In this episode, Kevin shares his unique journey into ministry, his perspective on supporting ministry spouses, and practical ways to identify and develop emerging leaders within your congregation. He also emphasizes the critical importance of NOT doing ministry alone – a message that deeply resonates with the core values of The Advantage. 

Here are a few key takeaways: 

• How to identify potential leaders in unexpected places. 

• Strategies for supporting ministry spouses and helping them thrive. 

• Practical ways to engage with your community while remaining focused on the Gospel. 

• The power of steadfastness in a changing cultural landscape.

We're excited to share our latest podcast episode—a conversation with Steve Cuss about how leadership anxiety and reactive habits can hold us back, and what it looks like to lead from a place of grace and freedom. 

Steve, the author of Managing Leadership Anxiety, offers practical insights on recognizing false needs like control, approval, and perfection that often drive burnout. He shares key tools like noticing, naming, and diffusing anxious patterns, as well as how resting in God's grace can transform the way we lead. 

Whether you're leading a team, volunteering, or managing everyday pressures, this episode is full of helpful wisdom to help you lead with peace and authenticity. Listen now—and check out the discussion guide to get the most from our conversation!

In this episode of The Advantage Podcast we dive into Part Two of a conversation with David Ashcraft and Shawn Williams, Senior Pastor of Willow Creek, as he shares how his church turned around after a season of crisis, focusing on rebuilding, values over vision, staff surveys, and community trust. He also discusses future goals to reach more for the kingdom. 

Watch Part 1 here if you missed it: https://youtu.be/gI4BgJECoEk

We're excited to share the latest episode of The Advantage Podcast, featuring Shawn Williams, Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church. 

In this episode, Shawn discusses his experience navigating the challenges at Willow Creek, including: 

- Taking on leadership during a post-crisis season. 

- Making difficult decisions during times of uncertainty. 

- The importance of trust and communication in rebuilding a healthy church culture. 

- The transition between him and Dave Dummitt. 

Whether you're a church leader, a student of leadership, or simply interested in organizational change, we think you'll find Shawn's insights valuable.

In this episode David Ashcraft interviews Jason Mitchell, the senior pastor at LCBC Church, about his journey and experiences. 

In this episode, you'll discover: 

· The importance of trust and open communication during transitions. 

· How to navigate the unique dynamics of leading a church where you've grown up. 

· The value of waiting and character formation in leadership. 

· Strategies for reinventing yourself within your role. 

· The impact of senior leadership on family and personal growth. 

Whether you're a seasoned pastor or just starting out, this episode offers valuable perspectives and practical advice.

Download the discussion guide here: https://lcbcchurch.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/theadvantage/Ef0Xace1I5pKkQ5J1STtllAB8dOR_O5rDb5pAv5TrL6Mug?e=hgu9CW

In this episode, we delve into the critical topic of long-term leadership in ministry, featuring a conversation with Peter Greer, author and President & CEO of Hope International.

Peter shares invaluable insights on navigating the challenges and rewards of sustained leadership, emphasizing the importance of:

- Maintaining a clear vision and avoiding mission drift.

- The cumulative impact of small decisions: How seemingly insignificant choices can significantly influence your ministry's trajectory.

- The dangers of hubris and the importance of ongoing spiritual growth.

- The power of prayer, reflection, and intentional relationships: Gain practical tips for enhancing your personal spiritual practices and fostering stronger team dynamics.

- Servant leadership and the importance of small acts of service.

This episode is packed with practical advice and powerful stories designed to help you lead with greater effectiveness and faithfulness. It's a must-listen for pastors, church leaders, and anyone striving for long-term, impactful ministry.

Be sure to take a look at our discussion guide! https://www.lcbcchurch.com/GetFile.ashx?guid=3906513b-d0d8-41ea-adda-d38d5f27bc90

We encourage you to share this episode with your staff and fellow pastors. Let's continue the conversation!

In this episode of the Advantage Podcast David Ashcraft and Dave Ferguson discuss the importance of church multiplication, sharing insights from their experiences with multi-site churches and church planting. 

Dave Ferguson highlights his journey from founding Community Christian Church in Chicago to leading the New Thing network and Exponential conference, emphasizing the significance of reproducing churches and movements. 

They explore the challenges and benefits of both multi-site and church planting models, advocating for a mindset focused on multiplying disciples and leaders. The conversation underscores the need for church leaders to embrace both strategies to expand God's kingdom effectively.

In this episode, David interviews Jenni Catron about her new book "Culture Matters" and her insights on building healthy church cultures and teams. 

Jenni shares her background in church leadership, the importance of defining your church's culture and values, aligning your team around a shared mission, and continually nurturing a thriving ministry environment. 

Whether you lead a large or small church, this conversation offers a framework and practical steps to assess your current culture, define your aspirations, and equip your team to be healthy, engaged, and unstoppable in fulfilling your church's mission. 

Jenni also provides information on how listeners can connect with her and access additional resources. 

Lead Culture Podcast with Jenni Catron 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lead-culture-with-jenni-catron/id1433939621 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0QIqKrTU4D5FLTJx39LOy4?si=4fb47b4269af4c03 Culturemattersbook.com

In this episode, we have a special guest, Mark Miller, a Wall Street Journal bestselling author and leadership expert who spent over 45 years with Chick-fil-A. Mark’s journey is remarkable, starting as an hourly team member and rising to key leadership roles, making him a wealth of knowledge on leadership development.

In our conversation, Mark discusses:

· How to identify and develop young talent within your church

· Key leadership principles he learned throughout his career

· The importance of creating and maintaining a strong organizational culture

· His innovative concept of Dynamic Awareness—and how it can help you lead and adapt to change more effectively.

I encourage you to take some time to listen to this episode as Mark’s insights are incredibly valuable for anyone in church leadership. His wisdom on nurturing talent and culture is directly applicable to the work we are doing in our churches and ministries.

Mark Miller’s latest book: Uncommon Greatness: Five Fundamentals To Transform Your Leadership

On this month's episode of the Advantage Podcast, we are looking forward to continuing the conversation with Dr. Henry Cloud, in this second of a two-part recording.

Leadership, Confrontation, and Development

1. Confrontation Skills: What techniques or approaches do you find effective when performing confrontations with staff or church members, and how do you prepare for these difficult conversations?

2. Understanding Responses: How can you better assess and understand the different responses individuals may have to confrontation, and what strategies can you employ to manage those responses constructively?

3. Leadership Development: What is your vision for developing a culture of continuous leadership growth within your church, and how can you incorporate coaching or training opportunities for yourself and your staff?

4. Engaging Your Elders: In what ways can you work with your elder board to ensure they are actively supporting your health and leadership development, rather than solely focusing on church governance?

5. Creating Effective Structures: What are some practical structures or processes you can implement in your church to ensure that pastoral care and leadership health are prioritized and resourced?

6. Navigating Conflicts: How do you plan to address and navigate conflicts within your ministry team, ensuring that issues are resolved amicably and do not lead to division or strife in the church community?