Episode Summary I have battled with some form of mental illness for as long as I can remember, anxiety, depression, etc. I have good seasons and bad seasons - at times feel like I’ve escaped it, and at others I feel like David in the Psalms asking God, “Why have you forsaken me?” This is why I became really angry a few weeks ago when I saw a prominent pastor say that it is “reckless and unbiblical” for a pastor to be in ministry who has mental illness or who has serious doubts about their...

Episode Summary In Bible - it wasn’t IDEAS that changed things—it was the execution of those ideas. Noah had more than a vision. David wasn’t the first person who thought about fighting Goliath!Nehemiah wasn’t the first person who thought, “the wall should be built”Reasons We Don’t Execute FearOther PeopleWhat Idea Do You Need To Execute? What is the one thing you know you need to do—but you’ve been afraid to bring it up? When are you going to bring it up?You can do exactly what God has...

Episode Summary My first speeding ticket was on Marchbanks Road in Anderson, SC. The funny thing: when I began telling people about it, everyone told me the exact spot where I was pulled over! It was a speed trap! We all know about speed traps when we're driving but did you know, there are leadership traps as well? Leadership traps will literally tear down what has taken time to build throughout years of leadership. Trap One: Personal Insecurities When we allow personal insecurities to...

Episode Summary "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me..." Yeah, right. Hate on social media is real and it is becoming an epidemic that not only effects people emotionally, but also physically and mentally. So let's talk about it: let's dive into How to Handle Hate on Social Media. Social media is an incredible tool/resource when it comes to communication, branding and keeping up with friends and family members all over the world. However, it’s also become a...

Episode Summary A few years ago on a trip to Israel, while standing on Mt. Carmel, an incredible insight hit me. Mt. Carmel is where one of the most well known miracles in the Bible took place (fire from heaven); however, while the miracle was incredible--it wasn't what was essential to the survival of the people. Question: If there had been a drought for 3 years--what is the LAST thing you would want to fall from the sky? FIRE! Which is why, after the fire fell, the story doesn't...

Episode Summary In last podcast we went over three reasons churches do not grow - today we are going to dive into three things we can do in order to do our part. (Side note - I don’t believe “it’s just God!” If that were the case then every church in the world would be growing!) YES - it is God—but it’s also some other key factors. #1 – Prayer Prayer doesn’t change God – it changes us! I am 100% sure as a leader you have prayed for your church to grow; however, when it really begins to...

Episode Summary As church leaders--we have to STOP feeling guilty about wanting our church (or ministry) to grow. When more people show up to an athletic event--it's because the team is winning. When a concert is sold out--its because the artist is good. When a restaurant has a long wait list, it's because the food is amazing! However, for some reason - it seems when lots of people begin to attend a church, that church is either compromising (aka "not preaching the Gospel) - or it's a...

Episode Summary The most common place where unhealthy thoughts develop in our minds as leaders is where we allow what others (who do not know us) to define us. Jesus dealt with this… …He had quite a ministry going on, was seeing some incredible success, would think everyone would be on board with the whole, “salvation of the world” thing! But things get weird (even for Jesus). Matthew 13:53-54 53 When Jesus had finished telling these stories and illustrations, he left that part of the...