The Discerning Leader Podcast

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Mark Buchanan “Walking with a friend is soul formative and nurturing, especially among God’s creation as we walk and pause in awe together.” –Mark Buchanan Walking has a built-in requirement to attentiveness. Not only the noticing of where we are heading and the terrain under our feet, but in our awareness of God and the companions that join us. In this episode we explore walking as friends, with animals, as prayer, and for the sake of attentiveness and remembering. As we walk, we discern God’s movement among us as he invites us to trust him and grow in his grace. Slowing down to notice the leaf, the ducks in the pond, the beauty that surrounds us, evokes a graced awareness of God. Enjoy a walk 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, Guest: Mark Buchanan “I’ve always been in a rush and it’s not served me well for my deeper formation.” –Mark Buchanan God invites us into a life of receptivity and grace, walking with God as he companions us at his pace: 3 mph. As we seek to resemble Jesus, we need to learn how to slow down our fast-paced lives. Here we discover so much more about his faithful affection for us as his beloved children. As we walk with intentionality and purposefulness, we are embodying life as a pilgrimage. Only when we pace ourselves appropriately will we experience our genuine quest to encounter God. God Walk is a sequel to The Rest of God, both written by our special guest, Mark Buchanan. 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: Mark Buchanan “Our Sabbath practices began by taking one do-nothing day each week…and it changed everything.” –Mark Buchanan The spiritual rhythm of Sabbath rest is good for our souls, our relationships, and our service to others. Learning to linger at the pace of grace, Sabbath teaches us to slow down long enough to savor every important morsel of life. We need to build capacity and practice Sabbath in order to overcome our addictive patterns and realign around God’s invitation to rest. In this episode we discuss practical ways to lean into Sabbath, including how best to prepare for Sabbath. Our mindset for receptivity is key to savoring the richness of Sabbath. Receive the day – it’s a gift! 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: Mark Buchanan “Jesus saved me and then the Sabbath saved my relationship with Jesus.” –Mark Buchanan Mark Buchanan, author of The Rest of God, reminds us that we spend many of our waking moments pursuing adrenaline rushes. Activity, noise, productivity, and even relationships can hinder us from a life of attentiveness and receptivity. Sabbath slows us down and awakens within us a fresh, renewing way of being. As we practice noticing God, we experience clarity, calmness, and a rich sense of well-being in Christ. Sabbath teaches us to be receptive to all that God delights to offer us as his beloved children, made to live abundantly in the image of 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

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Dave Currie “A living church always needs new expressions in song to meet the immediacy of current and particular circumstances.” – Dave Currie Spiritual songs and hymns help us become more discerning leaders. As we sing, regardless of our unique context, we join with the voices of saints from around the world who worship musically with songs of our Christian faith. How may distinct races, denominations, or ethnic groups have you joined in song? Engaging in song theologically, emotionally, and experientially is good for the soul. We evaluate a good song theologically by holding it up to Scripture; we are invited fully into the song experientially and emotionally. Good songs stand the test of time. For more information about today’s hymns: "LORD, YOU HAVE COME TO THE LAKESHORE" Background: https://hymnary.org/text/lord_you_have_come_to_the_lakeshore https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-lord-you-have-come-to-the-lakeshore Solo guitar & duet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kdsab4mm4nI&pbjreload=10 Choir in Spanish & English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdXrgsqIZ8k “HERE O LORD YOUR SERVANTS GATHER” Background: https://hymnary.org/text/here_o_lord_your_servants_gather https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-here-o-lord-your-servants-gather Japanese/English Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiT6WSdBNhw 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: Dave Currie “Do everything for the glory of God – and with a song in your heart!” – Dave Currie Singing is a great way to help us notice what God is doing in our midst. When we let the message of Christ dwell among us richly, it’s the songs, hymns, and spiritual songs – offered from our hearts – that solidify the truths about God in our souls. We are made in God’s image, and we share in God’s creative process as we sing and make music in our hearts. What is it about singing that characterizes the formative work of God in us? We explore this question and notice the dynamic work of God as our head and our heart cooperate with one another in song. For more information about today’s hymns:“GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH” Background: https://hymnary.org/text/guide_me_o_thou_great_jehovah Sung in English & Welsh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT4n1hGjDDg “BLESSED ASSURANCE, JESUS IS MINE!” Background: https://hymnary.org/text/blessed_assurance_jesus_is_mine Alan Jackson/Country: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vfqYwfTqlE CeCe Winans/Gospel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMLOlYWM03g 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: Dave Currie “Singing the songs of those who have come before us, especially from other cultures and times, enhances our discernment as leaders.” – Dave Currie God sings over us out of his great affection, and as a warrior for our soul, he protects and cares for us as his beloved. Songs have been a part of the history of the church as singing helps us stay connected to God and with one another as his children. We know there will be lots of singing in heaven; while we are here on earth, we have a foretaste of that eternal worship. Spanning the history of the church, we note the ways every tribe, nation, and language group are rehearsing for the final praiseworthy performance at the marriage supper of the Lamb! For more information about “WHEN ISRAEL WAS IN EGYPT'S LAND”: Background: https://hymnary.org/text/when_israel_was_in_egypts_land Gospel Choir: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P32Vj-R8fkY Louis Armstrong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW3EAmKESKA 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: Dave Currie “When Jesus shows up, we want to sing!” – Dave Currie Sing to the Lord a new song! Songs of our faith are an invitation to intimacy with God, who loves us and enjoys hearing the praises of his people. In this episode we will notice the songs of Zechariah, Mary, and of Simeon – in celebration of the coming of the Messiah. We’ll consider how the second coming of Jesus, as noted in the book of Revelation, includes great songs of adoration. Also, in the writings of the apostle Paul, the people of God are encouraged to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in their hearts. Discerning hearts sing! For more information about “JESUS, THE VERY THOUGHT OF THEE” by Bernard of Clairvaux: Background: https://hymnary.org/text/jesus_the_very_thought_of_thee Version by Ghanaian Choir: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF_SAsw0XjU 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: Dave Currie “A song is the quickest route on the longest journey – 18 inches from the head to the heart and then back again.” –Dave Currie Our own leadership discernment grows as we enter into others’ experience of noticing God in worship and song. We get to know others from around the world as we sing their songs. This has been true since the dawn of time, and is expressed throughout the Scriptures. In the Old Testament, particularly the Psalms, we find God’s people singing in times of triumph, lament, confession, thanksgiving, and praise. Words are the poetry that point us to God and the melody expresses the overflow of emotion. When we sing we pray twice. We hold songs in our heart. To learn more about songs and their backgrounds: https://hymnary.org/ https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/history-of-hymns For more information about “SAVIOR OF THE NATIONS, COME” by 4th C. Ambrose the Bishop of Milan, translated into German by Martin Luther and into English by William Reynolds: Background: https://hymnary.org/text/savior_of_the_nations_come_virgins_son Koine—Savior of the Nations Come (contemporary folk version): https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=DsNPi71O7FI&list=RDAMVMDsNPi71O7FI Robert G. Farrell—organ & chorale: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=-HxXFatWo9Y&list=RDAMVM-HxXFatWo9Y Sister Sinjin—women’s duet: https://music.youtube.com/search?q=savior+of+the+nations+come 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

“It’s hard to consider racial reconciliation when we’ve never really had a right relationship to reconcile.” – Kim Nash Alexander Today’s conversation tackles one of the most significant issues of our day, and how God would have us address it from his perspective. Racial brokenness has been a part of our culture for generations and perhaps it will take longer than we prefer to bring about meaningful change. Dr. Kim Alexander shares with us what it’s meant for her as an African American leader in the body of Christ and in her community. She outlines the pathway forward in enlightening ways, including awareness, ownership, and agency, and prayerful practices such as confession, forgiveness, repentance, and learning how to honor one another above ourselves. 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