Increasingly, we’re seeing people in ministry disqualify themselves or adopt harmful, abrasive, and even abusive styles of leadership. How can pastors, missionaries, and engaged lay leaders equip themselves to persevere in God’s work? Josh Zeichik, director of church engagement for Focus on the Family, explains why pastors and missionaries must be “focused.” Originally from LosContinue reading “How to Last in Ministry: Josh Zeichik on the Temptations of Leadership”
Tag Archives: leadership
What’s Best Next: Missions and Productivity With Matt Perman
Personal productivity isn’t just important to professional success. It’s also important to the cause of global missions. This week, author Matt Perman lays out a theology of work, productivity, and cross-cultural ministry, drawing upon his book What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done. Matt is director of career developmentContinue reading “What’s Best Next: Missions and Productivity With Matt Perman”
Is the Commission Still Great? Steve Richardson Answers
There’s no shortage of myths about missions. In this interview, Steve Richardson, president of Pioneers and author of Is the Commission Still Great? 8 Myths about Missions and What They Mean for the Church, dispels common misconceptions about the Great Commission and why it still matters. Steve Richardson has served as president of Pioneers-USA sinceContinue reading “Is the Commission Still Great? Steve Richardson Answers”
Turnaround: Dr. Jason Allen on Transformative Leadership in Ministry – #FTC22
What can Christian leaders do when radical change is needed in a ministry? Dr. Jason Allen, president of Midwestern Seminary, shares insights missionaries, pastors, and everyday believers from his new book Turnaround: The Remarkable Story of an Institutional Transformation and the 10 Essential Principles and Practices that Made It Happen. Watch the video version ofContinue reading “Turnaround: Dr. Jason Allen on Transformative Leadership in Ministry – #FTC22”
Mission-Driven Christian Leadership in Cowardly Times: Joel Wayne
Where are the leaders in the church—much less the mission field? Pastor Joel Wayne of bethechurch.org and Chapel Pointe weighs in this week on how churches and missionaries can solve the leadership pipeline and raise up leaders when it counts. Joel’s is also the founder and executive director of Be the Church, a movement to revitalize theContinue reading “Mission-Driven Christian Leadership in Cowardly Times: Joel Wayne”
#RMC22: Brooks Buser on Leaving Well
Missions done well means staying the course. So how do you know when it’s time to transition off the field and entrust local believers with leadership? Brooks Buser, president of Radius International, discusses his experience among the YembiYembi people in Papua New Guinea at the recent Radius International Missiology Conference. Watch the video version ofContinue reading “#RMC22: Brooks Buser on Leaving Well”
T4G22: Jason Allen on Building Missions Cultures in Christian Leadership
How can Christian leaders make time to prioritize short-term missions trips? Jason Allen shares how he’s built a missions culture inside of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, which he leads as president. Also featured in this conversation is Paul Davis, president of ABWE. In addition to his seminary duties, Dr. Allen has served as pastor andContinue reading “T4G22: Jason Allen on Building Missions Cultures in Christian Leadership”
Doing Missions Committees Right: Paul Davis Shares
For some, the word “committee” means slow, ineffective bureaucracy. How can we keep the passive, maintenance mindset out of our local church missions committees? And what does Scripture have to say about this mode of church organization? ABWE President Paul Davis answers. Mentioned in this episode: Missions by the Book (Chad Vegas and Alex Kocman) Launch Point 7 HabitsContinue reading “Doing Missions Committees Right: Paul Davis Shares”
Is Innovation in Ministry Biblical? A Dialogue With Ted Esler
Ted Esler believes there’s a crisis in the Christian world. He believes leaders in ministry and missions aren’t innovating. Is this true—and is innovation itself biblical? Ted joins Scott and Alex this week to discuss his new book, The Innovation Crisis. Ted Esler is the president of Missio Nexus, an association of agencies and churchesContinue reading “Is Innovation in Ministry Biblical? A Dialogue With Ted Esler”
Leading With Vision (For Normal People) With Bob Bixby
We all know that having a vision is important. But is vision-casting biblical, and if so, does it really matter for the ordinary missionary or pastor? In this interview, Scott and Alex ask some tough questions about leadership of Bob Bixby, pastor of Redeemer Church in Fremont, California, and president of Bayseed. Want to askContinue reading “Leading With Vision (For Normal People) With Bob Bixby”
Before You Quit: Doug Gehman on Perseverance
Ministry is hard. For many, the temptation to throw in the towel is an ever-present reality. How can pastors, missionaries, and other Christian workers develop a sustained pattern of daily endurance? Doug Gehman, president of Globe International and author of Before You Quit: Everyday Endurance, Moral Courage, and the Quest for Purpose (Moody, 2020), drawsContinue reading “Before You Quit: Doug Gehman on Perseverance”
Fearless Leadership in Fearful Days: Charles Smith Speaks
Between global illness, national riots, and the ordinary lump-in-the-throat feeling that often accompanies Christian obedience, the temptations to retreat in fear—or simulate real risk with risk-free alternatives—are plentiful. But this is not the time for cowardice cloaked in carefulness. Now is the time for fearless mission. This week on The Missions Podcast, Charles Smith discussesContinue reading “Fearless Leadership in Fearful Days: Charles Smith Speaks”
Michael Foster on the Crisis of Masculinity and Missions
Why are there so few men in missions? Does the cultural mandate conflict with the Great Commission? And how has the overall downgrade of teaching on biblical manhood in evangelicalism adversely affected the cross-cultural witness of the Christian family unit? Michael Foster joins this week to address these questions and offer insights on the culturalContinue reading “Michael Foster on the Crisis of Masculinity and Missions”
Longevity and Endurance in Church Planting: Bob Trout Shares
In our impatient, have-it-now society, it’s difficult to think long-term about serving in one field of ministry for decades—much less healthy church planting and multiplication over the long haul. In this episode, ABWE veteran Bob Trout shares the blessings of and keys to longevity and endurance in a field where he saw over 40 ColombianContinue reading “Longevity and Endurance in Church Planting: Bob Trout Shares”
Mentorship: the Missing Ingredient in Missions? With Marvin Brubacher
Is mentorship the missing ingredient in missions? This week, Marvin Brubacher, Executive Director of MentorLink Canada and ABWE board member emeritus, joins to share from his decades of experience in promoting deep, one-on-one relationships of discipleship and personal development in international settings. Previously, he served as the first President of Heritage College and Seminary inContinue reading “Mentorship: the Missing Ingredient in Missions? With Marvin Brubacher”
Charles Smith on Missions Leadership “For the Church”
What does leadership have to do with missions? Everything. Although conversations on leadership are often kept separate from the realm of missiology, Charles Smith believes that now is the time to talk about what gospel-centered leadership—for the church—means for missions. Charles Smith serves as Vice President for Institutional Relations at Midwestern Seminary and oversees the officesContinue reading “Charles Smith on Missions Leadership “For the Church””