LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT PODCAST EPISODE 309: WHEN MINISTRY LOSES ITS JOY AND WONDER
For many of us, ministry started with passion. It was an adventure. We felt called, alive, and grateful that God would use us in His work. But somewhere along the way . . . something changed. For some leaders, ministry has become maintenance. Vision has turned into...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT PODCAST EPISODE 308: THE FIVE PEOPLE EVERY PASTOR NEEDS – INTERVIEW WITH DAVID COOKE
In this powerful and practical conversation, David Cooke shares his story—from his salvation experience to his call into ministry—and the five essential relationships every pastor needs for long-term health, growth, and sustainability. Leadership can be lonely, but it...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT PODCAST EPISODE 307: GETTING TO THE HEART OF PASTORAL LEADERSHIP
It’s easy to blame our staff, our church, or our circumstances for ministry stress. But often the real issue lies deeper—in our own hearts. In this episode, we unpack how unchecked ambition, workaholism, and misplaced identity quietly undermine pastoral health. With...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT PODCAST EPISODE 306: GUARDING THE FLOCK (AND OURSELVES) FROM CULTURAL CURRENTS
Pastors live in a world overflowing with smart-sounding ideas, leadership hacks, and cultural “truths.” But as a pastor, how do we discern what aligns with Christ—and help the people we lead do the same? In this episode, we explore Paul’s warning in Colossians 2, the...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT PODCAST EPISODE 305: INTEGRATING A MARKETPLACE MIND WITH A MINISTRY CALL
Have you ever felt the tension between running your ministry like a mission and running it like a marketplace entity? Some pastors worry that a marketplace mindset will strip away the heart of ministry. Others fear that a lack of marketplace acumen will leave the...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT PODCAST 304: TRANSITIONING INTO THE LEGACY STAGE OF LIFE & MINISTRY
There comes a point in life when the chase for paychecks, promotions, and possessions fades into the background. What once drove us no longer defines us. Instead, a deeper question rises to the surface: What legacy will I leave behind? In this week’s podcast, we’re...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT PODCAST EPISODE 303: BUILDERS VS. DISMANTLERS – PART 2
Last week in Part 1 of our conversation, we tackled a troubling trend: Christians throwing bombs at each other. It’s disheartening to watch, and it has driven me to my knees in prayer. The truth is, it’s always easier to tear down than to build—easier to criticize...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT PODCAST EPISODE 302: BUILDERS VS. DISMANTLERS – PART 1
Jesus is a builder. When He said, “I will build My Church,” He promised to create something lasting, life-giving, and beautiful. Yet for some, the phrase “building the Church” can feel complicated—or even painful—because the Church has also been a place of hurt. If...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT PODCAST EPISODE 301: 6 YEARS, 6 AHA MOMENTS: WHAT WE’VE LEARNED (AND UNLEARNED) – PART 2
Last week, we hit a major milestone—Episode 300! To celebrate, we kicked off a special two-part series highlighting the six biggest aha moments we've uncovered in six years of podcasting. In case you missed it, here’s a quick recap: Joy and pain often travel alongside...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT PODCAST EPISODE 300: 6 YEARS, 6 AHA MOMENTS: WHAT WE’VE LEARNED (AND UNLEARNED) – PART 1
Can you believe it? Episode 300 drops today! We're celebrating six amazing years of podcasting together. As we reflected on how to mark this milestone, one question kept coming to mind: What have been the biggest aha moments from our journey so far? It quickly became...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT PODCAST EPISODE 299: LEADING YOURSELF WELL THROUGH FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP – INTERVIEW WITH MIKE KERN III
In Part 2 of his conversation with John and Jim, Mike Kern III emphasizes the importance of personal financial health for pastors—urging proactive salary discussions, use of benchmarking tools, and wise financial habits. He also addresses emotional resilience,...
PODCAST EPISODE 298: FUELING MINISTRY THROUGH FINANCIAL WISDOM – INTERVIEW WITH MIKE KERN III
In this insightful episode, John and Jim sit down with Mike Kern III—former President/CEO of two financial service companies and now a trusted advisor to pastors and churches through Churchway Advisors. Mike shares his personal faith journey, leadership background,...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT PODCAST EPISODE 297: HELPING YOUR KIDS LOVE JESUS’ CHURCH – INTERVIEW WITH JEFF HLAVIN
You’ve poured your life into loving and leading the Church. But what happens when your kids see the stress, the mess, and the politics — and start to pull away? This episode is for every pastor who longs to see their children love Jesus’ bride as much as they do. How...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT PODCAST EPISODE 296: HOW TO HELP YOUR KIDS LOVE JESUS – INTERVIEW WITH JEFF HLAVIN
Every pastor wants to see their church love Jesus . . . but what about their kids? Today we’re getting real about one of the most important — and personal — parts of ministry: helping your own children fall in love with the Savior you serve. What were some key...
PODCAST EPISODE 295: NO MUD, NO MESS – EXITING STAFF WITH GRACE AND GRIT
Last week, we unpacked key ideas for building a church hiring playbook. This week, we turn to the less exciting — but equally critical — side of the people equation: a church firing playbook. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to staff transitions and trying to...
PODCAST EPISODE 294: RIGHT, PEOPLE, RIGHT SEATS: A CHURCH HIRING PLAYBOOK
In ministry, every hire is more than a role filled — it’s a person stewarding the mission of the Church. A great hire strengthens the team, brings unity, and fuels Kingdom impact. A bad hire? It can create division, drain energy, and stall momentum. Hiring well is...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT PODCAST EPISODE 293: THE JOYS & PERILS OF SERVING WITH YOUR SPOUSE
Serving in an organization alongside your spouse can be both deeply rewarding and uniquely challenging. Serving in an organization with your spouse allows you to share a common mission, deepen your connection, and support one another through the demands of leadership....
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT PODCAST EPISODE 292: GETTING OUT OF OUR OWN WAY
One of the biggest leadership challenges we face often lies between our own ears. It’s not the external obstacles that trip us up most—it’s the internal ones: self-doubt, fear of failure, ego, perfectionism, or an unwillingness to listen or adapt. But when leaders...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT PODCAST EPISODE 291: HOW TO HEAL DEEP PAIN – INTERVIEW WITH JOSH SPURLOCK – PART 2
Today we welcome back our good friend, Josh Spurlock. This is part two of our series: How to Heal Deep Pain. Whether you're carrying past wounds or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers hope and practical steps toward healing. Once again . . . Let’s lean...
PODCAST EPISODE 290: HOW TO HEAL DEEP PAIN – INTERVIEW WITH JOSH SPURLOCK – PART 1
Today we welcome to the mic our good friend, Josh Spurlock. Josh is the founder of My Counselor Online, a platform providing faith-based counseling to individuals and couples around the globe. With a heart for healing and years of clinical experience, Josh brings both...
PODCAST EPISODE 289: NAVIGATING ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE WITH CONFIDENCE – PART 2
We’re so glad you’ve joined us for Part 2 of our conversation on navigating organizational change. In today’s episode, we dive into three more essential behaviors that will help you confidently and compassionately pastor your people through the necessary changes that...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT PODCAST EPISODE 288: ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE WITH CONFIDENCE – PART 1
Today’s episode kicks off a two-part conversation where we unpack six key behaviors that help leaders navigate organizational change with greater confidence and clarity. Whether you are leading through a season of transition or preparing for what's ahead, these...
PODCAST EPISODE 287 – THE VULNERABLE LEADER – INTERVIEW WITH JASON HOLDRIDGE PART 2
Today, we welcome Jason Holdridge back to the mic for part two of our conversation on leadership and vulnerability. In this episode, Jason opens up about his gripping journey with anxiety and how he’s navigated it while leading a vibrant church. The conversation wraps...
PODCAST EPISODE 286 – THE VULNERABLE LEADER – INTERVIEW WITH JASON HOLDRIDGE PART 1
Today, we welcome Jason Holdridge to the mic. Jason is the lead pastor of Impact Church in Lowell, Michigan. In this episode, we dive into Jason’s personal faith journey, his calling into vocational ministry, and the unexpected twists, surprises, and growth he’s...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 285 – SIX INSIGHTS FROM JOHN’S VACATION – PART 2
John and Laura had an amazing four-week break in February this year, enjoying warm weather, sunshine, and a relaxed pace. And while taking in all that goodness, God dropped six inspirational thoughts into John’s mind and heart. In today’s episode John and Jim unpack...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 284 – SIX INSIGHTS FROM JOHN’S VACATION – PART 1
John and Laura had an amazing four-week break in February this year, enjoying warm weather, sunshine, and a relaxed pace. And while taking in all that goodness, God dropped six inspirational thoughts into John’s mind and heart. In today’s episode we unpack three of...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 283 – DE-SIZING THE CHURCH – KARL VATERS INTERVIEW – PART 2
In today’s episode we welcome Karl Vaters back to the mic to continue our conversation around his compelling book, De-Sizing the Church. Today Karl reveals what he is most optimistic about and most concerned about regarding pastors and the local churches they serve....
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 282 – DE-SIZING THE CHURCH – KARL VATERS INTERVIEW – PART 1
In today’s episode we welcome Karl Vaters to the mic to discuss his bestselling book, De-Sizing the Church. We dig into Karl’s research on the church growth movement and explore how discipleship and integrity are the answers to every problem a church encounters....
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 281: FINISHING WELL
It’s not easy to finish. It’s even less easy to finish well. With the attrition of well-known ministry leaders over the past several years, you can begin to wonder, does anyone finish well? The good news is that with intentionality, God’s help, and the help of our...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 280: STRESS & YOU
If you have answered the divine call to pastoral ministry, you have signed up for both a fulfilling and stressful journey. The top contributor to pastoral burnout? The ongoing stress of the role. In today’s episode we work through five of the most stress-inducing...