In this episode of Leadership & Other Stuff, Pastor Brian Houston speaks directly to church founders, planters, senior pastors, and pioneers about one of the most critical, and often misunderstood areas of leadership: church governance and boards.

Drawing from over 50 years of firsthand experience serving on boards, leading executives, and planting churches around the world, Brian asks a confronting question many leaders avoid: Who actually holds authority in the local church and who keeps the board accountable?

This candid conversation explores the biblical foundations of church leadership, the role of apostolic oversight, and the difference between board-governed and board-controlled churches. Brian unpacks common dangers that can creep into boards, including self-preservation, offense, personal ambition, control, and self-righteousness and why these issues can have devastating long-term consequences for pastors and congregations alike.

If you are planting, pioneering, or leading a church or serving in governance, this episode will challenge you to think deeply about accountability, authority, and alignment with Scripture. This is Part 1 of an essential leadership conversation that every church leader needs to hear.

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Leadership and Other Stuff with Brian Houston — equipping leaders and communicators with wisdom, faith, and practical tools for real-life impact.

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If you would like Pastor Brian to speak at your church or conduct a Leadership Roundtable, you can send an email with your inquiry at [email protected]

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In this episode of Leadership & Other Stuff with Brian Houston, Pastor Brian unpacks seven seemingly simple decisions that can shape not only your future, but the future of generations to come. Drawing from decades of leadership, ministry, and life experience, Pastor Brian challenges the idea that decisions are ever "small" when the consequences are great.

Through the framework of Who, Where, What, When, With, Why, and Wish, Pastor Brian explores how choices around relationships, location, calling, timing, community, motivation, and desire can either strengthen or undermine long-term impact. From marriage and friendships to career paths and spiritual priorities, this episode is a powerful reminder that leadership is lived out in everyday decisions.

If you want to lead with intention, align your life with God's calling, and make choices that outlast you, this conversation will both inspire and challenge you to think generationally about the decisions you make today.

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Leadership and Other Stuff with Brian Houston — equipping leaders and communicators with wisdom, faith, and practical tools for real-life impact.

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Support Our Ministry JesusFollowersTV: If you feel led to partner with us, your generosity will help us continue our work.

Visit our Website: https://www.brianandbobbie.com/

If you would like Pastor Brian to speak at your church or conduct a Leadership Roundtable, you can send an email with your inquiry at [email protected]

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Rebuke is rarely welcomed, but according to Scripture, it may be one of the greatest gifts a leader can give or receive.

In this episode of Leadership & Other Stuff, Pastor Brian Houston tackles the often-avoided subject of rebuke and reveals why wise correction, received with an obedient ear, is pure gold. Drawing from Proverbs 25:12, decades of leadership experience, and personal stories from church, business, and life, Pastor Brian unpacks how rebuke—when done wisely—can become a catalyst for growth, maturity, and lasting impact.

You'll discover:

-Why an inability to receive rebuke can quietly limit your future

-The difference between destructive criticism and wise, life-giving correction

-Seven keys to receiving rebuke with humility, honor, and strength

-Eleven principles every leader must understand to give rebuke wisely

-How timing, love, credibility, and discernment determine whether rebuke heals or harms

Whether you lead in church, business, family, or community, this episode will challenge your mindset, stretch your leadership capacity, and help you recognize the gold hidden in correction, without losing honor, heart, or people along the way. If you want to grow, lead well, and become all God has called you to be, this conversation is essential listening.

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Leadership and Other Stuff with Brian Houston — equipping leaders and communicators with wisdom, faith, and practical tools for real-life impact.

Subscribe to Leadership & Other Stuff with Brian Houston on YouTube.

Support Our Ministry JesusFollowersTV: If you feel led to partner with us, your generosity will help us continue our work.

Visit our Website: https://www.brianandbobbie.com/

If you would like Pastor Brian to speak at your church or conduct a Leadership Roundtable, you can send an email with your inquiry at [email protected]

Connect with Us: https://www.brianandbobbie.com/contact

Pastor David Blunt sits down with Pastor Brian Houston to unpack calling, resilience, marketplace ministry, forgiveness, and team building. Discover why you shouldn't just live saved. Live called. Learn how heart beats talent when building teams, why your work is worship in the marketplace, and how leaders can walk out forgiveness without carrying a wounded spirit. Brian also shares governance lessons he'd apply if he were starting again in 1983

What you'll learn:

• How a God-given calling fuels grit, endurance, and leadership resilience

• Heart over talent: the character traits to prioritize when building teams

• Marketplace ministry: turning your work into worship and Kingdom impact

• Practical steps to forgive and avoid a wounded spirit as a leader

• Governance wisdom: healthy boards, accountability, and longevity

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Leadership and Other Stuff with Brian Houston — equipping leaders and communicators with wisdom, faith, and practical tools for real-life impact.

Subscribe to Leadership & Other Stuff with Brian Houston on YouTube.

Support Our Ministry JesusFollowersTV: If you feel led to partner with us, your generosity will help us continue our work. Visit our Website.

If you would like Pastor Brian to speak at your church or conduct a Leadership Roundtable, you can send an email with your inquiry at [email protected]

Connect with Us: https://www.brianandbobbie.com/contact

In this episode of Leadership & Other Stuff, Pastor Brian Houston explores the way leaders see and how their vision shapes everything they do. Drawing from Scripture, personal experiences, and timeless leadership lessons, Pastor Brian unpacks the importance of hindsight, foresight, and insight in guiding people and organizations.

He explains why short-sighted decisions can limit growth, how foresight helps leaders prepare for what's ahead, and why insight seeing beneath the surface into motives, opportunities, and hidden potential, is perhaps the greatest leadership gift of all.

From the story of Moses to the prodigal son, from biblical wisdom to real-life leadership moments, Pastor Brian encourages leaders to "lift up their eyes" and see with clarity, discernment, and faith.

Whether you're leading in ministry, business, or everyday life, this episode will challenge you to sharpen your perspective and lead with vision that goes beyond the obvious.

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Leadership and Other Stuff with Brian Houston — equipping leaders and communicators with wisdom, faith, and practical tools for real-life impact.

Subscribe to Leadership & Other Stuff with Brian Houston on YouTube.

Support Our Ministry JesusFollowersTV: If you feel led to partner with us, your generosity will help us continue our work. Visit our Website.

If you would like Pastor Brian to speak at your church or conduct a Leadership Roundtable, you can send an email with your inquiry at [email protected]

Connect with Us: https://www.brianandbobbie.com/contact

How to Make Your Church the Best Church in the World

In this inspiring and deeply practical episode, Pastor Brian Houston shares timeless principles on what truly makes a church flourish—not from the top down, but from the inside out. Drawing on over 40 years of pastoral experience, Pastor Brian explores how every believer can actively contribute to creating a church that feels like the best church in the world.

From cultivating a unified spirit and building a healthy church "soul," to being easy to lead, committed to vision, and fostering a fun, faith-filled atmosphere—this episode is packed with insight for pastors, leaders, and passionate church members alike.

You'll learn:

• Why your spirit, attitude, and faith play a critical role in your church's health

• How to contribute to a dynamic, faith-charged atmosphere

• The power of a volunteer spirit and outward-focused culture

• What it means to find your place in a contagious vision

• Why building authentic community matters more than ever

Whether you're in church leadership or simply love your local church, Pastor Brian's message will challenge, equip, and encourage you to bring your best—and in doing so, help your church become all that God has called it to be.

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Leadership and Other Stuff with Brian Houston — equipping leaders and communicators with wisdom, faith, and practical tools for real-life impact.

Subscribe to Leadership & Other Stuff with Brian Houston on YouTube.

Support Our Ministry JesusFollowersTV: If you feel led to partner with us, your generosity will help us continue our work. Visit our Website.

If you would like Pastor Brian to speak at your church or conduct a Leadership Roundtable, you can send an email with your inquiry at [email protected]

Connect with Us: https://www.brianandbobbie.com/contact

In this insightful and personal episode, Pastor Brian Houston unpacks ten powerful influences every leader needs to thrive, grow, and endure through the seasons of life and leadership. With a mix of biblical wisdom, personal stories, and decades of ministry experience, Pastor Brian shares the kinds of people and environments that shape a strong leader.

From the importance of a mentor who truly believes in you, to the value of truthful friendships, a companion who completes you, a team that strengthens you, and an environment that encourages you—this episode is a heartfelt and practical guide to building a leadership life that lasts.

Whether you're leading in ministry, business, or any sphere of influence, this episode will challenge and inspire you to evaluate the voices, relationships, and communities you're surrounding yourself with.

Highlights include:

• Why spiritual fathers and mothers matter more than ever

• The difference between flattery and faithful wounds

• How companionship can turn into a leadership advantage

• Building a healthy, non-manipulative network

• Why every leader needs encouragement, resilience, and input that grows them

Stick around to the end to hear Pastor Brian's thoughts on mentorship—and how you might get personally mentored if you're ready to go deeper.

Leadership and Other Stuff with Brian Houston — equipping leaders and communicators with wisdom, faith, and practical tools for real-life impact.

Subscribe to Leadership & Other Stuff with Brian Houston on YouTube.

Support Our Ministry JesusFollowersTV: If you feel led to partner with us, your generosity will help us continue our work. Visit our Website.

If you would like Pastor Brian to speak at your church or conduct a Leadership Roundtable, you can send an email with your inquiry at [email protected]

Connect with Us: https://www.brianandbobbie.com/contact

In this follow-up to a powerful conversation on preaching and teaching culture, Pastor Brian Houston dives into Part 2 of the 30 foundational principles that shaped the communication culture at Hillsong Church.

This episode is packed with practical wisdom for preachers, teachers, and communicators—from the importance of delivering messages with confidence and humility to understanding the balance between transparency and faith, preparing messages with purpose, and knowing how to preach to both a room and a global audience.

Pastor Brian unpacks the final 15 points that governed the preaching team during his leadership at Hillsong, offering real, raw insight into what makes a message effective, transformative, and Christ-centered. Whether you're a senior pastor, emerging communicator, or simply passionate about church leadership and spiritual growth, this episode is rich with value.

Key Takeaways Include:

• Why delivery is just as vital as content

• The role of humour, notes, and time sensitivity in preaching

• How to speak with authority—and when to stay in your lane

• Why every message should point to Jesus and end with a call to salvation

• The power of reflection, note-taking, and leaving Sunday behind on Monday

Tune in for a deeply practical and spiritually grounding session that will inspire you to grow in your calling, sharpen your message, and serve your audience with authenticity and excellence.

Interested in coaching or mentoring with Pastor Brian? Visit www.brianandbobbie.com to learn more.

Leadership and Other Stuff with Brian Houston — equipping leaders and communicators with wisdom, faith, and practical tools for real-life impact.

Subscribe to Leadership & Other Stuff with Brian Houston on YouTube.

Support Our Ministry JesusFollowersTV: If you feel led to partner with us, your generosity will help us continue our work. Visit our Website.

If you would like Pastor Brian to speak at your church or conduct a Leadership Roundtable, you can send an email with your inquiry at [email protected]

Connect with Us: https://www.brianandbobbie.com/contact

In this insightful and practical episode, Pastor Brian Houston dives into the foundational culture of preaching and teaching that helped shape Hillsong Church over decades of ministry. Drawing from a landmark talk he once gave to his staff, Pastor Brian shares the first 15 of 30 principles that guided the platform at Hillsong — principles designed not only for his team, but for any communicator wanting to grow in their effectiveness and impact.

From the importance of staying positive, faith-filled, and biblically grounded, to honoring people's time, living what you preach, and preparing with diligence, Pastor Brian unpacks the key traits that contributed to a thriving culture of preaching. You'll hear personal stories, reflections on mentoring young leaders, and why your message should always help people—on their Mondays, not just their Sundays.

Whether you're a pastor, communicator, or simply passionate about ministry, The Culture of Preaching and Teaching – Part 1 offers timeless, practical guidance to elevate your calling.

Key Takeaways:

• Why every message should be life-giving and never reactionary

• The role of preparation, meditation, and authenticity in preaching

• How to preach from a New Testament perspective—even when teaching the Old

• Avoiding the trap of self-focus in communication

• The importance of aligning with your church's doctrinal and cultural values

Don't forget to subscribe for Part 2, where Pastor Brian shares the next 15 points!

Interested in coaching or mentoring with Brian? Visit www.brianandbobbie.com to learn more.

Leadership and Other Stuff with Brian Houston — equipping leaders and communicators with wisdom, faith, and practical tools for real-life impact.

Subscribe to Leadership & Other Stuff with Brian Houston on YouTube.

Support Our Ministry JesusFollowersTV: If you feel led to partner with us, your generosity will help us continue our work. Visit our Website.

If you would like Pastor Brian to speak at your church or conduct a Leadership Roundtable, you can send an email with your inquiry at [email protected]

Connect with Us: https://www.brianandbobbie.com/contact

In this thought-provoking episode of Leadership & Other Stuff, Pastor Brian Houston unpacks what might be one of the most countercultural ideas in leadership today: the power of being beautifully boring. Drawing inspiration from Solomon's unexpected prayer for wisdom over wealth, fame, or power, Brian challenges leaders to reconsider what truly brings lasting influence and divine blessing.

With characteristic warmth and humor—plus a few surprising stories (including a run-in with a former Prime Minister)—Brian explores the leadership qualities that may not grab headlines but build legacy: faithfulness, patience, obedience, holiness, servanthood, humility, sacrifice, and consistency.

These "unsexy" virtues, as Pastor Brian calls them, might not be flashy, but they are foundational. In a world chasing charisma and excitement, maybe it's the quiet, steady path that holds the greatest reward.

Whether you're leading in ministry, business, or life—this episode is a refreshing reminder that God's blessing often follows those who simply keep showing up, choosing wisdom over wow.

Take a breath. Slow down. Choose beautifully boring.

Subscribe to Leadership & Other Stuff with Brian Houston on YouTube.

Support Our Ministry JesusFollowersTV: If you feel led to partner with us, your generosity will help us continue our work. Visit our Website.

If you would like Pastor Brian to speak at your church or conduct a Leadership Roundtable, you can send an email with your inquiry at [email protected]

Connect with Us: https://www.brianandbobbie.com/contact