Watermark's Church Leadership Podcast

Jonathan “JP” Pokluda (Dallas Campus Pastor) and David Marvin (Young Adults Director of Programs) talk with John and Adam about the 5 C’s of Casting Vision. As leaders of the largest young adult gathering in the country, JP and David show leaders how to practically and authentically share a heroic vision to change the world, even with a small group of people.INTRODUCTION - WHY CASTING VISION IS IMPORTANT (00:38)“Leaders live in the future.” — John McGeeJP shared that people don’t follow a leader. They follow a vision. Leadership is people moving a common direction behind a person. One of the best ways to communicate this is to start with the words, “Imagine if…” Leaders must paint a vision of a future that their followers want.HEROIC VISION STARTS WITH THE WHY (1:31)“If God is not a part of it, it will fail.” - David Marvin“People don’t want to just show up; they want to change the world.” - John McGeeThe Porch, Watermark’s young adult ministry, emphasizes heroic vision for their people. This means calling them to something bigger than the ordinary that moves them to action.JP gave an example of picking up trash. If leaders live in the practical, they’ll just ask people to pick up five pieces of trash in the parking lot. But the heroic vision starts with the why. It would start in the beginning, explaining that God gave us this earth to steward it. More specifically, he gave us this property to take care of, but someone has littered it. Can you imagine what it would look like for us to move through this place and redeem it, make it what it should be? We’re going to restore Eden in this parking lot. This is a different, more inspiring call to action.The heroic vision for the Porch is, “Surrendered to God, we are changing the world through young adults.” Another vision that originated out of a message from the Porch is a bold prayer, asking God to save every single young adult in Dallas and Fort Worth. People responded to it because of how big of an ask it was.MISTAKES LEADERS MAKE (5:50)One of the biggest mistakes leaders make is by starting with the “what” or the “how.” Although that’s necessary, JP recommended not starting there. Instead, start with the “Imagine if” statements. “Imagine if our parking lot is an example to the rest of the world?”David also shared that this should trickle down even to every day tasks asked of volunteers. As an example, when David was early on in his ministry at the Porch, JP suggested that instead of simply asking a volunteer to change a graphic on Facebook, he should remind her of the “why.” The email could have read something like this, “Facebook is one of the most strategic opportunities that we have. With a click of a button, thousands of people can be impacted. As you steward this page, will you help us think through increasing ways that we could be more effective in our Facebook page? Here’s the new graphic for the upcoming series, but if you don’t think changing it is the most effective, then don’t do it.” This gives her ownership and reminds her of the vision. Although it takes time, it’s worth it.5 C’S OF CASTING VISION (8:30)Cast It Convincingly (8:43)Cast It Constantly (9:48)Celebrate It (12:51)Communicate It Personally (14:22)Call Them Heroically (20:04)Cast It Convincingly (8:43)Identify the problem that you are trying to address and help your followers connect the dots to what is at stake should the problem not be solved. An example of this is passing out flyers or bulletins at the front door. The Porch does not tell their volunteers that they are simply passing out flyers. They’re handing out hope that comes in a little piece of paper. They’re on mission by engaging with the people who walk into the doors. It’s important for volunteers to attach what’s at stake if they don’t play their role.CAST IT CONSTANTLY (9:48)People easily forget, so vision should be communicated at all times. Your goal should be that people make fun of you because you repeat it so often or they cut you off mid-sentence because they’ve heard it a thousand times.John McGee also encouraged leaders to remember that the vision is the most clear to them. Leaders have spent more time with it than their people, so remember to repeat it often.CELEBRATE IT (12:51)“What’s rewarded is repeated.” - David MarvinVision is emphasized when it’s celebrated. An example of this is when Porch volunteers initiate conversations with people who are sitting alone. When leadership sees a volunteer doing this, they take the time to write a note or celebrate it during a volunteer meeting. It’s through their small actions that the overall vision of the ministry is lived out.COMMUNICATE IT PERSONALLY (14:22)A mistake leaders sometimes make is trying to speak outside of their voice. If a leader isn’t funny or challenging, but tries to be either of those things, they will come off as inauthentic and ineffective. People want authenticity and transparency. They want a vision that is put in front of them poured through the leader’s personality.JP took a small detour in the podcast from the 5C’s to encourage leaders to not take it personally if their people ask questions that have been answered over and over again. Just say it again even more loudly.David also shared that it takes time to find “your voice” as a leader. He struggled with finding his voice under JP’s shadow because they both speak differently. JP’s advice for finding your voice is to look at your life and see when you were most effective. When did people listen? What did you do well? Also, ask for feedback from your community group or your staff. Usually, however, most people know their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to communication.Going back to the communicating vision personally, JP encouraged leaders to live out their vision because they will be ineffective if they don’t. The definition of leadership is found in Mark 10, when Jesus says that he came to serve, not to be served.John shared that JP models this well when he both encourages his staff to share their faith, then explains a recent experience he had doing just that.CALL THEM HEROICALLY (20:04)People who have done significant things had heroic visions for their lives. Martin Luther King showed people a future reality. Steve Jobs told everyone he was going to redefine communication for everyone, everywhere, which dramatically altered how companies now release products. People’s hearts were moved by their boldness and as the church, we have the opportunity to communicate the greatest message ever given to the world.Leaders should push people to excellence. In Matthew 16, Jesus started with just 12 inadequate guys and told them that he was pulling them into an unstoppable movement that was so strong the gates of Hades wouldn’t even come against it. And they changed the world. Heroic vision is central to communicating the gospel, preaching, leading, and all forms of communication.If you’re struggling to know how to apply this to your church context because it’s too small or you’re fearful to “get too heroic”, remember principle #4. Are you believing the lie that what you do doesn’t matter? That it’s too hard? If God wanted to do everything He could through your small group of people, what would it look like? Let that dream and narrative build.JP also encoura...

Greg Crooks (Executive Pastor of Watermark Community Church) joins Adam and John to discuss six principles to help church leaders be more productive. The Young Leader Cohort is a ministry of Watermark Resources, created to equip the next generation of church leaders with biblical discipleship, practical training, and lasting relationships for a lifetime of faithful ministry. Learn more and apply at https://info.watermarkresources.com/lp/watermark-young-church-leader-cohort  

Every church leader desires to see their members living a life on mission, both inside and outside the church. In this episode, Jeff Ward (Director of External Focus) joins John & Adam to discuss some of the ways he and his team work hard to mobilize the church. The Young Leader Cohort is a ministry of Watermark Resources, created to equip the next generation of church leaders with biblical discipleship, practical training, and lasting relationships for a lifetime of faithful ministry. Learn more and apply at https://info.watermarkresources.com/lp/watermark-young-church-leader-cohort  

Leadership is rarely more difficult than when facing a crisis. In this episode, John McGee reflects on a recent crisis that impacted his family and what he learned about leadership in the midst of navigating some very difficult circumstances. The Young Leader Cohort is a ministry of Watermark Resources, created to equip the next generation of church leaders with biblical discipleship, practical training, and lasting relationships for a lifetime of faithful ministry. Learn more and apply at https://info.watermarkresources.com/lp/watermark-young-church-leader-cohort  

Community Groups are a big deal here at Watermark and a ministry we take very seriously. In this episode, John Elmore (Director of Community and Director of re:generation) jumps into the podcast studio to share what we've been learning about how to lead a healthy Community Group ministry. The Young Leader Cohort is a ministry of Watermark Resources, created to equip the next generation of church leaders with biblical discipleship, practical training, and lasting relationships for a lifetime of faithful ministry. Learn more and apply at https://info.watermarkresources.com/lp/watermark-young-church-leader-cohort  

If your church staff or volunteer team is made up of more than one person, then you've experienced conflict. In this episode, Todd Wagner discusses practical ways to deal with conflict and how to best embrace the opportunity conflict provides. The Young Leader Cohort is a ministry of Watermark Resources, created to equip the next generation of church leaders with biblical discipleship, practical training, and lasting relationships for a lifetime of faithful ministry. Learn more and apply at https://info.watermarkresources.com/lp/watermark-young-church-leader-cohort  

Is self-leadership even possible? Adam & John jump into the podcast studio to discuss this popular leadership topic and try to clear up some common misconceptions. The Young Leader Cohort is a ministry of Watermark Resources, created to equip the next generation of church leaders with biblical discipleship, practical training, and lasting relationships for a lifetime of faithful ministry. Learn more and apply at https://info.watermarkresources.com/lp/watermark-young-church-leader-cohort  

Todd Wagner once again jumps into the podcast studio with John & Adam. The topic of discussion this time is the idea of "celebrity pastors" and why many pastors fall, regardless of whether or not they are a "celebrity pastor." The Young Leader Cohort is a ministry of Watermark Resources, created to equip the next generation of church leaders with biblical discipleship, practical training, and lasting relationships for a lifetime of faithful ministry. Learn more and apply at https://info.watermarkresources.com/lp/watermark-young-church-leader-cohort  

Kyle Kaigler, the campus pastor in Plano, joins Adam and John to discuss seven principles of building teams. This podcast will challenge you to build teams, give ministry away and be intentional about developing others.Why is this topic so important (4:00)1) It makes disciples. 2) Builds ownership for people.3) You get more work done.4) You have more fun.Seven Principles of Team Building1) Be courageous (5:10)One of the things Watermark is known for is the courage of our senior leaders. When you build teams with lay leaders, it build courage. We sometimes fire volunteers and that takes courage, but it sets the bar for what we expect.2) Bring energy (6:24) Regardless of whether or not you are in introvert or extrovert, you need to be excited about what you are leading. That comes from your walk with Christ. As you recruit teams, look for those who are excited.3) Have fun (8:32) "Life’s too short to not do ministry with people you love." – Kyle Kaigler 'Be creative with your team to have fun.4) Know yourself (9:56) Pay attention to your own heart. To build teams you need to know your strengths and weaknesses and build teams around those. Have your identity in Christ, know your gifts and give things away. Get to the point where you have more fun watching lay leaders lead.5) Play chess, not checkers (11:33) Know your people. In checkers all pieces do the same thing. In chess every piece does something different. People are different and you need to know them and deploy them well. Pray for it, wait for it. Wait for God to bring along the right people.6) You set the bar (13:35) As you are building lay leaders, you have to tell them your expectations. You need to delegate responsibility and authority. When Jesus sent out the 70, he delegated authority and responsibility. This gives people ownership. What people own usually grows.7) Provide candid feedback (14:35) You need a culture of handling conflict well. We want to build a culture where people freely, yet lovingly, share candid feedback. People will only get better if they get quality feedback. Expect what you inspect.8) Why don’t more church leaders do this? We feel like we need to be the man or the woman, because we are insecure. Study Exodus 18:17-26 – this passage is so full of team building principles. Questions or comments? Email clp@watermark.org. Application Questions1) Do you struggle to give ministry away? If so, why do you think that is? 2) Which of the seven principles do you feel like you are doing well? Where could you grow? 3) What volunteer or staff member needs you to give them feedback? 4) What are some practical ways you can help your team have more fun? The Young Leader Cohort is a ministry of Watermark Resources, created to equip the next generation of church leaders with biblical discipleship, practical training, and lasting relationships for a lifetime of faithful ministry. Learn more and apply at https://info.watermarkresources.com/lp/watermark-young-church-leader-cohort  

Benson Hines, Director of External Mobilization, joins Adam and John to discuss recruiting volunteers. This podcast will challenge you to not simply fill needs within or outside the church. Instead, view opportunities to serve as a path towards discipleship. The Young Leader Cohort is a ministry of Watermark Resources, created to equip the next generation of church leaders with biblical discipleship, practical training, and lasting relationships for a lifetime of faithful ministry. Learn more and apply at https://info.watermarkresources.com/lp/watermark-young-church-leader-cohort