Leading From Alignment

Today we welcome Mike Clarensau to the mic. As a proven strategist, Mike has helped churches and ministry organizations identify new direction or the steps necessary for greater effectiveness. In Part 1 of our conversation, Mike unpacks how the Church in America is doing, what needs to change, and why churches struggle so much with change.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Craig Owens about his newest book, When Sheep Bite, we unpack how to express gentleness in the face of biting sheep and why gentleness matters; how to find a “release valve” for our anger; and how to effectively confront biting sheep.

If you have pastored for any length of time, you have suffered “bite marks” from those you lead. Sheep who criticize you . . . sometimes unfairly. And it causes you pain.

Today we bring Craig Owens back to the mic for Part 1 of our conversation around his newest book, When Sheep Bite. When you’ve been bitten, it can be hard to manage. In today’s episode we explore with Craig practical strategies that help us respond better when the inevitable “bites” happen.

Today we wrap up two months’ worth of podcasts about a leader’s well-being.

We have taken the following position: Our wellbeing is a matter of obedience not a matter of preference. In today’s episode we finish the conversation by exploring what it takes to lead from a full tank. Our premise is simply this: You cannot give what you do not have.

We’ve been talking almost exclusively in 2024 about whole-person wellbeing. Today we continue talking about whole-person health by exploring our ubiquitous need for friendship. Genesis 2:18 reminds us it is not good for us to be alone for extended periods of time.

We’ve rapped about work/rest rhythms multiple times over the 4+ years we’ve been podcasting. We’ve unpacked four of them in the past: Daily, weekly, quarterly, and annually. In today’s episode we explore a fifth rhythm: our capacity vs. the demand on that capacity.

In today’s episode we continue our series of podcasts on a leader’s well-being. We unpack three important questions: What does it mean to be properly related to yourself? How do you get there? And . . . why does it matter? Our capacity to be properly related to those we love and lead begins with being properly related to ourselves.

How do you successfully navigate the long, dark tunnel of depression? With over 40% of pastors reporting suffering with depression, answering this question correctly is of utmost importance. In today’s episode we continue our compelling conversation with Dave Barringer about the epidemic of these twin evils in today’s culture. Dave gives us practical tips on how to get and stay mentally/emotionally healthy.

Depression and anxiety are waging war on the wellbeing of adults and young people in our country. We feel these twin evils are at epidemic proportions – 33% of Americans report suffering with symptoms of depression. In today’s episode we welcome Dave Barringer to the mic for Part 1 of our conversation around this most important subject. Dave unpacks his journey with depression in such a powerful way that you will want to share this podcast with your friends and family.

At the beginning of every year, we take the first two episodes to reflect on the biggest lessons we learned in the previous year. Last week in Episode 219 we considered the first two indelible lessons from 2023: First, refuse to put God in a box. Second, to move forward, you must let go of something. Today in Episode 220 we unpack the next two indelible lessons. Believing with you for an amazing 2024!