Behind the Seal

The spiritual formation of Christian Leaders can get deprioritized in the face of other metrics of success. Steve Macchia has spent his career teaching the importance of a nurtured soul. As he says, where the soul goes, so goes the leader.  Check out more of Steve's writing here: https://www.stevemacchia.com/

CAFO Leadership released a document to staff that spells out how to have a balanced and healthy work, personal, and spiritual life. It's working!  They call it the Strategic Plan for Thriving Souls. As Jedd Medefind discusses, good fruit comes from good roots.  Find Jedd's Podcast here: https://resources.cafo.org/series/justice-and-the-inner-life/and the Thriving Souls Plan here: https://cafo.org/souls/

Mindy Caliguire leads Soulcare.com and frames Soul Care as a personal resolve to build a life deeply connected to God—the path to true flourishing. Most important, her work imagines the “what if?” of a future where the new norm is one in which leaders thrive, integrity thrives, and churches and ministries thrive because of better soul care.Take the integrity assessment! https://www.soulcare.com/integrity

Our motivations are a shadow to us and others.  Not always good or bad, but present.  Know them, Redeem them.Gary L. McIntosh is President of the Church Growth Network and Professor of Christian Ministry and Leadership at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University.  He has forty years of experience consulting non-profit organizations, coaching of leaders, and seminar presentations.Find more of Gary's work at https://www.churchgrowthnetwork.com/

Good and Bad Leadership can push us towards knowing the Lord deeper.  Glen shares how to find new wells to drink from, to stay resilient as a Christian leader in these times.Check out all Glenn's writing and podcast here : https://www.glennpackiam.com/

Over 2/3's of larger churches in America have an Executive Pastor. There is opportunity to be effective and efficient in church business, all while increasing integrity with a pastor's heart.  David Fletcher of Xpastor.org shares the trends and practical insights all churches can benefit from.Register for the Free Workshop from XPastor and ECFA at www.xpastor.org

What are the legal risks of unhealthy leadership?  Erika Cole, The Church Attorney, gives insight to how important a pastor's role is and how that can be isolating, taxing, and can lead to pastoral burnout.  The importance to stay spiritually and emotionally healthy as a pastor seems obvious, but the legal ramifications of un-health can affect entire churches and communities.  Find Erika's courses and Podcast at www.erikacole.com

You don't know what you don't know, and those unseen traps can catch any of us. Carey has spoken with thousands of leaders and lived through a burnout period in his own life, so glean the wisdom and warnings for a full life of healthy leadership.On-Demand Courses on Leadership, Productivity, and More from Carey Nieuwhof: https://careynieuwhof.com/Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.ecfa.org/podcast=========================ECFA Links:=========================ChurchEXCEL (Free Resources): https://www.ecfa.church/ChurchExcel.aspxBecome accredited: https://www.ecfa.org/JoinECFA.aspxSeven Standards of Responsible Stewardship: https://www.ecfa.org/Standards.aspxAbout ECFA: https://www.ecfa.org/About.aspx

You are not made for work alone. Embrace the rhythms your Creator designed for you. You are not made for the Sabbath; the Sabbath is made for you.Ruth Haley Barton | CEO Transforming Centerhttps://transformingcenter.org/

Change, change is the only constant. That's what thousands of interviews and surveys confirm about Christian culture in the U.S. With access to this data The Barna Group has a finger on the pulse of the big C church and its Pastors.  David Kinnaman reveals the trends he sees and how pastors without healthy leadership practices have a higher probability to leave the ministry.  David Kinnaman and The Barna Group: https://www.barna.com/Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.ecfa.org/podcast