Using People…For God’s Glory?

In this episode of the Centering, hosts Yulee Lee and Daniel Lee are joined by special guest Dr. Kevin Doi, Director of Pastoral Formation at the AAC and Affiliate Assistant Professor of Asian American Church Studies at Fuller Seminary. The conversation delves into the temptation to use people for ministry growth, the importance of honoring individual callings, and creating a church environment focused on relational health rather than numerical growth. The episode highlights practical strategies for both recognizing and countering toxic ministry practices in church leadership.

00:00 Introduction to Toxic Ministry

00:47 Understanding Toxic Ministry for God's Glory

02:29 Guest Introduction: Dr. Kevin Doi

04:23 The Familiarity of Oppression in Ministry

06:39 The Challenge of Healthy Boundaries

09:19 Rethinking Church Growth and Leadership

15:45 The Importance of Relational Ministry

25:11 The Role of Ministry Beyond Church Walls

25:57 Challenges of Church Leadership

27:12 Personal Experiences in Church Dynamics

29:29 The Pressure of Metrics in Ministry

32:20 Rethinking Church Leadership and Community

40:30 Practical Steps for Healthy Ministry

47:29 Concluding Thoughts and Next Episode Preview

Asian American Pastoral Formation Initiative https://aac.fuller.edu/initiatives/pastoral-formation-initiative/

Leadership and the New Science by Margaret Wheatley https://margaretwheatley.com/books/leadership-and-the-new-science/

Fall 2026 Asian American Ministry Doctor of Ministry cohort, mentored by Dr. Kevin Doi and Dr. Daniel Lee https://fuller.edu/dmin/fall-2026-asian-american-ministry-cohort/

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