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...
TAKING CARE OF YOUR BODY
We are currently on a journey to help leaders do their absolute best to be their very best. We believe the key to this quest is personal alignment. You can catch up on our previous installments here and here as we work through John’s book, Unshakable Leader: The...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 184: A RESPONSE TO ASBURY – PART 2
Recap of Episode 183 Unless you live under a rock, you’re likely aware of the revival that broke out at Asbury College in Wilmore Kentucky. What should be our response to what God is doing on college campuses all over the country? Teachability, hunger,...
THE SIMPLE YET AMAZING POWER OF ALIGNMENT- PART 2
Last week, we paved the foundation for our journey through Unshakable Leader: The Simple Yet Amazing Power of Alignment. Today we will begin our journey with Alignment Component 1: Spiritual Hunger. A for-real, alive relationship with Jesus Christ is where true...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 183: A RESPONSE TO ASBURY
In today’s episode John and Jim explore what God is up to at Asbury College and at college campuses across our country . . . and what our response to these goings-on might be. You can listen to the pod here. Here is the video version. Show notes are below: What should...
THE SIMPLE YET AMAZING POWER OF ALIGNMENT: INTRODUCTION
Leading well is hard. Navigating the journey through the euphoria of high moments and victories also involves traversing the heartbreak of low points and failures. The good and bad are often interspersed moment-to-moment. Your health as a leader is a key contributor...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 182: INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS BROOKS- 3 LEVELS OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
In today’s episode, Pastor Chris Brooks returns to unpack three ways a church can impact the communities they serve: Community Service, Community Development, and Community Empowerment. You can listen to the audio version here. Here is the video version. Show notes...
STAY ALERT
Congratulations! You’ve made it to the final segment of our series on Unshakable You: 5 Choices of Emotionally Healthy People. Hopefully, by this point you feel well-equipped to take on the task of keeping yourself in a good mental and emotional place. It’s not...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 181: INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS BROOKS- PART 1
Caring for the health of those who serve alongside us in ministry is one of the most important responsibilities a pastor has. In today’s episode John interviews Pastor Chris Brooks, lead pastor of Woodside Bible Church, about the staff care effort at Woodside, and how...
REFUEL EMOTIONALLY- PART 2
Last week took a deep dive into Choice #4 in John Opalewski’s book Unshakable You: 5 Choices of Emotionally Healthy People. We spent a great deal of time learning how to refuel emotionally. We will finish unpacking this choice today. In last week’s post, we focused...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 180- RUNNING ON A FULL TANK- PART 2
In today’s episode John and Jim wrap up their seven-week focus on mental and emotional well-being by unpacking two powerful pieces of a preventive plan to help you get and stay healthy. You can listen to the pod here. Here is the video version. Show notes are below:...
REFUEL EMOTIONALLY- PART 1
We are over halfway through John Opalewski’s Unshakable You: 5 Choices of Emotionally Healthy People. Some of these five choices involve very difficult work and can feel overwhelming and even exhausting at times. You’ll be happy to hear that in this week and next...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 179- RUNNING ON A FULL TANK- PART 1
Today’s episode is the sixth in a series of pods focused on the subject of mental and emotional well-being. Barna reported in April of 2022 that 42 percent of lead pastors were seriously considering quitting the ministry. The main drivers? Stress . . . isolation . . ....
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM ABUSE- PART 2
Sometimes it is impossible to avoid unpleasant people. We may work with them or attend school with them. They may also be part of our families. If those people are toxic, learning to navigate those relationships while maintaining our own emotional health and not...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 178 – PROTECT YOURSELF FROM ABUSE
We’re currently in a series of pods on mental and emotional health. We’ve talked about becoming our own best friend; telling our anger where to go. Today we’ll focus on the subject of protecting ourselves from people whose mission in life is to hurt us. You can...
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM ABUSE – PART 1
The word bully conjures images of the schoolyard ruffian pounding the lunch money out of a poor, defenseless soul. Add the modern-day equivalent of a middle school student enduring social media harassment at the fingertips (or thumbs) of a cyberbully. We tend to hope...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 177 – TELL ANGER WHERE TO GO – PART 2
In today’s episode John and Jim continue their conversation which started in Episode 176 . . . Telling Anger Where to Go. All of us experience anger. We get and stay healthy by processing it in a way that honors God and frees us from the suffocating grip of bitterness...
TELL ANGER WHERE TO GO- PART 2
Last week we talked about telling our anger where to go. We encouraged an honest appraisal of our anger and then we examined unhealthy expressions of such. In Unshakable You: 5 Choices of Emotionally Healthy People, John Opalewski says, “In Ephesians 4:31, the apostle...
LEADING FROM ALIGNMENT EPISODE 176- TELL ANGER WHERE TO GO- PART 1
In today’s episode John and Jim continue their series of conversations on mental and emotional wellbeing. Today’s pod focuses on the most human of emotions . . . anger . . . and increases our understanding of this emotion’s ability to complicate our life if we don’t...