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In this week’s interview Jenni Wong Clayville interviews the founder and president of Trochia Ministries and one of the teaching pastors at Mariners Church, Ines Franklin. Ines shares her insights on how to make blended families work. With her extensive experience in a blended family, Ines discusses the importance of active listening and understanding the unique dynamics involved.

Blended family challenges are numerous, and Ines emphasizes that addressing these issues with blended families requires patience and empathy. Ines also touches on the issues with blended families, such as the stigma and misunderstandings they face. She believes that recognizing these challenges is crucial for creating a supportive environment to foster a sense of belonging and understanding among family members.

Some key ideas for church leaders include the following:

Recognize the unique dynamics of blended families.
Emphasize the importance of active listening.
Address blended family challenges with empathy.
Understand the issues with blended families to provide better support.

Discover healing in through faith and in a church community.

📚 Resources Mentioned:

Blended and Blessed: Building Family Unity & Healing Through the Beatitudes

THE INNOVATIVE CHURCH LEADER PODCAST AND GIVEAWAYS:

We want to help pastors experience and bring renewal through Spirit-led innovation, reaching new people, and making disciples who make disciples.

Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter at innovativechurchleaders.org/join-us for a chance to win future book giveaways, retreats, cohorts, workshops, and assessments!

Subscribe, Rate, and Review The Innovative Church Leaders Podcast at Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or youtube.com/@InnovativeChurchLeaders.

Cross Point Ministry⁠‘s Executive Director, ⁠Clifton Roth⁠ discusses the importance of presence in pastoral care. He emphasizes that the best gift pastors can offer is their transformed and transforming presence, which is central to the journey of spiritual formation for pastors.

Clifton shares insights into spiritual disciplines for pastors, highlighting how these practices are essential for maintaining emotional and spiritual health. He explains that strategies for building strong pastoral communities involve fostering authentic relationships and being present to God and others.

The discussion also touches on how does recovery relate to spiritual formation for pastors? Cliff notes that recovery processes, such as 12-step programs, are integral to spiritual growth and healing. These programs are part of the broader journey of spiritual formation for pastors, helping them navigate personal and professional challenges.

Cross Point Ministry offers various resources, including retreats and counseling, to support pastors. These initiatives are part of their strategies for building strong pastoral communities, ensuring that pastors have the tools they need for effective ministry.

Understanding how does recovery relate to spiritual formation for pastors is crucial.

THE INNOVATIVE CHURCH LEADER PODCAST AND GIVEAWAYS:

We want to help pastors experience and bring renewal through Spirit-led innovation, reaching new people, and making disciples who make disciples.

Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter at innovativechurchleaders.org/join-us for a chance to win future book giveaways, retreats, cohorts, workshops, and assessments!

Subscribe, Rate, and Review The Innovative Church Leaders Podcast at Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or youtube.com/@InnovativeChurchLeaders.

Laurie Short shares her journey of faith and resilience. She explores the profound question: what does trusting in God mean when life gets hard?

Through her personal experiences, Laurie illustrates how trusting in God’s plan can transform our lives, even when circumstances seem bleak. Her story is a testament to how struggle builds character and how trusting God’s plan for my life can lead to unexpected blessings.

Trusting in God does not mean having all the answers but about finding peace in uncertainty. It means realizing that God is present in our circumstances, even when we don’t understand them. This perspective helps us see that struggle builds character, shaping us into who we are meant to be.

Discover the importance of the following:

• Reflect on past experiences to understand what trusting in God means.
• Identify moments where struggle built character in your life.
• Embrace the idea of trusting in God’s plan, even when it’s unclear.
• Consider how trusting God’s plan for your life can lead to growth and fulfillment.

📚 Resources Mentioned:

• Tracking God in Your Life by Laurie Short
• Small Group Study on RightNow Media

THE INNOVATIVE CHURCH LEADER PODCAST AND GIVEAWAYS:

We want to help pastors experience and bring renewal through Spirit-led innovation, reaching new people, and making disciples who make disciples.

Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter at innovativechurchleaders.org/join-us for a chance to win future book giveaways, retreats, cohorts, workshops, and assessments!

Subscribe, Rate, and Review The Innovative Church Leaders Podcast at Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or youtube.com/@InnovativeChurchLeaders.

In this episode of the Innovative Church Leaders podcast, host Jenni Wong Clayville interviews Dr. Chesarae Fletcher about the importance of Sabbath, rest, and community for women of color and church leaders.

They explore practical ways to incorporate Sabbath into daily life, the theological significance of rest, and the power of sisterhood in healing and renewal.

They also discuss Sabbath with My Sisters an Anthology: Women Reflecting on God’s Rest in a Restless World.

🎬 Video Chapters
0:00 – An Introduction of Dr. Chesarae Fletcher
02:21 – The Birth of Sabbath with My Sisters
05:32 – The Central Invitation of the Book
06:58 – Rest as Formation, Not Escape
10:10 – Practical Steps to Rest
12:25 – The Importance of Communal Rest
17:27 – Personal Significance of Rest
24:29 – The Process of Creating the Anthology
27:11 – Upcoming Rest Retreat
30:30 – Encouragement for Exhausted Listeners

📚 Resources Mentioned:
Sabbath Retreats and Resources – https://sabbathwithmysisters.com

Win a free copy of Sabbath with My Sisters or share your story with Dr. Chesarae Fletcher at dr.chesaraefletcher@gmail.com!

THE INNOVATIVE CHURCH LEADER PODCAST AND GIVEAWAYS:

We want to help pastors experience and bring renewal through Spirit-led innovation, reaching new people, and making disciples who make disciples.

Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter at innovativechurchleaders.org/join-us for a chance to win future book giveaways, retreats, cohorts, workshops, and assessments!

Subscribe, Rate, and Review The Innovative Church Leaders Podcast at Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or youtube.com/@InnovativeChurchLeaders.

In this video, child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Philip Hash discusses the importance of creating inclusive church environments. He shares insights on how to embrace neurodiversity. Dr. Hash emphasizes that the desire for relationships and joy is present in everyone, even if the pathways to get there differ.

Dr. Hash’s work at Valley Church in Ohio highlights the need for church community engagement. By focusing on engaging neurodivergent learners, his ministry uses role-playing games (RPGs) to foster connections. This approach not only aids in personal development but also integrates RPGs and Christian discipleship, offering a unique way to explore faith.

The initiative, known as Dragon Games, started with a small group and has expanded internationally. It demonstrates how RPGs and Christian discipleship can be powerful tools for engaging neurodivergent learners. The program encourages participants to discover their stories within God’s narrative, promoting church community engagement.

Discover how to:
Embrace neurodiversity as a normal part of church life.
Utilize RPGs to enhance Christian discipleship.
Focus on engaging neurodivergent learners through innovative methods.
Promote church community engagement by including all members.

Practical steps include creating spaces where neurodivergent individuals feel welcome. This involves understanding their unique needs and integrating them into church activities.

THE INNOVATIVE CHURCH LEADER PODCAST AND GIVEAWAYS:

We want to help pastors experience and bring renewal through Spirit-led innovation, reaching new people, and making disciples who make disciples.

Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter at innovativechurchleaders.org/join-us for a chance to win future book giveaways, retreats, cohorts, workshops, and assessments!

Subscribe, Rate, and Review The Innovative Church Leaders Podcast at Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or youtube.com/@InnovativeChurchLeaders.

In a culture chasing the next big church model, what if the secret to growth is getting back to the basics?

After 20+ years of faithful ministry in South Arlington, Dr. Maurice Pugh has seen God double New Life Fellowship’s attendance since COVID — adding one new service every year — simply by trusting Jesus with the results.

⁠Maurice Pugh⁠ and ⁠Eric Bryant⁠ explore what it looks like to build a thriving, multiplying church on sound doctrine, authentic community, and Spirit-led faithfulness. From micro-group discipleship to city-wide outreach, Maurice shares the rhythms and convictions that are producing real, lasting fruit.

This conversation is a timely encouragement for every pastor who is tempted to measure success by size alone.

The church grows when pastors stop striving and start trusting. Maurice shares how returning to Christology, the Trinity, and sound biblical teaching is drawing people into genuine faith. His two-year micro-group discipleship model is on track to multiply 1,500 disciple-makers, and his personal rhythms of rest have sustained him for the long haul.

THE INNOVATIVE CHURCH LEADER PODCAST AND GIVEAWAYS:

We want to help pastors experience and bring renewal through Spirit-led innovation, reaching new people, and making disciples who make disciples.

Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter at innovativechurchleaders.org/join-us for a chance to win future book giveaways, retreats, cohorts, workshops, and assessments!

Subscribe, Rate, and Review The Innovative Church Leaders Podcast at Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or youtube.com/@InnovativeChurchLeaders.

Are you feeling called to start something new? Discover the transformative journey of how to start a house church and create a community that thrives on faith and fellowship. Starting a house church can be a rewarding experience, offering a unique opportunity to connect with others on a deeper level.

In this video, ⁠Jesse Reeves⁠ of ⁠King’s Porch⁠, explores the essential steps and considerations for establishing your own house church. From understanding the core principles to practical church outreach ideas.

Jesse Reeves – award-winning songwriter (“Speak Jesus”) and worship leader – shares his radical shift from touring with Chris Tomlin to the front lines of a house church movement.

After years on staff at Passion City and The Austin Stone, Jesse took a God-ordained “sabbatical” that led him to a startling realization: We have more Christian resources than ever, yet fewer people coming to know Christ.

Discover the rhythm of King’s Porch, where the “Jesus Stories” practice turned awkward silence into a culture of evangelism.

Jesse breaks down the history of the “clergy-laity divide” and explains why every Christian – from realtors to car salesmen – is called to be a royal priest in their own neighborhood. Learn how a small network of house churches is giving away hundreds of thousands of dollars to global missions by living simply and following the Book of Acts.

It’s time to elevate your priesthood!

THE INNOVATIVE CHURCH LEADER PODCAST AND GIVEAWAYS:

We want to help pastors experience and bring renewal through Spirit-led innovation, reaching new people, and making disciples who make disciples.

Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter at innovativechurchleaders.org/join-us for a chance to win future book giveaways, retreats, cohorts, workshops, and assessments!

Subscribe, Rate, and Review The Innovative Church Leaders Podcast at Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or youtube.com/@InnovativeChurchLeaders.

Join us for an insightful conversation where ⁠Filipe and Mandy Santos⁠ of ⁠Echo Church⁠ in the Bay Area interview ⁠John Ortberg⁠ and they explore spiritual formation, the origins of the 12-step program, and its relevance for church leaders today.

Discover practical wisdom on character, vulnerability, and leveraging technology in a polarized culture.

Spiritual formation is not just about personal growth; it’s about leading others into a transformative relationship with God.

John emphasizes that this process is essential for effective church leadership today. In a world filled with polarization and contempt, fostering a community centered on the teachings of Jesus is more crucial than ever.

Ortberg notes, “The greatest opportunity ever offered to the human race is life in God’s presence with friendship and guidance.”

Want to join a Steps group for pastors and church leaders? Email us at info@innovativechurchleaders.org.

THE INNOVATIVE CHURCH LEADER PODCAST AND GIVEAWAYS:

We want to help pastors experience and bring renewal through Spirit-led innovation, reaching new people, and making disciples who make disciples.

Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter at innovativechurchleaders.org/join-us for a chance to win future book giveaways, retreats, cohorts, workshops, and assessments!

Subscribe, Rate, and Review The Innovative Church Leaders Podcast at Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or youtube.com/@InnovativeChurchLeaders.

Discover the most effective ways to engage a community with church outreach ideas. Whether you’re part of a small congregation or a large ministry, these strategies will help you connect meaningfully with your community. Join us as we explore innovative approaches that have proven successful in various settings.

In this video, ⁠Jeff Brodie⁠, the lead pastor of ⁠Connexus Church⁠ in Toronto shares innovative methods that have inspired many to rethink traditional outreach strategies and embrace new ways of connecting with people. By focusing on authentic relationships and genuine interactions, you can make a lasting impact in your community. Learn how to create an inviting atmosphere that encourages participation and fosters a sense of belonging.

Jeff also shares about the remarkably smooth transition to the lead role from the founding pastor, Carey Nieuwhof.

Utilize social media platforms to reach a broader audience.Host community events that cater to diverse interests.

Encourage volunteerism to foster a sense of purpose and belonging.

Develop small groups to build deeper connections.

By implementing the most effective ways to engage a community, your church can become a beacon of hope and support.

These strategies not only enhance community involvement but also strengthen the bonds within your congregation.

Summary:”So it’s community, then encountering God in an accessible way. I think in the attractional days, we were so worried about the weird that we pushed away from the weird to the point we lost the wonder of it all. The wonder disappeared and we got so focused on the imminent that we missed the transcendent.”

THE INNOVATIVE CHURCH LEADER PODCAST AND GIVEAWAYS:

We want to help pastors experience and bring renewal through Spirit-led innovation, reaching new people, and making disciples who make disciples.

Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter at innovativechurchleaders.org/join-us for a chance to win future book giveaways, retreats, cohorts, workshops, and assessments!

Subscribe, Rate, and Review The Innovative Church Leaders Podcast at Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or youtube.com/@InnovativeChurchLeaders.

In today’s rapidly changing world, understanding the trends in church attendance is crucial for effective Christian leadership. As society evolves, so do the dynamics of faith communities, and leaders must adapt to these shifts to remain relevant and impactful.

Carey Nieuwhof⁠ and Eric Bryant explore the future of the church in the context of modern challenges and opportunities.

With the rise of AI disruption, many wonder how technology will reshape religious practices and community engagement. The potential for AI to influence church operations and outreach is immense, yet it also presents unique challenges that require thoughtful navigation.

The interview delves into how Christian leadership can harness these changes to foster deeper connections and spiritual growth.

THE INNOVATIVE CHURCH LEADER PODCAST AND GIVEAWAYS:

We want to help pastors experience and bring renewal through Spirit-led innovation, reaching new people, and making disciples who make disciples.

Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter at innovativechurchleaders.org/join-us for a chance to win future book giveaways, retreats, cohorts, workshops, and assessments!

Subscribe, Rate, and Review The Innovative Church Leaders Podcast at Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or youtube.com/@InnovativeChurchLeaders.