The Healthy Christian Leader

On this episode of the Healthy Christian Leader Show, host Dwight Habermehl welcomes pastor Rob Laidlaw for a conversation about what it means to make disciples and build a church culture centred on Jesus’ mission.

Drawing on more than 30 years of pastoral ministry, Rob explains why discipleship is not simply one ministry of the church, but the ministry of the church. He shares a practical framework for developing followers of Jesus through six key areas: character, knowledge, spiritual disciplines, community, ministry, and mission.

Rob also explores how churches can foster deeper spiritual growth through large gatherings, small groups, and more personal mentoring relationships. He challenges believers to recognize that discipleship begins on day one, encouraging Christians to share what they know and help others grow in their relationship with Jesus.

Throughout the conversation, Rob emphasizes the importance of keeping God’s mission at the centre of our lives, rather than allowing even good things like work, family commitments, and recreational activities to distract us from our calling.

This episode offers practical encouragement for pastors, ministry leaders, and anyone seeking to grow in Christ and help others do the same.

Support the show

What does it truly mean to make disciples, and how can the Church intentionally equip believers to live out their God-given purpose?

In this episode of The Healthy Christian Leader, Dwight Habermehl welcomes pastor Rob Laidlaw, founder of Strategic Discipleship, for a practical conversation about what it means to become a disciple of Jesus and help others follow Him.

Drawing from more than 30 years of pastoral ministry, Rob explains why discipleship is not simply another program within the Church — it is the mission of the Church. He shares how Jesus modelled intentional discipleship and why churches need a clear strategy to help believers grow in spiritual maturity, take increasing responsibility, and become effective kingdom influencers.

Rob unpacks six key areas of discipleship: character, knowledge, spiritual disciplines, community, ministry, and mission. He also explores how large groups, small groups, and close mentoring relationships work together to foster meaningful spiritual growth.

Throughout the conversation, Rob challenges Christian leaders to reconsider their priorities, surrender their lives more fully to Jesus, and recognize that every believer is called to participate in making disciples — starting from day one.

Whether you're a pastor, ministry leader, or follower of Jesus seeking to grow in your faith, this episode offers practical insight and encouragement to help you move from simply attending church to actively advancing the Kingdom of God.

Learn more: Visit StrategicDiscipleship.com to explore free discipleship resources and curriculum for churches.

Support the show

In this episode of The Healthy Christian Leader, Dwight Habermehl sits down with Reid Stairs to talk about finding our identity in Christ, discovering joy beyond ministry, and learning to enjoy the journey God has placed us on.

Reid shares lessons from decades of ministry and reflects on the importance of recognizing that our identity is not found in our ministry, our success, or what others think of us, but in Christ. They discuss how having interests outside of ministry can help leaders stay grounded, connect with people in everyday life, and experience God's joy in unexpected places.

The conversation also explores contentment, grace, and the danger of turning our relationship with God into a performance. Reid encourages leaders to move beyond striving and learn to rest in the Father's love and enjoy fellowship with Him.

Looking back on his own life, Reid offers encouragement to younger leaders: slow down, don't rush the journey, rest in Christ, and trust that God will fulfill His purposes as we walk with Him. The episode closes with a prayer for leaders to be freed from performance-based Christianity and to discover the deep joy and freedom found in a relationship with God.

Support the show

In this episode of The Healthy Christian Leader, Dwight Habermel sits down with longtime pastor and leader Reid Stairs to reflect on more than 50 years of ministry experience and the lessons God has learned along the way.

Reid shares how his understanding of ministry has shifted from building and managing an organization to focusing on relationships, the presence of God, and helping people become who God has called them to be. He talks about learning not to “fix” people, but instead to walk alongside them through the different seasons and challenges of life while trusting the Holy Spirit to do the work of transformation.

The conversation also explores the importance of healthy leadership teams, the fivefold ministry, patience, trusting God, and learning to lead from a place of spiritual rest rather than drivenness. Reid describes this as “relaxed intensity” — giving ministry your best while trusting God with the results.

The episode closes with two important reminders for the next generation of leaders: keep returning to the reality that the Kingdom of God operates differently from the kingdom of this world, and learn to know who you are in Christ rather than finding your identity in ministry performance or success.

Support the show

In this episode of the Healthy Christian Leader Show, Dwight Hafermehl sits down with Bruce Havill to talk about the importance of love, relationships, and genuine community in the life of a Christian.

Bruce shares from decades of leadership and church ministry about learning to make people a priority, both inside and outside the church. He shares stories of how simple acts of love and hospitality have opened doors for people to encounter Jesus, including a powerful story of a woman who came to faith after experiencing the genuine love of a Christian community.

The conversation explores what it looks like to create a church culture where people feel known, welcomed, supported, and loved. Dwight and Bruce discuss the importance of meaningful relationships, transparency, trust, and creating safe environments where people can share honestly without fear of judgment.

They also discuss how grace and truth work together, why secrets can keep people trapped, and how genuine Christian community can bring freedom and spiritual growth. At the heart of the conversation is a simple reminder: love is central to Christian leadership, church life, and how we care for the people God has entrusted to us.

Support the show

In this episode of the Healthy Christian Leader Show, Dwight sits down with Bruce to talk about his journey toward a deeper love for the wider body of Christ. Bruce shares how God challenged his narrow view of the Church and used Jesus’ prayer for unity in John 17 to transform the way he viewed Christians from other churches and denominations.

They discuss the barriers that can keep churches and leaders from working together, including fear, insecurity, and the unknown, and how simple acts of welcome and relationship can begin to break those barriers down. Bruce also reflects on his years of helping bring churches and leaders together through the Nova Scotia Leadership Prayer Breakfast, Pray Nova Scotia, and The Well.

Throughout the conversation, Bruce emphasizes the importance of pastors modeling unity, building genuine relationships, and creating spaces where leaders can encourage and support one another. They also explore how a small step, such as having coffee with another Christian leader, can grow into something much bigger.

This conversation is an encouraging look at what can happen when the body of Christ chooses to work together, build trust, and lift one another up in the call to lead.

Support the show

In this episode of the Healthy Christian Leader Show, Dwight Habermehl sits down with Julia Benwell to explore the challenge of leading a family while also leading in ministry, business, or the workplace. Julia shares lessons from 34 years of children’s ministry and her own experience of building a family around God-given priorities and calling.

They discuss setting healthy boundaries, involving children appropriately in ministry, staying emotionally present at home, and learning from spouses and children. Julia also highlights the importance of intentionally connecting with each child through their unique interests and love languages, while recognizing that different seasons of life require different rhythms and priorities.

The conversation closes with encouragement for parents and leaders who feel they have made mistakes in the past. Julia emphasizes that it is never too late to make godly changes, strengthen our relationship with God, and move forward by loving our spouses and children like Jesus.

Support the show

In this episode of the Healthy Christian Leader Show, Dwight Habermehl sits down with Julia Benwell, who brings 34 years of experience in children’s ministry, to explore what it looks like to intentionally nurture the spiritual lives of children. Together, they discuss the challenges parents face in a culture filled with competing influences, the importance of establishing spiritual foundations from an early age, and how parents can create an environment where children learn to hear from God and recognize His work in their lives.

Julia shares practical insights on modeling faith, building family identity, recognizing spiritual gifts and callings, and gradually transitioning from directing children to coaching them as they grow into their teenage and young adult years. They also explore how churches can meaningfully involve children beyond traditional children's ministry by creating opportunities for mentorship, service, worship, and ministry alongside adults.

Whether you're a parent, grandparent, pastor, or leader, this conversation offers encouragement and practical wisdom for helping the next generation discover who they are in Christ and confidently step into what God has called them to be.

Support the show

In this episode of the Healthy Christian Leader Show, Dwight Habermel sits down with Dr. Seidel Abel Boanerges to explore how Christian leaders can lead change without creating unnecessary division. Drawing from his experience as a pastor, theological educator, and ministry leader, Seidel shares practical insights on recognizing resistance, listening to the concerns beneath people's questions, and communicating change with a pastoral heart.

Together, they discuss the importance of protecting unity without avoiding healthy conflict, creating space for quieter voices, avoiding language that shuts down conversation, and keeping people—not programs—at the center of leadership. This conversation offers encouragement and practical wisdom for pastors and leaders navigating change within their churches and ministries.

Support the show

In this episode of The Healthy Christian Leader, Dwight Habermehl speaks with Dr. Seidel Abel Boanerges about how Christian leaders can introduce change without creating unnecessary division.

They explore the importance of truth, time, and trust, and why leaders must understand the emotional weight that change can carry for a congregation. Seidel explains why honoring the past, listening to concerns, and communicating clearly can help people move forward together.

The conversation also looks at the difference between leading as a manager and leading as a shepherd, recognizing early signs of resistance, and creating space for quieter voices to be heard.

Ultimately, Christian leadership is not about keeping everyone happy. It is about faithfully leading people through change while protecting unity, practicing humility, and following God's direction.

Support the show