047: NEPOTISM: Does It Belong In The Church? An Honest Look.

In this episode of the Church Disrupted podcast, Jeff Cochran and Natalie Runion have an honest conversation about nepotism in the Church. They explore what nepotism really is and where it came from, as well as the tension between passing on ministries within families and the potential for unhealthy dynamics and control. The conversation delves into the importance of distinguishing between calling and nepotism, and the need for churches to have clear succession plans and fair processes in place. Overall, the episode aims to shed light on the issue of nepotism in the church and encourage healthy dialogue and reflection. Natalie and Jeff explore the challenges and implications of nepotism in church leadership, particularly in the context of pastors' children taking over their parents' churches. They also examine biblical examples and principles related to succession and leadership in the church, and how churches and pastors can stay above reproach when it comes to even the appearance of nepotism. Want to support SAI financially? https://donorbox.org/sai-initial-funding-campaign Find out more about Natalie's work here: - https://www.instagram.com/raisedtostay/?hl=en - https://natalierunion.com/ - https://tinyurl.com/526vaaj2 - https://www.amazon.com/Raised-Stay-Persevering-Ministry-Million/dp/0830784608 THANK YOU to our podcast partner, the East TN Mentorship Association! Find out more information about what they do or connect with them at https://earnyoursanctuary.com/ . TELL THEM WE SENT YOU for a special rate that is ONLY for Church Disrupted Podcast listeners. Find out more about the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.disrupted.church/. Join the church disrupted COMMUNITY here: https://discord.gg/nbWwg8Sz6Z Please Subscribe and Share! Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Special Episode 05:28 Collaborative Episode with Natalie Runion 08:13 Discussion Sparked by Previous Conversation 13:20 Defining Nepotism and Personal Experiences 18:47 Importance of Clear Succession Plans 21:19 Different Perspectives on Nepotism 28:22 Exploring the Definitions and Origins of Nepotism 31:14 The Role of Influence and Unfair Advantages 32:35 The Challenges Faced by Pastors' Kids 37:20 Examining Biblical Principles of Succession 53:41 The Importance of Being Above Reproach 55:39 Moving Away from the CEO Model of Leadership 58:30 Encouragement for Pastors' Kids 01:00:46 The Dangers of Promoting Nepotism 01:04:04 Expanding Perspectives through Church Engagement