Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson explore the essential question: "What thirsts of my soul am I bringing to my congregation?" They discuss the importance of leaders acknowledging their own needs and the dangers of seeking fulfillment from their congregations instead of God. Learn how aligning personal needs with God's guidance can help leaders bring true abundance to their communities.Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss this quote from Alan Fadling in Ep 238, Lead with Less Anxiety:"What thirsts of my soul am I bringing to my congregation in hopes they'll meet me there rather than learning to take the thirsts of my soul to God so that God could meet me in those places? And then I could bring abundance to the community of people entrusted to me.”THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Leaders must acknowledge their needs to avoid seeking affirmation from their congregations improperly.Effective leaders should bring their soul’s needs to God rather than their congregations.Leaders face the temptation of people-pleasing, which can derail their adherence to God's mission.Being transparent about personal needs helps leaders avoid subconscious behaviors that could hinder mission-focused leadership.Fulfilling personal needs through appropriate relationships prevents dependence on congregational approval.Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!This episode tackles the topic of being "othered" by those in church leadership, an important conversation for anyone in ministry leadership who wants to understand how to create an environment of embrace, of love, of belonging—and of being a healthy team.Jenai Auman, the author of Othered, discusses her personal experiences of being othered by church leaders, the impact it had on her, and how leaders can cultivate communities marked by shalom and hesed.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Jenai Auman shares her struggles with toxic issues and resistance at a church where she was on staff.Advocacy for personal boundaries led to Jenai being labeled as the problem and asked to leave the church.Individuals often remain in unhealthy environments due to a shallow understanding of love and belonging, influenced by past trauma.Jenai Auman identifies with domestic violence survivors in her determination to fix the system from within.Through her painful experience, Jenai Auman gained transformative wisdom and spiritual growth.Emphasizing the importance of healing, Jenai Auman aims to avoid bitterness and repeating the harm done to her.The hesed of God demonstrates loving kindness and compassion, aiming for wholeness in a fractured world.The zero-sum game misconception causes competition for comfort and peace, but God's shalom advocates for abundance.By adopting an open-handed posture towards others, we mirror God's nature, fostering inclusivity and belonging.Jenai Auman advises those feeling othered to recognize their inherent belovedness without seeking external validation.Church leaders should focus on self-reflection and compassion, avoiding defensive othering.Jenai Auman discusses the concept of shalom as a state of peace involving love, wisdom, and understanding personal stories.Naming experiences of othering is crucial for healing, enabling reconciliation and peace.Jenai Auman reflects on how her experiences with othering have shaped her understanding of mutuality and divine love.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Jenai Auman:WebsiteSubstackEmailBooks mentioned:Othered, by Jenai AumanRelated episodes:82: Narcissism and Spiritual Leadership, with Chuck DeGroat92. Against a Culture of Abuse, with Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer163. You Can’t Be Found if You’re Never Lost, with Steve CarterClick HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Fear significantly influences congregations, and leaders must address it openly. Technical expertise plays a crucial role in building trust within communities. Compassionately guiding individuals through their anxieties, especially during change, is essential. Creating an empathetic environment ensures no one faces fear alone. Directly addressing resistance can help transform fear into faith, fostering gradual progress and unity among congregants.

Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!In this episode, we’re taking a deep-dive into the complex and, at times, nerve-wracking experience of deconstruction. Leaders often worry about its impact on their roles, their authority, and on the harmony or unity of their church communities. But what if deconstruction is less about tearing down faith and more about stripping away what's non-essential, centering instead on Jesus?In this epidsode, Scot McKnight, author of Invisible Jesus, sheds light on how deconstruction can be a path to a more Christ-focused faith, emphasizing the importance of creating supportive spaces for exploring and asking questions. This conversation is crucial for ministry leaders navigating their own or their congregants' journeys of faith reformation.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Markus Watson addresses the nervousness leaders feel about deconstruction and its potential impacts on their beliefs.Scot McKnight highlights that leaders fear deconstruction because it threatens their job security, authority, and influence.People undergoing deconstruction can disrupt church communities, creating anxiety about church teachings.Markus Watson emphasizes the need for leaders to find safe spaces outside their church community for discussing deconstruction.Scot McKnight suggests that churches should support and provide safe exploration spaces instead of trying to control questioning individuals.Pastors face pressure to have all the answers, and questioning can trigger their insecurities about their role and authority.Markus Watson discusses how churches need to shift their culture to become open to questioning and changes.Scot McKnight reflects on his book "Invisible Jesus," addressing how deconstruction is not about abandoning faith but refocusing on Christ by removing non-essential elements.A study cited by Scot McKnight shows that 86% of people who undergo deconstruction remain in the church, although they may change congregations.Deconstruction resembles a personal Protestant Reformation where individuals reassess and personalize their faith journey.Scot McKnight draws parallels between deconstruction and historical movements aimed at shedding unnecessary church practices or beliefs, focusing on continual reform.Scot McKnight states that Jesus acted as a deconstructor, challenging the law within Judaism similar to the prophets.The church's role should involve listening to deconstructors rather than fearing or dismissing them, promoting an adaptive leadership approach.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Scot McKnight:SubstackBooks mentioned:Invisible Jesus, by Scot McKnight and Tommy PhillipsA Church Called Tov, by Scot McKnight and Laura BarringerRevelation for the Rest of Us, by Scot McKnight and Cody MatchettRelated episodes:171. Leading Your Ministry as a Dissident Disciple, with Scot McKnight98. Deconstruction and Reconstruction, with A.J. Swoboda92. Against a Culture of Abuse, with Scot McKnight and Laura BarringerClick HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson dive into the challenge of leading churches in a rapidly changing world. They discuss how honoring tradition doesn't mean rejecting innovation. The conversation highlights adaptive leadership, which encourages churches to experiment on the edges while respecting their heritage. Teams can introduce effective changes through modest experiments, ensuring that both historical values and contemporary needs are met. Discover how faith communities can thrive by blending old with new!

As the holiday season approaches, the discussion centers on the immense pressure faced by ministry workers. It highlights the emotional fatigue that comes from juggling professional duties while caring for loved ones. Personal stories reveal the weight of responsibility, paralleling the weariness felt by biblical figures like the shepherds and magi. An inspiring message emphasizes Jesus’ invitation to find rest and relief amid life's demands, encouraging listeners to lean on faith during tough times.

Explore the Kingdom of God as a vibrant way of life instead of a distant destination. The conversation dives into how embracing God's will can shift leadership and community dynamics. Personal stories highlight the journey of young Christians grappling with this transformative view. Discover the importance of embodying Jesus' teachings through love and mindfulness in daily interactions. This insightful discussion encourages reflection on living out the reality of God's reign in the here and now.

In this engaging discussion, Jeff Hoffmeyer, Resident Theologian at the Denver Institute for Faith and Work and educator at Fuller Theological Seminary, dives deep into the transformative power of prayer in leadership. He emphasizes that prayer should be a continuous, rich experience rather than a mundane task, advocating for its integration into daily life. Jeff explores innovative practices, including Lectio Divina, and the importance of scripture in enriching conversations with God, ultimately highlighting prayer as a deeply relational act pivotal for effective leadership.

Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger delve into the vital role of spiritual leaders as they 'stand in the gap' during crises. They share how genuine presence and intercessory prayer can support communities in tough times. The discussion highlights the balance of authority and empathy that pastors embody, enriching their congregations through thoughtful study of scripture. Personal stories illustrate how effective leaders navigate anxiety while reassuring those around them, underscoring the power of being there for others during life's challenges.

Mandy Smith, a pastor at St. Lucia Uniting Church and author of Confessions of an Amateur Saint, shares her insights on navigating the pressures of ministry. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing burnout and the need for intentional rest, like observing a Monday Sabbath. Smith discusses the balance between the 'true self' and 'false self' in leadership, and the necessity of daily prayer for guidance. The conversation also touches on vulnerability in leadership and how embracing desperation can lead to renewed strength and spiritual growth.