Simple Faith with Rusty George

Drew Moore is my guest this week, and I’m so glad to have him on the podcast. Drew is the lead pastor of Canyon Ridge Church, a church in Las Vegas that has an incredible legacy. The founding pastor is my friend and friend of RLC, Mike Breaux (you can hear Mike on the podcast here). Watching Drew's journey, I can say that I've learned so much from him about what it means to make disciples and I hope you'll appreciate his insights too.Drew and I talk about his journey becoming lead pastor, leading a church through a transition to a new direction, and practical ways to make discipleship simple for your church.HighlightsAbout Drew Moore - 1:55Drew’s backgroundWhat it’s like leading a church in Las Vegas, NevadaForging a new path - 10:39Following Mike Breaux and leading Canyon Ridge in a fresh direction.Drew’s goal and how his church got there.How to make disciples in this day and age - 21:48How to approach discipleship with your average, first time attender.Assumptions we make about the impact of a weekend service.ResourcesEpisode TranscriptCanyon Ridge Church in Las VegasNo Place Left - organizationT4T (Training for Transformation) - organizationThe Starfish and the Spirit (KC Underground) - microchurch conferenceFuture Church by Cory Hartman and Will ManciniA Beautiful Constraint by Adam Morgan and Mark BardenThe Other Half of Church by Jim Wilder and Michel Hendricks

If you've been listening to the podcast for a while, then you've heard me speak to some incredible pastors who have led their churches through different tragedies and transitions. Navigating through a crisis is no easy feat. I know on our end, we've done some things right and we've done some things wrong. But through it all, we've had these experiences that we don't feel like we should keep to ourselves. That's why I’m grateful to Fred Gray, the executive pastor at Real Life Church. Fred and I designed a course called Leading Through Crisis. Our hope is to equip you with ways to lead through a crisis as healthily as possible, so you don’t have to become one.Now, I’d love for you to check out the course. There are so many great resources available including how to address a national loss, how to work with the press, and the preventative measures you should take before a crisis ever happens. If you’re curious and want a deeper dive into why we created this course, join my conversation with Fred Gray as we talk through our experiences leading through crisis.Special thanks to ServeHQ for sponsoring this week!HighlightsRusty & Fred remember their experiences leading through crisis - 2:38How Fred started at Real Life ChurchThe importance of having a healthy staff.Communicating well when a crisis occursPreparation is Key - 14:17How do you need to prepare for a crisis before it occurs?A bit more background about the Leading Through Crisis leadership course.What Rusty and Fred did right, wrong, and do differently now.What to do when you hit the wall - 19:32Fred’s shares his own experience hitting the wall.Healthier ways to cope with burnout.What would Fred say to himself 10 years ago?ResourcesEpisode TranscriptLeading Through Crisis Course

My guest this week is Andrew Stanley. If his name sounds familiar, it’s just might be. His dad is Andy Stanley (you can listen to Andy on the podcast here), and his grandfather is Charles Stanley, both well known pastors. And Andrew’s carrying on the torch of on-stage communication in a different way as a stand up comedian.I had a chance to sit down with Andy to hear more about how he got into stand up and nerd out about the ins and outs of being a comedian. Andy also shares his tips for how you can find the funny in your own life.

I love getting to talk sports on the podcast, and man, have we had had some incredible guests this year, including Ned Yost from the Kansas City Royals and Marty Lamb from the LA Dodgers. (You can listen to my episodes with Ned and Marty here). Today, you’ll get to hear from Kevin Burrell. Kevin is a talent scout for the Chicago White Sox. I sit down with Kevin to talk shop as he takes me through what day-to-day life as a talent scout looks like. Kevin also shares his passion for discipleship, and how he lives that out in his career today. If you are a baseball fan, you’re in for a great episode. But you don’t have to be a baseball fan to get some incredible value from what Kevin has to share this week.Special thanks to Serve.HQ for sponsoring this week’s episode!HighlightsAbout Kevin Burrell - 2:26Kevin’s start as a baseball player himself.What scout life looks like for Kevin.A few things Kevin knows that he wishes he knew when he started.What do scouts look for in a team player? - 8:11The three intangible Cs scouts (and hiring managers) can look for.What the progression to the major leagues actually looks like.Minister in disguise as a scout - 18:13Kevin’s own faith journeyHow Kevin disciples coaches and scouts.The seven steps of discipleship Kevin walks through.

Monte Wilkinson is a pastor, a mentor, and one of my closest friends. I have to say that I wouldn’t be the pastor I am today without his example. He’s the lead minister at NorthEast Christian Church out in Lexington, Kentucky, and has seen a thing or two when it comes to leading a ministry. I can’t wait for you to hear the wisdom Monte shares.Take a listen to our conversation as Monte talks about what it was like having me as an intern, the lessons he learned transitioning into a new church, and how the golden rule influences the way that he leads.Special thanks to ServeHQ for sponsoring this week’s episode!HighlightsAbout Monte Wilkinson - 2:59A bit about MonteHow he came to ministryMeeting Rusty as an internLeading simply from internships to lead pastoring - 05:41The value of internshipsTransitioning from Southland to NorthEastBuilding up disciplined time with GodMore life wisdom from Monte - 37:40How to transition healthily from a staff role to a leadership position.Righting the ship after a difficult transition.How Rusty learned to integrate humor and reality in his sermons.The most valuable leadership tool you can use in your relationships.ResourcesEpisode TranscriptNorthEast Christian Church in Lexington, KY

Volunteering at church looks different in today’s landscape. How do you navigate those waters? I had the chance to sit down with Scott Magdalein for this episode to tackle that issue. I know leaders are trying to figure out how to recruit and support their volunteers. I hope this episode is a helpful resource for you. Listen in as Scott and I talk about how to find healthy spiritual rhythms after COVID. Scott also shares how ServeHQ can help leaders train their volunteers better, and we talk through the question that churches can ask themselves when they see volunteerism down.

Podcasts have been such a valuable part of my life. From Craig Groeschel and Andy Stanley to Annie F Downs and my friend Michael Hinton, I’ve been able to learn from the things they’ve shared over the years. And when I started sharing my own experiences and conversations with different leaders on Leading Simple, I had no idea where we would be 217 episodes later. I’m grateful for every person who’s listened, left a comment or review, or shared an episode with someone. So today, I want to shift my focus to you: the listener. I’ll be announcing the winner of the listener giveaway. You’ll get to hear some exciting news about something special I’ve been working on behind the scenes. You’ll also get a preview of some of the great episodes coming up this month.Thanks for listening, and a special thanks to this month’s sponsor, ServeHQ.-------------------------Here’s where you can find some of Rusty’s favorites:Skyline ChiliThe Road Less Stupid by Keith J. CunninghamKansas City Chiefs Jersey

Leadership looks like getting comfortable with growth, taking risks, and appreciating the journey along the way. And this week, we have someone who is a living, breathing example of how to live that out that well. Dan Reiland is an author, leadership coach, executive pastor, and a legend when it comes to innovation in the world of ministry. He’s passionate about developing and empowering leaders; you can hear that passion come through in our conversation.You’ll get to hear Dan share about interning with John Maxwell, how he learned to live out his calling to reach people, and why focusing on the culture you’re building is a crucial part of leading an organization. I’m telling you, this episode is a masterclass in ministry and leadership no matter where you are in your journey.Special thanks to Stadia Church Planting for sponsoring this week’s episode!HighlightsWho is Dan? - 2:24How Dan Reiland broke John Maxwell’s internship.The life lesson he applies the most to this day.How Dan started blogging before blogging was blogging.Finding your rhythm and staying in your lane.Leadership as an Executive Pastor - 17:19The different roles an Executive Pastor (XP) can play.The strategy behind bringing on an executive pastor.Advice for anyone stepping into the XP role for the first time.Lessons from Great Leaders - 30:28Lessons from John Maxwell and Kevin Meyers.What is culture?Infusing the good and filtering out the bad in the cultural waters of an organization.ResourcesEpisode TranscriptConnect with DanFacebookTwitterWebsiteConfident Leader!: Become One, Stay One by Dan ReilandCulture Wins: The Roadmap to an Irresistable Workplace by William VanderbloemenLeadership Alone Isn't Enough: 40 Devotions to Strengthen Your Soul by Dan Reiland

Jodi Tonarelli is my guest this week, and it's an honor to have her on the podcast. Her background in broadcast journalism (and a lot of prayers) led her to the role of Executive Pastor at The Ridge Community Church, where Mark Weigt is the lead pastor. You can hear my conversation with Mark on the podcast here. I enjoyed hearing her take on what an executive pastor does and her journey navigating that role.There were some great takeaways from this conversation: From how to seek God before stepping into a new role to what leaders can do to create a more inclusive workplace. I'm telling you, what you'll learn from her when it comes to leadership will benefit you no matter what you do. Special thanks to Stadia Church Planting for sponsoring this week's episode!HighlightsAbout Jodi Tonarelli - 2:48How she got started at The Ridge.Her background in Broadcast JournalismWhat the transition from working outside of the church to working in the church was like for Jodi.Being an Executive Pastor - 12:07What goes into being an executive pastor?Learning to balance the goals and the mission.Do’s and Don'ts for being an executive pastor.Leaving the Door Open - 26:30Wrestling through what being a woman in her role means.What male pastors can do to better empower women.How to manage wearing multiple hats in your organization.ResourcesEpisode TranscriptConnect with JodiTwitterLinkedInThe Ridge Community Church in Greenfield, WisconsinThe Ridge - YouTubeThe Four Disciplines of Execution by Sean CoveyWhisper: How to Hear the Voice of God by Mark Batterson

What do Notre Dame, the Coachella Valley, and John Adams have in common? Ricky Jenkins is the Senior Pastor of Southwest Church in Indian Wells, CA, a Gospel-Centered, Multiethnic, Intergenerational church. We had the chance to talk through what it’s like leading a church that has navigated difficult transitions and trauma. He also highlighted why authenticity is key to leading a multiethnic church. There were so many noteworthy moments in this conversation that I couldn’t even write all of them down. Trust me: If you’re leading a church or any organization and you’ve questioned how to support a hurting church or how to shift the culture of your church, you’ll love this episode.Special thanks to Stadia Church Planting for sponsoring this episode!HighlightsAbout Pastor Ricky Jenkins - 2:25What brought Ricky and his family to Southwest Christian Church.The rewards and challenges of pastoring in the Coachella valley.Leading a church through crisis and trauma.Gospel Centered. Multiethnic Make. Intergenerational Walk - 18:09What leading a multiethnic, multigenerational church means to Ricky.The arc of reconciliation throughout scripture.What does it look like to shift a church’s culture?A Vision for Revival - 31:44Ricky’s prayer for CaliforniaRicky’s top book recommendations for summer reading.ResourcesEpisode TranscriptConnect with RickyInstagram: @rickyjenkinsTikTok: @rickyjenkinstiktokTwitter: @rickyjenkinsSouthwest Church - Pastor Ricky’s ChurchSix Hours One Friday: Living in the Power of the Cross by Max LucadoJohn Adams by David McCulloughCounterfeit Gods by Tim KellerThe Spirit of Disciplines by Dallas WillardSarah Osborn's World: The Rise of Evangelical Christianity in Early America (New Directions in Narrative History) by Catherine A. Brekus

90% of new churches in America are small churches, and there are some incredible lessons we can learn from what those are doing well. Our guest, Karl Vaters, is a champion for building a healthy small church, and I'm glad to have him back on the podcast. You can take a listen to the first episode we recorded here.Karl sheds light on small churches' advantages when connecting with new people and shares some essential tips that anyone can integrate into their organization. He also gives a behind the scenes look at his upcoming book, the process of writing it, and what it means to be a proactive leader rather than a reactive leader. Whether you're a business owner, a pastor, or a church leader, there's something for you in our conversation.Special thanks to Stadia Church Planting for sponsoring this week's episode!HighlightsLessons from small churches - 02:48What every church can learn from navigating COVID.How churches can stand out in an increasingly digital world.The difference between visiting a small church and a megachurch for a newcomer.Creating a non-downloadable experience - 11:10How you can G.I.F.T somebody this week.Building the bridge to intentional relationship.What’s working well to help people grow in their faith?A closer look at how we “do” church - 21:49Innovation and rethinking what the church can look like.Is there a singular best way to lead a church?What are the metrics that matter most in tracking a church’s success?Being a proactive pastor and leader.ResourcesEpisode TranscriptKarl’s WebsiteSmall Church Essentials - a book by Karl VatersThe Grasshopper Myth - a book by Karl VatersPivot - Karl’s Blog

Planting a church isn't easy. There are so many factors to consider, like where you'll plant the church and how to support the community you'll serve.Carl Kuhl knows a thing or two about that experience, and I'm glad to have him on the podcast this week to share his insights. He's a pastor, a church planter, and an incredible leader with a fascinating perspective on leading a church.Not only do we dig into the ins and outs of church planting, but I also had the chance to talk with Carl about his new book Blood Stained Pews and the life change that can happen when people in the church are less afraid to be honest about their struggles.Special thanks to Stadia Church Planting for sponsoring this episode!HighlightsAbout Carl - 1:56Carl’s start in ministry.The benefits of growing up in a healthy church.How the seed was planted in Carl to start planting churches.Planting Mosaic Christian Church - 16:32How Carl landed on Baltimore as the location to plant Mosaic.Learning the culture of the area.The toughest thing about being a lead pastorBlood Stained Pews - 25:00The story behind the blood stained pewsWhy Carl chose to write this book.The value of vulnerability and what it means for us to go first.ResourcesEpisode TranscriptConnect with CarlInstagramFacebookTwitterCarl’s WebsiteMosaic Christian ChurchBlood Stained Pews: How Vulnerability Transforms a Broken Church into a Church for the Broken by Carl Kuhl

Everyone has opinions, and as a Pastor, I have the pleasure of hearing a lot of them, particularly regarding my teaching style. You're not deep enough. You talk too much sports.We want more Bible.We want less Bible.How about some Greek or Hebrew.I wish you would __________________. (You can fill in the blank) For a long time, I didn't know what to do with that feedback. So I broke how I preach. Or, in other words, I broke myself trying to be someone else. Emulating what I thought people wanted, I looked at the success of other pastors and incorporated their style into what I did. It took me a while to learn the lessons I want to share with you on this episode of How I Broke This. ResourcesEpisode Transcript

Marty Lamb is a scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He’s signed some incredible talent from high schools and colleges. Learning how to spot talent early isn’t an easy feat, so I’m grateful to hear some of his insights on what it takes to do just that every day. We get a chance to talk about some of his learnings on the road and the highlights of his career so far. Marty also takes time to share about the incredible work he does with Refuge for Women, a non profit organization that supports survivors of sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Special thanks to our sponsor Stadia for sponsoring this episode!HighlightsAbout Marty Lamb - 2:11Marty’s start as a baseball player.How he became a baseball scout.What Does it Take to Spot Talent? - 08:29The qualities Marty looks for in an up-and-coming player.What makes an LA dodger different from other players?How do you balance the analytics with the classic way of scouting talent?Marty’s Work with Refuge for Women - 43:32What is Refuge for Women?An in-depth look at the work they do to help women recover from sexual exploitation.ResourcesMarty's TwitterMarty's Instagramhttps://www.mlb.com/dodgershttps://refugeforwomen.org/ - Refuge for Womenhttps://refugeforwomen.org/socal/ - The Southern California Branch of Refuge for Womenhttps://survivormade.org/ - Products made by those housed by Refuge for Women.

Some of the best leadership lessons I've learned have come from conversations I've had with sports legends like Ned Yost on the podcast (you can listen here as he talks about how to build a winning team culture). But there's nothing like learning alongside a friend. That's why I'm glad to have Brad Williams back for this episode of Leading Simple. Join us as we sit down to talk about the lessons on leadership we’ve picked up on throughout the summer, our hopes for the Lakers, and why magnifying the positive is crucial for any leader.Special thanks to Stadia for sponsoring this month's podcast.Resources​​Blood in the Garden: The Flagrant History of the 1990s New York Knicks - Chris HerringExtreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win - Jocko Willink and Lief BabinDiscipline Equals Freedom - Jocko Willink Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley's Bill Campbell - by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, and Alan Eagle A Beautiful Constraint - Andrew Morgan and Mark BardenMansfield’s Book of Manly Men - Stephen MansfieldBecome Your Most Masculine Self - DevotionalNot in It to Win It: Why Choosing Sides Sidelines The Church - Andy StanleyTop Gun: Maverick - movie starring Tom Cruise

Kyle Idleman from Southeast Christian Church is my guest for this week's episode. What you may not know is that Kyle is the one who planted Real Life Church, where I am today. As we sat down, I learned a bit more about what it was like for Kyle to grow up under the microscope as a pastor's kid. (Something my daughters know a little something about. You can listen to their take on being a pastor's kid here). He shared with me how being open and authentic can be a catalyst for a better connection with your people. We also got to talk about his new book One at a Time. Kyle shares some great insights in this episode that I hope are helpful for you too.Special thanks to our sponsor for the month, Stadia Church Planting!HighlightsAbout Kyle - 2:05Kyle’s start in ministryPlanting Real Life ChurchFrom under the microscope to in the fishbowl - 20:28Kyle’s experiences as a pastor’s kidHow that helped him navigate being a pastor himselfUnderstanding brokennessThe importance of vulnerability in leadershipLeading Southeast Christian Church - 33:02Stepping into the senior pastor role at Southeast ChristianWhat it was like following not just one legend but twoHow to navigate a pastoral transition well.ResourcesKyle’s WebsiteOne at a Time - Kyle Idleman's bookSoutheast Christian Church

The Kansas City Royals were a significant part of my childhood. So, imagine how excited I am to have Ned Yost on the podcast. Ned Yost was the manager of the Kansas City Royals in 2014-15 when they went to the World Series and won. Ned and I sit down and talk all things baseball, of course. I got to hear some of the lessons he’s learned as a coach, how he listened to his instincts and honed his ability to develop talent. Ned also talked about his faith journey: how he because a Christian and how his faith ultimately impacted his coaching. You don’t have to be a baseball fan to learn incredible lessons from Ned’s life and leadership. And if you are a baseball fan, I have to say that this will be a special episode for you.

Lance Witt joins me on the podcast this week, and we’re talking about burnout. Burnout is an issue that I think every person, no matter their industry, has had to navigate. Lance openly shares his experience as a pastor at Saddleback and the pivotal moment when he realized he needed a shift in his life. Lance also provides some helpful tips on combating burnout and increasing your self awareness, so that you can lead and work from a healthier place.

Savannah Kimberlin is the Director of Research Solutions at Barna Group, and I am honored to have her as a guest on the podcast this week. Sometimes, data and statistics can be a little intimidating to people (myself included). Thankfully, there are people like Savannah and the incredible team at Barna Group who are called to research so we can see how the numbers reflect the world around us.Join Savannah and me as we talk through what our culture and faith look like after COVID, how to use trends in data to inform how you lead your organization, and what the stats have to say about how different generations engage church and faith.Special thanks to Growmentum for being our sponsor this month.

Kye Chung and Lee Coate from Growmentum sit down with Rusty and share their insights on what it takes to grow your organization. Special thanks to Growmentum for sponsoring Leading Simple throughout the month of June.

There are so many great articles and podcasts out there about how to create a healthy staff culture.This is not one of them.This week, Rusty reflects on how he broke his staff culture, and what it took to repair it.

Paul Hicks joins Rusty on the podcast this week. He is a part of Search Ministries based in Texas, along with another Leading Simple guest, Bruce Matthews.When we think about evangelism, our minds can immediately go to planning some big event with a lot of people. But in Rusty's conversation with Paul, he breaks down a process to share your faith that is centered on one person, one day at a time.If you’ve ever wondered how to get more confident in sharing the gospel with people who may not believe in God, or you are curious about what it means to make disciples, then you’ll enjoy hearing Paul's insights.

Mark and Michelle McKinney are co-pastors, parents, and the first dynamic duo on Leading Simple. Rusty sits down with the two of them to talk about the ups and downs of being a part of a church community. Michelle shared her experiences as a pastor, a pastor’s wife, and with her children. Mark also gave some advice to husbands about what it can look like to support their partner through difficulty. Plus, if you are considering adoption, the McKinneys walk you through some things you should think about before starting the process. Special thanks to our sponsor this month, Leadr.

For the 200th episode, Rusty’s daughters join him to talk about what it’s really like to be a pastor’s kid. Their perspective isn’t just helpful for pastors who are parents, but for anyone raising a child in this generation. Special thanks to Leadr for sponsoring this episode and to our listeners!

Holly Tate from Leadr joins Rusty for this week's episode to tackle some of the tough questions people may be having around their careers. Employees may be wondering how to discern the next best step in their career. Employers may be questioning how to help their teams feel supported and fulfilled in their roles. Across the board, people want to know how to develop as a leader. Holly breaks down 5 simple tools that you can utilize to help develop leaders in your organization.

This week's guest is author and leadership expert Brian Dodd. Rusty and Brian take this episode to make leadership simple. Take a listen as they discuss how to look at life through a lens of leadership and the best way to see growth in your leadership. Brian also shares the top 3 lessons from his new book, 2021: The Year in Leadership.

For this week's episode, Pastor Rusty George is at Real Life Church to celebrate Easter. You can listen here or watch here

This week, Rusty is joined by Al Lopus, the founder, and CEO of the Best Christian Workplaces Institute, on the podcast today. Rusty and Al sit down to talk about workplace health as well as Al's brand new book, Road to Flourishing: Eight Keys to Boost Employee Engagement and Well-Being. You can find it anywhere you buy books on April 19th, 2022.

In this episode of Leading Simple, Rusty sits down with Richmond Wandera as he 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.

Rusty sits down with Kevin Queen, the lead pastor of Crosspoint Church as they talk about developing as a leader and getting creative in crisis. Kevin shares his experiences leading through a leadership transition, changing church culture, and a tornado.

Is it possible to prove the resurrection? Rusty sits down with J Warner Wallace for this week’s episode. They discuss about the impact that Christ had on history, science, and the modern world. Rusty also also had the chance to get his insight on how to talk to the next generation about why Christ matters.

Matt Allman joins Rusty on the podcast today. If you’re a pastor who’s ever wondered how to promote Easter, then this episode is for you. Rusty and Matt get the chance to talk about Easter. They also dig into how the COVID-19 pandemic affected Matt as a pastor and church planter so he could serve his people better. Matt also gives us the inside look at the two times of year you could be missing out on to help grow your church.

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.