Watermark's Church Leadership Podcast

Social media can amplify your ministry—or quietly erode your soul. For church leaders, it raises a critical question: do you really need an online presence to be faithful and effective? In this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee is joined by Dave Bruskas and Emma Dotter to explore the opportunities and dangers of social media in ministry. Together they discuss: Why church leaders don’t have to be on social media to lead well How online presence can disciple, encourage, or unintentionally harm others Practical wisdom for guarding your heart and leading your staff teams online The importance of accountability, discernment, and love in every post, like, and comment  If your church is looking for a practical way to care for marriages, don’t miss the upcoming Re|engage Training Conference on September 23-24 in Indianapolis, IN or on October 15-16 in Dallas, TX. Re|engage is discipleship-based enrichment tool for every marriage—the healthy, the struggling, and the broken. These upcoming training conferences will help you learn more about how you can start or strengthen this ministry in your church.   Register for Indianapolis, IN on September 23-24. Register for Dallas, TX on October 15-16. 

Zeal is more than emotion. It’s an abiding passion for Jesus that sustains us in both fruitful and difficult seasons of ministry. In this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee is joined by Dave Bruskas, Emma Dotter, and Kylen Perry to discuss what “zeal” really means, why it matters, and how leaders can cultivate it. Together they talk through: The difference between “zeal” for results vs. “zeal” for Jesus The subtle threats that cause zeal to fade—burnout, apathy, distraction, and opposition Practical ways to reignite your heart and sustain passion for the long haul of ministry If your fire feels dim or if you want to keep it burning brighter, this episode is for you.  If your church is looking for a practical way to care for marriages, don’t miss the upcoming Re|engage Training Conference on September 23-24 in Indianapolis, IN or on October 15-16 in Dallas, TX. Re|engage is discipleship-based enrichment tool for every marriage—the healthy, the struggling, and the broken. These upcoming training conferences will help you learn more about how you can start or strengthen this ministry in your church.   Register for Indianapolis, IN on September 23-24. Register for Dallas, TX on October 15-16. 

In this week’s episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, J.D. Greear shares one of the most compelling leadership talks from Church Leaders Conference 2025. He challenges us to rethink how we define success in the church.  Drawing from the words of Jesus in John 14 and the explosive growth of the early church, J.D. casts a vision for something better than building big crowds: multiplying disciples and sending leaders. Learn from J.D. what it means to be a sending church.  If your church is looking for a practical way to care for marriages, don’t miss the upcoming Re|engage Training Conference on September 23-24 in Indianapolis, IN or on October 15-16 in Dallas, TX. Re|engage is discipleship-based enrichment tool for every marriage—the healthy, the struggling, and the broken. These upcoming training conferences will help you learn more about how you can start or strengthen this ministry in your church.   Register for Indianapolis, IN on September 23-24. Register for Dallas, TX on October 15-16. 

In this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, we’re sharing a talk that John McGee, Senior Director of Watermark Resources, gave at the Church Leaders Conference 2025. Drawing from John 15:15, where Jesus says, “I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you,” John lays out a powerful pattern for spiritual leadership: Listen to God. Trust Him. Go.  This episode is a call to spiritual attentiveness and bold obedience—because the time to lead with urgency is now. If your church is looking for a practical way to care for marriages, don’t miss the upcoming Re|engage Training Conference on September 23-24 in Indianapolis, IN or on October 15-16 in Dallas, TX. Re|engage is discipleship-based enrichment tool for every marriage—the healthy, the struggling, and the broken. These upcoming training conferences will help you learn more about how you can start or strengthen this ministry in your church.   Register for Indianapolis, IN on September 23-24. Register for Dallas, TX on October 15-16. 

In this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, we’re sharing a talk that Dave Bruskas, Executive Director of Discipleship, gave at Church Leaders Conference 2025. Teaching from Luke 14, Dave reminds us of the true cost of following Jesus, and then challenges us to consider: Are we following Jesus on his terms, or ours? Dave encourages leaders to be disciples who are loyal to Jesus above all people, pursuits, and possessions. This message is an invitation for us all to rediscover the true cost and beauty of discipleship.  If your church is looking for a practical way to care for marriages, don’t miss the upcoming Re|engage Training Conference on September 23-24 in Indianapolis, IN or on October 15-16 in Dallas, TX. Re|engage is discipleship-based enrichment tool for every marriage—the healthy, the struggling, and the broken. These upcoming training conferences will help you learn more about how you can start or strengthen this ministry in your church.   Register for Indianapolis, IN on September 23-24. Register for Dallas, TX on October 15-16. 

In this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, Timothy Ateek, Lead Pastor of Watermark Community Church, shares his opening talk from the 2025 Church Leaders Conference. In a room full of ministry leaders, TA invites us to pause and reflect on three powerful questions: What’s the state of your heart? What’s the status of your calling? What’s the real win in ministry? Through 1 Chronicles 28, TA offers honest encouragement for leaders who may feel spiritually stuck or stretched thin. Whether you’re running strong or feeling weary, this episode is a timely invitation to return to your first love and reignite your passion for the work God’s called you to.  If your church is looking for a practical way to care for marriages, don’t miss the upcoming Re|engage Training Conference on September 23-24 in Indianapolis, IN or on October 15-16 in Dallas, TX. Re|engage is discipleship-based enrichment tool for every marriage—the healthy, the struggling, and the broken. These upcoming training conferences will help you learn more about how you can start or strengthen this ministry in your church.   Register for Indianapolis, IN on September 23-24. Register for Dallas, TX on October 15-16. 

In this follow-up episode to "7 Ways to Develop Young Leaders,” John McGee sits down with Emma Dotter, Director of Join The Journey, and Kylen Perry, Executive Director of The Porch, to unpack practical ways to develop young leaders. In this conversation, Emma and Kylen reflect on pivotal moments from their own leadership journeys and offer wisdom for both young adults navigating their calling and for veteran leaders looking to invest well into the next generation. If your church is looking for a practical way to care for marriages, don’t miss the upcoming Re|engage Training Conference on September 23-24 in Indianapolis, IN or on October 15-16 in Dallas, TX. Re|engage is discipleship-based enrichment tool for every marriage—the healthy, the struggling, and the broken. These upcoming training conferences will help you learn more about how you can start or strengthen this ministry in your church.   Register for Indianapolis, IN on September 23-24. Register for Dallas, TX on October 15-16. 

We keep asking why the next generation is leaving the Church, but Grant Skeldon thinks we’re asking the wrong question. Instead, we should be asking, how are we discipling the next generation? In this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, recorded live at the 2025 Church Leaders Conference, Grant calls us to stop handwringing over what is wrong and to start identifying what is working. He explores key discipleship moments for raising up the next generation leaders and what you can do to help develop more young leaders in the church. Link to the printable Young Leader CLC Handout.Here is the link to apply to our Young Leader Cohort. If your church is looking for a practical way to care for marriages, don’t miss the upcoming Re|engage Training Conference on September 23-24 in Indianapolis, IN or on October 15-16 in Dallas, TX. Re|engage is discipleship-based enrichment tool for every marriage—the healthy, the struggling, and the broken. These upcoming training conferences will help you learn more about how you can start or strengthen this ministry in your church.   Register for Indianapolis, IN on September 23-24. Register for Dallas, TX on October 15-16. 

Seventeen centuries ago, a courageous pastor named Athanasius, and the historic Council of Nicaea defended an important truth of our faith—that Jesus is both fully God and fully man. In this unique episode, John McGee sits down with Rob Barry, Garrett Wikle, and Grant Wilkie to unpack why the Council of Nicaea (325 AD) still matters for your faith, your leadership, and the life of the Church. Recommended Books on Church History: • Church History in Plain Language – Bruce Shelley • In the Year of Our Lord: Reflections on Twenty Centuries of Church History – Sinclair Ferguson • The Story of Christianity, Volume 1 – Justo González • The Story of Christianity, Volume 2 – Justo González • Christianity: The Biography – Ian J. Shaw • A Pocket History of the Church – D. Jeffrey Bingham • 50 People Every Christian Should Know – Warren W. WiersbeHelpful Videos and Messages: • Irish Heresies Video (YouTube) – A fun and memorable explanation of early church heresies. • Contending for Our All by John Piper (Desiring God)   If your church is looking for a practical way to care for marriages, don’t miss the upcoming Re|engage Training Conference on September 23-24 in Indianapolis, IN or on October 15-16 in Dallas, TX. Re|engage is discipleship-based enrichment tool for every marriage—the healthy, the struggling, and the broken. These upcoming training conferences will help you learn more about how you can start or strengthen this ministry in your church.   Register for Indianapolis, IN on September 23-24. Register for Dallas, TX on October 15-16. 

Have you ever felt like you needed just one more thing to truly make an impact? In this solo episode, John McGee shares a refreshing reminder from his years in ministry: you already have everything you need to glorify God—and to lead with joy. Whether you’re dealing with tight budgets, limited staff, or facility space, this episode is for you.  If your church is looking for a practical way to care for marriages, don’t miss the upcoming Re|engage Training Conference on September 23-24 in Indianapolis, IN or on October 15-16 in Dallas, TX. Re|engage is discipleship-based enrichment tool for every marriage—the healthy, the struggling, and the broken. These upcoming training conferences will help you learn more about how you can start or strengthen this ministry in your church.   Register for Indianapolis, IN on September 23-24. Register for Dallas, TX on October 15-16.