Transforming Mission Leadercast With Tim Bias & Sara Thomas

The question behind the question seeks to respond to the questions emerging today for Christ-centered leaders. This week we're exploring the question of suffering and overwhelm by looking to Nehemiah. Nehemiah's response to suffering and overwhelm was prayerful, strategic, and direct. Explore the scripture and other highlights from the episode on the shownotes page at https://transformingmission.org/podcast You're looking for Episode 256.

Church leadership is exciting, challenging, and filled with questions. In this podcast, the question behind the question seeks to explore how Christian leaders address, guide, and lead others through the questions we're facing today. Often, the question that is verbally asked is not the question that needs to be addressed. In this first episode of this miniseries, we explore the question for leaders behind the question of grief and identify the starting place to lead when you and others are experiencing loss. Focused on church leaders and pastors, you can find more at transformingmission.org/podcast. Look for Episode 255: the question behind the question

Explore the context and relationship of church leadership. Consider how church leadership is filled with joy, blessing, and overseeing others in ministry. Then focus your leadership on following Jesus. Read detailed show notes at https://transformingmission.org/254

Leader or leadership is a complex word in scripture. It's translated in numerous ways. Sometimes leader is translated as a position or title, sometimes it is in reference to a birthright, and still others it is an action. Explore the context and relationship of leadership in the Old and New Testaments. See how the similarities and differences bring leadership to life.  Then, join us next week as we look at church leadership.  Listen to this episode, explore the scripture references, and subscribe to our weekly email on the show notes page at https://transformingmission.org/253

We're continuing the series, Words that Matter, with the most important word of all...love.  Throughout the Old and New Testaments, love is an action. It animates the actions of disciples and gives us a guiding purpose for our life and ministry.  Church leaders, pastors, and followers of Jesus... remember: they will know you are Christians by your love.  Read more at https://TransformingMission.org/podcast.

In this episode, explore the meaning and message of the word hope. Words that Matter is a mini-series about important words to Jesus followers. This episode focuses on hope in the context of the Old and New Testaments. Find scripture references and show notes at: https://transformingmission.org/251

Words that Matter is a series on words that are important to followers of Jesus. This week, the focus is on the word disciple. Before you listen, ask yourself, are you a disciple of Jesus, and what are the characteristics of disciples? The answer may surprise you. The words in this series are words that followers of Jesus sometimes miss, mess up, misunderstand, or are essential to the life of Jesus. Each episode focuses on one word as we explore what scripture and the context of scripture have to offer. In previous episodes, we've covered the words believe and evangelism. https://transformingmission.org/podcast

The good news of Jesus Christ is the topic of Episode 249. This second week our word that matters is evangelism - an often misunderstood and misused word. Meaning of Evangelism When used as a noun, evangelism means good message or good news. We call this good message or news the gospel or the good news of Jesus. When the word is used as a verb, to evangelize, it means spreading or announcing the good news. So, evangelism or evangelizing describes the spreading of the gospel or the good news of Jesus Christ. What Evangelism is Not Now that you know what evangelism is, tune in and hear what evangelism is not as we explore common misconceptions about evangelism. Then explore two ways to evangelize the gospel. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each have a perspective to offer on evangelism as well. Look to common scripture references from each gospel account to learn another dimension of evangelism. Specifically, we’ll look at Mark 1, John 14 & 20, Luke 1, Luke 2, and Luke 4 as well as Matthew 28:16-20 Other Epis

What do we mean when we say, "I believe..." As Christian leaders, someone has likely asked, "Is it simply an intellectual affirmation or a response with your whole life?" In this series, we're exploring words that matter. The series starts with the word belief. Look at the gospels and Christian tradition to understand and remember what is meant by the word believe. Find hope in Jesus and remember what it means to be a Christian leader who guides others to believe in Jesus. Specifically, explore the following texts: John 14:5-9 Matthew 28:16-20 Mark 1:21-27

Listening to God is an intentional choice. In this episode, explore how Mary and Martha responded to Jesus differently. As we look to Luke 10:38-42, we read that Mary chose the better part. What does this mean for Christ-centered leaders? Listen to hear at least four choices Mary made in choosing the better part. Learn more at https://transformingmission.org/podcast You're looking for episode 247

What happens when we listen to God attentively? As we pray and search the scriptures, we listen for at least three things. Christ-centered leaders listen for who God is. Scripture is God's story. It's a story of God's love for us and for all creation. The narrative arc of scripture moves us from creation to the fall to redemption and finally restoration. At each juncture, we learn more about who God is and the love of God we know in Jesus. In scripture, we listen to God to reveal who we are in relationship with Christ. We are formed and transformed by encountering Christ’s love for us. An often quoted scripture comes from John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son…” This is an invitation to respond to God's love by loving others, as God has loved us. As we listen to God and respond to God's goodness and grace, we’re being shaped in the image of Jesus. When we listen to God, we respond with love. When we listen to God, we respond with generosity. When we listen to God, we respond with grat

Listen. It’s NOT about you. Listening to others is about what they need and want. In this episode, explore four different listening styles and their application. The people talking with you aren’t cookie cutters. Your default listening style may not be the most helpful in some circumstances. But, imagine listening to someone vent their frustrations and all they really wanted from you was a listening ear. Instead, you try to “fix” the situation. Or, imagine you’re sharing a new idea for information purposes only - and someone starts to critique what’s only a half-formed thought. Again, this approach is not helpful. Listen to Episode 245 to explore the four listening styles and when each style can be helpful and harmful in ministry.

Are you listening to the people around you? Sometimes, the people we love the most and care for us the most can get ignored the most. As you listen to Episode 244, hear the story of a famous individual's journey. He missed more than one opportunity to listen to the people around him. He not only failed to take their advice, he failed to hear their guidance even as he claimed to be responding to God. Vincent Van Gogh is known as a famous artist today. But, that's not the whole story of his life. Listen and learn from one who needed a reminder to listen to the people around you.

Listening at the deepest level involves understanding and utilizing the three levels of listening. Explore the three levels of listening, and their application in a Christian context, and explore how leaders can offer hope to people by listening at the deepest level. Explore more on the podcast page at https://transformingmission.org/podcast. Click on Episode 243

The continual decline in people’s ability, capacity, and desire to listen to one another prompted this mini-series. Listening is an essential skill for Christ-centered leaders. We hope this series will help you tend to the important leadership skill - listening. Learn more at https://transformingmission.org/podcast Look for Episode 242

Explore 7 reasons people are not listening to you. Consider how your relationships intersect with your listening skills. Finally, be reminded that when leaders don't listen, they're not just failing the people they're leading, they're failing God. Learn more at https://transformingmission.org/podcast 

Read Genesis 1: 10-13 Reflect Listen to the podcast episode above. Respond Oh, God do it again. Remind me of your love that will never let me go and of you grace that abounds in every situation and circumstance. Remind me again of your goodness found in the lives of the people I encounter today. Through each of them, make more the person you created me to be so that I can bring you joy and goodness. Do it again, God. Do it again. In the name of Jesus. Amen Return Where did you experience joy today with whom did you experience joy today? In what situations did you find yourself saying, do it again? God, do it again. Give God thanks for the people and the joy that you experienced today. Listen to other Devotions in this series.  Listen to Episode 234 – Hope in the Ordinary – For the Birds Listen to Episode 235 – Hope in the Ordinary – Notifications Listen to Episode 236 – Hope in the Ordinary – Freudenfrede Listen to Episode 237 – Hope in the Ordinary – Acceptance and Love Listen to Episode 238 – Hope in th

Hope in the Ordinary This series of devotions are meant to serve as a simple reminder of God's presence in the ordinary moment of everyday life. This is the sixth devotion in the series. Throughout the summer, we'll share a devotion each week to remind you of God's presence and the power of hope. Every week, you'll find the scripture, prayer, and reflection question on the website along with links to other devotions. Read Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20 Reflect Listen to the devotion above. Respond Gracious God, thank you for the people who

Hope in the Ordinary This series of devotions are meant to serve as a simple reminder of God's presence in the ordinary moment of everyday life. This is the fifth devotion in the series. Throughout the summer, we'll share a devotion each week to remind you of God's presence and the power of hope. Every week, you'll find the scripture, prayer, and reflection question on the website along with links to other devotions. Read Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about (take account of) these things. - Philippians 4:8  Reflect Listen to the devotion above. Respond Gracious God, thank you for the people who are examples of faith and integrity. I am grateful I get to experience your presence in and through their ordinary acts of love. By your grace, help me be more the person you have created me to be. Make me, not only an in

In the fourth week of this series, this devotion focuses on love and acceptance. Read We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3  Reflect Listen to the devotion above. Respond Gracious God, thank you for the experience of your every day and ordinary acts of love. I am grateful for the way you reach out and accept me through the people around me. Help me to see you more clearly so that I may be shaped more into the person you have created me to be. Fill me with so much love that the people around me will experience your love and acceptance through me. In gratitude for your love that never lets me go, I offer myself to you and to the people entrusted to my care. Amen  Return In whom did I experience God’s love today? To whom did I extend God’s love today? Give God thanks for the people you experienced today.  Listen to E