The Discerning Leader Podcast

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Matt Scott "Asking 'Why?' is the hardest and most important question to consider in virtually every circumstance of life." – Steve Macchia In chapter eight of The Discerning Life: An Invitation to Notice God in Everything, today's episode covers the very intentional and deliberative process of spiritual discernment for groups and individuals. Here we build on the foundation of a discerning life and enter into the phase of decision-making that grows from the radical lifestyle of practicing a preference for God. We begin with the importance of the question "Why?" which is the most important question to consider. From here we shift to identifying the most important question we are discerning together, which leads into the ten questions and phases for discernmentarians to consider. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Matt Scott "The discerning life requires a radical and renewed change of heart and mind." – Steve Macchia Today we are diving into chapter seven of The Discerning Life: An Invitation to Notice God in Everything. We unpack the importance of shifting from a self-directed to a Spirit-empowered life, and the radical choices that implies. A renewed mind is a changed mind, transformed by the invitation to consider the various levels of soul care and its parallel to house care: chores, maintenance, emergencies, redecorating, upgrading, and renovating. To the very end, even on the cross, Jesus modeled for us a life of intentional focus on God's way…grace and forgiveness. He thereby invites us to live in full submission to his priorities, practicing a preference for God. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

"All spiritual discernment happens within a story-laced context." – Steve Macchia Chapter six of The Discerning Life: An Invitation to Notice God in Everything, is the topic of today's conversation. Here we unpack the importance of understanding and appreciating the various contexts that have shaped our lives…as well as the lives of those we are called to love and serve in Jesus. The gift of empathy is the goal – walking in each other's shoes and showing grace, mercy, kindness and love to those who are different from us. When we become respecters of various cultures, contexts, and story lines, we learn to embrace one another and live the abundant and discerning life. Our God-blessed pathway is always rich with empathy. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Matt Scott "Practicing biblical hospitality is first and foremost toward the lost, the least, the lonely, and the left behind." – Steve Macchia Chapter five of The Discerning Life: An Invitation to Notice God in Everything, is the topic of today's conversation. In this conversation we explore the meaning of biblical hospitality, and how Jesus invites us to become receivable to all who cross our path. We acknowledge that our preparation is one of the greatest signs of love, not only in the external ways we are hospitable, but more importantly, in our gracious hearts. Imagine if our churches were known for being an hospitable place, where grace was our primary offering. As Jesus welcomed all, so shall we. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Matt Scott "The discerning life is relational and based primarily in a listening presence." –Steve Macchia Chapter four of The Discerning Life: An Invitation to Notice God in Everything, is the topic of today's conversation. A discerning life is best fulfilled in the presence of one another, as we offer grace upon grace to each of our relationships. It's important to recognize the power of listening and learn to love and honor one another in spite of our quirks and idiosyncrasies, our gifts and abilities, our backgrounds and ethnicities. When we are fully present, we are expressing our desire to be both with and for one another, as was embodied perfectly in Jesus. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Matt Scott "Unless I learn how to live a contemplative life, I will continue to live a manipulative life." – Steve Macchia Chapter three of The Discerning Life: An Invitation to Notice God in Everything, is the topic of today's conversation. Here we unpack the importance of listening to God prayerfully, expectantly, and faithfully. We discover a life of obedient surrender to God by first and foremost listening to his still small voice, in the Scriptures, in our prayer closets, and in our spiritual practices. Listening is the essence of the discerning life, and unless we practice this all-important attribute our spiritual sensibilities will be dulled in the daily pursuits of our lives. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Matt Scott "Pay attention to God who takes great delight in you, rejoices over you with a song, and has an extravagant affection for you." –Steve Macchia The Scriptures are replete with examples of how God made himself known to his beloved children. Sometimes through a burning bush, or a dream, or an angel, or even a donkey. When he wants to make himself known he does so in creative, life-giving ways. So, what's our response and how will we offer him our full attention in return? In today's episode Steve and Matt explore the importance of our attentiveness, so that we listen, receive, and follow after God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This is the road to the abundant life in Christ. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Matt Scott "Look what social media has done to our 'notice me' inclinations today and how that self-centeredness keeps us from preferring God instead." – Steve Macchia Welcome to all who are joining us as members of the Reading Retreat for The Discerning Life. (If you still want to join the online, author-guided, self-paced retreat, go to www.stevemacchia.com for all the details). Spiritual discernment is "practicing a preference for God" and one that we can learn how to live on a daily basis. How do we posture ourselves to prefer God and guide others to do likewise? That's what we need to learn and it only happens by a practiced discipline and choice of the heart. Perceiving and noticing God in the daily, routine places of our lives prepares us for times when we need to discern his particular will. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Matt Scott "Discernment is a lifestyle of noticing God in everything, practicing a preference for God in all aspects of our life and service to others." –Steve Macchia We are excited to launch the 17th season of The Discerning Leader Podcast with a focus on Steve Macchia's newest book, The Discerning Life: An Invitation to Notice God in Everything (Zondervan Reflective, 2022). Steve and his conversation partner, Matt Scott, commence this new season talking about the importance of spiritual discernment as a lifestyle for all leaders and learners. Today Steve and Matt lay the groundwork for this new series. All who pre-order the book are invited to join the online, author-guided, self-paced Reading Retreat. Pre-order your copy of the book, find all the details at www.stevemacchia.com - and sign up today! Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Host: Steve Macchia, Guests: Dave Currie and Susan Currie "Epiphany was our main missions conference in the local church, when we invited the children to bring offerings to Jesus as we sought to share the light of Jesus to the far corners of the earth." –Dave Currie Epiphany is both a day and a season in the church calendar. Occurring on January 6, it concludes the 12 days of Christmas and signifies the wise men following the bright star to find Jesus. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, symbolic of the fulfillment of God's promises in Jesus as prophet, priest, and king. Dave and Sue Currie follow the church calendar as a couple and as a family and guide us into the experience with the richness and fullness that Epiphany is intended to provide. As we follow Jesus let's joyfully reveal his light to the world. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net