5 Leadership Questions Podcast on Church Leadership with Todd Adkins and Dan Iten

This week we are doing some different – we are introducing Leadership Pipeline, a concept and framework for churches to develop leaders at every level of ministry. Over the course of the week we release a podcast each day. We are also offering a free e-booklet called Developing Your Leadership Pipeline which can be downloaded here (lifeway.com/churchleaders/free-e-booklet). If what you read and hear interests you be sure to register for our upcoming webinar, “Leadership Pipeline: The Role of the Volunteer.” (Live.lifewayleadership.com) In this episode Todd Adkins, Eric Geiger, and I introduce the basics and foundations of pipeline and ask the following questions.

* What is a Leadership Pipeline?

* Why are they so important?

* What are some good examples that you’ve seen of effective leadership pipelines?

* Why don’t more churches and organizations have leadership pipelines?

* Where should organizations start when creating a pipeline?

BEST QUOTES

“It’s important to go back to the original leadership sources.”

“It’s complex, but not complicated.”

“It’s complex because we’re dealing with people.”

“If you don’t have it mapped out you don’t develop leaders at all.”

“A leadership pipeline is a simple tool that shows an organization develops its own leaders.”

“A change in role requires some new competencies.”

“Very few people have the discipline to live in this.”

“Sometimes a blank sheet of paper is debilitating.”

“The role of a pastor is to equip. You have one job – to equip the people for the work of the ministry.”

“Healthier organizations are those that are equipping people to advance.”

“It’s important to have a map for people, not just a menu.”

“Not everyone is expected to advance to the end of a leadership pipeline.”

“Without a pipeline you’re going to have a hard time scaling leadership and maintaining your culture.”

“You can build leaders or you can buy them.”

“What are the layers of leadership you have and what are the competencies necessary for each level?”

“You organization is only as strong as its people.”

“It’s hard for church leaders to start a pipeline because Sunday is always coming.”

Part 2: Leadership Pipeline – The Systems

Part 3: Leadership Pipeline – The Structures

Part 4: Leadership Pipeline – The People

Part 5: Leadership Pipeline – The Content

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

FREE E-BOOKLET – Developing Your Leadership Pipeline

FREE WEBINAR – Leadership Pipeline: The Role of the Leader

Pipeline Conference

Leadership Pipeline by Ram Charan, Stephen Drotter, & James Noel

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions Todd Adkins and I sit down with Brad Lomenick to talk about why self-awareness is so important for leaders and how a leader can get better at it. We offer practical tips about question asking, feedback and more. Here are the five questions we ask:

* Why is accurate self-evaluation and significant self-awareness so important for a leader?

* What are some examples of the mistakes NON self-aware leaders make?

* How can you be sure you are self-aware or are assessing yourself accurately?

* What are 2-3 habits someone can work on to develop in self-awareness?

* What are the best resources you know of for developing self-awareness and growing in self-evaluation?

BEST QUOTES

“Self-awareness is where leadership starts.”

“If you have a lack of self-awareness you’re walking around in fantasy land.”

“Self-awareness and authenticity go hand in hand.”

“In an era when leaders are demanded to be public figures it’s even more important because self-awareness keeps you from shooting yourself in the foot.”

“Everyone on your team is already aware, likely before you, of the things you don’t do well.”

“I ask what do you want me to stop doing, start doing, and keep doing as part of every performance review.”

“It takes an enormous amount of self-awareness to say ‘I should step away.’”

“The higher you go in leadership the more your lack of self-awareness get exacerbated.”

“We usually judge ourselves really graciously.”

“Even if we don’t like ourselves we still treat ourselves nicer than we treat everybody else.”

“We’re not the center of the story.”

“If people you pay are the only people giving you feedback you’re not getting good feedback.”

“Give permission for people to hit hard.”

“Stack yourself up against the fruits of the Spirit.”

“Never forget the living, breathing Word of God.”

“The essence of blind spots is that you can’t see them.”

“Humility assumes there’s always something you’re not doing or not being that you should be.”

“Am I getting better?”

“Where am I seeing the most impact?”

“You want to be careful you’re not lying to yourself or listening to the wrong voices.”

“How much do people enjoy being around me?”

“If you’re growing in your awareness of other people that’s probably a sign you’re growing in self-awareness too.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves

Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman

Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath

Strengths Based Leadership by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions Todd Adkins and I sit down with Brad Lomenick to talk about why self-awareness is so important for leaders and how a leader can get better at it. We offer practical tips about question asking, feedback and more. Here are the five questions we ask:

* Why is accurate self-evaluation and significant self-awareness so important for a leader?

* What are some examples of the mistakes NON self-aware leaders make?

* How can you be sure you are self-aware or are assessing yourself accurately?

* What are 2-3 habits someone can work on to develop in self-awareness?

* What are the best resources you know of for developing self-awareness and growing in self-evaluation?

BEST QUOTES

“Self-awareness is where leadership starts.”

“If you have a lack of self-awareness you’re walking around in fantasy land.”

“Self-awareness and authenticity go hand in hand.”

“In an era when leaders are demanded to be public figures it’s even more important because self-awareness keeps you from shooting yourself in the foot.”

“Everyone on your team is already aware, likely before you, of the things you don’t do well.”

“I ask what do you want me to stop doing, start doing, and keep doing as part of every performance review.”

“It takes an enormous amount of self-awareness to say ‘I should step away.’”

“The higher you go in leadership the more your lack of self-awareness get exacerbated.”

“We usually judge ourselves really graciously.”

“Even if we don’t like ourselves we still treat ourselves nicer than we treat everybody else.”

“We’re not the center of the story.”

“If people you pay are the only people giving you feedback you’re not getting good feedback.”

“Give permission for people to hit hard.”

“Stack yourself up against the fruits of the Spirit.”

“Never forget the living, breathing Word of God.”

“The essence of blind spots is that you can’t see them.”

“Humility assumes there’s always something you’re not doing or not being that you should be.”

“Am I getting better?”

“Where am I seeing the most impact?”

“You want to be careful you’re not lying to yourself or listening to the wrong voices.”

“How much do people enjoy being around me?”

“If you’re growing in your awareness of other people that’s probably a sign you’re growing in self-awareness too.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves

Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman

Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath

Strengths Based Leadership by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions Todd Adkins and I sit down with Brad Lomenick to talk about why self-awareness is so important for leaders and how a leader can get better at it. We offer practical tips about question asking, feedback and more. Here are the five questions we ask:

* Why is accurate self-evaluation and significant self-awareness so important for a leader?

* What are some examples of the mistakes NON self-aware leaders make?

* How can you be sure you are self-aware or are assessing yourself accurately?

* What are 2-3 habits someone can work on to develop in self-awareness?

* What are the best resources you know of for developing self-awareness and growing in self-evaluation?

BEST QUOTES

“Self-awareness is where leadership starts.”

“If you have a lack of self-awareness you’re walking around in fantasy land.”

“Self-awareness and authenticity go hand in hand.”

“In an era when leaders are demanded to be public figures it’s even more important because self-awareness keeps you from shooting yourself in the foot.”

“Everyone on your team is already aware, likely before you, of the things you don’t do well.”

“I ask what do you want me to stop doing, start doing, and keep doing as part of every performance review.”

“It takes an enormous amount of self-awareness to say ‘I should step away.’”

“The higher you go in leadership the more your lack of self-awareness get exacerbated.”

“We usually judge ourselves really graciously.”

“Even if we don’t like ourselves we still treat ourselves nicer than we treat everybody else.”

“We’re not the center of the story.”

“If people you pay are the only people giving you feedback you’re not getting good feedback.”

“Give permission for people to hit hard.”

“Stack yourself up against the fruits of the Spirit.”

“Never forget the living, breathing Word of God.”

“The essence of blind spots is that you can’t see them.”

“Humility assumes there’s always something you’re not doing or not being that you should be.”

“Am I getting better?”

“Where am I seeing the most impact?”

“You want to be careful you’re not lying to yourself or listening to the wrong voices.”

“How much do people enjoy being around me?”

“If you’re growing in your awareness of other people that’s probably a sign you’re growing in self-awareness too.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves

Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman

Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath

Strengths Based Leadership by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast Todd Adkins and I talk with Grammy and Dove award-winning artist Lecrae. Lecrae is the author of the forthcoming book, Unashamed (May 3, 2016, B&H Books) which we are very excited about. (Be sure to visit UnashamedBook.com to pre-order and receive one of a selection of fantastic gifts!) We had a wonderful conversation about engaging culture, handling criticism, and dealing with the tensions of faith and public life. Lecrae has insights and challenges for leaders in any position and believers at any place in their walk with Jesus.

BEST QUOTES - PODCAST

“Because of Jesus we don’t need to see culture as some thing to be avoided. It’s something to be engaged.”

“Balance is an idealistic pursuit. Tension is better.”

“Vision leaks. If we don’t reiterate what we’re working for people will tend to forget.”

“Christian culture doesn’t allow for a lot of nuance.”

“Having the praise of people is not what I’m in this for.”

“Nobody’s impressed with me at home, so it’s about being vulnerable, being approachable, being real.”

“I don’t think the celebrity culture is healthy.”

“Character is everything.”

“People’s talent can take them places their character can’t handle.”

QUOTES –UNASHAMED

“When I decided to follow Jesus…I assumed that becoming a Christian would make life easier.”

"We fool ourselves into thinking that when we’re ‘born again,’ we come out of the womb walking."

"Sometimes God lets the darkness settle before he pierces it with light."

“Critics always have a lot of fury. But they rarely have a lot of facts.”

"If you live for people's acceptance, you'll die from their rejection."

“My prayer is that you’ll make music too. Maybe not on a stage, but hopefully with your life.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Unashamed

Reach Records

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast Todd Adkins and I talk with Grammy and Dove award-winning artist Lecrae. Lecrae is the author of the forthcoming book, Unashamed (May 3, 2016, B&H Books) which we are very excited about. (Be sure to visit UnashamedBook.com to pre-order and receive one of a selection of fantastic gifts!) We had a wonderful conversation about engaging culture, handling criticism, and dealing with the tensions of faith and public life. Lecrae has insights and challenges for leaders in any position and believers at any place in their walk with Jesus.

BEST QUOTES – PODCAST

“Because of Jesus we don’t need to see culture as some thing to be avoided. It’s something to be engaged.”

“Balance is an idealistic pursuit. Tension is better.”

“Vision leaks. If we don’t reiterate what we’re working for people will tend to forget.”

“Christian culture doesn’t allow for a lot of nuance.”

“Having the praise of people is not what I’m in this for.”

“Nobody’s impressed with me at home, so it’s about being vulnerable, being approachable, being real.”

“I don’t think the celebrity culture is healthy.”

“Character is everything.”

“People’s talent can take them places their character can’t handle.”

QUOTES –UNASHAMED

“When I decided to follow Jesus…I assumed that becoming a Christian would make life easier.”

“We fool ourselves into thinking that when we’re ‘born again,’ we come out of the womb walking.”

“Sometimes God lets the darkness settle before he pierces it with light.”

“Critics always have a lot of fury. But they rarely have a lot of facts.”

“If you live for people’s acceptance, you’ll die from their rejection.”

“My prayer is that you’ll make music too. Maybe not on a stage, but hopefully with your life.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Unashamed

Reach Records

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast Todd Adkins and I talk with Grammy and Dove award-winning artist Lecrae. Lecrae is the author of the forthcoming book, Unashamed (May 3, 2016, B&H Books) which we are very excited about. (Be sure to visit UnashamedBook.com to pre-order and receive one of a selection of fantastic gifts!) We had a wonderful conversation about engaging culture, handling criticism, and dealing with the tensions of faith and public life. Lecrae has insights and challenges for leaders in any position and believers at any place in their walk with Jesus.

BEST QUOTES – PODCAST

“Because of Jesus we don’t need to see culture as some thing to be avoided. It’s something to be engaged.”

“Balance is an idealistic pursuit. Tension is better.”

“Vision leaks. If we don’t reiterate what we’re working for people will tend to forget.”

“Christian culture doesn’t allow for a lot of nuance.”

“Having the praise of people is not what I’m in this for.”

“Nobody’s impressed with me at home, so it’s about being vulnerable, being approachable, being real.”

“I don’t think the celebrity culture is healthy.”

“Character is everything.”

“People’s talent can take them places their character can’t handle.”

QUOTES –UNASHAMED

“When I decided to follow Jesus…I assumed that becoming a Christian would make life easier.”

“We fool ourselves into thinking that when we’re ‘born again,’ we come out of the womb walking.”

“Sometimes God lets the darkness settle before he pierces it with light.”

“Critics always have a lot of fury. But they rarely have a lot of facts.”

“If you live for people’s acceptance, you’ll die from their rejection.”

“My prayer is that you’ll make music too. Maybe not on a stage, but hopefully with your life.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Unashamed

Reach Records

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast Todd Adkins and I talk with Eric Geiger about the good, the bad, the benefits, and the challenges of bivocational ministry. We talk about it from the perspective of both the church and of the pastor. And you may not know this, but Eric is a bivocational minister, serving as both the VP of LifeWay's Resources Division and as the Senior Pastor of Clearview Church in Brentwood, TN.  THat means we have a real life expert on the show! Enjoy as we explore the following questions.

* Is bivocational ministry making a comeback as church planting grows and the church culture changes?

* Is bivocational ministry better for churches and for the pastor than full time pastoring?

* What are the benefits for the church and pastor?

* What are the challenges for the church and pastor?

* What made you want to serve bi-vocationally?

BEST QUOTES

“It’s not making a comeback. It’s been here for years.”

“In many cases bi-vocational ministry is a financial reality.”

“If life is ministry and ministry is life it’s hard to set boundaries.”

“When you’re talking to your congregation about being slat and light in the workplace they know that you’re also being salt and light in the workplace.”

“Bi-vocational ministry is becoming more prominent in the states in larger church contexts."

“When we say “bi-vocational” it could be someone is paid or someone is not.”

“Clinging to old ways of doing things might not make sense.”

“You can’t grow into spiritual maturity without using your gifts in service to Christ.”

“A tiny church can be really healthy without the burden of finances.”

“A church can get upside down on staffing in a budget quicker than anything else.”

“Bivocational can send the signal that we have a pastor whose roll isn’t to do everything.”

“It helps a pastor be connected to the community.”

“It helps a pastor face the regular rhythm of what’s happening in the pews.”

“The downside of bivocational ministry hinges on one word: expectations.”

“You will have serious opportunity cost at every turn.”

“You have to develop a strong framework and be disciplined to stick to it.”

“People are not called necessarily to a single thing.”

“People think they have to go on church staff if they’re called into ministry. But we’re all called into ministry.”

“At LifeWay, we’re addicted to the local church.”

“Bivocational is not the junior varsity pastor position.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

10 Reasons Bivocational Ministry Matters

The Demands and Benefits of the Bivocational Minister

What is Bivocational Ministry?