Leading From Alignment

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

Unless you live under a rock, you’re likely aware of the revival that broke out at Asbury College in Wilmore Kentucky. In today’s episode, John and Jim continue their conversation around the amazing move of God’s Spirit on college campuses across our country. . . both Christian and secular—and then outline what leaders can/should do in response

In today’s episode John and Jim start a two-part series exploring what God is up to at Asbury College and at college campuses across our country . . . and what our response as leaders to these goings-on might/should be

Ever feel like you’re spinning your wheels when it comes to engaging the communities around you? In today’s episode, Pastor Chris Brooks returns to unpack three effective ways a church can impact the communities they serve: Community Service, Community Development, and Community Empowerment.

Caring for the health of those who serve alongside us in ministry is one of the most important responsibilities a pastor has. In today’s episode John interviews Pastor Chris Brooks, lead pastor of Woodside Bible Church, about the staff care effort at Woodside, and how churches of any size can get started with this initiative

Mental and emotional health is achievable. It’s a lot of work . . . but it ultimately is doable. In today’s episode we wrap up our seven-week focus on mental and emotional well-being by unpacking two powerful pieces of a preventive plan to help you get and stay healthy

God has called you as a leader to run a marathon, not a sprint. To finish strong. In today’s episode, we explore the impact that running and leading on a full tank has on our longevity and sustained fruitfulness as leaders

We’re currently in the middle of a series of pods focused on mental and emotional health. We’ve talked about becoming our own best friend; telling our anger where to go. Today we’ll focus on protecting ourselves from people whose mission in life is to hurt us

In today’s episode we continue our conversation which started in Episode 176 . . . Telling Anger Where to Go. All of us experience this most human of emotions. Those of us who get and stay healthy mentally/emotionally are learning how to process our anger in a way that honors God and simultaneously frees us from the suffocating grip of bitterness

In today’s episode we continue our series of conversations on mental and emotional wellbeing. Today’s pod focuses on the most human of emotions . . . anger . . . and increases our understanding of this emotion’s ability to complicate our life if we don’t handle it skillfully

Anxiety and depression are at epidemic levels in the United States. And leaders are not immune. In today’s episode, John and Jim continue their conversation around how to become your own best friend without becoming a self-centered narcissist

It’s February, and here in Michigan it’s the dead of winter, and often the height of Seasonal Affective Disorder. In today’s episode, John and Jim kick off a series of pods centered on the mental/emotional wellbeing of leaders with the subject: Become Your Own Best Friend

A church or a business won’t get to their end zone without fuel—the culture created by meaningful values provides that fuel. In today’s episode, John & Jim discuss a pathway to identify your organization’s core values, and highlight the powerful impact they have on you, your team, and the future of the organization you lead

Vision is about destination. Vision speaks to where you and the organization you lead are ultimately heading over a period of time. Using a football metaphor, vision is the end zone. In today’s episode, John and Jim help us exercise our visioning muscles by exploring three powerful outcomes of a clear, compelling, mouthwatering view of the future

Can you believe it’s 2023? Blink, and here comes another year. A year full of opportunity . . . surprises probably . . . and likely, some challenges. We think one of the best things a leader can do with a new year is to take stock of the prior year. In today’s episode, John takes time to reflect on the three most significant lessons he learned in 2022

In today’s episode John and Jim welcome Paul Feuerstein back to the mic. In Part 2 of their conversation, they unpack some of the biggest challenges facing leaders today, and practical things leaders can do about those challenges

In today’s episode, John and Jim interview Paul Feuerstein, lead pastor of Helena First in Helena Montana. Together they unpack six axioms that are common to leadership no matter the size/demographic/location of the church you lead

In today’s episode, we welcome Josh Spurlock back to the mic for Part 2 of their conversation. Josh is the founder of My Counselor Online, an amazing organization dedicated to the mental and emotional well-being of leaders. In this powerful follow-up to Episode 167 John, Jim, and Josh explore where the mental and emotional health landscape is going in the United States, and how leaders can create a culture of mental and emotional health in the organization they lead. Once again, this a can’t miss episode!

In today’s episode, John and Jim welcome Josh Spurlock to the mic. Josh is the founder of My Counselor Online, an amazing organization dedicated to the mental and emotional well-being of leaders. In this powerful conversation, John, Jim, and Josh unpack current trends regarding burnout among leaders, what’s contributing to it, and what leaders can do to get and stay healthy. This is a can’t miss episode!

Gratitude is a choice. A powerful choice. The question is . . . how does a leader—with everything swirling around them as they lead an organization--acquire it? And why does it matter? In today’s episode we offer three practical steps to increasing your gratitude level—and how that positively impacts your leadership

In today’s episode, we welcome Jaime Hlavin back to the mic for Part 2 of her conversation with us. Part 1 (Jen add link to Episode 164 here) was so well-received that we can’t wait for you to hear today’s pod! Together we unpack three additional survival tips for introverts who are called to fulfill an extroverted role.

In today’s episode, we welcome Jaime Hlavin to the mic. Jaime explores the sometimes head-scratching challenges facing introverts who—surprisingly—find themselves in an extroverted calling. In Part 1 of the conversation, Jaime reveals three myths about introverts, and two practical survival tips for those introverts who must “turn on the extrovert” to get their job done

In today’s episode, John and Jim continue to unpack some of the most powerful moments of the Helping Small Churches Thrive Conference, that featured Karl Vaters, a specialist in helping small churches get healthy. In today’s pod, they explore three essentials of a healthy church. Once again, no matter the size of the church you lead, this episode will both encourage and challenge you

In today’s episode, John and Jim recap some of the most powerful moments of the Helping Small Churches Thrive Conference, that featured Karl Vaters, a specialist in helping small churches get healthy. No matter the size of the church you lead, this episode will both encourage and challenge you

Don’t attend every argument you’re invited to. Jesus said “yes” many times. But He also said “no” on occasion. In today’s episode, John & Jim help us find the middle between the extremes of people-pleasing and people-dodging

Jesus is on the move and building His church today. In a world where bad news seems to rule, Jim and John unpack two additional positive trends they’re noticing across their network of church clients, and how leaders can ride the wave of these two encouraging currents

Jesus is on the move and building His church today. In a world where bad news seems to rule, Jim and John unpack two of the positive trends they’re noticing across their network of church clients, and how leaders can ride the wave of these two encouraging currents

In today’s episode, Andrea Bassett joins John and Jim again to talk about trauma, anxiety, and the damaging lies people tell themselves. Andrea unpacks practical pathways to successfully deal with these three challenges that threaten our well-being

In today’s episode, John & Jim interview Andrea Bassett, founder of Cora Journey. In this powerful conversation, Andrea explains how traumatic events can result in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and outlines a pathway to help those suffering with PTSD.

No matter how great a leader you are, there will always be a few parishioners who don’t like you and feel it’s their calling to criticize you. In part two of their conversation, John & Jim unpack two more behaviors that help leaders when those they lead attack them

Criticism hurts. No matter how great a leader you are, there are always a few people who don’t like you and feel it’s their calling to criticize you. In today’s episode John and Jim unpack two powerful ways a leader can respond—and maybe even grow—when the people they lead go on the attack

In today’s episode John and Jim welcome Craig Owens back to the mic. Their conversation unpacks the adjustments humble leaders need to make and why these tweaks matter so much

In today’s episode John and Jim welcome Craig Owens to the mic. Craig is a pastor, a consultant, and author of the book, Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics that really matter. Pod 153 explores how our strengths can become our kryptonite if we’re not careful

In Part 2 of his interview with Chip Judd, Care Pastor at Seacoast Church in South Carolina, John and Chip focus on the inner life of leaders, and also on what can be done about the shrinking leadership pool

In today's episode, John interviews Chip Judd, Care Pastor at Seacoast Church in South Carolina. This powerful conversation unpacks important insights into the call of God on a leader's life, and the top challenges they face in a quickly changing culture

As the leader goes, so goes the organization they lead. What does health look like for a leader? In today’s episode—Part 2 of a 2-part series—John and Jim unpack two more consistent behaviors observed in pastors who’ve maintained robust health over a long period of time

As the leader goes, so goes the organization they lead. What does health look like for a leader? In today’s episode John and Jim unpack two behaviors they’ve observed in pastors who’ve maintained a good level of health over a long period of time