Spiritual Life and Leadership

Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Jay Bakker, the son of televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, was 11 years old when his parents’ ministry started to fall apart and only 13 when his dad began his prison term.  It's hard to imagine what that experience must have been like for him.In this episode, Jay Bakker and I talk about what it was like for him.  And we talk about how his experience shaped him spiritually—especially in regard to his understanding of judgment and grace.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Jay Bakker is the pastor of Revolution Church and the son Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker.Elton John is currently working on a musical about Jay’s mom and a movie about Jay’s parents, titled The Eyes of Tammy Faye, is coming out in 2021 or 2022.Jay Bakker shares what it was like for him as a kid when his family’s life and ministry fell apart.Jerry Falwell turned on Jim Bakker.For a while, Jay thought that God must be a mean, angry God.Jay Bakker started Revolution Church when his dad was released from prison.Jay shares how he discovered the idea of grace, which, he says is still evolving in his life.Jay learned what love for others looks like by watching his parents.Jim Bakker helped Jay learn to forgive Jerry Falwell.Jay talks about Tammy Faye’s witness when she was on The Surreal Life.So often we return bad for bad, judgment for judgment.  But we need to stop judging each other.You can find out more about Jay Bakker at revolutionchurch.com.  You can also listen to the Revolution podcast and follow Revolution Church on Facebook.  You can also connect with Jay on Twitter at @jaybakker and on Instagram at @jaybakker.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Books mentioned:Son of a Preacher Man, by Jay BakkerJay BakkerTwitterIntstagramRevolution ChurchWebsiteFacebook6 Practices of a Flourishing ChurchInstructions to leave a review of Spiritual Life and Leadership:Click HERE.Click on the link that says, "Listen on Apple Podcasts."In the window that opens, click the button that says, "Open Link."  This will open iTunes.To the right of the Spiritual Life and Leadership logo, click "Ratings and Reviews."Under the heading, "Customer Reviews," click on the button that says, "Write a Review."Select the number of stars and write your review.Click submit.I'd be so grateful if you did this.  Thank you!Get Becoming Leaders of Shalom for free HERE.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!Centering prayer is a form of silent, wordless prayer and a wonderful practice for spiritual formation.  Rich Lewis, author of Sitting with God: A Journey to Your True Self Through Centering Prayer, has been practicing centering for a long time.  He has writes about centering prayer, trains individuals and groups how to practice centering prayer, and in this episode teaches us how to engage in centering prayer. THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Rich Lewis is the author of Sitting With God: A Journey to Your True Self Through Centering Prayer. Though he has always enjoyed times of silence, Rich Lewis discovered the practice of centering prayer in 2013 through a book titled Healing the Divide by Amos Smith.Centering prayer is a form of silent, wordless prayer.Centering prayer was developed by three Trappist monks in the 1970’s.You can learn a lot about centering prayer at the Contemplative Outreach website.Centering prayer involves these steps:Sit quietly.Select a sacred word (e.g., Jesus, love, ocean).Introduce the word in your interior.When your mind gets distracted, come back to the center with your sacred word.Sit quietly until your time of centering prayer is done.The sacred word doesn’t have to be a word.  It could be an image.  Rich uses an icon of Jesus as his centering anchor.In centering prayer, it’s almost like God prays in us.Centering prayer can lead to deep inner healing.We are able to connect with our true self in centering prayer.Rich Lewis offers a free e-book on centering prayer at his website, silenceteaches.com.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Books:Sitting with God, by Rich LewisThe Heart of Centering Prayer, by Cynthia BourgeaultCentering Prayer and Inner Awakening, by Cynthia BourgeaultHealing the Divide, by Amos SmithWebsiteswww.silenceteaches.comwww.contemplativeoutreach.orgSpiritual Life and Leadership Facebook GroupEpisode 44: Spiritual Formation and Lectio Divina, with Eric Nevins, Host of Halfway There— Links to Amazon are affiliate links.  If you make a purchase through any of these links, I’ll receive a small commission–which will help pay for the Spiritual Life and Leadership podcast!Get Becoming Leaders of Shalom for free HERE.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!Is American unity possible?  Americans have wrestled with this question for years.  After a violent insurrection and a new administration now in place, the question seems more important than ever.Clearly, the United States is a divided nation.  So divided, in fact, that many believe unity is not possible.  How can staunch Trump supporters unite with the Democratic party?  How can staunch Biden supporters unite with the Republican party?  It seems beyond the realm of possibility.And, yet, I believe we can rebuild unity.  In this episode, I share my thoughts on how to do that--not by getting everyone to agree on everything, but by taking small steps toward civility, kindness, and respect toward one another.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:America is terribly polarized. Is American unity possible?I think American unity is possible.  What seems impossible for human beings is possible with God.Unity is not uniformity.  We don't all have to be the same or agree on everything.The Trinity is an example of unity in diversity.  The church is also an example of unity in diversity.How can we begin to rebuild American unity?Start with civility.Start with your friends and family.Give each other the benefit of the doubt.Listen, really listen, to each other.Pray for each other.Is American unity possible?  If we take these small steps, I believe it is.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:"Political Polarization in the American Public"Episode 91: Prayer for a President in PainInstructions to leave a review of Spiritual Life and Leadership:Click HERE.Click on the link that says, "Listen on Apple Podcasts."In the window that opens, click the button that says, "Open Link."  This will open iTunes.To the right of the Spiritual Life and Leadership logo, click "Ratings and Reviews."Under the heading, "Customer Reviews," click on the button that says, "Write a Review."Select the number of stars and write your review.Click submit.I'd be so grateful if you did this.  Thank you!Get Becoming Leaders of Shalom for free HERE.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!Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer have written a powerful book that addresses abuse of power in churches.  The book is titled, A Church Called Tov, and the purpose is to help churches nurture cultures of goodness (the meaning of the Hebrew word tov).In this episode, we discuss why some churches develop toxic cultures of abuse and how to work against that by nurturing cultures of goodness.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Laura Barringer is a second grade teacher and this is her second book co-authored with her father, Scot McKnight.Scot McKnight is the Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary.  He is also a prolific author and an ordained Anglican deacon.Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer were attending Willow Creek Community Church when allegations against Bill Hybels began to emerge.Scot and Laura were led to write about the need for a goodness culture in churches.  This is why they wrote A Church Called Tov.Willow Creek was misusing Scripture as it defended itself.Scot McKnight explains why they felt it was important to name the pastors who abused women in their churches when writing A Church Called Tov.In the Bible, people’s stories are told “warts and all.”Tov is the Hebrew word for “good.”  Tov describes the fullness of total moral behavior.A tov church/pastor/elder/person does not abuse power, women, or children.Scot McKnight is not comfortable with “leadership culture” in churches.  The word “leader” is not a significant word in the New Testament.Pastors should not be promoted as superstars.We won’t develop a culture of tov if we are only counting how many people show up on Sundays.Scot McKnight is interested in seminaries becoming institutes of tov formation.You can reach Scot and Laura on Twitter at @scotmcknight and @laurambarringer.You can follow Scot McKnight's work at his Jesus Creed blog.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Books mentioned:A Church Called Tov, by Scot McKnight and Laura BarringerThe Blue Parakeet, by Scot McKnightA Fellowship of Differents, by Scot McKnightJunia is Not Alone, by Scot McKnightTwitter:Scot Mcknight, @scotmcknightLaura Barringer, @laurabarringerScot McKnight's Blog:Jesus Creed blogOnline course:Leading Your Church Through Change— Links to Amazon are affiliate links.  If you make a purchase through any of these links, I’ll receiveGet Becoming Leaders of Shalom for free HERE.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!The events of this past week, and especially January 6, 2021, have been astonishing.  Never did I imagine that American citizens would attack and infiltrate the United States Capitol building.  But it happened.And at the center of this is Donald Trump, the President of the United States.  As problematic as Donald Trump's presidency has been, he is a beloved child of God who is in deep pain right now.  And I feel compelled to pray for him with compassion.In this episode, I share some of my thoughts on the events of January 6, Donald Trump's character, and the pain he must be feeling right now.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:The insurrection and storming of the U.S. Capitol was an unbelievable and horrifying event.Donald Trump's character and leadership led to this insurrection because Donald Trump established an  "us vs. them" mentality.Donald Trump's presidency has proven to be a failure in these final weeks.Now, Donald Trump is in considerable pain.We need to pray with compassion for Donald Trump.Markus prays for Donald Trump.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Pray as You GoEpisode 79: The Loss of Evangelical Identity, with Michael CooperInstructions to leave a review of Spiritual Life and Leadership:Click HERE.Click on the link that says, "Listen on Apple Podcasts."In the window that opens, click the button that says, "Open Link."  This will open iTunes.To the right of the Spiritual Life and Leadership logo, click "Ratings and Reviews."Under the heading, "Customer Reviews," click on the button that says, "Write a Review."Select the number of stars and write your review.Click submit.I'd be so grateful if you did this.  Thank you!Get Becoming Leaders of Shalom for free HERE.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!Kevin White, author of Audacious Generosity, shares his story of being terminated from the church he had planted just a few years earlier.  That experience could have crushed him.  But gave him deeper clarity about what really matters—and it led to a whole new ministry that blesses hundred of people every month.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Kevin White is the Executive Director of Global Hope India and author of Audacious Generosity.Kevin White shares how his organization, Global Hope India, had to pivot during the pandemic.Kevin’s primary purpose in life is to pursue God’s presence.The church that Kevin had planted voted to let him go after several years.  This was an incredibly painful moment in Kevin’s life.  It was this experience that showed him that God’s presence is the most important thing.This led to a time of extreme financial insecurity.Because of the financial insecurity, Kevin White and his family started a ministry that provided food both for his family and eventually for five hundred families every month.The experience of loss and suffering makes us more compassionate.Kevin White’s experience of loss and suffering led him to start his organization, Global Hope India.God’s plan has always been audacious generosity.Audacious generosity is a means toward the end of experiencing God’s presence.When people experience suffering and loss they can become cynical and bitter or they can become healthy and compassionate.  Kevin White says that it was the practice of forgiveness that helped him become healthy and compassionate.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Kevin White:Website – kevinwhite.usInstagram - @kevinwhiteusFacebook - @kevinwhite.usaTwitter - @kevinwhiteusLinkedIn - @kevinwhiteusE-mail – kevin@kevinwhite.usBooks mentioned:Audacious Generosity, by Kevin WhiteBeyond Thingification, by Markus WatsonOther Resources:Beyond Thingification Study GuideInstructions to leave a review of Spiritual Life and Leadership:Click HERE.Click on the link that says, "Listen on Apple Podcasts."In the window that opens, click the button that says, "Open Link."  This will open iTunes.To the right of the Spiritual Life and Leadership logo, click "Ratings and Reviews."Under the heading, "Customer Reviews," click on the button that says, "Write a Review."Select the number of stars and write your review.Click submit.I'd be so grateful if you did this.  Thank you!— Get Becoming Leaders of Shalom for free HERE.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!God is a God who sets things right.  And that's what we see in Mary's Song--The Magnificat--in Luke 1:46-55.As we approach the end of 2020, for many of us it is clearer than ever just how broken our world is.  Disease.  Racism.  Poverty and lost financial security.  Violence.  Division.  Injustice.  These are the kinds of headlines that dominated the news this past year.But as broken as our world clearly is, it’s actually not more broken than the world into which Jesus was born.  Jesus’ world, too, was filled with disease, racism, poverty, violence, division, and injustice.   And in Mary's Song, in Luke 1:46-55, Mary praises the God who is sending his Son to set these things right.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:In January 2020, Oxfam International reported that the 2153 billionaires in the world have more wealth than the 4.6 billion poorest people who make up 60% of the world’s population.The combined wealth of the 26 richest people in the world is the same as the combined wealth of the world's poorest 3.8 billion people.Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55 addresses God’s perspective on such inequity.Mary’s song is divided into four parts:Mary’s blessingTransitionThe Great ReversalGod’s faithfulness to IsraelWhy is God interested in bringing low the powerful and raising up the weak and poor?  Because God is a God of justice.We can see God’s desire to set things right throughout the Old Testament.Jesus came to set things right.Jesus' first ministry words in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 4:16-21) address Jesus’ desire to set things right.We’re invited to join Jesus in setting things right.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Scriptures:Luke 1:46-55Luke 4:16-21Six Practices of a Flourishing Church (downloadable PDF)Oxfam International statisticsInstructions to leave a review of Spiritual Life and Leadership:Click HERE.Click on the link that says, "Listen on Apple Podcasts."In the window that opens, click the button that says, "Open Link."  This will open iTunes.To the right of the Spiritual Life and Leadership logo, click "Ratings and Reviews."Under the heading, "Customer Reviews," click on the button that says, "Write a Review."Select the number of stars and write your review.Click submit.I'd be so grateful if you did this.  Thank you!— Links to Amazon are affiliate links.  If you make a purchase through any of these links, I’ll receive a small commission–which will help pay for the Spiritual Life and Leadership podcast!Get Becoming Leaders of Shalom for free HERE.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!The Border Church is a beautiful and prophetic expression of border resistance as followers of Jesus in San Diego, California, join together at the border with Jesus-followers in Tijuana, Mexico--even sharing Communion through the border fence.In this episode, I’m speaking with Seth Clark, Director of the Pastoral Team forThe Border Church.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Seth Clark is the Lead Pastor at First Baptist Church of National City (in San Diego) and Director of the Pastoral Team on the U.S. side of The Border Church.Seth shares his faith journey.  He grew up in the Plymouth Brethren tradition.Numerous experiences helped Seth recognize that his view of the world was shaped by his particular lens.Seth has been involved in The Border Church for about three years.Friendship Park was instituted at the San Diego/Tijuana border by Pat Nixon (Richard Nixon’s wife).Friendship Park was meant to be a place of connection.  But over the years, it has become more and more difficult to connect.Seth Clark describes what it’s like to worship at The Border Church, which meets at Friendship Park.Seth Clark did his doctoral dissertation on The Border Church.  The title of his dissertation is Open Wound, Open Table.Seth shares how he has been formed spiritually since getting involved at The Border Church.To find out more about The Border Church, visit www.borderchurch.org.  You can also connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/borderchurch.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:The Border ChurchWebsite:  www.borderchurch.orgFacebook:  www.facebook.com/borderchurchSpiritual Life and Leadership Facebook Groupwww.markuswatson.com/sllgroupInstructions to leave a review of Spiritual Life and Leadership:Click HERE.Click on the link that says, "Listen on Apple Podcasts."In the window that opens, click the button that says, "Open Link."  This will open iTunes.To the right of the Spiritual Life and Leadership logo, click "Ratings and Reviews."Under the heading, "Customer Reviews," click on the button that says, "Write a Review."Select the number of stars and write your review.Click submit.I'd be so grateful if you did this.  Thank you!— Links to Amazon are affiliate links.  If you make a purchase through any of these links, I’ll receive a small commission–which will help pay for the Spiritual Life and Leadership podcast!Get Becoming Leaders of Shalom for free HERE.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!Dr. Jerome Butler, host of the Moments of Grace podcast and author of numerous books, shares about his experiences with racism and likens the African American experience to the trials of Hercules in Greek mythology—a fascinating comparison!THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Dr. Jerome Butler is the host of the Moments of Grace podcast.  Books he has authored include Managing the Miracle, Power of Your Destiny, and Transformation of the Mind.Dr. Butler’s daughter wrote a children’s book titled The Krystal Kingdom, which is a parable about foster care.The first time Dr. Butler really became aware of racism was when the Central Park Five were falsely accused.For nine years, Dr. Butler was a Muslim while in the military.  He shares how came back to faith in Jesus.Dr. Jerome Butler began to experience racism personally in his places of work.Dr. Butler compares the African American experience to the trials of Hercules in Greek mythology.  Every time he met the demands of the gods, the gods would move the goal posts.“We have done everything that has been asked of us….  When do we get an opportunity to enjoy ‘Olympus’ with the rest of society?”Is there such a thing as systemic racism?  Dr. Butler explains why there is.Find out more about Dr. Jerome Butler at www.drajrbutler.com.  You can also e-mail Dr. Butler at ajrbutler@gmail.com. You can even call Dr. Butler, if you’d like, at 864-324-4886.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Dr. Jerome ButlerWebsite:  www.drajrbutler.comE-mail:  ajrbutler@gmail.comPhone:  864-324-4886Podcast:  Moments of GraceBooks mentioned:Managing the Miracle, by Dr. Jerome ButlerPower of Your Destiny, by Dr. Jerome ButlerTransformation of the Mind, by Dr. Jerome ButlerGet Becoming Leaders of Shalom for free HERE.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!Leading like Jesus means healthy leadership. Ken Blanchard has been writing and teaching about healthy leadership for a long time.  In this interview, Ken shares about his youth, how he came to faith, what it was like when The One-Minute Manager became a massive success (including how it impacted his faith journey), and what it means to lead like Jesus.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Ken Blanchard is the Co-founder and Chief Spiritual Officer of the Ken Banchard Companies, as well as the author of Lead Like Jesus, Leading at a Higher Level, and The One-Minute Manager.“Great leaders are great because people trust and respect them, not because they have power.” Ken Blanchard wrote Management of Organizational Behavior: Leading Human Resources with Paul Hersey.Ken Blanchard wrote The One Minute Manager as a parable with Spencer Johnson, who had written children’s books.Ken Blanchard’s mission statement is: “To be a loving teacher and an example of simple truths that help myself and others to awaken to the presence of God in their lives, and to help us realize we’re here to serve, not to be served.”Ken shares how he came to faith in Jesus.Ken Blanchard explains the concept of situational leadership (SL2) and how it relates to leading like Jesus.If you use only one leadership style all the time, it will be effective sometimes and very ineffective most of the time. Leading like Jesus requires us to vary our leadership style.Our ego can get in the way of healthy leadership and in the way of leading like Jesus.Ken defines EGO as “Edging God Out.” When we surrender to God we can turn our EGO into “Exalting God Only.”To find out more about Ken Blanchard, go to www.kenblanchard.com and www.leadlikejesus.com.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Ken Blanchard:www.kenblanchard.comwww.leadlikejesus.comBooks mentioned:Lead Like Jesus, by Ken BlanchardLeading at a Higher Level, by Ken BlanchardThe One-Minute Manager, by Ken BlanchardManagement of Organizational Behavior, by Ken BlanchardEpisodes mentioned:Episode 65: Why Don't People Go to Church Anymore?Episode 66: The Improbably Growth of the Early ChurchEpisode 67:  How the Church Lost Its Missionary Identity— Links to Amazon are affiliate links.  If you make a purchase through any of these links, I’ll receive a small commission–which will help pay for the Spiritual Life and Leadership podcast!Get Becoming Leaders of Shalom for free HERE.Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.