Spirit Anointed Leadership

In this episode, we explore how stepping into the awkwardness of inviting the Holy Spirit's presence can unlock incredible potential for growth and transformation in our congregations. Drawing from insights shared by Sam Storms in "Practicing the Power" and Jimmy Seibert's "Purpose & Passion," we learn practical strategies for cultivating a hunger for a move of the Holy Spirit, engaging our leader...

Pastor Steve DeNeff, Lead Pastor of College Wesleyan Church, is a dynamic and gifted communicator. In this episode, Steve takes us on a journey through his personal devotion and methodology behind crafting impactful sermons. Steve dives deep into this process, from describing what his quiet time and hearing from the Lord looks like to specific steps to constructing a message, engaging the congrega...

Consent, harassment, and sexual abuse in the workplace, especially within The Church, are difficult conversations to initiate. From guilt and shame to the misuse of power, these topics often stay in the shadows due to a lack of awareness and education. We believe in order for the Church to be all God has called it to be, opening the door to conversations like these is crucial. In this episode, Pas...

Want to see God move more deeply through your church's worship team? In this episode, Josh Brown, Worship Pastor at Radiant Life Church in Sturgis, Michigan, emphasizes the impact he has seen by intentionally discipling his worship team.  Josh emphasizes the vital importance of this discipleship process and shares what has worked for him, from initial onboarding to teaching the true meaning of wor...

Growing up, Elise knew that women could serve in Sunday school, lead the choir, or be married to the pastor or missionary, but she was conflicted with what to do when she received a call into ministry at just seven years old. In today’s episode, Elise Zuber, an ordained minister, licensed counselor, and the Chief Engagement Officer of the Great Lakes Region of the Wesleyan Church, shares her perso...

Growing up, Elise knew that women could serve in Sunday school, lead the choir, or be married to the pastor or missionary, but she was conflicted with what to do when she received a call to ministry at just seven years old. In today’s episode, Elise Zuber, an ordained minister, licensed counselor, and the Chief Engagement Officer of the Great Lakes Region of the Wesleyan Church, shares her persona...

In a culture where 17% of Gen Z identifies with the LGBTQ+  community, this episode explores the challenge of creating safe spaces within the church for individuals in this wrestling phase. Laurie emphasizes the importance of pastors setting the standard on and off the platform. In this conversation, Laurie helps the listener understand this topic through the lens of Jesus. Notes from the show & r...

Laurie Krieg is a, teacher, author, and host of the Hole in My Heart Podcast, whose mission is to teach the church how to approach sexuality with the gospel. Laurie trains extensively on biblical sexuality and marriage around the country. In this episode, Laurie and Chris dive into Laurie’s personal wrestle with sexuality and the critical roles the church has played. Show Notes & Resources: https:...

What makes churches fruitful in a post-pandemic world? During his Ph. D. study in Organizational Leadership, Chris interviewed a variety of churches around the US that differed in attendance, community size, and denomination that experienced ongoing growth over a six-year period between 2016 and 2022. Through this study, he identified SIX qualities & values that contributed to this growth. In this...

During his Ph. D. study in Organizational Leadership, Chris interviewed a variety of churches around the US that differed in attendance, community size, and denomination that experienced ongoing growth over a six-year period between 2016 and 2022. Through this study, he identified SIX qualities & values that contributed to this growth. In this episode, Chris unboxes value number five, about openne...

What makes churches fruitful in a post-pandemic world? During his Ph. D. study in Organizational Leadership, Chris interviewed a variety of churches around the US that differed in attendance, community size, and denomination that experienced ongoing growth over a six-year period between 2016 and 2022. Through this study, he identified SIX qualities & values that contributed to this growth. In this...

What makes churches fruitful in a post-pandemic world? During his Ph. D. study in Organizational Leadership, Chris interviewed a variety of churches around the US that differed in attendance, community size, and denomination that experienced ongoing growth over a six-year period between 2016 and 2022. Through this study, he identified SIX qualities & values that contributed to this growth. In this...

What makes churches fruitful in a post-pandemic world? During his PhD study in Organizational Leadership, Chris interviewed a variety of churches around the US that differed in attendance, community size, and denomination that experienced ongoing growth over a six-year period between 2016 and 2022. Through this study, he identified SIX qualities & values that contributed to this growth. In this ep...

During his PhD study in Organizational Leadership, Chris interviewed a variety of churches around the US that differed in attendance, community size, and denomination that experienced ongoing growth over a six-year period between 2016 and 2022. Through this study, he identified SIX qualities & values that contributed to this growth. In this episode, Chris unboxes quality number one: a passion for...

Holy Spirit is at the front door in many of our lives, but the question we need to ask is, “Have we pulled up a chair for Him to get to know Him better and invite Him into every room?” In this episode, Mary Conrad shares about her personal experience with her ever-growing relationship with the person of Holy Spirit.  Show Notes & Resources: https://bit.ly/071MaryConrad

Do you ever feel like you are hitting one ministry hurdle after the next? From moral failings within staff to a church fire, and a global pandemic, Jon Allen, Lead Pastor of Journey Church, shares how he continued to lead amid these ministry struggles. His story of leadership encourages us to look inward and ask ourselves, where do our help, strength, and resilience come from?  Show Notes & Resour...

In this episode, Seth and Molly express their burden and call to become missionaries to their local community asking the question: What does it look like to reach people for Jesus outside the 4 walls of a church the other 6 days of the week? We hope this episode will inspire you and stir your faith to engage with your community in a new way as you share the love and light of Jesus Christ.  Show No...

In this candid episode, Chris and Mary open up about key learnings they uncovered during their sabbatical experience. By taking the time to step back, they discovered a wealth of wisdom and perspective that reshaped their outlook on life, family, and leadership. Tune in as they impart their lessons on embracing vulnerability, forging trust, asking for help, and the profound impact of introspection...

In this episode, Chris delves into the essence of John 15, where Jesus emphasizes our dependency on Him for lasting fruit. We explore the dichotomy of walking behind and ahead of the Spirit, addressing the challenges of building our faith muscle or slowing down to linger in His presence. This episode is all about emphasizing the links between being in step with the Spirit of the Living God, avoidi...

Once struggling with crippling anxiety and looking for help, God met Ryley in what seemed like an unexpected way. Ryley would later encounter the living God through a series of divine encounters, giving him a testimony of a passionate pursuit of a loving God. We hope this episode inspires and encourages you in your personal walk with Jesus and reminds you of the power of the blood of the lamb and...

In this episode, we confront the very real reality that each pastor, leader, and individual deals with: temptation. Chris delves into the vital connection between our ministry for Jesus and our intimate relationship with Him. He emphasizes the necessity of genuine introspection, asking if our souls are truly well-ordered and unveiling the barriers that keep us from true intimacy with God and other...

In this episode, Dave Gerry, a successful businessman, debunks the notion that pastoral roles hold greater value and purpose than those who have a unique calling to the Marketplace. Dave shares that by cultivating a deeper connection with our Heavenly Father, marketplace leaders not only receive His authority but gain profound insight into His heart to be fully empowered to operate in their specif...

Join us in this episode as Ryan Bibb shares his transformative journey from feeling something missing in his walk with Christ to embracing the hunger for more. Discover how his staff at Radiant Life Church, coming from different denominations, become united in their desire for a deeper connection with the Holy Spirit. Explore the intentional Encounter nights and the preparation involved in allowin...

What is narcissism, and how deeply does it affect The Christian Church? In this episode, Chris speaks with acclaimed author Chuck DeGroat about the characteristics of a narcissist and how they can be spotted in your congregation or leadership positions. With a keen understanding of the disordered soul, Chuck sheds light on the pervasive issue of narcissism within the church community and provides...

In this episode, Lead Pastor Brent Bickel shares about his journey of taking his church, North Ridge in Wisconsin, through the process of a capital campaign. Brent shows us how capital campaigns can spark spiritual growth in a community, going beyond just raising funds. This episode offers a unique perspective on how capital campaigns can be a powerful tool for God’s work in our world and your com...