Interview | Dealing with Anxiety with Pastor Will Torres

Pastor Daniel talks with fellow church planter,Will Torres, Proclaim Church, Boynton Beach, FL about dealing with anxiety. Pastor Will shares his personal journey with anxiety and panic attacks and what that like as a Christian. “It took more faith for me to trust that God was going, through His common grace, lead me to the right doctor to help me.” This is a deeply personal story about an important subject that is often overlooked in ministry. Will’s wife, Kristan Torres, is a licensed Christian counselor at Hope Christian Counseling in Boca Raton, FL. www.hccounseling.com. Redemption Church Delray Beach has partnered with both Will & Kristan Torres to host events that deal with Anxiety and Depression. Check them out in the links section below. 

QUOTES:

“Sometimes we have anxiety and stress that are actually good for us because they bring us to God. But there is a physical side to anxiety and stress that involves mental health.” - Daniel Williams

“I would encourage you to find a good Christian counselor to help you deal with these deep-seated anxieties.” - Will Torres

“Often times ministers are afraid to talk about this. They are afraid of how people will perceive them. The reality is, this has opened up a door of ministry for me. Now people come to me with these issues and I’m able to talk from experience how God saw me through. He used doctors.”

“If pastors, people in ministry, could talk about this without a stigma attached to it, this would save lives.” - Will Torres

“When someone is going through anxiety or depression, it is important that you have people to go through it with you.” - Will Torres

“Christians have anxiety. Non-christians have anxiety. It is important to be able to help one another, Sometimes we just have to walk with people and be sensitive to the Spirit.” - Daniel Williams

“Create the space for people to talk about it. Practice empathy, The reality is, Jesus walked with His disciples.” - Will Torres

LINKS: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

Leadership Lessons/One Piece of Advice/Blog/Recommended Books: eeleaders.com

God & Anxiety: https://redemptiondb.com/blog-archive/god-amp-anxiety-event

God & Depression: https://redemptiondb.com/blog-archive/god-amp-depression-event

Interview | Sermon Preparation with Pastor Jim Gallagher

Sermon Preparation with Pastor Jim Gallagher

Pastor Daniel talks with Jim Gallegher, pastor at Calvary Chapel, Vero Beach, FL, about the impact of studying and teaching scripture, both on himself and those who are receiving the message. Pastor Jim discusses the supernatural power of the word of God for salvation and also the transformation of individual lives. How has studying the Bible and teaching through it for many years benefited him personally? “Our own relationship with the Lord is what we want to focus on predominately. What we do for the Lord is secondary.” In preparing for a sermon, Pastor Jim explains three main objectives for sermon prep: 1)Accurately communicate what’s in the text; 2)Persuade people; 3)Develop biblically literate listeners. A great lesson from a great teacher of the Word. 

QUOTES:

“It comes down to the importance the scripture places on the Word of God to the conversion of the lost and the development of the believer.” -Jim Gallegher

“The more we can help people to understand God’s word, take away some of the fears that they have of it so that they’ll spend time in it of their own, the more they’re going to develop in their relationship with the Lord.” -Jim Gallegher

“God didn’t hire us, He adopted us. We’re a Christian before we’re a pastor.” -Jim Gallegher

“If we approach the scripture in an expository way…people are learning how to read their Bible.” -Jim Gallegher

“Be a student of scripture.” -Jim Gallegher

LINKS: 

Sermon Prep by Jim Gallegher: http://www.ccvb.net/sermonprep

Step By Step by Jim Gallegher: http://www.ccvb.net/teachings?sapurl=LytjY3ZiL2xiL2xpLytjZDAzNGIwP2JyYW5kaW5nPXRydWUmZW1iZWQ9dHJ1ZQ==

Interview | Preaching In A Different Culture with Pastor Alex Fuentes

Interview | Preaching In A Different Culture with Pastor Alex Fuentes

Pastor Daniel talks with Alex Fuentes, missionary and church planter in Colombia, South America. Pastor Alex talks about how God called him and his wife, Inez, to come alongside an existing ministry in Colombia and what is happening in their life now as they have moved to another—and very different—mountain community there. As they are going specifically to sow the gospel in this community, how important is it to understand the local culture? God used both his Colombian background and his wife’s Cuban heritage to prepare them for their current ministry. The process of becoming familiar with a people and their culture can be challenging, but it is all about investing time in getting to know people personally. Because they know these people and what the particular issues are for them, they can address those from the word of God. From there it becomes about discipleship, which is rooted in love.

QUOTES:

“It doesn’t matter who we are or what our context is. Ultimately just understanding them helped me to be able to come alongside them and do life wherever it is that the Lord has us.” -Alex Fuentes

“I don’t need to know all, see all, or have all. I just need the Lord to show me where, how long, and who.” -Alex Fuentes

“God really does equip the called.” -Alex Fuentes

“Don’t get discouraged—just be faithful to continue to build that relationship.” -Alex Fuentes

Interview | Preaching To Yourself with Pastor Ben Courson

Pastor Daniel talks with Ben Courson, founder of Hope Generation, about the value of preaching to yourself. David preached to himself in Psalm 42:11, Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Ben shares his own painful experience with hopelessness and how God brought Him through it and gave him a message of hope in Him. He gives seven keys to defeat depression, which he discusses in his new book, Optimisfits. It’s a message we all need to hear.

‘You can’t go through life without having problems. In the world you will have tribulation.” -Ben Courson

“Hope is the antidote to anxiety.” -Ben Courson

“Sometimes as leaders we are waiting for other people to encourage us when, really, we need to encourage ourselves.” -Ben Courson

“When God healed my heart, when God gave me hope, that became the one theme that would become my message.” -Ben Courson

Interview | The Ways of The Cross with Pastor Josiah Graves

Pastor Daniel talks with Josiah Graves, Calvary Chapel, Deerfield Beach, FL about the ways of the cross and how that relates to ministry. How do we share the paradox of the cross, that it is good? And why is it important for us as leaders to continually be looking at the ways of God’s kingdom as we do ministry? Part of it is to make it a daily practice to preach the cross to each other, in the way we live our lives, in our conversations, in the things we do. It is not something we attain, but we are constantly aligning ourselves with God,  What are some practical ways you can do this in your daily life? What are the blessings of the ways of the cross? “When you understand the cross, that Jesus saved me, that I’m the chief among sinners, I’m that fool…it changes how we speak.”

QUOTES: 

“The ways of the cross, the ways of the kingdom, are a paradox. They are different from the ways our flesh would say to go.” - Daniel Williams

“A lot of our job is just trying to keep the cross at the center of everything we do, keep it the focus, the foundation, the goal—everything.” - Josiah Graves

“Our hearts are prone to move from the cross.” - Josiah Graves

“We want to do ministry flowing from the Spirit, and the Spirit bringing us to back Jesus.” - Josiah Graves

“It starts with us. We want to lead out of a place of brokenness and also of power. That goes back to the paradox of the cross.” - Josiah Graves

“Be Spirit-dependent, look to the Word, and let God give the increase.” - Josiah Graves

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Interview | The First Year of Planting with Pastor Andrew & Pastor Josiah

Andrew Lundy, Solace Church, and Josiah Graves, The Exchange Church, are both pastors of churches planted this past year. They share about what that process has been like and answer a few questions you may have about planting a church. What have been the highlights and the challenges? How do we do conflict well? The difference between expectations of ministry and the realities of ministry. There are lessons worth learning. 

QUOTES: 

“We want to go to those who aren’t coming. We want to see people come into a real life-changing, life-giving relationship with Jesus.”

“When I look back at this year and I see what God’s done, I think a highlight is the way in which  people who were not walking with God have now come back into a relationship with God and are serving in our church.”

“The lesson that I am constantly coming back to is not what I’m doing or how I’m doing it, by why? Why am I doing it? Is this something I’m doing heartily, as unto the Lord?”

“God’s had to rewire how I think. I’m a pastor. I’m feel like I’m doing a lot of paramedic work. We may want to go take the mountain, but our people are all down the hill and they are bruised and injured and hurting. And sometimes before we can do do something, we just need to be and to heal, to preach the gospel to ourselves.”

“It’s not about what we do, it’s about who we are in the process.”

Links:

Solus Church: https://www.soluschurch.com

The Exchange Church: http://theexchangechurch.cc

Interview | Leadership Pipeline with Pastor Pilgrim Benham

Pastor Daniel talks with his friend and fellow pastor, Pilgrim Benham, Shoreline Church, Bradenton, FL, about leadership development pipeline. What is it? Using lots of sports analogies, these pastors discuss the process of leadership development by having a long-term plan of how to disciple leaders through every stage, no matter the starting point. Why is a process of leadership development so important for the church? What if we don’t have one? The point is, people need guidance, they need vision. They need encouragement and a plan. As a shepherd/leader, we are called to know the condition of our flocks. And then to equip them for the work of the ministry so they can equip others. For an in-depth look at this topic, check out Pilgrim’s new book, Five Ships. 

QUOTES:

“We need to have a plan now, of who we’re going to be raising up and what does that game plan look like?” - Pilgrim Benham

“People need to know: I’m going to come alongside you and guide you.” - Pilgrim Benham

“It’s not on us to find spiritual fathers. It’s on us to begat spiritual children.” - Pilgrim Benham

“That’s where we start, is the people right around us. Who can we invest in and start spending some time with?” - Pilgrim Benham

“The most important thing is that you’re able to identify where someone is at and what resources they need to take them to the next level.” - Pilgrim Benham

“It’s about next steps in the process. The pipeline is flow of that next step in the process to get them somewhere else.” - Daniel Williams

Interview | Culture with Pastor Dave Simiele

Pastor Daniel talks with Dave Simiele, Christ Fellowship, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, about culture, what it is and how it works within the context of a church. Lance Witt, a mentor of Dave Simiele, defines culture as “the collective personality of an organization, composed of assumptions, beliefs, traditions, values and attitudes.” Why is important to know the culture of your church? This is a subject that Dave Simiele knows well. He discusses how Christ Fellowship implements this idea of culture through their mission, vision and values. How and why is it taught? What is the result? “We are expressing culture intentionally in almost everything we do.” It is a collaborative effort. People know what the values of Christ Fellowship are because they are clearly expressed, everywhere, all the time. There is a lot to digest in this discussion. It’s worth your time.

QUOTES: 

“Culture is hard to define and easy to experience.” - Dave Simiele

‘Mission and vision are important to execute culture, but if you don’t have the right culture, you’re not going to be able to execute that vision that God has given you for your church.” - Dave Simiele

“Because we’re so clear about mission, vision and values, that allows us to have what I would say are gates to our culture.” - Dave Simiele

“We want there to be congruence between what we say and what people experience.” - Dave Simiele

“Church is not a building you walk into, but it’s a family that you belong to.” - Dave Simiele

Interview | Investing In Your Team with Pastor Kelly Nothnagle

Daniel talks with Kelly Nothnagle, Associate Pastor at Calvary Chapel Boynton Beach Campus, Boynton Beach, FL about teams and teamwork. Why is it so important to work together? The work that can be accomplished by a team is so much greater than what can be accomplished alone. These pastors love talking about the nitty gritty of ministry and how it all works. Building teams, inspiring people to see the vision God has given and want to be a part of that. What is someone wants to serve in an area that is not their gift? It’s all here. And a few good laughs along the way. 

QUOTES:

“It’s really exciting being part of a bigger vision of what God is doing.” - Kelly Nothnagle

“If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go with a team.” - Kelly Nothnagle

“Use what you’ve got. When God brings people to your network, your influence, your church, start there.” - Daniel Williams

“Real discipleship is being wiling to tell people the truth.” - Kelly Nothnagle

Interview | The Beauty of The Church with Pastor Ron Jones

Pastor Daniel talks with Pastor Ron Jones, Coastal Chapel, Lake Worth, FL about how he and his wife, Erin, came to plant their church in Florida and what his thoughts are about the church in general. “I don’t think when Jesus first used the word church, he was describing a building. He was looking at people.” What is so important about seeing the church as people? It is not about success; it’s about fruitfulness. The fruit that is produced through relationships with people and for the kingdom of God is the fruit that remains (John 15:16). What is the importance of being connected with a local church, having fellowship with other believers? Every person in the church has been gifted by God and plays an important role in the health of the body of Christ. This is a great discussion about the vital role of the church and how we can reach people saturated with social media and not feeling the need for anyone or anything to give them more input into their lives. What is the beauty of the church?

QUOTES:

“The church has been the church throughout history….We have a great lineage…that great cloud of witnesses.”

“I don’t tell my kids we’re going to church. I tell them we’re the church that goes.”

“If we’re using our gifts, our talents, our skills and our experience, and we’re pouring into people, then we’re building the church—we’re building Jesus’ church. And it’s going to be fruit that remains.”

“We’ve got to find our place in the local body and be connected to God’s house.”

“You can get information online or listen to a message and hear a good word, but you will never get the spiritual dynamic of God’s impartation—what God puts in people and us receiving from the fruit of other people’s lives.”

“Every person has a spiritual gift. Every person in God’s body is a gift to the body, and there is strength in just them being there. There’s a spiritual gift in them, there’s a measure of grace that they have.”

“Our story is the platform that God uses to really minister to people. We inspire people with our strengths, but we connect to people with our weaknesses.”

Interview | Spiritual Warfare with Pastor Joe Williams

An Interview with Pastor Joe Williams

Pastor Daniel talks in depth with his dad, Pastor Joe Williams, about spiritual warfare, what it is and how it affects the daily lives of every Christian on earth. What does the Bible say about demonic activity? “The devil is real. Whatever you do for the kingdom of God, he is going to try to stop you.” Every person who lives for God is going to face opposition. But Satan is a defeated foe. God has given us the tools to fight to defeat him. Christians are a threat to Satan’s kingdom on earth and he will use everything in his power. But the power of God is greater. As Christians, we need to learn to use the weapons of spiritual warfare that God has given us. Knowing the word of God, spending time in prayer with Him, and gathering together with other believers to stand united against the enemy. “Don’t walk in fear of the devil. Fight spiritual warfare in the power of the Spirit and the word of God.” Pastor Joe gives us a great encouragement to walk in the power of the name of Jesus Christ. You’ll be blessed!

Interview | How to Study and Preach the Word with David Guzik

Interview | David Guzik

Pastor Daniel talks with Pastor David Guzik, Calvary Chapel, Santa Barbara, CA author of Enduring Word Bible Commentary, which contains written commentary on the entire Bible. David talks about the benefits of studying the word of God and the impact it has had on his life. This is a refreshingly candid talk about the realities of what it’s like to teach God’s word in season and out of season.  “We’re talking about, through both personal study and the power of the preached Word, Jesus Christ coming to his people and those who will become His people through His word.” What is Biblical preaching? What about topical teaching? What is his process for preparing to teach a Bible message? What study tools does he recommend? This is a workshop on expository teaching from one of the best. Follow David Guzik at enduringword.com, on Facebook and Instagram. 

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“Personally the greatest benefit [of studying the Bible] has been just wonderful, significant, deep fellowship with God in and through His word. Nothing really replaces that.” -David Guzik

“I meet God in His word.” -David Guzik

“The call we have as ministers—you do it in season and out of season, when it’s evidently bearing fruit and when it’s winter and there’s nothing on the vine.” -David Guzik

“You see the transforming power of God work as Jesus meets people in and through His word.” -David Guzik

“Biblical preaching is preaching that has fundamentally the ideas and themes of the Bible as the ideas and themes of the preaching.” -David Guzik

“Prayer for me is a before, during and after thing…making yourself open to the mind of God.” -David Guzik

“If you’re really called to preach, regard it as your life’s work…If you’re going to fulfill the potential and the giftedness that God’s given you, it’s not going to come on the cheap.” -David Guzik

Interview | Mentoring Others with Pastor Robby Christmas

Interview | Pastor Robby Christmas

Pastor Daniel talks with Robby Christmas from Family Church in West Palm Beach, Florida about his ministry with their Church Planting Residency Program. This is a leadership pipeline where guys are trained to be church planters, pastors and ministry leaders and then mobilized in teams and sent out to plant churches. In particular, what role does mentoring have in training leaders and what is the benefit of mentoring others? “A mentor is someone who pours into you what God has poured into them,” often through a mentor of their own. Mentors hold you accountable and speak into your life, seeing things you may not be able to see in yourself. It’s all built on a relationship with that person, on true friendship and trust. It takes time. Engage people and ask people about their own life. Robby shares some great stories of finding a mentor and being a mentor and how it can change your life. Find out more about the Church Planting Residency Program at www.familychurchnetwork.com

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Quotes:

“One of the biggest benefits to having a mentor is to help you see blind spots. No matter what kind of leader you are, you have blind spots. Having a mentor helps you grow in ways you might not know you need to grow.” -Robby Christmas

“Relationship equals influence. If you are not connected at the heart level, you’re not going to influence that person.” -Robby Christmas

“Mentoring someone takes time.” -Robby Christmas

“When we care for others, there is something inside of us that clicks and goes, ‘Wow, that was right, that was the right thing to do.’” -Robby Christmas

“If you want to be mentored by someone, first look for someone that loves like Jesus. Then you go out and engage that person. Get on their calendar.” -Robby Christmas

“Look for people who are faithful, available and teachable.” -Robby Christmas

“The more the leadership skills you’re passing on are reproducible, the more influence they’re going to have because that person can easily pass it on to others.” -Robby Christmas

Interview | Taking Ventures of Faith with Pastor Esteban Vanlenzuela

Interview |  Pastor Esteban Vanlenzuela

Pastor Daniel talks with his friend and fellow church planter, Pastor Esteban Valenzuela, Madrid, Spain about taking ventures of faith. In 2010, God called Esteban and his wife Tifiny to plant a church in Madrid, Spain. It would be five years before they would embark on their mission. In 2015, they left for Spain. Esteban talks about the ongoing role of faith as the work in Madrid continues. “God has taught me a lot since then. Each step of this journey has required faith. There may be giants in the land, there may be obstacles, but if God is with us, these obstacles are nothing. We are going to keep moving forward.” A large part of the walk of faith requires stepping into the unknown. Esteban shares what this looks like in daily life and ministry and how God has taught him what it means to lean on Him. Ask God to help you discern the difference between what might be a work of the flesh and waiting on God to move. What do you do with disappointment and unmet expectations in ministry? Are you expecting God to do what He has not said He would do? It’s all about submission and surrender to Him and taking actions of obedience and trust. “God is our inheritance. Jesus is our prize.” Stay connected with Valenzuelas at vtribe4jesus.com. Both Esteban and Tifiny are on Facebook.

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Quotes:

“Faith is understanding God’s plan or will, His speaking to you, and then even though you don’t see it, like a door you can put your hand on and open, you begin to move, you begin to act.” -Esteban Valenzuela

“Sometimes faith is in your heart. It’s a position you take. I am going to believe that this is what God has spoken to me and I am going to believe that this is what He has for me.” -Esteban Valenzuela

“We find our security in things that we can touch and hold and control. And God calls us to something that is outside of our control. God is operating outside all of those calculations, so He gets all the glory.” -Esteban Valenzuela

“I don’t think that God tells us to do something without our understanding because He’s cruel, I actually think it’s for our own good. It’s for His glory.” - Daniel Williams

“Pray about those steps you take. Be willing to wait on God.” -Esteban Valenzuela

“Praying through scripture has absolutely been a lifeline for me—just taking a chapter of the Bible and praying through it and crying out to God.” -Esteban Valenzuela

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Interview | Memorizing Scripture with Pastor Ben Courson

Interview | Pastor Ben Courson

This week Daniel talks with his friend Ben Courson, the hope-full and hope-filled founder and director of Hope Generation, an international ministry including television, radio, podcast, YouTube and Instagram. He also pastors in Medford, Oregon. And he memorizes a LOT of scripture. In this lesson, Ben talks about how he does it and why it’s important. What motivated him to get started memorizing scripture? Growing up as a pastor’s kid and listening to scripture songs started Ben on this lifelong practice of memorizing scripture. “It’s just easier if it’s set to music.” What does the Bible have to say about the power of God’s word in our hearts? Psalm 1 speaks of the blessing that comes with meditating on the law of God day and night. It gives you strength. So what is the key to memorizing scripture? You just have to do the work. The Bible talks a lot about diligence, sticking with something. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men (Colossians 3:23) Ben himself followed the 10,000 hour principle of mastery, devoting that amount of time over a 5-year period to studying, memorizing, writing and teaching about God’s word. But you start where you’re at. If you have an hour a week, memorize one scripture. Sometimes you don’t have anyone around to encourage you. David encouraged himself in the Lord. You can, too. Ben’s favorite verse? Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord and He will also give you the desires of your heart. Follow Ben at www.bencourson.com. Here is the link to his YouTube video: www.bencourson.com/hope-generation-creative-1/1/21/2017/promises  
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“The Hebrew idea of meditation, in contrast with the Eastern concept of emptying your mind, is about filling your mind. So the biblical authors are saying you ought to fill your mind with the word of God.” -Ben Courson

“Faith can move mountains but don’t be surprised if God hands you a shovel.” -Ben Courson

“Success only comes before work in the dictionary.” -Ben Courson

“If you’re constantly speaking scripture into your soul, you’re going to be a lot more joyful, you’re going to be a lot more spiritually healthy, you’re going to be more physically healthy because the book of Proverbs says “a merry heart does good like medicine.” -Ben Courson

“Even start with one verse and just repeat it until you know it backwards and forwards for a week and you watch how it will galvanize you for the saying of words and the doing of deeds for the kingdom.” -Ben Courson

Interview | Being Flexible with Jason Sanchez

Interview | Director Jason Sanchez

It’s no surprise to any of us. Things don’t always go as we planned. And so we have to be flexible. In this week’s episode, Pastor Daniel talks with his good friend Jason Sanchez, Director of House of Blessing Orphanage in Bachiniva, Mexico—a man well acquainted with the need to be flexible. Jason and his wife Jackie moved with their daughter Ayantu to Bachiniva in 2012 to start an orphanage, House of Blessing, where they are co-directors, along with a staff of four and interns and volunteers who serve short-term. They currently have 15 children in the orphanage, 5 boys and 10 girls, ranging in age from 3 to 16 years. How has he seen his plans not go according to plan in his ministry there? “My plans never go according to plan, especially in Mexico…Even now, five years later, it is still hard to get used to.” So how did being flexible work with that, how did you deal with it? Jason describes the process of first trying to fix it, to change the way it was and seeing his efforts prove to be futile, then crying out to God for help in getting done what God had clearly called them to do. Most of us know Proverbs 16:9: The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. We can quote it, but then when it actually happens that our plans don’t work out, we don’t like dealing with it. But you have to be flexible. God is the one in control. Where does planning fit in being flexible? Looking to Jesus as our example, we see that He knew where He was going, He was headed in a certain direction, but He stopped for people and gave them His time and attention, even when it was difficult or inconvenient. Jesus dealt with interruptions and distractions as opportunities to fulfill the Father’s plan. We need to know that God has the final say. And work on not stressing out when things don’t go the way you planned. …do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6) Some final words of encouragement from Jason: If you really want to grow in this area of flexibility, look for an opportunity for a cross-cultural experience. Go on a missions trip. You can reach Jason at thehouseofblessing.org on FB as Bachiniva Orphanage.

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“God, if we’re really going to live down here and do this, then you’ve got to change me, personally, in how to adapt to this. Because it was very hard and very, very frustrating.” -Jason Sanchez

“In America, we go, go, go. We do, do, do. Maybe it’s planning your schedule to allow for some flex time.” -Jason Sanchez

“Pray: ‘God, give me the spirit of flexibility.’ Pray for openness. ‘Lord, I literally want my plan to go according to your way.’” -Jason Sanchez

Interview | Alignment With Bruce Zachary

Interview | Bruce Zachary 

In this episode, Daniel talks about alignment—implementing mission and vision in your church, with Pastor Bruce Zachary, Senior Pastor of Calvary Nexus in Camarillo, California. Bruce is also founder of VELO Church Leaders and serves as Co-director of Calvary Church Planting Network, a global church planting initiative. Why does your church need a mission or vision statement? It is important to understand the difference between a mission statement and vision. A mission statement is the core values of a church that don’t change over the course of time; they are longstanding, maybe 20 years. Vision may change. But a mission statement is “a compass, a true north.” Bruce discusses five characteristics of what a mission statement should be and why each is important. What it shouldn’t be is someone else’s mission statement, no matter how much you like it. “The problem is that you can’t take on somebody’s DNA. In other words, if you’re looking at another church and thinking we’ll just do what they’re doing…if it’s not your DNA, it’s not going to be effective.” What are some practical ways to communication your mission? Repeat it. Get it out there in as many different forms as possible—and be consistent. “The best way to stay on target is not to get distracted by things that are not your vision or your mission.” Evaluate everything in terms of its impact on your mission. Then implement it through four steps outlined by Bruce. Most leaders don’t have all the skills necessary to accomplish every step in implementing the vision. This is why it is important to have a leadership team and work together strategically. For info on Pastor Bruce’s ministries check out calvarynexus.org and velochurchleaders.org.

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“Alignment is the arrangement of all ministries and staff around the same simple process of where God is going and how are we going to get there” -Simple Church, Thom Rainer & Eric Geiger

On knowing your mission—“As you contemplate the things that really stir you, that you’re passionate about, those things should be the core or the essence of your mission.” -Bruce Zachary

“The further out you’re thinking, the more that you have to remain steadfast in terms of that vision in order to see it through.” -Bruce Zachary

Interview | Pass It On To Others with Trip Kimball

Interview | Trip Kimball

In this episode, Pastor Daniel talks about training leaders with Trip Kimball, Jacksonville, Florida, who is currently on staff with Poimen Ministries, a community of pastors serving pastors. Trip draws from a lifetime of ministry experience which he shares in mentoring and developing leaders. Why is leadership important? “Just looking at what Jesus did…Jesus invested about three years of His life in the lives of men who became the foundation for the church.” The need for leadership in the church was apparent from the very beginning; you can read it in the epistles. Acts 6 describes a situation where more leaders were needed and how they resolved it: Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. (Acts 6:3) A pastor can’t do it all himself. He needs the help of those gifted and called by God. How do you do it? It starts very simply, working with a group of guys on how to study the Bible, how to put a message together, leadership basics. Then give them opportunities to do the work. Observe those already doing ministry. Who does what well? Pour into them what you know. You have to create opportunities for people to serve, to learn what works and what doesn’t. People learn by doing. What if someone lacks the talent/skills to do the job? It takes an honest conversation about that. Then ask the question: What are they skilled at? What could they do? You always want to learn and serve with those who are skilled at ministry. Training others teaches you to do ministry better yourself. “I had people in my life who spoke into my life that were mentors. I looked back later at what did they do and then adapted to the situation at hand.” It’s the 2 Timothy 2:2 model, a pattern: …what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Trip is currently involved in coaching other leaders. What are the elements involved in that? There are times of formal training, but the most valuable times are informal settings where people are free to ask questions. You need to be available. This is the intentional part of discipleship. You have to step up and do it. You need to learn to listen to the person and really hear what they’re saying, so you can respond to them. But you alone can’t possibly know everything. A person needs more than one mentor. And if you want to be mentored, you need to seek it out. Gather from others. Rely on the Holy Spirit to give discernment about what you need to learn and who you can learn it from. You can find Trip Kimball at poimenministries.com.

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“You’re not going to learn all this stuff from a book on leadership. You have to be observant.” -Trip Kimball

“In the process of learning, you also have to be discerning enough to know that’s not something I want to keep doing. But what would work? What would be a better thing to do?” -Trip Kimball

On having more than one mentor: “If they’re only looking at me, they’re only going to get my viewpoint. They’re only going to see things from my life experience. I don’t know everything there is to know." -Trip Kimball