The Discerning Leader Podcast

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott "Leadership is about whether or not the people are doing better because of your decisions." — Steve Macchia We know all-too-well the destruction that comes when power, influence and authority are mishandled and misguided in selfish ambition. This conversation explores "power" and how we can healthily steward the influence and authority entrusted to us in a way that honors, empowers, and equips others to flourish. 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.

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott "If we could practice listening first before speaking, how different our words would be and how different our relationships would be." — Steve Macchia Humbly receiving the preached Word of God is one means of speaking and hearing the Truth in love. But what does this look like within the context of our relationships? How do we humbly and gratefully accept reproach and admonition from others? This conversation offers wisdom and practical steps around what it looks like for us to both speak and hear the truth in love. 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.

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott "That's the hard reality...that I, too, irritate others. I need others to bear with me, also." - Steve Macchia How do we lovingly bear with one another and suffer alongside others in spiritual community? This episode tackles some of the hard realities we all face when we stay in one place long enough. What does it look like to move beyond tolerating and enduring to loving and serving those we find irritating, challenging, and hard-to-love? How can we humbly walk alongside one another in an empathetic, compassionate and gracious manner? This conversation offers helpful tools and wisdom around what Dietrich Bonhoeffer called "The Ministry of Bearing." 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.

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott "This welcoming spirit of graced hospitality is to be shared and received continuously, one at a time and in community." - Steve Macchia Learning to offer soul hospitality to another only comes after first experiencing the hospitality of God. In this episode of The Discerning Leader podcast, Steve and Matt define soul hospitality, how it shapes and builds spiritual community, and suggest tangible ways we can offer it to those around us. This conversation also explores how we can approach holy interruptions and embrace one another with a non-judgmental, gracious and generous spirit. 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.

In a heartfelt conversation, Matt Scott, a colleague and friend of Steve Macchia, delves into the intricacies of navigating conflict within spiritual communities. They discuss the importance of trust and reconciliation when faced with broken relationships. Practical wisdom is shared on listening, humility, and the continuous journey of restoring trust after rupture. Listeners are encouraged to actively seek forgiveness and embrace empathy as essential steps for fostering healthy connections. Their insights transform conflict into an opportunity for growth and spiritual depth.

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott "It's not only my neighbor's will but their honor that needs to be more important than mine."—Steve Macchia Spiritual communities are to be marked by humble and meek followers of Jesus. In this week's episode of The Discerning Leader podcast, Steve and Matt explore questions like: What is the role of humility within a spiritual community? How do we honor and prefer one another over and above ourselves? Tune in to hear more about the ministry of meekness and how we lead others from that posture. 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.

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia and Matt Scott "Listening and presence are the greatest exhibition of love." —Steve Macchia One of the ways we love and serve each other in our spiritual communities is by learning to listen well. This podcast episode invites you to consider how you can become a better listener as you receive, welcome, and accept another. Offering practical exercises and personal experiences, Steve and Matt offer tangible ways to extend the gift of listening as an act of love. 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.

Co-Hosts: Steve Macchia & Matt Scott "We are to be like the Trinity and model our lives accordingly." —Steve Macchia The perfect church is a misnomer. But what if there was such a thing as a perfect community? The relationship within the Triune God (Father, Son, and Spirit) is indeed, the perfect community. Beginning with a conversation around the life of the Trinity, Season 35 of The Discerning Leader podcast explores the essentials of spiritual community. In episode 01, Steve and Matt invite the listener to consider what it looks like for fellow pilgrims on a commonly shared journey to share life together. 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.

The Discerning Leader Podcast pauses its weekly episodes to feature this Holy Week Interlude. As Lent comes to its pinnacle during Holy Week, each of these episodes reminds us of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. With a daily Scripture reading and excerpt from Outstretched Arms of Grace, these reflections invite you to walk with Jesus through the final week of his earthly life. Journey with us toward the cross, the empty tomb and into the bright light of joy-filled Resurrection Day. Special Guest: Jeremy Stefano Reading: John 20:1-10 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.

The Discerning Leader Podcast pauses its weekly episodes to feature this Holy Week Interlude. As Lent comes to its pinnacle during Holy Week, each of these episodes reminds us of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. With a daily Scripture reading and excerpt from Outstretched Arms of Grace, these reflections invite you to walk with Jesus through the final week of his earthly life. Journey with us toward the cross, the empty tomb and into the bright light of joy-filled Resurrection Day. Special Guest: Chrissy Chang Reading: John 19:38-42 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.