The Discerning Leader Podcast

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

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Genalin Niere-Metcalf "The more you know your own story, the more you will know your own brokenness and what triggers you relationally." –Genalin Niere-Metcalf Relational brokenness doesn't have to stay that way. There are paths that lead us to wholeness, and on today's episode we discover how. It all begins with understanding our own personal stories, the narratives that have shaped us over time. Unless we know our own hearts fully, it will remain difficult to love others fully. God invites us to trust him, urging us to build trust among others. Kindness, compassion, forgiveness and grace come from a heart that's been healed and renewed. Listen today and ask God to strengthen and restore your relationships. 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: Genalin Niere-Metcalf "Emotional brokenness is our sense of not being whole, which is all a part of being alive." – Genalin Niere-Metcalf All of us interact with broken people. It's the wounded among us who wound others, often unaware. Emotional brokenness shows up in our emptiness, anxiety, bitterness, sadness, shame, and perfectionism. Because the Lord delights in healing the broken hearted, it's vital for us to embrace our own brokenness, honor our pain, and seek healing from God. How? Listen to your body, practice breath prayer, enjoy beauty, seek out friends, and practice self-care. Also, giving voice to our personal story in the safety of loving community allows us to be fully known. 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: Jeremy Stefano "Jesus comes to tend to the broken. No need to feel disqualified or set aside by the Lord because of our brokenness. He longs to rescue us and bring us closer to his heart." – Jeremy Stefano Spiritual brokenness begins with acknowledging our basic human condition as ones who are dislocated from God. The pathway to wholeness is paying attention to the ways we have stiff armed God or sought to manipulate him in our own image. We seek to explain him our preferred way, or perform for him in hopes of blessings in return, or we have unrealistic expectations of God and get easily disappointed. Instead, our wholeness comes when we choose repentance, gratitude, a heart of worship, and a reawakened love 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