Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!What is the mission of God?  As we read the scriptures, we discover a word that captures what God is working to bring about.  That word is shalom–a comprehensive sense of well-being that touches every aspect of life.  God wants to bring healing and wholeness to the whole world in every way.  This is the mission of God that we are invited to join. THIS EPISODE’S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Starting new programs or ministries in my church used to focus on the question, “How will this benefit or grow our church?”The Genesis creation story helps us understand what God wants to accomplish in the world.There is a word that captures the goodness of creation in Genesis 1 and 2–shalom.Shalom has to do with wholeness and completeness.  Shalom refers to a comprehensive state of well-being that touches every aspect of life.God gave human beings “dominion” (Genesis 2:28).Dominion is not the same thing as “domination.”Domination has to do with power and exploitation.  Dominion has to do with stewardship–taking care of something that has been entrusted to us.Jesus lived a life of shalom.  He restored shalom in people’s lives and in the world.Shalom was broken when sin became part of our story.Jesus restored shalom, not through domination, but through surrender and sacrifice.Revelation 21:1-5 paints a picture of the world when shalom has been restored.  This is what God is working toward.The mission of God is the healing and restoration of the whole world.The mission of the church is the same as the mission of God–to restore shalom to the world.Churches need to ask themselves this question:  Whose mission are we on? RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Here are a couple of related posts that I wrote for the Flourish San Diego blog…What is the Church’s Mission?What is Excluded from the Mission of God?To leave a review of Spiritual Life and Leadership: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spiritual-life-and-leadership/id1435252632— 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!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 fourfold nature of shalom involves four key relationships--our relationship with God, with each other, with the created order, and within ourselves. THIS EPISODE’S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:I was involved in Campus Crusade for Christ when I was in college.  When I learned to share the Four Spiritual Laws, I was told, “Don’t focus on abundant life.  Just focus on eternal life.”When God created the world, it was in a state of shalom.Shalom refers to a comprehensive state of well-being that touches every aspect of life.When God created the world, the world experienced the fourfold nature of shalom: Between God and peopleBetween people and each otherWithin human beings themselves–a kind of inner shalomBetween human beings and the creationBut shalom was broken in all four of these ways.  The fourfold nature of shalom was broken:Between God and people Adam and Eve hid from GodBetween people and each other They saw their nakedness and no longer felt safe with each otherWithin human beings themselves They now felt shameBetween human beings and the creation Childbirth would be painful and the earth would no longer produce without toilGod wants to restore shalom in all four of these ways Between God and people Jesus sacrifice makes restoration of shalom with God possibleBetween people and each other No more war, violence, racism, classism, injustice, poverty, etc.Within human beings themselves God wants to heal our shameBetween human beings and creation Caring for creation is not a liberal or conservative thing; it’s a matter of stewardshipWe are called to participate with God in God’s mission of shalom.  We are called to join God in restoring the fourfold nature of shalom. RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Campus Crusade for Christ Website:  https://www.cru.org/Twitter:  @crutweetsFour Spiritual LawsFlourish San Diego Website:  https://flourishsandiego.org/Twitter:  @FlourishSDAmy Sherman discusses the fourfold nature of shalom in her book, Kingdom CallingTo leave a review of Spiritual Life and Leadership: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spiritual-life-and-leadership/id1435252632— 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!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!Why am I calling this podcast Spiritual Life and Leadership? Because the church needs leaders whose lives are characterized by a life of deep spirituality and union with Jesus. Yes, leadership techniques are valuable and church growth strategies can be helpful. But if those who are called to lead God’s people into God’s mission are not deeply connected to the heart of Jesus, the church and the world God loves will both suffer.Welcome to Spiritual Life and Leadership! THIS EPISODE’S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:My motives for wanting my church to grow used to have a lot to do with wanting to look successful.I introduce myself–background, education, interests, family, etc.I’m a Star Wars fan!  A real one–since way back in the day…  I love the church.  I don’t love everything about the church.  But I love the church.Even with all its imperfections and, at times, ugliness, the church is the beautiful Bride of Christ.This podcast comes in large part out of my love for the church.My desire is for the church to experience the healing and wholeness that God wants for the world.A person's spiritual life and leadership are not ends in themselves.We don’t have a daily quiet time for the sake of having a daily quiet time.I wanted to be a great leader so that my church would be successful–get bigger, have more programs, higher attendance and bigger budget.Leadership matters so that we can help our churches, our people, participate in the mission of God.The spiritual life matters because it shapes the way we lead and who we are as leaders.Spiritual leadership and leadership requires a deep and growing union with God.I share the kinds of things we will be talking about on this podcast. RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Flourish San Diego Website:  https://flourishsandiego.org/Twitter:  @FlourishSDFuller Theological Seminary Website:  https://www.fuller.edu/Twitter:  @fullerseminaryAlan Roxburgh Twitter: @alanjroxburghMark Lau Branson Twitter:  @marklaubransonEmotionally Healthy Spirituality Website:  https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/Twitter:  @EHDiscipleshipPete Scazzero Twitter:  @petescazzeroInstructions 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 Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.