Transforming Mission Leadercast With Tim Bias & Sara Thomas

In this episode of the Transforming Missions podcast, we invite leaders to shift their focus from mere church attendance to fostering deeper engagement within their congregation. We discuss fostering an environment that nurtures meaningful participation beyond mere attendance. We also discuss what engagement aids in faith communities, exploring the concept in the early Christian communities. This episode emphasizes that engaged people in the Church understand its purpose, have opportunities to grow and develop their faith, and enter into meaningful relationships with others who care about them. Tune in as we share useful insights on leading a movement of Jesus followers and establishing thriving faith communities in today's world. Read more & listen to Episode 298:  https://transformingmission.org/podcast  Read the blog: https://transformingmission.org/blog Get our weekly communication: https://transforming-mission.ck.page/5618f6c6b9  

We’ve added a new feature to the podcast page and want to hear from you! Head over to https://transformingmission.org/297 and respond to the question: What does "being the church" mean to you? In this episode, explore the concept of "being the church" and what it truly means to be a Christ-centered leader in today's world. You'll discover five powerful reminders that challenge the conventional idea of merely attending church. Tim and Sara delve into the essence of mission, the significance of worship, and the role of the church in serving the local community. We explore and emphasize that the church is not a static building; it's a dynamic, living, and breathing community of faith. The church is the body of Christ. If you're looking to equip yourself and others to be the church in its truest sense, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration to help you live out your faith in action. Don't miss this compelling conversation on becoming the evidence of the resurrection in the world today. Tune in to E

Episode 296, "One Way for Disciples to Make Disciples" explores the importance of relationships as the starting point of spiritual formation. As mature disciples come alongside others newer to the faith, engage in conversation, prayer, and reflection, everyone deepens their faith. You'll hear a definition for discipleship in the United Methodist tradition, and delve into topics such as prayer, scripture, spiritual practices, relationships, and discovering your gifts and purpose. The overall message is that as a disciple, you have the power to make disciples, and the conversations shared in this episode serve as a starting point for you to deepen your faith and engage in meaningful relationships with others. Read more and listen at https://transformingmission.org/296 Find the topics and sample questions on the show notes page above.

In Episode 295, Tim and Sara delve into the significance of discipleship, emphasizing that it outweighs membership in a church setting. They explore three compelling reasons why discipleship should take precedence. The podcast episode emphasizes that discipleship should be at the forefront of a church's mission, as it goes beyond membership to cultivate genuine relationships with Jesus, personal growth, and the transformative power of becoming disciples who actively make other disciples. Listen at https://transformingmission.org/295

Are you a Christ-centered leader looking to enhance your skills and lead with grace and humility in today's challenging public discourse? In this episode, hosts Tim Bias and Sara Thomas delve into the art of effective and Christ-centered leadership in the midst of turbulent conversations. Continue Reading and Listen to Episode 294 at https://transformingmission.org/294

Episode 293, Rethinking: Three Guidelines for Christ-Centered Leaders, offers three invaluable guidelines for rethinking, encouraging you to think like a scientist, define your identity by values, and seek diverse perspectives. The importance of nurturing relationships, guarding against overconfidence, and committing to continuous learning are also highlighted. This episode equips you with fresh insights and practical approaches to navigate the dynamic landscape of church leadership, fostering renewal, and effectiveness in your role as a Christ-centered leader.  Listen at https://transformingmission.org/293 Other episodes mentioned include episode 292. Listen here: https://transformingmission.org/292

Episode 292 explores a critical aspect of leadership that might just transform the way you view your role as a Christ-centered leader. If you're wondering why habits and norms can sometimes hold us back as leaders or why it's so challenging to admit when you've changed your mind, then this episode is for you. Explore with us an excerpt from Adapt Grant's Book, Think Again, then turn to three examples of norms in the church that we may need to rethink. Then, be challenged to consider your own context and leadership. What needs rethinking? As you consider rethinking your leadership, keep in mind that it's not about the size of the congregation or the building; it's about the lives you touch and the relationships you build along the way. Your leadership journey is uniquely yours, and it's a journey worth embracing with an open heart and a willingness to rethink, adapt, and grow.  Explore Further: For more resources related to this thought-provoking episode and a link to Adam Grant's book "Think Again," visit the

Explore the transformative power of faith and community in this podcast episode. Join us as we delve into the challenges faced by Christ-centered leaders and discover practical ways to rekindle your love for Jesus, engage with your community as a mission field, and actively teach the ways of Jesus in your everyday life. Gain valuable insights and actionable steps to revitalize your faith and make a lasting impact on your church and community. Don't miss this opportunity to embrace a new approach to leadership and become an instrument of love and peace in your mission field. Listen at https://transformingmission.org/291

In Episode 290 of LeaderCast, Sara and Tim engage in a thought-provoking conversation about the declining attendance in churches, particularly within the context of the United Methodist Church. They explore the reasons behind this decline and its implications for modern church leadership. Listen at https://transformingmission.org/podcast

Are you ready to navigate change as a Christ-centered leader? Episode 289 is here to equip you with practical tools and inspiring stories. Discover how to build meaningful relationships, understand your community's unique culture, and live out your faith in your everyday life. Join the conversation today Hosted by Tim and Sara, this episode offers practical insights and inspiring stories that empower leaders to adapt, connect, and lead with love. Listen at https://transformingmission.org/289

There is a trust problem in our culture. It touches every industry including the church. What can Christ centered leaders do to improve trust? Listen to this podcast conversation to explore the behaviors that can facilitate trust as well as the role of authenticity and transparency in building trust. Explore how trust is an adaptive leadership challenge and why having a coach is recommended for navigating this season.   Listen to this episode and learn more at https://transformingmission.org/288

In Episode 287, we continue the exploration of missional leadership. This conversation revolves around the concept of defining your mission field and forging relationships that hold the potential to change lives - starting with your own. The episode begins by highlighting the seven fundamental missional questions that serve as guideposts for crafting purposeful leadership. These questions facilitate a deep understanding of the mission and purpose of the church, the assets and needs of the community, and the critical role of relationships in the transformative process. At the core of the discussion lies the notion of discerning and defining one's mission field. Unlike a mere demographic analysis, this approach emphasizes the significance of field-testing the insights and building relationships. Authentic relationships, rather than statistics, become the bedrock of missional leadership. This shift toward relational engagement is highlighted as the third aspect of missional leadership, following previous explora

In Leadercast episode 286, the focus remains on missional leadership, delving into the second aspect of this approach: the changing relationship between the church and society. Tim and Sara engage in a thoughtful discussion, reflecting on the evolving dynamics of faith, community, and engagement in the modern world. The episode starts with a recap of the previous discussion, highlighting the concept of "putting God in the driver's seat." This sets the stage for the exploration of missional leadership's second aspect, which revolves around recognizing the shifting connections between the church and the broader society. Listen at https://transformingmission.org/podcast  

Explore the shift in church leadership that puts God's mission at the forefront. In Leadercast episode 285, Tim and Sara reflect on changes over the past 10 years, discussing the evolving role of the church and its mission. They emphasize missional leadership, which starts with putting God's mission at the center. They contrast this with personal preferences, acknowledging that the church's mission isn't to please members or promote prosperity. Urging a shift from program-focused to people-focused, they stress engaging with the community, adapting to societal changes, and helping people become true followers of Jesus. They highlight the need to understand and embrace the local context, moving from an attractional model to celebrating what God's doing. The podcast concludes by introducing the concept of missional leadership's second aspect and inviting listeners to join the next episode for further exploration. Listen at https://transformingmission.org/285

We'll be back on Tuesday with a new episode of LeaderCast where we begin to explore three aspects of missional leadership. Until then, here's a little sneak peek inside our conversation before we started recording episodes. See you Tuesday! 

In this final episode in the series, "The Value of..." explores courage as a value for leaders. First, be reminded of the four skill sets of courageous leaders. Then, listen as we offer six actions for courageous leaders. Examples support these actions and invite listeners to recognize the importance of adaptive leadership. “The VALUE of…” is podcast series exploring what is important to Christ-centered leaders. Values are more than things we profess. Values are the essential elements that guide a leader’s decisions and actions. They help teams make decisions and know what is important. Across the next several episodes we’ll dive into questions like: Why are values important? What does living into our values look like (and why it’s important)? What are examples of transformational ministries that can result? And what adaptive leadership challenges emerge when you’re living and leading from your values. Listen to this episode of LeaderCast at https://transformingmission.org/284 Episode 283: The Value of Compas

The value of compassion is embodied on individual and community levels. Listen to explore how compassion comes to life for leaders, skills you may need to practice in leveling up your compassion, as well as the importance of systems in offering compassion to others. As you consider what it means to embody the value of compassion in your leadership, create systems of care, listen at the deepest level, and remember that God is love. It just might remind others that the church - God’s people - are the ones they can always count on for compassion.  Related Episodes  Episode 282: The Value of Capacity Building Episode 281: The Value of Community Episode 280: The Value of Collaboration Episode 279: Becoming HOPE - A Journey of Discipleship Episode 278: Habits of HOPE - Engagement Episode 277: Habits of HOPE - Practices Episode 276: Habits of HOPE - Offering Christ Episode 275: Habits of HOPE - Hospitality

Explore the value of capacity building. Specifically, examine the difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset. Then, turn your attention to individual or personal capacity building and community capacity building. Along the way, we offer insights, questions for reflection, and an opportunity to look at the leadership results of a fixed and growth mindset. This is the third episode in the series, The Value of... Listen at https://transformingmission.org/282 or wherever you listen to podcasts. Explore related episodes: Episode 281: The Value of Community Episode 280: The Value of Collaboration Episode 279: Becoming HOPE – A Journey of Discipleship Episode 278: Habits of HOPE – Engagement Episode 277: Habits of HOPE – Practices Episode 276: Habits of HOPE – Offering Christ Episode 275: Habits of HOPE – Hospitality  

This week we’re looking at the value of community. First, we’ll set the stage with Acts 2:42-47, then we’ll look at the adaptive leadership challenges that can emerge when you’re focused on community. Specifically, we’ll look at how to navigate the adaptive leadership challenges. Finally, explore several questions that connect to the church’s role in disciple-making and being a community of faith. To listen to this episode, head to https://transformingmission.org/281

Do you value collaboration? Yes, we're really asking. “The VALUE of…” is a new podcast series exploring what is important to Christ-centered leaders. Values are more than things we profess. Values are the essential elements that guide a leader's decisions and actions. They help teams make decisions and know what is important. Across the next several episodes we’ll dive into questions like: Why are values important?  What does living into our values look like (and why it’s important)?   What are examples of transformational ministries that can result?  And what adaptive leadership challenges emerge when you’re living and leading from your values. This week we start with an exploration of the value of collaboration. As a Christ-centered leader, the ministries you shepherd likely depend on collaboration. A leader’s role is to equip others for the work of ministry. And THAT requires collaboration. Collaboration isn't simply about dividing out tasks. As we explore collaboration you'll hear examples of ministry As