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

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?

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?

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast Todd Adkins and I talk with Christine Caine, the founder of the A21 campaign and Propel Women as well as an internationally know speaker and author. Christine's passion for Christ, the lost, those facing injustice, and the lives of women in particular come through loud and clear. She is a ton of fun to talk with and overflows with insights, encouragement, and challenges for all listeners. Enjoy the conversation!

BEST QUOTES

“There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to be obedient to the Lord and having your brothers and sisters heap condemnation and guilt on you.”

“As followers of Christ our primary mission, our primary identity is to lead people to Jesus.”

“The fruits of the spirit are not girly; they’re godly.”

“Sometimes [the church] has staffed our way out engaging the saints in the work of the ministry.”

“Sometimes a ‘call to ministry’ is not a call to ministry. It’s a call to matter and serve where they are.”

“To be a leader a women often thinks ‘I have to act like a man.’ And usually the worst characteristics of men.”

“To live a transformational life you must be transformed.”

“At the end of the day you need to grow to where you need to be.”

“Your skill level is secondary to your willingness to learn.”

“What is in you that’s still broken?”

“Single going full on toward Jesus is so much better than marrying the wrong person.”

“For this cause I was born – not to go and do witnessing, but to be a witness.”

“Trust Jesus with your future.”

“We’ve confused spectacular with supernatural.”

“Godly ambition will have you being faithful right where you are.”

“We have a generation chasing the spotlight, but if the light that is on you is brighter than the light that is in you it will kill you.”

“Since when did it become how good di you do instead of what did God do?”

“Who cares how many ‘likes’ you got. How many are becoming like Christ?”

“You don’t want to be anywhere God hasn’t put you or the devil will kill you.”

“Don’t try to promote yourself; promotion comes from God.”

“A false humility has as much pride as ‘I’m going to go change the world because I’m great.’”

“Hustle is just faithfulness if done right.”

“Transformation usually occurs in the context of relationship.”

“We spend so much time chasing big things that we’re not faithful in small things, or what we consider small things.”

“Christian leaders who are unattached to a local church are not terribly trustworthy.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Propel Women

The A21 Campaign

Unashamed by Christine Caine

Unashamed by Lecrae

Surprised by Hope – N.T. Wright

Simply Christian – N.T. Wright

The N.T. Wright Podcast

The Mission of God – Christopher J. Wright

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast Todd Adkins and I talk with Christine Caine, the founder of the A21 campaign and Propel Women as well as an internationally know speaker and author. Christine’s passion for Christ, the lost, those facing injustice, and the lives of women in particular come through loud and clear. She is a ton of fun to talk with and overflows with insights, encouragement, and challenges for all listeners. Enjoy the conversation!

BEST QUOTES

“There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to be obedient to the Lord and having your brothers and sisters heap condemnation and guilt on you.”

“As followers of Christ our primary mission, our primary identity is to lead people to Jesus.”

“The fruits of the spirit are not girly; they’re godly.”

“Sometimes [the church] has staffed our way out engaging the saints in the work of the ministry.”

“Sometimes a ‘call to ministry’ is not a call to ministry. It’s a call to matter and serve where they are.”

“To be a leader a women often thinks ‘I have to act like a man.’ And usually the worst characteristics of men.”

“To live a transformational life you must be transformed.”

“At the end of the day you need to grow to where you need to be.”

“Your skill level is secondary to your willingness to learn.”

“What is in you that’s still broken?”

“Single going full on toward Jesus is so much better than marrying the wrong person.”

“For this cause I was born – not to go and do witnessing, but to be a witness.”

“Trust Jesus with your future.”

“We’ve confused spectacular with supernatural.”

“Godly ambition will have you being faithful right where you are.”

“We have a generation chasing the spotlight, but if the light that is on you is brighter than the light that is in you it will kill you.”

“Since when did it become how good di you do instead of what did God do?”

“Who cares how many ‘likes’ you got. How many are becoming like Christ?”

“You don’t want to be anywhere God hasn’t put you or the devil will kill you.”

“Don’t try to promote yourself; promotion comes from God.”

“A false humility has as much pride as ‘I’m going to go change the world because I’m great.’”

“Hustle is just faithfulness if done right.”

“Transformation usually occurs in the context of relationship.”

“We spend so much time chasing big things that we’re not faithful in small things, or what we consider small things.”

“Christian leaders who are unattached to a local church are not terribly trustworthy.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Propel Women

The A21 Campaign

Unashamed by Christine Caine

Unashamed by Lecrae

Surprised by Hope – N.T. Wright

Simply Christian – N.T. Wright

The N.T. Wright Podcast

The Mission of God – Christopher J. Wright

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast Todd Adkins and I talk with Christine Caine, the founder of the A21 campaign and Propel Women as well as an internationally know speaker and author. Christine’s passion for Christ, the lost, those facing injustice, and the lives of women in particular come through loud and clear. She is a ton of fun to talk with and overflows with insights, encouragement, and challenges for all listeners. Enjoy the conversation!

BEST QUOTES

“There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to be obedient to the Lord and having your brothers and sisters heap condemnation and guilt on you.”

“As followers of Christ our primary mission, our primary identity is to lead people to Jesus.”

“The fruits of the spirit are not girly; they’re godly.”

“Sometimes [the church] has staffed our way out engaging the saints in the work of the ministry.”

“Sometimes a ‘call to ministry’ is not a call to ministry. It’s a call to matter and serve where they are.”

“To be a leader a women often thinks ‘I have to act like a man.’ And usually the worst characteristics of men.”

“To live a transformational life you must be transformed.”

“At the end of the day you need to grow to where you need to be.”

“Your skill level is secondary to your willingness to learn.”

“What is in you that’s still broken?”

“Single going full on toward Jesus is so much better than marrying the wrong person.”

“For this cause I was born – not to go and do witnessing, but to be a witness.”

“Trust Jesus with your future.”

“We’ve confused spectacular with supernatural.”

“Godly ambition will have you being faithful right where you are.”

“We have a generation chasing the spotlight, but if the light that is on you is brighter than the light that is in you it will kill you.”

“Since when did it become how good di you do instead of what did God do?”

“Who cares how many ‘likes’ you got. How many are becoming like Christ?”

“You don’t want to be anywhere God hasn’t put you or the devil will kill you.”

“Don’t try to promote yourself; promotion comes from God.”

“A false humility has as much pride as ‘I’m going to go change the world because I’m great.’”

“Hustle is just faithfulness if done right.”

“Transformation usually occurs in the context of relationship.”

“We spend so much time chasing big things that we’re not faithful in small things, or what we consider small things.”

“Christian leaders who are unattached to a local church are not terribly trustworthy.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Propel Women

The A21 Campaign

Unashamed by Christine Caine

Unashamed by Lecrae

Surprised by Hope – N.T. Wright

Simply Christian – N.T. Wright

The N.T. Wright Podcast

The Mission of God – Christopher J. Wright

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions Podcast Todd Adkins sits down with Brad Lomenick to talk about whether leaders should develop their own platforms and, if so, how should they do that well without losing their souls. In this digital age "platform" has become currency, a crucial piece of influence. Or at leas that's how it's presented. Is this healthy? Is it necessary? If so, can leaders build a platform well without coming off like self-aggrandizing jerks? These are the issues discussed in this podcast.

* Is a public platform important for a leader?

* What are the benefits to the leader and to the organization of a public platform?

* How should a leader balance the development of a platform vs. his or her responsibilities within the organization?

* What are the detriments or risks of a public platform?

* What are some practical ways to begin developing a platform well?

BEST QUOTES

“Be intentional in letting your impact go beyond your implied or given circle of influence.”

“The bigger you grow your impact through platform the better your influence will be because you’re a leader who has something to add to people.”

“It’s never been easier to build or more difficult to maintain a platform.”

“Platform is marketing.”

“When you’re a pastor you have a platform.”

“Check yourself: is adding more followers for yourself really helping the organization?”

“Is your platform building aligned with the organization?”

“Push to find people in your circle who will call you out.”

“Am I building my own kingdom, the kingdom of others, or the Kingdom?”

“How much of my own platform is being used for the gain of others?”

“The greatest leaders realize that most of their fruit grows on other people’s trees.”

“I trust those who give more than they take.”

“Pushing yourself into the shadow is never a bad strategic plan.”

“To build a platform you don’t have to talk all the time.”

“The more power you have at your fingertips the less likely you are to be accountable.”

“It’s so easy to forget that your relationship with Christ is the foundation.”

“The higher your platform goes the deeper the foundation must be built.”

“Don’t compare your day-to-day to somebody else’s highlight reel.”

“Look at why you’re trying to build a platform. Do you have good motives?”

“Start. That’s the first step.”

“Be generous.”

“The power of the retweet is huge.”

“You don’t have to be a creator of content. You can be a really good curator of content.”

“Do something worth emulating.”

RECOMMENDED REOURCES

ThomRainer.com

EdStetzer.com

EricGeiger.com

NewChurches.com

H3 Leadership by Brad Lomenick

 

 

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions Podcast Todd Adkins sits down with Brad Lomenick to talk about whether leaders should develop their own platforms and, if so, how should they do that well without losing their souls. In this digital age “platform” has become currency, a crucial piece of influence. Or at leas that’s how it’s presented. Is this healthy? Is it necessary? If so, can leaders build a platform well without coming off like self-aggrandizing jerks? These are the issues discussed in this podcast.

* Is a public platform important for a leader?

* What are the benefits to the leader and to the organization of a public platform?

* How should a leader balance the development of a platform vs. his or her responsibilities within the organization?

* What are the detriments or risks of a public platform?

* What are some practical ways to begin developing a platform well?

BEST QUOTES

“Be intentional in letting your impact go beyond your implied or given circle of influence.”

“The bigger you grow your impact through platform the better your influence will be because you’re a leader who has something to add to people.”

“It’s never been easier to build or more difficult to maintain a platform.”

“Platform is marketing.”

“When you’re a pastor you have a platform.”

“Check yourself: is adding more followers for yourself really helping the organization?”

“Is your platform building aligned with the organization?”

“Push to find people in your circle who will call you out.”

“Am I building my own kingdom, the kingdom of others, or the Kingdom?”

“How much of my own platform is being used for the gain of others?”

“The greatest leaders realize that most of their fruit grows on other people’s trees.”

“I trust those who give more than they take.”

“Pushing yourself into the shadow is never a bad strategic plan.”

“To build a platform you don’t have to talk all the time.”

“The more power you have at your fingertips the less likely you are to be accountable.”

“It’s so easy to forget that your relationship with Christ is the foundation.”

“The higher your platform goes the deeper the foundation must be built.”

“Don’t compare your day-to-day to somebody else’s highlight reel.”

“Look at why you’re trying to build a platform. Do you have good motives?”

“Start. That’s the first step.”

“Be generous.”

“The power of the retweet is huge.”

“You don’t have to be a creator of content. You can be a really good curator of content.”

“Do something worth emulating.”

RECOMMENDED REOURCES

ThomRainer.com

EdStetzer.com

EricGeiger.com

NewChurches.com

H3 Leadership by Brad Lomenick

 

 

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions Podcast Todd Adkins sits down with Brad Lomenick to talk about whether leaders should develop their own platforms and, if so, how should they do that well without losing their souls. In this digital age “platform” has become currency, a crucial piece of influence. Or at leas that’s how it’s presented. Is this healthy? Is it necessary? If so, can leaders build a platform well without coming off like self-aggrandizing jerks? These are the issues discussed in this podcast.

* Is a public platform important for a leader?

* What are the benefits to the leader and to the organization of a public platform?

* How should a leader balance the development of a platform vs. his or her responsibilities within the organization?

* What are the detriments or risks of a public platform?

* What are some practical ways to begin developing a platform well?

BEST QUOTES

“Be intentional in letting your impact go beyond your implied or given circle of influence.”

“The bigger you grow your impact through platform the better your influence will be because you’re a leader who has something to add to people.”

“It’s never been easier to build or more difficult to maintain a platform.”

“Platform is marketing.”

“When you’re a pastor you have a platform.”

“Check yourself: is adding more followers for yourself really helping the organization?”

“Is your platform building aligned with the organization?”

“Push to find people in your circle who will call you out.”

“Am I building my own kingdom, the kingdom of others, or the Kingdom?”

“How much of my own platform is being used for the gain of others?”

“The greatest leaders realize that most of their fruit grows on other people’s trees.”

“I trust those who give more than they take.”

“Pushing yourself into the shadow is never a bad strategic plan.”

“To build a platform you don’t have to talk all the time.”

“The more power you have at your fingertips the less likely you are to be accountable.”

“It’s so easy to forget that your relationship with Christ is the foundation.”

“The higher your platform goes the deeper the foundation must be built.”

“Don’t compare your day-to-day to somebody else’s highlight reel.”

“Look at why you’re trying to build a platform. Do you have good motives?”

“Start. That’s the first step.”

“Be generous.”

“The power of the retweet is huge.”

“You don’t have to be a creator of content. You can be a really good curator of content.”

“Do something worth emulating.”

RECOMMENDED REOURCES

ThomRainer.com

EdStetzer.com

EricGeiger.com

NewChurches.com

H3 Leadership by Brad Lomenick

 

 

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast Todd Adkins and I talk with Rebekah Lyons, an author and co-founder of Q Ideas with her husband Gabe Lyons. Q Ideas exists to help Christians, especially leaders, recover a vision for their historic responsibility to renew and restore cultures. They host events, online conversations, and have a wealth of content at their website - QIdeas.org. Rebekah has a particular passion for seeing women reach their full potential in Christ, and that comes through clearly in this conversation. She is a real, honest, clear speaker and wonderful guest. Enjoy!

BEST QUOTES

“In your 20s you’re so full of zeal and you’re going to charge hell with a water pistol.”

“Christians are called to redeem entire cultures, not just individuals.”

“Could we rebuild the credibility of the Christian faith because we’re showing not telling.”

“We felt there was a difference between the church leaders siting around the table in the kitchen and the cultural leaders sitting around the cocktail bar.”

“ If you’re not learning you have a short shelf life.”

“I’m a big fan of books by dead people.”

“It’s not there’s not credibility in what’s being said right now, but it’s hard to sort it out with all the noise.”

“Where are all the 2016 heroes of the faith?”

“We have glorified our work and our ministries.”

“Are we so busy serving God that we don’t actually know who He is?”

“Quiet, patience, and listening are not things often found in the stereotypical leader.”

“We’re looking at how everyone else is doing things and then we copy it. This is now the strategy.”

“There is a counter-balance to strategy.”

“Where have I made much of my travel or writing so that someone else in the kingdom feels like their contribution is insignificant?”

“All Jesus talks about is the kingdom; that’s what we’re all working toward.”

“God is after the one who is humble and is seeking Him.”

“What if we led with vulnerability in our faith?”

“It’s so freeing as parents to be honest about things that were hard for us.”

“It’s freeing to be the first to apologize.”

“Stop trying so hard to earn your worth.”

“God is not casual about rest. He hasn’t established rest as optional.”

“You carve out hours out your schedule where you say ‘I’m not going to program this. I’m going to get alone with God.’”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Q Ideas

Q Conference – April 21-23, Denver, CO

Freefall to Fly

Q Women

Man’s search for Meaning by Victor Frankl

Abiding in Christ by Andrew Murray

Artists Way by Julia Cameron