Leading Simple with Rusty George

My former professor, Dr. JK Jones (Professor at Lincoln Christian Seminary and Pastor at Eastview Christian Church), joins me in this episode to discuss the power of reading, his top book recommendations, and how books have changes his life and faith over the years. If you yourself are looking to become a reader, JK's many recommendations in this episode will kickstart your journey with some amazing books that will never leave you the same.

We are three months into online church and quarantining due to COVID-19, and at Real Life Church we have learned so much about the heart, purpose, and the logistics of doing only online services to reach people for Jesus. These days, many people are asking "Is online church really.. church?" And the short answer is, yes! We believe that you can experience the love and transformational power of Jesus at home in the exact same way you can in a church building. While we are excited to gather together again, we have seen God move in big ways during this unique church season. I'm joined in today's episode by two of our RLC staff: Erika Watkins (Communications & Weekend Service Programing) and Clayton Boek (Tech & Audio/Visual) to discuss each of our perspectives and what we've learned during this unique era of church.

Ted Wright joins us in this episode to share his testimony and perspective on racial injustice today. Sharing his personal story of growing up in the Bahamas and later moving to America, Ted gives insight into the minimal tolerance that he's experienced in interracial relationships and friendships with Americans. He urges us all to learn to listen: to fight ignorance and to open our hearts and ears to learn about people of different backgrounds and colors.

In celebration of our 100th episode of The Rusty George Podcast, Brad and I are joined by a very, very special guest: my wife, Lorrie George. In this episode together, we discuss how Lorrie and I met, all things marriage, ways we're taking care of our family during these difficult times, and much more. Make sure to enter our 100th episode listener giveaway at: https://woobox.com/o4ec52

Michael Hinton joins us in this episode to breakdown understanding racism in 2020. As many of us are seeking ways to understand and further educate ourselves in understanding racism, Michael breaks down the history of racism and how our history has built racist systems and norms that many of us live unaware of. My prayer is that through this heartfelt and honest conversation that many of your questions on this difficult topic would be answered. My prayer is that God would continue to open the eyes of Christians all over the world to how we can fight the continuation of racism in any and every way possible.

I am beyond heartbroken over the injustice and cruelty displayed in our country over the past few weeks. The reality is that racism is evil, and unity and love is Christ like. And as your pastor, I am committed to being on the forefront of difficult and necessary conversations regarding racism in America and the world. Today I am joined by Pastor Anthony Hendricks to discuss systematic racism. My prayer is that this episode would provide further education and next steps for us all on how to fight against racism.

What does it mean to "live backwards"? Aaron Kellim and Brad Williams join Rusty in this episode to discuss the new website "backwards.live", coming soon...

We're all living a new "normal" during this time. After months of quarantine, you may now be feeling acclimated to homeschooling, extended family time, and all of the new routines we all have. But, many of us may be feeling the lack that COVID-19 has brought into our lives... The lack of finances. The lack of peace in the home. The lack of a job. But God, the giver of life and fullness and peace and contentment, desires to meet you in your lack today. In this episode, I share my heart during this season and how I've seen God provide peace and contentment in times of lack in my own life. Tell me, how is God working in your life today?

Be Humble. Stay Hungry. Always Hustle. These powerful words describe the leader who is willing to work hard, get it done, and make sure it’s not about him or her; the leader who knows that influence is about developing the right habits for success. Author of H3 Leadership: Be Humble. Stay Hungry. Always Hustle. and former president of Catalyst, Brad Lomenick joins us in this episode to discuss these powerful leadership principles, faith in leadership, and more.

How are you doing during this stay home order? Are you settling in to this new normal, or are you struggling? In this episode, I share some resources that have been helpful for me and my family during this extended time at home. What has been helping you? And regarding this podcast, we're doing our annual check-in: What episodes would you like to hear from this podcast? What do you need from this platform? We're all ears. Take our annual survey now at the following link: https://us12.list-manage.com/survey?u=2d30326db092e48e95bece4cd&id=d80ad0d0f3

How can we be empowered to be vulnerable in our sharing, but also know our audience? When does vulnerability cross a line? In this episode, Brad Williams and Rusty break down and answer the important questions on vulnerability that many of us have.

Former American college basketball coach and current sportscaster for ESPN and SEC Network, Jimmy Dykes joins us in this episode for a powerful conversation on evaluating our lives. Author of the new release, "The Film Doesn't Lie: Evaluating Your Life One Play at a Time", Jimmy shares his life story, his faith journey, and walks listeners through the tough but crucial evaluation process every Christian should have for their life, family, and faith.

In this episode, Rusty George is joined by former lawyer and the founding pastor of Connexus Church in Barrie, Ontario, Carey Nieuwhof. This influential speaker and leader shares his life story, the impact his family and legacy has had on his life and work, his personal experience with overcoming burnout, and much more. You can connect with Carey and access his leadership resources at https://careynieuwhof.com

What does it take for a leader to succeed today? It's no surprise that older ways of leadership are growing stale and irrelevant. So, what does it take to lead well in 2020? In this episode, Brad Williams and I discuss the seven tensions that every leader needs to navigate (based on a Harvard Business Review article by Jennifer Jordan, Michael Wade, and Elizabeth Teracino).

This bonus episode is a conversation with Tuvya Zaretsky about being raised Jewish, coming to faith in Jesus, and advice on how to help others who question if Jesus is the Messiah. Part One of this powerful conversation can be found at our Real Life Church Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFNKqdrjaoo

Trusting people isn't always easy, but it's so important to have a handful of healthy relationships in our lives built on trust. So, how can we have relationships built on trust? What if people break that trust, can we rebuild it? What does really trusting someone look like in real life? Join Brad Williams and I in this episode as we discuss how to build trust with those in our lives.

How do you make real life simple during quarantine? How do you help and reach out to others during this time of isolation? If we're "better together", how can we find community? Stay safe, stay well, and stay home, friends. We're praying for all of you during this time.

This is a crazy time in the world, one we'll surely all remember for the rest of our lives. Many of us are experiencing confusion, stress, anxiety, and so much more. What can we do to get through COVID-19? Today, in listening to this episode, I encourage you to join me in speaking Psalm 91 over your life.

Join me this coming Monday as we journey through the book of John together for 21 days of devotionals leading up to Easter Sunday. My prayer is that these 21 days of reflection and meditation on scriptures would leave you all encouraged and strengthened in your faith, and that you would, then, use these devotionals to encourage those around you. I cannot wait to see what God does in us all as we grow together studying this powerful book of the Bible. Take a moment today to listen to my introduction of this series here, and then make sure to sign up for daily devotional notifications at pastorrustygeorge.com/21daystoEaster In Christ, Rusty George

Do you struggle to hear God when you pray? How do you know if it's God speaking, or just your own thoughts? In light of all that is happening in the world with COVID-19, we wanted today's episode to focus on how to talk to God in difficult times. So, we're releasing this episode early: Jan Johnson (spiritual director and author) joins us to discuss "How to Hear God When We Pray", and the message she has to share with us is so powerful. While we originally had this episode scheduled for a few weeks out, we pray that releasing it today gives you the encouragement and support that you need to talk to your Heavenly Father in the midst of confusion and anxiety.

Do our smartphones simplify our lives, or do they make things more complicated? If Jesus were here on earth today, how would he behave with a smartphone? Join Brad Williams and I as we discuss these questions and how we can all better balance our relationships with our smartphones as disciples of Jesus.

So many of us are living anxious lives and looking for the answers that only God can give. "Be anxious for nothing" (Philippians 4:6)is one of the most highlighted verses in the Bible for a reason. My personal journey with anxiety started when I was young and has taught me so much throughout the years. Join me in this episode as I conclude our anxiety series and share with you the letter I wrote myself during my most anxious season of life.

We follow Jesus… But, sometimes we need to be inspired by someone who looks a little more like Jesus than we do. Filmmaker David Schultz is a faith superhero that we can all be inspired by. David joins us in this episode to discuss his career in filmmaking, his faith, and more.

In celebration of President's Day, Rusty George & Brad Williams discuss some of the greatest acts of leadership from the people who have held the greatest seat of power in our land.

In this episode Brad Williams and I discuss the worst Valentine’s Day ideas… and the best!

Assistant Coach to the Lakers, Mike Penberthy joins us to discuss the life, legacy, and loss of the legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant. In this short conversation, we discuss his favorite memories with Kobe, how to lead in grief, and sharing your faith when people question tragedy.

"I'm Not Racist"... Have you ever thought or said these words yourself? What if there are small, maybe even subconscious things in your life that say that you are? In honor of February being Black History Month, Brad Williams joins Rusty in this episode to ask these important questions.

It’s time for the Super Bowl! But what if your team didn’t make it? What if you don’t even like football? Why should you care? In this interview with Brad Williams we discuss the reasons we believe it's important for every Christian to care about the Super Bowl.

"Dear White Christian": An interview with author Aaron Layton on what every white Christian needs to know about how black Christians see, think, and experience racism in America.

Is it possible to get out of debt, especially if you live in California? This year at Real Life Church we’re going on a debt diet at all of our locations. Will you join us?

Is the Bible all Greek to you? What can you do this year to make sense of it all? In this episode, Rusty sits down to interview the author of Core 52, Mark Moore.

In this week’s episode, Rusty finishes talking about simple systems leaders can use every day to help make following Jesus uncomplicated. Building from last month’s discussion about time management, today Rusty talks about information management. In today’s world, we have access to more information than we can ever consume or use. Is it possible to collect and retain the information that is important to us? Rusty and Brad share strategies they’ve found to manage the information they've found vital to a productive life.

In this episode, Rusty sits down with Star of iCarly, Nathan Kress, to discuss being a Christian in Hollywood and being a dad.

When planning for the New Year it's not always about 'what' we need to do, but more about 'who' we need to be. In this episode Rusty and co-host, Brad Williams, dig into how to look into this season of your life to help you plan your next year and achieve your goals.

How do you tell a story that everyone knows, in a way that no one's ever heard? In this episode, Rusty and Brad Williams dig into the different ways to hold the attention of your family and ministries as you tell the story of Christmas over and over again.

During the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year" some of us are experiencing the hardest time of the year. In this episode, Rusty discusses the real and heavy emotions that can reveal themselves during the holidays and how to best cope with them.

In this episode, Rusty sits down with Pastor and Author Tim Harlow to discuss his book "What Made Jesus Mad?" They uncover the righteous anger of Jesus towards the church leaders of His time for blocking people from the Kingdom of God and the importance of preventing your church from doing the same. Tim Harlow is the senior pastor of Parkview Christian Church, a multi-site church of nearly 10,000 in the south suburbs of Chicago. Tim and his family moved to Chicago in 1990, when it was a church of 150 people in a heavily unchurched area. Now the church is an indispensable part of the community, made up of former gang leaders and business owners, ex-strippers and soccer moms alike, all who are excited about Jesus and involved in doing ministry in the greater Chicago area and around the world.

When tragic events happen, especially involving innocent children, the first question many of us ask is "Why?" or "How could God let this happen?". In this episode, Rusty addresses these questions and guides us with steps on how to grieve and heal.

How do Christian leaders not only manage our time well but get the most out of our time? In this week’s episode, Rusty addresses some often neglected strategies leaders need to be aware of to help you move forward toward reaching your goals in life and vocation.

In this episode, Rusty answers a couple of listener questions and talks about prayer. Specifically, what happens when our prayers go unanswered. What do we do then? Our churches have been in a series called “Darkroom” where Rusty and others have taught about how we work through the dark rooms of our life. On today’s podcast, Rusty addresses the role prayer plays in our lives and why it’s vital.

On this episode of the Rusty George podcast, Rusty talks with Mac Lake on the importance of developing leaders on your team. Mac is a church consultant who has pastored, planted churches, lead mission boards, and helps churches develop a leadership pipeline that grows individuals in their walk with Christ and their service in and to the church.

On this episode of the Rusty George Podcast, Rusty and Brad Williams touch on being stuck in the middle age and how to deal with the finish line getting closer when you aren’t any clearer about what to do next in life.

On this episode of the Rusty George Podcast, Rusty and Brad Williams talk about fear of the future, anxiety over your career, not knowing what is next, and making the darkroom of your 20s simple.

What’s the deal—I prayed for healing and got nothing—he prayed for a parking spot and got a front row? On this episode of the Rusty George Podcast, Rusty discusses dealing with God’s unexplainable silence.

Can worship be more simple than we make it out to be? In this episode of the podcast, Rusty sits down with worship leader, Todd Fields to answer just that. Todd has over 25 years of experience as a worship leader. He loves to help lead pastors and worship pastors problem solve and come up with solutions to help their worship ministry be the best it can be for the glory of God. He started out in a youth group band with his friend Andy Stanley in the 80’s, partnered with Louie Giglio in the 90’s and early 2000’s in Atlanta with a ministry called 7:22, traveled will the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and worked contractually and on staff as a worship pastor at North Point Community for 21 years.

On this episode of the Rusty George Podcast, Rusty sits with new host Brad Williams to continue talking about managing your inner demons.

On this episode of the Rusty George Podcast, Rusty sits with new host Brad Williams to talk about managing your inner demons.

Big changes in the podcast, a special invitation and a devotional thought for the day. As well as Rusty is going to Israel and you can too. Learn more at rlc.is/israel.

On this episode of the Rusty George Podcast, Rusty sits down with Jim Smith to discuss making discipleship a lot more simple. James Bryan Smith is the author of The Good and Beautiful God and the Apprentice series. He earned his MDiv at Yale and his DMin at Fuller and is a theology professor at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. He also serves as the director of the Apprentice Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation at Friends University.

In this "Best Of" Episode, Rusty revisits a conversation with Karl Vaters, the author of two books about small churches: Small Church Essentials and The Grasshopper Myth. On his blog Pivot, he writes about Innovative Leadership from a Small Church Perspective for ChristianityToday.com several times a week. He’s also the founder of NewSmallChurch.com, a ministry that encourages, connects and equips innovative small church pastors. Karl’s heart is to help pastors of small churches (up to 90 percent of us) find the resources to lead well, and to capitalize on the unique advantages that come with pastoring a small church – something virtually every pastor will spend at least some of their ministry years doing. He also believes that big and small churches can and should work together more often – to the benefit and blessing of everyone. Karl has been in pastoral ministry for over 30 years. He is the teaching pastor of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, a healthy small church in Orange County, California, where he has ministered for over 25 years with his wife, Shelley.