Transforming Mission Leadercast With Tim Bias & Sara Thomas

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/136 What's next for the podcast?  ....insert a drumroll.  Ok, no drumroll. Just a simple announcement. What's next? Interviews, conversations, and collaborations with Christian leaders who are leveraging their Clifton Strengths and leading with courage.  We're calling the series (that might just be a new podcast name) Courage & Strengths.  It's an opportunity to explore with others how different Clifton Strengths come to life around disciple-making; what courageous leadership looks like in this season; and how one leader is navigating the unique leadership challenges during a pandemic.  The conversations are meant to encourage you, equip you, and give you hope for a new day in ministry.  We don't have to tell you, 2020 has been hard. So whether you're listening to this in September 2020 when it dropped or in a different season, there is something here for you. You'll find a celebration of a leader in ministry alongside an explora

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/134 Read John 14:8-9  Reflect This scripture addresses part of the anxiety the disciples had with the departure of Jesus. It addresses the situation of those who wonder what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, who is no longer present.  How can one follow an absent Lord?    Jesus is trying to get them ready for his absence. But they are confused and still asking questions. “We don’t know where you are going or how you are going to get there. We don’t understand anything you are saying.  Just show us God, and we will be satisfied.  We don’t know what you are talking about.  We don’t like this.”  They are expressing the feeling of the absence of God. This is part of our story as followers of Jesus. There are prayers and psalms in the scripture that express a profound distance from God. Lord, don’t turn your back on us.  Don’t hide your face from us. Don’t go away from us. Please God, don’t leave us alone.”  Then there is “My God, my God

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/134 Read John 20:20-22  Reflect God is a missionary God. To be a follower of Jesus is to continue in God’s mission in loving the world. The resurrection is not an individual and private religious experience. It is a corporate reality that involves a mission to the world. To be sent by God into the world is an extension of God’s sending of Jesus. As Jesus followers, we are incorporated into God’s mission. Just as Jesus was sent, we are sent as part of God’s mission.  As a missionary God, God not only sends us but God comes to us. Here is another reference to “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” God has come to us in love.  And just as God has come to us, we go, sent by God, filled with God’s love, to love one another, to love our neighbors, to love our enemies, to love as God has loved us. This is our mission. So, God’s mission is not at our initiative. It is not at the initiative of the church or at the approval of Jesus follow

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/133   Read John 14:8-9  Reflect Philip speaks, not only for himself, not only for the twelve disciples, but for you and for me when he says, “Show us the Father, show us God, and we will be satisfied.”  All this time together with Jesus and you don’t know God? Were you there when the lame man at the pool stood and walked? Were you there when the blind man saw his family for the first time? Were you there when the centurion’s son left his sickbed? Were you there when the hungry crowd was fed? Were you there when Lazarus was restored to his grieving sisters?  Philip could answer, “Yes, I was there, and I believe in miracles, but I want something more; I want to experience God.”  So, Jesus took a towel, tied it around his waist, and in a basin of water washed their feet. But Philip says, “No, not this.  Just show us God.”  So Jesus took up a cross and as he walked up to Golgotha, he turned to Philip, to the Twelve, and to all of us, and

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/132 Read John 13:34-35  Reflect In the gospels of Mathew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus cites the greatest commandment as “to love God and to love neighbor.” Those words come from the Old Testament.  But here in John’s gospel, Jesus does not quote the scriptures in this regard.  He gives the command to love on his own authority.  Here is another place to remember that “if you have seen Jesus you have seen God.” This is God’s command, to love one another as I have loved you.  But there is more.  It is by the way we love one another that the people around us, the people watching us, will know that we are Jesus followers.  As a child, when I would misbehave or do something that disappointed my mother, she would discipline me. After I was disciplined, I would try to get back on her good side.  I would hug her and apologize.  She would always smile and say, “I appreciate your apology.  But if you love me, show me in the way you behave.”  Loving on

You can also listen to this episode at https://transformingmission.org/podcast

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/131 Read John 3:16   Reflect For God so loved the world is a summary of John’s understanding of God and of the Christian faith. Almost every word of the summary is important. Here a few keywords. So – The Greek word can mean “so much,” but its primary meaning is “in this way” or “in this manner.”  It is this meaning that is used throughout John’s gospel.  While God’s love is indescribably infinite, the point here is not how much God loves but how God loves.  God gave God’s Son. World – While the world is often pictured in John as hostile to God, it is also God’s creation.  God loves his enemies, those who have rebelled against him. These words give witness to God’s model for Christian love. Gave his…Son – This is not God sacrificing or punishing Jesus for the sins of humanity. It is important to remember that if you have seen Jesus you have seen God.  God and Jesus are one and the same. God does not punish Jesus but takes our sin int

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/130 Here's the second installment of exploring John's Gospel. Missed the first episode? No problem! Each episode stands alone. You can listen to Episode 129 here.  As you explore John 1, consider how God's voice and God's touch animate the church.  Read John 1:1-5, 14 Reflect Max Dupree, in his book Leadership Jazz, tells the story of his granddaughter Zoe. She was born prematurely and weighed one pound and seven ounces.  She was so tiny that his wedding ring fit over her arm. Additionally, Zoe’s biological father abandoned Max’s daughter the month before Zoe was born.  The first time Max suited up in protective gear to visit Zoe in her isolate in the neonatal unit of the hospital she had two IV’s in her arms, one in her navel, and a feeding tube plus a breathing tube in her mouth. A wise and caring nurse named Ruth gave Max his instructions.  “For the next several months, you will be the surrogate father,” she told him. “I want you

You can find background information for this series along with show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/129 Read John 1:1-5, 14 Reflect The Good News in John is this: If you have seen Jesus you have seen God.  The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (1:14).  When Christians are asked what God is like, they point to Jesus, the “human face of God.” This knowledge of God is not a matter of human attainment or achievement. We know God because God has revealed God’s self in Jesus, who is identified with God.  And lived among us (1:14). The word “lived” means “tented” or pitched his tent with us.  The word is closely related to words like “tabernacle” and “temple”.  The implication is that God came to live among God’s people. John wants us to know that what the tabernacle and temple stood for is now fully represented by Jesus the Christ and his community, the church, the new temple. So, what does this mean for us? The living presence of God has come to be with us in Jesus.  God has become a h

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/128This is the seventh and final in a series of reflections on Matthew 28:16-20. This week, we're exploring the big idea that Jesus is with you. Wherever you are, wherever you go, whomever you encounter, Jesus is with you.  Christ’s presence with you does not depend on your actions. But, your attention to God’s presence is transformative.  To consider the idea that Jesus is with you, listen to this episode. If you’ve missed the previous episodes in this series. There are a total of seven. Enjoy them one at a time, daily over the course of a week, or as we’ve shared them over the course of seven weeks.  Let's turn to Matthew's Gospel using the pattern read, reflect, respond, and return to explore the scripture. Read Matthew 28:16-20 Reflect Consider the scripture “I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.” Those early followers of Jesus were reminded that they were not alone in what they were being sent out

This is the sixth in a series of reflections on Matthew 28:16-20. This week, we're exploring what it means to live in relationship with God and one another.  Consider the people around you. There are those you know well and those you pass in a grocery aisle or on the street. Some people you know their story, other people you may just be getting to know.  The same is true in our relationship with God. How will your obedience be a part of a nurturing relationship with God and other people? Listen to this devotion and explore it for yourself.  Let's turn to Matthew's Gospel using the pattern read, reflect, respond, and return to explore the scripture. Read: Matthew 28:16-20   Reflect on the phrase "teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you.” Those early Christians were sent to teach others what they had been taught by Jesus. What had they been taught? How to be holy or righteous in their living. For Matthew, at the heart of holy or righteous living was a relationship. The words “teaching them to o

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/126   Read Matthew 28:16-20   Reflect Consider the phrase “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Those early followers of Jesus were sent to introduce, invite, and initiate all people into the movement of God.  The act of baptism (baptizo), was a physical act of dipping or immersing into something.  The words “baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” implied being dipped or immersed into a movement – the movement of God.  Baptism is the transitional act from outside the Christian community to be a follower of Jesus within the community. So, “baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” is a public acknowledgment, a covenant, that you want to be numbered among the followers of Jesus.  Baptism is the acknowledgment of “I have reached the point where this is who I will be.” So, you are immersed in the love of God to share the love of God with all person

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/125 Read:  Matthew 28:16-20 Reflect “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations” Those early followers of Jesus were sent to all nations.  The word for nations is the word “ethnos” which means people.  The English word “ethnic” comes from “ethnos.” It is an all-inclusive word. The word Gentiles is the same Greek word. Those early followers were being sent to all people, including the Gentiles, who up to this point had been excluded from their group.  For your reflection, there are two things to consider.  As Jesus followers: We are sent to all people We are sent to people outside our ethnicity, age, gender, nationality, etc. In other words, we are sent to all people, even those outside of our group or the acceptance of our group. Earlier in Matthew’s gospel, the followers of Jesus were sent only to the people of Israel.  Matthew writes, “These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/124 This is the third in a series of devotions based on Matthew 28:16-20.  Read Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted.  Jesus came near and spoke to them, “I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.”     Reflect The word “go” means “as you go,” or while going. It carries with it the idea that wherever you are at any particular time, that is the time and place to be a Jesus follower. As you go to the office, to school, to the grocery store, on vacation, etc., that is the time to “make disciples.”   The word “disciple” means “student” or “follower”.  Another way t

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/123   Over the next 4-6 weeks, we're hitting the pause button and hope you will too. Instead of a full podcast episode about a leadership topic or challenge, we're offering you a series of brief devotions to nurture your soul as a leader so you can continue equipping people to follow Jesus.  Read Matthew 28:16-20 (MSG) Reflect Listen to the podcast. Jesus commissioned his disciples to reach the world with his message.  Then, only as Jesus could, he gave them the power needed to succeed.  He promised them his presence as he empowered them to live into God’s mission.  In this scripture, authority is empowerment. When Jesus empowered his followers, he gave them a clearly defined purpose, prepared them to live out the purpose, and promised to be with them as they lived their purpose.  As Jesus followers, Jesus is the authority of your life.  It is Jesus who informs your thinking, your decisions, and your relationships. By his authority, h

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/122 Over the next 4-6 weeks, we're hitting the pause button and hope you will too. Instead of a full podcast episode about a leadership topic or challenge, we're offering you a series of brief devotions to nurture your soul as a leader so you can continue equipping people to follow Jesus.  We recorded these devotions to help you breathe in the life-giving Spirit of God. As I (Sara) edited this devotion, ever aware of COVID-19 and overcome by the racism that continues to plague us, I was reminded again why following Jesus is transformational. The Gospel is a life-giving balm for the soul. Jesus reminds us how to live. May this episode empower you to pause, reflect on who Jesus is inviting you to be, and then go, in the power and presence of Christ, to experience transformation. With this in mind, let's turn to Matthew's Gospel using the pattern read, reflect, respond, and return. First, a bit of context. Matthew on Anxiety In every gen

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/121   It doesn’t have anything to do with the money in your bank account or the commitments on your calendar. But it is something you have the opportunity to decide. So what’s this one decision we’re talking about?   Your witness.    As we continue to lead through a pandemic, as the days and weeks drag on, there is something unfolding that might go unnoticed if you don’t tend to it. And that is answering the question, what is your witness going to be?    Almost 6 weeks ago, Tim and Sara made the decision to focus on loving God and loving our neighbors in the midst of this pandemic. We began focusing on the context of our current reality, exploring what it might look like to right now to love God and love our neighbor.    Today, we invite you to consider the big question, “What is your witness?” and offer five things to consider as you evaluate both how you’re doing and how you’ll stay focused on Jesus in this season.    As you conside

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/120 In the midst of any storm in your life, there are lessons you can learn. Sometimes the lessons are hard. Sometimes the lessons are filled with hope. Sometimes the lessons are simply reminders of who and whose you are.  When Sara facilitates Dare to Lead training, she refers to this as the reckoning, rumble, and revolution. It takes courage to look in the mirror at the cold, hard facts and answer the questions that invite you to find the meaning from the mess.  The four questions we talk about help you reflect on the emotion, the internal dialogue, the truth, as well as your desire for a brave new ending. You'll hear what the disciples did when they were with Jesus in the midst of the storm and our take on how the literal storm they encountered helped them to not only lead well but move into a season of growth.  This is the fifth and final episode in the series, Leading through Storms. Find the previous four episodes here:  Episod

Find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/119 Trust is built intentionally. Trust unfolds in small moments that often go unnoticed. The choice to stop and listen, ask a question, or lean in to learn are ways we can build trust. Today, Tim and Sara share about two elements of trust. Our examples are meant to help you consider the behaviors in your life that lead to trust and degrade trust.  So before you listen, consider how you're doing with trust. How are you doing with trust in these relationships? Are you trusting God? How are you doing trusting yourself? Are you trusting others?  If you said, "Yes!" wonderful. Now consider the behaviors that make you say yes. What do you say, do, or experience that intentionally builds trust? If you can't name the behaviors, it could be you're not being intentional. More likely, you're not building trust.  If you said, "No," you're ready to begin a journey. Consider the behaviors that might help you to build trust. It's likely one of those is m

You can find show notes for this episode at https://transformingmission.org/118 You've likely heard the phrase, "the calm after the storm." But how do you find calm during the storm? After all, the current storm we're experiencing as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic is already 8 weeks old. You might be thinking, "How long will this last?" or "I'm not sure how much more I can take." When leading through slow-moving storms, pausing to rest is essential. We are reminded over and over again in scripture about the rhythms of life - six days you work, one day you rest. However, when you're learning new technology, scrambling to communicate in new ways, and generally on a steep learning curve, who has time for rest? You do.  When the disciples came to Jesus in Matthew 8, here is what we read: Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save