Spiritual Life and Leadership
Ministry leadership is about more than just growing your church or organization. It’s about participating in God’s mission in the world. But how can leaders know God’s mission or their unique place in it? Faithful ministry leadership is rooted in a life of deep and abiding faithfulness to Jesus. In “Spiritual Life and Leadership,” Markus Watson and his guests explore what it means to be faithful leaders whose ministry flows from their ever-deepening relationship with God.
Episodes
262 episodes
262. From Fired to Flourishing, with Chuck DeGroat, author of Healing What's Within
In his newest book, Chuck DeGroat offers a deeply personal account of his journey of being fired from a ministry position and the stress surrounding that experience that ultimately led to a life-changing health crisis. But it was that crisis th...
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41:47
261. Pressing Against the Darkness, a Quick conversation with Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson
Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger explore Mandy Smith's powerful words on combating darkness and feelings of futility in leadership. Tod reflects on his own struggles with imposter syndrome and insecurity, highlighting the need for honesty and sp...
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7:48
260. Resilient Leadership After the LA Fires, with Matt Colwell
Matt Colwell, Senior Pastor at Knox Presbyterian Church in Pasadena, California, shares his raw, personal journey of losing his home to the Eaton Fire in Altadena and how he has continued to shepherd a co...
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46:23
259. Trusting Jesus in Uncertainty, a Quick Conversation with Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson
Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson explore how leadership often feels like moving through a dense fog where vision is limited. Tod shares his thoughts on the importance of valuing enduring principles over having a clear vision in times of rapid ch...
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6:46
258. Walking the Path of Other-Centered Leadership, with Marc Schelske, author of Walking Otherward
True ministry leadership isn’t about power; it’s about love in action. It’s about stepping into the self-giving, co-suffering way of Jesus, even when it feels counterintuitive. This kind of leadership doesn’t seek control but embraces humility,...
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47:37
257. Slowing Down When the World Speeds Up, a Quick Conversation with Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson
Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss the importance of acknowledging when leaders feel overwhelmed and how critical it is to slow down and reflect rather than react impulsively. Through engaging metaphors and practical advice, they share str...
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7:07
256. Digital Disruption and the Future of the Church, with Rex Miller, author of The Millenium Matrix
AI, social media, and other technologies are transforming community, worship, and leadership. To stay effective, ministry leaders must understand these shifts—but also learn from the past. How do today’s technologies compare to those of previou...
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47:15
255. Mission-Centered Decision Making, a Quick Conversation with Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson
Based on their experiences as pastors, Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson explore the delicate balance between seeking consensus through voting and the necessity of leading with focus and clarity. They delve into the unique challenges and responsi...
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6:37
254. Endless Expectations and Emotional Exhaustion, with Jonathan Hoover, author of Stress Fracture
Burnout. An all too familiar experience for most of us. It's more than just feeling tired or overworked. It's that crushing sense of futility when your passion for ministry runs out, and it leaves you wondering if you can even continue th...
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39:16
253. Leading from a Place of Inner Abundance, a Quick Conversation with Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson
Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson explore the essential question: "What thirsts of my soul am I bringing to my congregation?" They discuss the importance of leaders acknowledging their own needs and the dangers of seeking fulfillment from their c...
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6:21
252. Navigating the Pain of Being "Othered," with Jenai Auman, author of Othered
This episode tackles the topic of being "othered" by those in church leadership, an important conversation for anyone in ministry leadership who wants to understand how to create an environment of embrace, of love, of belonging—and of being a h...
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47:52
251. How Church Leaders Can Overcome Fear and Build Trust, a Quick Conversation with Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson
Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson reflect on how fear influences our congregations and the importance of addressing it directly. They discuss the role of technical expertise in building trust and how leaders can compassionately accompany people t...
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6:41
250. The Prophetic Challenge of Deconstruction, with Scot McKnight, author of Invisible Jesus
In this episode, we’re taking a deep-dive into the complex and, at times, nerve-wracking experience of deconstruction. Leaders often worry about its impact on their roles, their authority, and on the harmony or unity of their church communities...
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37:35
249. Balancing Tradition and Innovation in Church Leadership, a Quick Conversation with Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson
Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson engage in a meaningful conversation about the delicate balance of honoring the "inherited church" while experimenting on the edges to drive adaptive change. Drawing from a quote by Shannon Kiser, who is deeply in...
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7:28
248. Ministry's Heavy Burdens and the Christmas Promise of Rest
In this special Christmas Eve episode of Spiritual Life and Leadership, Markus Watson takes a moment to share some heartfelt encouragement for those feeling the weight of ministry's demands. Reflecting on both personal and professional burdens,...
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8:13
247. The Kingdom of God as Present Reality, a Quick conversation with Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson
Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger discuss the concept of the kingdom of God as a way of life, rather than a distant place. Inspired by a powerful quote from Yolanda Solomon, they discuss the profound implications this understanding has for minist...
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8:33
246. Have We Forgotten to Pray? with Jeff Hoffmeyer
What if prayer wasn’t just a box to check off your to-do list, but a lifeline deeply integrated into every moment of your life and your leadership? Imagine navigating every challenge, every conflict, and every transition with an ongoing sense t...
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41:50
245. Standing in the Gap, a Quck Conversation with Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson
Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger discuss the essential role of pastors and spiritual leaders in "standing in the gap," inspired by a profound quote from Amy Peeler. They explore how leaders can support their communities by being present in times...
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7:46
244. Finding Strength in Desperation, with Mandy Smith, author of Confessions of an Amateur Saint
Is leadership about enduring endless challenges without ever, y’know, faltering? Or is it about recognizing when to slow down, step back, acknowledge our weaknesses and reconnect with the God who calls us?In this episode, Mandy Smith, a...
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43:07
243. Including Young Voices in Leadership, a Quick Conversation with Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson
Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger engage in an enlightening conversation exploring a profound quote by Efrem Smith on the evolving narrative of church communities. They discuss the critical role of the emerging generation in not just being part o...
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6:50
242. Life and Leadership in the Fog, with Michaela O'Donnell and Lisa Slayton, authors of Life in Flux
We talk a lot about leading through uncertainty on this podcast. But in this episode, the emphasis will be on navigating uncertainty in our own lives. In this conversation, Michaela O'Donnell and Lisa Slayton, co-authors of
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44:29
241. Leadership and Emotional Presence, a Quick Conversation with Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson
Markus Watson chats with Tod Bolsinger about a profound quote from Gayle Beebe, President of Westmont College. They explore the significance of staying emotionally present with your organization, its people, and its mission, especially during c...
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7:03
240. Leading with Wisdom from Above, with Uli Chi, author of The Wise Leader
How do we cultivate an environment where transparency and open communication becomes the norm rather than the exception?In this episode, Uli Chi, author of The Wise Leader, brings a...
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37:44
239. When Politics Enter the Pew, a Quick Conversation with Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson
Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss the immense pressures faced by pastors today, as articulated by Tim Alberta. Tim highlighted how congregants increasingly expect pastors to function beyond their traditional roles, turning them into part-...
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9:07
238. Lead with Less Anxiety, with Alan Fadling, author of A Non-Anxious Life
Is it possible to lead a congregation without being consumed by anxiety and stress? How can we as ministry leaders manage the pressures and expectations we carry while maintaining a sense of peace and lightness?In this episode, Alan...
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37:49
