S2.E21 - Serving God While Struggling

Leadership Lesson Podcast: Season 2 Episode 21 -How to Serve When You’re Struggling

Pastor John Panico, Delray Beach, FL, talks about how to serve when you’re struggling. Struggles come in every area of life—financial, physical, emotional, relational, work—you name it. There is nothing in life you can expect to be completely exempt from struggle. But God has promised to  carry us through these times of difficulty. Pastor John gives five key points to help you persevere in trials. You will be encouraged. Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

QUOTES:

“Remember your relationship with the person of God. We have to stay at His feet.” -John Panico

“Respond to the struggle with the promises of God.” -John Panico

“The enemy never attacks you generally; he always attacks you specifically.” -John Panico

“Rely on the power of God.” -John Panico

‘So many things we start in the Spirit, but we try to finish in the flesh.” -John Panico

“Rely on the people of God. You are not the lone ranger.” -John Panico

“Remember to rest in the presence of God.” -John Panico

One Piece of Advice | Enjoy Jesus

Pastor Josiah Graves, The Exchange Church in Deerfield Beach, FL shares his one piece of advice to enjoy Jesus. What gets in the way of our pursuing this? It’s the enemy of comparison, fed by today’s social media. This is a great reminder of the one thing that is essential—knowing Jesus.

“I want to get back to the place where I can just enjoy Jesus. There’s always going to be a task list, there’s always going to be things to do.” -Josiah Graves

“Find your vision in Jesus. Find your contentment in Jesus.” -Josiah Graves

“Comparison steals joy. Turn off your phone. Stop looking at others and what they’re doing.” -Josiah Graves

LINKS: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S2.E20 - Working Hard

Leadership Lesson Podcast Season 2 Episode 20 - Working Hard

Pastor Daniel talks about the importance of hard work in the ministry, sharing what the word of God has to say about this vital subject. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10) God wants us to be doing the good work He has prepared for us. Work is a response to God’s grace. What should be our attitude toward work? Is it a curse? How does the gospel redeem our work? This is a message of hope as we reset our perspective on the nature and purpose of work. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24)

QUOTES: 

“Work is a big deal. It’s a big deal to God.” -Daniel Williams

“Being a church leader is incredible, but it is also hard work.” -Daniel Williams

“We aren’t saved by works, but we are saved to work.” -Daniel Williams

“Man is made in the image of God and made to work, made to create.” -Daniel Williams

“God can use the gift of work to bring value to our lives, to bring Him glory, to be a witness to this world in how we work, as unto the Lord.” -Daniel Williams

One Piece of Advice | Working Hard for the Lord

Pastor Cameron Barber, Calvary South Sound, Lakewood, Washington, shares his advice from Proverbs 6:6-8—Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. These are a particular type of ants. When it is time to work, they work—and when it’s time to rest, they rest. That is a lesson we need to learn. 

“We make idols out of work.” -Cameron Barber

“God blesses in times of work and times of rest.” -Cameron Barber

“God is in control and we’re not.” -Cameron Barber

LINKS: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S2.E19 - Studying The Bible

Leadership Lesson Podcast Season 2 Episode 19 - Studying The Bible

Pastor Daniel talks about the importance of studying God’s word, following the example of the Bereans in Acts 17:1, who…received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. The practice of studying God’s word is essential in growing as a disciple of Jesus. Daniel shares a Bible study tool from Greg Laurie’s book, Start to Follow. It is the 3 Rs: Read: What does God’s word say?; Reflect: What does this teach me about God?;  Respond: What will I do with what I just learned? Teaching people to read the Bible is no small matter in a culture where the vast majority of people do not read a book after finishing high school or college. It needs to be taken seriously. If you don’t like to read, ask God to change your heart. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. Psalm 119:18. A practical message and a great encouragement!

QUOTES

“We are to be in God’s word, under God’s authority, men and women of the word.” -Daniel Williams

“People who want to know God need to learn how to study the Bible, to build their faith.” -Daniel Williams

‘We can go to God’s word and know who He is, and know God’s heart.” -Daniel Williams

“The discipline of reading has been lost, but it’s important for us as Christians to know that it’s part of our faith. It’s part of our education to learn what God has said.” -Daniel Williams

“The Bible is a supernatural book.” -Daniel Williams

“God’s word is the final authority.” -Daniel Williams

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16,17)

How To Read The Bible Series: 

Can we trust the Bible? Is it full of errors? Is the scripture we read today the same as what was written thousands of years ago?

—

This video is Part 2 of 3 of a video series on How To Read The Bible. This was part of a talk that Bryan & Katie Saylor shared at The Harbor, the young adult ministry of Calvary Chapel Melbourne. In this video, they share 3 reasons that the Bible is trustworthy. Reason #1 - External Evidence, Reason #2 - Internal Evidence, and Reason #3 - Fulfilled Prophecy.

LINKS:

How To Read The Bible Series with Bryan & Katie Saylor:

Part 1 - 3 Reasons Why People Don't Read Their Bible: https://youtu.be/7_JbvSPjEU4

Part 2 - Is The Bible Trustworthy?: https://youtu.be/jYQZs5rNc9A

Part 3 - 5 Steps Toward Bible Reading: https://youtu.be/Rl4lUEahnsY

Evidence For The Bible by Charlie Campbell:

https://www.alwaysbeready.com/bible-evidence

CanWe Trust The bible by Charlie Campbell: 

https://www.alwaysbeready.com/can-we-trust-the-bible

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S2.E18 - Sermon Preparation

Leadership Lesson Podcast: Season 2 Episode 18 - Sermon Preparation

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

One Piece of Advice | Focus on Healthy Impact

Will Torres, Proclaim Church, Boynton Beach, FL shares his one piece of advice to focus on healthy impact rather than worldly success. Instead of measuring by worldly standards, such as numbers or social media stats, we should focus on changed lives. Changed lives change the world for God. That is healthy impact.

QUOTES: 

“We can get sidetracked by looking at outward measures…and we can lose sight of what is true success in ministry.” -Will Torres

“Paul’s example in 2 Timothy 2:2 is a 4-generation impact: …and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” -Will Torres

“If we can not lose sight of what healthy impact looks like in the church, then we can truly be successful, according to God’s measure and not the world’s measure.” -Will Torres

LINKS: 

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

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

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S2.E17 - Preaching In A Different Culture

Leadership Lesson Podcast: Season 2 Episode 17 - Preaching In A Different Culture

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

One Piece of Advice - Expectations

Pastor Esteban Valenzuela, church planter in Madrid, Spain, shares his advice about expectations. We all have expectations in ministry, we have a picture of how God’s going to do things, how it’s going to go. Not all expectations are bad, but we need to prepare ourselves for the reality of unmet expectations. Don’t be surprised when things don’t turn out like you planned. “Allow God to work in His time. Have a confidence in your calling, that Jesus has called you, that He is going to do things that you cannot do.” In watching his own son plant seeds and patiently wait for them to grow, even when there was no visible evidence of it, Pastor Esteban was encouraged by God. “No matter what he saw, he was going to keep watering, and he expected fruit to come.” So hang in there. Opposition may come. The Lord allows difficult times to shape you and mold you for His kingdom. Because it’s all about Jesus. We bring our own expectations to the table, but it is God who chooses whether to remove them. He wants to glorify Himself in you and through you. That, you can expect. 

LINKS:

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S2.E16 - Preaching To Yourself

Leadership Lesson Podcast: Season 2 Episode 16 - Preaching to Yourself

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

One Piece of Advice | Always be Willing to Grow

Kelly Nothnagle, Associate Pastor at Calvary Chapel Boynton Campus, shares his one piece of advice: Always be willing to grow. The sabbath principle of rest and focusing on the Lord is a key to growth. Being open to and listening for God to speak to you and tell you what He has for you.

“I have found when we take that time and establish that rhythm just to slow down our mind and connect with the Lord, it’s amazing how big you can see God is.” -Kelly Nothnagle

“To think that He has called us and allowed us to be a part of His plan, it encourages me to want to experience all that God has for me.” -Kelly Nothnagle

“Live in that space where you are looking and you are excited for what God would have for you, and that you want to grow.” -Kelly Nothnagle

LINKS: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

Ben Courson at Hope Generation: https://www.bencourson.com

S2.E15 - The Ways of The Cross

Leadership Lesson Season 2 Episode 15 - The Ways of the Cross

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

One Piece of Advice | Don’t Give Up

Cody King, pastor at Redemption Calvary outside Denver, Colorado, shares his advice from Galatians 6:9, And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap a harvest if we do not lose heart. The whole point behind this is just don’t give up. There are seasons of planting and seasons of harvest, and they are not the same season. Lifelong faithfulness is what it’s all about. It’s going to get hard. Trust Jesus and just don’t quit.

“We tend to overestimate what we can do in the short-term and underestimate what we can do in the long-term.” -Cody King

“If you really want to see God use you in the ministry He’s called you to in the context He’s given you…then you need to think long-term, long view.” -Cody King

“There’s a real enemy who hates you. And he wants to get you to quit.” -Cody King

LINKS: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S2.E14 - Telling Stories

Leadership Lessons Season 2 Episode 14 - Telling Stories

Pastor Rodney Wilkinson, Gospel Fellowship Church, Boynton Beach, FL talks about telling gospel stories. As Christians, we have the greatest story in human history, and we need to be able to tell it effectively. Stories have always been a vital part of life. Jesus was a master storyteller. He did this all day, every day. What does it take to tell a story? It takes courage. You have to be prepared and you have to be bold. It takes compassion. You have to care about the people you’re talking to. It takes connections. Your story has to make connections with real people in a real world. Jesus used stories to prepare people for the gospel. This is a great perspective of the how and the why of storytelling. And why we need to listen to the narrative of our culture in order to respond in thoughtful and effective ways. 

QUOTES: 

“God is constantly giving us opportunities to tell the gospel story.” -Rodney Wilkinson

“It takes courage to be able to tell what God has done in your life.” -Rodney Wilkinson

“I’m telling this story so I can see lives changed and impacted because of the gospel.” -Rodney Wilkinson

“We have to be able to share this gospel in a way that shows up, not as some antiquated story, but in real time, every day, right where our people are.” -Rodney Wilkinson

One Piece of Advice | Lead the Church Spiritually/Preach the Word Deeply

Ron Jones, Lead Pastor at Coastal Chapel in Lake Worth, FL, offers his one piece of advice: Lead the church spiritually and preach the Word deeply. With so many ways available through technology, it is easy to try and make your church grow through your own efforts. But Jesus has said, “I will build my church.” We’ve got to minister to the body of Christ. Feed the sheep. If we do that, the church will grow.  

QUOTES: 

“It’s so easy to strive as a pastor. It’s so easy to try and do things in our own strength.” -Ron Jones

“I can’t make the church grow. I was taking Jesus’ place in the church.” -Ron Jones

“The church is not an organization, but is a family. And Jesus is the one who grows His family.” -Ron Jones

LINKS: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S2.E13 - Partnering with Other Churches

Leadership Lesson Season 2 Episode 13 - Partnering with Other Churches

Pastor Daniel talks about partnering with other churches and what that has looked like recently with Redemption Church, where he pastors in Delray Beach, Florida. With intention and purpose for advancing God’s kingdom, developing relationships among the community of churches where we serve has produced cooperation and fruitful ministry. This results in a greater impact than we could ever have alone. He shares six principles which will help you as reach out and partner with others.

QUOTES: 

“It’s going to take not just one church or ministry team, but a lot of teams and churches to reach our city.” -Daniel Williams

“We have this group text of about 8 to 10 pastors in our area…that text one another every Sunday morning and give encouraging words—I’m praying for you…Here’s a verse for today…Be encouraged—and it feels like we’re doing ministry together.” -Daniel Williams

“Have a posture of humility. It’s not about me. It’s about God and His kingdom. You may be established in your community, but you still have to have a humble spirit.” -Daniel Williams

“We have to make time to invest in relationships. This is not easy. It’s going to take some time and some scheduling.” -Daniel Williams

“As ministry leaders, we need to embrace wisdom through other people and make the time to learn. You can do this, because the benefits will be tremendous in your life as you build relationships.” -Daniel Williams

One Piece of Advice | Get a Team Around You

Peyton Jones, Oceanside, California, shares his advice to get a team around you, just as the Apostle Paul did with his team of Barnabas, Silas, Timothy and others as well. You can’t do it alone. If you’re married, your wife is your number one church planting and ministry partner, and you should honor her in that. Also build a team of Barnabases, people who are your equals. This is great advice on an important topic.

QUOTES: 

“Trying to do ministry on your own is not only unbiblical (Jesus only sent people out two by two), but also it’s just impossible.” -Peyton Jones

“Make sure you understand your wife is your first teammate.” -Peyton Jones

“Paul picked up mobile teams of people that he could train and leave with other churches.” -Peyton Jones

“Build a team of people that can challenge you back.” -Peyton Jones

LINKS: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

Peyton Jones information: https://peytonjones.ninja

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

S2.E12 - Loving The City

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 2 Episode 12 - Loving Your City

Casey Cleveland, Lead Pastor at Avenue Church, Delray Beach, FL, talks about what it means to love your city, and how they do that at Avenue Church. (But first, he shares the story of how he and Pastor Daniel met and the impact that had on him and his church. God is at work!) One of the tools Avenue Church has used in loving their city has to do with math, where “a hundred is greater than a million.” Jesus operated His ministry this way, pouring Himself into the 12 disciples. Delray Beach, like every city, has its own unique diversity, and Avenue Church has been trying to love people where they are and to create a family within that group. Using Paul Tripp’s 4-Circle paradigm of Love, Know, Speak, Do, Casey explains the approach they have used in connecting with their community. ‘Keep giving them Jesus.” This is 18 minutes of godly wisdom and it’s pure gold.

QUOTES: 

“This has been our guiding principle…as Jesus was sent, so He now sends us.” -Casey Cleveland

“How did Jesus love the world? The first thing He did was enter the world…We try to leave our own world and enter the world of the city.” -Casey Cleveland

“Our first move here in the city has to be an outward move.” -Casey Cleveland

“We want to lovingly apply the gospel to their area of need as we speak the truth to them.” -Casey Cleveland

“We commit to the process of change which is often slow and super messy.” -Casey Cleveland

One Piece of Advice | Connecting People to God

Vince Putnam, Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Delray Beach, FL, shares his one piece of advice: Teach and unpack every part of the service every week planning on a person who is in a church for the first time. Vince came to this understanding through a unique approach to inviting people to attend their service. What they said radically changed the way Vince teaches.

“Out of 50 or so, I got one person to say they would come back. The why nots were basically they couldn’t connect with what was happening. It wasn’t meaningful to them.” -Vince Putnam

“It was a real dagger to the heart, that what we were doing on Sunday morning was not connecting God to a person who had never been in the church before.” -Vince Putnam

“We started thinking through every part of the service…and teaching into those things and unpacking them so that people could experience those things in a meaningful way.” -Vince Putnam

LINKS:

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S2.E11 - The Priority of The Gospel

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 2 Episode 11 — The Priority of the Gospel

Kevin Saxton, Middle School Pastor, Family Church Downtown, West Palm Beach, FL talks about how we can know what is the most important thing in life. A bivocational pastor, Kevin is also a firefighter. And he and his wife Tracy have seven children. There are many important things needing his attention. What does the Bible have to say about what is the most important thing? Where should we put our energy and focus? In 1 Corinthians 15:1-5, Paul describes what is of “first importance”—the gospel. “Our lives have to be rooted and founded on the gospel as a matter of first importance.” It is why we do everything we do.

QUOTES:

“I went back to the scripture to try and figure it out—what are the most important things I am supposed to be doing?” -Kevin Saxton

“The most important thing is the gospel.” -Kevin Saxton

“The gospel is something very particular, the fact that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and God raised Him from the dead.” -Kevin Saxton

“The gospel changes everything. Nothing stays the same.” -Kevin Saxton

One Piece of Advice | Salvation

Herb Hartso, Student Pastor at Greystone Church in Durham, NC, shares his one piece of advice: Salvation. We have to understand that hell is the only alternative to heaven. Jesus came and saved us from hell. “When we minister, we must remember that eternity is at stake for people.” Give people an opportunity to be saved.

QUOTES: 

“We have been saved from hell through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.” -Herb Hartso

“When you understand the simple concept that there’s only two places we can go—heaven or hell—you will share the gospel more often.” -Herb Hartso

“Let’s live for eternity. Let’s remember our salvation.” My hope is in eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world began. Titus 1:2 

LINKS: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S2.E10 - The First Year Of Planting

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 2 Episode 10 — The First Year of Planting a Church

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.”

One Piece of Advice | A Willing Vessel

Alex Fuentes, church planter in Tunja, Colombia, shares his one piece of advice: Be a willing vessel, be available for God to use you. We can want a lot of things in ministry, but asking what does God want makes it pretty clear. Listen for and  be led by the Spirit. Ask every day for His guidance, because we are nothing but broken vessels that carry His message.

QUOTES:

“When we place ourselves in His hands and just allow Him to shine through us…allow His Holy Spirit to work through us, that’s what really matters.” -Alex Fuentes

“Allow the Lord to fill you and work through you, to have those spaces for whatever He wants you to do instead of what we want to do.” -Alex Fuentes

“Say OK Lord, where today, what today, ministering in those moments. It allows people to see that this is a work of the Lord.” -Alex Fuentes

Links:

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

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

The Exchange Church: http://theexchangechurch.cc

S2.E9 - Leadership Pipeline

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 2 Episode 9 — Leadership Pipeline

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

One Piece of Advice | How to Overcome Obstacles

Daniel Fusco, Lead Pastor at Crossroads Church, with campuses in Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR, shares his one piece of advice about how to overcome obstacles. Don’t be surprised at obstacles—expect them. The incomparable value of being conformed to the image of Christ through obstacles is evident. What is your plan for dealing with obstacles? You expect, you plan, you overcome. 

QUOTES:

“As a church planter, you should go into every single day, every single season of life expecting there to be obstacles. -Daniel Fusco

“You’re learning this stuff now so that when Jesus calls you to go plant a church, you know that He loves you enough to kill you.” -Daniel Fusco

“Obstacles become leverage for us to take more ground…to see the gospel go forward.” -Daniel Fusco

“Every single day you need to re-up your commitment for doing what you’re doing.” -Daniel Fusco

Links: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

Five Ships Book: https://www.amazon.com/Five-Ships-Pilgrim-Benham-ebook/dp/B07N151NDH/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=pilgrim+benham&qid=1553893889&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

S2.E8 - Culture

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 2 Episode 8 - Culture

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

One Piece of Advice | Leading Yourself

Thane Ringler, Los Angeles, CA, shares his one piece of advice: you have to lead yourself well before you can lead others well. Jesus demonstrated this by His example and it is true for us who are leading and shepherding others in the body of Christ. It is a daily practice. It takes self-discipline for these things, making time to develop intimacy with God, to take time to rest. Ultimately it means being faithful. 

QUOTES: 

“What this means is we are taking action and ownership of our lives and we’re never settling for less than what God has called us to.” -Thane Ringler

“It means not trying to be superman. A lot of times we take on and try to be Christ when we need to look to Christ and what He’s accomplished.” -Thane Ringler

“How can we be faithful today?” -Thane Ringler

Links:

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

Thane’s First Book & His ministry at www.thaneringler.com

S2.E7 - Leading With Clarity

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 2 Episode 7 - Leading with Clarity

Pastor Bill Mitchell, Boca Raton Community Church, shares about leading with clarity. This talk is from BocaLead, a monthly business luncheon hosted at their church and taught by Pastor Bill. Using a ladder as a model, Bill shares the six rungs that are essential in leading with clarity: 1)Identity; 2)Direction; 3)Operations; 4)People; 5)Engagement; 6)Influence. The two side-rails represent your personal life and your corporate life. This is a process that Bill and his wife personally go through together every 5 years or so to reassess where they are and where they want to be heading. (Complete notes from this event are available at bocalead.com/clarity.)

QUOTES: 

“Clarity is the ability to clearly lead people on an agreed upon journey.”

“This whole thing is called alignment. We’re going to align our thinking to clarity today.”

“Alignment: These six areas will bring stability to you and your organization as you seek to lead in the direction you have set."

“As you look to the future you have to understand your identity, and it’s not easy. Don’t get stuck in your past identity.”

“Where are you heading? What are your values? How can you use those things to inspire and motivate others?”

“If you are a person of discipline, you are a person who works out what you do.”

One Piece of Advice | Be in Agreement with Your Spouse

Dan Grittner, Lifespring Church in Royal Palm Beach, FL, shares his one piece of advice: Be in agreement with your wife. The concept of being one flesh with your wife involves every area of life. Unity in a marriage is very powerful and brings great benefits for your life and ministry. It takes time, it takes work, it takes effort. But the results are worth it.

QUOTES: 

“Agreement is so powerfully important.”

‘It’s really that your dreams come together as one. Your direction comes together as one. That you’re in agreement with your spouse as you move forward.”

“I think God wants us to walk side by side in the same direction.”

Links: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

BocaLead: www.bocalead.com

S2.E6 - Investing In Your Team

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 2 Episode 6 - Investing In Your Team

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

One Piece of Advice | One Thing

Dave Baldwin, Director of Church United for the Boca/Delray Region, shares his one piece of advice: Know your one thing. Dave’s mother’s death caused him to look at everything in life differently. Reflecting on King Solomon, gifted by God with supernatural wisdom, and his pursuit of all the world’s pleasures, what was the one thing that had lasting value? Only His relationship with God. It is the one thing that matters. 

QUOTES:

“When my mother died, it rocked my world. What once gave me great pride just didn’t mean anything.” -Dave Baldwin

“All these vanities are meaningless. The thing to do is just to fear God and have that personal relationship, to be obedient to His commands and to follow His ways.” -Dave Baldwin

Links: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S2.E5 - Developing Leaders

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 2 Episode 5 - Developing Leaders

Dan Grittner, Lifespring Church, Royal Palm Beach, FL (a brand new church plant scheduled for launch September 2019) talks about his own experience under the godly leadership of his youth pastor and how it changed his life. It takes time and effort. Watch for the potential in those around you, that you can build with and invest in them. The life changing difference is that you care about them, about their heart. This is a powerful exhortation from the heart of a pastor.

QUOTES:

“You’ve got to spend time with your leaders.” -Dan Grittner

“It’s not about giving someone a task and them doing it. It’s about building a family.” -Dan Grittner

“Who is it in your life right now that you know that you could build more time with?” -Dan Grittner

“He is a creative God and He lives inside of you. He wants to give you a creative way of making disciples.” -Dan Grittner

“You’ve got to be after their heart.’ -Dan Grittner

One Piece of Advice | 360 Preparation

Casey Cleveland, Senior Pastor at Avenue Church, Delray Beach, FL, shares his advice from Joshua 4:14: On that day, the Lord exalted Joshua. It is the Lord who exalts us when it comes to significant shaping ministry. So if it is the Lord who exalts leaders, giving people the confidence to follow them as they follow Christ, what is the responsibility of leaders? 360 preparation—being prepared in all sorts of different areas. Being prepared holistically includes mindfulness, diet, sleep, exercise. Every area of life affects your ministry. 

QUOTES:

“If it’s the job of Jesus to exalt me and put me in a place where people will actually go, where I believe the Lord is leading us, then I just need to be prepared for that.” -Casey Cleveland

“Pursue thinking about how I can be fully mindful and present in this moment?” -Casey Cleveland

“Remember, we’re going to war. Most of the warriors I know are in shape—emotionally, physically and spiritually.” -Casey Cleveland

Links:

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

Dan Grittner’s first book: For a Limited Time Only: Making The Most Of The Time You Have Left

S2.E4 - The Beauty of The Church

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 2 Episode 4 - The Beauty of the Church

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.”

One Piece of Advice | You Go First

Mike Lawrence, Port Saint Lucie, FL, recently returned with his family from 13 years as a church planting missionary in Costa Rica to start a new work in Florida. This is his advice: You cannot lead people where you have not first allowed God to lead you. You have to be willing to let God work in your own heart and life first. Your personal experience will give you greater authority and compassion to lead others through similar things. “We are surrounded by people who need to know that the gospel is not only for heaven, it’s for today. They need to know how God is working in your life, so that they, too, can find encouragement that God will do the same thing for them.”

QUOTES:

“We see this principle throughout scripture, that when God is going to call someone into leadership, He is going to do a work in them before He does a work through them.”

“We have to be wiling to be vulnerable and transparent about who we are and where we’re at.”

“While there are qualifications for leadership, perfection is not one of them.”

Links: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S2.E3 - We Are The Church

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 2 Episode 3 - We Are The Church

Pastor Glenn Shaffer, Destiny Life Church, Claremore, OK talks about the Church as it is described in the New Testament and how seeing the body of Christ with fresh eyes can help us. What does it mean (Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds, and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ) to equip the saints for the work of ministry? What is a proper understanding of the role of each member of the body in relation to the leaders? Positional mentality, performance mentality, and personalities are three areas Glenn talks about in this context, as hindering the church’s work of ministry. You’ll want to hear this.

QUOTES:

“There’s something about the New Testament understanding of what the church really is, that transforms you.” -Glenn Shaffer

“Sometimes we don’t realize how valuable Christ’s gifts are in the church and how much we need one another.” -Glenn Shaffer

“Something that is really burning on my heart is that we would emphasize placement in the body, as the scripture does, and not position…Placement is where Christ has set us; position is where man has set us.” -Glenn Shaffer

“We don’t go to church. We are The Church, going.” -Glenn Shaffer

One Piece of Advice | Leading from the Inside

Kevin Saxton, a pastor at Family Church in Downtown West Palm Beach, FL, shares his one piece of advice: Lead from the inside. We need to remember that our role as a pastor is as one of the family, one who is on the inside of the body of Christ. Our role as a leader does not place us above or outside of that. We are a part of the body, just as they are. “This is a people business. People really do matter."

QUOTES: 

“There’s no one who is a believer in Jesus who doesn’t belong in the church of Jesus.” -Kevin Saxton

“Being a leader in the church means the you don’t lead from outside the body of Christ, you lead from inside the body of Christ.” -Kevin Saxton

“We actually get to serve in such a way that we are a part of the family.” -Kevin Saxton

Links: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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

S2.E2 - Comparison

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons 2 Season 2 Episode 2 - Comparison

Bryan Saylor, Young Adults Pastor at Calvary Chapel, Melbourne, FL, talks about the problem of comparison, what happens when you begin to evaluate what God is doing in your ministry by comparing it to what God is doing in someone else’s ministry. This can be a result of insecurity or of pride. Someone else’s ministry looks better, so you feel bad. Or someone else’s ministry looks less than, so you are filled with pride. Either is dangerous because it distracts us from what God has called us to do in ministry. Bryan shares three important questions God asks us, questions that will help us identify the root of comparison and eliminate it from our lives. “When it comes to comparison, my prayer is that we would preach the gospel to ourselves and remind ourselves of the glorious riches that we actually have in Christ.”

QUOTES: 

“Comparison is one of the greatest things that can derail us or distract us from the mission God has given us.” -Bryan Saylor

“Comparison can be insecurity, but it can also be pride. Either way you look at it, it is dangerous.” Bryan Saylor

“These questions are gut punchers—they are difficult to hear. But as we wrestle with them, we discover the true heart of God and the fact that God wants us to move closer into trusting Him.” Bryan Saylor

One Piece of Advice | Who Am I?

AJ Pierre, Lead Pastor at Empower Hope in West Palm Beach, FL shares his one piece of advice: Ask yourself this simple question—who am I? You have to deal with this issue in your life. God has created you for a specific purpose at this exact time. Figure this one thing out and reconnect to what God uniquely created you to do.

QUOTES:

“This is a question I believe we all have to eventually answer in our lives—who am I?” -AJ Pierre

“You have been created by God for this exact time for a specific purpose to accomplish a specific task. For that to happen, you have to be authentic. You have to be exactly who you’ve been called to be.” -AJ Pierre

“There are people out there whose ears are tuned to your voice. The only way to reach them is if you are functioning in who God has truly called you to be.” -AJ Pierre

Links: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

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