Leading Second Podcast

This is the first installment of a series that we will be periodically doing called, 'I Am With You.' Where we sit down and have a conversation with a lead pastor and of their key team members. A couple of weeks ago, we had a live meet-up with Pastor Chris Durso and Ralph Castillo from Saints Church in New York. Chris has been planted at his father’s church for many years and was the youth and young adult pastor before being handed the role of the lead pastor, in January of this year. Talk about a crazy time to jump into the role of lead pastor. Ralph and Chris grew up together and have been doing ministry together for years, so their connection runs deep, as you will see as our conversation unfolds. They discuss the challenges that their relationship brings, but also the blessing that it's been for them. This episode is a fun glimpse into an incredible relationship of mutual honor and respect. This was a live meet-up, so on top of the questions that I had planned for Chris and Ralph, people who were tuned in and watching got to submit questions that they wanted to be answered by Chris and Ralph. There were some fantastic questions asked and we tried to get to as many of them as we could during our conversation. Be sure to join us for future meet-ups on our Leading Second Collective on Facebook, so you can join in and ask questions!

Join us as we have a conversation with truly life-saving potential for leaders of any capacity and people from any walk of life. We have John Morgan talking with us about identifying and guarding against division. John has been in ministry for more than three decades now, serving in many different roles. He is a coach, a strategist, and a communicator who lives to see the local church healthy and thriving. He works with leaders all over and personally helped shape the way that I thought when it comes to leading from the second chair. Today, division can come in so many forms in our lives. It can be found in churches, in marriages, in friendships, in work. This topic covers so many bases, but when we actively work against division and towards honor, we can see all of these areas in our lives healthy and thriving. John introduces and takes us through the honor slide, which goes from honor to familiarity, to contempt, to dishonor, and finally leads to division. But he then talks us through reversing that slide and bringing us back to honor. Please do not listen to this episode alone. Or if you do, send it to somebody so you can discuss it together afterward. This is such a needed conversation today.

For this episode, I have a conversation with our great friend Joshua Bingle. He is the Pastor of Genesis Church in Spokane, WA, and has such a brilliant mind. We talk all about the necessity of a Biblical Worldview (especially for those of us in Church leadership), postmodern thought, and digging wells. So many of the big conversations our culture is having this year really stem from the ecosystem of worldview. As young leaders, we can be tempted to jump on every trendy and popular train of thought that comes our way or looks good from a graphic on Instagram. But how often right now are we stopping to consider the gospel’s place in our worldview conversations? This is one area where those of us in leadership cannot afford to be trendy or popular. The well that we draw from matters. It is so important to have a deep well in Christ and draw the foundation for our thoughts from there. Unity is paramount in this season. Resources referenced in this episode are: Cynical Theories by Helen Pluckrose and James Lindsay Neil Shenvi’s Apologetics Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill Born After Midnight by A.W. Tozer Resilient Faith by Gerald Sittser

There is a question I've been asking myself this summer. What does the message of authority sound like now, to a world that is increasingly "anti-authority?" Join me and our guest, Nicole Smithee, on this episode of the podcast as we wrestle with this complex question. Nicole is a friend of Leading Second who has joined us on the podcast before. In case you missed the last time she was with us, Nicole is on the team at Liberty Church in New York, which has campuses globally. She also co-founded an organization that is doing great things called Iridescent Women. In this conversation, here are a couple of questions that we cover: Why does living under authority matter to you? Where do you see this conversation going wrong in culture today? Do you find it a challenge to embrace the attitudes and thinking of a Kingdom, for those of us who live in a democracy? How has submitting to and honoring authority worked out in your life?

We are back to Season Three of the Leading Second podcast!! It is our honor to lead this tribe of UNCOMMON leaders. In this season, we believe that UNCOMMON leaders have never been so essential. We're picking back up with a conversation about the differences in Rebuilding vs. Reopening. It is a conversation for teams, not just individuals. So share this episode and don't listen alone. A bit has happened since our last episode, so we start things off with a little hello, share a few announcements, and some thoughts we had during our break. But if you want to jump right into the episode, it starts at 10:25. Are you just reopening, or are you rebuilding? With all of the challenges that churches are facing today, how you answer that question could determine a lot about how effective your ministry is right now. The lens that you choose to look through could be making a difference in your ministry and church. So join me today as we talk through five observations that I have from the book of Ezra. I hope and pray that these help you frame this season correctly and bring strength to you and your teams! We'd love to have you join in and continue this conversation at the Leading Second Collective on Facebook.

We sit down with Julian Lowe to have a crucial conversation. Joined by some of our favorite Leading Second leaders, we ask Julian for wisdom in a pivotal time in history. He gives us his perspective on race relations in the church and how to navigate supporting our pastor through this season. SUBSCRIBE COMMENT LIKE & SHARE We want you in our tribe! Stay connected to all Leading Second has to offer: Podcast: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/leadi…d1352176626?mt=2 Website: leadingsecond.com Instagram: instagram.com/leadingsecond Connect with Brandon Stewart Facebook: facebook.com/brandonmstewart Instagram: instagram.com/brandonmstewart Twitter: twitter.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 best leadership opportunity you'll ever have is leading the person you see in the mirror. To make this dream a reality you'll have to get in the leadership gym. While it's tempting to want everything to go "back to normal", we shouldn't try to leave this season prematurely. In difficult times our faith is forced out in the open and shows its true colors. What if this is exactly where God wants to do his work and lead you into a personal revival? SUBSCRIBE COMMENT LIKE & SHARE We want you in our tribe! Stay connected to all Leading Second has to offer: Podcast: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/leadi…d1352176626?mt=2 Website: leadingsecond.com Instagram: instagram.com/leadingsecond Connect with Brandon Stewart Facebook: facebook.com/brandonmstewart Instagram: instagram.com/brandonmstewart Twitter: twitter.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.

When job descriptions change and routines are flipped upside down, what do pastors expect from their team? This week we sit down with Pastor Kevin during the COVID-19 pandemic to see things from the pastor's perspective, as we continue our series on how to have a personal revival. During what may be the biggest transition in our lifetime, Pastor Kevin gives us the lead pastor perspective. SUBSCRIBE COMMENT LIKE & SHARE We want you in our tribe! Stay connected to all Leading Second has to offer: Podcast: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/leadi…d1352176626?mt=2 Website: leadingsecond.com Instagram: instagram.com/leadingsecond Connect with Brandon Stewart Facebook: facebook.com/brandonmstewart Instagram: instagram.com/brandonmstewart Twitter: twitter.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.

We're back! After a brief hiatus, the Leading Second is back for several weeks with some fresh content and perspective for all of us leading in this very critical time. There's no doubt in our minds that this season has been very recalibrating for all of us as leaders. We've put together several episodes that we pray will speak into your soul as a leader as we move forward into all that God has next for His Church! Welcome back to Season Three of the Leading Second Podcast. In that spirit, today's episode is the beginning of a series we're calling How to Have a Personal Revival. We all want to see God do something significant in our churches in this season. We're believing for nothing short of revival in the local church as a result of our current crisis. In today's episode, Brandon offers us a simple challenge - revival starts with me! He offers a strong and compelling perspective on this season we believe will speak to you and challenge you in your daily life. SUBSCRIBE COMMENT LIKE & SHARE We want you in our tribe! Stay connected to all Leading Second has to offer: Podcast: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/leadi…d1352176626?mt=2 Website: leadingsecond.com Instagram: instagram.com/leadingsecond Connect with Brandon Stewart Facebook: facebook.com/brandonmstewart Instagram: instagram.com/brandonmstewart Twitter: twitter.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 week, we had an online meet-up and incredible conversation with Larry Brey from Elevation Church. He is undoubtedly one of the best second chair leaders in the world, and it is our absolute honor every time we get a chance to have his voice in our tribe. He brings so much wisdom and timely advice in our current climate. We couldn’t let this conversation just be a one time deal, so we’re releasing it on the podcast this week. That means that we can all go back and listen again, or get some notes that we missed if you were with us for the meet-up. There was so much to take away from this conversation, so get ready to take notes and prepare your heart. This is a conversation that will impact you greatly right now if you allow it. SUBSCRIBE COMMENT LIKE & SHARE We want you in our tribe! Stay connected to all Leading Second has to offer: Podcast: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/leadi…d1352176626?mt=2 Website: leadingsecond.com Instagram: instagram.com/leadingsecond Connect with Brandon Stewart Facebook: facebook.com/brandonmstewart Instagram: instagram.com/brandonmstewart Twitter: twitter.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.

How blessed are we to lead in a season like never before for our generation? We are truly in the local church’s greatest hour, despite the rampant fear, anxiety, and confusion that swirls around us, and quite possibly within us. Isaac Newton was faced with a similar situation in 1665 - and while sitting in his garden at home, an apple fell from a tree. The rest was history. Have you asked yourself the question of what good could come of this season? Of this situation? Not only for the church but for yourself. Point blank: Our pastors need us more than ever before - but what do they need exactly? Remember, first and foremost, we are all in this together! Join us for a bold locker room episode as Brandon Stewart shares with us a short guide on how to lead in these unprecedented times.

Have you ever been on an airplane? If you have, you’ve experienced functional leadership. The flight attendants have authority over you from the second that you step on that airplane. It doesn’t matter how smart you are, how much money you make, or even if you may know more about airplanes than the flight attendants. None of that matters. The flight attendants have been given authority over you for that flight, even though the pilot (or the airline) is the one who is ultimately responsible. In ministry, we will often be tasked with being submitted to a person who has functional authority over us, and we’ll likely have functional authority over somebody as well. How do we handle that tension in a healthy way? Join us for this week’s episode, as we sit down with Brandon and Lindsay Stewart, Kris Seibold, and Joshua Bingle to continue the conversation on the tension of authority vs submission. Head over to our digital magazine for some monthly questions on this tension. https://www.leadingsecond.com/post/authority-vs-submission-discussion-questions SUBSCRIBE COMMENT LIKE & SHARE We want you in our tribe! Stay connected to all Leading Second has to offer: Podcast Website Instagram Connect with Brandon Stewart: Facebook Instagram Twitter 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.

Am I a leader or a follower? Do I take charge or do I sit back? Do I forge a new path or do I make a u-turn? If you are leading from the middle, the answer to all of these questions is yes. Yes, you lead. Yes, you follow. Yes, there are times where you are expected to take charge. Yes, there are times when you need to sit back. A lot of times, the answer is even yes, to both questions at the same time! This is the tension that we face of being in a place of authority vs. being in a place of submission. Leading from the middle will require you to live in both worlds frequently and be able to switch between both with ease. As we introduce this topic that we will be exploring all month long, our prayer is that God will use this topic to bring health to teams in the areas of authority and submission. Head over to our digital magazine for some monthly questions on this tension. https://www.leadingsecond.com/post/authority-vs-submission-discussion-questions

We're joined by Lindsay Stewart and Pastor Joshua Bingle for a discussion in a new panel format. When leading from the middle, we encounter numerous tensions that we are forced to navigate. However, just because tension exists doesn't mean that there's a problem. Let's learn how to manage tensions well. Discuss these questions with your team: 1. What is the greatest tension you are currently experiencing in your leadership journey? 2. Can you imagine God doing something good through this tension? Write down what you are believing God to do in your life through this situation. 3. The next time you experience this tension, what truth do you want to remember? Write down a verse that speaks truth over your situation, and put it somewhere memorable.

When you are leading from the middle, you will often experience tension. We’re not talking about disagreements with your leader or another team member. When we say tensions, we’re referring to the pressures we face as leaders in the second chair. There is a tension of being in charge, but also having somebody in charge of you. There is a tension in making sure you’re doing the right thing in a given situation. There is a tension in boundaries. When you lead in the second chair, you WILL face tensions. This season, we're going to explore the tensions common to leading from the middle. Our prayer is that you will navigate these tensions well, and that Jesus will play a beautiful song through your life. Show Credits: Host and Creator: Brandon Stewart Producer: Hayden Boyd Audio Editing: Clarke Burton Video Editing: Clarke Burton, Dion Wiebe Creative: Yellowbox Creative SUBSCRIBE COMMENT LIKE & SHARE We want you in our tribe! Stay connected to all Leading Second has to offer: Podcast: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/leadi…d1352176626?mt=2 Website: leadingsecond.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqchbxE4DF6HJzeYmr72OoQ Instagram: instagram.com/leadingsecond Facebook: Leading Second Forum www.facebook.com/groups/1763432817304646 Connect with Brandon Stewart Facebook: facebook.com/brandonmstewart Instagram: instagram.com/brandonmstewart Twitter: twitter.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.