Leading Second Podcast

We are back with our second episode of this fall season, and it has felt great to get back in the groove of things. Before we dive into this week’s conversation, we had a great listener question come in this week from Matt Bowden at Zeal Church in Nashville, Tennessee. It sheds some light on church hurt. If that is something you’ve experienced or are currently experiencing, I want to encourage you to know the difference between playing hurt and playing injured. You don’t want to skip this question and answer. Well, our guest this week is no stranger at all in this space. He has been such a strong voice in this season, and honestly, I just never get tired of talking to him. My good friend Joshua Bingle, Pastor of Genesis Church in Spokane, WA, is back with us! The big question that we try to tackle today is how to disagree well. It isn’t a sexy topic, but this is such a needed conversation today. We’ve forgotten how to argue, and we have developed an inability to confront because ideas and people have become woven together. So we are going to talk about: How to separate ideas from people The difference between arguing and quarreling Talking to non-believers vs. believers Moralizing and demonizing Josh is brilliant in this conversation, and I know you will walk away with a perspective shift after this episode. Run strong this week, Brandon After the episode: What area of how you disagree with others hit home for you? How do you separate people from the ideas that they may hold?

Leading Second tribe!! Summer break is over, and we are back for the second half of season four, releasing new episodes every Thursday this fall. Well, if you haven’t gotten enough of Team Church Conference over the past 24 hours, we are kicking things off in a big way! We are joined by a panel of Executive Pastors and Campus Pastors that all came out to Team Church conference this August, and I had the pleasure of sitting down with them in the lobby for a conversation. We want to switch some episodes up this fall, and this is one of them, where the panel is actually going to ask me some questions that they have about leading in this season. My guests today are from some great churches all over the country. I’m joined today by Matt Kysor from Centerpoint Church in Chillicothe, OH, Kaisa Freeman from The Well Church in Salt Lake City, UT, Andrew Shaw from Velocity Church in Lawrence, KS, Emily Hanks from Christian Life Church in Murfreesboro, TN, and Josiah Beougher from Storyside Church in Belleville, OH. We kick things off just by going around the table and talking takeaways from Team Church Conference. Then we get into some questions: As second chair leaders, what do we need to instill in the next generation in order to pass the baton well? How do we preserve unity and stay in alignment with our lead pastors? We starts with me, so what are some of the characteristics or habits that a second chair leader needs for this next season? In supporting our lead pastors, how do we honor where we’ve been and support them best in where we’re going? How do we create a sense of urgency in our church and for our teams to run fast, and at the same time, ensure that our lead pastors are healthy and can run the race for a long time? This was such a fun episode to kick things back off with, and I hope you enjoyed it and had some things you took away from this conversation. I pray that it helps you run strong, Brandon Resources Mentioned: Team Church Conference - www.teamchurchconference.com Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman

I’m joined for this conversation by Pastor Jabin Chavez. If you’ve been in the church world for very long, I’m sure you’re familiar with him, but for years Jabin has been serving churches all over the country. He is probably best known as a worship pastor and gifted communicator. Still, my favorite thing about Jabin, as I’ve gotten to know him over the years, is his heart for the local church. He’s also served as a youth and young adult pastor, an intern director, creative director, and even as a janitor! Anything he can do to serve, he’s all in. In 2018, he and his wife Shanen took on a new challenge… they launched City Light Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. It has been a thriving young church, but they haven’t been immune to the challenges that 2020 brought all of us. I loved getting to talk through some of those with him, but there are specific values that we shouldn’t let slip away and things that we need to fight for. In saying that, our big question this week is, “In our desire to move church forward, what are the things that we need to get back to?” Some of the other questions that we cover in our conversation are: What are your thoughts on people leaving? What can people do that would be meaningful and valuable in holding their pastor’s arms up? What are some values that are important for our churches today? What is your biggest prayer for the local church today? I love any opportunity that I get to sit down with a lead pastor and hear things from their perspective, so I pray that this gives you some insight into a pastor’s mind in this season and helps remind you of some of the foundational pieces we need as leaders. Run strong for the Kingdom, Brandon After the episode: Are there areas in your life that you’ve maybe let slip a little and you need to get back to? How is your prayer life right now? Are you praying for your teams? Your pastors? Your church? SUBSCRIBE COMMENT LIKE & SHARE We want you in our tribe! Stay connected to all Leading Second has to offer: Website: leadingsecond.com Instagram: instagram.com/leadingsecond Connect with Brandon Stewart Facebook: facebook.com/brandonmstewart Instagram: instagram.com/brandonmstewart Leading Second is an extension of the Team Church tribe. For more information on Team Church Conference and One Day events, check out teamchurchconference.com or search Team Church on Facebook.

20 years. June 3rd marks 20 years since my first Sunday as a youth pastor in Minnesota, and that came just days after graduating from ministry school. 3 1/2 years there, 10 years on staff at my home church, and then launching Leading Second while serving both my home church and the “big C” church. In all this time, I’ve picked up a couple lessons along the way that I think can impact your life and your ministry, so I wanted to take the time to share some of those. If you and I sat down for a coffee to talk about what I’ve learned in 20 years, these are many of the thoughts I would share. I believe there is something in here for everybody. I talk about individual growth, teams, and family. So I hope you enjoy this and find something in this episode that you can apply to your own life. Thank you to everybody that has given me wisdom, encouraged me, and walked with me through any, or all, of these 20 years. Brandon SUBSCRIBE COMMENT LIKE & SHARE We want you in our tribe! Stay connected to all Leading Second has to offer: Website: leadingsecond.com Instagram: instagram.com/leadingsecond Connect with Brandon Stewart Facebook: facebook.com/brandonmstewart Instagram: instagram.com/brandonmstewart Leading Second is an extension of the Team Church tribe. For more information on Team Church Conference and One Day events, check out teamchurchconference.com or search Team Church on Facebook.

Anna Morgan is always such a treat to have any time she comes on the podcast! She is a constant and continual learner, she has such a great heart for the church and leaders, and I just count it as such a privilege to have her and her husband in our world. If you’re not familiar, Anna is on the executive team at City Church Chicago, is married to our friend John Morgan (if you haven’t listened to his most recent episode with us this past fall, it is worth your time to go back and listen to), and she champions women in ministry so well in many different ways. The one big question that we will try to answer in this conversation is, “How should I carry myself as a leader?” In Ephesians 4, the Apostle Paul tells us to “live a life worthy of the calling we have received.” If we are to lead others toward maturity, shouldn’t we be setting the example for that? And if we are, what does that even look like? At a time where it is more and more popular to view self as authority, it’s getting easier to forget that we are to submit ourselves to Christ in everything we do? We tackle these topics of authority, being authentic, and submission, but also get into some of these questions: Are you concerned with some of the conduct that you are currently seeing? What are you seeing from church leaders currently on social media that is concerning you? How important are seasons of prep? What have you observed from people (leaders especially) who create posts and online content that ends up showing a gap between themselves and their pastor? I hope and pray that this episode leaves an impact on you and leaves you wanting to put some extra thought into how you conduct yourself as a leader. Run strong this week, Brandon Resources: https://firmisrael.org https://israelu.org Ruth Haley Barton Pete Scazzero Leading From The Second Chair by Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson After the episode: How can you carry yourself differently this week as a leader? How can you live a life worthy of the calling you have received? How clean is your car? “Should my church have a say about what I post online?” SUBSCRIBE COMMENT LIKE & SHARE We want you in our tribe! Stay connected to all Leading Second has to offer: Website: leadingsecond.com Instagram: instagram.com/leadingsecond Connect with Brandon Stewart Facebook: facebook.com/brandonmstewart Instagram: instagram.com/brandonmstewart Leading Second is an extension of the Team Church tribe. For more information on Team Church Conference and One Day events, check-out teamchurchconference.com or search Team Church on Facebook.

The big question we’re going to wrestle through on this episode is this: What could healthy team culture look like moving forward? In a season where it seems like everything has changed, some things remain constant - and the need for healthy team culture is undoubtedly at the top of that list. Today we’re going to talk to a team I highly respect in so many ways — the Life.Church team, under the leadership of Craig Groeschel has grown to be one of the most influential churches in the world. But what I appreciate so much is WHY they have gained influence. Their approach to ministry, commitment to health, and generous heart have won them my respect. We have two segments for you today with this team, and I’m so excited for you to hear from them… Part 1 is with Kyle Kutter. Kyle is the Central Group Leader of Digital Technology. If you are familiar with Open Network, Church Online Platform, Church Metrics, or Develop.me, Kyle has had his hands on them all (also, if you’re not familiar with them, I cannot recommend all of these enough). Here is some of what we talk about: Talk to us a bit about Open Network and your church’s heart to resource the “big C” church. What do you see about the church that is recalibrating right now? From a church that has pioneered digital gatherings for churches, is there still a place for physical gatherings? What lessons should we take with us coming out of this season? What about the local church has given you hope? For the second part of our episode today, we focus on their team culture and what makes their team so special. Both members of part two have been at Life.Church for over 10 years and that kind of longevity cannot be bought or shortcut to. Rachel Ricker is the Central Group Ministry Leader for Host Team. Sam Marin is the campus pastor for Edmond, OK, which is the broadcast location. Here’s where our conversation leads us: What do you feel is most special about your house and the culture of it? And what do you hope people remember about your church? What is so special about the culture of your team? What is the difference in carrying culture at a broadcast location vs. a remote location? What do you tell yourself when feedback is coming your way? What does being a culture carrier mean to you? Is there a time where you got it wrong with being a culture carrier? I was so excited to get a chance to sit down with this group of leaders from one of the most influential churches globally and have also had such a profound impact on my own life. Run Strong this week, Brandon After the episode: Evaluate how you carry the culture of your own church. How can you better carry it to your teams? SUBSCRIBE COMMENT LIKE & SHARE We want you in our tribe! Stay connected to all Leading Second has to offer: Website: leadingsecond.com Instagram: instagram.com/leadingsecond Connect with Brandon Stewart Facebook: facebook.com/brandonmstewart Instagram: instagram.com/brandonmstewart Leading Second is an extension of the Team Church tribe. For more information on Team Church Conference and One Day events, check-out teamchurchconference.com or search Team Church on Facebook.

This episode has literally been years in the making. I am so excited to have Pastor Lee Wilson finally join us on the podcast! I can honestly say that Lee has been one of the most significant ministry influences in my life. He came and consulted at the very first youth ministry that I had the opportunity to lead in Minnesota and preached at a winter camp with us (fun story in the episode about that). His fingerprints are all over Leading Second. I have always loved his voice on the platform, wisdom off the platform, and intentionality with which he lives his life. Lee has served in plenty of roles in his years in ministry, including as a lead pastor, but is currently serving as Youth and Executive Pastor at Abundant Life in Syracuse, NY. We kick off this conversation with Lee by chatting about a book he has coming out very soon called “Map Your Life.” It’s a joy to hear his heart behind this upcoming book, which is for this generation to define their God-given purpose. If we are going to run this race and run it to win, we need to have discipline and intentionality be a big part of who we are. Lee says that if you become a better person, you become a better leader. So our big question this episode with Lee is, “What can an intentional, disciplined life as a leader look like?” Some of the questions that we cover in this conversation are: Do you struggle with discipline? If so, how do you regain it when you lose it? What role has a discipline played in leading you into a life of true contentment and peace? What is the greatest habit or discipline you currently have working in your life? Where do you start in mapping out your life? What is the greatest lesson you have learned in leading second? Please do not miss the last 7 or 8 mins of this conversation. Lee speaks to the heart of Leading Second and talks about accepting that as a calling on people’s lives. It was such a joy to have Lee Wilson on this episode with me! I hope this helps you get some structure to the disciplines of your life and lead with more intentionality. Run strong this week, Brandon Resources From The Episode: https://leewilson.life @leewisonlife on IG After The Episode: What discipline can you incorporate into your life and ministry this year? SUBSCRIBE COMMENT LIKE & SHARE We want you in our tribe! Stay connected to all Leading Second has to offer: Website: leadingsecond.com Instagram: instagram.com/leadingsecond Connect with Brandon Stewart Facebook: facebook.com/brandonmstewart Instagram: instagram.com/brandonmstewart Leading Second is an extension of the Team Church tribe. For more information on Team Church Conference and One Day events, check-out teamchurchconference.com or search Team Church on Facebook.

Well, in our last episode, we had a question come in from Taylor Persello, and this week she joins her pastor, Joshua Bingle, for our conversation! He is the pastor of Genesis Church in Spokane, Washington, and is no stranger at all to this space. I love the way he thinks, and he is always one of the first places I go to bounce ideas off. Taylor is a member of the team at Genesis and is involved in so much behind the scenes here with Leading Second, from creating content to helping us stay organized. We are so blessed to have these two incredible people in our tribe. The main question we want to ask them today is this: What impact does my personal health have on my relationship with my pastor? In almost all of our relationships, in church or otherwise, we WILL experience hurts and offenses. When that happens, there’s likely a secret contract or unspoken expectation that is at the root of it. This idea of secret contracts is something that Josh and Taylor introduced to me and has shifted how I think about so many relationships. So I wanted them to unpack that here for all of us. A couple of the questions that we cover in this episode are: What is a secret contract, and where do they come from? How do we know if we’re holding someone to a contract they didn’t know about? What are some examples of secret contracts? We end things off by talking about what healthy contracts look like. I pray that this episode shifts some hearts and reaches people who can get a hold of this idea because I believe it can be so powerful if recognized. Brandon After the episode: What are some secret contracts that you hold others to? Are there any that you need to rethink or rewrite? SUBSCRIBE COMMENT LIKE & SHARE We want you in our tribe! Stay connected to all Leading Second has to offer: Website: leadingsecond.com Instagram: instagram.com/leadingsecond Connect with Brandon Stewart Facebook: facebook.com/brandonmstewart Instagram: instagram.com/brandonmstewart Leading Second is an extension of the Team Church tribe. For more information on Team Church Conference and One Day events, check-out teamchurchconference.com or search Team Church on Facebook.

Back for the first time this season, we have another installment of a series that we do periodically called ‘I Am With You.’ We sit down and have a conversation with a lead pastor and one of their key team members. Before we even get into that, we had a great question come in from a listener and member of the Leading Second team that I really enjoyed. Taylor Persello asked, “How do you lend the credibility of your pastor, to people that you lead or influence, without abusing his name or using the pastor card?” If you lead from the middle, I know that you have dealt with this. It was a great question that led us to an even bigger question, so don’t miss that part of the episode. Well, this week, we have the privilege of hosting Pastor Marcus Mecum and Even Cromer from Seven Hills Church in Florence, Kentucky. Marcus is one of my oldest and first friends in ministry. I first got to know him back when I was a youth pastor, and he actually was as well at the time! And Even has been on staff at Seven Hills for six years now and is currently the business pastor. This church has something so unique in their culture about developing leaders, so that is our big question or idea this week and what I hoped to draw out of them. What does a good target look like for developing leaders? Some of the questions that we discuss in this episode are: How do you develop leaders in the church right now? How do you identify future or potential leaders? If you started over today, what is one thing that you would do? What are some top qualities of prospective leaders? There are so many practical steps that we can take from this conversation and start implementing them into our teams and processes. Let’s focus on elevating the right people to places of influence in our churches. Run strong this week, Brandon After The Episode: Who did you meet this week? How are you going to take that family and progress them into the life of your church? One family at a time. SUBSCRIBE COMMENT LIKE & SHARE We want you in our tribe! Stay connected to all Leading Second has to offer: Website: leadingsecond.com Instagram: instagram.com/leadingsecond Connect with Brandon Stewart Facebook: facebook.com/brandonmstewart Instagram: instagram.com/brandonmstewart Leading Second is an extension of the Team Church tribe. For more information on Team Church Conference and One Day events, check out teamchurchconference.com or search Team Church on Facebook.

Hey, it’s Brandon. We’re interrupting our regularly scheduled programming to bring you a more personal episode today. I want to take a second and thank all of you who have reached out to check in on us or encourage us in any way. It has been such a blessing to be surrounded by an incredible community and so many great friends. We pulled an audible this week, and Lindsay and I just sat down and talked through what we’ve been going through these past couple of weeks. It has been some of the most trying times in our lives. There have been plenty of moments of doubt, fear, disappointment, but God has seen us through every step of the way. Through this whole process so far, we clung to having our foundation in our faith and the importance of community. Those two things have been so important to us. Knowing that no matter what happens, God will provide, and God is there for us. We’ve been driven to the feet of Jesus. And we can’t say enough about the support that we’ve had from the people around us. We would not want to walk through this alone. In walking through this, we wanted to show the other side of what people typically see on social media, or anywhere else we share about our lives. Beyond the filters, beyond the highlights, beyond the perfect lighting and staged poses, people have real lives. These lives can be messy and complicated. Just because you don’t have the experience you see of others while scrolling through Instagram, don’t look down on yourself or think less of your own situation. People see the perfect baby photo. We’ve wanted to show the NICU pictures. The captions about what we’re struggling with. Lindsay and I hope that this episode is just encouraging to you. Whatever you may be walking through right now or in the future, lean into that foundation of faith. Embrace the community around you and if you don’t feel like you have one, reach out. You’ve found a community in Leading Second. Run strong this week, Brandon and Lindsay SUBSCRIBE COMMENT LIKE & SHARE We want you in our tribe! Stay connected to all Leading Second has to offer: Website: leadingsecond.com Instagram: instagram.com/leadingsecond Connect with Brandon Stewart Facebook: facebook.com/brandonmstewart Instagram: instagram.com/brandonmstewart Leading Second is an extension of the Team Church tribe. For more information on Team Church Conference and One Day events, check-out teamchurchconference.com or search Team Church on Facebook.