Leading From Alignment

In Episode 233 John & Jim unpacked this idea: part of understanding the value of time is determining what and to whom we say yes or no. In today’s episode they explore how the way we value time has a lot to do with what and to whom we say yes or no

In today’s episode John & Jim unpack two powerful lessons John discovered on his most recent vacation. If you get your arms around these two items, they will shape your life and leadership in a profound manner.

Today John & Jim welcome Kyle Isabelli back to the mic for Part 2 of their conversation on the subject, Responding to a Forced Exit. In today’s episode they explore, among other things, the stats behind the forced termination of pastors, the proper tension between looking in the mirror and evaluating the contributions of their supervisors, and questions to ask early on to help determine philosophical alignment.

Today John & Jim welcome Kyle Isabelli to the mic for Part 1 of their conversation on the subject, Responding to a Forced Exit. In today’s episode they unpack Kyle’s forced termination, a few big lessons he learned through the journey, and how to leave a church well, even when you have been unexpectedly let go.

Today we welcome Mike Clarensau back to the mic for Part 2 of our conversation about the current health of the Church in America. In our discussion today we explore the role of coaching in church health, and the challenge of next gen leaders’ struggle with the call of God on their lives. Mike closes out our conversation with the best piece of advice he would give to local church pastors.

Today we welcome Mike Clarensau to the mic. As a proven strategist, Mike has helped churches and ministry organizations identify new direction or the steps necessary for greater effectiveness. In Part 1 of our conversation, Mike unpacks how the Church in America is doing, what needs to change, and why churches struggle so much with change.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Craig Owens about his newest book, When Sheep Bite, we unpack how to express gentleness in the face of biting sheep and why gentleness matters; how to find a “release valve” for our anger; and how to effectively confront biting sheep.

If you have pastored for any length of time, you have suffered “bite marks” from those you lead. Sheep who criticize you . . . sometimes unfairly. And it causes you pain. Today we bring Craig Owens back to the mic for Part 1 of our conversation around his newest book, When Sheep Bite. When you’ve been bitten, it can be hard to manage. In today’s episode we explore with Craig practical strategies that help us respond better when the inevitable “bites” happen.

Today we wrap up two months’ worth of podcasts about a leader’s well-being. We have taken the following position: Our wellbeing is a matter of obedience not a matter of preference. In today’s episode we finish the conversation by exploring what it takes to lead from a full tank. Our premise is simply this: You cannot give what you do not have.

We’ve been talking almost exclusively in 2024 about whole-person wellbeing. Today we continue talking about whole-person health by exploring our ubiquitous need for friendship. Genesis 2:18 reminds us it is not good for us to be alone for extended periods of time.

We’ve rapped about work/rest rhythms multiple times over the 4+ years we’ve been podcasting. We’ve unpacked four of them in the past: Daily, weekly, quarterly, and annually. In today’s episode we explore a fifth rhythm: our capacity vs. the demand on that capacity.

In today’s episode we continue our series of podcasts on a leader’s well-being. We unpack three important questions: What does it mean to be properly related to yourself? How do you get there? And . . . why does it matter? Our capacity to be properly related to those we love and lead begins with being properly related to ourselves.

How do you successfully navigate the long, dark tunnel of depression? With over 40% of pastors reporting suffering with depression, answering this question correctly is of utmost importance. In today’s episode we continue our compelling conversation with Dave Barringer about the epidemic of these twin evils in today’s culture. Dave gives us practical tips on how to get and stay mentally/emotionally healthy.

Depression and anxiety are waging war on the wellbeing of adults and young people in our country. We feel these twin evils are at epidemic proportions – 33% of Americans report suffering with symptoms of depression. In today’s episode we welcome Dave Barringer to the mic for Part 1 of our conversation around this most important subject. Dave unpacks his journey with depression in such a powerful way that you will want to share this podcast with your friends and family.

At the beginning of every year, we take the first two episodes to reflect on the biggest lessons we learned in the previous year. Last week in Episode 219 we considered the first two indelible lessons from 2023: First, refuse to put God in a box. Second, to move forward, you must let go of something. Today in Episode 220 we unpack the next two indelible lessons. Believing with you for an amazing 2024!

It’s our tradition to take the first two episodes of the year to reflect on the biggest lessons we learned in the previous year. These are indelible takeaways we aspired to carry forward into 2024. We’ll unpack two takeaways today in episode 219, and 2 more in Episode 220 next week. Happy New Year!

It’s December 19th, six days before Christmas. This time of year can get very busy for pastors. Extra events at church. Extra events with family and friends. Finishing up the year and planning for next year. In today’s episode John & Jim talk about the subject of Holiday Rhythms and suggest three important ideas leaders may want to consider regarding the last 12 days of 2023.

Today we welcome Daniel Whitehead, CEO of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries back to the mic. In Part 2 of our conversation with Daniel, we explore what is contributing to the worldwide challenges we face with anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. And then we lay out a practical strategy pastors can take to help those suffering with these evil triplets in the churches they lead.

Today we welcome Daniel Whitehead, CEO of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries to the mic. In Part 1 of our conversation with Daniel, we unpack what is happening—in the arena of wellbeing—in the lives of people who attend the churches we lead. We hope you enjoy this powerful episode!

The average age of a clergy member today is 57, compared to age 50 in 2000 Half of all American pastors today are older than age 55. These realities are ubiquitous across almost every denomination. And it begs the question: Is the talent pool merely shallow? Is God not calling enough leaders into vocational ministry? Or . . . is the talent pool afraid? Afraid to take on a role that while extremely fulfilling, also carries with it a lot of complexity? In Part Two of their conversation around engaging the next generation of leaders, John & Jim unpack helpful answers to the question posed to more than twenty young leaders: “What would you say to pastors who want to engage and enlist a younger generation?”.

Everywhere we turn, it seems the alarm is sounding about the graying of pastors. Legitimate concerns exist, including, “What happens if at some point we don’t have enough qualified leaders?” In today’s episode, we begin a two-part conversation on this most important subject: Engaging and Incorporating the Next Generation of Leaders.

The average age of a clergy member today is 57, compared to age 50 in 2000 (Lifeway Research). Half of all American pastors today are older than age 55. In 1992, 24% of all American pastors were older than 55 (Barna). One of the impacts of these alarming trends? The pastor talent pool is getting shallow. Every denomination is dealing with a leadership shortage. In today’s episode, John and Jim unpack the talent shortage issue and offer four things all of us can do to help address this clear and present danger to the health and well-being of the local church.

In today’s episode John & Jim welcome back Shannon Shaffer to the mic to continue their compelling conversation about worship leaders. In today's chat they explore the personal and public components of worship leading, the traits of an effective worship leader, and how worship leaders can avoid an age-old trap the devil often sets for them.

In their work across the country, John and Jim are noticing a troubling trend . . . worship pastors and lead pastors butting heads. Sparring over worship styles, over who’s in charge, or over whose kingdom is being built. Today's episode contains Part 1 of their powerful conversation with Shannon Shaffer, Worship Pastor at Auburn Hills Christian Center, focusing on factors that cause turbulence between worship pastors and lead pastors, and practical steps worship pastors and lead pastors can take to work together more effectively.

What does success in pastoral or ministry leadership look like? And what can make success—though desirable—dangerous? In today’s episode John and Jim outline what success from God’s perspective looks like, share two of the most common snares success brings, and what leaders can do to avoid getting trapped by those snares.

Discernment is an often overlooked and underutilized tool in a leader’s repertoire. Finely tuned discernment can become one of a leader’s best friends. It can spare you heartache, save you time, and protect the people you lead and serve. In today’s episode we unpack three ways discernment helps you as a leader, and then explore four practical ways you can hone this most important skill

In the final segment of the Leadership & series, John and Jim unpack Leadership & Soft Skills. You as a leader are the biggest contributor to your team’s level of production. And most of the things you can do to increase good outcomes have to do with soft skills. Today’s episode outlines eight powerful contributors to a team’s productivity and five impactful soft skills that will help your team consistently deliver good outcomes

John & Jim are in the third segment of the Leadership & series. In Episode 205, they explored Leadership & Communication. In 206, Leadership & Seismos Moments. Today’s episode focuses on Leadership & Delegation. In today’s pod we unpack five helpful delegation tips, and five levels of delegation that will allow you to successfully share the ministry load

Leadership tosses a variety of storms our way . . . some are garden variety storms, others are more intense. Today John and Jim tackle the subject of Leadership and Seismos Moments. They explore some of the larger storms leadership tosses at us, and then outline four helpful and encouraging tips.

Effective communication is a super important leadership skill, but it is hard. In today’s episode we explore four types of communication and then share three secrets to doing it effectively. If you want the culture of the organization that you lead to be healthy . . . effective communication is non-negotiable.

In 2015, more than 38% of pastors in the U.S. were co-vocational. In today’s episode, we unpack three of the many challenges facing co-vocational pastors and offer helpful tips in navigating the often-exhausting world of co-vocational leadership.

Humility . . . a word often misunderstood and misapplied in the world of leadership. Our culture bombards us with images of leaders who are strong, smart, skilled, super-men and super-women who lead their organizations to triumph. In today’s episode we unpack six powerful ways humility shapes our leadership and sets us up not only to bear good fruit . . . but to do so over a long span of time.

In Part 2 of our conversation with JD Wiegand, JD unpacks what he wishes he could have said to his parents, shares insightful advice for pastors who have children, and offers encouragement to kids whose parents pastor a church. If you are pastoring a church and still have children at home, you are not going to want to miss today’s episode

In Part 1 of a two-part conversation, we interview JD Wiegand, Jim’ son. We explore a few of JD’s favorite things about being a pastor’s kid, some of the challenges he experienced, and three things he wished he could have said to the congregation his dad pastored

As we approach our 200th episode, we thought it might be fun to re-release our most popular five podcasts. Today’s episode is our most listened to and watched episode of all time: Shaping the Culture You Need. Culture is fuel. You can craft an amazing vision, have a dynamic playbook, but a healthy culture provides the fuel for that vision and playbook.

Sometimes a leader has to . . . well . . . lead. Some situations call for swift action instead of collaborative consensus. And in those situations, leaders lead. In today’s episode we unpack how to lead confidently without being too full of yourself or running over the team you lead

When you love what you do for a living—when work doesn’t feel like work because of your passion for it—you’re at more risk than most of falling into the workaholic treadmill. Workaholic behavior puts leaders, their families, and their ministries at serious risk. Today’s episode unpacks three hidden dangers of workaholic addiction, and what you can do to protect yourself from them

Words are one of the most powerful forces for good in the organizations we serve. Our teammates often rise to the level of the words we speak to them. For every human, words matter. For humans that lead, they matter even more. In today’s episode, we explore how leaders can leverage the power of words in a way that moves their organization—and the people in their organization—in a positive direction. We hope today’s episode inspires you!

Lead pastoring is quite possibly the ultimate bench vise. The lingering sense of weight, the messiness of people, and the unrelenting demands of the role squeeze even the best leaders. Here’s the good news: When difficult challenges emerge, all is not lost. In fact, something good is on the horizon. We hope you enjoy this episode today!

The first 30 days on a new team are the most important 30 days in that person’s experience with you, or whoever is leading the team they’re on. In today’s post, we unpack how to implement this often-missed step that helps a new teammate get off to a great start, and why it matters so much

It is amazing isn’t it that the Bible never gets boring, stale, or old? In today’s episode John and Jim explore one of the many timeless principles found in Genesis chapters 1 and 2 . . . Rhythms of the Garden

What are you 40 days away from if you tried and had a plan? In today’s pod John & Jim reveal their thoughts on what we might be 40 days away from if we tried and had a plan . . . and the incredible impact following through will have on both our life and our leadership.

We live in a world where success is idolized and so-called shortcuts to success abound. If we are not careful as leaders, we can find ourselves frustrated, confused, overwhelmed, and maybe even burned out by the relentless pursuit of success. In today’s episode John & Jim explore four ideas reimagining success in a way that keeps us healthy and in the game for the long haul

Did you grow up in an environment where failure was embarrassing, hidden from, and often considered fatal? Was failure treated as the enemy? In today’s episode we focus on reframing failure and why it matters so much to your leadership longevity and fruitfulness

Small is not a problem, a virtue, or an excuse! In today’s episode we welcome Karl Vaters back to the mic for Part 2 of an insightful and truly powerful conversation around what it takes to lead a vibrant, healthy church—regardless of its size.

In today’s episode we chat with Karl Vaters about the positive trends he is observing with churches across the country, a few challenging trends, and what leaders can do about those challenging trends

Today’s episode focuses on getting a leader ready to enjoy an amazing vacation this summer. In Episode 188, John and Jim focus on three foundational pieces to getting the best out of your time off . . . Pre-vacation planning; the vacation itself ; and then re-entry to work afterwards

More pastors tell us in July they want to quit than in any other month of the year. In today’s episode John & Jim unpack a fresh perspective that outlines two ways you can grow deeper and wider during the summer months

In today’s episode we continue our conversation with Sean Nemecek, author of The Weary Leader’s Guide to Burnout. In Part 2 we dig into how anxiety and shame fuel burnout, and then we outline a practical pathway toward recovery

The latest report from Barna (2023) reveals an explosive statistic: 40% of pastors report they’re suffering from burnout. In 2015, that number was 11%. In today’s episode, we interview author Sean Nemecek about his book, The Weary Leader’s Guide to Burnout. Together we unpack why this is happening, and share dashboard warning lights that alert us to looming burnout