Leading From Alignment

Have you ever felt like an underdog? Like you are operating at a disadvantage? If so . . . welcome to the club! The Bible is full of people who felt they were underdogs. In today’s episode, John and Jim unpack an encouraging idea: You + God is a winning combination!

Psalm 23 is one of the most beloved of all the Psalms. It carries fresh meaning for those of us who lead. Before God leads you in your calling . . . He leads you to Himself. In today’s episode, John and Jim unpack how leaders can navigate chaotic times by getting quiet enough to tune in, listen to, and follow God’s voice.

Do you want to lead better? Longer? Have more fun along the way? If so, three foundational items in your life need to get healthier: Identity, Affection, and Affirmation. In today’s episode we unpack these three pillars of healthy living and leadership that, if properly applied, will improve your leadership, lengthen your shelf-life, and increase the enjoyment of your calling.

Gossip . . . perhaps the most pervasive problem in the church today. And the lack of unity it produces weakens the witness of the Church and ultimately the reputation of Jesus. In today’s episode John and Jim tackle a subject that comes from a friend of Converge Coaching, Jay Fowler . . . collapsing relational triangles. Today's conversation carves a path that will help build unity in the church o...

Conflict . . . for most leaders, the bane of their existence. Something to be postponed instead of embraced. But the way we deal with conflict is a barometer of our future leadership capacity. In today’s episode John and Jim unpack a biblical and practical approach to a problem many leaders would rather avoid . . . managing conflict.

Are younger male leaders, and female leaders more emotionally aware than their older male leader counterparts? In today’s episode we welcome back our friend, Josh Spurlock for Part 2 of our conversation focusing on how the way our personal world impacts our ministry world, and how leading with a limp makes a leader easier to follow, and the generational and gender nuances of pastoral leadership.

In today’s episode we welcome back to the mic our friend, Josh Spurlock, founder of My Counselor Online. In our conversation today we unpack the current leadership landscape in terms of wellbeing and explore how leaders from different generations can help each other become more resilient.

In Episode 233 John & Jim unpacked this idea: part of understanding the value of time is determining what and to whom we say yes or no. In today’s episode they explore how the way we value time has a lot to do with what and to whom we say yes or no

In today’s episode John & Jim unpack two powerful lessons John discovered on his most recent vacation. If you get your arms around these two items, they will shape your life and leadership in a profound manner.

Today John & Jim welcome Kyle Isabelli back to the mic for Part 2 of their conversation on the subject, Responding to a Forced Exit. In today’s episode they explore, among other things, the stats behind the forced termination of pastors, the proper tension between looking in the mirror and evaluating the contributions of their supervisors, and questions to ask early on to help determine philosophi...

Today John & Jim welcome Kyle Isabelli to the mic for Part 1 of their conversation on the subject, Responding to a Forced Exit. In today’s episode they unpack Kyle’s forced termination, a few big lessons he learned through the journey, and how to leave a church well, even when you have been unexpectedly let go.

Today we welcome Mike Clarensau back to the mic for Part 2 of our conversation about the current health of the Church in America. In our discussion today we explore the role of coaching in church health, and the challenge of next gen leaders’ struggle with the call of God on their lives. Mike closes out our conversation with the best piece of advice he would give to local church pastors.

Today we welcome Mike Clarensau to the mic. As a proven strategist, Mike has helped churches and ministry organizations identify new direction or the steps necessary for greater effectiveness. In Part 1 of our conversation, Mike unpacks how the Church in America is doing, what needs to change, and why churches struggle so much with change.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Craig Owens about his newest book, When Sheep Bite, we unpack how to express gentleness in the face of biting sheep and why gentleness matters; how to find a “release valve” for our anger; and how to effectively confront biting sheep.

If you have pastored for any length of time, you have suffered “bite marks” from those you lead. Sheep who criticize you . . . sometimes unfairly. And it causes you pain. Today we bring Craig Owens back to the mic for Part 1 of our conversation around his newest book, When Sheep Bite. When you’ve been bitten, it can be hard to manage. In today’s episode we explore with Craig practical strategies t...

Today we wrap up two months’ worth of podcasts about a leader’s well-being. We have taken the following position: Our wellbeing is a matter of obedience not a matter of preference. In today’s episode we finish the conversation by exploring what it takes to lead from a full tank. Our premise is simply this: You cannot give what you do not have.

We’ve been talking almost exclusively in 2024 about whole-person wellbeing. Today we continue talking about whole-person health by exploring our ubiquitous need for friendship. Genesis 2:18 reminds us it is not good for us to be alone for extended periods of time.

We’ve rapped about work/rest rhythms multiple times over the 4+ years we’ve been podcasting. We’ve unpacked four of them in the past: Daily, weekly, quarterly, and annually. In today’s episode we explore a fifth rhythm: our capacity vs. the demand on that capacity.

In today’s episode we continue our series of podcasts on a leader’s well-being. We unpack three important questions: What does it mean to be properly related to yourself? How do you get there? And . . . why does it matter? Our capacity to be properly related to those we love and lead begins with being properly related to ourselves.

How do you successfully navigate the long, dark tunnel of depression? With over 40% of pastors reporting suffering with depression, answering this question correctly is of utmost importance. In today’s episode we continue our compelling conversation with Dave Barringer about the epidemic of these twin evils in today’s culture. Dave gives us practical tips on how to get and stay mentally/emotionall...

Depression and anxiety are waging war on the wellbeing of adults and young people in our country. We feel these twin evils are at epidemic proportions – 33% of Americans report suffering with symptoms of depression. In today’s episode we welcome Dave Barringer to the mic for Part 1 of our conversation around this most important subject. Dave unpacks his journey with depression in such a powerful w...

At the beginning of every year, we take the first two episodes to reflect on the biggest lessons we learned in the previous year. Last week in Episode 219 we considered the first two indelible lessons from 2023: First, refuse to put God in a box. Second, to move forward, you must let go of something. Today in Episode 220 we unpack the next two indelible lessons. Believing with you for an amazing 2...

It’s our tradition to take the first two episodes of the year to reflect on the biggest lessons we learned in the previous year. These are indelible takeaways we aspired to carry forward into 2024. We’ll unpack two takeaways today in episode 219, and 2 more in Episode 220 next week. Happy New Year!

It’s December 19th, six days before Christmas. This time of year can get very busy for pastors. Extra events at church. Extra events with family and friends. Finishing up the year and planning for next year. In today’s episode John & Jim talk about the subject of Holiday Rhythms and suggest three important ideas leaders may want to consider regarding the last 12 days of 2023.

Today we welcome Daniel Whitehead, CEO of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries back to the mic. In Part 2 of our conversation with Daniel, we explore what is contributing to the worldwide challenges we face with anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. And then we lay out a practical strategy pastors can take to help those suffering with these evil triplets in the churches they lead.