Attaching to God: Neuroscience-informed Spiritual Formation

097 Confessions of an Amateur Saint (with Mandy Smith)

Oct 30, 2024

In this engaging discussion, Mandy Smith, a pastor and award-winning author, shares insights from her book, *Confessions of an Amateur Saint*. She emphasizes the value of vulnerability in leadership, revealing how sharing struggles can lead to deeper connections and spiritual growth. Mandy explores the balance between self-sufficiency and reliance on God, highlighting the transformative power of humility. She also discusses the role of joy and creativity in ministry, advocating for honesty among Christian leaders to foster community and trust.

49:25

Episode guests

Mandy Smith

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Vulnerability among Christian leaders fosters authentic connections, inspiring others to trust God amidst their own faith struggles.

Embracing joy and creativity in ministry transforms leadership, promoting spiritual revival and a thriving community filled with hope.

Deep dives

Creating Honest Faith Conversations

The podcast emphasizes the value of transparency among Christian leaders regarding their faith struggles. It highlights the need for leaders to share their vulnerabilities openly instead of conforming to an image of self-sufficiency. This honesty can foster a supportive community where individuals feel safe to explore their own doubts and challenges. By allowing space for authentic conversations about faith, leaders can inspire others to trust God even when belief is difficult.

Intro

4min

Vulnerability and Renewal in Ministry

9min

Navigating Spiritual Openness and Relationship Security

2min

Embracing Dependence on God

25min

Navigating Vulnerability and Leadership with Grace

5min

Exploring a New Book and Its Accessible Structure

4min

Instead of pretending to have it all together or insisting that you’re the problem, do you long to see more Christian leaders be honest about their own faith struggles? What benefit could there be to having a front-row seat to the moments that leaders choose to trust in God, even when it’s hard to believe?

Today we have Mandy Smith, pastor and award-winning author and speaker—and also a great friend—with us to talk about this very thing.We are talking about her newest book, Confessions of an Amateur Saint: The Christian Leader’s Journey from Self-Sufficiency to Reliance on God.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:27 Mandy Smith's New Book
03:16 The Journey of Writing
05:23 The Role of Joy and Creativity in Ministry
07:59 Attachment and Dependence on God
11:48 Confessions and Vulnerability
14:54 The Importance of Connection and Openness
16:57 Spiritual Warfare and Pruning
25:41 Solidarity with Christ's Sacrifices
29:07 The Role of Vulnerability in Leadership
32:14 The Power of Shared Struggles
36:58 The Structure and Purpose of the Book
43:29 Final Thoughts and Reflections

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Link: https://www.embodiedfaith.life/attaching-to-god-cohort

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