Leading Simple with Rusty George

Join us this week as we dive into the Christmas season with humor, heartfelt moments, and a challenge to embrace the true meaning of the holidays. From the chaos of awkward family gatherings to the anxiety of Christmas expectations, we’ll explore how to navigate the season with grace. Discover how inviting someone to experience the joy of a Christmas Eve service could transform their holiday—and yours. Let’s laugh, reflect, and prepare our hearts for the hope and peace that only Christ brings.

In this Monday Minute, I’m reflecting on what it means to have a "blue Christmas" and how we can find peace during the holiday season. This past weekend at Crossroads, we talked about grieving the past to prepare for the future. I want to encourage you to take a moment to remember those you’ve lost, release the pain you’ve been holding onto, and forgive where it’s needed so you can move forward. Whether your Christmas feels blue, red with anger, or green with jealousy, my prayer is that you find the peace of Christ—Emmanuel, God with us.

Rusty George sits down with Matt Chandler this week on “Leading Simple” as they talk through what it looks like to overcome challenges and mistakes in ministry. Matt Chandler, senior pastor of Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas, talks from personal experience in leadership about how mistakes within ministry can be mended in a healthy way.Matt Chandler Socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattchandler74/?hl=enX: https://twitter.com/mattchandler74Website: https://pastormattchandler.com/

This week at Crossroads, Associate Pastor Bryan Mrazek kicked off the series “Christmas at Crossroads” with the topic of purpose. Bryan opens up the story of Jesus’ birth by looking at the aspects of the account that directly point to His high priesthood. Listen in to hear more about the purpose of Jesus that was given to Him from birth as we dive into the Christmas season celebrating the birth of our Savior.

Lead singer of the band “Big Daddy Weave,” Mike Weaver, joins Rusty as he shares his journey to a relationship with Christ. Mike speaks on the topic of identity and how faithfully understanding one’s identity in Christ is essential in the midst of trials. God is faithful in the midst of pain and trials, and Mike Weaver shares his personal testimony of this truth in this episode. Listen in for encouragement!Big Daddy Weave on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4SsMf4SjhOlSqEitcprgBt?si=7YhsA8WJRAOaUIIStUaongInstagram: bdwmusic - Big Daddy WeaveInstagram · bdwmusic205.7K+ followersX: Mike Weaver (@mikedaddyweave) / XX · mikedaddyweave13.4K+ followersCheck out Rusty’s latest book “Friend of God” here! http://pastorrustygeorge.square.site

This Sunday, Rusty spoke about the Givitude of faith as we continued in week four of the sermon series “GeneroUS.” When we have faith in Jesus and are obedient to His calling and plan for our lives, we live out generosity to our Heavenly Father. Listen in as Rusty unpacks what this looks like in our everyday lives. Check out Rusty’s latest book “Friend of God” here! http://pastorrustygeorge.square.site

This week’s Monday Minute recaps week 4of the sermon series GeneroUS! Listen in to hear from Rusty George about the flow of obedience to blessing and the life of a Christian. Check our pastor Rusty’s latest book “Friend of God” here! http://pastorrustygeorge.square.site

This week, Rusty George sits down with Greg Holder, pastor of the Crossing Church, and discusses creative ways preaching can draw in first time church guests. Listen in to hear the mega church pastor, multi-book author, and leader Greg Holder speak into his strategy behind preaching.Website:https://gregholder.com/Check out Rusty’s new book “Friend of God” here:http://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/

This Sunday, Rusty George spoke about worship in the form of giving. When we think of worship, we typically think about singing songs of praise to God. Listen in the this week’s sermon as we hear what it means for giving to be an act of worship.Check out Rusty’s new book “Friend of God” here: http://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/

This week’s Monday Minute, hosted by Rusty George, looks at how giving is an act of worship. Listen in for encouragement about how worship is more than just singing songs!Check out Rusty’s latest book, “Friend of God,” here: http://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/

Jordan Montgomery is an author, motivational speaker, podcaster, and coach. He is head of Montgomery Companies. In this episode Jordan and Rusty talk about growing up in Iowa, love for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and yes, early advice he gave a young Caitlin Clark. They also discuss different ways to positively motivate others and Jordan's USA Today best selling book, "The Art of Encouragement". Montgomery Companies: https://www.montgomerycompanies.com/

This week’s Sunday Sermon continued in the series, “Generous” where Pastor Rusty unpacked what it means to store up our treasures in heaven and set our eyes on eternity. Listen in for what this looks like in our practical everyday lives.Check out Rusty’s new book “Friend of God” here! http://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/

This week’s Monday Minute focuses on the idea of giving back what God has so graciously given to us. We are called as Christians to store up our treasures in heaven, and this begins with setting our eyes on eternity and giving back what God has given to us. Listen in for some encouragement about what this looks like!Check out Rusty’s latest book “Friend of God” here: http://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/

Listen in as author Mac Lake gives an in depth description of his leadership workshop, “Multiply Group.” Mac Lake seeks to encourage leaders in organizations to lead in a healthy way as he walks through what this can look like with Rusty. Check out more information below!Mac Lake: Website: https://www.maclakeonline.com/ Book: https://multiply-group.myshopify.com/collections/booksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/maclake24/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maclake24/YouTube: http://youtube.com/maclakeCheck out Rusty’s latest book here! https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/

Welcome to Monday Minute! We're diving into the idea of contentment, starting with our first teaching from "Generous." If you haven't caught part one yet, definitely go back and give it a listen! In this session, we’re tackling the challenge of being content no matter the circumstances. The exercise I shared is simple but powerful: practice saying, “It could be worse.” Think about it—each time we scroll through social media or watch TV, we're bombarded with messages that make us feel like our lives could always be "better." But what if, instead, we grounded ourselves with a quick “it could be worse”? This week, I encourage you to step back, unplug if you need to, and try this mindset shift. You might find yourself just a little closer to true contentment.

We're kicking off a new four-week series on Philippians 4, diving deep into what it means to be content and generous. With the upcoming election and the tensions it may bring, it’s a timely reminder that regardless of outcomes, Jesus remains on the throne. As we anticipate some may feel joy and others disappointment, we'll gather for a special prayer and worship night on November 10th to ground ourselves in God’s kingdom.Today, we start by exploring how our relationship with money affects every aspect of life—from family dynamics to inner peace. Whether we’re savers or spenders, money has a powerful influence on our emotions, decisions, and even our faith. For many of us, money issues are a source of stress, but we’ll see how biblical principles of generosity can bring peace, strengthen relationships, and even transform how we manage our finances. Together, let’s uncover what it means to live with open hearts and open hands, trusting God’s provision and seeking His purpose.

In this episode, Richard Reising, Founder and Chief Strategist of Artistry Labs, shares his transformative journey to Mexico and his mission to elevate church branding. Richard, an accomplished author of Church Marketing 101, teams up with Rusty to explore how effective branding can help churches connect with their communities and expand their reach. Discover the power of impactful language in services and learn how to draw more people to Christ through thoughtful branding strategies. Tune in for insights that could change your church's approach to outreach!#leadership #churchgrowth #marketting Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richard.reisingWebsite: https://www.richardreising.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richardlreisingArtistry Labs Resources:Website: https://www.artistrylabs.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaadYLKy5FkNuWiKyjdxw16pOAkWIK4tNqb8EexOLgGEzKZqBAyd5JrmKMw_aem_pHdmRKONupmfJF_v_O6XEwInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/artistrylabs/?hl=enRusty GeorgeCheck out his latest book "Friend of God" here! https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/

This week at Crossroads, we continue in our sermon series “Different” with a message from associate pastor Bryan Mrazek. This message looks at the passage 1 Peter chapter 4 as Bryan dives into what fuels us in our lives. Listen in for encouragement from 1 Peter as we wrap up our “Different” series.Check our Rusty’s latest book “Friend of God” here: pastorrustygeorge.square.site

Listen in to this week’s Monday Minute as Brian Mrazek walks us through what it looks like to be different. His encouraging words about what this looks like provide a great start to the week!

Brian Tome, pastor of Crossroads Church in Cincinnati, Ohio has authored five books including “The Five Marks of a Man.” In this episode, Brian talks with Rusty about his men’s movement called “Man Camp.” Listen in to hear about what “Man Camp” looks like and how it came to be as well as Brian’s journey into ministry.Brian Tome Resources:https://www.briantome.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Briantome/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/briandtomeYouTube: https://youtube.com/@brian_tome?si=scYuhG3YOBIO1WjaX: https://twitter.com/briantome?lang=enFive Marks of a Man: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1540903125?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_X129B8EHDRKBY278TC7G&dplnkId=67d84fd0-2776-49aa-9f05-f5cdac942ad7&nodl=1Check out Rusty’s latest book here: https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/

This past Sunday, Pastor Rusty spoke about living differently through purpose in Jesus. Loving others the way Jesus does identifies a sort of purpose in our lives. Listen in to identify what this love could look like in your daily life as we live out purpose filled lives that Jesus calls us to.Check out Rusty’s latest book “Friend of God” here!https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/

This week’s Monday Minute! Listen in to hear some encouragement about purpose found in Christ. It is easy to feel stuck in the mundane things of life but realizing our purpose in the world is found in Jesus is key.Check out Rusty’s latest book here! https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/

Manny Fernandez is the President of World Link Ministries. He grew up in Spain as a son of a missionary and then has spent time as a missionary in Spain with hbis wife Jaime. Rusty and Manny discuss the importance of being missionaries and a lot of time talking about the different ways they reached the Spanish population for Christ. One involving Cowboy hats and square dancing. Later neat the end of the episode can Manny make Rusty a soccer fan? Find out. Social Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missionlife365/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@missionlife365?xmt=AQGzYZ1fHlxt5lfaNw07UHo8OQFqFjKtLoV9v1TVCSmZImkWorld Link Ministries Links:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldlinkministres/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldlinkministries/Website: https://wlink.org/Rusty GeorgeCheck out his latest book "Friend of God" at https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/.

This week, Matt Harvey draws from 1 Peter 1 to explore the call to live as distinct citizens of God's kingdom in a world that often promotes values contrary to our faith. Peter urges us to embrace holiness, reminding us that we are chosen, redeemed, and called to reflect the character of Christ in our daily lives. Listen in to hear how we can better embody Christ daily.Check out Rusty’s new book “Friend of God” here! http://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/

This week’s Monday Minute! Featuring Matt Harvey the Crossroads NextGen Pastor, he provides four ways we can pursue holiness and look more like Jesus. Tune in to hear these four simple steps of faith!Purchase Rusty’s new book “Friend of God” here! https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/

Drew Sherman, Lead Pastor of Compass Christian Church in Dallas, Texas, sits down with Rusty to discuss the dynamics of multi-site campuses and effective management strategies. With a strong passion for mentoring young preachers, Drew believes in the power of hands-on experience—“giving them as many reps as possible”—to prepare these leaders for future success in their own ministries. Listen in to this insightful episode!#Leadership #Mentorship #MultiSiteChurches #CompassChristianChurchSocial Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastordrewsherman/?_rdr Twitter: https://x.com/drew_sherman?lang=en&mx=2 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastor_drew?igsh=YmdwM2M3czFxcDhy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CompassChurch Compass Church Socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mycompasschurchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mycompasschurchWebsite: https://compass.churchBooks:Purchase Rusty's "Friend of God" book here! https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/product/friend-of-god/155

Welcome to this week's Monday Minute! We just wrapped up a powerful teaching from 1 Peter chapter 1, focusing on how we handle life's difficulties and trials. Why not navigate those trials with Jesus by your side? As Peter reminds us, our faith is worth more than gold. Jesus assures us, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world." So as you step into this week, keep in mind that you’re not alone. Listen here for some encouragement!

This past Sunday we explored 1 Peter's powerful message about finding joy amid trials. how we respond to the ups and downs of life reflect our faith in Christ. Peter, who walked closely with Jesus, encourages us to see our challenges as a means of refining our faith, much like gold is purified by fire. This sermon will invite you to reconsider how embracing adversity with Christ can transform your experience and reveal a deeper purpose behind your struggles. Listen in to learn how to best reflect and discover hope in the promise of genuine faith that thrives in the midst of life's trials.Purchase Rusty's New Book "Friend of God" Here!https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/

In this special episode of Leading Simple, we honor the life and legacy of Tony Morgan—Founder of The Unstuck Group, Pastor, and Podcast Host. Tony went home to be with Jesus on September 4th, 2024. Recorded earlier this summer, this conversation highlights Tony’s infectious sense of humor, deep love for his family, and passion for helping churches and young pastors break free from barriers. Listen in as we celebrate his impact and continue his mission of helping others grow in their faith. To learn more, visit www.theunstuckgroup.com and discover how you can become "unstuck."Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUnstuckGroupTwitter: https://x.com/unstuckgroup?mx=2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunstuckgroup/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/theunstuckgroupMasterclasses: https://theunstuckgroup.com/landing-page/staff-restructure-bootcamp/Resources: https://theunstuckgroup.com/learning-hub/resources/Books:Purchase Rusty's "Friend of God" book here! https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/product/friend-of-god/155

Welcome to the Monday Minute! Today, we're diving into a key point from yesterday’s message. Proverbs says, "As a man thinks, so he is." Our thoughts shape our identity and how we live. In 1 Peter, he reminds believers—though they may feel scattered or persecuted—they are a royal nation, a holy priesthood. This identity isn’t just for others; it's for youtoo. So, what if this week you saw yourself as a child of the King? That’s your Monday Minute—see you next week for more!

We're excited to start a new series called Different, exploring how the word "different" can be both positive and negative. Sometimes different means better, exceeding expectations, while other times it feels isolating. In a world that’s increasingly chaotic and overwhelming, we all crave something different—something better. Through this series, we’ll dive into 1 Peter, a letter written to early Christians facing persecution, to find guidance on living differently in a crazy world. Join us as we unpack how to embrace being different with faith and hope amidst the chaos.

In this episode, I sit down with Mike Schrage from Good News Productions International (GNPI), and we dive into a pretty sobering reality—6 billion people in the world don’t know Jesus. That’s right, 6 billion. Even more staggering, 3 billion of them have never even heard His name. Mike shares not only these shocking stats but also his own journey from being a directionless college student to becoming a missionary in Kenya, where he worked with an unreached people group.Mike’s story is incredible. God completely transformed his life, even overcoming his lifelong struggle with stuttering, which allowed him to share the gospel in places where people had never heard of Jesus. His work with GNPI is making a massive impact by using media to spread the gospel globally, and now, through their mission15.global initiative, they’re on a mission to share the good news over 1 billion times in the next few years.You’re not going to want to miss this conversation. If you’re someone who’s passionate about missions or just curious about how to make a difference globally, this episode is for you. Tune in and see how you can be a part of this incredible movement.Social Media:Website: https://gnpi.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gnpiusaYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/user/gnpiusa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gnpiusa/Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/gnpiusa Books:Purchase Rusty's Friend of God book: https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/product/friend-of-god/155

John Burke shares extraordinary near-death experiences (NDEs) from people he has interviewed around the world. These individuals were clinically dead—no heartbeat, no brain activity—yet were revived through medical intervention or miraculous means. Upon their return, they describe being more alive than ever, often in the presence of a God of light and love they never wanted to leave.Starting as a skeptic and an engineer, John spent over 35 years researching how these experiences align with biblical truths. Having interviewed over 1,500 people, he has uncovered common themes that point to the reality of the afterlife and the boundless grace of the God of Heaven. These profound stories reveal a glimpse into God's love for all nations and testify to the truth of life beyond death.Thank you for listening. For more, visit CrossroadsChristian.org Spotify Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/2lFSYuunThhSRgbcYnyUl1?si=8f7684e76de24a01

In this episode, Rusty chats with Scott Pederson—owner of "Celebrate Positive," a business dedicated to spreading positivity. A proud graduate of the University of Nebraska (Go Big Red!), Scott has an impressive background in sports, including working with the late Rush Limbaugh at the Kansas City Royals, serving as the Recruiting Director for Oklahoma State University, and collaborating with former Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward to recognize positive athletes. This engaging conversation is a must-listen for sports fans and non-fans alike! Stay tuned for a fascinating story about recruiting Garth Brooks to OSU, along with some insights about Limbaugh.Books:Purchase Rusty's Friend of God book: https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/product/friend-of-god/155

In this week’s Monday Minute, we reflect on the powerful message from our recent sermon: Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? While we addressed many tough questions, there’s one verse we didn’t get to dive into — Hebrews 4:15. This verse reminds us that our High Priest, Jesus, understands our weaknesses and has faced the same trials we do. Unlike other religions that teach how to reach God, following Jesus shows us how God came to us, walked with us, and suffered for us.We encourage you to check out the full message if you missed it and take the next step in your faith journey. Don’t forget, next week we’ll be joined by John Burke! If you’re in the DFW area, make sure to attend in person, or watch online. Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll see you next week!

In this message from the series Is God Good?, Rusty George addresses the challenging question many people face: if God is good and great, why do bad things happen? He acknowledges that many of us grow up believing in certain versions of God that don’t hold up when we face real-life struggles, such as suffering or unanswered prayers. Rusty explores the false images of God, like the "Bodyguard God," the "On-Demand God," and the "Guilt God," and encourages us to let go of these misconceptions. Instead, he invites us to seek the true God revealed in Jesus, who walks with us through our doubts and struggles, even when life doesn’t go as we expect. Through humor and heartfelt reflection, Rusty reminds us that while life’s challenges can make us question God’s goodness, faith is about trusting God’s presence in the midst of it all.

In this episode, Rusty welcomes John Burke, the founding pastor of Gateway Church in Austin, Texas, as well as a speaker and author known for his works on heaven and near-death experiences. John shares a collection of incredible and often harrowing stories from around the world, shedding light on what he has learned through these experiences. This episode is truly one you need to hear—or see—to believe!Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnburkeofficial/X: https://x.com/J0hnBurke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnburkeofficial?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-burke-21957471/Focus on the Family: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/contributors/john-burke/Gateway Church Austin: https://www.youtube.com/@gatewaychurchaustinBooks:Purchase Imagine The God of Heaven by John Burke: https://imagineheaven.net/Purchase Rusty's Friend of God book: https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/product/friend-of-god/155

In this Monday Minute, Rusty George reflects on the recent weekend message at Crossroads, where he discussed the different versions of God that people often believe in but shouldn't. He highlights the story of a man who asked Jesus to heal his daughter, saying, "I believe, but help my unbelief." Rusty encourages listeners to adopt this prayer in their own lives, especially when struggling with doubt or skepticism about a version of God they were taught as a child that may not hold up in adulthood. The call is to seek and know the one true God, revealed in Jesus, and to be honest in our prayers, asking for faith amidst our unbelief.

Rusty George engages his audience with humor and relatable stories, discussing his football allegiances and his family's experiences with prayer, while addressing the deep questions people often have about God's nature. Through a series of anecdotes, he challenges common misconceptions of God, such as the "on-demand" God, the "boyfriend" God, and the "guilt" God, which can lead to a distorted faith experience. Rusty invites listeners to rethink these false views and explore a new understanding of a God who is compassionate, loving, and ever-present, even in moments when He seems silent. Emphasizing the true God revealed in Jesus, Rusty encourages his audience to embrace a faith that offers grace, freedom, and the assurance of God’s presence through life's struggles.

In this episode, Rusty sits down with Lee Coate, the co-founder of "Growmentum," author of the book "Being Peter," and Executive Pastor at The Crossing Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. They discuss the importance of aligning church vision, strategies for encouraging impulsive volunteers, and the unique challenges of working with the often unpredictable personalities in worship ministry, particularly musicians. Join them for an insightful and entertaining conversation on navigating the complexities of church leadership!Social Media:Website: https://leecoate.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lee.coate/X: https://x.com/leecoateInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/leecoate/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-coate-45001b236/Books:Being Peter Permission To Live and Lead... Loud and Large: https://a.co/d/dgOaVVH Purchase Rusty's Friend of God book: https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/product/friend-of-god/155

Damian Boyd opens with a powerful prayer, calling the congregation to surrender to God and listen for His voice. He intercedes specifically for those who are deeply wounded and wrestling with offense, asking God to bring healing and hope to their hearts. Damian highlights that being "unoffendable" is central to the Beatitudes, the culture of God's Kingdom, and the very essence of the cross.Approaching his message with humility, Damian sets the foundation by focusing first on who God is, then reflecting on his own journey, and finally turning to the congregation. He challenges the idea that we can simply move on from offense without a deep, transformative response rooted in God's character.Damian's sermon is a powerful invitation to understand and embrace the distinct yet interconnected gifts of mercy and grace. He encourages believers to develop an unoffendable spirit, recognizing mercy as God's compassionate withholding of judgment—"You did wrong, but you won’t face the full consequences"—and grace as His unmerited favor—"Despite your wrongs, I will still bless you." This message serves as a profound reminder that God's mercy and grace are the foundation of our faith, guiding us in how we live, forgive, and respond to the challenges of life.

In this episode, Rusty sits down with Jan, an author, professor, and spiritual director who currently chairs the Dallas Willard Ministries. Together, they explore the concept of "Kingdom Living," discuss the unique weather of Southern California, and delve into the writing process. Jan also shares insights on how to discern when God is speaking to us versus other influences. Join them for a thought-provoking conversation that blends faith and practical wisdom. Social Media:Website: https://janjohnson.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorJanJohnson/Books:When The Soul Listens: https://janjohnson.org/shop/when-the-soul-listens/Purchase Rusty's Friend of God book: https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/product/friend-of-god/155

Monday Minute is here! We just wrapped up a powerful discussion on church hurt—a topic that hits home for so many. If you missed the message, don't worry—you can catch it on Crossroads or through our podcast.This week’s episode dives deep into what happens when the hurt comes from within the church. Here’s a thought-provoking quote from Stanley Hauerwas: "The most creative social strategy we have to offer is the church. We serve the world by showing it something that is not—namely, a place where God is, forming a family out of strangers." 🌍Let this sink in: What Jesus started is more than just politics or government—it’s about God transforming the world through His people.🎧 Tune in and take a moment to reflect:➡️ Is there someone you need to apologize to? 🤝➡️ Or maybe someone you need to forgive? 💬Don’t wait—make that list and take action today!#ChurchHurt #Forgiveness #FaithInAction #Crossroads

In today's sermon, we explore the topic of "Church Hurt," addressing the all-too-common experience of feeling offended or let down by the church. Drawing from Philippians 4:2-3, where Paul addresses a conflict between two members of the early church, we examine how unresolved personal issues can escalate into community-wide drama. The key takeaway is that true Christian community is not about avoiding conflict but embracing a spirit of reconciliation.Whether it's unresolved issues from a past church experience or current frustrations, this message encourages us to seek healing and unity. The church is not perfect—it's a community of broken people striving to live in harmony through the grace of God. As Paul advises, we should avoid taking sides in conflicts and instead foster a spirit of reconciliation, ensuring that personal grievances do not hinder the work of God within the church.

Kirk Freeman, a former country music writer, now serves as the preacher at CrossBridge Community Church in San Antonio, Texas. He’s also the author of "Threads," a book that explores how everyone can become a disciple. In this episode, Kirk shares a memorable story about discovering the essence of disciple-making during his daughter’s wedding. The conversation also dives into Kirk and Rusty's shared passion for country music, making for an engaging and heartfelt discussion.Social Media:Crossbridge Community Church Website: https://crossbridgecommunitychurch.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kirkfreeman.143/X: https://x.com/KirkFreeman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirkfreeman_/?__d=1%2FLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirk-freeman-76718313/Books:Threads: Weaving Disciple Making Into The Fabric Of Your Life: https://disciplemakingthreads.com/Purchase Rusty's Friend of God book: https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/product/friend-of-god/155

Did you miss this weekend's sermon? Clay Scroggins, a familiar face at Crossroads, shares his excitement about returning after a few months away and dives into the theme of being "Unoffendable." He humorously recounts a personal story of inadvertently taking a long nap on his kids' first day of school, leading to an amusing but slightly embarrassing encounter with the school principal. Clay explores how easily we get offended, especially when relationships become competitive. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing relationships over winning arguments or competitions, drawing on 1 Corinthians 9 to illustrate how the Apostle Paul made it his mission to win people over through love and service, rather than through conflict or offense.

Hey everyone, thanks for tuning in! This segment is all about diving deeper into what we didn’t have time to cover in our weekend message. And here’s something crucial I didn’t get to mention:Why should we strive to live unoffendable?Well, one of the key reasons is because Jesus absorbed our offenses on the cross. Let’s reflect on Romans 4:25: “Jesus was delivered up because of our offenses and was raised because of our justification.”In other words, every offense we’ve ever committed or felt toward God—Jesus took it all upon Himself on the cross so that we could be justified. Think of it as being "just as if I hadn’t sinned."This week, I encourage you to live unoffendable. Let go of those offenses because He’s already taken care of them.If this message resonated with you, hit the like button, share with a friend, and don’t forget to subscribe for more insights like this every Monday!#MondayMinute #LiveUnoffendable #JesusAbsorbedOurOffenses #FaithInAction #Romans425 #CrossroadsChurch #SpiritualGrowth

We have all been OFFENDED by someone or something. This message uses common mousetraps and bug zappers as metaphors to illustrate how easy it is to fall into life’s various "traps," such as consumerism, sweets, gossip, and digital distractions. Pastor Rusty recounts personal experiences, leading to a deeper discussion about the ultimate trap laid by the enemy: offense. Rusty urges listeners not to take the bait of offense, which can lead to bitterness and distraction from what truly matters. He emphasizes the importance of letting go of offenses and avoiding being the cause of others' stumbling, while encouraging a balanced approach to expressing and dealing with issues. The message ultimately calls for living in grace, not letting offenses take root, and moving forward with wisdom and patience.Thank you for listening. For more, visit CrossroadsChristian.org and PastorRustyGeorge.com, and check out our podcast, Simple Faith with Rusty George.

Brian Dodd, author of "Timeless: 10 Enduring Practices of Apex Leaders," has spent the past 19 years assisting churches and pastors in funding their visions and missions. In this episode, Rusty and Brian discuss a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, emphasizing its importance through examples from movies, sports, and other books. Stay tuned until the end, where Brian gets Rusty to share his thoughts on soccer.Social Media:Website: https://briandoddonleadership.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brian.dodd.39X: https://x.com/BrianKDoddInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/briandoddonleadership/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-dodd-ab442523/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoKrJaxcZ_si4wtT8eEiB3g2 minute Leadership Course: https://ministrydeal.clickfunnels.com/sales-page1636657796190Podcast: Pursuit Of Service: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Rrf4VdSgzCnmmepB4ZJmU?si=d81322c45f254d1f Books:Brian Dodd's #1 Best Selling Book: Mighty: 7 Skills You Need to Move from Pandemic to Progress: https://a.co/d/c5c2pX3Purchase Rusty's Friend of God book: https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/product/friend-of-god/155

Today, I'm excited to have Dino Rizzo with us. Dino serves as the Executive Director of ARC (Association of Related Churches) and is an Associate Pastor at Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama. He's also the author of "Servolution." Dino and I will be discussing church planting, exploring innovative ways and new locations where churches are starting, and how ARC supports these endeavors. If you're interested in planting a church or starting a new one, this episode is for you!Dino Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DLRizzo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dinorizzo/?hl=enX: https://x.com/dinorizzo?lang=enChurch of the Highlands: https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/ARC Social Media:Website: https://www.arcchurches.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weplantlifeX: https://x.com/arcchurchesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcchurches/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/arcchurchestvSubscribe to ARC Emails: https://arcchurches.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=5716790f007bf6611cc89967e&id=eb11b23c8ePodcast: Unscripted Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@arcchurchesTV/videosBooks:Servolution: https://www.servolution.org/shop/books-curriculum Servolution Website: https://www.servolution.org/Purchase Rusty's Friend of God book: https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/product/friend-of-god/155