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
252 episodes
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
237. Biblical Frameworks for a Polarized World, a Quick Conversation with Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson
Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger discuss the importance of framing for church leaders, particularly in the context of political polarization. Drawing on a quote from Andrew Hanauer, they explore how providing a Biblical framework to congregants ...
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7:37
236. Supporting Families with Autism in Your Church, with David Quel
How can our churches reach out to families with autistic members in such a way that the Gospel is good news for them? And how might we need to adapt the way we do church in order to be good news for those with autism in their families?
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37:56
235. Exercising Power with Integrity, a Quick Conversation with Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson
Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger explore the concept of power within the framework of discipleship and adaptive leadership, inspired by a quote from Michael Rhodes. They discuss how power, when used responsibly, can prevent harm and support the ...
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7:01
234. Political Power and American Evangelicalism, with Tim Alberta, author of The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory
Here in the U.S. the impact of the election and the campaigns of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are inescapable.In this episode, Tim Alberta, author of The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: America...
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41:11
233. Aligning with God's Work in the World, a Quick Conversation with Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson
Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger explore how to discern and join in what God is doing in the world. They discuss the importance of humility, recognizing God's ongoing work beyond the church, and adopting practical spiritual disciplines. Tod shar...
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8:04
232. Learning from Jesus, with Yolanda Solomon, author of Discipleship as Holy Collaboration
How does Jesus go about transforming individual lives and entire societies? And what role do we play in that work of transformation?Yolanda Solomon, author of Discipleship as Holy Col...
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41:50
231. Navigating Grief and Life Transitions, a Quick Conversation with Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson
Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger unpack a poignant quote from Adam McHugh, discussing the often-overlooked grief experienced during life transitions such as career changes and identity shifts. They reflect on Adam's personal journey from pastora...
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7:05
230. The Power of an 8-word Mission Statement, with Tod Bolsinger
Tod Bolsinger, Executive director of the Church Leadership Institute, discusses how to maintain a commitment to your mission even in the face of resistance. He also unpac...
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36:02
229. The Fear-Driven Church, a Quick Conversation with Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson
Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss a quote from episode 216 with guests Brad Strawn and Warren Brown. The quote highlights the perception that contemporary Christianity in the United States is more known for what it opposes than for what i...
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7:49
