Simple Faith with Rusty George

On this episode of the Rusty George Podcast, Rusty sits down with longtime friend and pastor Mike Breaux, along with Mike's daughter and son-in-law Jodi and Mike Hickerson. With the release of Rusty's new book, the gang sits down and talks through Micah 6:8 and what it means to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God.

On this months Rusty George Podcast, Rusty sits down with Brian Dodd, Director of New Ministry Relationships for Injoy Stewardship Solutions. Besides helping churches fully-fund their mission and vision, over the last 15+ years Brian spends each day having one-on-one conversations with many of the greatest church leaders in America. He also has over 30 years of church volunteer and staff experience. More recently Brian released his new book Timeless: 10 Enduring Practices of Apex Leaders, and writes weekly to over 70,000+ subscribers on his blog at https://briandoddonleadership.com.

Kara E. Powell is the executive director of the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI) and associate professor of youth and family ministry. Prior to coming to Fuller, she was an assistant professor of youth ministry and practical theology at Azusa Pacific University. She completed her PhD in Practical Theology from Fuller Seminary with a focus on pastoral role expectations in 2000, an MDiv from Bethel Theological Seminary in 1994, and a BA in human biology, graduating with honors from Stanford University in 1991. In addition to her roles at Fuller Seminary, Kara serves as a Youth and Family Strategist for Orange, and volunteers in student ministries at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena. She was also college pastor at Lake Avenue Church (1995–1998) and was the associate youth minister at San Diego First Assembly of God (1991–1995). During college, Kara began her ongoing commitment to church/parachurch partnerships during her time on Young Life Student Staff in the Stanford area. Named by Christianity Today as one of “50 Women to Watch,” Kara is the author or coauthor of Growing Young (2016), 10 StickyFaith books or curriculum (2011–2016), Right Click (2015), Can I Ask That? 2: More Hard Questions about God and Faith (2015), Essential Leadership: Training Onramps for Your Youth Ministry Team (2010), Deep Justice Journeys (2009), Good Sex Youth Ministry Curriculum (2009), Deep Justice in a Broken World (2008), Deep Ministry in a Shallow World(2006), Help! I’m a Woman in Youth Ministry (2004), and Mirror, Mirror (2003). Kara is also a regular speaker at Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Conventions, the Orange Conference, the Simply Youth Ministry Conference, as well as retreats and conferences across the country. Powell lives in Pasadena with her husband, Dave, who is a medical device engineer, and their children, Nathan, Krista, and Jessica.

Karl Vaters is 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.

In this episode Rusty has the pleasure of sitting down with the founder of the Church Leader podcast Jason Daye. Jason is the Director of Ministry Development for Outreach, Inc., and has dedicated his time to encouraging and equipping churches, denominations and ministry organizations to develop their Kingdom effectiveness by creating a culture that is both incarnational and invitational. Jason lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with his beautiful wife and six children, where he enjoys hiking with his family, fighting rainbow trout, summiting 14ers and swapping stories with good friends.

Fred Gray, the Executive Pastor at Real Life Church in Valencia, CA, sits down with Rusty to chat about his transition from the corporate business world to the church world. In the conversation, Fred recalls his personal faith journey, calling to ministry, as well as advice for anyone else who may be considering or exploring the idea of working at a church coming from a more corporate setting.

Chris Hornbrook, Campus Pastor at Discovery Church in Simi Valley, CA, joins Rusty in a conversation about both talking and listening to God. Chris tells fantastic stories from his own journey in ministry to illustrate what it means to hear God's voice when the world is so loud and it may not be all that clear.

Matt and Sara Lynn Grubb from Discovery Church in Simi Valley, CA join the podcast to talk with Rusty about what it is like working with your spouse and navigating the challenges of marriage and church.

Kristina Kuzmic joins the podcast to talk about a variety of topics ranging from social media, divorce, and getting her own show then starting a YouTube channel. All this within her personal journey toward a more authentic motherhood that has inspired millions of moms around the world. No matter what walk of life you're coming from, give this a listen and you'll be sure to take something away.

William Vanderbloemen of the Vanderbloemen Podcast and popular author joins the podcast to chat about his new book "Culture Wins," which examines what a healthy culture in businesses and churches look like. William and Rusty also dive into other topics such as millennials entering the workforce and the effects of this on businesses and churches.

Jud Wilhite, Senior Pastor at Central Church in Las Vegas, NV, talks with Rusty about a plethora of great topics ranging from family, leading a large church, music, the Las Vegas Raiders, and how the power of community impacted the way Jud’s church handled the Mandalay Bay/Route 91 Harvest Festival shootings last October. Books mentioned: “5 Dates” by Mike Foster "Thank you for Being" Late by Thomas Friedman "Paul, A Biography" by N.T. Wright

Gene Appel joins the podcast and talks to Rusty about life, ministry, and how to live #bettertogether. Gene is the Senior Pastor at Eastside Christian Church in Anaheim, CA and along with being a gifted leader and communicator, has a lot of life experience and valuable (and sometimes humorous) lessons to share.

Rusty visits with Mike Breaux to discuss the necessity of community with others, what it looks like to be a good parent both when your kids are living in the house, and when they move out, among other topics. Rusty's new book "Better Together" comes out February 6th, preorder it from pastorrustygeorge.com today! Podcast notes: 1. How does the fire crises in Ventura relate to the power of what God can do through community? a. Community is intentional, but also organic. Love God, love people. That’s how the church grows. “This is why God put us on the planet. To love him, and out of our overflow of love for God, we serve each other… we do life together.” – Breaux b. It is not draining but energizing when you get to help people in immediate need. 2. Power of community through recovery and groups a. It is all about spiritual formation, God changing us from the inside out. “First we pray that someday what happens in the auditorium trickles down to basement, now we pray for what happens in the basement to make its way up to the auditorium.” “Shame cannot survive vulnerability.” – Brene Brown 3. How did you get your kids to actually want to come back and hang out after they grew up and left? Were there things that you and Debbie decided early on so that this would happen or was it “accidental-like? a. Sit down and write a paragraph about what it means to be a great parent, spouse, leader, etc. Look at this continually to remind yourself who you want to be. “We decided we want to create an environment that is a home, and that’s more important than having a nice house.” – Breaux b. Have that intentional attitude to create an environment where kids want to be, and where they want to bring their friends. 4. What is the balance between maintaining the friendship but also maintaining the boundaries for your kids as a parent? “Truth without love is brutal, but grace without truth isn’t grace or love.” - Breaux a. Make no doubt in your kids mind that you love them and think they’re awesome, no matter what they do. b. Make a priority to show high love and make high limits. Two questions: What’s an app you’re using right now that you enjoy? Speech Prompter Book recommendations? James Bryan Smith, Great and Beautiful God Brennan Manning, Abba’s Child Jennie Allen, Restless Also mentioned: Keith Repult, Just Breathe

Shelene Bryan joins the podcast to chat with Rusty about her new book, parenting and missions, as well as her journey to start "Skip1," her non-profit organization committed to encouraging people to skip one thing in their budget in order to contribute a better living to others in need. Enjoy!

John Burke, Pastor at Gateway Church and author of "Imagine Heaven," engages in a Q&A with Rusty and the audience at RLC after delivering a message based on his book. If you've ever pondered the afterlife or the specifics of heaven and near-death experiences, check this out!

Jerry Walls joins Rusty on the podcast as they discuss Calvinism, Arminianism, Predestination, God's will, and the power of human free choice.

Shane Phillip joins the podcast and he and Rusty talk about the ins and outs of ministry, as wells as things that they wish their respective congregations knew. Shane is Lead Pastor at The Crossing Church in Las Vegas, NV.

Episode 023: Discussing 13 Reasons Why by Rusty George

In this episode of the Rusty George Podcast, Rusty and Josh interview Jim Beebe, a well respected Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, regarding dating, marriage, and how relationships are affected by culture and media. If you're married, dating, or even interested in either, this one's for you!

In this episode, Rusty gives some tips for affordable and entertaining dates as well as gets some tips from some of the RLC staff on this topic, in connection to the current relationship series at Real Life Church entitled "It's Complicated."

Lee Strobel and his wife, Leslie, dropped by to do an episode of the Rusty George Podcast while he was speaking at Real Life. In this podcast, we chat about Lee's new movie adaptation of his popular book, "The Case for Christ," the nature of the resurrection, and the historical aspects of the Gospels.

In this episode of the Rusty George Podcast, Rusty interviews John Ortberg who is a popular author, speaker, and pastor at Menlo Church in Menlo Park, CA. Back in 2014, John released a book entitled "Soul Keeping" where he discusses the nature of the soul and it's relationship to the Christian life through the medium of his relationship with popular author Dallas Willard. Rusty interviews John on the ins and outs of the book as well as his personal relationship with Dallas.

Questions answered in this podcast: How can the church continue the conversation of the relationship between faith and film? How can we be a voice people trust with that topic? How can Hollywood and the films they produce enhance our faith? If we can encounter God in art, why not movies? How can movies actually be revelatory experiences? Do you think we focus too much on the “rules” and don’t pay attention to the stories enough? How can movies help us in this?

The Real Life Church Worship team, “RLCM,” discusses the release of the new Christmas EP entitled “Hope,” the nature of worship and its relation to the Christmas season, and why it’s important to worship through music together in authenticity and originality.

Listen in as Rusty and Josh continue the conversation about “Merry Conversations.”

Questions answered in this week’s podcast: What’s your best “I’m a pastor” story? What kinds of questions do you usually get asked? Why is it tempting for us to equate our knowledge with how “Christian” we are? What’s the difference between not sharing your faith and sharing your faith too much?

Listen in as Rusty, Josh, and Steve Meyers discuss “Out of the Box.”

Listen in as Rusty and Josh discuss the US 2016 Presidential election results and the connection between faith and politics.

Interview with Mark Munoz, a retired American professional mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Join Rusty and special guest, Mike Penberthy, as they talk about the NBA and life.

Questions answered in this special Halloween podcast: Why do we have a Halloween “event?” What can people expect from Halloween at RLC? Why is there a controversy surrounding Halloween? What is the history of Halloween in the pagan and Christian traditions?

Questions answered in this week’s podcast: “When you lose the capacity to wait you lose the capacity to love.” What’s that mean? What is the relationship between good communication and patience? What else would you say to somebody who is in a rough period, they’re waiting for something to happen but it’s just not? Does God really “test” our patience? What would you say to those who are “angry” with the fact that God hasn’t returned to set things right yet?

Questions answered in this week’s podcast: What’s the most difficult part, for you, in responding to appropriate situations with gentleness? What would it look like to exhibit gentleness in an aggressive, fast-paced family environment? What’s your thoughts on combining tenderness and toughness? How do we do that? How does gentleness look different in times of blessing than in times of suffering?

Questions answered in this week’s podcast: What does Rusty complain about most? How is it true that God can handle our complaints and wants to hear them? How can complaining serve as a way into prayer? Is complaining the same thing as constructive criticism? How does thanksgiving combat complaint?

Questions answered in this week’s podcast: How has the issue of human trafficking affected you personally and as a pastor? How can awareness help with fighting this epidemic? Should every Christian be involved with social justice issues? Why should justice be a focus of the church? How does this issue change the way we pray and relate to God and others?

Questions answered in this week’s podcast: How is discipleship connected to money? What separates this message of “When You invest, then he invests” from prosperity gospel? How can young adults shape the future of the church in student debt? How can tithing actually help that? Why is tithing not an obligation, and why is that line of thinking is flawed? What about when it doesn’t “work?”

Questions answered in this week’s podcast: When families disagree concerning how much to give to the church. Is there a difference between the God of the Old Testament and the New? Why did the Samaritans and the Jewish people hate one another? People aren’t projects… What does that mean?

Questions answered in this week’s podcast: Why did you write “When You, Then God?” Are these “When You, Then God” statements ultimatums from God? How do you define blessings? How does “picking up our cross daily” help us remain in Jesus? What role does prayer play in these conditional blessings you talk about?

Rusty George’s weekly podcast is coming soon! Listen to this first episode to find out how to ask questions that he’ll answer on the podcast.