The Reclaimed Leader Podcast

We welcome back the Rev. Dr. Jim Mead as he speaks to the heart of the Christmas story – God with Us. We talk about preaching, Christmas, heaven, and reflect on 6 crucial theological topics illuminated by his new book, "Jesus And..." For show notes visit: www.reclaimedleader.com/episode63

Did Jesus have an evidential approach to faith? In a world of powerful rhetorical sound bites from non-believers, have Christians neglected to understand the evidence behind their Christian worldview? Today we talk with world-renowned cold-case detective and author, J. Warner Wallace about a reasonable faith and what it means for the local church. For show notes visit: www.reclaimedleader.com/epis...

Stephen and Juliette are Broadway actors who started their own ministry of performing the letters of Paul and the Book of Ruth. Today they talk about the transformational power of story, engaging with scripture, and the role of arts in the local church. For show notes visit: www.reclaimedleader.com/episode61

Alignment takes leadership. And sometimes God develops that leadership in unexpected ways. Today we talk with Aly Cullinane, Co-Founder of Mrs. Pickles. Aly shares strategies for aligning churches and their preschools, and her journey from ABC's Shark Tank to local church ministry. For show notes visit: www.reclaimedleader.com/episode60

What does it mean to be the Church in the digital age? Can a church community exist without ever meeting face to face? For show notes: www.reclaimedleader.com/episode59

Christmas is the one time each year that culture warms to the rhythms of the Church. It's the biggest outreach opportunity on your calendar but are you making the most of it? Are guests slipping through the cracks? Are your activities more insider-driven than outsider-driven? There's still time to make a bigger impact. For show notes and TONS of free resources: www.reclaimedleader.com/episode58

We all want revitalization to happen as fast as possible. But the truth is, we can't manufacture a movement of God. Like a wave, we have to learn to ride it - but what if that takes 20 years? How do we know we're still on the wave after years of riding? For show notes visit: www.reclaimedleader.com/episode57

Leading change and shaping culture in the local church is a challenging process. It requires honesty about any gaps that exist between what you say matters most as a congregation and what you actually do. For show notes visit: www.reclaimedleader.com/episode56

If engagement is the new attendance - how do we engage over-scheduled, under-churched people? If we expect them to come to church for a Bible study, we've already lost most of them. But they are on Facebook and their phones 24/7. What if we could leverage FB for spiritual formation? For show notes visit: www.reclaimedleader.com/episode55

To do the hard work of change, you need to count the cost and then persevere. There are no short cuts to revitalization in the local church. In this episode, we talk with Pastor Jonathan La Barge about his journey through change and renewal at Canoga Park Presbyterian Church. For show notes visit: www.reclaimedleader.com/episode54

It can be difficult to keep your preaching fresh, relevant, and practical while sticking close to the biblical text. Lenny offers important insight into an approach to preaching that will help you connect in a deeper and more effective way with your congregation. For show notes visit: www.reclaimedleader.com/episode53

We're celebrating 1 year of podcasts in this anniversary special! We giveaway our grand prize to a listener and hear from Dana Allin, Bob Whitesel, Stan Ott, Langdon Palmer, and Jim Mead respond to a critical revitalization question. For show notes: www.reclaimedleader.com/episode52

What are the common characteristics of flourishing churches? Today we welcome Dana Allin, ECO's Synod Executive to talk about the core of revitalization. For show notes visit: www.reclaimedleader.com/episode51

Today we have a big announcement as we get ready to celebrate one year of the podcast! Then, we tackle one of the areas most pastors and leaders tend to struggle - managing people. We share some tips and insights to improve. For show notes visit: www.reclaimedleader.com/episode50

Ever tempted to go it alone? It can be an attractive idea: life on your own terms, your own way. But success usually doesn't last. How to diagnose and treat Lone Ranger Syndrome before it undermines your ministry. For show notes visit: www.reclaimedleader.com/episode49

What do educators think of Gen Z?  How are they adapting (or not adapting) their methods in order to reach today's kids?  This summer, we've heard from seminary leaders, authors, business leaders, and youth leaders about the next generation and how to reach them.  In this episode, we get a top educator's point of view. For show notes visit: www.reclaimedleader.com/episode48

Are you serving or planting a church in a small town? Do you attend conferences and become frustrated about your resources? What if you are God's answer to an entire town? Today we talk with long time pastor (and Jesse's dad), Jon Skiffington, about the impact of small church - small town ministry. For show notes, visit www.reclaimedleader.com/episode47

Part II – Jesse and Jason discuss two key components of leadership development: nurture and training. These provide the pastoral and practical framework necessary in order to successfully pass the baton of leadership. For show notes visit: www.reclaimedleader.com/episode46.

There is a deficit of leadership in the local church.  So often, pastors and staff lead virtually everything (with a groan) because they believe there is no one else to do it.  But is that really true?  Has God really left all the leadership to paid staff members?  Is there really no one else?   A key aspect of leading change without losing your roots is about learning to develop other leaders in...

Are you making the most of your time away? Are you using all of your vacation time? Are you able to truly disconnect from work and Is your time away actually restful? Jason and Jesse wrestle with these questions and more in light of their own experience and strategies for time away.

Church revitalization can be a grind.  Rewarding - yes, but a grind nonetheless.  It's easy for leaders to fall into two extremes: spending so much time in pastoral care that they have no energy to lead, or jumping into new initiatives, best practices, and leadership plans without actually loving the people. A tension must exist if we're going to lead change. For more about this episode: www.recla...

Today we talk with Jeff Fromm, co-author of "Marketing to Gen Z: The Rules for Reaching This Vast And Very Different Generation of Influencers." Did you know that kids under 18 have more in common with their grandparents than their parents? Jeff is the President of FutureCast and a contributor to Forbes. His books on generational marketing have been recognized as industry standards.

How do you develop a healthy staff culture? How do you diagnose your staff culture in the first place? Today we talk with staffing expert, Dan Reiland. Dan has worked with John Maxwell as Executive Pastor, and currently serves as Executive Pastor for 12Stone Church just outside Atlanta, GA.

Today we talk with social media expert, Kim Walsh Phillips, CEO of Powerful Professionals about how churches can build their social media platform and maximize their impact (without a big budget).

Many (if not most) churches struggle to make a connection with younger generations.  How do we fix it?  In this episode, we find out what Brad Griffin discovered through the Growing Young Project.   Brad is the coauthor of Growing Young: Six Essential Strategies to Help Young People Discover and Love Your Church.