Spiritual Life and Leadership

Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Here in the U.S. the impact of the election and the campaigns of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are inescapable.In this episode, Tim Alberta, author of The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism, discusses the unsettling trend of political polarization in the church, the role of pastors in responding to the pressure to reclaim a "Christian America," and the importance of having diverse relationships as we navigate this season of polarization.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Tim Alberta shares his story of being criticized for his political views while at his father's funeral.Tim Alberta expresses concern over the perceived decline of "Christian America."Alberta warns about the losses incurred when churches self-select into narrow ideological spaces.Diverse relationships are necessary for spiritual growth and addressing complex issues.Markus Watson mentions Allen Hilton and Andrew Hanauer’s organizations working to address political polarization. These organizations bring different churches together to facilitate conversations and humanize each other.Alberta discusses how American Christians often view the U.S. as a nation set apart or a new Israel in covenant with God. This belief leads to a conflation of defending America with defending God.Some Christians view political opponents as cultural and spiritual adversaries, treating political warfare as spiritual warfare.There seems to be a fear among evangelicals of losing status, indoctrination of children, and being targeted by the government.Alberta discusses the shift from a culture sympathetic to Christian ideals to one perceived as hostile, creating a siege mentality.There seems to be a sense of entitlement within the evangelical community, akin to the belief of the ancient people of Israel..Tim Alberta highlights the difficulty for Christians to relate to scriptural suffering due to comfort and wealth in America.Some Christians compromise their virtues to reclaim a "Christian America," engaging in unethical behavior for a perceived greater good.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Tim Alberta:www.bytimalberta.comThe AtlanticTwitter/X - @TimAlbertaBooks mentioned:The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, by Tim AlbertaAmerican Carnage, by Tim AlbertaRelated episodes:Tackling Toxic Polarization in Your Church, with Allen Hilton and Andrew HanauerLeading Your Church Through Political Division, with Allen HiltonGrace-Filled Politics, with Aaron SchaferClick HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger explore how to discern and join in what God is doing in the world. They discuss the importance of humility, recognizing God's ongoing work beyond the church, and adopting practical spiritual disciplines. Tod shares personal practices, like evening prayers of gratitude and a mindset that sees God's activity through the night, to better align with God’s work. They emphasize listening to both God and others to understand the broader context of God's presence and action.Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss this quote from Tim Soerens in Ep 204, How to Cultivate Presence in Your Community:“What is God up to? And how do I join in it? And what are the practices and postures and prompts that we need to keep asking ourselves in order to join in what God's doing?”THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Tod advises starting the day with the mindset that God has already been at work throughout the night.Tim Soerens' quote emphasizes the need to discern what God is doing rather than trying to get God to join in our own plans.Markus encourages listening to the people in our communities to understand their hopes and fears.Tod highlights the importance of praying for God's kingdom to come on earth as it already exists in heaven.Markus reframes the perspective of a megachurch to see itself as a small part of the larger body of Christ.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!How does Jesus go about transforming individual lives and entire societies?  And what role do we play in that work of transformation?Yolanda Solomon, author of Discipleship as Holy Collaboration, helps us get clarity on these questions as she shares her insights on how to build a nurturing community in the Church, the challenges of modern discipleship, and the importance of addressing marginalized groups through a radically inclusive kingdom perspective.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Yolanda Solomon discusses the importance of collaboration and companionship in the Christian faith.Hebrews 10 underlines the importance of being known and spurring one another on to good works in discipleship.Markus Watson and Yolanda Solomon discuss the challenges of leadership today and how Jesus' teachings can guide leaders to serve and esteem those most margnalized.Discipleship is about followers of Jesus following in his footsteps, learning from him, and being invited into a new community of divine love to live and love like Jesus and continue his mission on earth.Discipleship is a holy collaboration with Jesus and involves empowering individuals through the Holy Spirit to imitate Jesus.Yolanda Solomon believes there is a discipleship problem in the church due to church hurt, the hierarchical church structure, and the misconception that discipleship is about behavior modification.She admits her past attempts at discipleship focused on modifying people's behavior, but she has since shifted to a discipleship strategy grounded in Jesus' educational approach.Yolanda Solomon highlights different ways of teaching and learning, mentioning how Jesus involves his disciples in the miracles he performs.Disciple-focused education should include practical involvement, such as Jesus' example of telling the disciples to feed the five thousand.Markus Watson and Yolanda Solomon emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit in heart transformation.Both Yolanda and Markus express the importance of addressing systemic oppression and social injustice.Yolanda Solomon shares a story about Jesus' forgiveness and its impact on systemic oppression, emphasizing that societal injustice affects both the oppressed and the oppressor.Yolanda Solomon highlights Jesus' rejection of worldly power and his call for sacrificial, inclusive love, underscoring the need for both heart and structural change in society.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Yolanda Solomon:www.yolandasolomon.siteInstagram - @yolanda.solomon.bkBooks mentioned:Discipleship as Holy Collaboration, by Yolanda SolomonKingdom, Church, and World, by Hoqard A. SnyderRelated episodes:Building a Multi-inclusive Church, with Efrem Smith and Dan KreissUnlearning Old Paradigms for Kingdom Leadership, with Terry WallingFrom Sunday Services to Real Transformation, with E.K. StrawserThe Muppets, “She Drives Me Crazy” music vClick HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger unpack a poignant quote from Adam McHugh, discussing the often-overlooked grief experienced during life transitions such as career changes and identity shifts. They reflect on Adam's personal journey from pastoral ministry to becoming a wine sommelier, emphasizing how letting go of deeply ingrained identities can be a difficult yet necessary process for embracing new seasons of life. The conversation underscores the importance of grief in these transitions and challenges the notion that Christians should always be joyful, highlighting that genuine grief prepares the way for new beginnings and deeper hope.Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss this quote from Adam McHugh in Ep 208, Letting Go in Leadership to Move Forward in Life:“You know, we talk about grief when you lose a loved one or when you lose something very specific. But there's a real grieving process, I think, that comes along with life transition, with career loss, with job loss, with identity loss."THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Adam McHugh emphasizes the importance of grieving life transitions to move forward.Tod Bolsinger highlights that Christians often struggle with grief, favoring joy insteadTod says letting go of identity is difficult but necessary for embracing new life chapters.Markus Watson points out that Christians tend to skip over the grieving of Holy Saturday.Tod asserts that genuine grief prepares us for the new promises God holds for us.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!Tod Bolsinger, Executive director of the Church Leadership Institute, discusses how to maintain a commitment to your mission even in the face of resistance.  He also unpacks the importance of trust in leadership, as well as how to craft and use a powerful mission statement guide you in your church’s or organization’s decision-making.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Tod Bolsinger introduces the "Disagree and commit" concept, highlighting its importance in leadership.Leaders need to earn trust for effective mission adherence.Trust alone isn't transformation, but foundational for it.Tod Bolsinger emphasizes the necessity of investing in transformation over merely relying on trust.Trust and transformation are connected; transformation involves investing trust.Tod Bolsinger discusses his series of four books on ministry leadership, addressing common leadership mistakes.The first book, "How Not to Waste a Crisis," tackles the mistake of outworking the changing world.Markus Watson shares his church's challenge in pleasing crucial stakeholders during change.Tod Bolsinger stresses that organizations should thrive in crises, not just survive.Tod Bolsinger explains the "disagree and commit" approach as essential for leadership teams.Mission statements should be rooted in the church's context and community.Clear, 8-word mission statements with verb, target, and impact are vital for decision-making.Tod Bolsinger explains the significance of verbs, targets, and impacts in mission statements.Good leaders rally stakeholders together for a bigger cause, but can fall into the trap of making decisions to keep everyone happy.Mission statements should be tools for making decisions, not just taglines.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Tod Bolsinger:Church Leadership InstituteFuller Theological SeminaryBooks mentioned:How Not to Waste a Crisis: Quit Trying Harder, by Tod BolsingerInvest in Transformation: Quit Relying on Trust, by Tod BolsingerLeading Through Resistance: Quit Pushing Back, by Tod BolsingerThe Mission Always Wins: Quit Appeasing Stakeholders, by Tod BolsingerRelated episodes:Canoeing the Mountains, with Tod BolsingerDisorientation and Spiritual Leadership, with Tod BolsingerThe Spiritual Life of a Leader, with Tod BolsingerForming Leadership Resilience, with Tod BolsingerClick HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss a quote from episode 216 with guests Brad Strawn and Warren Brown. The quote highlights the perception that contemporary Christianity in the United States is more known for what it opposes than for what it supports. Tod Bolsinger explores this phenomenon, attributing it to the psychological tendency to focus on fears rather than potential gains. The discussion delves into how this fear-based mindset influences church leadership and community actions, emphasizing the need for churches to rally around positive and constructive goals rather than being driven by anxiety and opposition.Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss this quote from Brad Strawn in Ep 216, Overcoming ‘Puny’ Spirituality:"I think one of the sad things about the state of contemporary Christianity in the United States is that we're known for, not what we do, but what we're against."THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Brad Strawn's quote highlights how contemporary Christianity focuses more on what it opposes than what it supports.Tod Bolsinger explains that fear motivates people to reject potential gains, influencing church behavior.The conversation reveals that pastors often worry about negative outcomes, leading congregations to prioritize protection over potential.Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger discuss how anxiety drives leadership to control rather than inspire.Tod Bolsinger calls for Christians to unite around positive community impacts rather than opposition to unfavorable elements.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!Grace Ji-Sun Kim, theology professor at Earlham School of Religion and the author of When God Became White, discusses how cultural forces throughout history have shaped the portrayal of both God and Jesus as white males, and how that portrayal has hurt our ability to be the leaders we need to be.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Grace Ji-Sun Kim discusses the historical influence of the Roman Empire in shaping the perception of a white male God in Christianity.Cultural and societal forces led to the dominant image of a white male deity.Grace Ji-Sun Kim suggests reimagining God within different cultural contexts to challenge this prevailing narrative.Artists portraying Jesus in various ethnicities counteract the dominant white male imagery.Portraying God in diverse ways can be valuable and necessary.Markus Watson shares an example of a teacher's experiment to illustrate that race is a social construct, not a biological one.The conversation touches on the harmful implications of using race as a biological concept to assert superiority.According to Grace Ji-Sun Kim the feminine naming of Hagia Sophia as holy wisdom holds significant importance in church history.Diverse voices are crucial for leading change within churches.Grace Ji-Sun Kim suggests that white people should diversify their reading, podcast listening, and sermon choices for a deeper understanding.Markus Watson recounts his childhood exposure to a white Jesus, reflecting on its impact.Grace Ji-Sun Kim emphasizes the need to challenge and critique the prevailing image of a white male God.Practical steps for churches include critically analyzing liturgy, deeply engaging with scripture, and welcoming diverse perspectives for a fuller understanding of God.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Grace Ji-Sun Kim:Earlham School of ReligionMadang PodcastLoving Life SubstackBooks mentioned:When God Became White, by Grace Ji-Sun KimRelated episodes:Building a Multi-Inclusive Church, with Efrem Smith and Dan KreissCultivating Cultural Competence, with Daniel LeeCalled to Each Other, with Claude AlexanderMinistry Leadership in a Racialized Society, with David SwansonClick HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss a quote from Mike Bonem, which underscores the importance of empowering team members to fulfill their roles. They explore the necessity of recruiting the right people and then giving them the freedom to execute their tasks effectively. Tod emphasizes the value of clarity in mission and supportive leadership, allowing team members to excel in their areas of expertise without micromanagement. He also introduces the concept of "the commander's intent" to highlight the balance between freedom and direction in team management.Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss this quote from Mike Bonem in Ep 218, Trust, Teams, and Transformational Leadership:“If you’re gonna recruit the right people to be on the team, then you need to release them to do the work that God has called them to do.”THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Mike Bonem's quote emphasizes the importance of recruiting the right people and then empowering them to fulfill their roles. Tod Bolsinger advises that effective leaders clearly communicate their mission to their team members.A good leader recruits talented individuals and grants them autonomy.Leaders should provide clarity and support to their team members.Leaders should hire people who are experts in their roles and trust them to perform their tasks independently.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!Allen Hilton, Executive Director of A House United, and Andrew Hanauer, CEO of One America Movement, bring a wealth of experience and practical insight into how our churches can navigate political and cultural division, especially during this very divisive election season. We explore their strategies for "courageous conversations" and the importance of understanding and empathy in overcoming polarization—crucial topics for any ministry leader aiming to foster a congregation of love and unity.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:It’s important for churches to address moments of violence, such as the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump.  People need spiritual leadership in these times.Andrew Hanauer highlights the necessity of individuals taking personal responsibility for their role in division before blaming others.Allen Hilton points out that mingling across divides and having extended contact with others can reduce tendencies to blame.Markus Watson shares his trepidation about discussing divisive incidents within the church, recognizing the need despite potential conflicts.Allen Hilton insists that churches should engage in political conversations as politics profoundly impacts everyone’s lives.The church’s role, according to Andrew Hanauer, is to provide a framework for understanding the world, not avoiding political engagement.Andrew Hanauer asserts that facilitating tough conversations within congregations demonstrates a community's strength and unity.Andrew Hanauer promotes the value of diverse opinions in faith communities to build resilience in times of societal crises.Allen Hilton believes churches have a duty to form individuals “off the spot” who can navigate and mitigate polarization.Andrew Hanauer encourages the practice of praying for people we might consider enemies, which can transform our viewpoint towards them.Faith communities have the opportunity to model unity and provide spiritual meaning during times of loneliness and disconnection.The conversation concludes with Watson, Hilton, and Hanauer emphasizing the importance of self-reflection, responsible voting, and loving both neighbors and enemies to combat political polarization in our society.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Allen Hilton:House United MovementAndrew Hanauer:One America MovementRelated episodes:Leading Your Church Through Political Division, with Allen HiltonIs American Unity Possible?Prayer for a President in PainGrace-Filled Politics, with Aaron SchaferClick HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss the importance of transitions in both individual and organizational life, as highlighted by a quote from Terry Walling. They explore the concept of the "in between," likening it to the liminal space where significant transformation occurs. Bolsinger emphasizes that these periods of uncertainty are essential for faith and growth, encouraging leaders to embrace learning and personal journey as they guide their communities through times of change. The episode explores the challenges of these transitions and provides insights on how leaders can navigate them effectively.Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss this quote from Terry Walling in Ep 212, Unlearning Old Paradigms for Kingdom Leadership:“Transitions are the most important moments in an individual’s life and in an organization’s life because God does some of his greatest work in the in-between.”THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Leaders must embrace the journey of learning to move forward effectively.Churches need to let go of immediate stability to experience transformational growth.Leaders should engage in their own continuous spiritual journey to inspire others.Congregations often resist the discomfort of transitional periods but must persevere.Effective interim leadership requires guiding churches through the unknown with faith.Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.