habits. Listen in for practical ways to improve your leadership and refine your bad habits. Find the show notes at watermarkresources.com/clp/6726
Blake Holmes (Dallas Campus Pastor and Director of The Watermark Institute) joins Adam and John to talk about having candid conversations. People need to know the whole truth, and it is your job as a leader to communicate that to them. Listen in for best practices on what candor should look like in the life of a church leader. Show notes --> watermarkresources.com/clp/6698
Todd Wagner (Senior Pastor of Watermark Community Church) joins Adam and John in the studio to discuss the importance of leading well in your 20s and 30s. These are some of the most formative years in a leader's life and getting them right will be a blessing to both yourself and others. Listen in as Todd shares how to practically make the most of your 20s and 30s. Show Notes --> www.watermarkresources.com/clp/6655-the-importance-of-your20s-and30s
Braun Brown (Director of Single Adults & Institute Discipleship) joins John and Adam in an episode of CLP Unscripted. Instead of planning the topic in advance, everyone brings a leadership principle to share. Listen in for insights into how church leaders should think about vulnerability, organizational culture, and anger. Show notes --> www.watermarkresources.com/clp/6602
Adam and John discuss some of the most common mistakes communicators make. This podcast will give you practical advice on improving your communication. Also, be sure to check out Adam's Seven Days to Better Communication at www.watermarkresources.com/7days. Show notes --> www.watermarkresources.com/clp/6560
Todd Wagner (Senior Pastor of Watermark Community Church) joins Adam and John in the studio to talk about motivation. Together, they discuss how to stay motivated when doing the work of ministry. We pray this conversation provides practical wisdom, leadership advice, and encouragement for staying in the race. Show notes --> watermarkresources.com/clp/6509
Braun Brown (Director of Single Adults & Institute Discipleship) joins Adam and John in the studio to talk about longevity in ministry. Together, they discuss what it looks like to stay faithfully deployed for years to come. Show notes --> www.watermarkresources.com/clp/6460
Nathan Wagnon (Director of Equipping & Apologetics) joins Adam and John in the studio to talk about how we grow as disciples. Together, they discuss the journey of faith and point out where people tend to get stuck. Show notes --> www.watermarkresources.com/clp/6425
Adam and John are joined by Caitlin Van Wagoner (Senior Director of Communications) to discuss what we are learning about communication. Together, they share practical tips for church communication in a wide variety of contexts. Show notes --> www.watermarkresources.com/clp/6407
In this episode, Adam and John are joined by Kyle Kaigler (Plano Campus Pastor) and Derek Mathews (Men's Equipping Director) to discuss what leadership development looks like in the local church. Show notes --> www.watermarkresources.com/clp/6367
Greg Crooks, executive pastor, joins John and Adam in a new, special podcast. The trio doesn’t have any planned agenda for today. Instead, they each bring a leadership principle to discuss. Show notes --> www.watermarkresources.com/clp/6249
Blake Holmes, Director of Dallas Campus Ministries & The Watermark Institute, joins the podcast to discuss how to help others determine their next step. Show notes --> www.watermarkresources.com/clp/6220
Adam and John interview John Elmore, Director of Community & re:generation at Watermark Community Church, about how to lead in the midst of change.
Adam and John interview Blake Holmes, Director of Dallas Campus Ministries, and Todd Wagner, Senior Pastor of Watermark Community Church, about how to effectively encourage others. Show Notes --> www.watermarkresources.com/clp/6096-encouraging-others
Following the previous conversation with Todd Wagner, Adam and John now discuss questions that church leaders should be asking when making decisions.
Scott Kedersha, Director of Marriage Ministry at Watermark, joins Adam and John to discuss five trends he’s seeing in marriages.
John and Adam are joined by Greg Crooks (Executive Pastor of Watermark Community Church) to talk about the role strategic planning has in the church. They talk about five best practices for effective strategic planning and then walk through Greg’s strategic planning worksheet.
John and Adam discuss five bad leadership habits and what leaders can do to overcome them. It is through addressing bad habits that leaders can begin to move from good leadership to great leadership.
John and Adam talk with Becca Nail, an HR Coordinator at Watermark Community Church. She focuses on hiring new staff members and the on-boarding process. Together, the three of them discuss what the hiring process looks like at Watermark and what to keep in mind when thinking about new staff.
John and Adam talk with Jonathan “JP” Pokluda about leading with authenticity. Show notes --> http://churchleadersconference.com/blog/leading-with-a-limp
Todd Wagner (Watermark Senior Pastor) and two of his children, Cooper and Kirby, join Adam and John to talk about leadership in the family.
Jonathan “JP” Pokluda (Dallas Campus Pastor) and David Marvin (Young Adults Director of Programs) join Adam and John to discuss the importance of feedback.
Jonathan “JP” Pokluda (Dallas Campus Pastor) and David Marvin (Young Adults Director of Programs) talk with John and Adam about the 5 C’s of Casting Vision. As leaders of the largest young adult gathering in the country, JP and David show leaders how to practically and authentically share a heroic vision to change the world, even with a small group of people.
Greg Crooks (Executive Pastor of Watermark Community Church) joins Adam and John to discuss six principles to help church leaders be more productive.
Every church leader desires to see their members living a life on mission, both inside and outside the church. In this episode, Jeff Ward (Director of External Focus) joins John & Adam to discuss some of the ways he and his team work hard to mobilize the church.
Leadership is rarely more difficult than when facing a crisis. In this episode, John McGee reflects on a recent crisis that impacted his family and what he learned about leadership in the midst of navigating some very difficult circumstances.
Community Groups are a big deal here at Watermark and a ministry we take very seriously. In this episode, John Elmore (Director of Community and Director of re:generation) jumps into the podcast studio to share what we've been learning about how to lead a healthy Community Group ministry.
If your church staff or volunteer team is made up of more than one person, then you've experienced conflict. In this episode, Todd Wagner discusses practical ways to deal with conflict and how to best embrace the opportunity conflict provides.
Is self-leadership even possible? Adam & John jump into the podcast studio to discuss this popular leadership topic and try to clear up some common misconceptions.
Todd Wagner once again jumps into the podcast studio with John & Adam. The topic of discussion this time is the idea of "celebrity pastors" and why many pastors fall, regardless of whether or not they are a "celebrity pastor."
Kyle Kaigler, the campus pastor in Plano, joins Adam and John to discuss seven principles of building teams. This podcast will challenge you to build teams, give ministry away and be intentional about developing others.
Why is this topic so important (4:00)
1) It makes disciples.
2) Builds ownership for people.
3) You get more work done.
4) You have more fun.
Seven Principles of Team Building
1) Be courageous (5:10)
One of the things Watermark is known for is the courage of our senior leaders. When you build teams with lay leaders, it build courage. We sometimes fire volunteers and that takes courage, but it sets the bar for what we expect.
2) Bring energy (6:24) Regardless of whether or not you are in introvert or extrovert, you need to be excited about what you are leading. That comes from your walk with Christ. As you recruit teams, look for those who are excited.
3) Have fun (8:32) "Life’s too short to not do ministry with people you love." – Kyle Kaigler 'Be creative with your team to have fun.
4) Know yourself (9:56) Pay attention to your own heart. To build teams you need to know your strengths and weaknesses and build teams around those. Have your identity in Christ, know your gifts and give things away. Get to the point where you have more fun watching lay leaders lead.
5) Play chess, not checkers (11:33) Know your people. In checkers all pieces do the same thing. In chess every piece does something different. People are different and you need to know them and deploy them well. Pray for it, wait for it. Wait for God to bring along the right people.
6) You set the bar (13:35) As you are building lay leaders, you have to tell them your expectations. You need to delegate responsibility and authority. When Jesus sent out the 70, he delegated authority and responsibility. This gives people ownership. What people own usually grows.
7) Provide candid feedback (14:35) You need a culture of handling conflict well. We want to build a culture where people freely, yet lovingly, share candid feedback. People will only get better if they get quality feedback. Expect what you inspect.
8) Why don’t more church leaders do this? We feel like we need to be the man or the woman, because we are insecure. Study Exodus 18:17-26 – this passage is so full of team building principles. Questions or comments? Email clp@watermark.org.
Application Questions
1) Do you struggle to give ministry away? If so, why do you think that is?
2) Which of the seven principles do you feel like you are doing well? Where could you grow?
3) What volunteer or staff member needs you to give them feedback?
4) What are some practical ways you can help your team have more fun?
Benson Hines, Director of External Mobilization, joins Adam and John to discuss recruiting volunteers. This podcast will challenge you to not simply fill needs within or outside the church. Instead, view opportunities to serve as a path towards discipleship.
BONUS EPISODE: John & Adam provide some quick tips for those of you joining us at the 2018 Church Leaders Conference (April 24-26, 2018 here in Dallas).
Part 2 of 2 - Three of Watermark's elders join John & Adam to discuss the installment process for new elders and other questions they're asked on a regular basis.
Part 1 of 2 - Three of Watermark's elders join John & Adam to discuss our church's elder model, how they view their role, and how they function week-to-week.
Tyler Briggs, the Watermark Fort Worth campus pastor, discusses how to faithfully play whatever role God has for you.
Scott Kedersha jumps in with John McGee & Adam Tarnow to discuss trust and why it is so important to the health of your church staff.
John Cox and Todd Wagner discuss three principles designed to help you and your church navigate staff transitions.
In this episode, David Marvin and Jonathan "J.P." Pokluda discuss five ways you can proactively engage with your boss.
Todd Wagner and Jonathan ("JP") Pokluda wrap up their discussion of practical ideas to help you in leading your staff or your team. This is the final part in a series of podcasts on this topic.
Todd Wagner and Jonathan ("JP") Pokluda discuss practical ideas to help you in leading your staff or your team. This is part three in a series of podcasts on this topic.
Todd Wagner and Jonathan ("JP") Pokluda discuss practical ideas to help you in leading your staff or your team. This is part two in a series of podcasts on this topic.
Todd Wagner and Jonathan ("JP") Pokluda discuss practical ideas to help you in leading your staff or your team. This is part one in a series of podcasts on this topic.
Jonathan ("JP") Pokluda shares ten best practices to keep in mind when ministering to millennials. JP is the Watermark Dallas campus pastor and also leads The Porch (Watermark's Young Adult Ministry).
In this first episode of Watermark's Church Leadership Podcast, Sr. Pastor Todd Wagner discusses the important role friends play in a leader's life. Leadership is only as lonely as a leader wants it to be.