Transforming Mission Leadercast With Tim Bias & Sara Thomas

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. 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 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. - Romans 12:15 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:4 Reflect Listen to the above podcast. Respond Lord Jesus, you rejoice with us when we rejoice and mourn with us when we mourn. Thank you for allowing me to find joy in the success o

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. 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 1 Corinthians 13 (MSG): If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. 2 If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing. 3-7 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what i

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. 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 "Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds." - Matthew 6:26 (MSG) Reflect Listen to the above podcast. Respond Creator God, thank you for the birds, the dirt, the bees, and all other flying and crawling things that remind us of the wonder of your creation. Open my eyes and ears this day to the sights and sounds of your creation. Then, remind me that I, too, am your creation. Amen. Return  At the end of the day, return to this question:  How did God’s creation remind you that you are one of God’s beloved? Give God thanks for the or

Are Christian fellowship and Christian conferencing the same or different things? Explore why the words fellowship and conferencing, which have come to mean very different things, are actually pointing to one of the essential means of grace for United Methodists. Christian Conferencing as a Means of Grace But first, a question: Who has impacted your life and leadership the most? For most of us, it’s teachers, mentors, or coaches. People we’ve been in relationships with over a period of time. People who care deeply about us, about our well-being, growth, and becoming who God created us to be. Why that question? In this series, we’ve explored searching the scriptures, prayer, Holy Communion and fasting. This episode on Christian conferencing concludes the series. As we conclude the series, we end with the means of grace that is focused on faith-forming relationships. As you continue to read and listen to Episode 233, you’ll notice we use Christian conferencing and fellowship interchangeably. Christian Fellowshi

What's the most unfashionable spiritual practice today? If you said fasting, you’d be in good company. It’s the means of grace that many people have difficulty practicing.  One of the many reasons we find fasting difficult is the consumeristic culture we live in. We live in a world with short attention spans, and normalized consumption of social media, news, and anything on our mobile devices. Additionally, consumerism shows up in the instant gratification of goods and services. Abundance These examples point to fasting being counter-cultural in a world that is often surrounded by abundance. As a result, it’s possible to say, many of us are guilty of gluttony. Biblical Basis for Fasting In the Old Testament, fasting is done for primarily one reason: repentance for unfaithfulness. Sometimes it was individuals that fasted because of God’s judgment and at other times it was individuals (2 Sam 12:13-16, Nehemiah 9:1-2) Unfaithfulness isn’t the only reason for fasting in the Old Testament. Sometimes leaders would

This week as we focus on the sacrament of Holy Communion as a means of grace. You already know that the sacrament of Holy Communion is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. It’s a sign of God’s love for us. It’s a moment to be formed into the imago Dei.  Like the previous means of grace we’ve explored, Holy Communion is about a relationship with the living God we know in Jesus. It’s an opportunity to encounter God’s love, experience forgiveness, and be shaped into the person God is inviting us to be.   Wesley reminded us Holy Communion is “the grand channel whereby the grace of his Spirit was conveyed to the souls of all the children of God” (Sermon 26: Upon our Lord's Sermon on the Mount") As a means of grace, the “duty of constant communion” can bring objections from some. You’ve likely heard something like “if we celebrate Holy Communion too frequently, it will lose its power as being special.” Holy Communion: An Encounter with Grace What if instead, the opportunity to encounter God

“All that increases our awareness of God is prayer.” -Rueben Job Prayer is an invitation simply to be with God and to be in God's presence. That's all the hope we need, isn't it? While you may think, “I know all I need to know about prayer,” today Tim and Sara offer a few reminders in the form of stories about what it means to engage in prayer as a means of grace.  As you continue your journey to become more like God and embody God's love, prayer is an essential component of being faithful. Prayer is a way to encounter God's love and model living in God's ways. Additionally, prayer is a way we are in a relationship with Jesus. As Christ center leaders, we have the same responsibility to model for others how to encounter God's grace and to be formed in Christ through the means of grace. A reminder of all the prayers at your fingertips: Psalms Lord's prayer Serenity prayer Written/journaling prayer Intercessory prayer Prayers of adoration  Prayers of confession The Book of Common Prayer Sentence Prayer Popcorn

Today, we’re exploring what it means to “search the scripture” as a means of grace.  When we search the scripture, we do so to encounter God. We can encounter God in prayer, in creation, in worship, in community, and yes, in the scripture. Encountering God in scripture is one of the primary means of grace.  Encountering God As you consider the means of grace and encountering God in scripture, questions emerge. In other words, when we search the scripture, we explore the text. Searching the scripture opens you to the context and nuances of the Bible. Most of all, it points you to the image of God. Searching the scripture helps us to see that each dialogue, prose, or poem invites us to encounter God in different ways.    Searching the Scripture Here are a few questions to explore as you search the scriptures. This is not a linear checklist. Instead, these are questions to ask as you seek to encounter God and live as one of God’s beloved: What is this passage saying about God? What is the scripture saying about

The means of grace are wonderful ways to encounter God and grow in your relationship with Jesus. Sometimes, however, we confuse the means with the end. Join us this week to explore a few misunderstandings around the means of grace.    The means of grace are opportunities to grow in our understanding and experience of God’s love. It’s all too easy to think that reading the scriptures, prayer, or Holy Communion is the point. The love of God we know in Jesus is the point.    Let’s allow John Wesley to speak to us again.    In Wesley’s message,  Sermon 16: The Means of Grace, he writes:   “But in process of time, when the love of many waxed cold, some began to mistake the means for the end, and to place religion rather in doing those outward works, than in a heart renewed after the image of God. They forgot that “the end of” every “commandment is love, out of a pure heart,” with “faith unfeigned;” the loving the Lord their God with all their heart, and their neighbour as themselves; and the being purified from pr

Today we’re setting the stage for a series on “Hope and the Means of Grace.” There is a two-fold purpose for this series. First, to encourage you as Christ-centered leaders to tend to your faith formation. Second, to revisit the means of grace as a source of hope.  In each episode, we’ll explore one big idea as well as answer two questions: What’s the leadership message? Where is hope? This week, we begin with an introduction to the means of grace. The question, “How do you tell the difference between giving and receiving grace?” reminds us of why the means of grace are vital to Jesus followers. Along the way, we explore the meaning of grace in scripture and turn to John Wesley for his understanding of the means of grace.  The Means of Grace John Wesley had a clear view of the means of grace. He noted, “By ‘means of grace’ I understand outward signs, words, or actions ordained of God, and appointed for this end – to be the ordinary channels whereby he might convey to men preventing, justifying, and sanctifyin

Where are you standing right now?  No. I don’t mean literally. I’m referring to your leadership.  It’s Easter! Christ is Risen! And I trust you experienced the joy, wonder, and power of the resurrection in worship on Sunday.  The question is, where are you standing with your leadership? Are you standing on the Monday side of Easter or the Friday side of Easter? While that may seem like a silly question to ask right after we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday, it’s the reality of many leaders. Many try to lead without hope.  Some try to lead without the power of the risen Lord guiding the way. And still others dwell in the darkness and disappointment we experience in the garden and at the cross.  We are Easter people!  If you didn’t say Amen as you read that, how about we try again?  We are Easter people! Amen! And Amen! As Christ-centered leaders, you and I are a part of a movement that makes all of us Easter people. The question is, are you leading with the power of the resurrection as yo

As this episode drops, it’s Holy Week. Jesus followers are making the journey from the triumphal entry into Jerusalem to the table, the cross, and ultimately the empty tomb.  It’s a busy week for many.  But love doesn’t know the boundaries of busyness. Love doesn’t know the confines of a worship service or church building.  The sacrificial love of Jesus we are reminded of this week broke every boundary we can imagine.  That’s the way of Jesus. What was intended as punishment, unleashed a movement. What was offered in love, continues to transform lives. Explore how the outstretched arms of God’s embracing love on the cross remind you to lead with love. Episode 225 is a reminder for Christ-centered leaders of the transformative power of God’s love The sacrificial love of Jesus, the outstretched arms of God’s embracing love, is a reminder you are empowered to love. The cross is never the last word.  As you journey to the table, sit at the cross, wait in the silence of Saturday, and celebrate the joy of the resur

Are you like Simon Peter? Specifically, are you like Simon Peter when you are facing the unknown? While Jesus called Peter a rock, when the pivotal moments in Jesus’ ministry were unfolding, Simon Peter was less than courageous.    Peter denied Jesus. Peter denied knowing Jesus. Peter denied having been with Jesus.   When you find yourself with your feet to the fire, do you stand in your integrity regardless of the outcome? Or, do you fall victim to the peer pressure that is around you?   If you’re honest, the answer is likely, “It depends.” We all want to stand firm in our faith. We all want to stand with Jesus. But sometimes our humanity gets in the way and we fall short of embodying faithfulness…especially when facing the unknown.   While you could ridicule Peter for his obvious missteps, at the end of the day, Peter reminds us of our humanity. Peter calls us to be faithful followers of Jesus even when it is difficult.   Join Tim and Sara as they explore facing the unknown with Peter. Walk away with remind

Confession is good for the soul. Explore the practice of confession from two different perspectives as you continue your Lenten journey.  As leaders, there will be moments you mess up. The question is, will you own up to the mess up or seek to cover it up? Your character, specifically your Christian character, is being exposed at this moment. There are moments as humans, we all fall short or miss the mark. “If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9)  Consider how honesty and transparency might shape your leadership in these moments.  The Psalmist also reminds us  “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven . . . When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long . . . Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin” (Psalm 32:1–5). This scripture helps us consider why we practice

If there is no self-denial there is no following Jesus. While at first glance that may seem like a bold statement, think of it instead as a countercultural statement. After all, Jesus’ invitation reminds us, “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23.  In a world where personal preferences can often take center stage, the topic of self-denial is often overlooked or ignored. In this episode, Tim and Sara have a conversation about self-denial, explore how it’s more than “giving something up for Lent” and end with love being the primary motivation for self-denial.  We’ll explore how the means of grace keep us focused on Jesus. Self-denial is less about you and more about living into who God created you to be.  Throughout the episode we look at several scriptures, including the following: These things were my assets, but I wrote them off as a loss for the sake of Christ. But even beyond that, I consider everything a loss in comparison with the su

Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32 (MSG) Forgive others as Christ has forgiven you. (Eph 4:32) We have all experienced anger, bitterness, and perhaps even vengeance. Forgiveness brings peace, hope, gratitude, and joy. Sometimes these feelings come from situations where we were done wrong or have wronged someone and have desired forgiveness. Whether it is a constant critic in your life, a colleague sabotaging projects, or trauma you’ve experienced, forgiveness is a part of our walk with Christ. In this episode, Tim and Sara explore how forgiveness releases its hold on you and helps free you from the control of the person who hurt you. Forgiveness can even lead to feelings of understanding, empathy, and compassion for the one who hurt you. We’ll look at Luke 15 and Matthew 18:15-22 to explore the meaning and practice of forgiveness. And, yes, we’ll even

Lent is upon us. This week we’ll speak and hear the words, “remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” as the sign of the cross is placed on foreheads. The journey of Lent is a time of repentance, fasting, and preparation for the coming of Easter.   We’ve planned a series of podcasts for Lent that will help you approach lent with hope. As you participate in self-examination and reflection this Lent, the podcast will help you explore a different theme each week. We begin this week with the theme of repentance. Biblical Meaning of Repentance In the Old Testament, there are two words used for repentance. They both mean to turn around or return. You can see it often in phrases like “to turn to the Lord with all your heart.”  In the New Testament, there is one word. It is the Greek word metanoia, which literally means “to change the mind.”  Repentance fundamentally means to change your mind or change your perspective or change the way you are thinking. You’ve been thinking one way, but now you think

God has gifted you in a unique way. That means your strengths bring hope to life differently than your spouse, your colleague, and even your friends.  Today we’re exploring how leaders create hope in different ways. Specifically, how your strengths show up and create hope for different people in different ways.  In this episode, Tim and Sara use two CliftonStrengths to explore how leading with hope may look different for different people. It’s an opportunity for you, as a leader, to remember and claim the ways God has gifted you and to celebrate the ways that you share hope with the world.  Listen to Episode 218 It’s no secret that many people are weary. One of the ways we can remind ourselves and one another of the faithfulness of God is to pause and celebrate the giftedness of others. To recognize how the people you lead are a blessing to others because of the way God’s gifted them.  One final reminder: don’t just recognize your strengths. Put them to use in your leadership to be intentional about creating

A leader’s relationship with hope begins with your relationship with Jesus. If we’re resurrection people, and we are, our relationship with Jesus will guide all of our relationships. Today, we want to focus on why communicating with hope is a leadership imperative. We’ll explore a speech from Martin Luther King Jr that you’ve likely heard, or at least heard quoted, and how we almost missed experiencing hope. Then we’ll look at recent research around communication and leadership from Gallup.  All to help us explore why communicating with hope is a leadership imperative. Share Hope It's a leader's responsibility to communicate with hope. The late Dr. Shane Lopez worked extensively with Gallup on the subject of hope said it best, "Hope matters. Hope is a choice. Hope can be learned. Hope can be shared with others." Inspiring hope is a leadership imperative and is becoming more important all the time. Perhaps that's why Jackson told Dr. King to talk about his dream. People needed hope. Those words offer listeners