Eagle Brook Church Leadership Podcast: Recent Episodes
Eagle Brook Church
We’re passionate about helping leaders discover who they are and how to lead with wisdom and intentionality. Because when leaders get better, churches get better.
Leadership: It's a journey. Don recounts his trip to the Grand Canyon in the heat of August and the lessons learned along the way. From preparation, overcoming the nay-sayers, and trying to keep up with his son’s hiking pace, he finds how God is in the details of it all. Don and John talk about enjoying the journey of leadership, not the end result.
When we connect to Jesus every day and he remains our source of life, it pushes us deeper into our faith, even (and especially) through tragedy. Listen in as Don and John chat with Mike Emmert, campus pastor at Eagle Brook Church – Wayzata. Mike talks about the adversity he’s faced in the last year, both professionally and personally, the importance of allowing God to orchestrate during challenges, and 7 things he's learned from ministering through tragedy.
"I am in you, and you’re in me." Listen in as Don and John chat with Megan Fate Marshman, teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church. Megan shares how her partnership with the Holy Spirit empowers her to connect deeply with others and communicate with authenticity. She also discusses her books, Meant for Good and Relaxed, and how her journey through personal suffering has deepened her dependence on God and her community.
Our world likes to overcomplicate everything—including our relationship with Jesus and the church. Listen in as Don and John chat with Jon Weece, lead pastor of Southland Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky, about the primary goals for the church today: love God and love people. It takes each member of the church to stay healthy, serve others, and stay unified.
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Hear more from Jon Weece:
Turning Down the Noise with Jon Weece
If you're interested in being a part of our staff, thinking of applying for a position, or just curious about who Eagle Brook is at the core, this is the podcast episode for you. Listen in as Don and John chat with Gari Pisca, Eagle Brook's executive director of Operations, about our Vision Culture, Staff Commitments, and Staff Alignment. It's through these foundational teachings that our staff is able to continue moving effectively in the same direction as we grow.
It’s a popular opinion: young adults are one of the most elusive groups when it comes to reaching people for Jesus. Listen in as Don and John chat with Daniel Young, Eagle Brook's director of Student Ministries (and leader of Young Adults), about whether or not that’s true, what this next generation is looking for when it comes to faith, and what we’re trying to do about it.
"As long as there is somebody who does not know who Jesus is...we will continue to grow." In this episode, Don and John chat with Steph Hauber, Eagle Brook's property and logistics director, about the church's heart for expansion and plans for future growth. What does it look like to pursue growth in new communities? Dive into the "why," the "how," and their thoughts on navigating challenges like negative community engagement.
What does a healthy campus look like? In this episode, John and Don discuss the principles of effective leadership that cultivate a healthy work culture. Discover how to inspire, set the pace, and empower your team. The ripple effect of your leadership can positively influence staff, volunteers, and attendees—reaching more people for Christ!
Dale Peterson is the Executive Director of the EBA and has been on staff at Eagle Brook Church for 24 years. Listen in as he discusses how our vision culture came to be by defining the purpose and mission for Eagle Brook. Since the launch of the EBA in 2006, they have helped hundreds of churches and leaders define their own mission and purpose, which has led to over 180,000 decisions to follow Jesus!
Do you ever lose sleep over a crucial conversation you need to have? Aaron Damjanovich is the director of leadership development for the Eagle Brook Association. Listen in as he talks with Don and John about the art of having crucial conversations and why they’re so vital to creating unity in the church—as well as in our personal lives.
So you're a ministry leader, and you're working a job with incredible, eternal significance. But things get complicated when your spiritual and professional lives blend together. Burnout in the church is common, but a fading passion can make you feel...guilty. Listen in as Don and John chat with Dave Holvig, Worship Ministries director, about reasons for burnout in ministry and how to build a burnout-proof culture. If you lead people, you're experiencing burnout, or all of the above...this one's for you.
Whether you feel God calling you to something new or you're navigating a change in direction in your life or career—this conversation is for you.Steve Duede started on staff at Eagle Brook 20 years ago and has been a worship leader and pastor here ever since. But recently, God started stirring something new in his heart. Join Don and John as they chat with Steve about that process and his ultimate decision to take on the role of campus pastor at our new Maplewood location.
As a leader, have you ever felt caught in the middle? Your leader says one thing, those under you say another...or two team members have the opposite perspective, and you have to hold both. No matter what you decide, you'll disappoint someone. Listen in as Don and John process how to handle the messiness of the middle—inspired by the book of Daniel in the Bible.
On September 10, 2023, Eagle Brook launched its first downtown Minneapolis campus—a task that proved to be totally different from anything they'd taken on before. In this episode, Don and John chat with Jon Taylor, campus pastor at the new Eagle Brook Church - Minneapolis. They'll discuss why he didn't say "yes" to the job right away, the things he learned while waiting and preparing for opening, and how this launch differed in approach.
Bob Merritt was the senior pastor of Eagle Brook Church for 29 years and entered retirement on March 1, 2020. (Convenient timing, right?) Listen in as Don and John chat with Bob about his reflections on his time in ministry, letting go of what was, and the spark he's feeling towards what's next (and more).
Catch Bob's latest Eagle Brook message: https://eaglebrookchurch.com/media/past-messages/filling-the-gaps
Bob Merritt was the senior pastor of Eagle Brook Church for 29 years and entered retirement on March 1, 2020. (Convenient timing, right?) Listen in as Don and John chat with Bob about his reflections on his time in ministry, letting go of what was, and the spark he's feeling towards what's next (and more).
Catch Bob's latest Eagle Brook message: https://eaglebrookchurch.com/media/past-messages/filling-the-gaps
Have you ever experienced church hurt? You know, when your expectations of people in the church are high, but reality just disappoints. We are all human, we all fall short. Disappointment is a natural part of the human experience. Is there hope for a better outcome? Listen in as Don and John chat about the reality of church hurt and three truths to equip and remind leaders and other Christians of the value of restored relationships with others—and Jesus.
Jon Weece has been the senior pastor at Southland Christian Church in Lexington, KY for 23 years—and in those years, he's learned a thing or two. Listen in as Don and John chat with Jon about the value of humor, the impact of frustration, what he'd tell his younger self, and how to stay healthy in the long run.
Jon recently spoke at Eagle Brook about frustration. Check it out!
www.eaglebrookchurch.com/media/past-messages/series/voices/
Gathering your whole staff regularly...seems like a lot of effort. Does it make a difference? Why does it matter? Listen in as Don and John connect with the Lino Lakes campus pastor, Andrew Hermann—who's also in charge of Eagle Brook's regular all-staff meetings. Believe it or not, gathering and aligning your staff regularly does make an impact, especially when done with intentionality.
The last 3 years have been nothing short of a challenge. No one entered 2020 confident in their pandemic-handling skills or knowing exactly what to do during social unrest. Of course, hindsight is 20/20—or at least it's a little clearer. Listen in as Don and John chat with Eagle Brook's executive pastor, Tyler Gregory, about leading through challenging times and changing leadership, getting back to basics, and the hope he has for the church today.
They start the episode talking about bird watching, as usual. But after that...it gets deep. Whether you're in a really tough season of life that feels never-ending, or your life is pretty sweet right now, Don and John's conversation with Adam Weber will encourage you, challenge you, and bring some hope into your day.
Marriage is beautiful. And also: marriage is tough—enough said. Listen in as Don and John chat with Ted Cunningham—pastor, author, relationship expert, and comedian. They'll discuss God's design for marriage, the ingredients for a thriving marriage, and the parent/child relationship.
Oh, and bird watching, of course.
*P.S. There are a few audio rough spots—just keep listening through it!
As a Christian in the workplace—on a church staff or otherwise—you'll encounter "spiritual warfare." Sounds dramatic...but, truthfully, we are in a battle. The Enemy does not want you to be a pastor, work in ministry, or have an influence for Christ in your workplace. There are two roles we can step into: the "civilian" or the "soldier." Civilians are easily distracted or unaware—soldiers are laser-focused and ready for a fight. Listen in as Don and John discuss the soldier's approach to this mission to reach people for Jesus.
In March 2020, Jason Strand took on the senior pastor position at Eagle Brook, succeeding the previous pastor of 28 years. What happened next, no one could have anticipated. You guessed it: a global pandemic. Listen in as Don and John chat with Jason about all that he's learned (and is still learning) through his first few years as senior pastor—his top takeaways, things he's leaning in on, and what he's choosing to fight for.
Delegation—is anyone good at it? A lot of the time, it feels easier to do things yourself than to teach someone else to do the things instead. But delegation empowers the people you lead, and is actually massively important in your own work life as well. You can't do everything yourself—you'll burn out. In this episode, John and Don talk about their struggles with delegation and what they've learned about it on their leadership journey.
Hold on to your hats—John claims this is one of the most innovative ways to build a church. No, it's not the Metaverse. Listen in as John and Don chat with our Online campus pastor, Jeff Dodge, and explore the origin of Eagle Brook's Viewing Groups, how they're going, and the future of online church. And yes, that includes Virtual Reality...
Seems like every other day, we hear about a leader who finishes their run poorly. Why is it so hard to finish well? In this episode, Don and John spend time with Byron, who's weeks away from retirement, to gain insight into what it takes to run a long race and finish well (spoiler: Byron was successful!)
Hey, it's ok to say, "I don't know what to do." In fact, it's sometimes the best move a leader can make when faced with obstacles—throw up your hands and ask God to steer the ship. In this episode, Don + John talk about times in their lives when they felt trapped under the weight of overwhelm and discuss lessons they've learned—through life and through the Bible—about how to get out from under it.
Something beautiful happens when you understand that your church isn't actually yours. Being a leader doesn't mean it's all on you. Actually, the less you think you know what you're doing, the more you'll depend on God to grow his church through your leadership—no matter your role. John + Don sit down with Kyle Idleman, senior pastor of Southeast Christian Church, to hear what he's learned—and is still learning—about leadership.
To build a strong culture, a leader needs to know how to utilize the tools in their leadership toolbox. Any work environment has the potential to be handcrafted using these tools to allow the best possible work to come from the organization. In this episode, Don + John touch on four mantras we can use as tools to grow ourselves as leaders and, in turn, grow the communities we serve.
The term "megachurch" by definition describes a church with over 2,000 people attending. Not too crazy. But culturally, it can carry a negative connotation. Moral failings of mega-leaders are scattered throughout its history, made even more public by social media exposés and TV documentaries, ultimately leading to a bit of societal distrust. Understandable. In this episode, Don + John pull back the curtain on why we do what we do as a megachurch—and how, when done well, a big group of people can make a mega-impact.
"Every Christian person needs people who hold them accountable, offer them support and encouragement, and help them grow spiritually."
It's the case for community, and it’s not a new idea. God introduced it in Genesis, Jesus modeled it throughout his life, the early church took it on—and it's still a core component of the church today. In this episode, we're talking groups with our Groups Ministries director, Brett. He shares the "why" behind his passion for groups + the ways we've found they work well...and the ways we've found they don't.
Jeremy Freeland owns Boo'z Bar in Knapp, WI. You're probably wondering—why is a bar owner on a church leadership podcast? We promise, it's worth a listen to find out. But be warned: Jeremy's story is powerful, and what God is doing through him + the Eagle Brook Church Viewing Group he started at his bar might just leave you speechless.
Watch Jeremy's story here: https://youtu.be/CidopaKU40c
To learn more about viewing groups: https://eaglebrookchurch.com/viewing-groups/
How do you keep your staff aligned while the world becomes more and more polarized? In this episode, John + Don chat with Jerry Hurley, team development leader at Life.Church, about how to define, assess, and develop your team culture into one that is focused, inspired, and healthy from top to bottom.
What is "spiritual authority"? Are you born with it? Do you have to be a pastor to have it? No matter who you are, you can carry spiritual authority, but it takes intentionality for it to grow and flourish to its full potential in your life. Enjoy this conversation with Worship Pastor Emily Alexander as she gives John + Don a picture of the future of worship and how to pursue genuine, God-given authority.
What would you try if you knew you couldn't fail? A new year means new goals, and here's a convo to inspire you while you're making them. Ryan Leak sits down with John to talk about chasing failure, dreaming big in the new year, and how to be productive while keeping your sanity.
Watch the Chasing Failure documentary at ryankleak.com Stay in touch with Ryan! Text your name to (469)809-1201.
Everybody knows that everybody's different. We could all use a bit of help understanding each other in order to communicate more effectively. Enter: temperaments. John and Don sit down with temperament expert Kathleen Edelman, author of " I Said This, You Heard That" and "A Grown-Up’s Guide To Kids' Wiring," to talk through each of the 4 temperaments and their impact on leadership and working relationships.
We're facing a completely new era when it comes to hiring. People are looking for new opportunities, and companies are getting creative about attracting the right person for the job. How do organizations create environments where people feel cared for and are set up to succeed in the long run? John and Don sit down with the Eagle Brook Human Resources team and talk about all of this and more.
Of course, you know you can't be the expert in all things. It's just harder to come to terms with it when you're leading others. In this episode, John and Don talk about what happens when you're leading people who know more than you. And why asking questions, delegating, and appreciating are keys steps in the process.
Did you know that studies say 64% of church youth will leave the church when they're adults? It's a humbling statistic that begs the question—what are we going to do about it? John and Don chat with Eagle Brook's Student Ministries team about what students look for in a church experience. And what they're doing to help students become lifelong followers of Jesus.
What does a new ministry year mean at Eagle Brook Church? It's the perfect time to look ahead, find ways to get better as leaders, and make sure we're all heading in the same direction. This starts with evaluating how we're doing in accomplishing our mission and finding ways to do it even more effectively. Here are five things we are excited about this ministry year.
Pursuing excellence is essential if you want to set yourself apart as an individual or organization. It also means you're constantly looking for ways to make things better. John and Don talk about one of Eagle Brook Church's five staff commitments—Make It Better. And why it's been a vital part of helping people grow as leaders and in their faith.
No church leader dreams of one day burning out and leaving their career. Yet 1,500 pastors leave the ministry every month, and last year 4,000 churches closed their doors. Dale Peterson joins John and Don as they talk through 7 reasons churches struggle. And how they can reverse course and become environments where attenders and staff thrive and grow in their faith.
What do you need to know to help people grow spiritually? Well, every life stage requires a slightly different approach. It's helpful to know what types of experiences are most meaningful for kids, teens, and adults. And that's exactly what John and Don talk about on this episode with special guest Ray Zaffke.
When tension strikes, a crisis arises, the going gets tough, your character will be the thing that either gets you through or derails you into the abyss. Character is the foundation from which you lead. John and Don talk through biblical principles for building character that helps you lead wisely through any situation.
Listen to Episode 2 to learn more about Eagle Brook Church's staff commitments.
Ever lead a team of creatives? Creating a healthy culture on a creative team requires encouragement, thoughtful feedback, empathy, and vision. Dave Holvig + Nate Nohling talk about leading creatives and how a great team culture helps create engaging weekend experiences at Eagle Brook.
For your organization to be around for the long-run, innovation is crucial. But when you’re not the key decision-maker, there’s some skill involved in bringing your innovative ideas forward. John and Don talk through 7 steps to have your great ideas heard by your boss, no matter your position in a company.
One of the keys to being effective organization is keeping your staff moving in the same direction. With different personalities and priorities, this can be a challenge. Listen in as John and Don talk with two key leaders at Eagle Brook Church about leading staff toward alignment and unity.
It's easy to assume when someone confidently stands on a stage and gives a talk, it's because of natural talent. What you don't see are hours of preparation and feedback leading up to that moment. Which must mean being a great communicator is an acquired skill. In this episode, Don and John break down the keys to giving engaging and inspiring talks to any size group.
For the first time in history, the fastest-growing religious group in America is the “nones”—people who don’t identify with any religion. This presents a unique challenge for churches: How do you reach people that have little experience or familiarity with church? Senior Pastor Jason Strand joins Don and John to talk about Eagle Brook’s mission to reach people for Christ in the Twin Cities and beyond—and how to do it in an ever-changing world.
Money is a critical component of daily life. So why does the church have such a hard time talking about it? Whether you’re leading or attending a church, knowing the heart behind why you give is the key to the entire conversation. Special guest, Jim Johnson, joins Don and John to discuss why the best place to talk about money might be in church.
Whether you’re working with a brand-new team member or someone who’s been on staff for years, it’s important to know where they are in their leadership journey. When you do, you can take someone who is eager but unsure about how they can contribute and give them the opportunity to become a key decision-maker and innovative leader.
Every organization (including churches) has a brand—it’s how someone perceives us and would describe us to their friends. And we can either let everyone else define our brand for us, or we can be the ones to shape it. Being intentional about branding our organization around our mission and values lets us have the impact we truly desire. Listen in as we talk branding and the creative process with TJ Therrien, Eagle Brook’s creative director.
Without a doubt, the thing we are most passionate about at Eagle Brook is transformation. There’s nothing like witnessing someone find the freedom that only comes from knowing Jesus. But we know that’s just the beginning. As a person grows in faith, transformation continues. And that journey is what John and Don are talking about in this episode with special guest, Rachel Holvig.
Show Notes View Eagle Brook's stages of transformation graphic.
View Stages of Transformation
About This Episode We all want to grow—we want to expand our business, increase our revenue, sell more coffee, or if you’re a church leader, reach more people for Christ. Remaining efficient is vitally important as we grow. In this episode, John and Don talk about organizational growth and efficiency. And why cheeseballs can help everyone understand the role they play.
Show Notes View Don Graffam's presentation slides at the link below.
VIEW PRESENTATION
About This Episode Organizations set themselves up for success when they invest in their staff and help them develop their God-given gifts and abilities. LeadershipX, a leadership development program, is one way Eagle Brook is equipping individuals to lead in their workplaces and the church. John and Don talk with two LeadershipX participants who share their experience and why it’s proven so valuable in their lives.
Show Notes View more information about Eagle Brook's leadership experience.
LeadershipX
About This Episode Emerging technology creates unique opportunities for churches to reach more people. When Eagle Brook decided to launch online church in 2017, there was a lot to consider, and the conversation continues to evolve. John and Don sit down with Online Church Pastor Tim Williams to talk about why we do online church and what we think the future holds for churches in digital spaces.
About This Episode Great leadership doesn’t happen overnight, and you can’t just stumble into it. It takes time, tenacity, and a good dose of humility. Don reflects on the leadership lessons he’s learned while working with Bob Merritt—who is retiring after 28 years as the senior pastor of Eagle Brook.
Show Notes View Don Graffam's leadership lessons at the link below.
10 Leadership Lessons
About This Episode Strong communication and strong leadership go hand-in-hand. And as any good communicator will tell you, it takes more than just a few solid talking points to help motivate and inspire your audience. In this episode, John and Don are joined by Lino Lakes Campus Pastor Andrew Hermann. Listen in as they talk about how we can take our communication to the next level.
Show Notes View Andrew Hermann's weekend campus pastor spot
Weekend Campus Pastor Spot
About This Episode In this episode of the Eagle Brook Leadership Podcast, John and Don talk about Eagle Brook's five staff commitments. Creating and maintaining a healthy staff culture is one of the most important pieces of being an influential organization where people love to work.
Show Notes To access a PDF of the Eagle Brook Staff Commitments, view the link below.
STAFF COMMITMENTS
ABOUT THIS EPISODE In this episode of the Eagle Brook Leadership Podcast, John and Don talk about vision culture. More than a vision statement, a vision culture aims to answer six critical questions for your organization. Why is vision culture so important? It helps bring more significant alignment and direction to any organization, no matter the size of your team.
SHOW NOTES To access a PDF of the Vision Culture, view the link below.
VISION CULTURE