Transforming Mission Podcast with Tim Bias & Sara Thomas

Is an "attitude of gratitude" enough?  Before you answer, consider the source of your gratitude. If your gratitude is circumstantial or based only on feelings, what happens when the circumstances around you are hard? Do you simply stop being grateful? We hope not. As Christ-centered leaders, God is the source of our gratitude. As such, regardless of circumstances, God's goodness is present. That's...

"Why don't they follow the rules?"  If you've ever heard this question asked about immigration, join Scott Hicks, Immigration Attorney and Pastor, for Episode 201. Scott's deep faith and grace-filled perspectives guide you to explore:  the myths about immigration how a culture of fear is perpetuating these myths how faith informs our response to immigration.  Then, explore with Scott how a shiftin...

Episode 200. Wow.    Beginning places are important. Your starting point as a leader is important. But so is the journey. Pausing to take stock of where you've been and where you're going is an important part of being a Christ-centered leader.    It seems like another lifetime that Tim & I sat in the District Offices in Dublin, Ohio with sound pads all around us recording the first episode on my o...

The missional identity of a local congregation is essential to embrace the people in your local context. This week, Karen Cook will encourage you to lead in ways that connect the local church's unique identity to its mission field.  We explore church mergers, the different life stages of a local congregation, and the importance of knowing your unique missional identity. At each juncture in the con...

Where is the first German-speaking Methodist Church located? No, we're not asking a random trivia question. It's a question about history.    Listen to Episode 198 and get the answer. For now, we'll tell you this: it's probably not located where you think.    This month, we're diving into the importance of history and context in leadership. To get us started, we explore the history of one local co...

Leadership as service is a selfless, loving way to lead. In the context of the Christian community, when a leader focuses on service, Jesus is the one we are serving.  But, there is one thing that gets in the way of leadership as service. What is it? Entitlement.    Before you dismiss the fact that you're not "entitled" or don't occasionally behave in ways that are entitled...pause for a minute an...

As we continue exploring the theme. "Leadership as Service" this week we're hearing from Bishop Cal Holloway. Bishop Holloway shares his wisdom and reminders for Christ-centered leaders.  As you listen, you'll find places to hit the pause button and reflect on what Bishop shares. From exploring what it means to believe and trust Jesus to becoming a part of the fabric of your local community, he re...

Leadership as service begins with modeling your life after Jesus. This week, Lizzy Ortiz, Pastor of St. Mark's UMC and Iglesia Hispana, offers encouragement for unity in the body of Christ.    Lizzy's leadership is modeled after Jesus. She serves first and through that service, she is a leader. As you listen to Episode 195, you'll hear how relationships set the foundation for leadership.    Often,...

As leaders, sometimes we plant seeds, sometimes we water them, and still others we till the soil to nurture others towards growth. Listen as Tim and Sara explore one question that will help you lead others by serving first. Whatever season of leadership you are in, let's explore what it means to be a leader who serves. One of the ways leaders serve is by helping others become who God created them...

As leaders, sometimes we plant seeds, sometimes we water them, and still others we till the soil to nurture others towards growth. Listen as Tim and Sara explore one question that will help you lead others by serving first. Whatever season of leadership you are in, let's explore what it means to be a leader who serves. One of the ways leaders serve is by helping others become who God created them...

As we wrap up this month's focus on having a growth mindset and being a learning leader, here's a simple reminder: as leaders, relationships are central to everything we do.  Episode 193 invites you to consider five ways practicing a growth mindset can help you navigate the local and global challenges that continue to emerge. Some of these practices are simple. Others take ongoing practice and per...

Learning leaders get things wrong. And you already know, for many, it is hard to be wrong.  Leaders make mistakes...and it's hard. And then there's uncertainty and emotional exposure you feel as a leader...that IS hard, too. Here's the thing: you can do hard things.  In this episode, you'll be reminded that you can do hard things. You'll hear how leaders who seek to get things right often find the...

"Growth mindset leaders want to be challenged." Carol Dweck Growth happens when there is enough challenge and support offered to a leader. When there is too much or too little of either element, growth doesn't happen. Instead, leaders experience stagnation, uncertainty, overwhelm, and coddling. If you're not growing as a leader, it's likely there's an imbalance in the challenge and support around...

Uncertainty has a way of messing with our thinking, feelings, and behavior.  At times the uncertainty looks like doubt. Other times, it looks like the need to learn a new skill. Still other times, it's wrapped up in decision fatigue or endless options that overwhelm you. You've likely found yourself in one of these situations in the past week, if not the past 24 hours.  So what do you do when you...

What would you say about the power of being a learning leader? In this episode, we focus on the difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset for Christ-centered leaders.  Join us for Episode 189 to explore how each of these characteristics can show up in Christ-centered leaders and what you may need to consider to continue becoming a learning leader.  Carol Dweck, a psychologist at Stan...

For the past two months, we've explored the importance of rest, relaxation, and play. Today, we want to leave you with 71 ways to add play to your day. You'll see some of the suggestions are silly, some are spontaneous, and some you might think aren't fun at all. And that's ok. Our Invitation Here's our invitation: add to the list and make it your own. When someone says "I'm bored," pull out the l...

In different seasons of life, rest, relaxation, and play look different. What is fun when you're a parent of small children and serving youth in the church...during a pandemic? Join Sam Heaton as he shares his experience of leading, loving, and living as a follower of Jesus in the midst of seasons filled with change.  If you ever found yourself worn out from a Zoom meeting, Sam offers reminders ab...

In different seasons of life, rest, relaxation, and play look different. What is fun when you're a parent of small children and serving youth in the church...during a pandemic? Join Sam Heaton as he shares his experience of leading, loving, and living as a follower of Jesus in the midst of seasons filled with change.  If you ever found yourself worn out from a Zoom meeting, Sam offers reminders ab...

Let's Play When was the last time you stopped and played? If you're thinking, "C'mon, kids, play. Adults don't play," stick with us to learn why play is so important.  To begin, let's define what we're talking about. Play is time spent without purpose. According to Dr. Stuart Brown, there are reasons why adults need play: Because we're created to play. We can't be fully human and competent without...

Let's chat about joy for a second. What brings you joy?  When you listen to a group of Christ-centered leaders, share their wisdom on rest, relaxation, and play, it creates an atmosphere of encouragement. This week, in part 2 of "What's your best wisdom for rest, relaxation, and play?" nine different leaders explore the challenges of rest and the joy of having fun.  And you might be surprised by w...

What is fun for you? Yes, we're really asking.  Here's why: this week and next, the episodes are filled with fun and joy. You'll hear from 16 leaders over the next two weeks. Each one shares their insights in joy-filled ways, even when they struggle with rest, relaxation, and play. As we dive into part 1 of this 2-part mini-series, we hope you'll reflect on their insights and be encouraged to know...

Rest, relaxation, and play are possible...even with demanding schedules.  Ministry and leadership are demanding. There's no way around that fact. But, ministry and leadership are life-giving when we care for ourselves as leaders.  In today's short episode we offer two ideas to make rest, relaxation, and play possible in your life. And they're easier than you might think! What we didn't say in this...

We have a big question, but a short episode for you this week. It continues our theme of rest, relaxation, and play. Here it is: What are the ingredients for joy and meaning in your life?  "Ingredients for Joy and Meaning," is all about taking a moment to name what it looks like when things are going really well in your family. Said just a bit differently, "What are the specific conditions that ar...

Are you ready for a different angle on rest, relaxation, and play? This week, tune in as we talk to someone whose work it is to facilitate the experiences that most of us participate in for entertainment, relaxation, and fun.   Amy Burgess is a mom, the Rosie Red mascot for the Cincinnati Reds, as well as an Executive Director and Choreographer for CAST, a theater company in the greater Cincinnati...

Where do those three things fall on your priority list?   If you're like many people these are the first things that fall off our priority list when busyness creeps in. Did you know that 35% of Americans don't get 7-9 hours of sleep a night? Or that  77% of the US workforce does not take all the paid time off they earn in a year?   As we continue exploring characteristics of courageous leaders, du...