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Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss the immense pressures faced by pastors today, as articulated by Tim Alberta. Tim highlighted how congregants increasingly expect pastors to function beyond their traditional roles, turning them into part-time pundits and cultural commentators on a myriad of contentious issues ranging from masking and vaccines to abortion and trans rights. Markus and Tod examine the challenges this poses, especially during heightened political seasons, and explore strategies for pastors to manage these pressures healthily, emphasizing the importance of honesty, mission focus, and relational support.

Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss this quote from Tim Alberta in Ep 234, Political Power and American Evangelicalism:

"What I kept coming back to was this immense pressure on pastors to be more than a pastor. In other words, their congregants in so many cases are looking to them in this moment saying, 'Okay. So, what about masking? What about the vaccine? What about the trans issue? What about abortion? What about, I mean, about everything.'... They start to view their pastor as sort of a part-time pastor, but also a kind of part-time pundit, a part-time cultural commentator, part-time prognosticator of world events."


THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• Pastors face immense pressure to address a wide range of social and political issues.
• Congregants often expect pastors to act as experts beyond their theological training.
• Effective leadership includes honestly admitting when answers are unclear.
• Addressing political tensions in congregations requires a commitment to the mission of following Jesus.
• Building strong relationships and seeking support helps pastors navigate crises and maintain integrity.

Did you know Spiritual Life and Leadership has been named the #1 Spiritual Leadership Podcast by the Feedspot Podcasters Database? Check it out HERE!

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Is it possible to lead a congregation without being consumed by anxiety and stress? How can we as ministry leaders manage the pressures and expectations we carry while maintaining a sense of peace and lightness?

In this episode, Alan Fadling, author of A Non-Anxious Life, unpacks how ministry leaders can navigate anxiety by creating a supportive network of friends and mentors, understanding God’s joyful nature, and how these realities can transform our personal life and pastoral leadership.


THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• Alan Fadling advises not bringing personal anxiety into a congregation but sharing it with friends, mentors, therapists, and spiritual directors.
• Alan Fadling highlights that his experience with managing anxiety has been supported by people outside his immediate church community.
• Referencing Lewis Smedes' Shame and Grace, Markus Watson illustrates how acceptance from others can help people feel less anxious and more acceptable.
• Discussing his book about anxiety with a church small group, Alan Fadling emphasizes the value of having outside perspectives to reassure one's concerns.
• Understanding God's joyful nature can lead to personal transformation and fuller acceptance of grace.
• Markus Watson relates a story about providing comfort rather than judgment, illustrating how fear and anxiety are addressed in a supportive manner.
• Categorizing anxiety as a sin is unhelpful, Fadling emphasizes, especially from a pastoral perspective.
• Referencing Eugene Peterson's interpretation from Philippians 4, Alan Fadling focuses on replacing anxiety with peace through prayer.
• We should recognize God's presence in anxious moments through prayer and reflection rather than avoid anxiety.
• Inspired by Dallas Willard, Fadling shares a personal practice of using scripture to find peace amidst anxiety.
• Psalms of Lament can help engage with and express anxiety while relying on God's support.
• Journaling with honesty, as practiced by Alan Fadling, serves as a personal dialogue with God and reinforces that God cares and one is not alone.
• Fadling’s early ministry concerns included whether congregants liked him, stemming from personal insecurity.
• Discussing a "recognition deficit," Alan Fadling notes the mistake of seeking validation from congregations instead of from God.

RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:

• Alan Fadling:
  • Unhurriedliving.com
  • Unhurried Living Podcast
• Books mentioned:
  • A Non-Anxious Life, by Alan Fadling
  • The Wounded Healer, by Henri Nouwen
  • Shame and Grace, by Lewis Smedes
  • Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, by Lewis Smedes
• Related Episodes:
  • The Healing Power of Pilgrimage, with Jon Huckins
  • Saudade, Leadership, and Nurturing the Inner Life, with Jeff Crosby

Did you know Spiritual Life and Leadership has been named the #1 Spiritual Leadership Podcast by the Feedspot Podcasters Database? Check it out HERE!

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Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger discuss the importance of framing for church leaders, particularly in the context of political polarization. Drawing on a quote from Andrew Hanauer, they explore how providing a Biblical framework to congregants can shape their understanding of the world and mitigate the influence of external, often divisive, narratives. Through practical advice and insightful examples, they illustrate how asking the right questions can lead to transformative perspectives grounded in faith.

Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss this quote from Andrew Hanauer in Ep 226, Tackling Toxic Polarization in Your Church:

"If you don't help your congregants have a framework for understanding the world around them, they will get that framework from somewhere else."


THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• Ministry leaders can frame questions to help congregants see the world through the eyes of Jesus.
• Leaders should encourage their congregants to develop a biblical framework for understanding the world.
• Leaders should prompt curiosity through questions instead of giving lectures.
• Leaders can use personal stories to help congregants empathize and rethink their preconceived notions.
• Congregants will find alternative, potentially harmful frameworks if leaders do not provide a biblical one.

Did you know Spiritual Life and Leadership has been named the #1 Spiritual Leadership Podcast by the Feedspot Podcasters Database? Check it out HERE!

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How can our churches reach out to families with autistic members in such a way that the Gospel is good news for them? And how might we need to adapt the way we do church in order to be good news for those with autism in their families?

Dr. David Quel, adjunct professor at Wesley Theological Seminary--and father to three autistic sons--reveals strategies for creating a welcoming environment in our churches for families with autistic members, how to adapt our ministries to meet their needs, and the emotional and spiritual journey of parenting autistic children.


THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• David Quel shares how he and his wife discovered that not just one, but all three of his sons were autistic.
• It was difficult for David Quel and his wife to find the kind of family and church support they needed as a family with three non-high-functioning autistic children.
• David Quel underscores the essential need for emotional, spiritual, mental, and compassionate awareness of autism in church ministry.
• David Quel shares a story about his church setting up a sensory room designed specifically for children with autism.
• This sensory room included items like big fluffy pillows, beanbags, and sensory toys to ensure children's safety.
• David Quel discusses challenges and solutions in creating worship services tailored for children with autism.
• Traditional formats like responsive readings and long sermons are challenging for children with autism.
• David Quel highlights the need for music that is more upbeat to engage children with autism compared to traditional hymns.
• Efforts by David’s church to create separate worship services showed significant commitment but also revealed the struggle to let go of traditional practices.
• David Quel recommends the book Autism and Your Church by Barbara J. Newman for further guidance.
• Interviewing families to understand their specific needs and triggers is crucial to contextual ministry.
• Identifying willing volunteers with relevant experience or a willingness to learn can make a significant difference when adapting your church ministry to families with autism.
• David Quel emphasizes seeing individuals with autism as God’s creations, deserving of love and support.
• Steps churches can take to support families with autism:
  • Set up sensory rooms
  • Tailor specialized worship services
  • Interview and understand families with autism
  • Identify and train volunteers
  • Promote inclusivity

RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:

• BeADisciple.com
  • Autism and the Church Part 1
  • Autism and the Church Part 2
• Wesley Theological Seminary
• Books mentioned:
  • Autism and Your Church, by Barbara J. Newman
• Related Episodes:
  • Tackling Adaptive Challenges in Your Church, with Angie Ward
  • Exploring New Forms of Church, with Shannon Kiser

Did you know Spiritual Life and Leadership has been named the #1 Spiritual Leadership Podcast by the Feedspot Podcasters Database? Check it out HERE!

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Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger explore the concept of power within the framework of discipleship and adaptive leadership, inspired by a quote from Michael Rhodes. They discuss how power, when used responsibly, can prevent harm and support the vulnerable, such as orphans, immigrants, and widows. The conversation delves into the transformative potential of Jesus' use of power, emphasizing that true leadership requires the release and sharing of power to foster justice and love. They conclude with reflections on the societal challenges of redefining power in ways that uplift and protect the most vulnerable in the community.

Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss this quote from Michael Rhodes in Ep 200, The Justice Feast:

“How does our discipleship help us become people who faithfully exercise power in community, particularly on behalf of the orphan, the immigrant, and the widow?”


THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• Tod Bolsinger explores the concept of power and its importance in preventing evil and harm.
• Discipleship involves using power to protect the most vulnerable, such as orphans, immigrants, and widows.
• Adaptive leadership emphasizes transformation and inclusivity, drawing from many voices within a community.
• Jesus demonstrates ultimate power by sacrificing himself for others, illustrating love and justice in the kingdom of God.
• Effective leadership requires adapting and redefining traditional views of power and authority.

Did you know Spiritual Life and Leadership has been named the #1 Spiritual Leadership Podcast by the Feedspot Podcasters Database? Check it out HERE!

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Here in the U.S. the impact of the election and the campaigns of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are inescapable.

In this episode, Tim Alberta, author of The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism, discusses the unsettling trend of political polarization in the church, the role of pastors in responding to the pressure to reclaim a "Christian America," and the importance of having diverse relationships as we navigate this season of polarization.


THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• Tim Alberta shares his story of being criticized for his political views while at his father's funeral.
• Tim Alberta expresses concern over the perceived decline of "Christian America."
• Alberta warns about the losses incurred when churches self-select into narrow ideological spaces.
• Diverse relationships are necessary for spiritual growth and addressing complex issues.
• Markus Watson mentions Allen Hilton and Andrew Hanauer’s organizations working to address political polarization. These organizations bring different churches together to facilitate conversations and humanize each other.
• Alberta discusses how American Christians often view the U.S. as a nation set apart or a new Israel in covenant with God. This belief leads to a conflation of defending America with defending God.
• Some Christians view political opponents as cultural and spiritual adversaries, treating political warfare as spiritual warfare.
• There seems to be a fear among evangelicals of losing status, indoctrination of children, and being targeted by the government.
• Alberta discusses the shift from a culture sympathetic to Christian ideals to one perceived as hostile, creating a siege mentality.
• There seems to be a sense of entitlement within the evangelical community, akin to the belief of the ancient people of Israel..
• Tim Alberta highlights the difficulty for Christians to relate to scriptural suffering due to comfort and wealth in America.
• Some Christians compromise their virtues to reclaim a "Christian America," engaging in unethical behavior for a perceived greater good.

RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:

• Tim Alberta:
  • www.bytimalberta.com
  • The Atlantic
  • Twitter/X - @TimAlberta
• Books mentioned:
  • The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, by Tim Alberta
  • American Carnage, by Tim Alberta
• Related episodes:
  • Tackling Toxic Polarization in Your Church, with Allen Hilton and Andrew Hanauer
  • Leading Your Church Through Political Division, with Allen Hilton
  • Grace-Filled Politics, with Aaron Schafer

Did you know Spiritual Life and Leadership has been named the #1 Spiritual Leadership Podcast by the Feedspot Podcasters Database? Check it out HERE!

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Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger explore how to discern and join in what God is doing in the world. They discuss the importance of humility, recognizing God's ongoing work beyond the church, and adopting practical spiritual disciplines. Tod shares personal practices, like evening prayers of gratitude and a mindset that sees God's activity through the night, to better align with God’s work. They emphasize listening to both God and others to understand the broader context of God's presence and action.

Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss this quote from Tim Soerens in Ep 204, How to Cultivate Presence in Your Community:

“What is God up to? And how do I join in it? And what are the practices and postures and prompts that we need to keep asking ourselves in order to join in what God's doing?”


THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• Tod advises starting the day with the mindset that God has already been at work throughout the night.
• Tim Soerens' quote emphasizes the need to discern what God is doing rather than trying to get God to join in our own plans.
• Markus encourages listening to the people in our communities to understand their hopes and fears.
• Tod highlights the importance of praying for God's kingdom to come on earth as it already exists in heaven.
• Markus reframes the perspective of a megachurch to see itself as a small part of the larger body of Christ.

Did you know Spiritual Life and Leadership has been named the #1 Spiritual Leadership Podcast by the Feedspot Podcasters Database? Check it out HERE!

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How does Jesus go about transforming individual lives and entire societies? And what role do we play in that work of transformation?

Yolanda Solomon, author of Discipleship as Holy Collaboration, helps us get clarity on these questions as she shares her insights on how to build a nurturing community in the Church, the challenges of modern discipleship, and the importance of addressing marginalized groups through a radically inclusive kingdom perspective.


THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• Yolanda Solomon discusses the importance of collaboration and companionship in the Christian faith.
• Hebrews 10 underlines the importance of being known and spurring one another on to good works in discipleship.
• Markus Watson and Yolanda Solomon discuss the challenges of leadership today and how Jesus' teachings can guide leaders to serve and esteem those most margnalized.
• Discipleship is about followers of Jesus following in his footsteps, learning from him, and being invited into a new community of divine love to live and love like Jesus and continue his mission on earth.
• Discipleship is a holy collaboration with Jesus and involves empowering individuals through the Holy Spirit to imitate Jesus.
• Yolanda Solomon believes there is a discipleship problem in the church due to church hurt, the hierarchical church structure, and the misconception that discipleship is about behavior modification.
• She admits her past attempts at discipleship focused on modifying people's behavior, but she has since shifted to a discipleship strategy grounded in Jesus' educational approach.
• Yolanda Solomon highlights different ways of teaching and learning, mentioning how Jesus involves his disciples in the miracles he performs.
• Disciple-focused education should include practical involvement, such as Jesus' example of telling the disciples to feed the five thousand.
• Markus Watson and Yolanda Solomon emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit in heart transformation.
• Both Yolanda and Markus express the importance of addressing systemic oppression and social injustice.
• Yolanda Solomon shares a story about Jesus' forgiveness and its impact on systemic oppression, emphasizing that societal injustice affects both the oppressed and the oppressor.
• Yolanda Solomon highlights Jesus' rejection of worldly power and his call for sacrificial, inclusive love, underscoring the need for both heart and structural change in society.

RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:

• Yolanda Solomon:
  • www.yolandasolomon.site
  • Instagram - @yolanda.solomon.bk
• Books mentioned:
  • Discipleship as Holy Collaboration, by Yolanda Solomon
  • Kingdom, Church, and World, by Hoqard A. Snyder
• Related episodes:
  • Building a Multi-inclusive Church, with Efrem Smith and Dan Kreiss
  • Unlearning Old Paradigms for Kingdom Leadership, with Terry Walling
  • From Sunday Services to Real Transformation, with E.K. Strawser
• The Muppets, “She Drives Me Crazy”

Did you know Spiritual Life and Leadership has been named the #1 Spiritual Leadership Podcast by the Feedspot Podcasters Database? Check it out HERE!