5LQ Episode 262: Bruce Ashford –

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast, Todd Adkins and Daniel Im are joined by Bruce Ashford, provost at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and author of Letters to an American Christian. During their conversation, they discuss what it looks like to have discussions with people you disagree with from a Christian perspective. BEST QUOTES "What the people around me need me to do is to lead in a fully convictional manner with fear of the Lord guiding me, not fear of other people." "Fear of man is really just putting other people at the center instead of God." "If Christ is Lord, then how does his Lordship relate to areas of life that aren't so obviously religious, like art, science, politics, Washington, D.C., and New York?" "The disposition and demeanor of many Americans today is inherently demeaning and degrading, that there is not humane respect for the person with whom we argue." "Truth without grace makes you a political bully or a jerk; grace without truth makes you a political wimp or a non-entity." "I would like it to be said, that I really and truly tried to take a distinctively Christian approach to my different leadership endeavors." "Civility is not political correctness. It's when we stand there in the moment and put our cards on the table and speak our minds with respect for the person with whom we are dialoguing." "In relation to truth content, we have to discipline ourselves to become informed and educated." "If we can practice some self-control, then we have a chance to honor the Lord and maybe even make a difference." "When people make harsh attacks on Christianity, we have to defend Christianity very firmly." "I get almost everything big done before 8 o'clock in the morning." "When you get to make a decision, that is a fantastic opportunity to bring positive change to an organization or to a group of people." "Give dignity to other people. Even when other people are in the wrong, allow them their God-given dignity. Treat them with love and respect." "When we become isolated, we are not held accountable by other people, we become divorced from reality, and make foolish decisions." RECOMMENDED RESOURCES Ministrygrid.com Every Square Inch by Bruce Ashford One Nation Under God by Bruce Ashford Letters to an American Christian by Bruce Ashford