This is a follow-up conversation. Listen to the first episode here.

Jeff Strong worked nearly 30 years in the consumer products industry as a senior executive at Procter & Gamble and global president and chief customer officer at Johnson & Johnson. He then taught in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University and worked as an advisor to the Church before serving as a mission leader in the Arkansas Bentonville Mission. Jeff has since spent several years doing research on why people are leaving the Church. While not a professional researcher, his career involved a large amount of research and the research he shares in this podcast was done with the help of some of the top Latter-day Saint researchers in the world. Today, Jeff lives in Midway, Utah, and stays busy with a little lavender farm, some business consulting, and enjoying family.

Links

Slides: Tension From Our Differences

When Clapping Happens at Church | A How I Lead Interview with Devin Pope

Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community

Highlights

Jeff Strong dives deeper into the complexities of faith and community. He explores the idea that while many church leaders may come from a similar mindset, the diversity of perspectives within the congregation is essential for a healthy community.

Jeff shares insights from a comprehensive study on disaffiliation and church experiences, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the church culture. He notes that while many members appreciate the community, service, and spiritual growth offered by the church, there are significant concerns about judgment, conformity, and exclusivity that can alienate individuals with differing beliefs or backgrounds.

Jeff and Kurt talk about the tension caused by differences, and Jeff illustrates how the natural human response to perceived threats often leads to conformity and exclusion. He discusses the importance of yielding to the Holy Spirit to navigate these tensions, rather than allowing fear to dictate responses.

A key part of the episode is the introduction of a segmentation model that categorizes Latter-day Saints into six belief mindsets: Seekers, Cultivators, Protectors, Avoiders, Connectors, and Explorers. Each segment is defined by its unique values and priorities, with Protectors making up a significant portion of church leadership. Jeff and Kurt discuss the implications of this model, emphasizing that a church comprised solely of one segment would lack the richness and diversity necessary for a thriving community.

Understanding these different mindsets can help church leaders foster a more inclusive environment that accommodates a broader range of beliefs and experiences. Jeff encourages listeners to embrace the complexities of faith and community, recognizing that the presence of tension can lead to growth and deeper understanding.

00:02:00 - Discussion on disaffiliation from the church

00:02:00 - Tension caused by differences

00:09:00 - Story of the kingfisher and magpies

00:12:00 - Strengths of church culture

00:14:00 - Weaknesses of church culture

00:21:00 - The concept of the "natural man"

00:26:00 - The role of a leader in navigating tension

00:30:00 - Introduction of six mindsets or "segments"

00:36:00 - The "Seekers" segment

00:37:00 - The "Cultivators" segment

00:38:00 - The "Protectors" segment

00:39:00 - The "Avoiders" segment

00:40:00 - The "Connectors" segment

00:42:00 - The "Explorers" segment

00:44:00 - The value of different segments

00:46:00 - Disconnect in leadership

00:48:00 - Historical context of leadership

00:52:00 - Blending leadership styles

01:04:00 - Jesus and Joseph Smith as examples of different mindsets

01:13:00 - Discussion of the Body of Christ from 1 Corinthians 12

01:23:00 - Story of a 100-year-old runner

01:33:00 - Concluding thoughts on a thriving church

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