We are continuing our special Lead Stories Summer Sermon series with this message from Pastor Daniel Hill of River City Church in Chicago and author of the book "White Awake: An Honest Look at What it Means to be White". Pastor Hill starts a dialogue around race relations in the wider church, beginning with the challenge that the current christian church has a "anemic theology" around race relations.
Pastor Daniel Hill interview on Lead Stories Podcast
Listen to more sermons in River City's series "Same Power" HERE
Lead Stories Summer Sermon Series 2018 gives you an opportunity to hear some of the premiere voices from women in ministry and leadership today. This episode features a sermon recently given by Stephanie at Mill City Church as part of a series called Led By Jesus, which looked at Jesus as Servant, Teacher, Shepherd, Prophet, Judge, High Priest and King. Listen here as Stephanie talks about how Jesus speaks challenge into our lives as our Prophet Leader.
To hear other sermons in this series follow this link:
http://millcitychurch.com/sundays/sermons/series/led-by-jesus/
Lead Stories Summer Sermon Series 2018 gives you an opportunity to hear some of the premiere voices from women in ministry and leadership today. In this episode, Jo Saxton brings a compassionate and inspired challenge to women to walk confidently into their leadership calling and understand their spiritual authority.
This talk was originally from the She Leads Summit and is rebroadcasted with permission from Missio Alliance:
Missio Alliance invites you to buy the whole bundle from this She Leads Conference at a special 40% off rate by using the code: leadstories at the following sites:
AUDIO:
https://www.missioalliance.org/product/all-sheleads16-sessions-audio/
VIDEO:
https://www.missioalliance.org/product/all-sheleads16-sessions-video/
Ending Season 4, Jo and Steph discuss what will be happening over the summer on LeadStories and also what they personally and professionally will be up to. Listen in to hear Jo’s writing soundtrack and snack, and all about the Ezer Collective, an exciting space coming in the Fall, especially for women who lead. And when we say ‘women who lead’ we mean, any woman who has influence in any sphere!
To find out more about the Ezer Collective, press on the tab at: Josaxton.com
Check out books:
Woman - The Full Story: A dynamic Celebration of Freedoms: Michele Guinness
Carolyn Custis James
Check out Jo’s record collection:
Johnny Coltrane
Miles Davis
Somi
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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
Don’t forget to check out Lead Stories Community at www.leadstoriesmedia.com/community
What does it look like to use power in a positive way to extend the Kingdom of God? This week Jo and Steph discuss what can happen when we use power in the ways God intended us to, and what can happen when we fail to use the power and authority we have been given.
Discussion questions:
1) Where has God given you authority to speak to a situation but you are afraid to do so? What might happen if you don’t?
2) Where do you have influence (aka authority or power) right now? In which spheres? How are you using that influence to raise up and encourage others?
3) Where do you need to remove some of the rocks and die to self in order for God’s Spirit to flow more freely in your life?
Let Jo and Steph know what you would like them to talk about next! You can let them know here:
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
Don’t forget to check out Lead Stories Community at www.leadstoriesmedia.com/community
How did Jesus engage with and use the authority and power that He was given? In this episode, Jo and Steph highlight key passages in the Bible which show Jesus’ attitudes and practices of power.
Passages discussed: Philippians 2: 5-11
Matthew 4
John 13: 1-17
Luke 22: 24-27
3 temptations of Appetite, Approval and Ambition are explored further in ‘Multiplying Missional Leaders’ by Mike Breen.
Discussion questions:
1) Jesus’ main goal was to release His disciples. Have you ever struggled with releasing those under you? Why?
2) Which temptation of power do you struggle with most: appetite, ambition or approval?
3) What is the main goal of your leadership?
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
Don’t forget to check out Lead Stories Community at www.leadstoriesmedia.com/community
Following on from last week, Jo and Steph discuss three more pitfalls of power: celebrity status, experiencing powerlessness and hoarding power. Listen in to hear why being a celebrity is so often confused with anointing, what experiencing powerlessness can lead us to do and how to avoid hoarding power in order to give other people a voice.
Book mentioned: The Failure of Nerve - Edwin H. Friedman
Discussion questions:
1. Would you do what you are doing anyway, if nobody was watching? Is there anything you wouldn’t be doing if other people were watching?
2. Can you think of a time where you experienced feeling powerless? How did it make you feel? How did you react?
3. Are you ever tempted to hoard power? How can you amplify other people’s voices, especially those voices that are underrepresented?
4. Which of the 6 pitfalls mentioned in the last two podcasts (or any others you can think of) are you most vulnerable to? (1. Not recognizing Relative Power (rather than positional power) 2. Lack of accountability and transparency 3. (The lie) that the end justifies the means 4. Seeking celebrity status 5. Responding badly to experiencing powerlessness and 6. Hoarding power)
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
Don’t forget to check out Lead Stories Community at www.leadstoriesmedia.com/community
Where do you have influence? In those areas you have power. The question is, what are you doing with it? In this episode Jo and Steph discuss 3 pitfalls of power:
1. Not recognizing Relative Power (rather than positional power)
2. Lack of accountability and transparency
3. (The lie) that the end justifies the means
Discussion questions:
1. Do an audit of the power you have. Where do you have capacity to direct or influence people, resources and events?
What choices are you making with your financial, intellectual and relational powers?
2. Who gets to really know you and question you? Who are you accountable with? Are you accountable with somebody (could be different people for different areas) about each area of your life?
3. Where are you tempted to lack ethics or honor in your areas of influence?
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
Don’t forget to check out Lead Stories Community at www.leadstoriesmedia.com/community
If we want to be effective and holy leaders we need to be aware of the pitfalls in our way. Beginning a new series, Jo and Steph start by defining some of the words connected with power.
Power: The capacity or ability to direct or influence people, circumstances or events.
a) control and command
b) ability to act or to be able
Influence: The capacity to have an effect on the development, character or behavior of something or someone.
Authority: Permission, right, knowledge or role in which you bring influence.
a) confidence, commanding manner
b) author the story
Control: Regulation, domination, command, direction over others.
Empowerment: Resourcing people so that they become stronger and confident in who they are and who God made them to be, and to live that out.
Ambition: The desire, drive and determination to achieve.
a) self-ambition
b) mission and purpose ambition
Discussion questions:
1) Which of these words do you feel comfortable and uncomfortable with and why?
2) Would you define any of these words differently?
3) How do you engage with each of those words?
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
Don’t forget to check out Lead Stories Community at www.leadstoriesmedia.com/community
Shawn Moore, a Church pastor, teacher at Bethel Seminary and ironman competitor chats with Jo and Steph this week about greatness, cultural competency and how to grow in our understanding of others. Shawn desires to see education used to liberate people from bondage so that they can become great and he shares with Jo and Steph about what that looks like for him personally.
GREAT:
Gratitude
Redeemed / reconciliation (removing barriers to authentic relationships)
Excellence - A for effort, not perfection
Action
Teaching / training - either learning or teaching others
Discussion questions:
1) Do you have a morning routine look like? What does it look like or what would you like it to look like?
2) Shawn said: ‘if you want to give more grace, you have to receive more grace.’ How are you actively filling up on God’s grace right now?
3) Shawn shared that rest is about recharging not just switching off. Write a list of the activities you do in your spare time and mark them as either ‘recharging my soul’ or ‘switching off life’.
Mentioned book:
Pedagogy of the Oppressed - Paulo Freire
Find Shawn at:
This episode is for those who set out intentionally to bring change and breakthrough to different areas and spheres and asks the question: what does it look like to be intentional if you are going to break a mold?
Jo and Steph look at four areas to consider when breaking the mold on purpose:
1) Recognizing
2) Reckoning
3) Reconnecting
4) Responding
Discussion questions:
1) Who’s on the rollercoaster and who is not?
2) Am I still meant to break this mold and in this way or is there a different mold God is inviting me into in this season?
3) What is the fallout of changes I have / am making and what do I need to attend to?
4) What skills do I need to learn for this season and what do I need to do for this to be sustainable?
Take some time to dwell on Psalm 139
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
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Have you ever found yourself breaking a mold and you didn’t even mean to? Have found yourself having a conversation and thinking that something was a given and realize that it wasn’t? Jo and Steph talk about what happens when we find ourselves breaking molds and how we can respond accordingly.
The 4 Rs of handling breaking the mold by accident:
1) Recognizing
2) Reckoning
3) Reconnect
4) Respond to questions
Discussion questions:
1) Discuss a time when you unintentionally broke a mold by something you said or did.
2) Where do you need to make some changes to adjust to breaking a mold? Is there shrapnel that you need to spend some time removing and healing from?
3) Who do you need to reconnect with (people or God) after breaking a mold?
Don’t forget to check out the Lead Stories Community at www.leadstoriesmedia.com/community
Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:
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
Mandy Smith, the Lead Pastor of University Christian Church in Cincinnati is chatting with Steph today about what it looks like for her to be the only female Lead Pastor in her denomination. Discussing both the external and internal hurdles to stepping into leadership, Mandy and Steph share from their different perspectives as an introvert and extrovert.
Mandy’s latest book is out now: The Vulnerable Pastor: How human limitations empower our ministry.
Check out She Leads for resources on how women and men can partner together: http://www.missioalliance.org/sheleads/
Mandy’s church here: http://www.universitychristianchurch.net/
Mandy is also a regular contributor to Missio Alliance: Www.missioalliance.org
Find Mandy on Facebook: Facebook.com/mandy.smith.50999
Discussion questions:
1) Have you spent time personally pouring over scripture to come to your personal convictions about women in leadership?
2) What do you perceive to be the weaknesses of your personality/gender and where could they be inhabited by God’s strength?
3) What ways can you identify that male and female leaders speak different languages? How can you better learn the language of the other gender?
Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:
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
Lisa Harper is discussing how a failure to understand the context in which the Bible was written - by writers under oppression - has warped our understanding of what the Bible says and what Good News truly is.
Join Jo and Steph as they chat to Lisa about how the Gospel can be good news to all people - not just those who are in positions of power.
Discussion questions:
1) How does knowing that the Bible was written by individuals under oppression change how you see the Good News?
2) Where have you allowed your understanding of the image of God to be limited to just a certain people group?
For more information about the pilgrimages (Deadline April 1st 2018) go to: Freedomroad.us (go to the blog)
Www.facebook.com/lisasharonharper
Twitter/instagram: @lisasharper
Get her latest book out now: The Very Good Gospel
Dominique Gilliard the director of racial righteousness and reconciliation shares ways that the church needs to rethink its attitude to the criminal justice system and incarceration. With some horrifying statistics and also some hope-filled testimonies and practical ways churches can make a change, this podcast will change the way you see those who are and have been incarcerated and equip you to be part of the change.
Every church can and should be involved in one of 4 ways:
1) prevention: mentoring, tutoring, supporting underfunded schools, summer feeding programs
2) prison ministry: go behind the walls and see for ourselves.
3) walk alongside those who have lost family members to incarceration.
4) aid the reentry process: disciple, support and walk alongside those who have left prison and use networks to help find employment opportunities.
5) extend our definition of family to include foster care children who need care and love especially over the holiday seasons.
Check out Dominique’s new book: “Rethinking Incarceration: advocating for justice which restores”
https://dominiquegilliard.com/
Facebook: /dominique.dg.7
@DDGilliard - twitter
dominiquedgilliard - instagram
Discussion questions:
1) How does your attitude towards those who have been incarcerated change when you consider the number of key biblical characters who spent time behind bars?
2) Of the 5 practical ways mentioned that churches can get involved in change, is your church engaged in any? Which one could be the first step?
3) How has your perspective on the criminal justice system changed through listening to this podcast?
Brian Sanders talks about how the Underground Church in Tampa, Florida has been breaking the mold of what church in America looks like and how it reaches the lost.
Check out Brian’s new book ‘Underground Church: A Living Example of the Church in Its Most Potent Form’
You may also be interested in the Tampa Underground Open Conference this weekend: 23rd - 24th February.
Discussion questions:
1) If you could be part of a church or group that reaches out to one people group, who would that be?
2) If you are not reaching out to that group now, what are the things stopping you?
3) Where do you need to stop complaining about something and become the solution for it instead?
The Underground Open conference - 23rd - 24th February.
Annie Downs chats to Jo on today’s Lead Voices episode. Listen in to hear how author and speaker Annie Downs manages her daily life and leadership, how she managed get her book published 6 years and 47 rejections later, and why she doesn’t have email on her phone!
Check out Annie’s Latest book: 100 days to Brave
@Anniefdowns
Also mentioned:
The Tech-wise Family by Andy Crouch
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
It’s Jo’s turn to talk about how her life has unintentionally and then over time, intentionally broken molds. Jo discusses how her cultural background has meant she has always broken molds and caused her to question her identity. However, as she has become increasingly comfortable with being uncomfortable she has been able to accept the calling God has given her and accept God’s invitations to break molds.
Discussion questions:
- Do you feel comfortable in the armor that God has given you to wear or are you constantly trying to put someone else’s on?
- Which things, which felt very uncomfortable at the time, do you now recognize were God-given situations God used you in to break the mold and advance His kingdom?
- Where do you need to embrace the uncomfortableness of being salt and light right now?
Check out the following books:
Shonda Rhimes: Year of Yes.
Jo Saxton: Dream of You (out now!!)
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
Steph shares stories from her life about how she has unintentionally broken the mold on many occasions by standing up for what she feels is right or following God’s calling.
Listen in to hear how not to stand up to a gym teacher like teenage Steph did, but how God used it to grow her capacity and for God's truth to be proclaimed. Steph also shares how being a female pastor (and previously a single one) also unintentionally broke molds and brought conflict but also breakthrough.
Discussion questions:
1) Where have you broken the mold in your life without intentionally setting out to do so?
2) Where have you been afraid to do something right or stand up for someone because you fear breaking a mold?
3) Think of some specific situations where Jesus broke the mold.
Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:
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
What does the phrase ‘breaking the mold’ mean? Is it a good thing? In this introductory episode to a new series, Jo and Steph talk about the limitations of molds, how we can be blind to them and how they hold us back as leaders - both by keeping us from stepping into things and also stopping us from helping others to step into things.
Discussion questions:
1) What are ways which we are being held back because of the molds society, church etc has placed on us?
2) Which molds are we blind to because we fit the mold, and so we are blind to how that mold is holding other people back?
3) Who are some people or leaders in your life who you have seen break the mold in ways that have been really meaningful to you?
Don’t forget to check out Jo’s new book - The Dream of You - it’s out now!
And you are invited to the launch party on February 1st in Minneapolis. Check out Jo’s social media to get the link code to sign up. It’s a free but ticketed event.
Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:
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
Lead Stories listeners get the privilege of hearing one of the new ‘The Dream of You’ podcast episodes right here on Lead Stories!
In this first episode of the 7-part mini-podcast you can hear Steph interview Jo on her new book, also called ‘The Dream of You’ and hear Jo talk candidly about the writing process, the reasons why she wrote the book and how it feels to have her personal journey of rediscovering her identity in print for all the world to read. Listen in to hear more about the book and find out why rediscovering your identity is so important to how you live your life.
To listen to the rest of this 7 part ‘The Dream of You’ podcast series then search for ‘The Dream of You’ in iTunes or wherever you listen to your podcasts! (And if you enjoy it then don’t forget to leave a review so that others can find it too!)
Don’t forget to grab your copy of Jo’s new book: ‘The Dream of You’ now!
Want a sneak peek into Jo and Steph’s hello/goodbye process? Listen in to hear Jo talking about what last year’s word ‘flourish’ ended up looking life for her and why she feels that ‘focus’ is the word for 2018. Find out what saying goodbye to other people’s expectations looked like for Steph and what she thinks God may be saying to her through the phrases: ‘Keys of the Kingdom’ and ‘Break the Mold.’
Discussion questions:
1) Where are you at in your goodbye/hello process? When can you separate some time this week to work on your goodbyes and hellos? (Don’t forget to download the workbook - link below)
2) How does it make you feel to know that God’s word is often like a seed? How can you practically water the seed of the word God is giving you for this year?
Check out the new 7-episodes of The Dream of You podcast. They will all be out on January 10th!
Get your hello/goodbye workbook at:
www.leadstoriesmedia.com/resources
Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:
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
Welcome to Season 4!
In today’s episode Jo and Steph talk Hello / Goodbye and share how we can examine the past year well and embrace 2018 intentionally.
There is an accompanying Hello / Goodbye workbook which you can pick up www.leadstoriesmedia.com/resources - check it out!
Steps for Hello / Goodbye:
1. Meditate
Try Proverbs 4:4-19
2. Review
Look at the highs and lows of the year.
3. Release
Let go of the accomplishments, failures, etc of year.
4. Reveal
Ask God to show you what to say goodbye to
5. Receive
Ask God to show you what to say hello to and step into in 2018
6. Respond
Share your ideas with others. It builds towards your plan.
7. Record
Write it down!
Workbook available at www.leadstoriesmedia.com/resources
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
Jo and Steph pull the curtain on Season 3 of Lead Stories by looking back over the past season and forward to the next one. Listen in to find out more!
Check out the new hello-goodbye resource and the feedback tool: https://www.leadstoriesmedia.com/resources/
Steph’s article on Imposter Syndrome at Christianity Today:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/women-leaders/2017/october/beat-imposter-syndrome.html
Which has been your favorite podcast of the season? Let Jo or Steph know:
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