The troubling part of leadership is that we must lead while the ground is moving under us. Every day, we wake up to new challenges that demand new responses – a new COVID variant, a volatile economy, and global tensions that require our attention. The constantly moving targets can leave us dizzy and exhausted. And yet, even amidst great pressure, we are in a sacred time and a sacred space. Today, on the podcast, I share two biblical invitations that will anchor you when the earth is shifting underneath your feet.

Happy New Year! As we step into January, we move forward with hope. But if we’re honest, there’s also some hesitancy. We continue to lead in the face of shifting sands. It often feels like the ground beneath is constantly moving. In uncertain times, it’s easy to play it safe. But in Luke 5, Jesus calls his disciples out beyond shallow waters to go fishing in the deep. The deep water is always frightening, but it’s the place God calls us to live and lead. I can’t think of a more appropriate invitation for 2022. Please, listen to this sermon on today’s podcast and be encouraged as you lead into a new year.

As we bring 2021 to a close, we have much to be thankful for. This has been another unprecedented year for the Emotionally Healthy Leadership Podcast. And this growth is because of faithful leaders and listeners like you. Thank you! In today’s episode, we play highlights from five of the most popular podcast episodes from 2021. Follow the Crucified, Not the Americanized Jesus (Listen to Full Episode) A New Leadership Scorecard for Success (Listen to Full Episode) How God’s Absence is a Form of His Presence (Listen to Full Episode) Skills to Revolutionize Your Prayer Life Pt. 1 (Listen to Full Episode) Finding God in the Fog of Massive Transition (Listen to Full Episode) To listen to curated clips from these episodes, just listen to today’s podcast!

This week, churches and leaders all over are preparing for Christmas Eve services. Many are even transitioning from in-person back to online because of the rise in COVID-19 cases. While it’s a beautiful time of year, it’s also VERY busy. That’s why today on the podcast, I would like to take you on an unusual turn. Rather than offering more content to digest, I invite you to join me for a Daily Office. The Daily Office is a historical Christian practice of stopping to be with Jesus through silence and solitude. In today’s episode, we’ll discover that it’s in silence that we learn to pay attention to what God is birthing in and through us. I pray this episode is a gift to you!

As we continue the Advent season, we are invited to reflect deeply on what Jesus’ coming shows us about true power. It’s astonishing to see how Jesus and Herod came onto the stage at the same time. They both reveal something about the true nature of power and what that means for as leaders us even today. In today’s podcast, I share with you a sermon in which I explore many fascinating details about Herod’s life and why it stood in such contrast with the newborn King.

Last week on the podcast, I explored WHY every leader must seriously consider the restorative practice of entering a sabbatical. For those who sent in questions and responses, your feedback was invaluable! Thank you! As you can imagine, while most leaders know they need a sabbatical, they cannot figure HOW on earth to make it a reality. In today’s podcast, I explore the nuts and bolts and best practices of planning for a sabbatical. Hint: It takes advance planning, prayer, and thoughtfulness in order to do well. This is why some sabbaticals are transformational… and others are a flop. If you or someone on your team is planning for a sabbatical in the next 1 – 3 years, I strongly encourage you to make time for today’s podcast. You may even want to share with your team. And if this content is helpful, feel free to leave me a comment on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!