Influence Podcast

"As ones who have been shown mercy, may we [Christians] demonstrate God's compassion toward those who embrace all things LGBTQ" writes Linda Seiler in Transformation.

"At the same time, may we hold fast to God's Word, refusing to compromise on His sacred design for sexuality that images the gospel. Such compassion without compromise reflects God's heart and leads to transformation."

In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Seiler about her former desire to become a man, and how Jesus Christ transformed her from the inside out. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.

Linda Seiler, Ph.D., is an ordained Assemblies of God minister, a Chi Alpha missionary, and executive director of ReStory ministries. She is author of Transformation: A Former Transgender Responds to LGBTQ.

—————

This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Captivated.

There is a difference between knowing the Word of God and knowing the God of the Word. The Captivated Bible study takes women deeper with God so that they may be firmly rooted, unshakable, and flourishing in His Kingdom.

For more information about Captivated, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

On June 3, 2024, Rick Ross began serving as general treasurer of the Assemblies of God, succeeding Choco De Jésus, who became executive director of AG U.S. Missions.

In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk with Ross about what the general treasurer does and how well the AG is doing financially, as well as financial advice for AG congregations and ministers.

I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.

Rick Ross, D.Min., has deep roots in the AG, and comes to this office with a wide variety of ministry experiences, including as a pastor, district leader, university board chair, and executive presbyter. He has served churches in Illinois, Washington, and North Carolina, most recently as district superintendent in that state.

—————

This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of NextGen High Scores.

Grounded in research and illustrated with real-life experience, NextGen High Scores explains in practical language the most common behaviors, practices, and strategies of kids and youth pastors who make a lasting impact.

For more information about NextGen High Scores visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

"Crisis communication is a crucial aspect of managing any organization's reputation and maintaining public trust during a time of great challenge," writes Phil Cooke in Church on Trial.

"For churches and Christian ministries, crisis communication is particularly important because they are often viewed as trusted institutions in their communities, and their responses to calamity can significantly impact their church members, donors, supporters, and the public's perception."

In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Cooke about what churches should do in a crisis. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.

Phil Cooke, Ph.D., is co-founder and CEO of Cooke Media Group in Los Angeles, as well as the nonprofit organization, The Influence Lab. He has produced media programming and commercials in nearly 70 countries for clients includingπ Hollywood studios, major nonprofits, and faith-based organizations around the world. He is author of Church on Trial: How to Protect Your Congregation, Mission, and Reputation During a Crisis, published by Avail.

—————

This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Captivated.

There is a difference between knowing the Word of God and knowing the God of the Word. The Captivated Bible study takes women deeper with God so that they may be firmly rooted, unshakable, and flourishing in His Kingdom.

For more information about Captivated, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

"Do you find your inner life compromised by repeated yielding to sexual temptation?" So asked Arnold Fleagle and Don Lichi in their book, Broken Windows of the Soul.

They went on to say: "You are not alone. The moral fabric of our culture is being ripped apart as large numbers of men and women are indulging in infidelity, perverted sexuality and pornography. … It is becoming increasingly difficult to find any individuals who are healthy and whole in their lifestyle."

In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Lichi about the baleful impact of pornography and what Christians can do when they're affected by it. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.

Don Lichi, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in the State of Ohio and vice president emeritus of EMERGE Counseling Ministries, where he served for nearly 30 years. He is coauthor, with Arnold Fleagle, of Broken Windows of the Soul: A Pastor and a Christian Psychologist Discuss Sexual Sins and the Prescription to Heal Them, published by Moody Press.

—————

This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Cultivating a Spirit-Empowered Kids Ministry.

Cultivating a Spirit-Empowered Kids Ministry will equip you with practical tools to intentionally make room for the Holy Spirit in your kids ministry. It includes practical tips for leading kids to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, respond to the Holy Spirit, and receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

For more information about Cultivating a Spirit-Empowered Kids Ministry, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

"Christian Nationalism has garnered significant attention in recent years, owing to the potential dangers it poses for American democracy. Its specter has spurred newfound interest in the role of religion in American public life with fresh considerations of familiar questions: Is religion resurging as a force in politics? Will America's Christian majority restrict the rights of religious minorities? Is Christian nationalism a real threat, or a small, extreme faction with outsized press coverage?"

So asks Christian Nationalism: A New Approach, a December 2023 report by Neighborly Faith. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Kevin Singer, Ryan Burge, and Mark David Hall about that report and the questions it raises.

I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.

Kevin Singer is president of Neighborly Faith, a nonprofit whose mission is to provide "research and events introducing Christians to neighbors of every faith." Ryan Burge is associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University and an ordained Baptist pastor; he posts regularly at Graphs About Religion. Mark David Hall is a professor at Regent University's Robertson School of Government and a senior fellow at the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy, where he directs its Religious Liberty in the States initiative.

My conversation with them is coming up after a brief word from our sponsor.

—————

This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project.

The Bible Engagement Project library includes free preschool curriculum that brings Bible time and play time together. Each lesson is designed to engage young minds during the lesson and make sure the principles they're learning stay with them when they get home, as well as while they grow.

Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to create your free account and get started.

On May 2, 1870, a baby was born in Centerville, Louisiana, to formerly enslaved parents. Raised in poverty, segregated by a white supremacist society, he nonetheless went on to lead one of the most significant revival movements of the twentieth century. I'm talking about William J. Seymour, of course, and the Azusa Street Revival he led from 1906–1909. This revival was a critical node in the social network of early Pentecostalism.

Today is the 154th anniversary of Seymour's birth; in honor of which, I've invited Dr. Larry Martin to talk about the significance of his life and ministry.

I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.

Martin is an ordained Assemblies of God minister, founder of River of Revival Ministries, and Pentecostal historian. His most recent book is William J. Seymour: Pentecostal Trailblazer and Revered Pastor of the Azusa Street Revival, published this year by Whitaker House.

—————

This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Cultivating a Spirit-Empowered Kids Ministry.

Cultivating a Spirit-Empowered Kids Ministry will equip you with practical tools to intentionally make room for the Holy Spirit in your kids ministry. It includes practical tips for leading kids to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, respond to the Holy Spirit, and receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

For more information about Cultivating a Spirit-Empowered Kids Ministry, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

"God didn't call the perfect version of you, the version that has years of experience or the version that has it all figured out." writes John Zick. "In fact, He has no desire for a version of you that does not desperately need him. Paul understood this when he said in 2 Corinthians 12:9 [NLT], 'I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.'"

In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Zick about being called into ministry, recognizing personal imperfections, and learning from others on the leadership journey.

I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.

John Zick is an ordained Assemblies of God minister, director of the AG's Called initiative, and editor of From Leaders For Leaders: A Guide for Those Called Into Ministry, published by GPH.

—————

This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Guided Student Devotional.

Guided Student Devotional will help youth develop a habit of spending time with God and reading His Word every day. Each devotion will focus on a dimension of a Spirit-filled disciple: Bible, Holy Spirit, Mission, Prayer, Worship, Service, and Generosity.

For more information about the Guided Student Devotional, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

"Church size matters to us far more than it should. From the pride it brings when the numbers are up to the shame and frustration it causes when the numbers are static or down, none of this provides a healthy foundation on which to build a healthy church body," writes Karl Vaters.

He goes on to suggest a solution: "We need to de-size the church."

In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Vaters about why bigness is a problem, why de-sizing the church is a solution, and how to do it.

I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.

Karl Vaters has served in small-church ministry for over 40 years, so he speaks and writes from decades of hands-on pastoral experience. An ordained Assemblies of God minister, he is author most recently of De-Sizing the Church: How Church Growth Became a Science, Then an Obsession, and What's Next, published this month by Moody Press.

—————

This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Momentum Training Series.

Momentum Training Series will help you become more effective in your ministry, whether you are a new volunteer or a seasoned leader. The series covers topics such as including children with disabilities, teaching lessons that last, leaving a spiritual legacy, and cultivating a Spirit-empowered kids ministry.

For more information about Momentum Training Series, visit MomentumTrainingSeries.com.

"To invest one's life in the next generation for the sake of the kingdom of God is to do the work that Jesus did," writes Lee Rogers. "Few will notice the nobility and spiritual richness of the work, yet for those who minister to the next generation, the value is high — and the impact is eternal."

In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Rogers about what NextGen ministry is, why it's important, and what factors contribute to long-term effectiveness.

I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.

Lee Rogers is a NextGen ministry veteran with over 25 years of experience working with young people. He serves as director of Student Evangelism for Assemblies of God Youth Ministries and is author of NextGen High Scores: How to Win at Ministry to the Next Generation, published by GPH.

—————

This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project.

Bible Engagement Project equips churches with free curriculum for preschool, kids, youth, and adults, available in both English and Spanish. The curriculum library provides you with discipleship resources that transform lives and anchor your church in the Bible.

Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to create your free account.

"The entire second half of 1 Samuel is the story of an abuser hunting down a victim," according to Jim Bradford. The abuser is King Saul, and his intended victim is David. "Saul literally threw spears," Bradford notes; "abusive leaders do so figuratively.

I recently heard Bradford preach a sermon about responding to abusive authority based on 1 Samuel and thought it would make an excellent podcast. After all, it seems that every few weeks news breaks about a pastor who has used their position trust for selfish gain. Christians — whether church leaders or laypeople — need to know how to respond.

So, I've invited Bradford onto the podcast today to talk about how to deal with spiritual abusers. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.

Jim Bradford, Ph.D., is an ordained Assemblies of God minister; lead pastor at Central Assembly in Springfield, Missouri; former AG general secretary; and a longtime mentor and friend.

—————

This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project.

Bible Engagement Project equips churches with free curriculum for preschool, kids, youth, and adults, available in both English and Spanish. The curriculum library provides you with discipleship resources that transform lives and anchor your church in the Bible.

Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to create your free account.