Eagle Brook Church Leadership Podcast

"Every Christian person needs people who hold them accountable, offer them support and encouragement, and help them grow spiritually." It's the case for community, and it’s not a new idea. God introduced it in Genesis, Jesus modeled it throughout his life, the early church took it on—and it's still a core component of the church today. In this episode, we're talking groups with our Gro...

Jeremy Freeland owns Boo'z Bar in Knapp, WI. You're probably wondering—why is a bar owner on a church leadership podcast? We promise, it's worth a listen to find out. But be warned: Jeremy's story is powerful, and what God is doing through him + the Eagle Brook Church Viewing Group he started at his bar might just leave you speechless. Watch Jeremy's story here:  https://youtu.be/Cidopa...

How do you keep your staff aligned while the world becomes more and more polarized? In this episode, John + Don chat with Jerry Hurley, team development leader at Life. Church, about how to define, assess, and develop your team culture into one that is focused, inspired, and healthy from top to bottom.

What is "spiritual authority"? Are you born with it? Do you have to be a pastor to have it? No matter who you are, you can carry spiritual authority, but it takes intentionality for it to grow and flourish to its full potential in your life. Enjoy this conversation with Worship Pastor Emily Alexander as she gives John + Don a picture of the future of worship and how to pursue genuine, God-given au...

What would you try if you knew you couldn't fail? A new year means new goals, and here's a convo to inspire you while you're making them. Ryan Leak sits down with John to talk about chasing failure, dreaming big in the new year, and how to be productive while keeping your sanity. Watch the   Chasing Failure   documentary at ryankleak.com Stay in touch with Ryan! Text your name to (469)80...

Everybody knows that everybody's different. We could all use a bit of help understanding each other in order to communicate more effectively. Enter: temperaments. John and Don sit down with temperament expert Kathleen Edelman, author of " I Said This, You Heard That" and "A Grown-Up’s Guide To Kids' Wiring," to talk through each of the 4 temperaments and their impact on leadership and workin...

We're facing a completely new era when it comes to hiring. People are looking for new opportunities, and companies are getting creative about attracting the right person for the job. How do organizations create environments where people feel cared for and are set up to succeed in the long run? John and Don sit down with the Eagle Brook Human Resources team and talk about all of this and more.&nbsp...

Of course, you know you can't be the expert in all things. It's just harder to come to terms with it when you're leading others. In this episode, John and Don talk about what happens when you're leading people who know more than you. And why asking questions, delegating, and appreciating are keys steps in the process.

Did you know that studies say 64% of church youth will leave the church when they're adults? It's a humbling statistic that begs the question — what are we going to do about it? John and Don chat with Eagle Brook's Student Ministries team about what students look for in a church experience. And what they're doing to help students become lifelong followers of Jesus.  

What does a new ministry year mean at Eagle Brook Church? It's the perfect time to look ahead, find ways to get better as leaders, and make sure we're all heading in the same direction. This starts with evaluating how we're doing in accomplishing our mission and finding ways to do it even more effectively. Here are five things we are excited about this ministry year.

Pursuing excellence is essential if you want to set yourself apart as an individual or organization. It also means you're constantly looking for ways to make things better. John and Don talk about one of Eagle Brook Church's five staff commitments — Make It Better. And why it's been a vital part of helping people grow as leaders and in their faith.

No church leader dreams of one day burning out and leaving their career. Yet 1,500 pastors leave the ministry every month, and last year 4,000 churches closed their doors. Dale Peterson joins John and Don as they talk through 7 reasons churches struggle. And how they can reverse course and become environments where attenders and staff thrive and grow in their faith.

What do you need to know to help people grow spiritually? Well, every life stage requires a slightly different approach. It's helpful to know what types of experiences are most meaningful for kids, teens, and adults. And that's exactly what John and Don talk about on this episode with special guest Ray Zaffke. 

When tension strikes, a crisis arises, the going gets tough, your character will be the thing that either gets you through or derails you into the abyss. Character is the foundation from which you lead. John and Don talk through biblical principles for building character that helps you lead wisely through any situation. Listen to Episode 2 to learn more about Eagle Brook Church's staff commitments...

Ever lead a team of creatives? Creating a healthy culture on a creative team requires encouragement, thoughtful feedback, empathy, and vision. Dave Holvig + Nate Nohling talk about leading creatives and how a great team culture helps create engaging weekend experiences at Eagle Brook.

For your organization to be around for the long-run, innovation is crucial. But when you’re not the key decision-maker, there’s some skill involved in bringing your innovative ideas forward. John and Don talk through 7 steps to have your great ideas heard by your boss, no matter your position in a company.

One of the keys to being effective organization is keeping your staff moving in the same direction. With different personalities and priorities, this can be a challenge. Listen in as John and Don talk with two key leaders at Eagle Brook Church about leading staff toward alignment and unity.

It's easy to assume when someone confidently stands on a stage and gives a talk, it's because of natural talent. What you don't see are hours of preparation and feedback leading up to that moment. Which must mean being a great communicator is an acquired skill. In this episode, Don and John break down the keys to giving engaging and inspiring talks to any size group.  

  For the first time in history, the fastest-growing religious group in America is the “nones”—people who don’t identify with any religion. This presents a unique challenge for churches: How do you reach people that have little experience or familiarity with church? Senior Pastor Jason Strand joins Don and John to talk about Eagle Brook’s mission to reach people...

  Money is a critical component of daily life. So why does the church have such a hard time talking about it? Whether you’re leading or attending a church, knowing the heart behind why you give is the key to the entire conversation. Special guest, Jim Johnson, joins Don and John to discuss why the best place to talk about money might be in church.  

  Whether you’re working with a brand-new team member or someone who’s been on staff for years, it’s important to know where they are in their leadership journey. When you do, you can take someone who is eager but unsure about how they can contribute and give them the opportunity to become a key decision-maker and innovative leader.  

Every organization (including churches) has a brand—it’s how someone perceives us and would describe us to their friends. And we can either let everyone else define our brand for us, or we can be the ones to shape it. Being intentional about branding our organization around our mission and values lets us have the impact we truly desire. Listen in as we talk branding and the creative pr...

Without a doubt, the thing we are most passionate about at Eagle Brook is transformation. There’s nothing like witnessing someone find the freedom that only comes from knowing Jesus. But we know that’s just the beginning. As a person grows in faith, transformation continues. And that journey is what John and Don are talking about in this episode with special guest, Rachel Holvig. &nbsp...

About This Episode We all want to grow—we want to expand our business, increase our revenue, sell more coffee, or if you’re a church leader, reach more people for Christ. Remaining efficient is vitally important as we grow. In this episode, John and Don talk about organizational growth and efficiency. And why cheeseballs can help everyone understand the role they play.     Sh...

About This Episode Organizations set themselves up for success when they invest in their staff and help them develop their God-given gifts and abilities. LeadershipX, a leadership development program, is one way Eagle Brook is equipping individuals to lead in their workplaces and the church. John and Don talk with two LeadershipX participants who share their experience and why it’s proven so...