Dean Hawk Leadership Podcast | AUDIO

What happens when the vision God put in your heart looks nothing like the reality in front of you? For pastors and leaders, vision can inspire us, but it can also frustrate and discourage us. Learn the practical steps for narrowing the gap between where you are and where you believe God is taking you .

Somewhere between sermons, meetings, counseling, hospital visits, and carrying the weight of other people, many pastors forgot something important: how to enjoy life.  In this episode, Dean talks about why every pastor needs a life beyond ministry, how hobbies can refill what ministry drains, and how to overcome the guilt of spending time and money on something that's simply FUN.

Headlines remind us that gifted leaders can still fall. In this episode, Dean shares practical, biblical disciplines that strengthen the "shortest slats" of the bucket in our lives, protecting our character, relationships, health, and ministry so we can lead with greater capacity and finish well.

VOLUNTEER FATIGUE:  They don't usually quit overnight. They slowly become hesitant, disconnected, exhausted, and eventually disappear. This month's podcast will help you recognize volunteer fatigue before it costs you some of your best people.

After decades in leadership, Dean recognized subtle but undeniable signs that his season as Lead Pastor was ending. In this episode, he unpacks the symptoms, the internal wrestle, and the spiritual discernment that led to a confident transition. If you’re sensing a shift in your own life or leadership, this conversation will help you recognize it and respond with clarity and courage.

There’s a trap in ministry . . . and it’s easy to miss. It starts as calling. But over time, it can turn into something else. You begin to need the platform. Not just to lead, but to feel valuable. And when that happens, your identity gets tied to your role. In this leadership episode, I share part of my own journey . . . how much of my identity was wrapped up in being the lead pastor, and how God...

This month, Dean talks candidly about how God prunes leaders and churches, how to recognize a pruning season, the mistakes pastors often make when interpreting it, and how pruning prepares the way for greater fruitfulness.  If you’ve ever felt like God was cutting things back in your life or ministry, this episode will help you understand why the Master Gardener does His best work with pruning she...

Few things weigh heavier than when people leave. It can feel personal. It can even feel like abandonment. In this episode we look at how Christ handled thinning crowds, departing disciples, and shifting loyalty — without losing His calling or His peace.

Leadership transitions are one of the most vulnerable moments in ministry and often one of the least talked about honestly. On January 18th I will shift to Founding Pastor and Josh Hawk (unrelated) will become the new Lead Pastor here at Rock Family Church.  In this month’s podcast, Josh and I pull back the curtain on an active, real-time leadership handoff .  We talk candidly about trust, success...

This month’s podcast, is a leadership conversation every pastor needs. I share why God promotes through precision, not position, and how biblical leaders like Noah, Bezalel, Daniel, and Jesus Himself modeled excellence in the little things that no one else noticed.    These small details are what elevate a ministry, sharpen a staff, and take a church from good to exceptional.    I also give a quic...

Let’s be honest— some leaders lead from position, not passion. They rely on titles, not trust. But the greatest leaders?  They win people’s hearts before they ever ask for their hands.  In this month’s p odcast , I’m talking about what I’ve learned to connect your heart with your staff and your people — not through control, but through compassion.

Since the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk last month, pastors across America have been turning their spiritual guns on one another . . . condemning and criticizing how others responded to his death. Some have even gone so far as to call pastors cowards, question their calling, and pressure people to leave their churches. But here’s the truth: when pastors preach their personal convictions as...

Has anyone else wrestled with the struggle of how do we give the Holy Spirit freedom to flow in our church services while respecting the time?  This month Dean will kill some of the myths we have embraced on this subject and offer wisdom on how NOT to quench the Spirit or crush your children’s volunteers.

In this month’s podcast you’ll hear insights from the marriage book that has revolutionized Dean and Kim’s marriage the past three years.  It will equip you with the tools to bring a struggling marriage back to life or turn a GOOD marriage into a GREAT one!

AI and the Church: Is It the Future or a Fad?"  In today’s world, AI is reshaping everything—our lives, our culture, and our careers. But what about the church? Should pastors be using AI for sermon writing? How can it make ministry more efficient? In this episode, Dean dives into these pressing questions and shares practical insights to help you and your team navigate the role of AI in the l...

Ignite Your Church’s Potential In this episode, we dive into MOMENTUM BUSTERS & THRUSTERS and how it can transform your organization, ministry, or team. Have you ever felt that surge of energy that pushes things forward effortlessly? Or have you experienced those moments when it feels like you're trudging through mud, despite all your best efforts? We’ll uncover what sparks momentum, how...

Do you carry the weight of praying and trusting God for the weekly finances and offerings of your church?  In this month’s podcast Dean offers some creative insights to bringing your team on board to help you fight the good fight of faith and see your church income INCREASE!  

Go forward 20 years in your life . . . what does your retirement fund look like?   Special guest and CFO, Kim Hawk, joins Dean this month to talk about the practical steps of investing NOW to prepare for your future retirement.  We’ll help you make sense of the Roth IRA, 403b, stocks, mutual funds, matching contributions, and investments.  Grab your spouse and have them join you for this podcast!...

As pastors, there are moments when we give everything to others, yet feel like we have nothing left for ourselves.  We experience criticism, betrayal, burnout, and seasons where encouragement is scarce.  If we look to people to fill our need we often are left wanting.  This month, Dean will share SIX key steps that David took to find strength in God on one of his WORST days of his leadership caree...

In this month’s podcast Dean reveals a simple practice he added to his Sunday worship experience years ago that leaves people almost in shock the first time they attend a service.     One woman recently said, “I’ve been going to church for 30 years and have never seen a church do this?”     This simple tool will change your reputation in the community, transform the way your members think, and lay...

One of the joys of ministry are the hundreds of armchair quarterbacks to critique our sermons, decisions, and direction for the church.  This is a podcast for your entire team as Dean shares practical insights on how to respond and handle those emails and complaints from church and community members.

It’s that time of year to make plans for your 2025 church budget.  Discover WHY establishing and maintaining an annual budget is so important and find out the SIX major categories your budget should be divided into.

Check out this month’s podcast and discover the benefits of having legal counsel to help you navigate the many issues of leading your church.  Dean is joined by special guest, Ashley Hawk, who is an attorney who specializes in church and non-profit law.

One of the most effective ways to impact your city with the love of Jesus Christ is through the school system.  Join Dean in this month’s podcast to learn creative ways to build relationships with your local schools through creative outreaches that bless students and faculty.