Leading Simple with Rusty George

In this episode, Rusty chats with Scott Pederson—owner of "Celebrate Positive," a business dedicated to spreading positivity. A proud graduate of the University of Nebraska (Go Big Red!), Scott has an impressive background in sports, including working with the late Rush Limbaugh at the Kansas City Royals, serving as the Recruiting Director for Oklahoma State University, and collaborating with form...

In this week’s Monday Minute , we reflect on the powerful message from our recent sermon: Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? While we addressed many tough questions, there’s one verse we didn’t get to dive into — Hebrews 4:15. This verse reminds us that our High Priest, Jesus, understands our weaknesses and has faced the same trials we do. Unlike other religions that teach how to reach God,...

In this message from the series Is God Good? , Rusty George addresses the challenging question many people face: if God is good and great, why do bad things happen? He acknowledges that many of us grow up believing in certain versions of God that don’t hold up when we face real-life struggles, such as suffering or unanswered prayers. Rusty explores the false images of God, like the "Bodyguard God,...

In this episode, Rusty welcomes John Burke, the founding pastor of Gateway Church in Austin, Texas, as well as a speaker and author known for his works on heaven and near-death experiences. John shares a collection of incredible and often harrowing stories from around the world, shedding light on what he has learned through these experiences. This episode is truly one you need to hear—or see—to be...

In this Monday Minute, Rusty George reflects on the recent weekend message at Crossroads, where he discussed the different versions of God that people often believe in but shouldn't. He highlights the story of a man who asked Jesus to heal his daughter, saying, "I believe, but help my unbelief." Rusty encourages listeners to adopt this prayer in their own lives, especially when struggling with dou...

Rusty George engages his audience with humor and relatable stories, discussing his football allegiances and his family's experiences with prayer, while addressing the deep questions people often have about God's nature. Through a series of anecdotes, he challenges common misconceptions of God, such as the "on-demand" God, the "boyfriend" God, and the "guilt" God, which can lead to a distorted fait...

In this episode, Rusty sits down with Lee Coate, the co-founder of "Growmentum," author of the book "Being Peter," and Executive Pastor at The Crossing Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. They discuss the importance of aligning church vision, strategies for encouraging impulsive volunteers, and the unique challenges of working with the often unpredictable personalities in worship ministry, particularly m...

Damian Boyd opens with a powerful prayer, calling the congregation to surrender to God and listen for His voice. He intercedes specifically for those who are deeply wounded and wrestling with offense, asking God to bring healing and hope to their hearts. Damian highlights that being "unoffendable" is central to the Beatitudes, the culture of God's Kingdom, and the very essence of the cross. Approa...

In this episode, Rusty sits down with Jan, an author, professor, and spiritual director who currently chairs the Dallas Willard Ministries. Together, they explore the concept of "Kingdom Living," discuss the unique weather of Southern California, and delve into the writing process. Jan also shares insights on how to discern when God is speaking to us versus other influences. Join them for a though...

Monday Minute is here!   We just wrapped up a powerful discussion on church hurt—a topic that hits home for so many. If you missed the message, don't worry—you can catch it on Crossroads or through our podcast. This week’s episode dives deep into what happens when the hurt comes from within the church.  Here’s a thought-provoking quote from Stanley Hauerwas: "The most creative social strategy we h...

In today's sermon, we explore the topic of "Church Hurt," addressing the all-too-common experience of feeling offended or let down by the church. Drawing from Philippians 4:2-3, where Paul addresses a conflict between two members of the early church, we examine how unresolved personal issues can escalate into community-wide drama. The key takeaway is that true Christian community is not about avoi...

Kirk Freeman, a former country music writer, now serves as the preacher at CrossBridge Community Church in San Antonio, Texas. He’s also the author of "Threads," a book that explores how everyone can become a disciple. In this episode, Kirk shares a memorable story about discovering the essence of disciple-making during his daughter’s wedding. The conversation also dives into Kirk and Rusty's shar...

Did you miss this weekend's sermon?  Clay Scroggins, a familiar face at Crossroads, shares his excitement about returning after a few months away and dives into the theme of being "Unoffendable." He humorously recounts a personal story of inadvertently taking a long nap on his kids' first day of school, leading to an amusing but slightly embarrassing encounter with the school principal. Clay explo...

Hey everyone, thanks for tuning in! This segment is all about diving deeper into what we didn’t have time to cover in our weekend message. And here’s something crucial I didn’t get to mention: Why should we strive to live unoffendable? Well, one of the key reasons is because Jesus absorbed our offenses on the cross.  Let’s reflect on Romans 4:25: “Jesus was delivered up because of our offenses and...

We have all been OFFENDED by someone or something. This message uses common mousetraps and bug zappers as metaphors to illustrate how easy it is to fall into life’s various "traps," such as consumerism, sweets, gossip, and digital distractions. Pastor Rusty recounts personal experiences, leading to a deeper discussion about the ultimate trap laid by the enemy: offense. Rusty urges listeners not to...

Brian Dodd, author of "Timeless: 10 Enduring Practices of Apex Leaders," has spent the past 19 years assisting churches and pastors in funding their visions and missions. In this episode, Rusty and Brian discuss a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, emphasizing its importance through examples from movies, sports, and other books. Stay tuned until the end, where Brian gets Rusty to share hi...

Today, I'm excited to have Dino Rizzo with us. Dino serves as the Executive Director of ARC (Association of Related Churches) and is an Associate Pastor at Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama. He's also the author of "Servolution." Dino and I will be discussing church planting, exploring innovative ways and new locations where churches are starting, and how ARC supports these endeavors....

I'm excited to bring you this episode featuring Jon Acuff. Together, we explore the journey of rewriting the soundtracks in your head. Jon shares invaluable insights into transforming our inner narratives and breaking free from self-limiting beliefs. Join us for an inspiring conversation that will empower you to take control of your thoughts and live a more fulfilling life. Don't miss it! Social M...

I'm thrilled to have Chad Veach on the podcast this week. Chad is an author, speaker, and the lead pastor of ZOE Church in Los Angeles. He shared some incredible stories from his journey as a founding pastor and father. We also discussed his new book, "Worried About Everything Because I Pray About Nothing." Chad's insights on authenticity and overcoming anxiety are truly invaluable. I know you'll...

In this episode, I’m joined by faith-driven entrepreneur Jeff Henderson. We dive into his unique blend of ministry and business, uncovering secrets from his time at Chick-fil-A. Jeff shares valuable insights and experiences that bridge faith and entrepreneurship. Don't miss this inspiring conversation! Social Media: Website: https://jeffhenderson.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jefferyehend...

I’m thrilled to have Kyle Idleman from Southeast Christian Church as my guest. Kyle is the one who planted Real Life Church. As we sat down, I learned more about Kyle’s experience growing up under the microscope as a pastor’s kid—something my daughters can relate to. Kyle shared how being open and authentic can be a catalyst for better connections with your people. We also talked about his new boo...

This week’s episode was a dream come true for me. I had the chance to talk with Crawford Loritts, a pastor and evangelist with an incredible legacy. Crawford also happens to be the author of one of the best leadership books I’ve ever read. We talked about his experience leading Fellowship Bible Church for 15 years, processed the effects of deconstruction on the church, and discussed how we can imp...

In this episode, I explore what the Bible tells us to do when we have faith in God but still struggle with anxiety and panic attacks. Are you searching for peace and purpose, or are you fed up with stress and anxiety? Best-selling author of "Rhythms of Renewal," Rebekah Lyons, joins me to share her contemporary, honest insights on mental health, particularly anxiety. Her testimony of supernatural...

In this episode, I sit down with Glen Keane, a legendary 38-year animator and Academy Award winner behind beloved characters like The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and The Beast. Glen shares stories about his family, his time at Disney, his collaboration with Kobe Bryant on "Dear Basketball," and how he skillfully weaves the gospel through his art. Join me for an inspiring conversation that delves into...

In this episode, I sit down with Pastor Brian Tome from Cincinnati, Ohio, to tackle a question many pastors wrestle with: "How do we connect men to the church?" Brian, a dynamic leader with a passion for engaging men both in and out of the church, brings a wealth of experience to the table. As the host of "The Aggressive Life" podcast, he's known for his unconventional approaches, from hosting a m...