Transforming Mission Leadercast With Tim Bias & Sara Thomas

What is community? Community is about the inter-relatedness of people.  In other words, it starts with relationships. It’s about belonging to something larger than ourselves. Community helps people say, “I am a valued part of this body and have contributions to make”. When we see ourselves as a part of a community, we think about how we are related to Christ, people in the congregation, and the people who live near us in our geographic location.  3 Aspects of a Nurturing Community Connection Contribution Care Read more on the show notes pages at https://transformingmission.org/176 Know someone who would benefit from listening to this episode? Share it!

At the intersection of Jesus, accountability, and corporate life is our guest, Courtney Hilbert. Add Courtney’s passion for leading youth, writing Christian fiction, baking and you find a woman of integrity who embraces accountability in the workplace, church, and in the ministries she leads. If you’ve ever wondered how faith and corporate life integrate, Courtney provides stories and examples to guide the way. She shares how faith and church leadership impact her role in a marketing agency and pauses at a familiar acronym you may have forgotten about.  Continue reading... https://transformingmission.org/175  

Stories, history, current reality, and Scripture come together in this week’s conversation with Charles Boayue Jr. Charles is a District Superintendent in the Michigan Conference of the UMC and takes us on a leadership journey to point to the importance of accountability.  You’re invited to explore both the full picture and details that accompany accountability. In the context of pastoring a local church, Charles reminds us of the importance of the calling on the gifts of the whole community to help widen your perspective and provide feedback. Additionally, Charles highlights knowing your purpose (See Episodes 159 -162) as an essential element of mutual accountability. As you seek to understand God’s will, recognize the importance of listening and the wisdom of others. As you’ll hear, that’s where mistakes in accountability can happen.  Most of all enjoy the wisdom, grace, and stories Charles shares, inviting you on a journey of accountability that is filled with mercy, direction, and the goodness of God. Men

What’s your personal accountability practice? Not sure what we mean? Listen to Episode 173 with Jessica Moffatt and explore the intersection of courage and accountability. Jessica is a pastor and coach who helps teams listen for God’s voice to make faithful decisions.  First, we explore how humility, offering ourselves to God, and self-awareness contribute to courageous action. Jessica’s reminders about humility invite listeners to pause and consider the relationship between listening to God and courageous, faithful action.  Then we turn the corner and Jessica shares her personal accountability practices. You’ll hear specific questions Jessica asks herself and key life domains she explores every week. Jessica models how accountability can structure life and fuel relationships.  Our conversation ends with a reminder of trust being the foundation for team relationships and how Jessica’s personal accountability practices influence team accountability practices.    Questions to Consider Who are the two to three p

Is accountability a bad word? Short answer: NO!  It’s the fuel for productivity, engagement, and growth for leaders.  When there is clarity and responsibility, accountability becomes a positive force for change and growth. Why then, do so many of us despise accountability? When accountability is used in punitive ways, it often leads to shame and blame. Additionally, many people are attempting to hold people accountable without first providing the clarity and resources for people to be successful. This episode breaks down into three distinct parts. Listen to the whole episode, or jump to the part that’s most applicable to you right now. Accountability in life [1:23] Accountability in the church [15:27] Accountability in leadership [31:15] First, you’ll explore accountability in everyday life through examples from family life. You’ll learn why accountability is not a bad word and how to define accountability. Second, explore accountability in the church and what gets in the way. You’ll hear how to differentiate

What happens when you ask 15 leaders for their best wisdom on self-awareness?  You get stories, poignant reminders, examples, challenging circumstances, diverse perspectives, and enough wisdom to fill several volumes. Whether you choose to listen all at once or in several sessions, these leaders remind us how God is with us deepening our self-awareness.  As you take in the wisdom, grace, and humility of our guests on this week’s podcast, reflect on your own self-awareness. Many of these guests you’ve heard from on previous episodes. But some are new voices that we’ll feature in the coming weeks and months.  You’ll hear wisdom in four broad categories. First, we tackle wisdom around self-awareness as God-awareness. Then we turn to how other people help us grow in our self-awareness. We bridge to our final category with Amy Burgess as she invites us to explore how kinesthetic and spatial awareness impact self-awareness. You’ll have to listen to hear the unique role she plays with a professional sports team. Fin

In our conversation today, we’re talking with Barry Burns about leadership and self-awareness. As a pastor, District Superintendent, and Dean of the Cabinet, Barry offers us wide-angle and close-up views of how self-awareness comes into play in leadership. We explore the impacts of social media and seasons of ministry as well as how self-care and having grace for ourselves play into self-awareness.  You’ll hear us talk about how perceptions of social media posts can ignite unintentional fires and cause long-term harm to relationships. You’ll also hear how social media can be helpful.  Join Barry as he reflects on a time in ministry that 75 members of a congregation died over a two-year time span. He shares what he learned about himself, others, and the support he needed to make it through a time of compounding grief.  Barry shares wisdom about recognizing your blindspots and takes us on a journey into the importance of long-term relationships for deepening trust and transparency.  That conversation guides us

What is your first memory of becoming self-aware? How about your most recent memory?    The reality is, we are never finished growing in self-awareness.   In our conversation this week with Rae Lynn Schlief, we talk about self-awareness through different seasons of life and ministry. From the first moment of radical self-awareness in the midst of clinical pastoral education to approaching retirement, Rae Lynn shares stories that will inspire and challenge your life and leadership. We talk about what self-awareness is, how it serves you in leadership, and how to continue cultivating self-awareness through the different seasons of life. Through it all, grace abounds.  Rael Lynn invites you on a journey through stories. Lean in as she reflects with us about internal dialogue as well as external perceptions can deepen our self-awareness. Pause during moments in the conversation when we discuss vulnerability, triggers, and candor in prayer. Continue reading at https://transformingmission.org/169  

What is self-awareness for Christ-centered leaders? Our conversation with Curnell Graham offers you a way to experience self-awareness that you may not have considered. He turns self-awareness inside out and invites you to focus on God-awareness through his stories, life experience, and leadership. From acknowledging the barriers and -isms that attempt to divide us, to reflecting on the beautiful and challenging moments of pastoral ministry, you’ll encounter grace at every turn in this conversation. Continue Reading on the Show Notes Page

Find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/167 What is self-awareness? Tim and Sara highlight five aspects of self-awareness that are essential for leaders and in daily life.  Explore these five aspects and listen throughout the month of March to episodes highlighting how different leaders continue to deepen their self-awareness.  Five Aspects of Self-Awareness to Consider Identifying emotions - Can you name what you’re feeling and the thoughts associated with those feelings? Accurate self-perception - Do you know how your words and actions land on people? Recognizing strengths - What can you do better than anyone else? This isn’t a competition, but an awareness of your giftedness.  Possessing strong self-confidence - Does your ego balance itself out? You’re able to do things because you have an ego, but your ego gets checked with humility  Possessing self-efficacy - Can you exert control over your own motivation, behavior, and social environment? Questions to consider Which of the

Can you name your four most important relationships?  Yes, we’re really asking. Episode 166 is a conversation with Dennis Miller. Dennis serves as the District Superintendent of the Foothills District in the West Ohio Conference. As we conclude a month focused on relationships, Dennis reminds us of the essential relationships that nurture a leader’s soul. Listen in and pause to consider your essential relationships. If you’re wondering where we start the conversation, yes, we begin with your relationship with Jesus. Continue reading at https://transformingmission.org/podcast  

You may have heard someone utter the phrase, “the church would be great if it weren’t for the people. And while we can smile and shake our heads in understanding, people are the church.  People make up the body of Christ. So while people are complicated, relationships are at the center of the church. Our relationship with Jesus, our relationships with one another, and our relationships with the surrounding community is the fabric of the church.  Episode 165 with Joe Geary helps you explore the beautiful as well as messy aspects of relationships. Joe invites you to journey with him to explore stories that shape his life and relationships. Continue Reading at https://transformingmission.org/165  

Do you see yourself as a leader? Do you need to see yourself as a leader to be a leader? Perhaps you’ve never paused long enough to answer either of those questions. Perhaps you assume the first is true. Therefore, the second question has yet to emerge as a question you’d consider.  Or, perhaps you’ve only ever associated leadership with a title or a position. Push beyond the titles. We’re not asking about positional leadership. We’re inviting you to consider relational leadership. Relational leaders influence others through their presence, awareness, and emotional intelligence.  In our conversation with Amy Graham, we talk about how talents and gifts guide your leadership, the resistance to claiming the title of leader, and the power of relationships to influence others simply by being present.  Continue Reading...

If you’re missing specific relationships, there’s likely a good reason. The pandemic has removed one of the spaces we need relationships. As a result, we’ve spent more time with fewer people.  Yes, it’s for a very good reason. Yes, we’ll continue to do it as long as we have to. But, anyone else just want to go to a game, concert, or performance?  You’re not alone. Relationships matter. You’ve heard Tim and Sara say that over and over again.  But saying it doesn’t make it so. As we begin month 2, we’re focusing on the importance of relationships for courageous leaders. Relational leadership is essential to guiding one person as well as a group of people toward any goal.  But, have you ever stopped to think about the different types of relationships that exist in different spaces? That’s the focus of our conversation in Episode 163. Continue Reading Show Notes at https://transformingmission.org/podcast Look for Episode 163    

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/podcast Episode 162 Is Your To-Do List Never Ending? What is on your list of competing demands? Maybe they don’t feel like demands. Maybe the things that keep you busy also energize you, empower you, and even fulfill your purpose. Whether you call them demands, invitations, tasks, or routines, there’s A LOT going on around you. You have people and circumstances in your life that want your attention.  There’s the nudge from a friend to stay on the call a little longer. And the pile of laundry that hasn’t folded itself in three days. You might have grocery shopping that needs to be done. And then, there are the meals that need to be prepared. Not to mention, who is going to clean up after the meal is prepared? I haven’t mentioned children, pets, or even work outside the home. Dare I bring up the challenges of a work-from-home-educate-from-home-do-all things-from-home life? No, this isn’t intended to raise your stress level.  So, please,

Find the full show notes on the episode page https://transformingmission.org/podcast Look for episode 161 The demands of ministry are ever-changing.  During a global pandemic and deep polarization in our country, it can feel like the demands are multiplying in front of you. At the very same time, you’re continuing to learn new ways of being in ministry and you’re caring for the health and safety of one another.  And that’s where remembering your purpose comes in. It’s also where you might feel like the only thing you need and the last thing you have is focus. Continue Reading...  

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/160 While articulating your why can feel like a big question, it’s the fuel that propels leadership. Explore with Bill Lyle, Lead Pastor of Peace UMC in Pickerington, Ohio how starting with why has propelled his leadership.  What’s the Motivation Behind Your Purpose Bill offers insight about our starting with why that can’t be overlooked. Knowing your why is about motivation.  For example, if you say making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the church, community, and world is your purpose, why is this important to you? Does it start with your calling? Perhaps it is about being a follower of Jesus and understanding that disciples make disciples. In short, if you want to get to the heart of your why, explore your motivation.  Listen as Bill shares a story about assisting at his daughter’s swim team practice. His understanding of his why was central to not only to finding joy in the midst of helping but in understanding

You can find show notes for Episode 159 at https://transformingmission.org/podcast Each month throughout 2021, the podcast will focus on one theme. Episode 159 sets the foundation for everything that follows with a conversation around purpose.  Courage and Purpose We begin with the question, “Why is knowing your purpose essential to being a courageous leader?” This question helps us point to a bigger truth that our purpose is tied to who you are, that is, your identity. To clarify, no, we’re not talking about wealth, status, or power in terms of “who you are.” Knowing your purpose stems from self-awareness (hint-hint, a future theme) and being able to live out your purpose.  A phrase you’ll hear us say a lot in 2021 is this: who you are is how you lead. And, until you understand who and whose you are, it will be a challenge to identify and focus on your purpose.  Purpose and Conflict Purpose grounds us. It centers us. It sets our direction when conflict arises. When there is a lack of clarity around an organi

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/158 The end of the year is here! Wasting time or wishing time away doesn't serve anyone. But, 2020 was... Challenging Interesting Strange Chaotic Anxiety-producing Crazy Out of control Like no other year "Your description here" So as we come to the end of this year, we offer you two questions and a bonus question to review 2020. Whether the year started with great hopes and terrific plans that quickly got tossed aside or you're giving thanks for the technology you learned about in 2020, the calendar year is coming to an end. Our invitation is to reflect on these questions and the bonus question as you prepare for 2021. -What's gone well? -What have you learned about yourself and others? -For whom or what are you grateful? Know that we're giving God thanks for you even as we continue to manage the expectations for 2021!

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/157 What values ground your leadership? Once you can name those values, as a leader, you have a place from which decisions can be made. Without an understanding of your values, you may have a hard time making decisions.  With this in mind, our conversation today is with Chris Thompson. Chris is the Pastor of Selmer First UMC is Selmer, TN. Chris leads with the following five strengths: Connectedness Belief Input Maximizer Strategic In our conversation today, we explore how Chris uses his Belief talent to make decisions, build trust, offer hope, show compassion, and provide stability. We explore the thought that comes up often in Christian groups: Should everyone who is a person of faith have the Belief talent in their top 5 talent themes? Short answer: No! The talent theme may have connections to faith for people of faith with Belief in their top 5, but it is not a religious or faith-based talent theme (those don't exist).  Instead, t