Courageous Leaders: Recent Episodes
Chris Goeppner
To engage in God’s rescue mission it requires Christian leaders to be courageous. This podcast is for anyone who serves as a leader in their local church and desires words of encouragement and empowerment.
When a team is effective there's nothing that can get in the way of accomplishing the vision and goals at hand. Over the next several weeks we will discuss the key components of a great and effective team!
In this episode we address the importance of TRUST amongst the team members. Trust is at the center of all great teams!
We all make decisions everyday, experts say over 35,000 per day! We think nothing about the little decisions, like how much cream in our coffee, but it's the hard decisons that can really cause us to struggle. In this episode Chris discusses a hard decision he had to make recently and how he went about the process.
Pray -> for wisdom and clarity
Ask -> for advice from friends, counselors and mentors
Act -> on the hard decision with confidence knowing you have the needed wisdom and advice
No one likes criticism yet we all face it whether as leaders in our church, home, work, school or life in general. In this episode Chris talks about a personal situation in which he had to navigate criticism.
When criticism comes knocking.......ASK:
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What happened?
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What am I feeling?
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What is the story I’m telling myself?
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What does the gospel say?
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What counter-instinctual action is needed?
From - "The Deeply Formed Life" Rich Villodas
People matter to God. We will love people because we were never intended to do life alone.
Come and See - John 1:29-46
"Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!" Psalm 34:8
Someone INVITED you!
John 1:39a
JESUS INVITATION: COME AND SEE
John 1:39b-46
The goal isn’t to explain some THING but to experience some ONE
Jesus is meant to be EXPERIENCED not EXPLAINED
Time. Talent. Treasure. We will serve well by giving generously of our time, talent, & treasure.
What does it mean to SERVE?
Forsaking yourself for God and others.
What excuses do we make to not SERVE?
- Ability (Moses)
- Age (Jeremiah)
- Attitude (Jonah)
- Inadequate (Isaiah)
Why we SERVE ?
Serve because Jesus served!
John 13:14-17 ; Matthew 20:27-28
Serve for Jesus!
“Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Col 3:23
Serve for others!
“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” Phil 2:4-7
Enjoy this special episode, after the New Year we’ll get back to values conversations.
New Years = Fresh start and newness.
“But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Is 43:18-19
“anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Cor 5:17
A few distinct areas in which you can evaluate and make some New Years adjustments…..
Morning:
- Get up early on purpose
- Give your first 30 minutes to God
- Right Side Up Journal
- Read - if you read :30 per day you will see tremendous results!!
Schedule:
- Be intentional with what you do with your time
- Passion Planner
- Google Cal
- "Say yes to the best things and know it’s ok to say no to good things."
Sleep:
- Eliminate distractions!
- Covenant Eyes
- Screen Time for Apple
- https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/sleep-facts-statistics
Fitness:
- Physical fitness helps with mental, emotional and spiritual health!
- Peleton
Bring it all together…….
Fast and Pray:
- Starting January 10, 2022 - 21 Day prayer and Daniel Fast
- Riverbankchurch.com/21days
Have you noticed that so many people are gripped with fear and afraid of pain and suffering? We've all been fairly sheltered from exponential pain and suffering and there are many things that can trigger fear. In this episode we have a conversation with someone who has been dealing with cancer for 20 years and has had to embrace faith over fear. As leaders, we are called to live lives of greater faith and to not be overwhelmed by situation and circumstance outside of our control.
"Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world." 1 Peter 4:12-13
Vision is a solution to a problem. Values are the pillars that uphold that vision. At Riverbank Church our vision is clear - were on a rescue mission, reaching people with the message pop Jesus. In todays episode, we continue our discussion about those pillars that uphold the vision. Our second value is EXCELLENCE.
“Excellent” – outstanding; exceptional, better
Malachi 1-2:1-4
God EXPECTS excellence - NOT SECONDS!
God DESERVES excellence - NOT EXCUSES!
God CORRECTS lack of excellence
"It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ" Philippians 1:9-10
How we can bring excellence:
LIFE, SCHOOL, CHURCH
EXCELLENCE: Celebrate Jesus in everything. From the street to the seat, we will honor Jesus in all that we do.
Vision is a solution to a problem. Values are the pillars that uphold that vision. At Riverbank Church our vision is clear - were on a rescue mission, reaching people with the message pop Jesus. In todays episode, we begin a discussion about those pillars that uphold the vision. Our first value is JESUS: only He is sacred.
“God has UNITED you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. 31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, BOAST ONLY about the LORD.” 1 Corinthians 1:30–31
“For I decided that while I was with you I would forgeteverything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2
Jesus is Sacred. Thats it!
- If we are going to reach VT and NH for Jesus we MUST be unified!
- Unity comes in Jesus.
- Making Him the center.
- He’s the only one who is sacred!!
- Because Jesus is the only one who is sacred:
- It doesn’t matter how dark the room is
- The loudness of the music
- The color of our logo
Jesus is the only one who is sacred and we will do anything to reach people for Him!!!!!!
Proverbs 29:18 says....
KJV - Where there is no vision, the people perish
The Message - If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves
NASB - Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained
NIV - Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint
Vision is a solution to a problem. At Riverbank we see the spiritual condition of our region as a problem - 90% of the total population does not know Jesus and is hopeless and broken. An urgent, rescue mission - reaching people with the message of Jesus - is the solution.
In this episode we discuss the importance of our Visio and how we engage in our vision practically.
Riverbank Church's Rescue Mission Wall - PIC HERE
Very few leaders run to conflict, typically, we avoid it and dread it. In this conversation we will look at Biblical conflict resolution and even discuss some practical tips to how you can be empowered in arising conflicts instead of being overwhelmed.
“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. ...... 21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” 22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!" Matthew 18:15-17, 21-22Follow host Chris Goeppner on Instagram
*Sorry, you can't follow co-host Matt Burge, he's a social media introvert!
Very few leaders run to conflict, typically, we avoid it and dread it. In this conversation we will look at Biblical conflict resolution and even discuss some practical tips to how you can be empowered in arising conflicts instead of being overwhelmed.
“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. ...... 21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” 22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!" Matthew 18:15-17, 21-22Follow host Chris Goeppner on Instagram
*Sorry, you can't follow co-host Matt Burge, he's a social media introvert!
Many of us have grown up in an intense and pressure filled life to perform, whether at work, in home, church or in even in relationships. Because of this intense expectation, we can easily miss the times when we need to sit back and enjoy life and even rest well! In this episode Chris and Matt have a conversation about rest and life enjoyment while camping in the New Hampshire mountains!
"So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God.” Ecclesiastes 2:24 Follow host Chris Goeppner on Instagram
*Sorry, you can't follow co-host Matt Burge, he's a social media introvert!
Serving and leading people is incredibly rewarding, but if you lead and serve in your own power and strength its not IF you will tire and burn out, its WHEN. In this episode Chris discusses the promise of supernatural power given by the Holy Spirit of God who lives IN you!
There are 4 distinct qualities that the power of the Holy Spirit wants to give to all believers tune in to find out what those are!
Key Verses mentioned:“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. ” Romans 8:11
"And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God." 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
"The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness." Romans 8:26
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Follow host Chris Goeppner on Instagram
On this episode Chris has a conversation with his 15 year old son, Jadon. They discuss the history of Riverbank Church and what he has seen and experienced as a PK. There is not a more courageous participant in a church than the children of pastors. A fun and different conversation that can help many see from a different perspective!
Riverbank Church's Rescue Mission Wall - PIC HERE
Ken Blanchard says "The key to successful leadership is influence, not authority". Influence is defined as "the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something". In a world desperate for influencers that are not about self, but about others and bringing honor to Jesus, we will discuss how we can increase our influence in a way that engages in the rescue mission!
Follow host Chris Goeppner on Instagram
*Sorry, you can't follow co-host Matt Burge, he's a social media introvert!
Podcast mentions:
Carey Nieuwhof - https://careynieuwhof.com/mypodcast/
Ken Blanchard - https://www.kenblanchardbooks.com
Joshua 1 tells the story of the call from God to Joshua to lead the Jews into their land of promise. The word courageous stands out and becomes the inspiration for Joshua to step into his leadership destiny. Can you imagine if every believer stepped into their leadership destiny with courage and strength? The rescue mission were all called to would become more and more of a reality!!!
Follow host Chris Goeppner on Instagram
*Sorry, you can't follow co-host Matt Burge, he's a social media introvert!