Shows
The Christian Leader PodcastOn Mission from the Beginning: The History of MB Conventions (Peggy Goertzen)Peggy Goertzen is back for her fourth appearance on LEAD Pods, and she's bringing history to life once again. As director and archivist of the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies at Tabor College, Peggy is the go-to voice for all things MB heritage.In this episode, she traces the roots of why Mennonite Brethren started gathering in the first place, taking us back to the 1870s when MB immigrants fled persecution in Russia and settled across Kansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas. By 1879, scattered churches came together for a national gathering because, as Peggy puts it, they simply...
2026-05-2845 minThe Christian Leader PodcastWhy We Gather: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Gathering 2026 (Kelsey Ensz, Drew Pankratz, & Alec Alvarado)This week Matt sits down with three members of the Gathering planning team, Kelsey Ensz, Drew Pankratz, and Alec Alvarado, for a behind-the-scenes look at what to expect for the USMB national convention this July in Salt Lake City. The three share the heart behind this year's theme, Cultivate: Living on Mission with Jesus, rooted in 1 Corinthians 3 and the MB family's longtime commitment to disciple-making. They discuss what went into selecting the speakers and workshops, along with details of what to expect if you plan to bring your kids or students along with you. Plus, we...
2026-04-3042 minThe Christian Leader PodcastWhy Leadership Development Is So Hard—And What to Do About It (Andy Owen and Kyle Goings)Andy Owen and Kyle Goings return to LEAD Pods for a timely and energizing conversation about one of the church's most urgent challenges: developing the next generation of leaders before a looming leadership crisis arrives.Andy serves as executive pastor at Ridgepoint Church in Wichita, Kansas, bringing over 20 years of international ministry experience from Thailand to his work of equipping leaders today. Kyle serves as next gen pastor at Ridgepoint and director of USMB Next Gen, where he focuses on calling and developing young leaders across the denomination.The conversation tackles why leadership development feels...
2026-04-1642 minThe Christian Leader PodcastLoving the Orphan: The Church's Role in the Foster Care Crisis (Amy Jackson-Kincaid)Amy Jackson-Kincaid joins LEAD Pods for an eye-opening and faith-filled conversation about foster care, the guardian ad litem program, and the vital role churches can play in one of America's most pressing needs.Amy serves as district administrator for the Guardian Ad Litem Program in North Carolina, overseeing nearly 600 children across three counties. She is also an ordained minister and associate pastor at Boone Mennonite Brethren Church, and serves on the USMB board.The conversation covers how the foster care system actually works, what a guardian ad litem does, and how Amy went from offering...
2026-04-0244 minThe Christian Leader PodcastWatering Well: Faithful Ministry and Long-Term Growth (Aaron Halvorsen)Pastor Aaron Halvorsen joins LEAD Pods for a warm and wide-ranging conversation about preaching, pastoral identity, and the often unglamorous but essential work of long-term ministry.Aaron is the lead pastor of Community Bible Church in Olathe, Kansas, where he has served for over a decade and will soon celebrate the church's 60th anniversary. He shares his journey from the Pacific Northwest to Kansas, his unexpected entry into the Mennonite Brethren world through church planting, and what it has meant to put down deep roots in one church and one community over the long haul....
2026-03-1945 minThe Christian Leader Podcast146 | Leading Through Change Without Losing Your People (Jon Annin)Pastor Jon Annin joins LEAD Pods for a thoughtful conversation about leading change without losing people. Jon is one of the speakers for the USMB Gathering this summer, and this episode offers a window into his heart for ministry, renewal, and sustainable leadership.Jon shares the story of returning to Stony Brook Church, a small church in Omaha that had experienced significant decline, and how patient, courageous change led to health, growth, and renewed mission. Along the way, he reflects on lessons learned from serving in both large and small churches, the importance of building teams that can...
2026-02-1945 minThe Christian Leader Podcast144 | Deconstruction, Denominations, & Algorithms (Convention Speaker A.J. Swoboda)Pastor, theologian, and author A.J. Swoboda joins LEAD Pods for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership and formation. A.J. is one of our keynote speakers for the USMB Gathering coming up this July, so this episode gives a sneak peek into his heart for ministry and insight into life as a pastor in today's unique culture. We cover a lot of ground in this episode! A.J. shares thoughts about doubt and deconstruction (the main topic of his talk at Gathering), why it's so important for various denominations to learn from each other, and why he t...
2026-01-2240 minThe Christian Leader Podcast137 | Why We Gather: Looking Ahead to Gathering 2026 (Aaron Box)Every two years, Mennonite Brethren from across the country come together for a unique family gathering: the USMB National Convention. In this episode, USMB National Director Aaron Box returns to LEAD Pods to share why this event matters and what makes it different from a typical conference. He unpacks the heart behind convention, from strengthening relationships across our churches to shaping our shared mission for the future.As we look ahead to July 2026, Aaron also gives us a preview of what’s being planned, how leaders are thinking about the schedule, and why your presence matters. Beyond bu...
2025-10-0244 minThe Christian Leader Podcast136 | Telling Stories & Helping People: Meet the New CL Editor (Lacey Scully)This week Matt sits down with the brand-new editor of the Christian Leader magazine, Lacey Scully. Lacey shares her journey from growing up in a creative, faith-filled family in Kansas to serving overseas in missions and the Peace Corps, to eventually stepping into this role with USMB. Her story weaves together a deep love for writing, a passion for helping people, and a heart for the church. Along the way, she reflects on how God has shaped her through seasons of adventure, marriage, parenting, and ministry.Now just a few weeks into her new position, Lacey talks...
2025-09-1847 minThe Christian Leader Podcast133 | Our School, Our Leaders: Tabor's New GSM Initiative (Dr. Eric Foster-Whiddon)In this episode, we welcome Dr. Eric Foster-Whiddon to LEAD Pods to introduce an exciting new initiative from Tabor College: Graduate Studies in Ministry. With a background in both pastoral ministry and academic scholarship, Dr. Foster-Whiddon brings a deep passion for equipping local church leaders in accessible, meaningful ways.Together we explore how this initiative was formed in partnership with USMB districts, what makes it distinct from traditional seminary paths, and how it blends academic rigor with practical ministry training. Dr. Foster-Whiddon also explains how mentorship, spiritual formation, and Anabaptist theology are woven into the curriculum, and...
2025-08-0750 minThe Christian Leader Podcast130 | One Global Family: Inside the Mennonite World Conference and Anabaptist 500This year marks two significant milestones worth our attention and our celebration. While we've already spent time reflecting on the 500th anniversary of the Anabaptist movement, 2025 also marks the 100th anniversary of the Mennonite World Conference (MWC). Recently, leaders from around the globe gathered in Germany and Switzerland to commemorate both anniversaries, and this week, we get the inside scoop from two of our USMB representatives: Gertrud Geddert and Sebastian Mireles.In this episode, Gertrud and Sebastian help us reflect on where we’ve come from, how the global Church is growing, and what it looks like to...
2025-06-2651 minThe Christian Leader Podcast118 | Behind the Scenes of the Christian Leader Magazine (Connie Faber & Janae Shafer)This week, we sit down with Connie Faber and Janae Shafer, the dynamic duo behind the Christian Leader magazine. They share how each issue comes together, from planning themes to collaborating with writers across the USMB family. With a mission to connect churches, celebrate stories, and inspire action, the magazine plays a vital role in reflecting the heart of the Mennonite Brethren community.Connie and Janae also discuss the challenges of balancing print and digital formats in today’s fast-paced world and their vision for highlighting the rich diversity within the MB family. Whether you’re a regu...
2024-12-1253 minThe Christian Leader Podcast117 | Generosity in Leadership (Aaron Box)This week, we’re joined by USMB National Director Aaron Box to explore the role of generosity in leadership. As we dive into the history of Giving Tuesday and its impact, Aaron shares practical ways we can live out generosity—not just in giving, but in how we lead others. From creating a culture of service in our churches to fostering servant leadership in every sphere, Aaron highlights the importance of putting others first and leading with open hands.We also discuss how generosity can transform leadership in any context, even in roles where it feels countercultural. Whet...
2024-11-2841 minThe Christian Leader Podcast115 | Igniting Your Leadership Fuel (Jordan Ringhofer & Kyle Goings)Leadership development is one of USMB's core commitments, and finding new ways to grow, stretch yourself, or gain new skills is a crucial part of leadership. In our busy world where we all feel short on time, how can we continue to grow, find new resources, and discover meaningful new ideas?Earlier this year USMB launched Leadership Fuel, a website devoted to sharing curated leadership resources for pastors and church leaders. On this episode, Jordan Ringhofer (Pacific District Conference district minister) and Kyle Goings (USMB NextGen chair) explain how Leadership Fuel came to be and how you...
2024-10-3145 minThe Christian Leader Podcast111 | What Makes a "Mennonite," and Celebrating 500 Years of Anabaptism (César García & Dr. Tim Geddert)Next year marks a significant anniversary for our MB history and heritage, so we're preparing for a big party! The roots of our MB tradition can be traced to 1525 and the birth of the Anabaptist movement beginning in Zurich. For those of us involved with USMB, it's helpful for us to remember that our heritage and our roots go way beyond our U.S. history, and this event is a meaningful chance to learn, remember, and reconnect with our Mennonite and Anabaptist brothers and sisters around the world.This week our guests are César García, th...
2024-09-0548 minThe Christian Leader Podcast108 | Decades of Dedication & Passing the Torch (Donna Sullivan and Lori Taylor)This week we speak with Donna Sullivan and Lori Taylor, two long-serving staff members of USMB who are retiring and concluding their careers this week. Over their decades of experience, their roles have changed significantly over time, and today they discuss some of their favorite experiences and reflections on their careers in church administration and ministry. Behind-the-scenes heroes like Lori and Donna often go unnoticed and under-appreciated, but their impact and their influence on our churches can't be overstated. Their day-to-day work truly was a ministry, and we've been blessed by the fruit of their labor.
2024-07-2540 minThe Christian Leader Podcast105 | A New Leader for a New Season (Aaron Box)In light of the upcoming retirement of Don Morris, Aaron Box was recently announced as the new USMB national director (effective July 1). Aaron has been an MB pastor for many years and was active on the USMB Leadership Board, but many of you likely don't know Aaron yet. As he prepares to transition into this new role, we wanted to take some time for you to get to know Aaron's history and hear his heart for ministry.Aaron has more than 20 years of ministry experience, including the past 13 years as senior pastor of North Park Community Church...
2024-06-0649 minThe Christian Leader Podcast103 | Passing the Baton & Looking Ahead (Don Morris)Don Morris has served in MB leadership for decades, most recently as USMB national director. As he prepares for retirement, this week we look back on Don's career as he reflects on the joys and challenges facing our denomination. Much has changed in church leadership and in American culture, but our MB family of churches has also grown and expanded so much with guidance from Don's leadership. In this episode, Don shares some encouragement for those of us leading congregations today, thoughts on how to transition out of leadership well, and what excites him most as we l...
2024-05-0947 minThe Christian Leader Podcast101 | Why YOU Should Attend Convention This Summer (Kelsey Ensz & Daniel Rodriguez)As we inch closer to summertime, we're also preparing for our biennial USMB pastors' conference and national convention coming to Omaha this July. On this episode we're joined by Kelsey Ensz and Daniel Rodriguez who both serve on the planning committee for the convention. They both share stories of how past conventions have been helpful to their ministries and provide some details of why YOU should consider joining us this year. To learn more or sign up, visit usmb.org/usmb-gathering-2024.
2024-04-1140 minThe Christian Leader Podcast100 | Looking Back & Looking Ahead! (USMB Staff)We made it to 100 episodes! Wahoo! Thank you for listening over the past four years.Today Matt talks with the entire USMB staff as we look back and reflect on our favorite episodes, go through some fun trivia, and share details about a $100 prize giveaway for the listeners. The USMB staff also shares a bit about their hearts behind the ministry, and we look ahead to what the next 100 episodes may look like for the podcast. Thanks for listening with us, and be sure to 1) follow us on social media, 2) comment on this episode's post, a...
2024-03-2826 minThe Christian Leader Podcast099 | The How, Why, and "What's Next" of USMB Church Planting (Scott Thomas)This week Matt talks with Scott Thomas, the new interim USMB Church Planting Mobilizer. Scott shares his extensive experience in church planting, having been involved with literally hundreds of church plants across the U.S. during his time with Acts 29 and serving as a lead pastor for 17 years. Scott passionately discusses the importance of continually planting new churches and why it's a crucial strategy for both spreading the gospel AND revitalizing existing churches. Scott emphasizes that every USMB church, no matter its size or resources, can get involved in church planting efforts through prayer, finances, sending out m...
2024-03-1446 minThe Christian Leader Podcast093 | Shifting Sands: Developing Young Leaders in a Changing LandscapeUSMB recently hosted a live webinar where we addressed the topic of the perceived leadership gap in our churches today. Statistics show that pastors are getting older, enrollment in ministry majors is on the decline, and our culture at large is dismissive of careers in the local church. With this truth in our USMB churches and other denominations around the country, how we can address this issue now and start preparing the emerging generation of leaders?On this final episode of 2023, we hear from Kyle Goings, Wendell Loewen, and Joanna Chapa to discuss this growing concern. The...
2023-12-1455 minThe Christian Leader Podcast092 | Life as a College President (Dr. André Stephens & Dr. David Janzen)This is a very interesting and crucial time to be involved in Christian higher education. In our denomination, we have two colleges we support that teach within the USMB Confession of Faith, and this week we talk with the two presidents leading these institutions. Dr. David Janzen is in his third year as the president of Tabor College, while Dr. André Stephens is in his second year as president of Fresno Pacific University. Since they started their positions around the same time and their schools are similar in many ways, these men are often linked together as le...
2023-11-3046 minThe Christian Leader Podcast090 | Prioritizing Peace in a Divisive World (Larry Nikkel)If there's one single issue MBs are known for, it might be the idea of peacemaking. While that may still be true today, our official and documented views on peace and war have shifted in recent history. Our denominational leaders reworded Article 13 of our USMB Confession of Faith ten years ago now, with a strategic shift away from addressing only violence and war and instead broadening what it looks like to live a life of peace. On this week's episode, we talk with Larry Nikkel, who was chair of the USMB Board of Faith and Life at t...
2023-11-0239 minThe Christian Leader Podcast089 | Looking Back and Looking Ahead (Tim & Donna Sullivan)Tim and Donna Sullivan have served in USMB leadership for 30+ years. As they are both in the process of transitioning into retirement, we take time in this episode to hear them reflect on our denomination and the southern district specifically. What has changed over the years, what opportunities are they currently excited about, and does anything make them nervous in this season of ministry? Why are denominations important, and how can we continue to work together to serve and mutually benefit each other? They also share thoughts on succession and how to work together as husband/wife ministry partners.
2023-10-1941 minThe Christian Leader Podcast088 | Retirement, Succession, & the Future of the Eastern District (Terry Hunt)Pastor Terry Hunt has served as a leader on the USMB national level for several decades now. As he prepares for retirement from one of these roles, Terry reflects on his tenure as the Eastern District minister, which included major growth in the district; a name change; and the addition of several Ethiopian, Hispanic, and Congolese immigrant churches. Terry chose the timing of this transition strategically so he can serve and encourage future leaders. His focus and dedication to succession is a wise model for all leaders to follow, and Terry encourages us to move forward with p...
2023-10-0540 minThe Christian Leader Podcast079 | Giving Meaning to Money (Jon Wiebe)MB Foundation has been an important and influential ministry of USMB for more than 30 years now, and many good things are happening there! On this week's episode, President & CEO Jon Wiebe shares insightful history of the Foundation, as well as some exciting stories of how their growth has led to increased generosity to churches in our denomination as well as to individuals in need around the world. We should all strive to honor God with our finances and practice biblical stewardship, and MB Foundation offers several tools to individuals, local churches, and other ministries to help us d...
2023-06-0143 minThe Christian Leader Podcast077 | The Hand of God on an Immigrant Pastor (Alex Mutabazi & Terry Hunt)In recent years we've shared several stories of how immigrant pastors from around the world are getting established in the U.S. and joining our USMB church family. In today's episode, we hear the encouraging story of how Pastor Alex Mutabazi left a difficult life in the Congo to become an MB pastor in Nashville. In his words, the "hand of God" has been upon him and his church with miracle after miracle leading to where he is today. Pastor Terry Hunt has been an influential leader in Alex's life, as well as several other immigrant pastors w...
2023-05-0449 minThe Christian Leader Podcast072 | Latest USMB Church Planting News (Brian Harris)Planting new churches continues to be a high priority for USMB leadership, which notably led to hiring Brian Harris as our church planting mobilizer last summer. Brian has been on the job for several months now, and on this week's episode, Brian shares the latest news after his travels around the country and what he's learned so far as he speaks to leaders and develops his longer-term strategy. As the familiar verse from Matthew says, the harvest is indeed plentiful. Brian reminds us there is definitely still a need for more churches in our communities, and there a...
2023-02-2341 minThe Christian Leader Podcast070 | The Importance and the Future of Immigrant Churches (Henri Ngolo)America is often referred to as a "melting pot" with a wide variety of cultures and ethnicities represented. Clearly we believe the Gospel is good news for everyone, and it's wise for us to be on the lookout for ways we can more effectively serve and minister to under-represented and under-served groups in our American culture. With more immigrants and refugees coming to our shores every day, how can the Church minister to these communities, and how can the USMB family work with them to prepare for the church of tomorrow? Henri Ngolo is a minister and c...
2023-01-2646 minThe Christian Leader Podcast069 | Reading the Bible, Missing the Gospel (Ben Connelly)When you spend time reading the Bible, what kinds of things are you looking for? Does your understanding of the New Testament affect your view of the Old Testament, and vice versa? As you read, are you thinking mostly of yourself, or about God? We all slip into ruts with our personal devotions, and sometimes a fresh perspective or reminder of biblical truths can bring life and deeper understanding of the stories and teachings found in the Bible. Today we're talking with author and pastor Ben Connelly about his new book, Reading the Bible, Missing the Gospel, and...
2023-01-0544 minThe Christian Leader Podcast068 | Meet the New Central District Minister (Daniel Rodriguez)In this final episode of 2022, we introduce you to Daniel Rodriguez, the new district minister for the Central District. Daniel has a unique story of how he was called into ministry, and he has a genuine desire to reach all the new people groups coming to the U.S.The Central District covers several states, and Daniel's experience working in bilingual churches is proving to be helpful as he leads several different cultures represented in this district. Daniel shares details of what exactly district ministers do, what excites him about his new role, and what we can...
2022-12-1541 minThe Christian Leader Podcast067 | Life as a Pastor's Spouse (Melissa Wiebe & Heather Hubrich)For most couples, your spouse's career probably doesn't affect your day-to-day life THAT much, but that's not always true when you're married to a pastor! There are some unique challenges--and unique joys--that come with being a pastor's wife, and today we hear about those from Melissa Wiebe and Heather Hubrich. Both of their husbands are pastors and church planters at Lakeview Church in Utah. While the pastor's spouse may typically fly a little under the radar, both Melissa and Heather have settled into their niche where they can give and serve the community while also caring for their families--and se...
2022-12-0152 minThe Christian Leader Podcast066 | Dealing with Conflict (Erica Haude & Wendell Loewen)Humans are messy, and (sadly) part of being human is dealing with conflict. Especially this time of year with elections and lots of time with family around the holidays, you're likely to find yourself in a difficult conversation at some point. How can we be peace-makers in a divided and difficult culture, and how we can we love those around us who believe and behave so differently than we do? Remember: Conflict in itself is not sin. We have a choice in how we handle these things, and on this episode we have some practical takeaways you c...
2022-11-1745 minThe Christian Leader Podcast065 | Succeeding a Long-Term Pastor (Eric Nelson)Changes in senior leadership can make or break any church or organization, especially when a senior, founding pastor retires. Succession is a crucial leadership discussion that often gets forgotten or delayed, but it's a topic we would all be wise to get a head start on.Today we talk with Eric Nelson, the new lead pastor of South Mountain Community Church in Utah. Eric recently took over after their former leader, Paul Robie, retired at the end of last year. South Mountain took their time and the succession process worked really smoothly, so what outline did they...
2022-11-0345 minThe Christian Leader Podcast064 | The Importance of Effective Storytelling (Robert Carnes)"Let me tell you a story..."Did we capture your attention? There's something about a compelling story that draws our hearts and minds more than just about anything else. Effective storytelling can be a leadership superpower, so how can our churches tell better stories? What's the process we should use to listen, capture, and share good stories, and how can that cycle help grow our churches and share the gospel? On this episode we talk through this and much more with author Robert Carnes. Robert has written two books, including "The Story Cycle," which we t...
2022-10-2044 minThe Christian Leader Podcast063 | The Importance of Sabbaticals (Don Morris)If you've considered taking a sabbatical before, maybe some of these thoughts have gone through your mind:People in secular jobs don't get this much time off. Why should I?I don't need time away. I'm doing fine and ministry is running well. I don't have anyone around me to pick up the slack. My team or leadership doesn't support the idea. Taking time away for rest, renewal, and retooling is so important for ministry leaders. Time away from the grind of ministry is not only good for your own health, but churches also benefit. Ministries can onl...
2022-10-0642 minThe Christian Leader Podcast062 | Meeting FPU's New President (Dr. André Stephens)Back to school season is in full swing, so now is a great time to introduce you to Dr. André Stephens, the new president of Fresno Pacific University. FPU is our Mennonite Brethren school in Fresno, California, and many great things are happening on campus. Dr. Stephens was selected as their new president this summer, and he brings with him a wealth of experience in higher ed and a very strong passion for the well-being of well-rounded students. On this episode, Dr. Stephens shares more about his background, what drew him to FPU, what he's learning about th...
2022-09-2244 minThe Christian Leader Podcast061 | USMB Church Planting (Brian Harris)Church planting has long been one of USMB's main goals as a denomination. We want to actively be involved in more MB churches being planted--so much so that USMB leaders created a new position to focus on just that. Brian Harris recently started as our new church planting mobilizer. Brian has a great story of how he came to faith, how he started evangelizing, and what he plans to do to assist MB churches ready to take the leap into multiplying disciples through church planting.
2022-08-2538 minThe Christian Leader Podcast060 | The Theology of Disability (Dr. Quentin Kinnison)Most of us have individuals with disabilities in our church family--or certainly in our communities. People with disabilities or differently-abled people are often overlooked in society, but that shouldn't be the case in our churches! Regardless of our church's size or resources, we should all be on the lookout to appropriately serve and reach out to those with disabilities, so how can we do that more effectively?Dr. Quentin Kinnison is an associate professor at Fresno Pacific and has devoted significant time to the "theology of disability." In this episode Quentin shares many practical ideas and potential...
2022-08-1138 minThe Christian Leader Podcast059 | Avoiding the Great Resignation (Michael Buckingham)You've heard the buzzwords and are likely noticing the nearly-ubiquitous "Now Hiring" signs. The "Great Resignation" is upon us, and the post-COVID workplace is beginning to look a lot different from the office watercolors pre-2020. A bunch of people are looking to change jobs and shift their careers, so how will that affect the Church--and your church?You probably find yourself in one of two camps: Either your team is currently in the process of hiring/shifting staff positions, or maybe you have a great team that you don't want to leave. In this new workplace reality, ho...
2022-07-2839 minThe Christian Leader Podcast058 | Future of Hybrid Ministry (Jason Moore)Now that (hopefully!) the worst of COVID is behind us, most of our churches are returning to in-person services. Where does that leave our online presence? Should we keep streaming, and how can we improve our online services to be a truly "hybrid" experience of what happens in the room? On this episode we talk with Jason Moore, the author of the best-seller Both/And. Jason has several examples and insights to share from churches he has worked with who are effectively ministering to people online AND in-person.
2022-07-1451 minThe Christian Leader Podcast057 | What The Church Can Learn From Online Dating (Haley Veturis)More and more people are discovering churches online first. What does that mean for your church? If guests read through your website or follow you on social media, would they "swipe right" on your profile and consider a first "date" by attending a service? What are new people looking for, and how can you implement those things for your church online? Today we're joined by church communication expert Haley Veturis. Her personal experience with dating apps changed her thinking about churches' online profiles, and she has several thoughtful and practical steps we can all take to make sur...
2022-06-3044 minThe Christian Leader Podcast056 | Meeting Multiply's New Director (Bruce Enns)Today we have the privilege of getting to know Bruce Enns, the recently appointed general director of Multiply. Bruce has years of local church leadership experience after his time as an MB pastor in Saskatchewan. There have been lots of changes within Multiply over the past few years, but on this episode we get a peek into Bruce's heart for ministry and his vision for this next chapter of Multiply's work around the world.
2022-06-1641 minThe Christian Leader Podcast055 | Effective Rural Ministry (Ron Klassen)Evangelism is always most effective when you take time to study and immerse yourself in the culture and community where you are serving. We often think of that when discussing overseas ministry, but the same can be true in cultures that look a lot like yours on the surface. Even when you have similarities in skin color and language, ministering in a big city looks considerably different from a healthy church in small, rural communities. Today we talk with Ron Klassen, the executive director of Rural Home Missionary Association. Ron has decades of experience leading churches in s...
2022-06-0245 minThe Christian Leader Podcast054 | Finding Hope after Human Trafficking (Cathy Turner & John Oelze)The issue of human trafficking has to be one of the darkest and most difficult issues in our world today. Since we believe all humans are made in the image of God, we know that each woman caught in trafficking is important and meaningful, and the heart of God is for all of us to experience freedom and love, not exploitation. With big problems like this, it can be easy to feel hopeless in the midst of all the darkness, but there is also hope and light. Today we talk with Cathy Turner and John Oelze from H...
2022-05-1950 minThe Christian Leader Podcast053 | Apologetics & Evangelism for Moms--& Everyone Else (Hillary Morgan Ferrer)Apologetics and evangelism--both big words and big concepts that can feel daunting to "normal," busy people. As we continue our series on the podcast about evangelism and getting to know this year's convention speakers, on this episode we chat with Hillary Morgan Ferrer. Hillary is the founder of Mama Bear Apologetics, a group designed to help moms (and everyone else) find answers to difficult questions about our faith and culture. In our conversation, Hillary defines "apologetics," how it relates to evangelism, and what we can do to answer tough questions your kids may be asking.Be sure...
2022-05-0544 minThe Christian Leader Podcast052 | Evangelical Conversations with Muslims--and Everyone Else (Aaron Myers)Most of us have a tendency to make evangelism more complicated and more intimidating than it was intended to be. There are several examples in the Bible where brand new believers instantly shared their faith, and all of us listening know more about Jesus than those people did. So why is it so scary, and how can we do it more effectively--both to our unchurched friends and neighbors, and to Muslims around the world?Today we talk with Aaron Meyers from the Crescent Project. Aaron shares some helpful and encouraging tips to have faith-filled conversations more easily...
2022-04-2149 minThe Christian Leader Podcast051 | Influencing Others for Christ (Gary Comer)Most believers are familiar with the "Great Commission," but many of us also feel ill-equipped to successfully share our faith with unbelieving friends and neighbors. Today we speak with author (and MB convention speaker!) Gary Comer to hear his success stories of how he speaks with his atheist and Muslim friends, and practical tools we can use to become more effective "influencers" for Jesus in our day-to-day lives.
2022-04-0747 minThe Christian Leader Podcast050 | International MB Family (Bob Davis)The world is a big--and small!--place, and we all have a lot to learn from each other. On today's show (episode 50!), we're talking with Bob Davis about his new role with ICOMB. We can experience the fullness of the kingdom of God best when we work and worship together, and there are lots of ways our local churches can more effectively engage with MB leaders around the world. Enjoy today's conversation, and then head to http://icomb.org to learn more!
2022-03-2445 minThe Christian Leader Podcast049 | Like a Good Neighbor (How to Talk about Jesus with Jeff Bell)This week we’re continuing our series as we get to know this year’s USMB convention speakers as we explore the topic of evangelism. Today we’re joined by Pastor Jeff Bell from Mosaic Church, and sharing the love of Jesus is in his DNA. There are a lot of important things for church leaders to think about in this episode: What kinds of events is your church hosting, and what is their purpose? Is evangelism part of your discipleship strategy? Are you so busy with church activities that you have nothing left for your neighbors? And when you AR...
2022-03-1050 minThe Christian Leader Podcast048 | Soul Care & Spiritual Direction (Janine Westlund)"Soul care" and "spiritual direction" are good-sounding terms you would probably affirm, but what do they actually mean? And are you (as a pastor or church leader) actually taking care of your soul? What even IS your "soul"?Self-care and self-examination can be critical tools to ensure our own spiritual health, especially the longer we find ourselves in church work. The daily grind of ministry and life in general is real, and it's important we take time to discover what our soul craves and find ways to feed and nurture our true selves. Above all...
2022-02-2448 minThe Christian Leader Podcast047 | Reaching Non-Believers in Your Neighborhood (Jeff Hubrich)Jeff Hubrich has a pretty powerful testimony that you probably don't have. After leaving the LDS church, Jeff gradually learned about Jesus through a caring Christian friend who invested in his friendship for years. Jeff is now a pastor who strategically plans his church services specifically for the Mormons in his community--and it's working.Even if you have a completely different testimony, we can all learn from Jeff's story and spend some time thinking about how and why we do things in our churches. Can you describe the culture of your neighborhood 10 blocks in every direction? What...
2022-02-1050 minThe Christian Leader Podcast046 | Developing a Leadership Pipeline (Kyle Goings & Russ Claassen)You can't argue with the stats. Most U.S. pastors are getting older, young Christians aren't as active in local churches as they used to be, and--at least in this season--young people don't seem to be interested in vocational ministry. What is causing these issues, and how can we address them now as MB church leaders?These are big and complicated discussions, but a group of MB leaders are coming together to form a new initiative to serve USMB congregations as well as emerging leaders. Today we talk with Kyle Goings and Russ Claassen about the new...
2022-01-2739 minThe Christian Leader Podcast045 | Deep Dive into Healthy, God-Honoring Finances (Nate Yoder)Like it or not, money is a part of our daily lives. Some people seem to naturally have a great handle on how to budget, save, and invest, while others struggle to make ends meet and come up with a long-term plan for healthy financial living. The Bible has a lot to say about money and how we use it, but it doesn't necessarily line out details about credit cards, ROTHs, or investment strategies. Luckily we have experts like our friends at MB Foundation to help us work out those details. Nate Yoder returns to the show t...
2021-12-2346 minThe Christian Leader Podcast044 | Being a Resilient Leader Post-COVID (Josh Shaw)COVID rocked the whole world and caused all of us to shift all kinds of things, including how we do church. Not only have the nuts and bolts details changed, but most pastors and church leaders also routinely find themselves in uncharted waters, exhausted from the barrage of challenges the last two years have brought us.Sound familiar? Pastor Josh Shaw from Lighthouse Church in Denver is hosting a FREE conference for church leaders coming up January 28-29. Take advantage of this two-day experience to hear from great leaders, enjoy powerful worship where you don't have to...
2021-12-0946 minThe Christian Leader Podcast043 | Getting to Know Tabor's New President (David Janzen)David Janzen took over as Tabor's new president this July. If you haven't had a chance to meet him yet, this episode gives you an introduction to his background in education, his time as a student at Tabor, and even his involvement with a popular mobile app. While being a college president wasn't necessarily on his radar, President Janzen shares how he sees God at work, weaving his story together in a way that positions him well for leading Tabor into the future.With enrollment up and new programs in the works, it seems good things are...
2021-11-2544 minThe Christian Leader Podcast042 | What Is America Like? (Andy Owen & Travis Jost)When you spend all or most of your life in the same culture, it's easy to become blind to the day to day "norms" around us. We're all "blind to our own blindness" and we forget what the world looks like to those living in other parts of the world. Still, it's wise and helpful for us to have a larger perspective and remember that all people are created in the image of God, and the world is much larger than North America.On today's episode we're joined my Multiply missionaries Andy Owen (Thailand) and Travis Jost (B...
2021-11-1258 minThe Christian Leader Podcast041 | Developing a Church Security Plan (Greg Snider)None of us want to think about tragedies or disasters hitting our local churches, but wise leaders are always prepared. If your church encountered an active shooter, tornado, or sudden health emergency, does your team know what to do? How do you get started developing a security plan, and how much can you work in tandem with local law enforcement? These are important questions we all need to consider. We hope and pray you never need a plan like this, but just in case you do, this episode will help you get ready. Greg Snider uses his y...
2021-10-2846 minThe Christian Leader Podcast040 | Find Your Leadership Voice (Kadi Cole Returns!)Today's female leaders face several unique challenges--especially in the church. As more and more women are given leadership opportunities, they're often met with unexpected hurdles once they get there. How can female leaders (of all ages) develop an effective "leadership voice," and how can the men around them be supportive and helpful? Author and speaker Kadi Cole returns to the show to provide helpful tools for all leaders to know how to pass the baton to future female leaders. How should you offer feedback and praise to female leaders? What analogies do we use that aren't actually h...
2021-10-1448 minThe Christian Leader Podcast039 | Benefits of LEAD Coaching (Ed Boschman & Chandelle Claassen)What is LEAD Coaching, and how could it help you? Ed Boschman and Chandelle Claassen have both been coached themselves, and now they help lead (no pun intended) the LEAD Coaching program with USMB. Coaching is an intentional one-on-one friendship where the coach helps you make progress on your goals and reach new levels of success and satisfaction--professionally and personally. Sounds nice, doesn't it? Learn more about this program on today's podcast episode and visit usmb.org/lead-coaching if you're interested in signing up.
2021-09-3042 minThe Christian Leader Podcast038 | Protecting Kids & Teens at Church (Nancy Kauffmann)Everyone (of all ages) should always feel safe at church, but we all know that unfortunately isn't always the case. We hope and pray our churches steer clear of abuse and scandal, but it's always best to be prepared and proactive to protect yourself and potential victims in your church family.These things can be hard to talk about, but it's a topic we can't avoid in today's culture. On this episode we're joined by Nancy Kauffmann from Dove's Nest to provide some insight and advice for how churches can create and follow policies to keep kids...
2021-09-1645 minThe Christian Leader Podcast037 | Peacefully Managing Conflict (Jes Stoltzfus Buller)Conflict is unavoidable--especially in today's heated culture. Jesus calls us to be peace-makers, and healthy relationships were at the core of His teaching. How can Christians manage conflict and heated discussions well, and what peaceful practices can we adopt to help us prepare?Jes Stoltzfus Buller is the Peace Education Coordinator at MCC, and she developed a free curriculum about these topics that your church may benefit from. Today we hear about Jes's interesting history of seeing conflict firsthand in Columbia and how she used those experiences to manage (and even thrive!) in a divided American culture.
2021-09-0243 minThe Christian Leader Podcast036 | Trauma, Neurology, & Effective Education (Dr. David Stevens)Modern research shows that stress, trauma, and anxiety can actually physically change our brains. Since we live in an era of chronic stress, that can have a significant impact on how we learn, how we grow, and how we interact with others. As important as these findings are, these things are rarely accounted for in our classrooms, leaving many students without crucial help they need to learn and develop effectively.On this week's episode, we dip our toes in the deep waters of neurology and trauma research with Dr. David Stevens, a professor at Tabor College who...
2021-08-1947 minThe Christian Leader Podcast035 | How to Lead Effective Small Groups (Joe Skillen)A healthy small group ministry is a crucial part of the American church today--especially for larger churches. As we grow in our faith, we all need a smaller group of friends where we can study Scripture and laugh, as well as be there for each other during hard seasons. Small groups can often provide that space, but building a healthy ministry takes a lot of work and intentionality.Today our guest Joe Skillen shares some big picture ideas of how to lead small groups, but we also get into the details about how to choose a study...
2021-08-0547 minThe Christian Leader Podcast034 | What Are You Known For? (Mark MacDonald)Your church probably does a lot of things, and you probably have a lot of ministries. One of the hardest things to do as a church leader is to effectively communicate all of your church's messages in a way where every message is heard by your congregation, as well as those outside the church in your community. Doing that well is very hard, especially if those various events and ministries don't share common goals and themes. Today's guest encourages us to find a single "thread" that connects everything we do. When you do that well, your church can...
2021-07-2248 minThe Christian Leader Podcast033 | Leading Teams & Creating Experiences (Carl Barnhill)Whatever position or title you have at your church, all church leaders (staff and volunteer) have a responsibility to lead teams well and create meaningful experiences where people can encounter Jesus. That's a big responsibility! Ready for a leadership "secret" you already know? It's all about relationships--including the relationships between you and your team members, and between you and Jesus. Today's guest is Carl Barnhill, the owner and creative director at Twelve:Thirty Media. Twelve:Thirty creates quality media packages for churches, and Carl has a ton of experience leading large church teams and creating...
2021-07-0852 minThe Christian Leader Podcast032 | Parenting Teenagers (Matt Gallagher)Teenagers have been given a bad rap. Sure, parenting teens brings a unique set of challenges, but you can do it, and this season doesn't have to be the horror story our culture makes it out to be. Today we're joined by counselor and therapist Matt Gallagher to get his insight on how to parent teens, how to prep for that season while they're young, what they need the most, and how to cultivate a healthy relationship that lasts.This episode is full of practical and insightful wisdom we could all benefit from, regardless of w...
2021-06-2444 minThe Christian Leader Podcast031 | Teaching Kids About Jesus At Church & At Home (J.L. Martin)Teaching kids about Jesus is one of a parent's most important responsibilities. Today a lot of parents feel inadequate and aren't sure how to actually do that. The church can (and should!) help, but the most effect kids ministry occurs when the church and the parents work together to install Christian principles and values to the next generation. J.L. Martin has been on both sides of this as a children & families pastor as well as raising four kids of his own. He understands the short attention spans, the awkwardness of praying out loud, and the importance of...
2021-06-1050 minThe Christian Leader Podcast030 | Kids Ministry Before & After COVID (Brittney Howard)Kids ministry is a crucial part of most (if not all) churches, and rightfully so. Effectively ministering to kids and their parents is a huge responsibility and great opportunity to share the gospel with our communities.COVID rocked the world in many ways, and children's ministry certainly wasn't an exception. Finding ways to reach children stuck at home was a challenge, and now that things are opening up, are there parts of our ministries that need to be shifted, removed, or started to adjust to this "new normal"? Brittney Howard oversees the children's ministry at P...
2021-05-2743 minThe Christian Leader Podcast029 | Caring for Your Aging Parents (Lisa Keith)All relationships can be messy, but the parent/child relationship is particularly interesting. As parents get older and their kids become care-givers, that can be a rocky transition, even for the closest of families. Knowing how to navigate new boundaries, difficult life adjustments, and challenging health diagnoses can lead to a lot of stress for both the parent and the child. How can we prepare ourselves in advance for that stage of life, and what does "success" even look like? Today we talk with Lisa Keith from FPU who is currently facing this challenge with her parents. A...
2021-05-1340 minThe Christian Leader Podcast028 | USMB/Congo Partnership (Henri Ngolo, Terry Hunt, Rick Eshbaugh)Sometimes unlikely pairings can lead to significant and important partnerships. In recent years, many Congolese immigrants have found a new home in the U.S. in MB church families. Henri Ngolo has been one of those influential leaders, and MB district ministers Terry Hunt and Rick Eshbaugh have been instrumental in helping these new Congolese church plants grow and thrive in the U.S.Many immigrants coming to the U.S. today are viewing that shift as a missionary assignment. The U.S. NEEDS church leaders from around the world, and we have much to share with...
2021-04-2952 minThe Christian Leader Podcast027 | COVID's Effect on the Local Church (Dan Strutz, Jordan Ringhofer, & Tim Sullivan)The sudden emergence of COVID-19 rocked all of our worlds, but church leaders had to move quickly and make tough decisions about how their congregations would meet. Those tough decisions seemed to keep coming for basically an entire year, and that pressure can put a huge strain on leaders--especially in particularly divided times.Today we talk with three of USMB's district ministers to hear what they have been hearing from our local MB pastors around the country. We hear some encouraging success stories, and we also share stories of burdens we've all had to learn to carry to...
2021-04-1548 minThe Christian Leader Podcast026 | Honoring God in the Workplace (Jason Lansdown)Many of our listeners are on staff at a local church, meaning our literal job is to spread the word about Jesus. As great of a privilege as that is, often times people working in the marketplace have more opportunities to build relationships and share about their faith with non-believers. Business leaders have tremendous opportunities to share the love of Christ by the way they lead, how they treat their employees, and how they view their business. Jason Lansdown owns two Chick-fil-A restaurants in Wichita, and he is a fantastic leader. His faith plays a critical role i...
2021-04-0146 minThe Christian Leader Podcast025 | Fighting COVID (Dr. Jules Glanzer)All of our lives have been affected by the spread of the Coronavirus, but few of us have been hit as directly as Tabor's president, Dr. Jules Glanzer. After catching COVID, his health declined dramatically and led to an extended stay in the hospital. As his symptoms got worse, he even had a vision of entering heaven that led to significant shifts in how he's choosing to spend his days now.Even for a proud Sterling grad (!), Dr. Glanzer's story is encouraging and inspiring. He also shares important leadership lessons we can all take away from this...
2021-03-1939 minThe Christian Leader Podcast024 | Living With Grief / Loving Grievers Well (Jenny Akina)Losing a loved one is one of the hardest parts of the human experience. It's also true that knowing how to support grieving friends can be a tricky tight rope to walk. Everyone grieves differently, and knowing how to walk alongside people on that journey can be a real challenge. Today we talk with Jenny Akina, a Grief Share leader from Fresno. Her husband passed away years ago, and her journey with her own grief has given her a big heart for others going through the grieving process. This week's episode has valuable information both for those w...
2021-03-0444 minThe Christian Leader Podcast023 | Honoring God With Your Finances (Nate Yoder)Debt. College. Mortgages. Tithing. Roths. Wills. Like it or not, money is a big part of our lives. A lot of us didn't get great training for the nuts and bolts of a healthy financial life, and it can be challenging to know where to begin--especially if you find yourself in a tough financial situation. Today we talk with Nate Yoder from MB Foundation about all of this and more. How can and should we use our money to have a healthy financial outlook ourselves, and what does God have to say about our money? Th...
2021-02-1842 minThe Christian Leader Podcast022 | TWO PART EPISODE! Political Division (Don Morris & Tim Sullivan) + Free Speech & the First Amendment (Lyndon Vix)After a few weeks off, we're BACK with a special two-part episode! Several big cultural events took place while we were away, and we wanted to spend some time as a family talking about the violence at the capitol and the current political landscape. Don Morris and Tim Sullivan guide us through what the MB statement of faith has to say about events like these and provide some comfort and encouragement for these times we're in.We also talk with lawyer Lyndon Vix about free speech and the first amendment. These days there's lot of talk about "...
2021-02-051h 03The Christian Leader Podcast021 | Singles in the Church (Lisa Anderson)Singles often get overlooked in today's churches. Sometimes churches inadvertently do or say hurtful things to single (no pun intended) them out, and we would all be wise to do a little check-up to ensure we're ministering to and meeting the needs of this important demographic in our churches.Main takeaway: Singles aren't weird or broken or misfits, and they need to be included and welcomed in our churches.Lisa Anderson is the Director of Young Adults at Focus on the Family, and she's also the host of the Boundless Show, their prolific podcast with...
2020-12-1845 minThe Christian Leader Podcast020 | Creating Space to Experience Jesus (Gavin Linderman & Micah Bentley)Gavin and Micah are leaders on staff at Axiom Church in Peoria, Arizona. Their church plant has seen a lot of success in recent years because of their desire to remain authentic and reach out to people who may otherwise feel left out of the traditional church. Gavin and Micah are artists, and that artistic soul reveals itself in the culture at Axiom. Your church may not look or sound like theirs, but we can all learn from their desire to lead from their true selves. Our communities sense that authenticity, and leading from that space will b...
2020-12-0443 minThe Christian Leader Podcast019 | Realities of Church Planting (Christian Kohs & Phil Wiebe)Church plants often lead to powerful spiritual growth and revival. Plus, Jesus called us to go out into the world and make more and more disciples. As successful and rewarding as church planting can be, actually starting a new church in the real world comes with a unique set of challenges. In today's episode we talk with two young MB pastors who have completed the church plant process and are now working on launching second campuses. Join us as we hear from Christian Kohs in Minnesota and Phil Wiebe in Utah to hear more about their church p...
2020-11-2057 minThe Christian Leader Podcast018 | COVID's Impact on Mental Health (Cheryl Dueck Smith & Carlin Buhrman)2020 has been quite the year. The combination of COVID and politics and race issues and natural disasters has been hard on all of us, and most of us could probably do a better job of taking care of ourselves. Today we're joined by two MB therapists with tips on how to manage our mental health, care for each other, and even find ways to thrive--and not just survive--the messy world we find ourselves in. Thanks to Cheryl Dueck Smith and Carlin Buhrman for sharing their insight and advice with us!
2020-11-0658 minThe Christian Leader Podcast017 | Politics, Social Media, and How to Be a "Good Christian" Online (Sam Hoover)The world of politics seems to just get messier and messier. This is a big week in America as we prepare for the upcoming election. The issues represented by our votes are big and important, and most of us feel compelled to share our thoughts and our convictions in various forms online. While there's nothing inherently wrong with that, you've probably seen Christian friends post things that maybe they shouldn't have, or maybe you've found YOURSELF in a heated Facebook debate you didn't intend to be in.It's messy, and it's hard to know how Jesus would...
2020-10-2348 minThe Christian Leader Podcast016 | ICOMB's Work Around the World (Rudi Plett & Ed Boschman)The Mennonite Brethren family is much larger than just those of us living in the U.S. We have thousands of MB brothers and sisters around the world, and we all need each other to be most effective.In this episode, Rudi Plett (the director of ICOMB) and Ed Boschman (USMB representative) share how God has been at work in these world conferences and how we can best work together to help spread the good news of Jesus and develop our church leaders around the world.
2020-10-0949 minThe Christian Leader Podcast015 | Reaching Your Community Through Art (Cathy Beachy)The story of Jesus and the woman at the well is a well-known and favorite story from the Gospels, but how should that interaction affect our lives and our ministries today? Copper Hills Church in Peoria, Arizona used that story as a model of how they wanted to serve their community. After years of dreaming and hard work, they now oversee the Copper Hills Center for the Arts, which is an awesome and powerful outreach to their community.Today we talk with Cathy Beachy, the director of the Center for the Arts. She shares not only details of...
2020-09-2540 minThe Christian Leader Podcast014 | Reaching Millennials & Gen Z (Kyle Goings)Your age and the culture you were raised in play a huge role in how you see God and how you view the church. On this week's episode we dive into a study on all current generations, with a special highlight on the emerging generations of Millennials and Gen Z. What characteristics define them, how are they different from those who came before them, and what should the church be doing to reach them more effectively?Kyle Goings is an experienced youth pastor who has studied this topic more than just about anyone. And (shhh!) don't tell...
2020-09-1147 minThe Christian Leader Podcast013 | Mennonite Brethren: The Rebellious Underdogs (Peggy Goertzen & Wendell Loewen)Who exactly are the Mennonite Brethren? Where did we come from, and what makes us unique from the hundreds of other Christian denominations? Don't miss this episode! Peggy Goertzen is the Director and Archivist of the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies, and Wendell Loewen has been an MB pastor and professor for many years. Hear them blitz through our MB history and share practical handles you can use to explain this faith story to those who may be unfamiliar.
2020-08-2848 minThe Christian Leader Podcast012 | Ethnic & Gender Diversity with MCC (Dina Gonzalez-Pina)Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) does important work around the world in the areas of relief, development, and peace in the name of Christ. In today's ever-changing culture, one way they do that is by providing resources, training, and intentional effort to support and build diversity. Dina Gonzalez-Pina specializes in the areas of gender and ethnic diversity, and she shares practical insight in today's episode for church leaders.
2020-08-1443 minThe Christian Leader Podcast011 | Developing Female Leaders in the Church (Kadi Cole)Wherever you land theologically about women in church leadership, your church likely has room for improvement in how you develop female leaders. In today's episode, author Kadi Cole encourages us to "be as effective as possible in the theology we believe," while also capitalizing on the leadership potential in women that often goes unnoticed. This is a crucial topic for today's church. Take advantage of the practical leadership and insight we can all learn from in today's LEAD Pod episode!
2020-07-3147 minThe Christian Leader Podcast010 | Leading the Church in Congo (Nzuzi Mukawa)The "capital C" Church is alive and well in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and you'll see why when you hear from USMB leader Nzuzi Mukawa. Nzuzi has a passion for evangelism, whether he finds himself in a church, in the marketplace, or taking advantage of the "diaspora" as the world becomes a smaller and more global community.Be encouraged and be challenged as you listen to this episode. The U.S. has a lot to learn from global leaders like Nzuzi!
2020-07-2343 minThe Christian Leader Podcast009 | Soul Care (Dr. Rob Reimer)How healthy is your soul? Do you have baggage you've been carrying that you need to deal with? Most of us have knowledge of Scripture and the promises of God, but do we have integration in our day-to-day lives? Dr. Reimer was scheduled to be one of our speakers at the USMB 2020 Convention. Today we dive into his book Soul Care and share ways church leaders can better care for their own souls so they can effectively lead and shepherd those around us.
2020-07-1747 minThe Christian Leader Podcast008 | Fighting Human Trafficking (Christa Wiens)The issues of labor and sex trafficking in the U.S. and around the world are heart-breaking. We believe all men and women are created in the image of God, and we all deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. These issues are big and systemic, so what can we do in our individual families and churches to help make a difference? Today's guest Christa Wiens shares important info about the problems, but also offers practical solutions we can all implement to chip away at this big and important problem.
2020-07-1044 minThe Christian Leader Podcast007 | Life on the Border (Aaron Hernandez)Not a day goes by with new headlines about racial injustice, and the topic of legal immigration will likely be an issue we'll face for years to come. Pastor Aaron Hernandez has a unique perspective as he leads a church literally on the border to Mexico. In this episode, Aaron explains what life is like for Hispanic church leaders today, and he shares several important messages for white Christian leaders.
2020-06-2646 minThe Christian Leader Podcast006 | Relational Evangelism (Ed Boschman & Jameson White)The Bible is pretty clear that all Christ-followers are called to evangelize, but sharing our faith can be scary. On top of that, a lot of us have experienced ineffective (and maybe even hurtful) evangelism, and we don't want to associate ourselves with that. Beyond the threat of hell and cheesy Christian tracts, how can we build relationships in a way that leads others to Christ?Luckily, we have two experts to dissect this with us on this episode. Ed and Jameson have great tips, personal examples, and practical encouragement for all of us to build--and share--our fa...
2020-06-1250 minThe Christian Leader Podcast005 | How to Lead a Great Meeting (Paul Robie)Every leader leads meetings. We've all been in great meetings, and we've all been in bad meetings. We want to help YOU lead them well, and this week we have great insight from Paul Robie of South Mountain Community Church in Draper, Utah. Grab a pen and get ready for some practical tools for you and your team!
2020-05-2939 minThe Christian Leader Podcast004 | Living with Gospel Fluency (Ben Connelly)When you are fluent in a language, you're able to live and communicate clearly without an abundance of effort. With that definition in mind, what does it mean to be fluent in the Gospel? How would our lives be different if we had an understanding and an awareness of the Gospel that was as deep as our understanding of our native language? Special guest Ben Connelly describes what a Gospel-fluent life looks like and steps we can take to grow in this area. Here's a hint: The Gospel isn't just something that happened 2,000 years ago. The good n...
2020-05-1532 minThe Christian Leader Podcast003 | Leading Well When No One Can See You (Ben Connelly)All of us are still navigating life in this Coronavirus season. Maybe you're working from home, maybe you're the only one in the office, or maybe now you're having to homeschool your kids. All of us have been effected somehow, and it can be hard to know if we're being successful and effective in our leadership when nothing feels normal. How can we lead well when no one can see us? How should we be using this extra time we've been given to invest in our families? Do you have a tendency to over-work or under-work? This wee...
2020-05-0241 minThe Christian Leader Podcast002 | Becoming a House of Prayer (Esther Leonard)(Hopefully) all churches pray, and (hopefully) we all spend time in prayer in our personal faith journeys. However, there's a big difference between being a church who prays and becoming a "house of prayer." What are the differences, and how can we get there?Esther Leonard is passionate about prayer and has powerful tips to help take your prayer life and your prayer meetings to the next level.
2020-04-2544 minThe Christian Leader Podcast001 | Praying during COVID-19 (Stephen Humber and Kelly Pankratz)How should the Coronavirus affect our prayer life? How can we grow in prayer if we don't feel gifted or have a personality that easily lends itself to prayer? How can we stay encouraged in these crazy days of COVID-19? Stephen Humber and Kelly Pankratz work on the mobilization team for Multiply. They both have a passion for prayer and a gift to teach about it. On this debut episode, Matt Ehresman talks with Stephen and Kelly to get practical advice we can all lean on as we yearn to grow closer to God in these unknown d...
2020-04-0453 min
The Christian Leader PodcastTeaserToday we're kicking off LEAD Pods with the USMB staff explaining our goals and why we're launching this new show. Join Don Morris, Lori Taylor, and J.L. Martin as they introduce the podcast and give a sneak peek at what's to come.
2020-03-3127 min