Claim OwnershipSpiritual Life and Leadership
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Ministry leadership is about more than just growing your church or organization. It’s about participating in God’s mission in the world. But how can leaders know God’s mission or their unique place in it? Faithful ministry leadership is rooted in a life of deep and abiding faithfulness to Jesus. In “Spiritual Life and Leadership,” Markus Watson and his guests explore what it means to be faithful leaders whose ministry flows from their ever-deepening relationship with God.
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Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!This episode tackles the topic of being "othered" by those in church leadership, an important conversation for anyone in ministry leadership who wants to understand how to create an environment of embrace, of love, of belonging—and of being a healthy team.Jenai Auman, the author of Othered, discusses her personal experiences of being othered by church leaders, the impact it had on her, and how leaders can cultivate communities marked by sh...
Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson reflect on how fear influences our congregations and the importance of addressing it directly. They discuss the role of technical expertise in building trust and how leaders can compassionately accompany people through their fears, especially in times of change and perceived loss. Tod shares strategies for normalizing fear, creating communities of empathy, and tackling resistance by engaging with those who a...
Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!In this episode, we’re taking a deep-dive into the complex and, at times, nerve-wracking experience of deconstruction. Leaders often worry about its impact on their roles, their authority, and on the harmony or unity of their church communities. But what if deconstruction is less about tearing down faith and more about stripping away what's non-essential, centering instead on Jesus?In this epidsode, Scot McKnight, author of Invisible Jesus...
Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson engage in a meaningful conversation about the delicate balance of honoring the "inherited church" while experimenting on the edges to drive adaptive change. Drawing from a quote by Shannon Kiser, who is deeply involved in adaptive leadership and fresh expressions of church, Tod explains how churches can innovate without discarding valuable traditions.Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss this quote from Sh...
Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!In this special Christmas Eve episode of Spiritual Life and Leadership, Markus Watson takes a moment to share some heartfelt encouragement for those feeling the weight of ministry's demands. Reflecting on both personal and professional burdens, Markus reminds us of the importance of leaning on Jesus to find true rest and relief. By exploring the story of the shepherds, magi, and even King Herod, Markus illustrates how Jesus invites each of...
Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger discuss the concept of the kingdom of God as a way of life, rather than a distant place. Inspired by a powerful quote from Yolanda Solomon, they discuss the profound implications this understanding has for ministry leadership and personal discipleship. Discover how embracing God's will in the present moment can transform your leadership and community, and what it means to live out the reality of God's reign ...
Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!What if prayer wasn’t just a box to check off your to-do list, but a lifeline deeply integrated into every moment of your life and your leadership? Imagine navigating every challenge, every conflict, and every transition with an ongoing sense that God is with you.Jeff Hoffmeyer is Vice President for Advancement and Resident Theologian for the Denver Institute for Faith and Work, and a teacher in the Doctor of Ministry program at Fuller The...
Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger discuss the essential role of pastors and spiritual leaders in "standing in the gap," inspired by a profound quote from Amy Peeler. They explore how leaders can support their communities by being present in times of crisis, offering intercessory prayer, and providing emotional and spiritual accompaniment. Through personal stories and leadership insights, they highlight the importance of not letting others fa...
Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Is leadership about enduring endless challenges without ever, y’know, faltering? Or is it about recognizing when to slow down, step back, acknowledge our weaknesses and reconnect with the God who calls us?In this episode, Mandy Smith, author of Confessions of an Amateur Saint, talks about developing our capacity when ministry gets hard, the essential role of rest, and how we can find strength even in times of desperation.THIS EPISODE'S HIG...
Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger engage in an enlightening conversation exploring a profound quote by Efrem Smith on the evolving narrative of church communities. They discuss the critical role of the emerging generation in not just being part of the church's story, but actively shaping its future. The episode explores the importance of diverse perspectives, adaptive leadership, and the humility required to foster a truly inclusive and vibr...
Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!We talk a lot about leading through uncertainty on this podcast. But in this episode, the emphasis will be on navigating uncertainty in our own lives. In this conversation, Michaela O'Donnell and Lisa Slayton, co-authors of Life in Flux, discuss the importance of "uncommon postures" when navigating the fog in life, building personal adaptive capacity, and the need to pause and listen in the midst of uncertainty.THIS EPISODE'S H...
Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Markus Watson chats with Tod Bolsinger about a profound quote from Gayle Beebe, President of Westmont College. They explore the significance of staying emotionally present with your organization, its people, and its mission, especially during crises. The conversation highlights the balance between gaining perspective ('balcony' view) and staying connected (‘dance floor’ engagement), essential for fostering trust and effective leadership. P...
Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!How do we cultivate an environment where transparency and open communication becomes the norm rather than the exception?In this episode, Uli Chi, author of The Wise Leader, brings a wealth of experience in business and church leadership to discuss how we can foster open communication, why humility in leadership is so critical, and the importance of pursuing a "wisdom from above" in our leadership.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Wisdom fr...
Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss the immense pressures faced by pastors today, as articulated by Tim Alberta. Tim highlighted how congregants increasingly expect pastors to function beyond their traditional roles, turning them into part-time pundits and cultural commentators on a myriad of contentious issues ranging from masking and vaccines to abortion and trans rights. Markus and Tod examine the challenges this poses, especially d...
Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Is it possible to lead a congregation without being consumed by anxiety and stress? How can we as ministry leaders manage the pressures and expectations we carry while maintaining a sense of peace and lightness?In this episode, Alan Fadling, author of A Non-Anxious Life, unpacks how ministry leaders can navigate anxiety by creating a supportive network of friends and mentors, understanding God’s joyful nature, and how these realities can t...
Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger discuss the importance of framing for church leaders, particularly in the context of political polarization. Drawing on a quote from Andrew Hanauer, they explore how providing a Biblical framework to congregants can shape their understanding of the world and mitigate the influence of external, often divisive, narratives. Through practical advice and insightful examples, they illustrate how asking the right q...
Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!How can our churches reach out to families with autistic members in such a way that the Gospel is good news for them? And how might we need to adapt the way we do church in order to be good news for those with autism in their families?Dr. David Quel, adjunct professor at Wesley Theological Seminary--and father to three autistic sons--reveals strategies for creating a welcoming environment in our churches for families with autistic me...
Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger explore the concept of power within the framework of discipleship and adaptive leadership, inspired by a quote from Michael Rhodes. They discuss how power, when used responsibly, can prevent harm and support the vulnerable, such as orphans, immigrants, and widows. The conversation delves into the transformative potential of Jesus' use of power, emphasizing that true leadership requires the release and sharin...
Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Here in the U.S. the impact of the election and the campaigns of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are inescapable.In this episode, Tim Alberta, author of The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism, discusses the unsettling trend of political polarization in the church, the role of pastors in responding to the pressure to reclaim a "Christian America," and the importance of having diverse relationships...
Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger explore how to discern and join in what God is doing in the world. They discuss the importance of humility, recognizing God's ongoing work beyond the church, and adopting practical spiritual disciplines. Tod shares personal practices, like evening prayers of gratitude and a mindset that sees God's activity through the night, to better align with God’s work. They emphasize listening to both God and others to ...
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