Transforming Mission Podcast with Tim Bias & Sara Thomas

Holy Moments. You've experienced these moments.  Time stands still. You're overcome with the presence of God. You might even question whether the moment is really happening. You're standing on holy ground (ok, in this case, we were sitting, recording a podcast).  Holy moments can't be crafted, predicted, or rehearsed. They simply unfold. And when they do, you experience a connection to a community...

If you want to build community, or deepen community connections, join us for Episode 178 as we seek to model grace-filled, curious conversation about topics we can sidestep in our communities.  Episode 178 is Part 1 of a two-part conversation with April Casperson. April serves as the Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the West Ohio Conference. April shares grace-filled wisdom about community,...

If you've been a part of a community, you've likely experienced conflict within that community. Sometimes our differences are easy to explore together. At other times, the conflict leads to division. The challenges to leaders during these seasons are great.  But, if you're willing to reimagine who God is inviting you to be, you just might experience the emergence of a new community. Our conversati...

What is community? Community is about the inter-relatedness of people.  In other words, it starts with relationships. It's about belonging to something larger than ourselves. Community helps people say, "I am a valued part of this body and have contributions to make". When we see ourselves as a part of a community, we think about how we are related to Christ, people in the congregation, and the pe...

At the intersection of Jesus, accountability, and corporate life is our guest, Courtney Hilbert. Add Courtney's passion for leading youth, writing Christian fiction, baking and you find a woman of integrity who embraces accountability in the workplace, church, and in the ministries she leads. If you've ever wondered how faith and corporate life integrate, Courtney provides stories and examples to...

Stories, history, current reality, and Scripture come together in this week's conversation with Charles Boayue Jr. Charles is a District Superintendent in the Michigan Conference of the UMC and takes us on a leadership journey to point to the importance of accountability.  You're invited to explore both the full picture and details that accompany accountability. In the context of pastoring a local...

What's your personal accountability practice? Not sure what we mean? Listen to Episode 173 with Jessica Moffatt and explore the intersection of courage and accountability. Jessica is a pastor and coach who helps teams listen for God's voice to make faithful decisions.  First, we explore how humility, offering ourselves to God, and self-awareness contribute to courageous action. Jessica's reminders...

Is accountability a bad word? Short answer: NO!  It's the fuel for productivity, engagement, and growth for leaders.  When there is clarity and responsibility, accountability becomes a positive force for change and growth. Why then, do so many of us despise accountability? When accountability is used in punitive ways, it often leads to shame and blame. Additionally, many people are attempting to h...

What happens when you ask 15 leaders for their best wisdom on self-awareness?  You get stories, poignant reminders, examples, challenging circumstances, diverse perspectives, and enough wisdom to fill several volumes. Whether you choose to listen all at once or in several sessions, these leaders remind us how God is with us deepening our self-awareness.  As you take in the wisdom, grace, and humil...

In our conversation today, we're talking with Barry Burns about leadership and self-awareness. As a pastor, District Superintendent, and Dean of the Cabinet, Barry offers us wide-angle and close-up views of how self-awareness comes into play in leadership. We explore the impacts of social media and seasons of ministry as well as how self-care and having grace for ourselves play into self-awareness...

What is your first memory of becoming self-aware? How about your most recent memory?    The reality is, we are never finished growing in self-awareness.   In our conversation this week with Rae Lynn Schlief, we talk about self-awareness through different seasons of life and ministry. From the first moment of radical self-awareness in the midst of clinical pastoral education to approaching retireme...

What is self-awareness for Christ-centered leaders? Our conversation with Curnell Graham offers you a way to experience self-awareness that you may not have considered. He turns self-awareness inside out and invites you to focus on God-awareness through his stories, life experience, and leadership. From acknowledging the barriers and -isms that attempt to divide us, to reflecting on the beautiful...

Find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/167 What is self-awareness? Tim and Sara highlight five aspects of self-awareness that are essential for leaders and in daily life.  Explore these five aspects and listen throughout the month of March to episodes highlighting how different leaders continue to deepen their self-awareness.  Five Aspects of Self-Awareness to Consider...

Find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/167 What is self-awareness? Tim and Sara highlight five aspects of self-awareness that are essential for leaders and in daily life.  Explore these five aspects and listen throughout the month of March to episodes highlighting how different leaders continue to deepen their self-awareness.  Five Aspects of Self-Awareness to Consider...

Can you name your four most important relationships?  Yes, we're really asking. Episode 166 is a conversation with Dennis Miller. Dennis serves as the District Superintendent of the Foothills District in the West Ohio Conference. As we conclude a month focused on relationships, Dennis reminds us of the essential relationships that nurture a leader's soul. Listen in and pause to consider your essen...

You may have heard someone utter the phrase, "the church would be great if it weren't for the people. And while we can smile and shake our heads in understanding, people are the church.  People make up the body of Christ. So while people are complicated, relationships are at the center of the church. Our relationship with Jesus, our relationships with one another, and our relationships with the su...

Do you see yourself as a leader? Do you need to see yourself as a leader to be a leader? Perhaps you've never paused long enough to answer either of those questions. Perhaps you assume the first is true. Therefore, the second question has yet to emerge as a question you'd consider.  Or, perhaps you've only ever associated leadership with a title or a position. Push beyond the titles. We're not ask...

Do you see yourself as a leader? Do you need to see yourself as a leader to be a leader? Perhaps you've never paused long enough to answer either of those questions. Perhaps you assume the first is true. Therefore, the second question has yet to emerge as a question you'd consider.  Or, perhaps you've only ever associated leadership with a title or a position. Push beyond the titles. We're not ask...

If you're missing specific relationships, there's likely a good reason. The pandemic has removed one of the spaces we need relationships. As a result, we've spent more time with fewer people.  Yes, it's for a very good reason. Yes, we'll continue to do it as long as we have to. But, anyone else just want to go to a game, concert, or performance?  You're not alone. Relationships matter. You've hear...

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/podcast Episode 162 Is Your To-Do List Never Ending? What is on your list of competing demands? Maybe they don't feel like demands. Maybe the things that keep you busy also energize you, empower you, and even fulfill your purpose. Whether you call them demands, invitations, tasks, or routines, there's A LOT going on around...

Find the full show notes on the episode page https://transformingmission.org/podcast Look for episode 161 The demands of ministry are ever-changing.  During a global pandemic and deep polarization in our country, it can feel like the demands are multiplying in front of you. At the very same time, you're continuing to learn new ways of being in ministry and you're caring for the health and safety o...

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/160 While articulating your why can feel like a big question, it's the fuel that propels leadership. Explore with Bill Lyle, Lead Pastor of Peace UMC in Pickerington, Ohio how starting with why has propelled his leadership.  What's the Motivation Behind Your Purpose Bill offers insight about our starting with why that can'...

You can find show notes for Episode 159 at https://transformingmission.org/podcast Each month throughout 2021, the podcast will focus on one theme. Episode 159 sets the foundation for everything that follows with a conversation around purpose.  Courage and Purpose We begin with the question, "Why is knowing your purpose essential to being a courageous leader?" This question helps us point to a big...

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/158 The end of the year is here! Wasting time or wishing time away doesn't serve anyone. But, 2020 was... Challenging Interesting Strange Chaotic Anxiety-producing Crazy Out of control Like no other year "Your description here" So as we come to the end of this year, we offer you two questions and a bonus question to review...

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/157 What values ground your leadership? Once you can name those values, as a leader, you have a place from which decisions can be made. Without an understanding of your values, you may have a hard time making decisions.  With this in mind, our conversation today is with Chris Thompson. Chris is the Pastor of Selmer First U...