The Discerning Leader Podcast

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Dave Currie

"Singing the songs of those who have come before us, especially from other cultures and times, enhances our discernment as leaders." – Dave Currie

God sings over us out of his great affection, and as a warrior for our soul, he protects and cares for us as his beloved. Songs have been a part of the history of the church as singing helps us stay connected to God and with one another as his children. We know there will be lots of singing in heaven; while we are here on earth, we have a foretaste of that eternal worship. Spanning the history of the church, we note the ways every tribe, nation, and language group are rehearsing for the final praiseworthy performance at the marriage supper of the Lamb!

For more information about "WHEN ISRAEL WAS IN EGYPT'S LAND":

• Background: https://hymnary.org/text/when_israel_was_in_egypts_land
• Gospel Choir: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P32Vj-R8fkY
• Louis Armstrong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW3EAmKESKA

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: Dave Currie

"When Jesus shows up, we want to sing!" – Dave Currie

Sing to the Lord a new song! Songs of our faith are an invitation to intimacy with God, who loves us and enjoys hearing the praises of his people. In this episode we will notice the songs of Zechariah, Mary, and of Simeon – in celebration of the coming of the Messiah. We'll consider how the second coming of Jesus, as noted in the book of Revelation, includes great songs of adoration. Also, in the writings of the apostle Paul, the people of God are encouraged to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in their hearts. Discerning hearts sing!

For more information about "JESUS, THE VERY THOUGHT OF THEE" by Bernard of Clairvaux:

• Background: https://hymnary.org/text/jesus_the_very_thought_of_thee
• Version by Ghanaian Choir: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF_SAsw0XjU

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: Dave Currie

"A song is the quickest route on the longest journey – 18 inches from the head to the heart and then back again." –Dave Currie

Our own leadership discernment grows as we enter into others' experience of noticing God in worship and song. We get to know others from around the world as we sing their songs. This has been true since the dawn of time, and is expressed throughout the Scriptures. In the Old Testament, particularly the Psalms, we find God's people singing in times of triumph, lament, confession, thanksgiving, and praise. Words are the poetry that point us to God and the melody expresses the overflow of emotion. When we sing we pray twice. We hold songs in our heart.

To learn more about songs and their backgrounds:

• https://hymnary.org/
• https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/history-of-hymns

For more information about "SAVIOR OF THE NATIONS, COME" by 4th C. Ambrose the Bishop of Milan, translated into German by Martin Luther and into English by William Reynolds:

• Background: https://hymnary.org/text/savior_of_the_nations_come_virgins_son
• Koine—Savior of the Nations Come (contemporary folk version): https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=DsNPi71O7FI&list=RDAMVMDsNPi71O7FI
• Robert G. Farrell—organ & chorale: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=-HxXFatWo9Y&list=RDAMVM-HxXFatWo9Y
• Sister Sinjin—women's duet: https://music.youtube.com/search?q=savior+of+the+nations+come

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's hard to consider racial reconciliation when we've never really had a right relationship to reconcile." – Kim Nash Alexander

Today's conversation tackles one of the most significant issues of our day, and how God would have us address it from his perspective. Racial brokenness has been a part of our culture for generations and perhaps it will take longer than we prefer to bring about meaningful change. Dr. Kim Alexander shares with us what it's meant for her as an African American leader in the body of Christ and in her community. She outlines the pathway forward in enlightening ways, including awareness, ownership, and agency, and prayerful practices such as confession, forgiveness, repentance, and learning how to honor one another above ourselves.

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: Genalin Niere-Metcalf

"The more you know your own story, the more you will know your own brokenness and what triggers you relationally." –Genalin Niere-Metcalf

Relational brokenness doesn't have to stay that way. There are paths that lead us to wholeness, and on today's episode we discover how. It all begins with understanding our own personal stories, the narratives that have shaped us over time. Unless we know our own hearts fully, it will remain difficult to love others fully. God invites us to trust him, urging us to build trust among others. Kindness, compassion, forgiveness and grace come from a heart that's been healed and renewed. Listen today and ask God to strengthen and restore your relationships.

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: Genalin Niere-Metcalf

"Emotional brokenness is our sense of not being whole, which is all a part of being alive." – Genalin Niere-Metcalf

All of us interact with broken people. It's the wounded among us who wound others, often unaware. Emotional brokenness shows up in our emptiness, anxiety, bitterness, sadness, shame, and perfectionism. Because the Lord delights in healing the broken hearted, it's vital for us to embrace our own brokenness, honor our pain, and seek healing from God. How? Listen to your body, practice breath prayer, enjoy beauty, seek out friends, and practice self-care. Also, giving voice to our personal story in the safety of loving community allows us to be fully known.

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: Jeremy Stefano

"Jesus comes to tend to the broken. No need to feel disqualified or set aside by the Lord because of our brokenness. He longs to rescue us and bring us closer to his heart." – Jeremy Stefano

Spiritual brokenness begins with acknowledging our basic human condition as ones who are dislocated from God. The pathway to wholeness is paying attention to the ways we have stiff armed God or sought to manipulate him in our own image. We seek to explain him our preferred way, or perform for him in hopes of blessings in return, or we have unrealistic expectations of God and get easily disappointed. Instead, our wholeness comes when we choose repentance, gratitude, a heart of worship, and a reawakened love for God.

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: Susan Currie

"On the night we learned the news about my cancer, my husband and I went to a concert in Boston and I wondered, 'Surely, I'm not the only one in this vast hall who has cancer.'" – Susan Currie

Susan Currie was surprised to discover she had stage three colorectal cancer at the young age of 50. Her doctor outlined the year-long plan for dealing with it, comforting her with the words "this can be cured." Chemo, radiation, surgery, and additional treatments and therapies left her sidelined from her daily routines. But God comforted her fears and made himself lovingly accessible throughout her physical brokenness. The intimacy of God's abiding presence carried her throughout, with the Scriptures, prayers, and loving family helping her to persevere.

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

"We are to receive the love of God if we are to ever dispense the love of God to others." – Steve Macchia

How does God use our brokenness as a pathway to spiritual transformation? Today commences a new season of episodes, focusing on the overview of brokenness and wholeness. Reading from the Introduction of Macchia's book, Broken and Whole, Steve invites us to consider our own brokenness and God's delightful redemption. He identifies four areas of brokenness: suffering, heartache, sinfulness, and imperfection. The focus of our transformation is the unconditional love of God in Jesus. He closes the episode with three reflective exercises.

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: Justin Whitmel Earley

"From being totally overwhelmed by my schedule, the house of my life was decorated by my Christian calling but the architecture of my life was built like everyone else, on an unsteady foundation…simple habits radically changed my life." – Justin Whitmel Earley

Justin Earley, author of The Common Rule (InterVarsity Press), introduces his suggested Common Rule, made up of eight habits, four daily and four weekly. The daily habits are: kneeling prayer at morning, midday, and bedtime; one meal with others; one hour with phone off; and Scripture before phone. The weekly habits are: one hour of conversation with a friend; curating media to four hours; fasting from something for twenty-four hours; and Sabbath rest. Each habit corresponds to two different spectrums: love of God and love of neighbor.

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