LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 231 – RESPONDING TO A FORCED EXIT – INTERVIEW WITH KYLE ISABELLI – PART 1
Today John & Jim welcome Kyle Isabelli to the mic for Part 1 of their conversation on the subject, Responding to a Forced Exit. In today’s episode they unpack Kyle’s forced termination, a few big lessons Kyle learned through the journey, and how to leave a...
WHAT I LEARNED ON MY VACATION
This past February, Laura and I were blessed to get away for a two-week vacation on the Atlantic Ocean. It was an incredibly relaxing time. God seems to use the ocean waves to speak to me, and this past vacation was no exception. The Lord downloaded at least...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 230 – HOW THE CHURCH IN AMERICA IS DOING – INTERVIEW WITH MIKE CLARENSAU – PART 2
Today we welcome Mike Clarensau back to the mic for Part 2 of our conversation about the current health of the Church in America. In our discussion today we explore the role of coaching in church health, and the challenge of next gen leaders’ struggle with the call of...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 229 – HOW THE CHURCH IN AMERICA IS DOING – INTERVIEW WITH MIKE CLARENSAU – PART 1
Today we welcome Mike Clarensau to the mic. As a proven strategist, Mike has helped churches and ministry organizations identify new direction or the steps necessary for greater effectiveness. In Part 1 of our conversation, Mike unpacks how the Church in America is...
LEADING FROM A FULL TANK
Over the past couple of months, we’ve been camped out on the topic of The Leader’s Well-Being. At Converge Coaching, we strongly believe our wellbeing is a matter of obedience and not simply a matter of preference. It is difficult to honor God in our assignments if...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 228 – WHEN SHEEP BITE WITH CRAIG OWENS – PART 2
Welcome to Part 2 of our conversation with Craig Owens about his newest book, When Sheep Bite. In today’s episode we unpack how to express gentleness in the face of biting sheep and why gentleness matters; how to find a “release valve” for our anger; and how to...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPSODE 227 – WHEN SHEEP BITE WITH CRAIG OWENS – PART 1
Today we bring Craig Owens back to the mic for Part 1 of our conversation around his newest book, When Sheep Bite. If you are a pastor, you have been “bitten” by more than one of those you lead. And when that happens, it can be hard to manage. In today’s episode we...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 226 – LEADING FROM A FULL TANK
Today we wrap up two months’ worth of podcasts about a leader’s well-being. We have taken the following position: Our wellbeing is a matter of obedience not a matter of preference. Today we finish the conversation by exploring what it takes to lead from a full tank....
THE UBIQUITOUS NEED FOR FRIENDSHIP
For leaders, friendships are difficult to find and maintain. Yet from the beginning of the Book, God put it out there for us: “It is not good for the man to be alone.” Genesis 2:18. Jesus modeled it, too. In today’s post, Jaime Hlavin answers these two questions: “Why...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 225 – THE UBIQUITOUS NEED FOR FRIENDSHIP
We’ve been talking almost exclusively in 2024 about whole person wellbeing. We’ve talked about working on our wellbeing as a matter of obedience vs. preference; about developing a responsible relationship with ourself; about a new healthy rhythm: our capacity and the...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 224- CAPACITY VS. DEMAND: A FRESH LOOK AT RHYTHMS
We’ve rapped about work/rest rhythms multiple times over the 4+ years we’ve been podcasting together. We’ve unpacked four of them in the past: Daily – Genesis 1:5 – hard edges on workday. Weekly – Genesis 2:2 – a weekly pause. Sabbath Quarterly – reset every 90 days....
CAPACITY VS. DEMAND: A FRESH LOOK AT RHYTHMS
If you’ve followed us here at Converge Coaching for a bit, then you know how we feel about work/rest rhythms. The concept is foundational for so much of what we do to help you stay healthy in leadership. You can probably rattle them off faster than I can list them:...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 223- DEVELOPING A RESPONSIBLE RELATIONSHIP WITH YOURSELF
In today’s episode we continue our series of podcasts on a leader’s well-being. We unpack three important questions: What does it mean to be properly related to yourself? How do you get there? And . . . why does it matter? Our capacity to be properly related to those...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 222- INTERVIEW WITH DAVE BARRINGER- PART 2
In today’s episode we continue our compelling conversation with Dave Barringer about the epidemic of depression in today’s culture. In today’s pod Dave gives us pro tips on how to get and stay mentally/emotionally healthy. In chapter 1 of your book, you state that...
DEVELOPING A RESPONSIBLE RELATIONSHIP WITH YOURSELF
Today Jaime Hlavin kicks off a series of posts about mental and emotional health. Our inner life dictates what our outer life can handle responsibly. It’s our hope that these posts will help you build a stronger inner life. Enjoy ~ John It is not uncommon that your...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 221- INTERVIEW WITH DAVE BARRINGER- PART 1
Today we welcome to the mic Dave Barringer, Lead Pastor of Kalamazoo First AG, and author of an amazing book, Speaking from the Shadows. In this episode Dave unpacks his journey with depression. It is such a powerful story of pain and healing that you will want to...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 220- FOUR INDELIBLE LESSONS FROM 2023- PART 2
At the beginning of every year, we take the first one or two episodes to reflect on the biggest lessons we learned in the previous year. Last week in Episode 219 we considered the first two indelible lessons from 2023: Refuse to put God in a box. To move...
FOUR INDELIBLE LESSONS FROM 2023
It’s a tradition to take the first blog of the year to reflect on the biggest lessons learned in the previous year. These are indelible takeaways I aspire to carry forward into 2024. Indelible Lesson 1: Refuse to put God in a box Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to Him who...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 219- FOUR INDELIBLE LESSONS FROM 2023- PART 1
It’s our tradition to take the first one or two episodes of the year to reflect on the biggest lessons we learned in the previous year. These are indelible takeaways we aspired to carry forward into 2024. We’ll take two today in episode 219, and 2 more in Episode 220...
OUR CHRISTMAS 2023 WISH FOR YOU
In today’s post Jaime Hlavin unpacks the always-inspiring Christmas theme of light. Jesus is the light of the world, the answer for the world, the only hope for the world. He brings hope to the hopeless and light to blind eyes. All of us at Converge Coaching wish you...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 218- HOLIDAY RHYTHMS
It’s our final podcast of 2023. It’s December 19th, six days before Christmas. This time of year can get very busy for pastors. Extra events at church. Extra events with family and friends. Finishing up the year and planning for next year. So, we want to talk together...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 217- INTERVIEW WITH DANIEL WHITEHEAD- PART 2
Today we welcome back to the mic Daniel Whitehead, CEO of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries. In Part 2 of our conversation with Daniel, we explore what is contributing to the worldwide challenges we face with anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. And then we...
CHRISTMAS THROUGH THE SEASONS OF LIFE
Christmas was magical to me as a kid. The fresh-cut pine tree loaded with lights and ornaments; piles of snow outside; Charlie Brown and The Grinch Christmas specials; holiday kielbasa and raspberry cream pies; family gatherings; opening gifts; no school for two...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 216 – INTERVIEW WITH DANIEL WHITEHEAD – PART 1
Today we welcome to the mic Daniel Whitehead, CEO of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries. In Part 1 of our conversation with Daniel, we unpack what is happening—in the arena of wellbeing—in the lives of people who attend the churches we lead. We hope you enjoy this...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT PODCAST EPISODE 215- ENGAGING & INCORPORATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS- PART 2
The average age of a clergy member today is 57, compared to age 50 in 2000 (Lifeway Research). Half of all American pastors today are older than age 55. These realities are ubiquitous across every denomination we work with. And it begs the question: Is the talent pool...
‘TIS THE SEASON OF THANKFULNESS!
Jaime Hlavin joins the blog again today—the day before Thanksgiving. We hope you will find moments with family and friends this holiday that will fill up your gratefulness tank. All of us here at Converge Coaching wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy Jaime’s...
LEADING FROM ALINMENT PODCAST EPISODE 214: ENGAGING & INCORPORATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS – PART 1
For the next two weeks, we’re going to turn the mic around and interview Jim surrounding the challenge of younger leaders saying yes to God’s call. In today’s episode we unpack how the generation we hail tends to flavor our view of life and leadership. And . . . how...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 213: LEADERSHIP SHORTAGE… & WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT
The average age of a clergy member today is 57, compared to age 50 in 2000 (Lifeway Research). Half of all American pastors today are older than age 55. In 1992, 24% of all American pastors were older than 55 (Barna). One of the impacts of these alarming trends? The...
LITTLE THINGS
Today we welcome one of our Converge Coaching teammates, Mary Selzer, to the blog. As we prepare our minds and hearts for Thanksgiving festivities, I hope this short and powerful piece of writing influences your heart and mind toward gratitude and joy ~ John. ...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODES 212- INTERVIEW WITH SHANNON SHAFFER- PART 2
In today’s episode we continue with Part 2 of our compelling conversation with Shannon Shaffer, worship pastor at Auburn Hills Christian Center. We explore the personal and public components of worship leading, the traits of an effective worship leader, and how...