"It's less about what we do, but it is about who we are becoming...The process of making that decision is actually the point." (Emily P. Freeman)

Join Adam Ormord as he sits down with New York Times bestselling author and spiritual director, Emily P. Freeman.

In this episode, Adam and Emily explore the art of decision-making and discernment as well as the profound impact of change in our lives. Emily shares insights from her book and discusses the importance of trusting oneself and God in the journey of life.

Emily P. Freeman is the New York Times bestselling author of six books, including How to Walk into a Room: The Art of Knowing When to Stay and When to Walk Away.

Emily received her masters in Christian Spiritual Formation and Leadership from Friends University where she also serves as a residency lecturer. As a spiritual director, her most important work is to help create soul space and offer spiritual companionship and discernment for anyone struggling with decision fatigue. Her nationally ranked podcast, The Next Right Thing, has more than 28 million downloads and she regularly offers perspective and clarity through her weekly newsletter, The Soul Minimalist.

#SpiritualFormation #DecisionMaking #EmilyPFreeman #Podcast

The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.

"It's my goal that people really experience their union with Christ, the depth of security they have with Him, and the freedom to minister out of God's love." - Sean Nemecek

On today's episode, Adam Ormord (President and Founder of LifePoint Resources) remixes a former episode (Episode 16) to remind us of the very serious issue of burnout and the invitation to follow Jesus into freedom.

Sean Nemecek is the author of The Weary Leader’s Guide to Burnout and the Executive Director of PIR Ministries. Sean served as a pastor for 18 years prior to joining PIR. Now he works as both a spiritual director and ministry coach — specializing in coaching people through burnout and helping organizations develop an anti-burnout culture. He is all about helping people feel seen, heard, and known in the welcoming presence of our loving God.

It's critical to continue this conversation of soul health as we recognize an even more elevated state of anxiety and exhaustion affecting so many people in our communities and churches today.

“Burnout is an experience of intense anxiety, shame, and often, grief that shows up as anger, but it’s the shame piece that causes us to isolate from people. The only way to overcome shame is for it to be witnessed in community of compassionate, empathetic, and understanding people.”

“Recovery is what happens when our ministry flows out of our life with God...to be so filled up with the love of God that it begins to naturally spill out of us into the lives of others around us.”

"The Weary Leader’s Guide to Burnout: A Journey from Exhaustion to Wholeness" is Outreach Magazine's 2024 Leadership Resource of the Year. It also won a Silver Medalion Award (2024 Christian Book Awards Finalist in Ministry Resources). Learn more at www.wearyleadersguide.com.

You can engage with Sean Nemecek at several online locations: Seannemecek.com; The Pastor's Soul (Blog); Facebook, Twitter, Threads, and Instagram: @pastorsoul.

#SoulHealth #UnionWithChrist #SpiritualDirection #Weary #Leader #Burnout #Freedom #InteriorFreedom #SeanNemecek #AdamOrmord #LifePointResources

The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.

Join us as we explore the posture of a pilgrim with Marilyn Vancil, delving into how the Enneagram can guide us in living a surrendered life with God day by day.

Marilyn Vancil is a renowned author, teacher, and spiritual director known for her deep insights into the Enneagram and its application in personal and spiritual growth. Marilyn has dedicated her life to helping individuals discover their authentic selves and live with intention and purpose.

Her books, including "Self to Lose, Self to Find" and "Beyond the Enneagram," explore the transformative power of understanding one's Enneagram type and embracing a journey of spiritual exploration. Marilyn's work is characterized by her compassionate approach and her commitment to guiding others toward wholeness and freedom.

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Key Topics: Understanding the "Posture of a Pilgrim" in daily life; How the Enneagram aids in spiritual transformation and self-discovery; The journey from adapted self to authentic self

#PilgrimPosture #SpiritualJourney #Enneagram #MarilynVancil

The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.

Our host, Adam Ormord, welcomes Pastor Jim Powell to the table to discuss their recent transformative journeys along an ancient pilgrimage path in Spain called the Camino de Santiago.

Jim Powell is the Lead Pastor of Palm West Community Church in Sun City West, Arizona. Prior to this, he served for 21 years as the Lead Pastor of Richwoods Christian Church in Peoria, Illinois. Jim is also the founding director of the 95Network, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping and encouraging small to mid-sized congregations.

He studied one year at Columbia International University in South Carolina, later earning a B.A. in Theology and Religious Studies from Quincy University and an M.A. in Theology and Philosophy from Lincoln Christian Seminary.

Jim is a widower; his wife of 35 years passed away in September 2024. He has two sons, Timothy (25) and Trevor (21). He’s also an avid pickleball player.

Jim is the author of Dirt Matters: The Foundation for a Healthy, Vibrant, and Effective Congregation, and is a frequent speaker at conferences and ministry events. His work has been featured in Leadership Journal, Outreach Magazine, Christianity Today, Guideposts, Christian Standard, ChurchLeaders.com, and more.

In today's episode, Jim and Adam share personal stories and reflections revealing the deep connections formed with fellow pilgrims and the spiritual practices that came alive on the Camino. Discover how the Camino became a path of restoration and renewal, offering lessons in presence, the power of community, and the simple joy of walking every day with God.

Whether you're seeking inspiration in your daily walk with God or contemplating your own pilgrimage, may you say "yes" to the invitation to embrace the journey with Jesus and find meaning in every step.

#CaminoDeSantiago #JourneyWithJesus #Pilgrimage #BuenCamino #CaminoFrances #LifePointResources #Adam Ormord #JimPowell

The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.

"One of the things we are watching couples experience is a deepening compassion for each other that overflows into their entire life together. Things just start to look different when you have a little bit more of a picture of your spouse's interior life, a picture of their soul." - Rachel Hehr

Adam Ormord welcomes Bryan and Rachel Hehr to the table for a conversation about the many resources and offerings of CURATE Ministries, a spiritual formation and soul care ministry.

Bryan and Rachel launched CURATE in 2018 while serving in various ministry contexts in California. They now reside in Colorado Springs (CO) and work together to develop the wide-reaching resources and programs of CURATE, all the while raising two young children.

"Our mission and purpose is to walk alongside individuals and communities with the aim of growing in the fullness of Christ. Our hope is that we help you to curate your heart in order that you may experience God’s fullness and be transformed into the image of Christ."

Among their many experiential and relational offerings, CURATE guides married couples through the Ignatian Exercises. Here's a brief description from their webpage:

"The Ignatian Exercises are a deeply transformative journey, used for centuries by followers of Jesus who desire to walk more closely with Him. Experiencing the Ignatian Exercises with your spouse is an opportunity to cultivate spiritual intimacy with one another as well as to deepen your own connection to Jesus."

If you are interested in learning more about the Ignatian Exercises for couples, or about CURATE's brand new Spiritual Direction Training Program, Poema, please visit www.curateministries.org.

The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.

“What does it mean to bring my life into tune with what God longs for, with what God desires, with what God wants for my life and for the world? For me, that is a very dynamic day-by-day invitation.“ - Trevor Hudson

In this episode, Adam Ormord (host) is joined by guest, Trevor Hudson, to discuss his latest book, "In Search of God's Will: Discerning a Life of Faithfulness and Purpose."

Trevor is an author and an ordained minister in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. After spending forty years doing pastoral ministry in a local congregation, he now gives his time to lecturing, teaching, and writing in the areas of spiritual formation and spiritual direction. Trevor is married to Debbie and together they have two married children.

Trevor’s journey as a pastor in South Africa has been nothing short of incredible, including sharing a prison cell with Desmond Tutu. Trevor is a prolific author and a lifelong pilgrim on the Jesus Way. He’s a faithful apprentice of Jesus who has much to teach us about discernment as a way of life with God.

Please take a moment to leave a review, and be sure to share this podcast episode with those in your circle of influence.

You can purchase Trevor's latest book, "In search of God's Will," here. Also, read more about the simple yet profoundly transformative practice of Examen here.

The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.

Adam Ormord, President and Co-Founder of LifePoint, invites Scott Shaum to the podcast to explore the profound themes of suffering, grief, and the spiritual journey.

Scott is an anglican priest, spiritual director, and member of the Executive Leadership Team at Barnabas International. Scott is also the author of "The Uninvited Companion: God's Shaping Us in His Love Through Life's Adversities."

The conversation delves into the theology of suffering, emphasizing the paradox of a loving God amidst human pain, and the necessity of endurance and awareness of God's presence in the middle of our suffering. Scott shares his profound journey through suffering, beginning with his battle against dengue fever and the subsequent health challenges he faced. He reflects on the silence of God during his darkest moments and how he learned to find God's presence in that silence.

Scott discusses the paradox of suffering as a means of redemption and spiritual growth, emphasizing the importance of understanding the 'Dark Night of the Soul.' He explores the spirituality of suffering, the relevance of Jesus' suffering, and the role of spiritual direction in navigating pain.

The conversation culminates in the significance of naming loss and grief as essential steps in the healing process, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of God's love and presence in our lives.

A special thanks to Matt Etter for sharing his song, "It's the Scars," and granting us permission to share it with our global podcast audience. (Writing credit to Matt Etter, Amy Clemens, and Randy Morrison.)

The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.

Summary

In this episode of the Being Formed podcast, Adam Ormord engages in a heartfelt conversation with Joe Chambers, exploring the themes of soul care, the importance of storytelling, and the journey of personal and spiritual growth.

Joe shares his experiences as a pastor, the significance of being present for others, and the transformative power of stories in healing. The discussion also touches on the challenges of ministry, including the necessity of setting boundaries.

In this conversation, Joe Chambers shares insights from his Sacred Journey Retreats, emphasizing the importance of creating a welcoming environment for participants. He discusses the themes of identity, vocation, and the rising significance of grief in spiritual journeys.

We're all on a journey. Chambers introduces the concept of the Critical Journey, using the metaphor of rapids to illustrate the challenges faced in faith. He also highlights the role of prayer during difficult times, particularly in navigating spiritual rapids, and reflects on the ongoing journey of faith and the understanding of life and death.

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The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.

"To have someone who is listening expressly for the purpose of drawing you out, not for their own curiosity, but simply to help you have clarity in your own life, what an incredible gift that can lead to transformation...life to the full." - Melissa Sievers

Our guest on The Being Formed Podcast is Melissa Sievers, a Transformational Coach, a Spiritual Director, and a cherished member of the Soul Care Team at LifePoint Resources.

Passionate about helping individuals cultivate inner lives filled with peace, joy, and rest, Melissa finds deep fulfillment in companioning those seeking a more abundant life. Other key themes in her work include serving church and ministry leaders, supporting sabbaticals, pursuing discernment in vocational transitions, navigating burnout, and creating healthy life rhythms.

Melissa Sievers and Adam Ormord unpack the uniqueness of Transformational Coaching through the lens of John 10:10 and the game-changing statement of Jesus, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (NIV)

What do we mean by transformational coaching? How does coaching fit under the umbrella of soul care? What is the posture of coaching, and how does it differ from a spiritual direction relationship? What would it look like for you to move toward a deeper discovery of what's actually happening beneath the surface and move to lasting change? We do our best to answer these questions and more on today's podcast episode.

Melissa Sievers and the team at LifePoint can help you discover clarity and courage to transform your life in ways that lead to flourishing from the inside out and experience life to the fullest!

Learn more about Transformational Coaching and request a complimentary discovery call today.

The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.

Ken Shigematsu (Pastor and Author, Tenth Church) sat down with Adam Ormord (Founder and President, LifePoint Resources) for an important conversation on the topic of shame. What is it? What happens when we wear shame as our identity? What is the answer to our shame?

Ken Shigematsu lives in Vancouver with his wife, Sakiko, and their son, Joey. He is senior pastor of Tenth Church (www.tenth.ca) in Vancouver, British Columbia, one of the largest and most diverse city-center churches in Canada. Before entering pastoral ministry, he worked for the Sony Corporation in Tokyo, Japan.

Ken's first book, "God in My Everything," was an international bestseller. It was selected as the Word Guild 2014 Christian Living book of the year and received honorable mention for the Grace Irwin Prize, Canada's largest literary award for Christian writers.

Ken's second book was "Survival Guide for the Soul: How to Flourish Spiritually in a World that Pressures Us to Achieve." It received the Word Guild 2019 Christian Living book of the year award.

Ken is the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal awarded to Canadians in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the country and the author of the international bestseller God in My Everything, which was released in 2023.

Even with all of his accolades and awards, Ken is one of the most humble and generous leaders out there. He shares his own story with genuine openness and vulnerability and invites others to do the same, as you will hear in this conversation.

The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.