Bible Leadership Podcast

Feeling stuck in your calling? The wilderness is where God purifies our ambition, teaches us wisdom, and reminds us that people—not performance—are the real legacy. In this episode of the Bible Leadership Podcast, Pastor Mark Carter and co-host Erica Adkins unpack how God uses seasons of wilderness to shape a leader’s heart. From learning wisdom to pruning unhealthy relationships, this episode explores the tension between ambition and people, waiting and working, ministry and identity. Through real-life stories and biblical insight, Mark shares how leaders can stay faithful, humble, and people-centered when God presses “pause” on their plans. Sign up for our email so you never miss a podcast or other helpful content: https://courses.bibleleadership.com/blp-link-in-bio 📋 Key Takeaways Wisdom grows in the wilderness. God uses waiting seasons to train leaders in discernment, humility, and patience. Don’t confuse surrender with passivity. You can’t rush God’s timeline, but you can grow while you wait—read, learn, and prepare. “Sow where you want to grow.” Be intentional about planting into the areas where you hope to see long-term fruit—your marriage, friendships, or leadership skills. People matter more than performance. Ambition can drive good work, but if it eclipses people, it’s become an idol. Ministry is a stewardship, not an identity. Your worth isn’t tied to what you build—it’s anchored in being a son or daughter of God. Affirmation from God outweighs applause from people. Maturity means caring more about heaven’s “well done” than earthly approval. 💬 Quotes & Soundbites “God can move a parked car, but He probably won’t—get behind the wheel and start being faithful where you are.” — Erica Adkins “True greatness isn’t building monuments to ourselves; it’s becoming the kind of leader God can trust.” — Erica Adkins “Ministry is a stewardship, not an identity.” — Mark Carter “Dude, ministry is just too doggone hard and too long to not be with people that you like to be around. Let's just like each other.” – Mark Carter 🕐 Timestamps (Approximate) 00:00 — What the wilderness really is 01:40 — Wisdom vs. waiting: how to discern the difference 05:10 — “Sow where you want to grow”: learning in the wilderness 08:00 — Pruning relationships and planned neglect 13:00 — Ambition vs. people: what really matters in leadership 19:30 — When ambition hurts people (Mark’s personal story) 23:00 — Learning to crave Jesus’ affirmation more than man’s praise 28:00 — When ministry becomes an idol 33:00 — Investing in teachable, responsive people 39:00 — Final encouragement: trading comfort for closeness with Christ 📖 Scripture Tie-Ins James 1:2–4 – “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete.” Philippians 2:3–4 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit… value others above yourselves.” Psalm 16:6 – “The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.” Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not become weary in doing good.” Matthew 4:1–11 – Jesus’ own wilderness preparation. 🛠️ Next Steps for Listeners Reflect: Where might God be inviting you to grow in wisdom instead of rushing ahead? Journal Prompt: “What part of my ambition needs to be surrendered so that people, not projects, remain my priority?” Pray: Ask God to give you discernment in relationships—to prune what hinders growth and strengthen what builds your character. Practice: Choose one area this week to “sow where you want to grow.” Take a small, intentional step toward health in that space. Resource: Revisit Episode 55 (“Wilderness Part 1”) for more context on how God works under the surface during waiting seasons.

The wilderness is the workshop of the soul—where God reshapes your heart for what’s next. In Part 2 of our Wilderness series, Dr. Mark Carter and Erica Adkins dive deeper into how to lead yourself and others through those confusing, in-between seasons when God’s promise hasn’t yet become reality. From church transitions and burnout to personal loss and leadership wounds, they explore what it means to stay faithful, grounded, and hopeful when everything feels disoriented. This conversation helps leaders recognize what’s “normal” in the wilderness—and how to find God’s hand when you can’t see the way forward.   📋 Key Takeaways ✅ The wilderness is not punishment—it’s preparation. God is forming your faith and character in the in-between. ✅ Great leaders name what’s happening: “This might just be a wilderness.” Awareness helps your people stay calm and grounded. ✅ High communication and clarity protect your people when everything feels unstable. ✅ Every wilderness reveals the limits of your own strength and deepens your dependence on Jesus. ✅ Before you can lead others well, you must first let God lead you through your own disillusionment, fear, and false securities.   💬 Quotes & Soundbites “Sometimes leadership in the wilderness just means saying, ‘What you’re feeling is normal—God’s still faithful.’” “Jesus is the only one who will never leave you. Everything else can be taken, but He remains.” "Is it possible that some of what you've lost, it's not because you're so bad, and it's not because you're just a person nobody wants to be around? Instead, it's because, in his mercy, God is teaching you to cling to only Jesus, because that's really the only rock. That's the anchor, dude."   🛠️ Next Steps for Listeners Action Step: Name your wilderness. Ask, “What might God be forming in me right now?” Then communicate clearly and calmly with those you lead—faith always flourishes in clarity. Reflection Prompt: Where have you been tempted to panic, retreat, or doubt God’s timing? What would it look like to trust that He’s still leading—even when you can’t see the map?   Recommended Resource: 📝 Read: Emotionally Healthy Relationships by Peter Scazzero — for practical tools on staying grounded and connected through conflict and change. 📺 Watch: Bible Leadership Podcast – Wilderness Part 1

The wilderness isn’t punishment—it’s preparation for the promise. In this episode, Mark Carter and co-host Erica Adkins dive into what it means to walk through the “wilderness” seasons of life and leadership. These are the in-between spaces—after a promise is given, but before it’s fulfilled. Drawing from Scripture and personal stories, they explore why God leads us through wildernesses and how leaders can develop spiritual resilience during these confusing and refining times. 📋 Key Takeaways Wilderness is a biblical pattern, not a personal failure. From Moses to Paul to Jesus, God often leads His people through a wilderness before a breakthrough. God uses the wilderness to shape dependence, obedience, and worship. It’s about valuing His presence more than the promise itself. Self-leadership is critical. Leaders must recognize they’re in a wilderness season and choose to stay grounded in God’s Word, worship, and truth—even when it feels like nothing is changing. Not knowing the full lesson is part of the process. Don’t assume you know what God is teaching right away; the deeper work often takes time to surface. Beware of grumbling and misplaced expectations. Complaining in the wilderness can short-circuit what God is doing—and so can trying to control the outcome. 💬 Quotes & Soundbites “The wilderness is usually the exact opposite of what we’ve been promised—and it’s where God forms the kind of people who can actually carry the promise.” “You may not know what God is correcting in your soul right away. That’s part of self-leadership—trusting Him even in the dark.” “If you’re not going to eat the manna, you’re going to die in that wilderness.” “Worship God with the suckiness. Jesus is worth the sucky.” 📖 Scripture Tie-Ins Romans 15:4 – “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us…” Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Joshua – Israel’s wilderness journey Matthew 4:1 – Jesus led into the wilderness Numbers 16 – Korah’s rebellion and submission to God’s order Isaiah 55:8–9 – God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours Job 1:21 – “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” 🛠️ Next Steps for Listeners   Reflect:  What “promise” are you waiting on God to fulfill? In what ways might your current “wilderness” be shaping your character or your calling?   Journaling Prompts:  “Where am I tempted to grumble instead of worship?” “How have I been trying to control the ending of my story?” “What does obedience look like for me in this season?”   Spiritual Practices:  Meditate on Romans 15:4 and journal how God has used past seasons to encourage you. Take a 24-hour media fast and spend that time in worship and Scripture (especially Exodus 16 or Matthew 4).   Linked Resources:  Visit bibleleadership.com for more episodes and resources. Watch the episode on YouTube and share with a friend. Want to know more about Fierce Church? Check it out here.  

In this episode of the Fierce Leadership Podcast, Pastor Mark Carter shares what he considers to be some of the toughest stuff in ministry in an interview with Pastor Arman Sheffey on the Fury and Friends podcast. Support the show

In this next course from the Leadership Foundations series, Pastor Mark Carter explains the major purposes of prayer and shares four ideas that will help you know Jesus deeply through prayer.Support the show

In this episode of the Fierce Leadership Podcast, Pastor Mark Carter explains why there is no cruise control in ministry or serving. He also reminds us to keep God at the center of it all.Support the show

There's a danger in despising the war because it isn't the pasture. But God made us to fight for that which He has already given us. And you get to the pasture BY WAY of the war. Support the show

As leaders, our disposition matters to God. In this quick leadership droplet, Pastor Carter talks about setting a tone of grace,  especially in ministry and ministry related environments, and adjusting our attitude to be in line with how God wants to be represented to his people. Support the show

Pastor Carter continues discussing how to share your God story with gentle clarity as part of the Leadership Foundations series. Salvation Illustration » Related Posts »Leadership Foundations 1: PotentialLeadership Foundations 2: Strong RootsLeadership Foundations 3.1: How to Share Your God Story (part 1)Leadership Foundations 3.2: How to Share Your God Story (part 2)Support the show

Pastor Carter continues the Leadership Foundations series and talks more about how to share God story with others through deliberate intentionality. Get the Show Notes » Circles of Influence » Related Posts »Leadership Foundations 1: PotentialLeadership Foundations 2: Strong RootsLeadership Foundations 3.1: How to Share Your God Story (part 1)Leadership Foundations 3.3: How to Share Your God Story (part 3)Support the show

Pastor Carter continues the Leadership Foundations series and discusses how to share your God story with others.Get the Show Notes » Related PostsLeadership Foundations 1: PotentialLeadership Foundations 2: Strong RootsLeadership Foundations 3.2: How to Share Your God Story (part 2)Leadership Foundations 3.3: How to Share Your God Story (part 3)Support the show

Pastor Carter continues the Leadership Foundations series and discusses how to have strong roots in our relationship with God.Get the Show Notes » Related PostsLeadership Foundations 1: PotentialHow to Make Seeking God Less BoringQuiet Time Buffet PDFLeadership Foundations 2: Strong RootsLeadership Foundations 3.1: How to Share Your God Story (part 1)Leadership Foundations 3.2: How to Share Your God Story (part 2)Leadership Foundations 3.3: How to Share Your God Story (part 3)Support the show

In this episode, Carter and David Russo finish exploring six un-sanctified mindsets that can drain our rest, and how to fix them.Miss Part One? Listen here.More Fierce Leadership resources at fierce.church/leadership.Support the show

Welcome to Part 1 of the Fierce Leadership Foundations Course!In this episode, we talk about leadership lids and how to overcome them. Stay tuned for other episodes in this Leadership Foundations Course!Resources Mentioned:Leadership Development Reading List (PDF Download)My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald ChambersA Leader in the Making by Joyce MeyerLeadership Foundations 2: Strong RootsLeadership Foundations 3.1: How to Share Your God Story (part 1)Leadership Foundations 3.2: How to Share Your God Story (part 2)Leadership Foundations 3.3: How to Share Your God Story (part 3)Support the show

In this episode, Carter and David Russo explore six un-sanctified mindsets that can drain our rest, and how to fix them.Related Posts:Practical Strategies for a Killer SabbathLeadership Regrets: Not Observing the SabbathSupport the show

In order to appear nice, are we veiling our allegiance to Jesus? In this episode, Carter interviews Dr. Tracey C. Jones about the difficulty and blessings of going public for Jesus in our spheres of influence.Recommended ResourcesTremendous LeadershipDr. Tracey C. JonesBook: Beyond Tremendous by Dr. Tracey C. JonesBook: Spark by Dr. Tracey C. JonesSupport the show

Leadership Lesson: Refusing to absorb people’s responsibilities doesn’t mean you’re unloving.“For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” (Galatians 6:5, NLT)You can plead with people, appeal to their conscience, and make compelling arguments, but at the end of the day, people are responsible for their own decisions.Support the show

In this interview with Dr. Tracey C. Jones (Tremendous Leadership), we look at how to lead well when you have a "Judas" on your team.Love the Bible Leadership Podcast? Consider becoming a patron for as little as $3 per month!Support the show

In this episode, Dr. Tracey Jones interviews Carter about the price of leadership.The Price of Leadership Bookhttps://tremendousleadership.com/https://www.traceycjones.com/Tremendous Leadership on FacebookTremendous Leadership on InstagramTremendous Leadership on TwitterLove the Bible Leadership Podcast? Consider becoming a patron for as little as $3 per month!Support the show

In this episode, Carter continues his conversation with Tammy Chapman (The Chapel, Lake County) on engaging with the Holy Spirit and investigating supernatural healing.Love the Bible Leadership Podcast? Consider becoming a patron for as little as $3 per month!Support the show