Lead Stories is Live at Awaken Community Church in St. Paul where listeners are getting a chance to ask their questions about leading in the midst of anxious times. Listen in to hear how Jo and Steph answer the following questions:
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We need practical tools to help us thrive in a world of comparison and competition, which so often begins with our minds!
This week Jo and Steph talk about internal and external struggles with comparison and competition and how we can practically face them head on, changing our mindsets, practice and culture.
Discussion questions:
1. Where is your biggest struggle with comparison and competitivity right now? Internally or externally?
2. How easy do you find it to affirm and encourage others who are doing what you want to be doing? Who can you encourage today?
3. How clear are you on your vision and what God has called you to do? You could start by writing out a list of the things you are clear on - your gifts, calling etc. Knowing what we are called and gifted to do can help us not to compare so much with others.
4. Jo said: “In a competitive mindset, you have just given others something God has given you, but in a God-given mindset you have just multiplied”. Jesus desired his disciples to go further and do more than he did. How do you feel about discipling others who may do more and go further than you will? Is there a mindset you need to repent of? What practical things can you do going forward to encourage, release and celebrate your disciples?
Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:
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Connect with Jo at www.josaxton.com @josaxton
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Steph is chatting to Steve Wiens about his new book Whole: Restoring What Is Broken in Me, You and The Entire World.
Listen in to hear their conversations about 5 Biblical questions and what it means to engage with them as leaders:
‘Where are you?’
‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’
‘What are you seeking?’
‘Where are you going?
‘What will you bring?’
Should we embrace mystery or mastery as leaders? Is it possible to stay somewhere God has sent you for too long? Why was Bono unhappy with the song ‘Where the Streets have no name’? Listen in hear Steve and Steph discuss these questions and much more!
Check out Steve’s new book: ‘Whole: Restoring What Is Broken in Me, You and The Entire World’ at Indiebound or the other places you get books.
Also look out for Steve’s podcast: This Good Word.
Also Recommended: Brian Zahnd - Sinners in the hand of a Loving God
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Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com
www.leadstoriesmedia.com - Don't forget to sign up to Lead Stories Community to have a chance to win a copy of Steve's new book!
Comparison and competition are as old as Cain and Abel. Rachel and Leah struggled with it and the disciples too. This week Jo and Steph discuss the difference between a scarcity and an abundance mindset and ask how we can create cultures where people can flourish rather than strive or withdraw.
Discussion questions:
1. Can you think of a time when you compared yourself to someone else and then gave up or withdrew from a situation? Where did you have a scarcity mindset?
2. Can you think of a time when you compared yourself to someone else and it made you want to strive to compete and be the best? What suffered as a result?
3. As a leader do you prepare for abundance or fear scarcity? Can you give some specific examples?
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Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton
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Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com
Last week Jo and Steph discussed the Imposter Syndrome and this week they show you how to overcome it!
Using the letter A (because Jo has loved Sesame Street since childhood) they are going to discuss 8 points which use the letter A.
1) Admit this a problem and begin to address it.
2) Assess your strengths and your weaknesses
3) Asking for feedback
4) Awareness of spiritual warfare
5) Accept an accurate view of yourself.
6) Acquiring a healthy community
7) Acknowledging that you are a work in progress
8) It is not about arriving - it never was.
Discussion questions:
1) Where can you identify the Imposter Syndrome influencing your ability to move forward?
2) Which of the steps above do you feel God is highlighting to you to focus on as you take Imposter Syndrome on?
3) Do you regularly take time to assess your strengths and weaknesses and make a plan moving forward? Is there someone else you can invite into this journey to do together?
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Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton
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Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com
Jo talks leadership today with Tyler Reagin, the President of Catalyst, which runs events to support and empower leaders.
Listen in to hear them practically discuss leadership, millennials, grace and what it means to steward our influence.
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Jo and Steph discuss the ‘Imposter syndrome’ today, the feeling that many people have, even high achievers, that they just got lucky and are not as able as it appears. ‘Imposter syndrome’ is an internal insecurity and a fear that eventually they will be figured out and exposed for who they really are. It can cause anxiety, depression and fear.
Listen in to hear Jo and Steph share their personal struggles with the imposter syndrome, and how important language is to help us own the callings God has given us.
Parable of the Sower - Luke 8
Song by The Brand New Heavies, ‘Fake’:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nMvh0LLt5G8
Articles on the Imposter syndrome:
https://www.thecut.com/2017/01/25-famous-women-on-impostor-syndrome-and-self-doubt.html
http://www.paulineroseclance.com/pdf/ip_high_achieving_women.pdf
Check out Jo's new book and preorder: The Dream of You
Discussion questions:
1) Where have you felt the imposter syndrome present in your life?
2) Where have you held back in a meeting or pursing the vision God has given you because you don’t feel worthy yet?
3) Can you accept a compliment by saying ‘thank you’ rather than dismissing it?
4) What words are you afraid to use to apply to what God has called you to step into (I’m a pastor, leader, teacher, writer, mother,…)
Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:
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Connect with Jo at www.josaxton.com @josaxton
Connect with Steph at www.pastorsteph.com @pastorsteph
Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com
Jo and Steph present the new series: Lead On…Leading in the Midst of Anxious Times. In this series you will be equipped to step into the fray and keep moving when everything around you is telling you to stop and give up.
Resources mentioned:
Sarah Bessey www.sarahbessey.com
Lead On resource guide - available free to new subscribers at www.leadstoriesmedia.com
Pre-order: The Dream of You - Jo Saxton’s new book. You can sign up this week to be part of the launch team at www.josaxton.com
Discussion questions:
1) Think back to the last time you wanted to give up as a leader. Why was that? Did you?
2) What is the difference between taking a break and giving up?
3) What might it mean for you to keep leading in the midst of current anxious times?
Jo and Steph would love to hear your questions about leading in the midst of anxious times. Contact them at:
Twitter: @LeadStoriesVox
Instagram: @LeadStoriesPodcast
Facebook: LeadStoriesPodcast
Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton
Connect with Steph at: www.pastorsteph.com @pastorsteph
Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com
Become a new subscriber at www.leadstoriesmedia.com
Today Jo and Steph are talking to the Turquoise Table lady, Kristin Schell. Listen in to hear how she unexpectedly found herself leading a movement of people around the world just by putting a turquoise table in her front yard!
Buy the book: The Turquoise Table
Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:
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Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton
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Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com
Season 3 is here!
Jo and Steph are back and are sharing what they have been doing over the summer, including some exciting news!
In this episode Jo and Steph discuss what they have been up to personally over the summer, and also reflect on the cultural implications of the big news events, in particular Charlottesville, and what it means to respond as leaders in changing times.
Jo is looking for people to help her launch her book next year - if you are interested in being part of the launch team please go to www.josaxton.com and join the mailing list to keep up to date in the coming months!
Check out the new resource guide: Lead On - Leading in Anxious Times - available as a free download to Lead Stories subscribers and for a small cost at www.leadstoriesmedia.com/resources.
Questions to consider:
1) Are you ready to respond to whatever God is doing, especially when things happen that you don’t expect? What practical things can you do to build spiritual strength in this season?
2) One ex-extremist said that all extremists are looking for three things: purpose, community and identity. Does this help you to understand the church’s role (and need) to address these three areas in their local communities?
3) Look back on your summer (or winter if you are southern hemisphere) - what things have you learned? What has impacted you?
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Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com
It is the end of Season 2! Jo and Steph reflect over the different series which have been part of this past season and the podcasts that have impacted them personally. They also discuss what life looks like for them right now as Summer begins - from horse camp to baseball and book writing.
Make sure you don’t miss out on new updates with Jo and Steph by signing up to their personal websites: www.josaxton.com and www.pastorsteph.com
Join Steph’s Author page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorsteph/
We would love it if you could support Lead Stories Podcast by rating our podcast on iTunes!
Finally… don’t miss out on the Lead Stories resources, Hello Goodbye, Life in the Wilderness and Empowering Women study guides. Find them at: www.leadstoriesmedia.com/resources
In this episode Steph chats with Patrick Lambertz from Men Against The Trafficking Of Others (MATTOO), an organization working to educate men and stop the source of human trafficking.
Listen in to discover how you can help be a part of stopping human trafficking by helping to create stigmas against it.
Check out:
Www.mattoo.org and their course: ‘Extinguishing the flames.’
Discussion:
1) Think about the quick decision someone makes to view pornography or go to a strip club for a bachelors party. What does the web of human trafficking look like behind those decisions?
2) How can you intentionally help those around you (and yourself) make better decisions to not support human trafficking, bearing in mind that doing nothing is often helping a fire to spread?
Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:
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Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton
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Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com
Continuing the series on Stigmas, Jo chats to Kaitlin Curtice, a native-american Christian about her re-discovery of her heritage and how that has impacted her faith and relationship with God.
Listen in to hear how God has revealed himself in new ways to Kaitlin as she has researched her heritage, and Kaitlin’s ideas of how the church could be blessed by recognizing and learning from certain cultural values from native americans tribes.
Discussion:
1) What did you learn about native american tribes as a child? Were they positive or negative influences?
2) Kaitlin mentioned that teaching her children traditional ways may mean they are made fun of. Are there parts of your heritage / ideals you hold to that you are afraid to influence others with for fear of what they may say /do? How can you make sure it is not the enemy who is silencing you?
3) What positive things could/should the church embrace from native american cultures?
Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:
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Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton
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Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com
Check out Kaitlin’s book ‘Glory Happening’ coming November 7th
And find her on facebook, twitter and instagram!
Jo and Steph continue the series on Stigmas and race today with Edrin Williams, who was born in South Carolina and now a pastor in The Sanctuary Covenant church in the Twin Cities.
Listen in to hear how growing up in the South impacted Edrin’s childhood and raised early questions about race and how we can all become more inter-culturally competent as we lead others from different backgrounds and races.
Also find Edrin on:
Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook!
Discussion questions:
1) Take some times to think through the prejudices you probably hold. When you think about people from different backgrounds (white, black, asian, latino…) what roles / professions do you naturally assign to them?
2) What do you know about your family culture? What is your ethnic story? What is in your roots? Share what you know and investigate further!
Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:
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Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton
Connect with Steph at: www.pastorsteph.com @pastorsteph
Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com
This week on LEAD VOICES Jo and Steph interview Pastor Sandra Maria Van Opstal on the topic of multiethnic leadership and worship.
She is a liturgist and activist who is passionate about re-imagining worship that mobilizes for reconciliation and justice.
Check her out at: http://www.sandravanopstal.com/
Also, get her new book The Next Worship here: http://www.sandravanopstal.com/the-next-worship/
https://twitter.com/sandravanopstal
https://www.instagram.com/sandravanopstal/
Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:
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Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton
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Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com
Surely with a black family living in the White House for so many years, America is now in a post-racism era, right?! This week Jo and Steph chat race and stigmas with Deidra Riggs, a missionary to the white evangelical church.
Listen in to find out:
- What is white-privilege and does it still exist?
- How can change be brought to the white evangelical church regarding race stigmas?
- How can you be proactive in supporting diversity in your spheres of influence?
Check out Deidra Riggs website (and sign up for her newsletter!) at www.deidrariggs.com and also check out her new book: ‘One’.
Discussion questions:
1) What is white-privilege and where have you experienced it?
2) What practical steps can you take to encourage diversity in race and culture in your spheres?
Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:
Twitter: @LeadStoriesVox
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Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton
Connect with Steph at: www.pastorsteph.com @pastorsteph
Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com
Jo and Steph chat this week to Kathy Khang a writer and speaker about mental health and racial stigmas. Listen in to hear Kathy share her mental health journey struggling against depression and how Kathy is helping her children have positive attitudes towards mental health care.
Discussion:
1) What are some healthy ways you can demonstrate mental health care in your family or with the people you live with?
2) Do you engage or disengage with racial issues? Why? How can you engage with them in positive ways?
3) Why do you think diversity is so important to God?
Check out Kathy’s website and book:
More Than Serving Tea - Kathy Khang
Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:
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Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton
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Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com
Continuing the conversations on the stigmas against mental illness, Steph chats with Leah Adair about her struggle against OCD and the stigmas surrounding it. Leah shares her journey to being diagnosed with OCD and coming to understanding what OCD looks like for different people, far from the widespread misconception that it is just about compulsive hand washing.
Discussion questions:
1) What stops you from sharing your story? (We’re not talking necessarily about telling the world on Facebook, it could be just with a friend.)
2) How can you create space for people to share their stories with you this week?
3) What have you learned about OCD during this podcast that you didn’t know before? What stigmas have been debunked for you?
Resources:
Embracing my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder by Leah Adair:
http://thesaltcollective.org/embracing-my-obsessive-compulsive-disorder/
My OCD does NOT stop me from being a teacher, wife, sister & friend by Leah Adair:
http://thesaltcollective.org/my-ocd-does-not-stop-me-from-being-a-teacher-wife-sister-friend/
Websites with more information:
https://jackieleasommers.com/ocd/
http://www.overcomingocd.net/chrissieface-of-o/
Twin Cities OCD support:
International OCD foundation:
debunking the myths of OCD youtube :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhlRgwdDc-E
Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:
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Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton
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Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com
This week Steph chats to Chris Frank, a clinical counselor about mental illness, and the stigmas connected with them, especially within the church. Both Steph and Chris talk from personal experience about struggling against mental illness and the different roles medical professionals have played in helping them and those close to them.
Listen in to find out the difference between primary and secondary emotions and how they impact our mental health; how stigmas from society and the church impact mental health freedom and how we, as leaders and individuals, can support ourselves and others towards better mental health.
Discussion:
1) How does it help to state: ‘I am struggling against depression’ rather than ‘I am depressed.’ How can our language help tear down stigmas?
2) One of the definitions of shame is a feeling of not being enough. Where do you struggle with that and what lies are you believing that impact your mental health?
3) What positive things can you do to support your own mental health and the mental health of those who you lead?
Mental Health Resources:
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help/
https://www.betterhelp.com/helpme/
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:
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Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton
Connect with Steph at: www.pastorsteph.com @pastorsteph
Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com
Living with stigmas is exhausting. The wondering if people support you in the role you are in can be incredibly tiring - like having too many apps running in the background at one time.
In this final conversation about the stigmas against strong women, Jo and Steph talk interpersonal and work/vocational relationships and how being strong women has affected those areas for them. They also share from the new ebook on ‘Empowering women in leadership’ on how we can all empower strong women in helpful ways.
Check out the ebook at www.leadstoriesmedia.com/resources.
Discussion:
1) What pre-conceived ideas do you think there are about strong women in dating relationship? Is it okay for women to be strong in a relationship? Are there only specific circumstances where it is okay?
2) Where have you felt you have had to compete with other women? Where has that feeling come from a false understanding of the abundance of God’s kingdom?
3) What does it look like to affirm the range of gifts and personalities in your friendship group / extended family? Do both the louder and quieter voices get heard?
Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:
Twitter: @LeadStoriesVox
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Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton
Connect with Steph at: www.pastorsteph.com @pastorsteph
Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com
Jo and Steph talk the public and private life of leadership this week with Jennie Allen, founder of the If Gathering. Listen in to hear how God led Jennie to start the If Gathering, how she overcame doubts and fear as she stepped into leadership, and how her renewed perspective on trials has helped her persevere in the face of private trial in the midst of public success.
Check out Jennie Allen’s new book: Nothing to prove
Twitter: @Jennieallen Instagram: @jenniesallen
Discussion questions:
1) Do you receive or run from trials? Can you think of a time you have received a trial and you have grown as a result?
2) How does seeking the approval of man hold you back right now? What intentional steps can you take to know God’s approval and keep moving forward?
3) Who are the people God has placed around you to encourage you that you are tempted to take for granted or fail to accept when things get tough?
Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:
Twitter: @LeadStoriesVox
Instagram: @LeadStoriesPodcast
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Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton
Connect with Steph at: www.pastorsteph.com @pastorsteph
Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com
This Lead Voices episode sees Jo and Steph interviewing Sharon Hodde Miller, a mom, speaker, writer and who also has a PhD!
Listen in to hear all about Sharon’s research into why evangelical women go into ministry and the steps we can all be involved in to encourage and empower women to step into their callings.
1) One of the things Sharon often heard when interviewing women training for ministry is that they felt ‘selfish’ for pursuing training. When have you felt selfish for using or being trained further in your areas of gifting?
2) Men are often willing to give something a go without feeling 100% sure of their calling or gifting, whereas women are much more reluctant until they are totally sure. Can you think of a time when you or women you know have been slow to embrace an opportunity because you/they haven’t felt sure? How important do you think it is to feel ‘sure’ before you step into something?
3) ‘Your words create leaders’. What mentoring / group mentoring opportunities are there available for women in your church? Are women encouraged to step into their callings as much as men are? If not, are there steps that could be taken to encourage this further?
Check out Sharon’s website: sheworships.com
If you are interested in reading Sharon’s doctorate contact her via her website or on her author page on facebook - Sharon Hodde Miller.
Also check out the new Lead Stories resource guide ‘Empowering Women in Leadership’ to help you be empowered and to empower women around you at www.leadstoriesmedia.com/resources.
Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:
Twitter: @LeadStoriesVox
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Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton
Connect with Steph at: www.pastorsteph.com @pastorsteph
Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com
You spoke up and Jo and Steph respond by discussing the stigmas there are against strong women. Why is it that ‘assertive’ and ‘confident’ are desirable traits for men, but women with those same characteristics are often seen as threatening and aggressive? Listen in to hear Jo and Steph’s personal stories alongside an exploration of how the Biblical word to refer to woman as Adam’s ‘helper’ in Genesis 2:18, did not mean his lesser servant, but something very different…surprisingly different!
Discussion questions:
1) How does it change your perspective of women knowing what the Biblical word ’Ezer’ means ‘to be strong strong, defend, rescue, protect, cherish’ and that the word was most often used to describe God Himself?
2) Read Proverbs 31. How does your understanding of what women should be change knowing this passage was meant of a celebration of what women could freely embrace rather than a tick-list of perfection for women to live up to?
3) What could it look like for you and your church to celebrate women? Where have you / others around you stigmatized women and girls with characteristics of strength rather than celebrated them?
Check out the following resources:
Influential / More than Enchanting - Jo Saxton (same book, different titles depending on your location)
Woman: the full story - Michelle Guiness
Lost women of the Bible - Carolyn Custis James.
Year of Biblical womanhood - Rachel Held Evans
TED talk: Caroline Paul: To raise brave girls, encourage adventure.
‘How to empower women in leadership’ guide:
www.leadstoriesmedia.com/resources
Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:
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Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton
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Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com
JR Rosko from Canton, Ohio is Jo’s guest on Lead Voices. Listen in to hear how God has led JR to create a platform for voices of those who have been more marginalized traditionally, particularly through Missio Alliance, a space for missional and theological conversation and training.
JR also shares things that have made him more mindful of the dynamics between female and male leaders, and how he has intentionally created space for men and women to be co-laborers in the Kingdom.
Discussion questions:
1) JR’s advice to men was: create regular, safe places for women to share. Are there currently spaces in your church, or in the spaces you lead for women and other minorities to regularly share in a safe space?
2) JR’s advice to women was: find dialogue partners (people who you can highlight things to) and speak up assertively when you feel your or another minorities voice being silenced. How do you feel about that? What might it look like to be assertive yet humble?
http://www.missioalliance.org/leadership/
Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:
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Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com
Stigmas are things which mark people as inferior. Anything which disgraces, shames or brings disapproval on others is a stigma. It may be a stigma against a group of people, an individual or a circumstance, and it has alienating results.
Jo and Steph take a look at life in Jesus’ day and the stigmas that were in place against certain groups of people, examining how Jesus walked deliberately over those imaginary lines to bring people into God’s kingdom. They also start exploring what it might look like practically to embrace stigmatized groups, using an example of a housing project focused on integrating people with HIV/Aids in a local community and the opposition that the project has encountered.
Discussion questions:
1) Take some time to think about the different groups of people who are stigmatized around you. Who are the people who are ‘unclean’ in your culture / life? Some may be obvious cultural stigmas, whilst some may be personal prejudices against individuals. Write a list of all those people and begin by asking God for forgiveness for those stigmas and to help you to see those people as He sees them. Then start by imagining what it might look like for you to step over those imaginary lines and bring God’s kingdom to those people.
2) Is there anyone who God may be asking you to lead or disciple who doesn’t fit into your or others’ expectations about who you should be leading or discipling?
3) What holds you back from engaging with people who are stigmatized? What are your fears? Be honest and bring them to God in prayer.
Jo and Steph want to hear from you! Let them know at the following social media: What are some of the stigmas you see around you today and why?
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