Last In Line Leadership

OPENING MESSAGE TO MEN:

• MEN WHO ARE FEELING SPIRITUALLY STAGNANT

• MEN WHO ARE EXHAUSTED

• MEN WHO FEEL INSIGNIFICANT

• MINISTRY FEELS DEAD

SEGMENTS OF SUFFERING

• HOW MIGHT SUFFERING BECOME A SPIRITUAL SPRING BOARD?
• Resources through suffering
• When suffering becomes a sign post for ministry

SELF-INFLICTED SUFFERING

• MORAL FAILURE IN MARRIAGE | FIRED FROM JOB | FINANCIAL RUIN 
• IS THIS DIFFERENT AND ARE WE JUSTIFIED IN NEEDING A GRIEVING PROCESS?
• NOTHING WASTED

PERSONAL SUFFERING JOURNEY

• SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD | 3 MONTHS NICU
• NOT DIAGNOSED TIL AGE 12
• RARE GENETIC DISEASE | 12th KNOWN CASE
• 40+ SURGERIES | MENTALLY NORMAL BUT MUSCULAR DEFICIENCY 

Lysa Turkhurst spoke at Joby‘s conference and talked about how there is always a meanwhile with God

• What was God doing “Meanwhile”, you are dealing with special needs daughter in those first few years?
• Looking back, what crystallized most during that forced down shifting season?

QUOTE:

GOD WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS?

• I know how to be a servant of God, not a son
  

BROKENNESS BREEDS SPIRITUAL RICHNESS

• Would I grow spiritually as deeply without the suffering?

10TEN PROJECT MINISTRY

PREHAB FOR MINISTRY LEADERS

• 10Ten Project creates in-person excursions, monthly group leadership coaching with world class experts and a therapeutic counseling retreat with Onsite Workshops. Our leaders will walk away with a community who will keep them from isolation and as well as developed tools to help keep them in Kingdom work for the long haul.
• Made of cohorts in a year long program
• Licensed therapist on staff
• What can people expect to get out of it that they can’t get out of it in a standard discipleship or accountability structure?

3 WAYS TO DEEPEN HEART WORK

• Deep study
• Deep prayer
• Deep sorrow

• deny
• Hide behind the Bible
• Hide behind theology

• pastors have no theology of suffering
• Pastors deflect messages that were meant for they’re healing in the name of serving their flock

WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE TO ACHIEVE REST IN THE WRESTLE?

ORDER OF MAN- THE EVIL OF MORAL RELATIVISM- REAL LIFE OBJECTIVE MORALITY- DOCTRINE OF POPULAR CULTURE- THE LIE OF HAVE - DO - BE- THE TRUTH OF BE - DO - HAVE- CREATING PURPOSE VS. 'FINDING' PURPOSE

FOLLOW RYAN:

https://orderofman.com/

https://orderofman.com/podcast-2/

PULSE OF MEN TODAY: WHAT’S THE COLLECTIVE BURDEN MEN ARE CARRYING? AGGREGATELY: MEN ARE MOST DEFICIENT IN WHAT AREA? GLARING VACANCIESRECENT POSTS STILLNESS & APATHY DISCUSS HEALTHY RE-CHARGE & RE-CALIBRATE RE-SET FIGHTING AGAINST THE CURRENT CURRENTS MEN ARE FACING AND FAILING TO SWIM UPSTREAM AGAINST?MESSAGE TO YOUNG MENKEYS TO PERSONAL AGENCY AND SOVEREIGNTY1. CREATE PURPOSE2. FIND BROTHERHOODGO WHERE GOOD MEN ARE3. KNOW GODTRUE INTIMACY AND CONNECTION 4. BUILD COMPETENCYUSEFUL SKILLS ENABLE AND EMPOWER YOU AS PROVIDER PROTECTOR PRESIDERRYAN'S PERSONAL SPRINGBOARD TO PSYCHOLOGICAL/EMOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL FREEDOM ?KEYS TO OVERCOMING HARDSHIPHOW DO WE SUFFER WELL? GRIEVE IN HEALTHY WAY KEYS TO HEALING? CAUTIONARY TALE: USE FOR GROWTH & SERVICE OF OTHERS

Chris Grainger is the founder and podcast host of "The Lion Within Us," a platform for men to discuss faith, ambition, and living a life of purpose. He is known for creating content that helps men connect with their audience and serve others.

The Lion Within Us was created out of a journey of loneliness and to explore why many of us have a gap between how we would like to perform and how we do perform on Sunday and how we perform on Wednesday afternoon. That exploration led to the creation of a community focused on strengthening our minds and bodies, developing stewardship of our careers and finances, while embracing the call we have to serve our homes as husbands and fathers – a community that grows everyday and has become a spiritual and intellectual home for many of us. We hope you might learn more about us here.

THE LION WITHIN US:

https://thelionwithin.us/about/

CHRIS'S NEW BOOK:

https://a.co/d/3Alh4lo

BACKGROUND

• ENGINEERING DEGREE
• FIRST MARRIAGE ENDED IN DIVORCE
• SECOND MARRIAGE LOST A BABY
• WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED MOST ABIJT YOURSELF AND ABOUT GOD THROUGH A MAN’s DARKEST MOMENTS?

• PIVOTAL TRANSITION DEFINING MOMENT:  FROM ENGINEER MINDED LOGIC-DATA SOLUTION TO SPIRITUAL MINDED
• WHAT WAS KEY IN MAKING THAT TRANSITION?

• IMPOSTER SYNDROME:  DID YOU EVER DEAL WITH IT?
• WHAT GAVE YOU CONFIDENCE TO WRITE AND RELEASE A BOOK LIKE THIS?
• SO MANY MENS BOOKS LATELY:  HOW IS THIS ONE UNIQUE?

BOOK LAYOUT

• CHAPTER
• SIMPLIFY & APPLY
• SCRIPTURE FOR MEDITATION 
• UNLEASHING THE LION WITHIN
• REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Section 1: How To Protect The Mind  

• CONSUMPTION 
• MINDSET
• CREATE
• MENTORSHIP 
• LION’S DEN

• MEN’S GREATEST STRUGGLE WITH THE BATTLE OF THEIR MIND?
• 2 COR 10:5: EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE

• WHAT PRACTICAL HABITS TO CREATE?

Section 2: How To Embrace Stewardship 

• BUDGET | DAVE RAMSEY “A BUDGET TELLS YOUR MONEY WHERE TO GO”
• FUNDAMENTALS | DISCUSS
• WAS THIS INTENTIONAL?DEPTH OF CONTENT ON STEWARDSHIP AS IT RELATES TO FINANCES?

Section 3: How To Cultivate Marriage.

• COMMUNICATION

• EMPATHETIC LISTENING 
• SAVE A LOT OF HEARTACHE JAMES 1:19

• IN-LAWS & OUT-LAWS

• ADVICE TO PARENTS OF KIDS MARRYING INTO DYSFUNCTIONAL IN-LAW FAMILY?

• RAISING KIDS
• DATING
• ADVENTURE
• GRACE

• BIGGEST LEARNING CURVE FOR YOU IN MARRIAGE?
• WHAT HAD TO DIE IN YOU FOR YOUR MARRIAGE TO GROW?
• PRAYING WITH WIFE

Section 4: How To Tune Our Bodies.

• HABITS
• MOVE
• NATURE
• REST

Section 5: How To Pursue Careers

• LEARNING YOURSELF
• WORKING HARD DAILY
• DEFINING GOALS
• NETWORKING
• ADVANCEMENT 
• CHANGING CAREERS
• PURSUING YOUR PASSIONS

Section 6: How To Raise Godly Children

• JOY
• 1 on 1 TIME
• TEACHING
• FAMILY CALENDAR
• GRACE
• DISCIPLINE 

Section 7: How To Embrace Spiritual Leadership...

• DAILY HABITS
• LEADING BIBLE STUDY
• PRAYER PARTNERS
• SPIRITUAL MENTORS
• MAKING DISCIPLES

Pastor Roger Ross tackles this question head-on in Kinda Christian: From Curious to Serious about Jesus (Invite Ministries; October 21, 2025). His book offers a practical roadmap for anyone stuck in spiritual limbo, whether they're agnostic, exploring faith or sitting in church pews without real transformation. 

Kinda Christian provides actionable pathways through six key principles: glory, grace, group, growth, giftedness, and generosity.  Ross draws from decades of pastoral leadership—including ten years leading one of the Midwest's largest United Methodist churches—to show how modern lives are still being transformed by authentic faith. 

ROGER'S MINISTRY

BACKGROUND 

• FAITH JOURNEY
• TEENAGE & EARLY ADULTHOOD FAITH AGENCY
• LEAD PASTOR 10 YEARS
• FOUNDER OF INVITE MINISTRIES & THE HUMILITY GROUP
• MYTH ABOUT PASTORS
• MOST CHALLENGING IN VOCATIONAL MINISTRY?
• HAS CHURCH LOST THE ART OF DISCIPLESHIP?  WHY?

CULTURE

• CULTURAL CHRISTIAN VS BIBLICAL CHRISTIAN?
• DIFFERENTIATE 
• CONVICTION OVER CONVENIENCE
• REGARDLESS OF RELIGION, SPIRITUAL FLUIDITY & PROGRESSIVENESS, or DENOMINATION | WHAT ARE THE BASIC EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS ALL PEOPLE HAVE 

BOOK

Kinda Christian: From Curious to Serious about Jesus 

• RELEASED END OF OCTOBER 

MANY BOOKS ON DISCIPLESHIP 

HOW IS KINDA CHRISTIAN UNIQUE?

WHO’S IT FOR? WHY NOW?

DISCUSS: 

BRIDGING SPIRITUAL CURIOSITY AND AUTHENTIC FAITH.

• DEFINE SPIRITUAL CURIOSITY 
• WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE WE NEED THIS BRIDGE?
• HOW DO WE FIND THIS AREA OF NEED?
• DISCIPLINED TACTICAL APPROACH TO BRIDGING THIS GAP?
• GOOD > GOD > GOSPEL CONVERSATION 
• CHRISTIANS AND PASSIVE FAITH
• MORE PREVALENT? Why?

• Kinda Christian provides a practical roadmap for spiritual transformation. Divided into two sections, the book first focuses on cultivating deeply devoted disciples and then equips readers to guide others on the same journey. 

TWO SECTIONS

• Section One: Deeply Devoted Disciples
• Section Two: Disciples Who Make Disciples

3 CHARACTERISTICS OF A DISCIPLE:

1. Love God

2. Launch Community

3. Unleash Compassion

G6 NETWORK

Glory:

A disciple joyfully and intentionally lives in the presence of God both privately and publicly.

Grace: A disciple has personally accepted the unmerited love of God offered in Jesus Christ and intentionally shares Christ’s love with those who don’t know him yet.

Group:

A disciple regularly connects with a handful of other disciples to

taste grace, apply Scripture, and encourage one another to become like Christ in thought, word, and action.

Growth: A disciple takes personal responsibility for his or her spiritual journey by practicing spiritual disciplines that cultivate Christ-centered living and by helping others grow on their journey.

Giftedness: A disciple sees his or her identity as a servant of Christ, discovers one’s spiritual gifts, deploys them in ministry under God’s direction, and develops them to their fullest potential.

Generosity: A disciple humbly recognizes all of life belongs to God and cheerfully gives his or her time and resources to bring Christ’s healing, justice, and hope to those in need.

FUTURE VISION

• INVITE MINISTRIES | DISCUSS

• “high on Jesus and low on politics.”
• SHOULD WE COMPARTMENTALIZE?
• SHOULD CHRISTIANS AVOID VOICING TRUTH IN UNCOMFORTABLE SECTORS?

• ENCOURAGEMENT AND CHALLENGE TO CHRISTIAN MEN

Steve Austin has been a pastor and senior director at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas - the largest church in America - for over 20 years. He has overseen 24 ministries and 40 adult Bible classes and has been a frequent speaker. Steve has ministered to thousands of sick people and their families in the largest medical center in the world - the Texas Medical Center in Houston - and did hospital chaplaincy training at MD Anderson Cancer Center, the world's top cancer center. He is the President and Executive Director of Living Hope Chaplaincy, a nonprofit organization that trains and mobilizes volunteers to provide spiritual care to hospital patients, their families, and healthcare workers.

STEVE'S BOOK:

https://a.co/d/fAQc9sX

YOU DON'T ALWAYS SEE THE FRUIT

YOU MAY NOT ALWAYS SEE THE HARVEST

IF IT MATTERS TO GOD, IT MATTERS

IF IT ADVANCES THE KINGDOM, IT MATTERS

IF IT SERVES AND EMPOWERS OTHERS, IT MATTERS

IF IT INSPIRES SOMEONE TO TAKE ONE MORE STEP TOWARD JESUS, IT MATTERS

CRAIG'S WEBSITE:

https://www.craigthompson.org/about-2/

CRAIG'S PODCAST:

https://www.craigthompson.org/category/podcast/

BUY CRAIG'S NEW BOOK:

https://makeitordinary.org/podcast/fighting-for-your-family/

Craig Thompson is a disciple, husband, father, and pastor. Craig has been the pastor of Malvern Hill Baptist Church since 2007. After high school he attended Presbyterian College and later completed his M.Div and Ph.D. at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Craig served vocationally in local church ministry throughout all three of his academic degrees. Craig has authored one book, Home for the Holidays, and has written curriculum for LifeWay Christian resources and articles for numerous periodicals and online outlets. Craig serves as a Ph.D. mentor at Columbia International University and as a resource and mentor to other pastors. Craig is passionate about the local church and seeing believers grow in faith through biblical preaching and ordinary discipleship. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, hunting, fishing, and strength training. Craig writes frequently at www.craigthompson.org and hosts a periodical podcast called the Ordinary Christian Podcast.

ROMANS 8 OVERVIEW

Romans 8 is a chapter that focuses on the life of believers who are "in Christ" and led by the Holy Spirit, emphasizing freedom from condemnation, strength over sin, and the assurance of future glory and God's unbreakable love. It highlights that the Holy Spirit provides spiritual life, helps believers overcome sin, and intercedes for them in prayer, solidifying their status as God's children. Romans 8 provides a message of hope and security, assuring believers that nothing can separate them from God's love.

FREEDOM

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬ ‭

LIFE IN THE SPIRIT

“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭6‬ ‭

“For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭13‬ ‭

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE 

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭

MORE THAN CONQUERORS

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭37‬ ‭

NOTHING CAN SEPARATE

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭38‬-‭39‬ ‭

GOAL OF DISCUSSION:

• DISCUSS ALL THE BOOKS
• BARELY SCRATCH SURFACE
• I WILL READ STATEMENTS, QUOTES, FACTS, MYTHS AND ASK TO UNPACK OR EXPOUND

BACKGROUND

• FAITH JOURNEY
• VOCATIONAL EXPERIENCE 
• WHY THE NICHE OF DEEPLY RESEARCHING DEMONIC ACTIVITY ?
• MINISTRY OF DELIVERANCE 

*** WAS YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH WARFARE HEIGHTENED WHEN WRITING THESE BOOKS ****

SKEPTICS OF SUPERNATURAL 

• TYPES OF SKEPTICS
• WHY SKEPTICAL
• HOW TO ADDRESS SKEPTICS?
• ART OVER SCIENCE
• ISSUES WITH TERMINOLOGY? ‘EXORCISM’ ‘EXORCIST’

HISTORY OF DEMONIC INFLUENCE

WORLDWIDE IMPACT

• HATIANS & VOODOO
• AFRICANS & WITCHCRAFT 
• WHY OTHER CULTURES MORE RECEPTIVE TO DEMONIC INFLUENCES?
• BARRIER TO AMERICAN CHRISTIANS ACCEPTING THE REALITY OF A SPIRITUAL REALM AND WARFARE?

DEMONIC MODALITIES 

BREAK DOWN EACH

• OUIJA BOARDS
• MEDIUMS
• OCCULTS
• CINEMA
• VIDEO GAMES
• PEOPLE

FACTS & MYTHS ABOUT DEMONS AND DEMONIC INFLUENCES 

• THE DEVIL AND HIS DEMONS ARE REAL
• THE GOAL IS TO KILL, STEAL, & DESTROY CHRISTIANS AND THEIR FAITH IN GOD
• DEMONS HAVE NO AUTHORITY OR CONTROL
• THE DEVIL CAN READ YOUR MIND
• DEMONIC ACTIVITY CAN CONTROL BEHAVIOR
• SATAN CAN MAKE YOU DO IT
• ANY OTHER MYTHS OR MISINFORMATION ABOUT THE DEVIL?

DO WE FALSELY ATTRIBUTE TRAGEDY OR HARDSHIP ON DEMONIC ACTIVITY?

IS IT A WAY FOR US IN THE WEST TO EXPLAIN AWAY OUR POOR DECISION-MAKING?

FREE OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND AGENCY?

DO WE MAKE THE DEVIL OUR SCAPEGOAT AND GIVE HIM TOO MUCH CREDIT?

MESSAGE TO NEW CHRISTIANS ABOUT DEMONIC INFLUENCES ? HOW CAN WE TEACH REALISM WITHOUT EXTREMISM?

SCREW-TAPE LETTERS

• DEVIL LIKES TO KEEP US:
• DISTRACTED, BUSY, COMFORTABLE & APATHETIC 
• THOUGHTS WHEN YOU FIRST READ IT COMPARED TO NOW AND ALL YOU’VE EXPERIENCED

BOOK 

SPIRITUAL WARFARE & DELIVERANCE

• HOW TO MINISTER TO THE DEMONICALLY OPPRESSED & POSSESSED

CHURCH INFLUENCE

QUOTE:

“With the demise of the Church as a governing influence in our world and the decline of devoted Christians as spiritual warriors comes a stronger dose of demonic attack around the globe.”

• CAUSE OF CHURCH DEMISE?
• WHY DECLINE OF CHRISTIANS AS WARRIORS?
• EXAMPLES OF STRONGER DOSES OF DEMONIC ATTACK?

• WORLD CONFLICT
• DOMESTIC TERRORISM : ACTS OF VIOLENCE 
• POLITICAL PARTIES REPRESENTING MORAL DECAY AND DEMONIC IDEOLOGIES 

DATA:  RISE IN PREVALENCE & POPULARITY 

• SEEMINGLY MORE PREVALENT 
• TECHNOLOGY 

• QUOTE:  “With faster and easier ways of accessing information at our fingertips, we are more informed and exposed to cases of demonic manifestation.”

• INCREASED CHURCH DOCTRINAL COMPROMISE 

• EXAMPLES OF EVIDENCE?

• DATA?
• Higher than reported and documented 
• DENOMINATIONS MOST RECEPTIVE OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE?
• WHY?

THING WE SAY:

MODERN DAY- WESTERN CULTURE CHRISTIAN REACTION TO DEMONIC ACTIVITY 

• “ITS AN ANCIENT CONCEPT”
• “IT’S LEGIT BUT ONLY IN 3rd WORLD POPULATIONS WHERE GOSPEL HASNT BEEN SHARED”
• “IT IS REDUCED DOWN TO PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS WITH SECULAR EXPLANATIONS” 

QUOTES

Although all of us struggle with demonic temptation and spiritual onslaughts, we don’t all suffer from devilish attacks manifested in physical symptoms. 

Before conversion, all people remain spiritually possessed by the devil. The devil has taken their souls captive. If they die in a state of unbelief, they’ll be taken by the devil to hell.  But the devil doesn’t usually control their bodies. They aren’t

puppets. People make rational decisions about how to live,

what to eat, where to work, who to see. They are possessed spiritually but still free in many regards. They are not physically possessed.

DEMON OPPRESSION AND POSSESSION

LIES FROM ENEMY OR ATTACKS OF ENEMY CONSIDERED DEMON OPPRESSION ?

• DIFFERENTIATE 
• HOW? 
• IF WE ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND GOD’S PEOPLE CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE?
• WHEN WAS THE FIRST ACCOUNT IN BIBLE OF DEMONIC POSSESSION?
• WHAT ENABLES HUMANS TO HOST A DEMON?
• FIRST DEMONIC OR SPIRITUALLY OPPRESSIVE ENCOUNTER?

Revelation 21:8 ““But as for the cowards and unbelieving and abominable [who are devoid of character and personal integrity and practice or tolerate immorality], and murderers, and sorcerers [with intoxicating drugs], and idolaters and occultists [who practice and teach false religions], and all the liars [who knowingly deceive and twist truth], their part will be in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.””1 Corinthians 16:13-14“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”Isaiah 35:3-4 “With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.””Exodus 15:3 ““The Lord is a warrior; The Lord is His name.”THE WEAKLING & THE WARRIORThe weakling worships his worldThe warrior worships his creatorThe weakling leans on a feelingThe warrior leans on his LordThe weakling is about misinformation The warrior is about truthThe weakling is about victimhood The warrior is about accountability The weakling is about entitlement The warrior is about earningThe weakling is about equity of portionThe warrior is about equal opportunity The weakling loves in convenience The warrior loves sacrificiallyThe weakling says ‘you owe me’The warrior says ‘I owe it to myself’ The weakling wants disputed rhetoricThe warrior wages war on injusticeThe weakling is about a reactionThe warrior is about a responseThe weakling makes excuses The warrior makes movesThe weakling is cowardlyThe warrior is courageous The weakling speculates The warrior provesThe weakling instigatesThe warrior finishesThe weakling slithersThe warrior leadsThe weakling leaves a trashy wakeThe warrior cleans up the messThe weakling infectsThe warrior inoculatesThe weakling is the poisonThe warrior is the antedoteThe weakling whimpersThe warrior wailesThe weakling jeopardizes The warrior rescuesThe weakling stealsThe warrior acquiresThe weakling causes problems The warrior provides solutions The weakling provokesThe warrior protects The weakling retreatsThe warrior pursuesThe weakling creates chaosThe warrior maintains orderThe weakling seeks pityThe warrior seeks honestyThe weakling seeks an echo chamberThe warrior welcomes constructive criticism