LEADING FROM ALINMENT EPISODE 196: TOP FIVE COUNTDOWN – NUMBER 5: SHAPING THE CULTURE YOU NEED
As we approach our 200th episode, we thought it might be fun to re-release our most popular five podcasts. Today’s episode is our first most listened to and watched episode: Shaping the Culture You Need. Culture is fuel. You can craft an amazing vision, have a...
PUTTING THE GOOD IN GOODBYE: A HEALTHY CONVERSATION ABOUT THE COMINGS & GOINGS OF CHURCH PEOPLE WEEK FIVE: WHEN PEOPLE GO
A healthier way of saying goodbye begins with a healthier way of saying hello. We learned that in last week’s post from chapter five in Putting the Good in Goodbye. This week we will discuss Chapter six . . . what to do when people go. When a church member departs, it...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 199: TOP FIVE COUNTDOWN – NUMBER 2: HOW TO LEAD CONFIDENTLY WITHOUT BEING JERKY
As we approach our 200th episode, we thought it might be fun to re-release our most popular five podcasts. Today’s episode is our second most listened to and watched episode: How to Lead Without Being Jerky. Sometimes a leader has to . . . well . . . lead. Some...
PUTTING THE GOOD IN GOODBYE: A HEALTHY CONVERSATION ABOUT THE COMINGS & GOINGS OF CHURCH PEOPLE WEEK FOUR: WHEN PEOPLE ARRIVE
In last week’s post, we evaluated what it means to “put people in their place” in our churches. In a nutshell: They are God’s people, not ours. In Week Four of Putting the Good in Goodbye, we will dive into what we need to do when people arrive at our churches....
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 198: TOP FIVE COUNTDOWN- NUMBER 3: THE HIDDEN DANGERS OF WORKAHOLISM
As we approach our 200th episode, we thought it might be fun to re-release our most popular five podcasts. Today’s episode is our third most listened to and watched episode: The Hidden Danger of Workaholism. When you love what you do for a living—when work...
PUTTING THE GOOD IN GOODBYE: A HEALTHY CONVERSATION ABOUT THE COMINGS & GOINGS OF CHURCH PEOPLE WEEK FOUR: PUTTING PEOPLE IN THEIR PLACE
Welcome back to Week Three of Putting the Good in Goodbye . Hopefully, you’ve had some time to evaluate the questions we posed last week, specifically: What am I doing here? If you know beyond a shadow of doubt you’ve been called by God to ministry and you’re...
LEADING FRON ALIGNMENT EPISODE 197: TOP FIVE COUNTDOWN – NUMBER 4: LEADERSHIP & WORDS
As we approach our 200th episode, we thought it might be fun to re-release our most popular five podcasts. Today’s episode is our fourth most listened to and watched episode: Leadership & Words. Words are one of the most powerful forces for good in the...
PUTTING THE GOOD IN GOODBYE: A HEATHY CONVERSATION ABOUT THE COMINGS & GOINGS OF CHURCH PEOPLE WEEK TWO: WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?
Thanks for coming back to our dive into Putting the Good in Goodbye! This week we continue taking an inward look in the mirror when it comes to the arrival and departure of people in the churches we lead. Last week, we laid the foundation upon which we’ll build. Today...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 196: TOP FIVE COUNTDOWN – NUMBER 5: WHEN LEADERSHIP SQUEEZES YOU
As we approach our 200th episode, we thought it might be fun to re-release our most popular five podcasts. Today’s episode is our fifth most listened to and watched episode: When Leadership Squeezes You. Lead pastoring is quite possibly the ultimate bench vise....
PUTTING THE GOOD IN GOODBYE: A HEALTH CONVERSATION ABOUT THE COMINGS & GOINGS OF CHURCH PEOPLE ~ WEEK 1
In today’s post, Jaime Hlavin introduces a series of blogs focused on how to process one of the most painful events in the life of any pastor . . . when people they love leave the church. Hope you enjoy this series of posts ~ John. My husband and I served in various...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 195: SO YOU HAVE A NEW TEAM MEMBER . . . NOW WHAT?
We have talked multiple times on the podcast about releasing people vs. recruiting people. In today’s episode we unpack this principle: The first 30 days on a new team are the most important 30 days in that person’s experience on their new team. Baselines:...
RHYTHMS OF THE GARDEN
I have been a Christian for over four decades. As I reflect on all the years of God’s mercy, grace, goodness, faithfulness, etc. it’s hard to put into words how grateful I am. Life with Jesus is an incredible journey. It’s amazing to me that the Bible never gets...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 194: RHYTHMS OF THE GARDEN
It is amazing isn’t it that the Bible never gets boring, stale, or old? In today’s episode John and Jim explore one of the many timeless principles found in Genesis chapters 1 and 2 . . . Rhythms of the Garden. You can listen to Episode 194 here. The video...
THE BIBLICAL METRIC OF SUCCESS
Today we welcome Craig Owens to the blog! Craig is a pastor, author, and a friend. Today’s post helps leaders get their arms around the pesky subject of success. Enjoy ~ John. There are no shortage of books that define “success” in our business or ministry...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 193: WHAT ARE YOU 40 DAYS AWAY FROM?
What are you 40 days away from if you tried and had a plan? In today’s pod John & Jim reveal their thoughts on what we might be 40 days away from if we tried and had a plan . . . and the incredible impact following through will have on both our life and our...
MARRIAGE AND MINISTRY LEADERSHIP: IT’S A DIFFERENT DYNAMIC
Today we welcome Dave Barringer to the blog. Dave is a husband, father, and a lead pastor at a vibrant church here in Michigan. Dave will unpack how he and his wife Anne have kept their marriage strong while navigating twenty-six years of pastoral ministry. Enjoy ~...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 192: REIMAGINING SUCCESS
We live in a world where success is idolized and so-called shortcuts to success abound. If we are not careful as leaders, we can find ourselves frustrated, confused, overwhelmed, and maybe even burned out by the relentless pursuit of success. In today’s episode John...
IN DANGER TOGETHER . . . FIGHTING WAR AS WOMEN
Today we welcome Rachael Jenneman to the blog. Rachael is the author of an outstanding book, The Real War on Women: Overcoming Culture's Lies to Freely Live Out Your God-Given Purpose. If you are a woman with leadership responsibility and calling, you will love...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 191: MAKING FRIENDS WITH FAILURE
John grew up in an environment where failure was embarrassing, hidden from, and often considered fatal. Failure was the enemy. Today’s episode focuses on reframing failure and why it matters so much. Listen to the audio version here. Video version is here....
SO, YOUR SPOUSE IS THE PASTOR. NOW WHAT?
In today’s post Jaime Hlavin zeroes in on the life of a pastor’s spouse . . . its joys, challenges, along with a bit of expert advice on how to navigate a role that has no clear “job description” in Scripture. Enjoy ~ John. In early May, I had the privilege of leading...
PODCAST EPISODE 190- INTERVIEW WITH KARL VATERS- PART 2
In today’s episode we welcome Karl Vaters back to the mic for Part 2 of our conversation around what it takes to have a vibrant, healthy church—regardless of its size. You can listen to the podcast here. Here is the video version. Small is not a problem,...
A RESPONSE TO ASBURY
Unless you live under a rock, you are likely aware of the revival that broke out at Asbury College in Wilmore Kentucky. We are so incredibly grateful for what God is doing not just at Asbury but also at college campuses across our country. At both Christian and...
PODCAST EPISODE 189- INTERVIEW WITH KARL VATERS- PART 1
In today’s episode we chat with Karl Vaters about the positive trends he is observing with churches across the country, a few challenging trends, and what leaders can do about those challenging trends. You can listen to the podcast here. Here is the video...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 188: PREPARING FOR TIME OFF THIS SUMMER – PART 2
Today’s episode focuses on getting a leader ready to enjoy an amazing vacation this summer. In Episode 188, John and Jim focus on three foundational pieces to getting the best out of your time off . . . Pre-vacation planning; the vacation itself; and then re-entry to...
PRACTICING LIFE GIVING RHYTHMS
Today we conclude our deep dive into Unshakable Leader: The Simple Yet Amazing Power of Alignment. We want to leave you with final thoughts as we unpack our final Alignment Component: Life Giving Rhythms. Let’s start here: Great leaders cultivate great rhythms. The...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 187: PREPARING FOR TIME OFF THIS SUMMER- PART 1
More pastors tell us in July they want to quit than in any other month of the year. In today’s episode John & Jim unpack a fresh perspective that outlines two ways you can grow deeper and wider during the summer months. You can listen to the pod here. ...
WHY WE NEED REPLENISHING RELATIONSHIPS
We have been posting for the past several weeks about getting our lives aligned personally. Hopefully you’ve been able to implement some of these alignment components. We will spend the next two weeks finalizing Unshakable Leader: The Simple Yet Amazing Power of...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 186: INTERVIEW WITH SEAN NEMECEK- PREVENTING/ RECOVERING FROM BURNOUT- PART 2
In today’s episode we continue our conversation with Sean Nemecek, author of The Weary Leader’s Guide to Burnout. In Part 2 we dig into how anxiety and shame fuel burnout, and then we outline a practical pathway toward recovery. You can listen to the episode here Here...
INTEGRATING YOUR THOUGHTS & THE EMOTIONS YOU ATTACH TO THEM
Thank you for joining us once again on the journey to help leaders attain alignment in their personal lives. You can catch up on our previous installments here, here and here as we continue to work through Unshakable Leader: The Simple Yet Amazing Power of Alignment....
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODES 185- INTERVIEW WITH SEAN NEMECEK- PREVENTING/ RECOVERING FROM BURNOUT- PART 1
The latest report from Barna (2023) reveals an explosive statistic: 40% of pastors report they’re suffering from burnout. In 2015, that number was 11%. In today’s episode, we interview author Sean Nemecek about his book, The Weary Leader’s Guide to Burnout. Together...