The Discerning Leader Podcast

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Gary Thomas

"The Christian life is about an abundance of good fruit. We must walk away from toxic people in order to preserve that good fruit." – Gary Thomas

This episode originally aired on 10/21/21 in Season 14 - Discerning God Emotionally and Relationally (Episode 5). Gary Thomas speaks to a glaring issue today: dealing with toxic people. He says, "Before you walk away from your ministry, try walking away from toxic people first." We need to learn how to play defense, to protect what God has planted in our hearts and in our service to others. When we invest so much of our energy on toxic relationships, we lose sight of God's missional call to build up the Kingdom. There may in fact come a time when it's simply best to just "walk away" and maintain your focus on Jesus and his mission. Be wise. Say no. Turn away. Be free.

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guests: Rick Anderson, Susan Currie, Matt Scott, and Jeremy Stefano

"Giving space to our relationships and decisions describes well our discernment processes for Selah and for LTI overall." – Susan Currie

Rick Anderson (Executive VP), Susan Currie (Director of Selah), Jeremy Stefano (Director of Emmaus and Abide), Matt Scott (Creative Director), and Steve Macchia (Founder and President) join their voices in rejoicing together on the occasion of the 19th Anniversary of Leadership Transformations. They share stories of how spiritual discernment has been a central part of our life together in relationships and ministry. Rick talks about the impressive and unforced discernment process followed by the LTI board as we called him onto the team more than 16 years ago. Susan reflects on how the Lord directed our steps in offering training in spiritual direction, and how the Selah ministry has grown over the years. Jeremy helps us slow down conversations and lean prayerfully into our ongoing discerning presence and the development of new ministry, like Emmaus and Abide. Matt comes alongside us with his creative heart for God and collects our shared longings for discerning the voice and passion of God for all of us. Join the celebration of 19 faithful years with a donation to www.LeadershipTransformations.org

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Michelle Sanchez

"In a racially broken world, what we need for disciples to be is not color-blind, but color-courageous." – Michelle Sanchez

Michelle Sanchez is Executive Minister of Make and Deepen Disciples for the Evangelical Covenant Church, a multiethnic denomination of over 900 congregations throughout North America. She is also the author of Color-Courageous Discipleship book series. As she notes, it's far better to become color-courageous than to be color-blind. Her vision: follow Jesus, dismantle racism when we see it, and build beloved community by loving one another across our differences. As an African American minister, Michelle has a unique voice to communicate this important message to the Church today. In this conversation she shares how God called her out of her investment banking career into full time ministry, beginning in the local church and now in a strategic denominational leadership position. Find her at MichelleTSanchez.com

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

"What if the things that bring you joy are an arrow pointing you to God?" – Jenn Giles Kemper

Jenn Giles Kemper is the Founder of Sacred Ordinary Days, offering intentional spiritual guidance for those desirous of a wholistic life in Christ. They create tools and curate resources for a global community of ecumenical believers. Jenn's a contemplative entrepreneur with a heart for the health and vitality of the body of Christ. She's creative, insightful, and willing to take risks courageously and prayerfully. A trained spiritual director, Jenn organized the Sacred Ordinary Days planner for those who prefer a tactile prayer experience throughout the liturgical year. When asked about how she fosters a discerning life, she encourages us to know yourself and give yourself permission to be yourself, to create space, become more aware, learn to live life more open handedly, and see prayer as a doorway into a relationship with God.

"Divine providence called me and I answered the phone." – Al Lopus

Today's discerning life story features the founder of Best Christian Workplace Institute, Al Lopus, who joins us to share his wisdom about the keys to outstanding organizational life. His new book, The Road to Flourishing: Eight Keys to Boost Employee Engagement and Well-Being covers eight priorities to greater effectiveness. Based on extensive research, the eight keys also spell the word FLOURISH: Fantastic Teams; Life-Giving Work; Outstanding Talent; Uplifting Growth; Rewarding Compensation; Inspirational Leadership; Sustainable Strategy; and Healthy Communication. The #1 need: inspirational leadership, focusing on the importance of character, integrity, competency and trust. So much to glean for Christian leaders today!

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

"Everything I believe about soul care came about because of the collapse of my interior life." – Mindy Caliguire

President and Co-Founder of Soul Care, Mindy Caliguire shares about her experiences in spiritual formation ministry and a life of soul care for herself and others. She looks back to the challenges of church planting and her early days of releasing a life of the strategic and analytical in order to "swan dive" into the depth of her interior life, soaking in the unforced rhythms of God's grace. It is here that she found God in mystery, slowness, stillness and love. She discovered the joy of immersing herself in God and then resting in God's provisions. Most recently displaced by a wildfire in her neighborhood. Mindy's faith story is entering a new chapter of trusting God fully. Amidst this level of disruption, soul care has been essential.

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

"It was me that needing saving from my prejudice, judgments, and ignorance. It was me that needed to grow." – Cheryl Buchanan

Cheryl Buchanan is the co-founder of New Story Community (NewStoryCommunity.net), a ministry designed to promote the flourishing of indigenous women in safety, beauty, and community. Meeting in a retreat center in British Columbia, Canada, this new ministry is a safe haven for women who are seeking to be freed of addictions that have held them captive for years. Cheryl's love for these women began nearly 20 years ago when she volunteered her services to come alongside indigenous families through their local church. God birthed and matured Cheryl's discerning life story in listening prayer, spiritual direction, and hospitality.

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

"Debby, you are a peacemaker, but you are deeply troubled." – Debby Mills

Growing up, Debby Mills became disillusioned with the church but never gave up on God. And he never gave up on her. In her professional career and her family life, Debby naturally serves from a belief that every life matters to God and should therefore matter to us. As an adult, she was baptized and confirmed in her local church, which led her into a deeper exploration of faith. Her involvement with LTI's Emmaus program was personally restorative, which led she and her husband into leading soul hospitality groups in their home. The Mills' are volunteers with Hospitality Homes, an agency that provides free space for family members of those who are hospitalized. Additionally, the ministry of racial reconciliation has been birthed in Debby's heart and has led her into service opportunities designed to bring justice and wholeness to all.

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

"In my painful disappointments, I learned how to be content, and I learned of God's love and sufficiency." – Sara Singleton

Sara Singleton shares her story about the obvious and mysterious ways that she has been discerning the hand and heart of God for several decades. She begins with how she and her husband Jim met during college, and fell in love thanks to the grace of God. Jim was for her "the safest person on earth" and their marriage has been a testimony of God's love ever since. She recounts her story of failed pregnancies and the challenge of raising an adopted child from Guatemala. Her years of ministry, most recently in Newburyport, MA, led her into her doctoral work and an incredible ministry of racial justice and reconciliation. Go to Whitfield2020.org for additional information. She ends the episode sharing two stories of God's amazing provision!

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

"Expect to reorganize your interior life every 7-10 years." –Gordon MacDonald

Gordon MacDonald's "View From Eighty" continues in this episode with the following issues and ideas:

1. Live modestly, stay free of debt, be generous, develop a financial plan, and be wary of those who try to buy your favor;
2. Expect to reorganize your interior life every 7-10 years;
3. Receive complements, criticism and counsel with humility and appreciation, avoid whining, complaining, self-pity and making excuses;
4. Stay alert for the evils and confusions imbedded in organizational life;
5. Be quick to say (with sincerity and put into writing too) thank you, well done, I'm sorry, I forgive you, and how can I help?;
6. When you prepare a sermon or teaching, always ask yourself, "What difference will this presentation make to those who will hear you?";
7. Be alert for the sensual "triggers" that sometimes follow intense spiritual ministry; and
8. Return to the cross regularly: express your gratitude, name your sins and resentments, pray for the world, and listen for God's calls to do mighty things.

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.