It is possible to build a church, an organization, or a team by relying only on our gifts, talents, and experience. We can serve Christ in our own energy and wisdom. We can expand a ministry or a business without thinking much of Jesus or relying on him in the process. We can boldly preach truths we don’t live. And if our efforts prove successful, few people will notice or take issue with the gaps between who we are and what we do. Remember, Jesus doesn’t say we can’t lead or build a church without him (see Matthew 7:21-23). What he does say is that our efforts are worth nothing unless they flow out of a relationship of loving union with him (John 15:5). In this podcast, I share an excerpt from the audio version of The Emotionally Healthy Leader where I talk about slowing down for loving union with Jesus. I do this. Read more.

To create a healthy church culture is indispensable to multiplying deeply transformed disciples. This week’s podcast explores the sixth and final quality in this six-part series on the marks of such a culture. They are: Slowed-Down Spirituality Integrity in Leadership Beneath-the-Surface Discipleship Healthy Community Passionate Marriage and Singleness Every Person in Full-Time Ministry It has rightly been said that to rediscover the biblical teaching that every Christ-follower is in full-time ministry is like discovering a new continent! The implications are that vast. For example, the sacred/secular divide of church and work is eliminated. All of life becomes holy and part of our discipleship. Our people are filled with a profound sense of purpose. Spectators are turned into creative witnesses for Christ. Our role as equippers in the church is restored (Eph. 4:11ff). After providing a broad theological overview of our calling and our work, I offer 5 specific applications for us as pastors/leaders if. Read more.

In this week’s podcast, I expand on the fifth quality of a church culture that deeply changes lives: Slowed-Down Spirituality Integrity in Leadership Beneath-the-Surface Discipleship Healthy Community Passionate Marriage and Singleness Every Person in Full-Time Ministry Throughout the history of the church, the church has not done a good job of creating a counterculture where God’s passionate love for the world is demonstrated by people living out of their marriage or singleness.  For the first fifteen hundred years of the church singleness was considered the preferred state and the best way to serve Christ. Singles sat at the front of the church. Marrieds were sent to the back. Things changed after the Reformation in 1517, when single people were sent to the back and marrieds moved to the front — ​at least among Protestants. Scripture, however, refers to both statuses as weighty, meaningful vocations. In this podcast I talk about how Christian marriage and singleness is. Read more.

 In this week’s podcast, I expand on the third quality of a church culture that deeply changes lives: beneath-the-surface discipleship: Slowed-Down Spirituality Integrity in Leadership Beneath-the-Surface Discipleship Healthy Community Passionate Marriage and Singleness Every Person in Full-Time Ministry In a church culture that deeply changes lives, no one assumes people are maturing on the basis of activities such as church attendance, small group involvement, and serving. Instead, they understand maturity is the fruit of the slow, hard work of following the crucified Jesus. This podcast explores the four biblical areas that leaders teach and embody to help their people break free from destructive patterns and live differently in the new family of Jesus: breaking the power of our families of origin, living in vulnerability and brokenness, receiving the gift of limits, and embracing grief and loss. Remember: We cannot change what we are unaware of.  Let me invite you to download our free. Read more.

Creating a healthy church culture is indispensable to multiplying deeply transformed disciples and leaders. In this podcast series, I expand on the six characteristics of what this culture looks like. Last week, I looked at a slowed down spirituality. This week I explore integrity in leadership: Slowed-Down Spirituality Integrity in Leadership Beneath-the-Surface Discipleship Healthy Community Passionate Marriage and Singleness Every Person in Full-Time Ministry This podcast digs into a number of critical themes related to integrity. We begin by looking at integrity as a continuum, i.e. something that we are continually growing in through our lives. (I share my own long journey as an example). Then we examine what it means to guard the integrity of the ministry, church, organization, or family we lead. And finally, I offer a few pointers on practical ways to raise the level of your own integrity that will inevitably impact those you lead. Remember: When we have integrity. Read more.