Leading Simple with Rusty George

Rusty shares a story of a mistake he made while leading and the lessons he learned from it to be a better leader today.

Our guest on the podcast this week is Mitchel Lee. He's a speaker and the lead pastor of Grace Community Church. He is also the author of Even If: Trusting God When Life Disappoints, Overwhelms, or Just Doesn't Make Sense, a book that is particularly relevant in the world we're living in today. Mitchel joins Rusty to share his experience leading a multi-ethnic church. They also chat about his new book and what it means to have an "even if" kind of faith.

I've got a short bonus episode today to kick off this new month. This Lent season, I'd like to invite you to go on a 40 day journey to Easter with me and Real Life Church.If you want to learn more about what this 40 days devotional journey to Easter will look like, then take a listen and register here.

Many of us will come to a crossroads about our careers. So, how do you decide to leave a job you love for the unknown? We're seeing people wrestling with this question a lot more in the past few years as they take a look at their priorities, goals, and dreams. Clay Scroggins faced this himself as he made the decision to leave the role he loved to pursue his passion. Clay is a speaker, author, and leadership expert who knows firsthand what it takes to leave a job you love. He left an incredible role at North Point Church to follow his dream of entrepreneurship. Clay sits down with Rusty to talk about the whys and hows of his journey, as well as some advice if you’ve found yourself in a similar situation.

Have you ever wondered how to put together a talk, message, or speech that would compel people towards action? How to tell a story that inspires people and connects them? Then you’ll really enjoy today’s episode with Steve Ryan Carter. Steve is an expert communicator who was the former lead teaching pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago. No matter what kind of group you’re speaking in front of, you’ll be able to learn something new and applicable from this episode. Steve shares about how he got started in ministry. We also talk about the lessons he’s learned from the different churches he’s been a part of over his years of speaking and teaching.

From following a legend to sitting down with one, it was an absolute honor to have Dr. LeRoy Lawson on Leading Simple. He is revered as one of the godfathers of the church and known for his wisdom and integrity. We sat down to talk through his life in ministry. There are lessons in his story for everyone, no matter what stage of life you may be in. Maybe you’re facing your first foray into a leadership position. Or you’re making a transition from one industry to another, looking to reinvent yourself. Perhaps you are even navigating a significant loss. No matter what stage of life you are in, take a listen to hear Dr. Lawson's incredible insights in this episode.

Nate Ross has faced the unique challenges of leading an organization after his father retired from the role. Take a listen as Rusty and Nate sit down to talk about what that process was like. Nate shares some of the lessons he learned along the way, including transitioning well into a new role and overcoming some of the insecurities that can arise when following in your predecessor’s footsteps.

Eric Geiger joins Rusty on the podcast to share his insights. Eric is the Senior Pastor at Mariners Church in Irvine, California. He's also authored several books, including Simple Church (co-written with Thom Rainer). Rusty and Eric talk about what it was like for him to take over for Kenton Beshore, a pastoral legend, and how he led Mariners through the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, they discuss the research that prompted him to write Simple Church and the one thing Eric hopes to change about how the Church does discipleship.

"How do I start something and do something that gives my life tremendous significance?" Years ago, Scott Harrison asked himself that question. It led to him finding his purpose. He decided to start Charity: Water, a nonprofit with a mission to provide clean water to every person on the planet. Scott sits down with Rusty as they talk about the lessons he's learned while leading Charity: Water. He also shares three dos and don'ts when talking to high-capacity givers that will simplify the way you approach potential donors.

Pastor Brian Tome joins Rusty to talk about a question that so many pastors are wrestling with: "How do we connect men to the church?" Brian is a pastor out of Cincinnati, Ohio. He has a podcast called The Aggressive Life, he’s had a motorcycle show on Amazon Prime called Phantom Lake, he’s broken horses on stage. He has gone above and beyond to really connect with guys far from the church. Brian shares more about his passion for reaching men both in and out of the church and his insights on how to think outside of the box when it comes to doing ministry.

At one point or another, we've all asked ourselves how we can figure out God's will for our lives. If you've been wrestling with the question of how to follow God's will, whether that be in marriage, work, or any other facet of your life, then you'll want to hear Chris VandeLinde's insights on this episode of Leading Simple. Chris VandeLinde is a pastor out of St. Louis, Missouri, and leads Cornerstone Christian Church. Rusty and Chris sit down to talk about family and sports team loyalties. But more importantly, they talk about how to make finding God's will simple and what it looks like to trust in the Lord wholeheartedly when faced with major life decisions.

2021 has been a wild year. It left a lot of people with a lot of questions. "What does this mean for us? "Where's God in all of this?" "Where's the Church in all of this?" Mark Moore, a previous guest on the podcast, has written Core 52. In this book, Mark took the 52 core principles out of the bible that you need to know. Each one helps you to understand what the bible is about. Follow us on this journey over the next 52 weeks, starting in January 2022. We also want to take the time to thank everyone who has helped make Leading Simple happen from week to week. From my co-host, Brad Williams, to everyone working behind the scenes to Charisma for partnering with us. And last but not least... thank you all for listening, sharing, and supporting Leading Simple.

Merry Christmas from Rusty and the entire team at Leading Simple. Rusty joins you this week from the stage as he delivers Christmas Eve Service at Real Life Church.

Leading Simple is all about simplifying faith and inspiring leaders. But what does leadership look like when you’re leading through a crisis? This is a question so many of us have had to ask in the past year, including guest, Joel Thomas. Joel sat down with Rusty to chat about what it was like to be a part of Andy Stanley’s team during his time at Northpoint. Joel also shares his insights on leading a church through crisis, obedience when things are unclear, and why he ultimately returned to Northpoint.

We’ve spent time each month talking about mental health, and the holiday season is a critical time to do so. Every one of us has felt the impact of suicide in some capacity. Dr. Matthew Sleeth is our guest this week. Newsweek named him as one of the premier thinkers in America. And his new book, Hope Always: How to be a force for life in a culture of suicide, gives Christians a necessary look at how we can offer hope to those who are struggling. Take a listen as Rusty & Matthew discuss how he came to know Christ, warning signs we can look out for in our loved ones, and what the Church can do to better support those affected by suicide.

Today's episode is right on time. Rusty is joined by Michele Benedict. Michele is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 27 years of experience. She's helped people from all walks of life navigate their mental and relational health. She values the integration of faith into her practice as a Christian therapist, and you can hear that in our conversation. Listen as Michele and Rusty discuss setting healthy boundaries and prioritizing self-care. Michele also shares some simple tips to help take care of yourself during the busy holiday season.

If you’ve ever wanted to know just how to create bridges in a world where there seem to be so many cultural divides, then you won’t want to miss this episode of Leading Simple. Rusty sits down with Dr. Michelle Ami Reyes, an author, speaker, and activist passionate about the relationship between culture and faith. Take a listen as they chat about German folklore, being all things to all people, and her personal experiences as an Indian American woman.

There are so many lessons about leadership that you can pull from the football field and apply no matter what kind of team you’re leading. Maybe you’re figuring out how to build and get your team right from the get-go. Or you’re figuring out how to lead through a transition. You may be working out how to build a team culture that leads to success. Mark Weigt and Brian Dodd sit down with Rusty to talk about all of these lessons and more on this special bonus episode of Leading Simple.

On today’s episode of Leading Simple, we’re joined by Andy Wood. Andy has been the lead pastor of Echo Church in Northern California for the past 13 years, and has learned a lot of lessons along the way. You’ll get to hear him talk about what he'd do differently during COVID, leading a multi-site church through the pandemic, and finding a sense of work-life balance.

If you're a parent who's sent a kid off to collage, you may have asked yourself these questions before: Are my kids safe? Did I teach them enough? Will they be connected to their faith? If you can relate, you’ll love this episode of Leading Simple with Brian Marshall. He is the campus pastor at the University of Kentucky. You'll get to hear him share about what campus ministry is actually like. He also discusses the assumptions parents might make about their college-aged kids and how to help your college students find and keep their faith.

This week's guest isKay Warren, an advocate & author. After the tragic loss of her son and leading a church alongside her husband Rick in the middle of a global pandemic, Kay knows a thing or two about navigating difficult seasons while holding tightly to her faith. But it hasn’t always been easy. If you find yourself wondering how she’s done it, you’ll get to hear her share on this episode of Leading Simple. Kay also shares her insight on what it’s like to find yourself in someone else’s shadow, dealing with mental health and abuse issues, and what life has for her and Rick after Saddleback. If you or someone you love is struggling with their mental health or suicidal ideation, know that you don’t have to go through this alone. Reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for help at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to speak to someone immediately and confidentially.

In this bonus episode of Leading Simple, Richmond Wandera shares his story of growing up in Uganda. At only eight years old, he and his family encountered devastating loss and poverty. Despite that, it paved the way for him to experience the incredible love of Jesus through one 15 year old girl's babysitting money. Special thanks to our sponsor, Compassion International. If you want more information about how to sponsor a child, go to compassion.org/rusty.

What's in a name? For Dr. Michael Youssef, a name is the very thing that can help us connect with God. On this episode of Leading Simple, Rusty and Dr. Youssef sit down as he shares his incredible insight into understanding the names of God and how that impacts how we relate to Him. They also discuss the rich history of the Christian church in Egypt and Dr. Youssef's incredible work with Leading the Way.

We all have had a moment where we've looked at a celebrity or leader and thought to ourselves, "if I had that kind of platform, here's how I'd help the world." Well, what if you could leverage your voice to influence the influencers? Over the last few years, Pastor Mark Weigt has had the chance to do just that for one of the most influential people at one of the most successful sports organizations. In this episode of Leading Simple, Mark and Rusty sit down to talk about all things influence. We also discuss how he founded The Ridge Community Church and how one simple step can lead to a more significant impact where you least expect it.

If you’ve ever heard of Compassion International, then you know of the incredible work they do to support children through sponsorships. But have you wondered what the impact of those sponsorships actually is? On today’s bonus episode of Leading Simple, we get a glimpse into how people's generosity can positively influence a child's life, thanks to Keewani Vallejo-Cook. Keewani and I sit down as she shares her story of growing up in the Philippines, connecting with a sponsor through Compassion International, and experiencing the love of Jesus in a real way. If you'd like more information about how to sponsor a child, visit compassion.com/rusty

Rusty and Brad talk all things NBA for the 2021-2022 season. Who's the best in the league? Best Coach? Exciting Rookie? How the Lakers stack up against the competition. Plus, what the NBA can teach us about leadership.

170: Rewriting the Soundtracks in Your Head with Jon Acuff by Rusty George

In today's episode, Jenni Catron joins Rusty and shares her lessons on her path from the Christian music industry to ministry leadership. She also shares great insight on how to thrive in this post-pandemic season and what it means to lead with your whole self. As a writer, speaker, and leadership coach, Jenni Catron is in the business of inspiring others to lead well. As Founder and CEO of The 4Sight Group, she consults with individuals and teams on leadership and organizational health. In every role, Jenni is a leader who loves "putting feet to vision."

On Leading Simple this week, Joseph Barkley, lead and founding pastor of Radius Church, joins Rusty on the podcast to chat about church planting, pastoring through COVID, making the jump from the entertainment industry, and raising a child actor. Often, when people think of church planters, we may think of someone who grew up in the church, went to seminary, or started working as a youth pastor. But Joseph's story is a little different. Take a listen as Joseph shares his experience over the last few years.

Glen Keane, a 38-year animator and Academy Award winner who created many beloved characters such as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Beast, and more, joins Rusty on Leading Simple. They talk about everything from his family, time at Disney, animation, including working with Kobe Bryant on Dear Basketball, and how he weaves the gospel through his art.

Dave Dummit, the Senior Pastor at Willow Creek Community Church and a longtime friend, joins Rusty on the podcast and talks about church planting, how he decided to leave 2|42, following a legend, and the bumps of moving beyond scandal and creating healthy environments.

On this episode of Leading Simple, Rusty talks with Douglas Cob and asks a question that seems to be prevalent with all the chaos going on today, are we living in the end times? Douglas has written an incredible new book titled, And Then the End Will Come. If you're discouraged about the craziness, you see in the world today, And Then the End Will Come will offer you hope for better things soon to come -- things so great that the Bible says no one can imagine how awesome they will be.

Rusty and co-host Brad Williams discuss how to lead when your boss is not a leader. What do you do when you feel like your boss is phoning it in? How do we respond as Christians lovingly and biblically?

Former NFL player and Hall of Famer, Bruce Matthews, joins Rusty on the podcast to talk faith, family and sports.

162: Practical Steps for Protecting Your Kids Against Human Trafficking with Alan Smyth by Rusty George

As cultural and societal norms continue to shift, change, and adapt in our world today, the Christian leaders are often found asking the question: "What should we do about _____?" ... What should we do about masks, Covid, and ongoing restrictions? ... What should we do about the LGBTQ+ community? ... What should we do about conflicting political opinions? The list goes on. I'm joined today by Caleb Kaltenbach, the Research Pastor at Shepherd Church, to delve into the messy truth of Christianity in our world today. We dive deep into the content of his new book: Messy Truth: How to Foster Community Without Sacrificing Conviction, which releases on August 10th, 2021. We're all looking for truth that pertains to the shifting world around us, and my prayer is that this conversation with Caleb is a guiding light to illuminate Jesus' answers for the questions we're facing in our world today.

Schools back, can you believe it? The summer of 2021 has absolutely flown by, and we're met yet again with the beginnings of fall, the school year, and another season of half-normalcy. But with Covid restrictions continuing on and the Delta variant on the rise, going back to school can bring a lot of different emotions with it... Loneliness, anxiety, fear, depression, confusion, isolation, and so much more. Dr. Paul Alexander joins me in this episode to share simple and applicable steps for how we can have good mental health going into this new school year, from both a psychology perspective as well as a Biblical perspective. So whether you're a student, a teacher, a parent, a sibling, or a leader... I know that Paul's steps for achieving better mental health will be foundational for us all in this new season of 2021.

“I didn’t sign up for this!” “I can’t do this anymore!” “That’s it - I’m done!” Have you ever said or thought these things? Are you feeling disconnected in your marriage, not knowing what the next step holds? Toni Nieuwhof is an author, speaker and law mediator, whose powerful voice in Christian leadership is shaping influencers and leaders around the world. She joins me in this episode to discuss the steps for finding what you really want to save the future of your marriage, based on her new book "Before You Split".

158: Faith-Driven Entrepreneur Jeff Henderson on Ministry & Business Secrets from Chik Fil A by Rusty George

Greg Atkinson is a powerhouse leader and influential voice in better the modern church. His well-known books "Secrets of a Church Shopper" and "Church Leadership Essentials" have transformed churches and their pastoral leadership nation-wide. Today, Greg and I are discussing the secrets of his experience going undercover as a "church-shopper". We discuss hospitality, first-impressions, worship teams, and so much more. If you're a church leader, this episode is a must-hear. Greg's advice is poignant for this unique time in history, and I know what he has to share will transform your church and ministry.

The church is meant to be a place where you can find healing and wholeness. But, unfortunately, sometimes the church can be the very place where brokenness happens. Covid was a dark time for many of us in terms of mental health. For many of us who already struggled with mental health issues, the stress and anxiety and fear that Covid brought on only made those issues greater. I'm honored to join you all today by having an honest conversation about my own mental health journey, and about the ways that I believe that church across the world can do a better job in supporting those struggling with mental health issues.

There are a lot of keys to being a great communicator - but Danielle Strickland has a few tips that are about to change the game for speakers and leaders around the world. Best-selling author of, Danielle Strickland is a powerhouse voice for. In this episode, we discuss ways to be a positive disrupter - someone who changes the world with optimism and positivity, like Jesus did.

Churches are finally open, mask rules are waning, and the season of Covid is slowly but surely coming to an end. Praise the Lord! But even though this pandemic season is getting better by the day, churches, pastors, and church go-ers have been forever changed by the impact that the last year and a half has had. In today's episode, my friend Rich Birch from unSeminary joins me to discuss the one thing that every pastor needs to be thinking about post-Covid -- and trust me, it's a game changer. You don't want to miss hearing it. Rich also shares great insight on the importance of volunteering at a church, the best ways to serve online, and more helpful advice for how church members can make a helpful difference now that churches are faced with this new normal.

We all want to be more like Jesus, right? But sometimes it can be hard to know where to start in that journey... Fourth-generation pastor and my friend Zach Zehnder is on a mission to challenge Christians to become greater followers of Jesus. Zach and his wife Allison are the best-selling authors of the "Red Letter Challenge", a 40-day workbook that makes faith and discipleship simple, practical, and doable. Additionally, Zach shares his new resource, "Reopening Christianity" in this episode, and I can't wait for you to hear all about it. We're all on a mission to make and be better disciples every day, so I can't wait for you to be encouraged by this conversation and to hear Zach's heart for ministry.

What does the Bible tell us to do when we have faith in God, but we're still struggling with anxiety and panic attacks? Are you looking for peace and purpose? Are you fed up with stress and anxiety? Best-selling author of Rhythms of Renewal, Rebekah Lyons is a contemporary, honest voice who's works focus on mental health, and more specifically, anxiety. Her testimony of supernatural healing and peace in her own journey with panic attacks is not only inspiring, but a reminder of God's ability to do a mighty healing work that only He can do. Are you searching for answers for your struggle with anxiety today? Then I know that Rebekah's story in this episode will be life-changing for you. Listen with an open heart and mind, allowing God to do a powerful work through Rebekah's testimony of faith.

A Part 2 Q&A episode special! Pastor John Burke returns in this episode to answer the questions that our listeners submitted about the afterlife.

Ken Costa has an impressive background. He is a master of financial knowhow, as well as a spiritual leader and minister of the gospel. Ken's ministries operate at the intersection of the sacred and the secular: work and worship. His mission is to share the lesson that "if you know your why, you know your way". His unique standpoint on marketplace knowledge and Holy Spirit guidance makes him a must-hear voice for our time, and this conversation we have together is no exception. In this episode, Ken and I discuss some hot-topics: the GameStop stock debacle, how millennials feel excluded from the financial goings on in the world, how Christian leaders can make informed business decisions during such uncertain times, and much more.Ken also shares his vision and passion for "Alpha", a fantastic church resource that he's been a part of. I can't wait for you to hear the unforgettable life and work lessons that Ken has to share in this episode (and not to mention, for you to hear his cool accent).

Lead pastor of one of the most influential churches in America (Community Christian Church in Chicago) and award-winning author, Dave Ferguson and his brother Jon are on a mission to share how you can change the world one neighbor at a time. Author of "BLESS: 5 Ways to Love Your Neighbor and Change the World", Dave's insights into church planting and spreading the gospel to all parts of the world are both inspiring and effective. I know that, when you listen to this episode, you'll feel fired up to go love your neighbor like you never have before. Are you fired up to share the gospel with those around you? Are you looking for a resource to help you plant a church? If the answer is "yes", this episode will be a game-changer for you. If you're interested in church planting in the California area, reach out to me and my team at [email protected].

We've all faced unanswered prayers... Is God ignoring us? Does he not care? Did we pray the prayer wrong? Did our sin block us from having God hear us? The Bible has a lot to say about this topic, and today, I I want to share the real reason that God may feel silent in your life. Join me as we read an excerpt together from my most recent book, "After Amen: What to do When You're Waiting on God". If you're interested, you can check out After Amen at www.afteramenbook.com

Have you experienced tension and frustration in your marriage during Covid and lockdown? Mental health doesn't just affect the individual, but it affects your marriage too. For those who are wanting to work on the mental health of their marriage this year, I can't wait for you to listen to this episode with my friend Dave Willis. Dave Willis, the co-founder of XO Marriage and the "Naked Marriage" Podcast along with his wife Ashley, joins me in this episode to discuss practical ways that we can work on better, healthier mental health in our marriages. Dave shares their personal marriage journey, struggles him and Ashley have overcome, how their podcast was envisioned and started, and he speaks on the major pain points many people have experienced in their marriages, specifically during Covid season. This conversation with Dave is a breath of fresh air in a culture of shame and brokenness. Listen to this episode with your spouse this week, and allow God to do a great work in the mental health of your marriage and family.