The Discerning Leader Podcast

Host: Steve Macchia "We as the people of God, his dearly loved ones, are to be like salt and light in the world we are called to love and serve in Jesus' name." - Steve Macchia The mission of the Church is to be like salt and light in our needy world. The world is desperate for the seasoning of God and for a light to point them toward Jesus. A healthy church discerns together the unique ways they become outward in their focus via evangelism, social action, international missions, and caring for the poorest of the poor. In addition, a healthy church embraces the need for wise administration and accountability, finds joy amidst the diversity and unity of the body of Christ, and stewards with generosity all that's entrusted to their care. 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 "What does it mean to love one another, to be the body of Christ, the family of God, preferring one another in Christ?" - Steve Macchia Becoming a healthy church includes our compassion toward one another as members of the body of Christ. Ideally, by creating a culture of grace where love for God and each other reigns supreme. When we prioritize the betterment of others, we exhibit the "one another's" of the Scriptures, loving, serving, forgiving, and praying for one another. Jesus models this in the washing of his disciples' feet and invites us to do likewise: learning and growing in community, with loving and caring relationships, serving others in unity and devotion to the family 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 "How are you contributing to the health of the Church today? We are oaks of righteousness called of God to display his splendor!" - Steve Macchia We learn best how to practice a preference for God in the context of the local church. And, when we are positive contributors to the vitality of the Church, we honor and please God. Unity in the body of Christ is God's priority, as there's great beauty in our diversity. Scripture and prayer are essential ingredients of church health, equipping us to trust God together. As we are empowered by the Spirit, exalting God in worship, and caring for our souls in our prayer closets, we deepen our affections for God and become oaks of righteousness, displaying his splendor. 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 "I want to caution us against being so enveloped by the culture that we forget the real purpose of the Church. What does it mean to be a spiritually healthy family of God today?" - Steve Macchia It's challenging to be the church today. There is so much antagonism against who we are and what we stand for. So many issues and isms that envelop our culture. But, we believe in the central role of the Church today. And, it's Leadership Transformations' desire to serve as seed bearers of hope for the hearts of God's people. It's too easy to sit back as a critic of the Church, with cynicism and skepticism on our lips. Instead, we invite you to reconsider the soul of the Church and do everything possible to invest in the health and vitality of the body of 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: Suz Skinner "We need to give ourselves permission to become childlike and enjoy the wonder, awe, and joy of playfulness." -Suz Skinner How easy it is to forget the invitation to become like a child if we are to truly experience the kingdom of God. We tend to be more like productivity machines, maximizing the use of each available hour, filling them with noise, activity, and effectiveness. Instead, what brings God delight is when we are childlike, focusing on who we are and who we are becoming in Christ. Playfulness is a fitting antidote to our culture and an invitation to an abundant life in Jesus. Giving ourselves permission to play will release our oft-hidden humility, contentment and joy. 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: Suz Skinner "How can we pay greater attention when God uses images, metaphors, parables, stories, songs, and poetry in his Word that invite us to pray and respond?" - Suz Skinner The Scriptures are replete with examples of God's creative work in our world and in our hearts. Taking time to notice the metaphorical ways God describes himself invites us into a posture of graced receptivity. We are in turn invited to be artists in our prayerful response. There's a whole world of prayer to explore as we feast our eyes on God's abiding presence and direction, expressed in images, metaphors, parables, stories, poetry, and songs. As you behold God in his many creative expressions, perhaps there's a picture to draw or a poem to write in response. 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: Suz Skinner "Seeing the sunrise and sunset never gets old. They are the fingerprints of God each and every day." – Suz Skinner Creation and beauty speak directly of God, but without words. God is the author of both gifts and he delights for us to enjoy them. Who among us doesn't love to lay on the ground and look up at the sky, noticing God's handiwork in the clouds? In both unpredictable and predictable ways, God has blessed us with his creation and empowered us to create and enjoy beauty. Because of our uniqueness, each person notices differently. When our senses are enlivened, we are quickened to respond. Embrace a renewed attentiveness and share the joy with others. 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: Suz Skinner It's important that we are in the Word in order to see how God makes himself known to us. – Suz Skinner The Word of God comes alive in our hearts and minds as we see God with greater clarity in our Scripture reflections and prayers. In this episode we discuss lectio divina (divine reading) and visio divina (divine reflection on a photograph, painting, piece of art or creation) in order to be drawn into the Word of God and prayer in Spirit-empowering ways. We highlight imaginative prayer which invites us into a new way of seeing Jesus with eyes of faith. Study and exegesis of the Bible is richly enhanced in our prayer closets as we join God slowly, prayerfully in the Word. 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: Suz Skinner We are creative beings, reflecting the creative God who made us in his image. – Suz Skinner Creativity begins with God the Creator. He invites us to participate in his creation by caring for the air we breathe, the water we drink, the beauty of the sky, the earth, the animals, the trees, and everything that exists. It's part of our creative identity to reflect the image of God, care for and nurture what he's provided, and to honor creation by acknowledging its goodness. As ones who desire ways to reflect God's priorities, the pursuit of creativity levels the playing field and invites us to pay attention to the hunger within for more of God, more of his and our creativity. 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: Susan Currie In the celebration of Sabbath, we explore the command and accept the invitation to dwell with God with a deep, resounding yes – with gusto! – Susan Currie The fourth rhythm of Sabbath is "celebrating" the joy and delight of our identity and freedom in Christ. When we gather with the family of God on Sabbath – for worship, fellowship, prayer, and relationship building – we are reminding each other of the with God life we share. Weekly worship with our faith community is like a dress rehearsal for a wedding: the wedding feast of the Lamb, when the bridegroom returns for his bride once more. In this life we "make every effort" to enter that rest (Hebrews 4: 9) with a Jubilee taste of heaven on our hearts and minds. 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