In Episode 319 of the Transforming Mission podcast titled 'Weeds and Seeds of Ministry, Part Two,' the hosts dive into the concept of 'weeds' that can hinder ministry effectiveness, such as overwhelm, fear, and isolation, and how 'seeds' can serve as solutions to these issues. The episode emphasizes the importance of identifying and managing these …

Episode 318 starts a new series on the podcast, 'The Weeds and Seeds of Ministry.' Join us to look at things that get in the way of ministry effectiveness and things that fuel missional impact. This episode draws from biblical parables regarding seeds. Using the analogy of weeds and seeds, let’s explore the challenges (weeds) and solutions/response…

Episode 317, 'Resurrection Choices', explores the theme of resurrection as a metaphor for leadership and personal growth. In this Easter season episode, the hosts discuss how the concept of resurrection symbolizes the possibility of new life and hope emerging from failure and setbacks. They introduce a three-step process inspired by Brene Brown's w…

Episode 316 of Transforming Mission’s podcast, titled 'A Week of Choices,' guides listeners through a scriptural journey for each day of Holy Week. Starting with Monday before Easter and culminating on Easter Sunday, the episode features daily scripture readings from the Gospel of John, accompanied by thoughtful prayers. These readings and prayers …

In episode 315 of the Transforming Mission podcast, we look at Mark 11, focusing on the anticipation of Palm Sunday, the nuances of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, and the journey through Lent toward Holy Week. Unlike the other gospels, Mark's account omits certain details, such as the triumphal nature of the entry and the presence of palm branches, o…

We’re looking at John 12 and the broader narrative of John's Gospel to explore the theme of discipleship and the invitation to follow Jesus. The initial invitation 'come and see' was extended to the first Jewish disciples in John 1. Now, in John 12 the same invitation is extended to Greek-speaking would-be disciples. As the disciples examine Jesus'…

Episode 313, 'Perceptions that Shape your Choices,' explores the critical role of choice in Christ-centered leadership, especially during the Lenten season. The hosts, Sara and Tim, discuss how leadership is more than a position of power; it's a series of deliberate choices that reflect one’s character and influence. When you examine John 3:14-21 t…

In this episode, Sara and Tim discuss John 12:13-22 where Jesus overturns tables in the temple. They interpret it as a call for transformation, highlighting the choice presented: either adhering to the institutional trappings of religion or opening oneself to the movement of God. The hosts invite listeners to reflect on the influence of the church,…

During Lent, we're looking at the choices presented to us as leaders. The choice this week comes in the form of love. Look at 'cost of discipleship' and the choice to embrace the cost of love. Tim and Sara discuss a passage from Mark's Gospel, which conveys Jesus anticipating His death and resurrection. They focus on the concept of 'cost,' which is…

In episode 310 of the Transforming Missions podcast, Tim and Sara explore the journey of Lent, beginning with the Gospel passage for Sunday, Mark 1:9-15. The discussion focuses on the theme of choices that Jesus makes in the wilderness and the relevance for today's Christian leaders. The temptation to go for expediency and quick solutions versus ta…

Do you know what makes you amazing? Join us to focus on your strengths and unique abilities as we explore the idea of embracing one's uniqueness and living out our purpose, using examples and scripture references along the way. Do you know your CliftonStrengths and how they empower and animate your ministry? We'd love to partner with you and your l…

Explore the concept of integrity and integration in the church and its impact on the world. How does living out one's faith in everyday life point to integrity? What does loving God and neighbors have to do with leading with integrity? Join us for this conversation and reflect on the importance of integrity in transforming lives and communities. Li…

In this episode, we look at 3 ways to stay focused on our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ to transform the world. The mission serves as the guideline for making decisions and spurring people to action. On examining Matthew 28:16-20, we see a refocus on our primary task, that is, to create disciples who will further make disciples. We disc…

Can you use ChatGPT in ministry? Yes, you can. You'll hear a variety of ways in which you can effectively utilize ChatGPT, including generating sermon topics, formulating questions, testing the clarity of your communication, drafting social media posts, planning, summarizing sermons, generating sermon titles, creating templates, and getting a start…

We're kicking off the new year with the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of ministry. Explore what AI is and how it's already integrated into our everyday lives. Look at the implications for the future, especially in ministry. Finally, reflect on a discussion about potential ethical concerns, the impact on personal privacy, and …

In this final episode of the year, contemplate the birth of Jesus from a new perspective. Join us to reflect on the basic message of the Gospel of Luke Chapter 2, focusing on the involvement of shepherds and women to underscore God's message of inclusivity. The main theme of the episode is 'seeing', an act marked by awareness and recognition rather…

In episode 303 of the podcast, Tim and Sara discuss rethinking the birth of Jesus, using Marcus Borg's phrase 'seeing Jesus again for the first time' as a jumping-off point. They explore the story of the annunciation to Mary, the power of the Incarnation, and Mary's reaction to the news she received from the angel Gabriel as a testament to encounte…

In Episode 302 of the podcast, hosts Sara and Tim explore the theme 'Rethinking Your Focus', in the context of Advent. During this conversation, you’ll be encouraged to shift your focus from your personal experiences and desires to the teachings and actions of Jesus. Scriptural references, particularly to the self-giving life of John the Baptist, u…

In episode 301 of the Transforming Missions podcast, Tim and Sara dive into the second episode of their series, Rethinking Advent. They explore the concept of Advent as a time of conscious preparation and invitation into a deeper, spiritual experience of Christmas. Using the metaphor of a journey across a bridge, they emphasize the necessity of slo…

The 300th episode of Transforming Mission's podcast offers an in-depth exploration of the Advent season, focusing on the original intent of Advent as a time of waiting and preparing for not just the birth of Jesus, but also the second coming of Jesus. Tim and Sara, discuss the concept of hope and hurt, and how both realities intermingle during the …

Four Marks of A Missional Church emphasizes the transformation from traditional views of the church to a dynamic, relational, and missional understanding. It challenges leaders to rethink church as an active, loving community, deeply embedded in everyday life and relationships, partnering with Jesus in a mission of love and hope. Read more & listen…

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…

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 powe…

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 tr…

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 cult…

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://transf…

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…

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 G…

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 a…

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 …

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 chal…

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 crafti…

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 …

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 p…

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!Tim Bias and Sara Thomas による

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 podca…

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,…

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 …

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 …

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 severa…

In episode 279, explore how HOPE comes to life in two very different ways, hear the origin of HOPE, and explore how your strengths - individually and as a congregation - can inform how you go about offering HOPE. If you’re thinking, didn’t they say last week was the final episode about HOPE? You are correct. But, we realized that having separated t…

The fourth episode of the miniseries, Habits of HOPE, explores how engagement models HOPE and guides people to become more like Jesus. The “E” in HOPE stands for Engagement. Engaging in acts of justice and service is about embodying the love of God we know in Jesus. Service takes us outside the church walls to be with others in ministry. Whether it…

In the third episode of the miniseries, Habits of HOPE, explore the place the spiritual disciplines have in making disciples of Jesus Christ. As Christian leaders, there are at least three things we confuse we disciple-making. Listen in and reflect on how information, busyness, and disconnection are counter to forming and growing as disciples of Je…

Explore the second aspect of disciple-making, Offering Christ. We offer Christ when we invite people to make a commitment to Jesus. Sometimes this happens in public professions of faith like baptism. At other times, it's a simple rhythm of life as a follower of Jesus. As you grow and deepen your relationship with Christ, new ways emerge to deepen y…

Explore the four essential aspects of disciple-making across the next four episodes. Hear stories and illustrations from individual, congregational, and circuit perspectives to help you live into our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. This week, we start with hospitality. Hear how welcoming others in th…

When all seems lost, what do you do? When darkness surrounds your life, where do you turn? Look to Mary, Martha, Lazarus, the disciples and Jesus to explore Holy Week Hope. Walk away with practical suggestions for leading through darkness and despair. Explore three aspects of cultivating hope, and be reminded that following Jesus is the way to hope…

Explore the power of empathy, by looking at John 9, the story of the man born blind. Look to the role shame played in this man's life experience and how as leaders we can create an environment where empathy fuels connection. Listen to other episodes in this series at https://transformingmission.org/podcast…

The woman at the well sets the scene for several questions. The one we raise comes from the cultural context of the day, “What’s wrong with this picture? What’s wrong with the picture? When we fail to view the scripture from God’s perspective and instead read into the scripture debates from our current cultural context. As we’ll come to see, Jesus …

This series, “Leading Through Lent” invites you to breathe in God’s goodness and the realities of life and ministry as we look at the scriptures of the season through the lens of leadership. We begin by exploring what the “spiritual perfectionists” remind us in leadership. Learn more at https://transformingmission.org/podcast…