Mark Clark Interviews Guy Mason on Starting a Church Planting Movement, Tall Poppy Syndrome in the Church & the Right Way to Deal With Criticism

For this episode, Mark Clark of Village Church takes a seat in the hosting chair to share a conversation with Guy Mason. Guy is the founding and senior pastor of City on a Hill. What began as a small group Bible study in a corner of Australia has since become a movement of seven churches in four different cities all united around one mission “to know Jesus and make Jesus known.”

After sharing the story of City on a Hill, Mark asks Guy asks - How do you lead leaders? Due to the unique nature of the City on a Hill movement, Guy is a trustworthy voice to learn from in the area of stewarding the leaders around you. Guy shares about the importance of looking beyond yourself, and constantly speaking out what you see in those around you. “We need to do the hard work of identifying the gifts of our people” says Guy. Quoting Jesus, Guy explains that it is always more blessed to give than receive, and that is true of leadership as well. The best leaders do not set themselves up to flourish and fly, but others. They give.

Both Mark and Guy go on to lean into the theme of encouragement - that every leader should freely give it, and humbly receive it. Tall Poppy Syndrome is rampant in the Canadian Church, and the leader today is acutely in need of not criticism born of comparison, but gospel-centred, uplifting words.

Mark and Guy close by addressing the ever-important tension of where the pastor finds their identity. When the headwind is strong, and the emailed criticism is stacking up, the righteousness of Christ is the most secure garment for the church leader to wear.

Blog | www.ccln.ca/season2/episode46

Website | www.ccln.ca