Ministry Pivot with Russell St. Bernard

In this eye-opening episode of the Ministry Pivot Podcast, Rev. Russ explores the theme of "Background Counts"—a lesson inspired by a recent visit to the Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Through this experience, he highlights the critical role of behind-the-scenes efforts in driving success, whether in ministry, business, or personal life.

In this episode of the Ministry Pivot podcast, Rev. Russ discusses the empowering concept of 'owning the building.' Whether you're in church leadership, a business leader, or starting your own venture, Rev. Russ encourages you to break free from tradition, embrace new opportunities, and challenge your assumptions. 

He shares insights from his leadership at Kingdom Fellowship and emphasizes the significance of seeing opportunities rather than restrictions. Don't miss out on leadership encouragement and details about the upcoming TKN Leadership Summit 2024.

This episode of the Ministry Pivot podcast explores the complexities and opportunities in church leadership transitions. Featuring past episodes from Pastor Rodney Carter, Jr., Dr. Anika Wilson Brown, and Dr. Walter S. Thomas Jr., they cover critical topics such as pastoral succession, leading through the COVID-19 pandemic, new leadership styles, and the importance of mental health in ministry. Additionally, they dive into the journey of transitioning from associate pastor to senior leadership, focusing on serving the congregation, implementing effective transition plans, and honoring predecessors' legacy.

In this episode of the Ministry Pivot podcast, Rev. Dr. Charlie Dates shares his journey of transitioning into senior pastoral roles at two historic churches in Chicago: Progressive Baptist Church and Salem Baptist Church. Dr. Dates talks about pastoral succession's challenges, surprises, and joys, his relationship with his predecessor, and the dynamics of leading two congregations. He also delves into the importance of legacy, leadership, and involving family in ministry.

In this episode of the Ministry Pivot podcast, Rev. Russ dives deep into how his team at Kingdom Fellowship creates a successful Sunday worship experience. From praying for uniqueness to having clear goals and consistent preparation, Rev. Russ outlines the keys to thriving worship services. Whether you’re a church leader or part of the congregation, this episode will inspire you to refine your approach to worship and leadership.

In this episode of Ministry Pivot, host Rev. Russ sits down with Rev. R. Janae Pitts-Murdock, Senior Pastor at Light of the World Christian Church in Indianapolis, for an insightful conversation about pastoral succession, leadership and her journey as the first woman to lead her historic congregation. Pastor Pitts-Murdock shares her experience transitioning from an interim to a senior pastor role, discusses the challenges of succeeding a legacy pastor, and reflects on leading through uncharted territory during the pandemic.

In this episode of the Ministry Pivot podcast, Rev. Russ shares invaluable insights on how to lead your staff effectively by focusing on their strengths, fostering development, and expecting excellence. Drawing from his experience in church leadership, Rev. Russ offers practical advice that can be applied across various leadership contexts, whether in ministry, business, or any organization.

In this insightful episode of Ministry Pivot, host Rev. Russ sits down with Dr. Reggie Blount and Dr. Sidney Williams to discuss their innovative approach to ministry called "Fishing Differently." They explore how churches can maximize their impact beyond Sunday services by leveraging intellectual, social, human, and faith capital.

In this episode of Ministry Pivot, Rev. Russ welcomes the insightful Rev. Lisa Fields. They discuss the importance of apologetics within the African American community, the impact of media on faith, and the inspiring work of the Jude 3 Project. Rev. Lisa shares her personal journey from banking to ministry, emphasizing the need for representation in theological scholarship. They also delve into the engaging documentaries produced by Jude 3 and the powerful stories they tell.

In this episode of the Ministry Pivot podcast hosted by Russell St. Bernard, we highlight impactful community work by revisiting interviews with Pastor Heather and Pastor Heber Brown. Pastor Heather discusses her lifelong struggle with suicidal thoughts and the creation of the 'life box' initiative during COVID-19, which provides essential items to individuals struggling with mental health issues. Pastor Heber Brown introduces the Black Church Food Security Network, a national coalition of churches and black farmers tackling food insecurity by creating black food ecosystems. Both leaders emphasized the importance of supporting mental health and food justice within their communities. The episode concludes with reflections on the importance of maintaining and utilizing the land for community benefit and encourages listeners to stay connected and pivot toward opportunities.