The Christian Leader Podcast

In a world driven by consumerism, how can we help our kids develop healthy, God-honoring financial habits? On this episode, we talk with author Matt Bell, who shares insights from his book, Trusted, about teaching kids the biblical perspective of money and stewardship. Matt explains practical ways to start early and engage our children on three levels—heart, head, and hands—to create lasting habits and foster genuine generosity.

Matt shares practical ideas, real-life examples, and encouragement for parents who might feel overwhelmed or unsure about teaching financial principles. Whether you’re just getting started or want to reset your family’s approach to money management, this episode offers helpful tips and reminds us that it’s never too late to teach our kids how to be wise stewards of God’s resources.

This episode is sponsored by MB Foundation. MB Foundation has partnered with Matt to provide many free resources for church leaders related to Trusted. Check out the free resources today at http://mbfoundation.com/trusted.

No two church plants look the same, but every successful one shares a common thread—God’s faithfulness. In this special narrative episode, we explore the journeys of three thriving MB church plants: SouthLife Church in Wichita, Lighthouse Church in Oaklawn, and Lakeview Church in Tooele County, Utah.

Each church faced unique challenges, from failed launches and financial struggles to reaching communities with little to no evangelical presence. Through it all, their leaders learned to “trust the story” and follow God’s lead. Whether you're passionate about church planting, curious about how new churches take root, or simply looking for encouragement in your own faith journey, this episode is filled with inspiring stories of perseverance, strategy, and God’s provision.

Read this story in the latest issue of Christian Leader:

https://christianleadermag.com/the-story-of-three-church-plants/

Preaching is more than just delivering a message—it’s a sacred responsibility. This week, we sit down with Brent Warkentin, lead pastor at Ridgepoint Church, to discuss what goes into preparing and delivering impactful sermons. Brent shares his personal approach to sermon prep, why he practices each message out loud multiple times, and how he stays fresh after decades in ministry.

We also explore the tension between topical and expository preaching, the importance of authenticity, and how humor can disarm tough conversations. Whether you’re a pastor, teacher, or just interested in how sermons come together, this episode offers valuable insights on preaching with both confidence and humility.

How do we develop strong leaders for the future of the church? At Mountain View Church, leadership development isn’t just a program—it’s part of the culture. This week, we’re joined by Dave Thiessen, executive pastor at Mountain View, to talk about their approach to mentoring, training, and sending out the next generation of church leaders.

From summer apprenticeships to international internships and the Elijah program, Mountain View has created multiple pathways for young leaders to gain hands-on ministry experience. Dave shares practical insights on why leadership development matters, how to give responsibility to emerging leaders (even before they feel ready), and how churches of any size can start investing in future pastors and ministry workers. Whether you’re a leader looking to develop others or someone exploring a call to ministry, this episode is packed with wisdom and encouragement.

Mountain View website: http://mountainview.org

Leadership Pipeline: http://leaderpipeline.net

What makes Anabaptist history radical, and how does it shape who we are today? In this episode, we’re joined by Valerie Rempel, former dean of Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary and a trusted historian in MB circles, to explore the significance of Anabaptism’s 500th anniversary.

Valerie walks us through the bold decisions of early Anabaptists, the importance of believer’s baptism, and the challenges of allegiance to Christ above all else. We also reflect on how these radical beginnings continue to influence our faith, from a commitment to discipleship to navigating today’s cultural and political complexities. Whether you’re familiar with Anabaptist history or hearing these stories for the first time, this episode will inspire you to think deeply about what it means to live as a follower of Jesus.

This week, we sit down with Connie Faber and Janae Shafer, the dynamic duo behind the Christian Leader magazine. They share how each issue comes together, from planning themes to collaborating with writers across the USMB family. With a mission to connect churches, celebrate stories, and inspire action, the magazine plays a vital role in reflecting the heart of the Mennonite Brethren community.

Connie and Janae also discuss the challenges of balancing print and digital formats in today’s fast-paced world and their vision for highlighting the rich diversity within the MB family. Whether you’re a regular reader or new to Christian Leader, this episode will inspire you to see the magazine in a whole new light—and maybe even get involved!

Learn more or subscribe at christianleadermag.com.

This week, we’re joined by USMB National Director Aaron Box to explore the role of generosity in leadership. As we dive into the history of Giving Tuesday and its impact, Aaron shares practical ways we can live out generosity—not just in giving, but in how we lead others. From creating a culture of service in our churches to fostering servant leadership in every sphere, Aaron highlights the importance of putting others first and leading with open hands.

We also discuss how generosity can transform leadership in any context, even in roles where it feels countercultural. Whether you’re a pastor, business leader, or emerging leader, Aaron’s insights will challenge and inspire you to think differently about what it means to lead well. Tune in to discover how generous leadership can build trust, empower others, and reflect the heart of Jesus.

Give to USMB here: usmb.org/givingtuesday

Supporting missionaries abroad has long been a valued part of our heritage, but how can we live ‘on mission’ right here at home? Today we’re joined by Heidi Quiring and Silvia Lopez from Multiply to share the latest updates on mission programs like SOAR, Action, and Trek—each designed to help people of all ages make a difference locally and globally. 

Multiply is reshaping their programs to show that missions can be an accessible, ongoing journey for everyone. In this episode, Heidi and Silvia offer practical tips to help us make mission part of everyday life. If you or someone in your church is ready to learn more, visit multiply.net to explore these opportunities!

Leadership development is one of USMB's core commitments, and finding new ways to grow, stretch yourself, or gain new skills is a crucial part of leadership. In our busy world where we all feel short on time, how can we continue to grow, find new resources, and discover meaningful new ideas?

Earlier this year USMB launched Leadership Fuel, a website devoted to sharing curated leadership resources for pastors and church leaders. On this episode, Jordan Ringhofer (Pacific District Conference district minister) and Kyle Goings (USMB NextGen chair) explain how Leadership Fuel came to be and how you can contribute resources that have been helpful to you.

Beyond that, Kyle and Jordan also share how they intentionally continue their own leadership journeys, with practical ideas of how we can document and store new ideas and thoughts for future projects. This episode is SUPER practical, so if you're ready to grow in your leadership, start by listening to this episode, and then check out Leadership Fuel!

This week we chat with Pastor Matt Thrift about his new book, Follow, and the heart of discipleship. Matt shares his journey from Southern Baptist circles to finding a home in the Mennonite Brethren tradition, drawn by our mix of strong theology and practical love for others.

Matt explains that discipleship isn’t about checking boxes but developing a real, ongoing relationship with Jesus. We also discuss how churches can balance evangelism and discipleship without sacrificing one for the other. Matt reflects on personal challenges, like embracing rest and Sabbath, admitting how hard it can be to step away from busyness.

If you’ve ever struggled to keep spiritual practices like prayer and Bible reading from feeling routine, Matt offers some practical insights. He encourages us to see discipleship as a lifelong journey rather than something we can “finish.”

Learn more or buy Matt's book here.