Unseen Leadership

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Latest Episodes:

Unseen Leadership Episode 84: William Vanderbloemen on Unleashing The Habits Of Exceptional Leaders Nov 08, 2023

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership Podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Dan Iten are joined by William Vanerbloemen, CEO and Founder of the Vanderbloemen Search Group, to discuss the topic of leadership and his latest book, “Be the Unicorn: 12 Data-Driven Habits That Separate the Best Leaders from the Rest.” Vanderbloemen shares insights from his research on exceptional leaders and their common habits, aiming to provide people with a guide to becoming exceptional leaders themselves. The interview also delves into Vanderbloemen’s diverse background and experiences, including his time as a pastor and starting his own firm.

QUOTES FROM EPISODE 84

“God called us to be fishers of men, not keepers of an aquarium.” – Lyle E. Schaller

“The leadership that I had to learn when I was a pastor might be more important now than ever because I had to learn how to get people to follow when they didn’t have to.” – William Vanderbloemen

“Until you learn your own weaknesses, you won’t ever be able to help anybody else.” – William Vanderbloemen

“If you’re thinking of making a change, the best transitions I’ve seen are when you sense completion where you are and then a step towards something good that’s coming. Don’t just step away from your job with nothing in hand. If you’ve completed what you were called to do and you’re headed towards something new, there’s a higher likelihood that you’re walking in step with the rhythm that you need to.” – William Vanderbloemen

“Particularly in 18-35-year-olds, they get a job offer and then they counter. Obviously, if they’re not paying you fairly, then you can have that conversation. But there are so many times I see people in that age range counteroffer and shoot themselves in the foot. Even if they land the job and get the counter, they’re starting workday one with the label of that the guy knows everything. I think the longer, slower, more successful play is to prove yourself, and you’ll never have to ask for a raise.” – William Vanderbloemen

I think particularly if you’re a new leader where you’re serving some people that are older than you, go ask them to tell you about the best days of this company or the best days of this church. You can learn so much by learning the history of where you’ve been.” – William Vanderbloemen

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Be the Unicorn: 12 Data-Driven Habits that Separate the Best Leaders from the Rest by William Vanderbloemen

Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

Wisdom from Lyle E. Schaller: The Elder Statesman of Church Leadership by Lyle E. Schaller and Warren Bird

Unseen Leadership Episode 83: Garrett Kell on Leadership, Revitalizing Churches, and Stewarding Influence Nov 01, 2023

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership Podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Dan Iten are joined by Garrett Kell, who serves as the Lead Pastor of Del Ray Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. During this podcast, he discusses his leadership journey and his role in revitalizing Del Ray Baptist Church. Garrett also shares insights into being a leader guided by God, the importance of relationships, and the use of social media to share the gospel in a relatable way. He also discusses his experiences in various leadership roles before and after becoming a Christian, emphasizing the value of stewarding influence and pointing people toward Jesus. Kell provides insights into church revitalization, focusing on the need for intentional change, preaching the Word, and prayer.

QUOTES FROM EPISODE 83

“Be led by God before you lead others. Whatever area of influence God has placed you in, He’s put you there to be faithful with whatever is entrusted. But it’s always in the context of relationships. So whether you’re a pastor or a plumber, whether you’re a politician or whatever it is that you do, you should seek to be led by God so that as you’re influencing others, you’re influencing them toward Him, and not away from Him.” – Garrett Kell

“In one sense, whether you’re planting a church or revitalizing being a part of revitalization, you’re pastoring. And the question is, do you want to make your own mess or clean up someone else’s mess?” – Garrett Kell

“Be careful with your words and seek to serve people, not use them as props.” – Garrett Kell

“Disconnect from social media regularly to minimize distractions and be present in the moment.” – Garrett Kell

“Part of being a pastor is being willing to be led by the Word and let God do the work, even when it’s uncomfortable.” – Garrett Kell

“I think serving and ministering out of a place of passion is important. Don’t try to replicate something everybody else does.” – Garrett Kell

The safest people for me love me and care about me. They want me to love God, love my family, and make it to heaven, and they are not impressed with me.” – Garrett Kell

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

A Time to Mourn: Grieving the Loss of Those Whose Eternities Were Uncertain by Will Dobbie

A Call to Prayer by J.C. Ryle

Overcoming Apathy: Gospel Hope for Those Who Struggle to Care by Uche Anizor

You’re Not Crazy: Gospel Sanity for Weary Churches by Ray Ortlund, Sam Alberry, and Russell Moore

Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith by Michael Reeves

No Greater Love; A Biblical Vision for Friendship by Rebecca McLaughlin

Our Daily Bread App

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Unseen Leadership Episode 82: Spence Shelton on Blending Humility and Courage in Leadership Oct 04, 2023

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership Podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Dan Iten are joined by Spence Shelton, the lead pastor of Mercy Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Shelton discusses the challenges and mistakes he has made as a church planter and shares valuable insights and advice for leaders in the church and ministry context. He emphasizes the importance of humility, courage, and listening to others in leadership, drawing on his background in the business world to inform his approach to ministry.

QUOTES FROM EPISODE 82

“Working in the marketplace really helped me to not only know the experience but also think well through the programming of our church and how are we equipping the saints for ministry where they are.” – Spence Shelton

“There is a level of professionalism that I want to bring to our ministry, but not for the sake of looking polished. Rather, I want them to feel like they can trust their church and there’s a level of professionalism that communicates trust.” – Spence Shelton

“Find a relationship where there’s somebody who’s got some experience and let them call out what they see God doing in your life.” – Spence Shelton

“One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to learn in my leadership as well as my character development is having to take my hands off of more and more things and trust the people that God has called into leading alongside me and under my leadership.” – Spence Shelton

“Your job is to equip the saints for ministry and if you try and control the saints instead of equip them, that vision is never going to become a reality.” – Spence Shelton

If I don’t keep my fingers off what my staff is doing, they’re going to feel like they’re being micromanaged, and they can’t lead. Plus, young leaders can’t be developed if old leaders are gripping their ministry.” – Spence Shelton

“Empower your people, equip them, and release them for ministry. Don’t try and micromanage them and control them.” – Spence Shelton

“A little bit of experience is way worse than no experience. A little bit of experience is way more dangerous than no experience.” – Spence Shelton

“Be willing to fail because if you don’t, you’re not going to risk anything. People need vision and vision is a risk so be willing to fail. But, in all things, have humility.” – Spence Shelton

“If you have humility, then you will take courageous risks that will be surrounded by wisdom because you’ll be listening to others and everything else.” – Spence Shelton

The biggest misconception I had about leadership was that my ideas would be enough. If I just had good ideas, that’d be enough. Now, ideas are important. Vision is important. But relationships matter. You will not get far just on an idea. Especially in ministry, you’re not going to get far as a leader unless you’re a servant leader.” – Spence Shelton

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

The Emotionally Healthy Leader: How Transforming Your Inner Life Will Deeply Transform Your Church, Team, and the World by Peter Scazzero

The Reformed Pastor: The Duties and Methods of Labors for the Souls of Men by Richard Baxter

The Art of War by Sun Tzu

The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution by Carl R. Trueman

Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry by Paul David Tripp

The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups by Daniel Coyle

Unseen Leadership Episode 81: Mark Gauthier on Experiencing God’s Call to Leadership and Making a Global Impact Sep 27, 2023

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership Podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Dan Iten are joined by Mark Gauthier, the Vice President of Cru, and Director of its U.S. operations. They discuss the mission and vision of Cru as a worldwide Christian ministry and Gauthier shares how Cru focuses on leadership and personal growth, encouraging young leaders to step out in faith and trust in God’s provision. He also touches on his own experiences and pivotal moments in his life, highlighting upcoming opportunities for Cru at the World Cup in 2026 and the Open Window Partnership in the Middle East.

QUOTES FROM EPISODE 81

“Readiness is important. Yes, we want to keep developing our skills, but I don’t think it’s ever a prerequisite for leadership.” – Mark Gauthier

“God isn’t necessarily asking you to take a job for the rest of your life. Just take the next right step.” – Mark Gauthier

“Our leadership, wherever we are contributing, comes from within, and we lead out of who we are. I think the most significant person you must lead is yourself.” – Mark Gauthier

“Sometimes the best indicator that you’re doing the right thing is that it’s going to cause your faith to grow.” – Mark Gauthier

“There are 8 billion people in the world and every one of us is made uniquely in the image of God. That means that He knows that we all have a specific way that we connect with Him, and we’re not all the same.” – Mark Gauthier

“Note-taking is a form of me just expressing humility in that I want to learn.” – Mark Gauthier

“Ask for feedback, it’s so important. It’s easy for our confidence to outstrip our character.” – Mark Gauthier

“Leadership is going to be a walk of faith. Give yourself grace. Give yourself patience. God has got you, and He’s going to give you what you need when you need it.” – Mark Gauthier

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew and John and Elizabeth Sherrill

The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz by Erik Larson

Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

Life Without Lack: Living in the Fullness of Psalm 23 by Dallas Willard

Jesus Film Project

Unseen Leadership Episode 80: Josh King on Developing Leadership in an Established Church Sep 20, 2023

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership Podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Dan Iten are joined by Josh King, Lead pastor of Second Baptist in Conway, Arkansas. In the episode, Josh discusses his journey in ministry, starting at the age of 18, and emphasizes the importance of investing in established churches and valuing their resources and legacy. He highlights the need for young leaders to prepare themselves for leadership roles by immersing themselves in the environments and practices of their desired positions and learning from experienced leaders. Through his own experiences and mentorship, Josh encourages young leaders to recognize and affirm the callings of others, empowering them to step into their leadership roles with confidence.

QUOTES FROM EPISODE 80

“When you see a calling within somebody and in their life, call it out. Giving that confidence to somebody is huge and affirming.” – Josh King

“There is a big difference between saying someone is ready for ministry and simply telling them they are called.” – Josh King

“Don’t wait until you have the job. Start learning now by hanging out with people who are actively doing what you want to do and pick it up as you can.” – Josh King

“A shift for me was not being bitter about not being the trendy, cool, leader with all these special giftings, but instead, just embracing whom God created me to be.” – Josh King

“We can be so tempted to get go ahead and get to a decision, but things like struggling with a committee, or struggling with some deacons or some lay leaders, there’s discipleship in that.” – Josh King

“If you can see the beauty in the minutia and in the journey, I would have learned quicker to bring my eyes down a little bit and to see the now, not just the next.” – Josh King

“We love leadership so much, yet over and over Scripture puts a greater emphasis on following in that, great leaders are actually just great followers. And God gives a following to those who are great followers.” – Josh King

“If you worry more about following Christ and about submitting to the godly leaders in your life, the leadership will come later. That’s how you get developed.” – Josh King

“God is not going to hold you responsible for the mess that you found. He’s just holding you responsible for what you do in it.” – Josh King

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

The God Who Goes Before You: Pastoral Leadership as Christ-Centered Followership by Timothy Paul Jones and Michael S. Wilder

Shepherd Leadership: Wisdom for Leaders from Psalm 23 by Blaine McCormick and David Davenport

Unseen Leadership Episode 79: Vance Pitman on Authentic Leadership in Church Planting Sep 13, 2023

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership Podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Dan Iten are joined by Vance Pitman, President of the Send Network, and former pastor of Hope Church in Las Vegas. This episode explores the theme of leadership in the context of church planting and ministry. Pitman shares his insights and experiences, emphasizing the importance of succession and focusing on the kingdom of God rather than personal success. He also discusses his journey as a church planter in Las Vegas and the unique challenges and opportunities he has faced in ministering to a non-Christian population.

QUOTES FROM EPISODE 79

“Jesus focused more on succession than He did on success. And I think that’s an issue in the church and American leadership in America. Today, we focus on success without even thinking about succession. Jesus was just the opposite. If you look at His public ministry, it was not even successful. 120 people after three and a half years wouldn’t get him any book deal or invitation to speak at any conference, but that 120 became 120,000 because He focused on succession knowing it was bigger than just His life. I think that’s something we got to get focused towards.” – Vance Pitman

“The church is just a temporary tool established by Jesus for the expansion of the kingdom. The real end game is the kingdom of God around the throne of Jesus for every tribe, tongue, people, and nation.” – Vance Pitman

“The primary call on my life is not to do something for Jesus, the primary call of my life is to be with Jesus. And everything Jesus wants to do through my life, He’ll do out of the overflow of what He’s doing in my life.” – Vance Pitman

“The greatest thing you bring to your role as a leader is your personal intimate relationship with Jesus because everything that He wants to do through you as a leader, He’ll do in you. The key to learning about being a leader is before I can be a leader, I must be a devoted follower. The key to my success as a leader is the devotion that I pursue Christ with as a devoted follower. And as a follower of Jesus, He then begins to lead through us in ways that we would never dream possible.” – Vance Pitman

“As much as you schedule appointments, as much as you schedule time with the family as much as you schedule time to sleep at night, you have to build rest and whitespace or margin into your calendar.” – Vance Pitman

“We will never, never grow healthy churches with unhealthy leaders.” – Lance Witt

“We have neglected the fact that a pastor’s greatest leadership tool is a healthy soul.” – Lance Witt

“I think one of the reasons that the church in North America is struggling today is because we have spiritually unhealthy leadership. When you look at the kingdom of God, globally, there are only two continents in the world where Christianity is declining. One of them is North America, and North America has the most resources, the most buildings, the most budget, the most staff the most degrees, and the most education the most. Why are we not seeing the kingdom expand? I think it’s directly related to the spiritual health of those who are leading.” – Vance Pitman

“Starting a church service is not planting a church. Biblical missiology is that planting a church starts with the city. You engage that city with the gospel, you make disciples, and churches are born as a byproduct.” – Vance Pitman

“Leadership is lonely, but it cannot be done alone. Leadership demands that we bring other people to the table to lead alongside us.” – Vance Pitman

“You cannot lead what you do not live long term. You can fake it in the short run. Authenticity in leadership is important and if you’re not living it, you won’t be able to lead it over the long haul. – Vance Pitman

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Replenish: Leading from a Healthy Soul by Lance Witt

Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane Ortlund

The Stressless Life: Experiencing the Unshakable Presence of God’s Indescribable Peace by Vance Pitman

Unseen Leadership Episode 78: Tod Bolsinger on Adaptive Leadership and Building Trust Sep 06, 2023

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership Podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Dan Iten are joined by Tod Bolsinger, who is a speaker, executive coach, former pastor, and author who serves as associate professor of leadership formation and senior fellow for the De Pree Center for Leadership at Fuller Seminary. In this episode, Bolsinger discusses his background in leadership roles, including his experience in pastoral ministry and the pivotal moment that changed his approach to leadership. They also discuss the importance of adaptive leadership and building trust with followers, while also prioritizing the mission of organizations over personal recognition and success. This episode provides insights into Bolsinger’s leadership journey and his approach to leading in a rapidly changing world.

QUOTES FROM EPISODE 78

“You need trust for transformation, but trust is not true transformation. You being a highly trusted leader doesn’t mean anybody’s being changed. As a matter of fact, sometimes it means they will let you be the proxy for their formation and what you must learn is how to figure out how to invest that trust in calling people toward genuine transformation. That’s what adaptive leadership is.” – Tod Bolsinger

“The most important thing about our fruitfulness is that we are faithful to our mission. So obviously, the mission always wins. It’s the mission, not the pastor, not the congregants, not the people the path the voices of the past, not the people. It’s the mission.” – Tod Bolsinger

“The hardest thing for me today is owning that the group is smarter than I am. But I’m not here to impress anybody. I’m here to express what God wants to do.” – Tod Bolsinger

When you’re experiencing conflict, what so many try to do is stop the conflict when what we need to do is learn from the conflict.” – Tod Bolsinger

“The most soul-sucking thing for most leaders is not the challenges of the world, it’s the resistance of your own people in your own congregation. It’s your own team.” – Tod Bolsinger

“Leaders are formed in the leading. So, if you’re having a challenge right now, it’s not that you messed up, missed a class, or didn’t read a book. This is normal. It’s normal for you because you became a leader right after you were good at something that was not leading.” – Tod Bolsinger

“You become a leader in the crisis of leadership and the crucible of leadership. You must develop honest, vulnerable self-reflection. If you are only defending yourself, you will never be able to be open enough to the shaping that God wants to do in your life.” – Tod Bolsinger

“A leader asking for loyalty is a sign of dysfunction almost every time.” – Tod Bolsinger

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Tempered Resilience: How Leaders Are Formed in the Crucible of Change by Tod Bolsinger

Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory by Tod Bolsinger

Thriving through Ministry Conflict: A Parable on How Resistance Can Be Your Ally by James P. Osterhaus, Joseph M. Jurkowski, and Todd A. Hahn

Unseen Leadership Episode 77: Shane Pruitt on Calling Out Future Ministry Leaders Aug 30, 2023

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership Podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Dan Iten are joined by Shane Pruitt, the national Next Gen director for the North American Mission Board. This episode discusses the importance of calling out future ministry leaders while highlighting the need for current leaders to focus on and mentor the next generation of leaders. Pruitt also shares his personal journey from a lost young man to a successful ministry leader and emphasizes the significance of guiding and mobilizing young adults and college students with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

QUOTES FROM EPISODE 77

“I think we as current leaders have stopped on a large scale asking a whole generation to consider if God’s calling them the ministry leadership.” – Shane Pruitt

“A lot of times God will affirm that inside affirmation from outside affirmation from others.” – Shane Pruitt

“Ministry calling is not something that you have to chase in a sense, it will chase you down. If God is calling you, He will give you opportunities to exercise that whatever that is.” – Shane Pruitt

“Lead from the overflow of your own worship of King Jesus and lead from the overflow of your own proximity with the Holy Spirit.” – Shane Pruitt

“The bride of Christ is beautiful, no matter what size. Sometimes there are large churches because they’re faithful to the gospel. And then there are some churches that are normative, or what others may consider smaller, and they’re faithful to the gospel. They’re being salt and light in their community.” – Shane Pruitt

“Our identity should not be wrapped up in results or in pleasing people but being obedient to LORD all the way to the end.” – Shane Pruitt

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Calling Out the Called: Discipling Those Called to Ministry Leadership by Shane Pruitt

Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer by J. Oswald Sanders

Billy Graham: The Man I Knew by Greg Laurie

Unseen Leadership Episode 76: Ben Stuart on Following God’s Lead Rather Than Seeking The Spotlight Aug 23, 2023

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership Podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Dan Iten are joined by Ben Stuart, the pastor of Passion City Church in Washington, DC. Ben shares his leadership journey and the different roles he has held in ministry, including his experience as a youth pastor and his current position at Passion City Church. He emphasizes the importance of consistent leadership, and the impact leaders have on those around them. Ben also shares insights on student leadership at Texas A&M University and the value of serving and following God’s leading rather than seeking the spotlight.

QUOTES FROM EPISODE 76

“Don’t chase the spotlight. Don’t chase the mic. Chase the Lord. And He’s going to lead you where you need to go. You keep learning, you keep growing, you keep serving, and He’s going to elevate you.” – Ben Stuart

“What seems like a great moment of failure might be a step into your biggest victory.” – Ben Stuart

“Sometimes God is going to make you sit on something for a long time to sharpen your vision of it.” – Ben Stuart

“Just be faithful to the reveal that’s in front of you. Don’t try to play chess with your life. Sometimes you just must be faithful to what’s in front of you.” – Ben Stuart

“Don’t hurry up and grab a thing, position, or title to validate your existence. That’s such an unhealthy dangerous place to be. The older I get, the more grateful I am that God hid me from any spotlights and surrounded me with good mentors.” – Ben Stuart

“You really need to make sure that you trust someone’s character and that you have chemistry with another person before you put them in a position of leadership because your job as a leader is to protect the culture. Of course, you want one that’s filled with grace and truth, humility, and a commitment to the Word of God. So, you’ve got to be careful whom you hand the mantle of leadership to.” – Ben Stuart

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

1776 by David McCullough

Passion 2024

The Master Plan of Evangelism by Dr. Robert E. Coleman and Billy Graham

Unseen Leadership Episode 75: David Platt on the Importance of Intimacy with God Aug 16, 2023

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership Podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Dan Iten are joined by David Platt, who is the Lead Pastor at McLean Bible Church and founder of Radical, who discusses his journey in ministry and the importance of intimacy with God. He emphasizes prioritizing a biblical gospel over an American one that values comfort, power, and politics. Platt’s new book, “Don’t Hold Back: Leaving Behind the American Gospel to Follow Jesus Fully,” explores topics such as unity in the church, justice with the gospel, and the beauty of a multi-ethnic bride of Christ. Platt also shares a pivotal moment in his personal life where his wife’s wake-up call led him to embrace spiritual disciplines such as meditation, prayer, fasting, exercise, and sleep.

QUOTES FROM EPISODE 75

“I don’t think it was just an American dream that was captivating our hearts, I think there’s been an American gospel that’s been consuming our lives.” – David Platt

“A gospel that exchanges the biblical gospel that exalts Jesus above everything in the world for an American version of it prostitutes Jesus for the sake of comfort and power and politics and prosperity in our country. It has ravaged the church in many ways and our witness, not just in our country, but to the ends of the earth.” – David Platt

“What frightens me is how successful in the eyes of the world that I could be in ministry and do it totally apart from intimacy with Jesus.” – David Platt

“Don’t try to manufacture a heart for ministry and miss a heart for Jesus or you’ll miss the whole point.” – David Platt

“Of course, it’s unhelpful if you never act on anything and you’re just always indecisive, but at the same time, be wise in learning and listening before deciding or acting to learn that balance or that tension of when it’s healthy to move forward.” – David Platt

That’s part of what leadership is which is to shepherd people toward where God’s calling you to go and not just telling them to go there and expecting it to happen.” – David Platt

“Be afraid of leading apart from intimacy with Jesus.” – David Platt

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Don’t Hold Back: Breaking Free from the American Gospel to Follow Jesus Fully by David Platt

For the Love of God: A Daily Companion for Discovering the Riches of God’s Word by D.A. Carson

Waiting on God: A 31-Day Adventure into the Heart of God by Andrew Murray

Unseen Leadership Episode 74: Jamie Ivey on Being Created for a Purpose Nov 17, 2021

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Mike Kelsey are joined by Jamie Ivey who is the host of the Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey podcast. She is also the author of several books, including her most recent children's book God Made You to Be You. During their conversation, they discuss using our gifts for other people to see His works and give glory to God for them, being comfortable in who God made you to be, and how to learn more about what you are gifted for. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 74: "If I am struggling and I think my gifts are small today, I still can believe that God has given them to me so that people will see them and give glory to God.""God is bringing you up as a leader and He has prepared things for you to do.""I am not trying to put on a show, I am just trying to be myself and I think God has used that in a lot of people's lives.""I had to go through a lot of laying stuff down with God - insecurities and feeling not enough.""He has equipped those who He has called and I am going to keep walking forward.""You do bring something to the table, not because you are awesome, but because God has gifted you.""Practically, one of the best things for me has been to step in and serve. Sign up to teach a class and see what happens.""Sometimes we get in the wrong mindset of thinking that what someone else is doing equals success.""Success is individualized and so many times is a moving target.""I want to look at people I can learn from, but I don't want to chase their successes. I want to chase faithfulness and what God has called me to do." RESOURCES MENTIONED God Made You to Be You by Jamie Ivey You Be You by Jamie Ivey Unseen Leadership Episode 2: Jamie Ivey on Dealing With Your Past and Sharing Your Struggles With Others

Unseen Leadership Episode 73: Derwin Gray on Prayer in Leadership Nov 12, 2021

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Mike Kelsey are joined by Derwin Gray who is the founding and lead pastor of Transformation Church. He is also the author of The Good Life and his new book, God, Do You Hear Me?. During their conversation, they discuss how prayer is the posture of our hearts, how prayer leads to better ministry, and how your prayer life affects how you preach. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 73: "Leadership is not telling people what to do. Leadership is embodying what you want others to become.""Prayer is a posture of our hearts to the divine presence of God in everything.""We often live out of our family of origin wounding rather than our new family of origin and our Father.""As a leader The Lord's Prayer not only shows us intimacy, but also The Lord's Prayer is God's will for our lives.""Weak people pray to a strong God. People who think they are strong don't pray to God.""Prayer is a posture of dependence and need.""We should never get good at ministry because we will get bad at prayer.""A prayerless preacher is a powerless preacher.""Don't mistake big crowds for big power.""If the redemptive work of Jesus is not the plumb line to everything, then it is not a Christian message.""Prayer is the heartbeat that pumps the blood out of the message.""Do not look for content to preach. Look for content to live." RESOURCES MENTIONED God, Do You Hear Me? by Derwin Gray The Good Life by Derwin Gray Unseen Leadership Episode 37: Derwin Gray on Focusing on Discipleship More Than Leadership Conformed to His Image by Kenneth Boa

Unseen Leadership Episode 72: Sandra McCracken on Quiet Leadership Oct 20, 2021

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Mike Kelsey are joined by Sandra McCracken who is a prolific songwriter, modern day hymn writer, and record producer. She is also an author of her new book Send Out Your Light. During their conversation, they discuss how a song can connect people, that leadership can take on different forms based on personality types, and the two sides of ego and that challenge that causes. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 72: "I was pretty shy as a kid, and I didn't want to be upfront. Songwriting was a way by which I could contribute and put words to something we all shared and then it could become communal.""No matter what field you are in, we are all creative.""There are all these ways we express the creativity of God - for me it is songwriting.""We have a shared human experience because this is God's world and He has made things in a way that He can speak to us through these things in the same way.""Leadership can actually be a quiet thing. You don't have to be some big personality that wants to be upfront all the time.""Leadership that reflects your personality type could take a lot of different forms.""The way we manage our pride and humility is the biggest challenge of working together in groups and a team.""If you are starting something new, you can expect that growth is going to be uncomfortable sometimes." RESOURCES MENTIONED Send Out Your Light by Sandra McCracken Hearing the Call by Nicholas Wolterstorff Lament for a Son by Nicholas Wolterstorff Hearing God by Dallas Willard This Episode's Sponsor: Our sponsor, BELAY, is offering all our podcast listeners a free download of their resource, ‘5 Ways A Church Bookkeeper Can Transform Your Day,’ which shares the five most positive changes that will come out of hiring a bookkeeper for your church. Just text LIFEWAY to 55123 or visit belaysolutions.com/lifeway to download it for free today!

Unseen Leadership Episode 71: Dr. Scott James on Using Your Leadership to Let Others Flourish Oct 13, 2021

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Mike Kelsey are joined by Dr. Scott James who is a pediatric physician and an elder at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama. He is also the author of two devotions, The Expected One and The Risen One. During their conversation, they discuss how leadership is letting others flourish, investing in a local church, and making a purposeful shift between work and home. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 71: "My biggest misconception was that leadership, in and of itself, is defined as an active, out front, action-oriented role.""If you are surrounded with good people, you don't have to drag them from up front. You support them from behind and let them thrive and flourish in what God has already gifted them to do.""Wherever you are, whatever role God has you in, invest your life in a good, local church.""Making that commitment to a local church then puts you in a position to serve other people.""When pivoting between things, I will stop, pray, and do something that is a very concrete shifting of gears.""Stay humble, keep your head down, do the work in front of you.""Most people that step into a leadership position have this expectation that they need to do grandiose things right out of the gate. I think plodding is the better course." RESOURCES MENTIONED The Expected One by Scott James The Risen One by Scott James Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund Every Moment Holy The Wolf Hall Trilogy by Hilary Mantel This Episode's Sponsor: Our sponsor, BELAY, is offering all our podcast listeners a free download of their resource, ‘5 Ways A Church Bookkeeper Can Transform Your Day,’ which shares the five most positive changes that will come out of hiring a bookkeeper for your church. Just text LIFEWAY to 55123 or visit belaysolutions.com/lifeway to download it for free today!

Unseen Leadership Episode 70: Gregg Matte on Leading Through Your God-Given Identity Oct 06, 2021

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Mike Kelsey are joined by Gregg Matte who is the senior pastor of Houston's First Baptist Church and the founder of Breakaway Ministries at Texas A&M University. He is also the author of many books including his upcoming devotional, Capture the Moment. During their conversation, they discuss leading through your God-given identity, the three-legged stool of calling, and the need for grace in learning. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 70: "Pray for leadership and wisdom every day.""I really value peace, and that is a tough one for a leader.""If I can be myself and walk with God, number one I am going to honor Him, and number two I am going to be able to lead.""Calling is: Do I want to? Do people respond when I do it? And does God want me to?""My high value of peace negated my need to be clear.""I want to make a good, clear decision, but I'd like to do it and keep the body of Christ unified.""Give your mornings to God, your afternoons to the church, and your evenings to your family.""Do not sell your family on the alter of ministry.""Realize you are continually learning, and, therefore, show yourself grace." RESOURCES MENTIONED Unstoppable Gospel by Gregg Matte Difference Makers by Gregg Matte Capture the Moment by Gregg Matte Spiritual Leadership by Oswald Sanders The Seven Money Types by Tommy Brown This Episode's Sponsor: Our sponsor, BELAY, is offering all our podcast listeners a free download of their resource, ‘5 Ways A Church Bookkeeper Can Transform Your Day,’ which shares the five most positive changes that will come out of hiring a bookkeeper for your church. Just text LIFEWAY to 55123 or visit belaysolutions.com/lifeway to download it for free today!

Unseen Leadership Episode 69: Coach Mark Richt on Making Decisions Sep 29, 2021

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Mike Kelsey are joined by Coach Mark Richt who is the former head football coach of the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of Miami Hurricanes and a longtime assistant coach for the Florida State University Seminoles. He is currently a football analyst for the ACC network. He is also the author of his new book, Make the Call. During their conversation, they discuss how to know if you are making good decisions, the importance of being genuine, and being a good steward of the influence that God has given you. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 69: "It's hard for faith and fear to live in the same mind.""My fear was stronger than my faith and God helped me grow my faith like I asked for.""If you are making a big decision and your goal is to try to please somebody or some group of people that can be dangerous.""My goal was to make a decision that God would be pleased with and my gauge on whether I did that or not was how I felt when I put my head on the pillow at night.""To try to change your personality to be somebody your not, first of all takes too much energy, and maybe more importantly, people under you are going to see you aren't genuine.""If you do something for someone who can't help you back it changes the way you look at life.""You can change any cycle that has been going on in your home.""Within a couple generations you might affect 50 to 100 people's lives because you decided you were going to man up.""One size doesn't fit all when it comes to capturing the heart of a player or a person, a wife or a child. They all feel love different ways.""God said, 'I will certainly be with you.' If you know that, then you can make it. If you make the mistake of thinking it's all you, that is when you get crushed." RESOURCES MENTIONED Make the Call by Mark Richt The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman Kingdom Man by Tony Evans This Episode's Sponsor: Our sponsor, BELAY, is offering all our podcast listeners a free download of their resource, ‘5 Ways A Church Bookkeeper Can Transform Your Day,’ which shares the five most positive changes that will come out of hiring a bookkeeper for your church. Just text LIFEWAY to 55123 or visit belaysolutions.com/lifeway to download it for free today!

Unseen Leadership Episode 68: Mitchel Lee on Leading After the Wilderness Sep 22, 2021

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Mike Kelsey are joined by Mitchel Lee who is the lead pastor of Grace Community Church in Fulton, Maryland. He is also the author of Even If. During their conversation, they discuss how going through a wilderness period leads to better leadership, leading with courage and humility, and the slow work of building culture. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 68: "What I learned during that wilderness period was that charismatic people are a dime a dozen. It is people with character that stay and that the Lord uses.""Look at the biblical testimony. What leader do you see that doesn't go through the wilderness?""When we are cultivating that intimacy with the Lord before the valley comes, it makes us able to endure the valley in that transformative way.""There are no wasted years in the kingdom of God.""Do not underestimate the formative power of obscurity.""Lead out of your convictions.""It's so easy to try to think about how to lead so that each person feels placated. There is no win in that situation.""They don't have to be my best friends, but I do have a responsibility to stay relationally connected with my team.""If you want to build something that will outlast you, you have to build culture.""You have to have an urgency for the long haul." RESOURCES MENTIONED Even If by Mitchel Lee The Second Mountain by David Brooks In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen Emotionally Healthy Discipleship by Peter Scazzero A Failure of Nerve by Edwin Friedman Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen This Episode's Sponsor: Our sponsor, BELAY, is offering all our podcast listeners a free download of their resource, ‘5 Ways A Church Bookkeeper Can Transform Your Day,’ which shares the five most positive changes that will come out of hiring a bookkeeper for your church. Just text LIFEWAY to 55123 or visit belaysolutions.com/lifeway to download it for free today!

Unseen Leadership Episode 67: Jimmy Scroggins on Discerning the Lord’s Call Jul 14, 2021

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Mike Kelsey are joined by Jimmy Scroggins who is the lead pastor at Family Church in West Palm Beach, Fl. He is also the author of Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations and Full Circle Parenting. During their conversation, they discuss discerning the Lord's call, leading through love or fear, and thinking holistically about balancing family relationships and work. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 67: "If you are in leadership, you can't lead without conflict. You are going to be frustrated from time to time wherever you are in leadership.""Learning the power of chemistry and culture in leadership was important.""If you don't have some kind of a plan, your head is going to be on a swivel all of the time.""Consider your life in seasons, and almost time block your commitments so that your head is not on a swivel all of the time.""You are going to be blown around by opportunities and you are never going to be able to give the right amount of energy to what God has in front of you right now today.""You've got to love people for them, not for what they do for you.""There are two levers you pull as a leader: you are either leading through love or you are leading through fear.""I undervalued the power of institutions and I undervalued the wisdom of veteran leaders.""As a Christian thinker, we should think of ourselves holistically all the time.""I hope that I have learned to lead out of a desire to love and serve others more than desire for other people to think I am somebody." RESOURCES MENTIONED Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations by Jimmy Scroggins Full Circle Parenting by Jimmy Scroggins Good to Great by Jim Collins Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund Excellence Wins by Horst Schulze Downline Ministries' mission is to encourage a restoration of biblical discipleship in and through the local church by equipping men and women to know God's Word and make disciples. The primary way we partner with churches is through the Downline Institute, a 9 month biblical discipleship training program that walks students through the Bible (Genesis-Revelation), biblical manhood/womanhood, and key discipleship lessons. Listeners can receive $100 off tuition cost by using the code LIFEWAY when you apply at www.downlineministries.com.

Unseen Leadership Episode 65: Miguel Nunez on the Impact of Serving Jun 02, 2021

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Mike Kelsey are joined by Miguel Nunez who is a pastor, medical doctor, and speaker. He is also the author of several books including his latest, Servants for His Glory. During their conversation, they discuss learning from past life experiences, how serving in a church impacts our lives, and how humility affects a person. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 65: "I can relate to people in a more compassionate way from what I learned from them.""I firmly believe that your wife has to be the first person to confirm your call to ministry.""Being the head of the house does not mean that your wife has to blindly follow whatever you are thinking. The Lord gave her to you so she can help you make decisions and bring a different perspective.""Don't think of your secular work as secular, it is sacred.""You should be looking for the opportunity to serve, that is how you identify your gifts and talents.""It was a mistake for me to assume that if you did everything right that everything would go well and no one would go against you.""I realized that a lot of the unrest within us is the consequence of not being gentle and lowly.""A humble person can be taught by people over him or under him. A humble person can be a team member. A humble person is sensitive to the voice of God." RESOURCES MENTIONED Servants for His Glory by Miguel Nunez Spiritual Leadership by Henry Blackaby and Richard Blackaby From and Before God by Sugel Michelen Lead by Paul Tripp WhatsApp Follow @PastorMNunez on Twitter Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund This Episode's Sponsor: Downline Ministries' mission is to encourage a restoration of biblical discipleship in and through the local church by equipping men and women to know God's Word and make disciples. The primary way we partner with churches is through the Downline Institute, a 9 month biblical discipleship training program that walks students through the Bible (Genesis-Revelation), biblical manhood/womanhood, and key discipleship lessons. Listeners can receive $100 off tuition cost by using the code LIFEWAY when you apply at www.downlineministries.com.

Unseen Leadership Episode 64: Dr. Jason Allen on Your Unique Gifting and Calling May 26, 2021

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy is joined by Dr. Jason Allen the president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO. He is also the author of many books including Succeeding at Seminary, Being a Christian, and Discerning Your Call to Ministry. During their conversation, they discuss understanding your unique gifting and calling, redeeming ambition, and contextual leadership. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 64: "There is more than one way to be a faithful, fruitful, effective pastor, leader, dad, coach, seminary president.""There is more than one way to faithfully lead.""How a man handles his own ambition is one of the most important aspects of his life.""If I were to hire a person and they struck me as fundamentally unambitious, that would be a problem. But if a person is just foaming at the mouth, that would signal the alarm at the other extreme.""You can be weakening your institution by chasing unhealthy goals.""We have to remember that leadership is always contextual.""If you find yourself brushing shoulders with leaders, ask them questions about what they are learning about leadership." RESOURCES MENTIONED Succeeding at Seminary by Jason Allen Being a Christian by Jason Allen Discerning Your Call to Ministry by Jason Allen Rescuing Ambition by Dave Harvey The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker The Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Truman Churchill & Son by Josh Ireland This Episode's Sponsor: No matter how many people you have on staff at your church, there’s only so much you can accomplish in a day, right? Your church exists to serve your community, so the mission of your church and its staff is to reach as many people as you can. So BELAY, the innovative staffing solution with over 10 years of experience serving churches with virtual assistants, bookkeepers and social media strategists, is offering a free download of their resource, ‘Church Leaders: Essential Strategies to Unleash Productivity.’ Let BELAY help your church live its mission in your community by helping you juggle less and accomplish more. Visit belaysolutions.com/lifeway for your free download.

Unseen Leadership Episode 63: Horst Schulze on Working With Excellence May 07, 2021

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Mike Kelsey are joined by Horst Schulze the former president and co-founder of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and founder of the Capella Hotel Group. He is also the author of Excellence Wins. During their conversation, they discuss defining ourselves with excellence, making employees feel like a part of the organization, and being sincere in our leadership. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 63: "Excellence is never an accident. It's always the result of high intent and hard work.""Excellence is doing our very best in the functions that we fulfill in our work.""It's not the product, it's more the relationship: how you are treated, how you were respected.""You have to give people a place where they feel a part.""Leadership creates an environment in which the employees want to do it and feel a part of it.""That is a serious issue with managers: moving from problem to solution instead of moving from problem to analysis to test to solution, and using the people connected with the process to do that.""The urgent thing has to be done, you can't let the fire burn around you, but after you are finished, how do you make sure the fire never happens again?""I cannot love my neighbor as myself, but I can try.""If I can identify their talent and help them to be successful in a way they can apply the talent, that's how I want to select employees.""From today on, know that in a new role as a leader you have the honor of impacting the life of people positively." RESOURCES MENTIONED Excellence Wins by Horst Schulze 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey HorstSchulze.com This Episode's Sponsor: No matter how many people you have on staff at your church, there’s only so much you can accomplish in a day, right? Your church exists to serve your community, so the mission of your church and its staff is to reach as many people as you can. So BELAY, the innovative staffing solution with over 10 years of experience serving churches with virtual assistants, bookkeepers and social media strategists, is offering a free download of their resource, ‘Church Leaders: Essential Strategies to Unleash Productivity.’ Let BELAY help your church live its mission in your community by helping you juggle less and accomplish more. Visit belaysolutions.com/lifeway for your free download.

Unseen Leadership Episode 62: Tyler Reagin on Calling Out Uniqueness in Leaders Apr 28, 2021

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Mike Kelsey are joined by Tyler Reagin founder and CEO of The Life-Giving Co., former president of Catalyst, and author of The Life-Giving Leader and his latest, Leading Things You Didn't Start. During their conversation, they discuss calling out uniqueness in leaders, moving from self-awareness to self-management, and honoring the past as a new leader. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 61: "We spend our days chasing other people's uniqueness.""If we don't believe that how He uniquely made us matches what He called us to do, that is a bad theology.""Do not spend your days trying to become someone you're not. Become confident in that uniqueness God has for you.""My credibility is what gets me in the room. It's my EQ that keeps me in the room.""You have to move from self-awareness to self-management.""The more successful in ministry you become, the more isolated you become.""If you come in there and you do not honor what they've been through, what they've been working on, where they've come from, you will lose influence from the moment go.""Honor the things you want to celebrate so that they understand what you value.""Every day I want to find somebody I can celebrate and somebody I can bring life to.""Become proud of how God uniquely made you and it will blow your mind how He is going to call you to stuff when you trust that calling." RESOURCES MENTIONED The Life-Giving Co. Catalyst The Life-Giving Leader by Tyler Reagin Leading Things You Didn't Start by Tyler Reagin Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves 10Ten Project This Episode's Sponsor: No matter how many people you have on staff at your church, there’s only so much you can accomplish in a day, right? Your church exists to serve your community, so the mission of your church and its staff is to reach as many people as you can. So BELAY, the innovative staffing solution with over 10 years of experience serving churches with virtual assistants, bookkeepers and social media strategists, is offering a free download of their resource, ‘Church Leaders: Essential Strategies to Unleash Productivity.’ Let BELAY help your church live its mission in your community by helping you juggle less and accomplish more. Visit belaysolutions.com/lifeway for your free download.

Unseen Leadership Episode 61: Jon Tyson on Devotion to Prayer Apr 21, 2021

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Mike Kelsey are joined by Jon Tyson who serves as Lead Pastor at Church of the City in New York and author of several books, including his latest, Beautiful Resistance. During their conversation, they discuss devotion to prayer, cultivating love, and balancing the tension of compassion and conviction. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 61: "I think a lot of leaders are doing the best they can in increasingly complex situations, and none of us have the training for the drama we are dealing with.""I was looking at the outcome of people in history who's fruit I wanted to see God do again, and then I looked at their lifestyle and wanted to imitate that.""I have sought to faithfully steward that very rare culture of revival that brought me to Christ.""So often we rarely address the invisible evil, and we rely again on human technique and human systems to solve satanic problems.""If you try and get the reward in public, you will have no power in the secret place.""You pray because you love God, you want to be with Him, you want to know Him.""I have three prayer movements every day - one of intimacy, one of interaction, one of intercession.""Jesus has to be our leadership model.""If you get all compassion and no conviction, you don't have Christianity. If you get all conviction and no compassion, you don't have Christianity. It's both of those things together.""No generation has personally witnessed this level of sin and brokenness firsthand.""Build your leadership on prayer.""Favor is when you reap what you didn't sow, and if God trusts you, you will have His favor and there is no substitute for the favor of God on your leadership." RESOURCES MENTIONED Beautiful Resistance by Jon Tyson A Resilient Life by Gordon McDonald This Episode's Sponsor: No matter how many people you have on staff at your church, there’s only so much you can accomplish in a day, right? Your church exists to serve your community, so the mission of your church and its staff is to reach as many people as you can. So BELAY, the innovative staffing solution with over 10 years of experience serving churches with virtual assistants, bookkeepers and social media strategists, is offering a free download of their resource, ‘Church Leaders: Essential Strategies to Unleash Productivity.’ Let BELAY help your church live its mission in your community by helping you juggle less and accomplish more. Visit belaysolutions.com/lifeway for your free download.

Unseen Leadership Episode 60: Michael Hyatt on Leading Yourself Before Leading Others Apr 07, 2021

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Mike Kelsey are joined by Michael Hyatt who is the former chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers and author of many books including Win at Work and Succeed at Life. During their conversation, they discuss self leadership, how vision drives results, and adding constraints around your work to achieve more. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 60: "I was on the verge of losing my family and compromising what were my most important priorities all on the altar of my ambition.""If you can't lead yourself, you don't really have the right or the capacity to lead anybody else.""If you are leading people, you are taking them somewhere, and if you don't know where you are taking them, you aren't really qualified to be a leader.""Once you have vision, then you can create alignment.""Clarity of vision drives an acceleration of results.""One of the things that is critically important for success is likability.""Once you've hit about 55 hours per week, you've maxed out your productivity. And worse than that you blow out some other really important things in your life like your health and your most important relationships.""Life is more than work and you will actually achieve more by doing less if you put some constraints around your work and force yourself not to work all the time.""Our thinking really does shape the outcomes in our lives." RESOURCES MENTIONED Win at Work and Succeed at Life by Michael Hyatt and Megan Hyatt Miller The Vision-Driven Leader by Michael Hyatt Living Forward by Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy You Are the Placebo by Dr. Joe Dispenza This Episode's Sponsor: No matter how many people you have on staff at your church, there’s only so much you can accomplish in a day, right? Your church exists to serve your community, so the mission of your church and its staff is to reach as many people as you can. So BELAY, the innovative staffing solution with over 10 years of experience serving churches with virtual assistants, bookkeepers and social media strategists, is offering a free download of their resource, ‘Church Leaders: Essential Strategies to Unleash Productivity.’ Let BELAY help your church live its mission in your community by helping you juggle less and accomplish more. Visit belaysolutions.com/lifeway for your free download.

Unseen Leadership Episode 59: Jonathan Pokluda on Long Obedience Mar 31, 2021

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Mike Kelsey are joined by Jonathan Pokluda who is the lead pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas and author of Outdated. During their conversation, they discuss long obedience, how selfish ambition is not fulfilling, and how healthy leadership requires service. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 59: "We underestimate what we can do with long obedience in the same direction and we way overestimate what we can do in a short period of time.""We must learn as leaders delayed gratification and faithfulness.""Every moment is training for a future moment.""So much of faithfulness starts with doing the things that nobody wants to do.""If I am preaching or writing books or doing podcasts for any reason other than the renown and fame of Jesus Christ, it is not going to satisfy me.""There is always selfish ambition sitting right beside kingdom ambition.""I'm constantly tempted to think that leadership is all about authority.""Anytime we see leadership in the Scriptures it is really defined as service.""The biggest enemy to our quiet time is our iPhone.""I think one day we will be face-to-face with Jesus and we will see our greatest moments of productivity were deep contemplative prayers.""Your greatest way to be self-aware is to understand the thoughts you are feeding." RESOURCES MENTIONED Outdated by Jonathan Pokluda Bible App by Olive Tree Love Does by Bob Goff This Episode's Sponsor: No matter how many people you have on staff at your church, there’s only so much you can accomplish in a day, right? Your church exists to serve your community, so the mission of your church and its staff is to reach as many people as you can.So BELAY, the innovative staffing solution with over 10 years of experience serving churches with virtual assistants, bookkeepers and social media strategists, is offering a free download of their resource, ‘Church Leaders: Essential Strategies to Unleash Productivity.’ Let BELAY help your church live its mission in your community by helping you juggle less and accomplish more. Visit belaysolutions.com/lifeway for your free download.

Unseen Leadership Episode 58: Rich Villodas on Integrating Soul and Role Mar 24, 2021

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Mike Kelsey are joined by Rich Villodas who is the author of The Deeply Formed Life and lead pastor at New Life Fellowship in New York City. During their conversation, they discuss the integration between soul and role, the balance of reading and experience, and our ability to grow in self-differentiation. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 58: "Leadership must be this integration between soul and role.""Don't aspire to a role that your soul is not ready for.""Just filling the position because it needs to be filled can lead to a lot of heartache.""I must recognize certain conversations require particular spaces in order to shepherd people well.""Find yourself among people for enough time and you will come across lots of things to help you in your experience - conflicts, disagreements, criticism.""I am trying to become aware of the way these misconceptions shape the way I see myself and shape the way I lead others.""Self-differentiation at its core is about remaining close to myself and remaining close to others, especially in times of high anxiety, and resisting the polar opposite pull of either cutting people off or finding ourselves enmeshed in them.""How do I lead people that disagree with me? By first tending to what is happening inside of me.""We need to hold these things together if we are going to be faithful in the particular generational social and cultural moment we find ourselves in.""We have often been discipled into superficiality." RESOURCES MENTIONED The Deeply Formed Life by Rich Villodas Generation to Generation by Edwin Friedman A Failure of Nerve by Edwin Friedman The Pastor as a Minor Poet by Craig Barnes

Unseen Leadership Episode 57: Mike Kelsey on Balancing an Internal and External Call Mar 17, 2021

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Mike Kelsey who is the lead pastor of preaching and culture at McLean Bible Church in the Washington, D.C., area. During their conversation, they discuss the process of growing as a young leader, finding the balance of an internal and external call, and evaluating and examining social media in our lives. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 57: "God began to show me, 'You have a passion for communication and you have a passion for truth and that is for a reason.'""Your character, the inner life, has to be stronger than your external responsibilities or reputation or else you will get crushed.""I love seeing leaders who are young and don't know what they are doing and giving them a sandbox to play in because God wants to do big things through them.""God I know you have me here for a reason and there is a responsibility and a stewardship that comes with that influence.""You may have gifting, and you don't always have to wait for somebody else to validate that, but that is one of God's designs for the local church.""There is a benefit in being rooted in a local church where other brothers and sisters in Christ, pastors, and elders are able to say they see that in you.""I love team leadership. I love having some folks that fill in my gaps and I can help fill in their gaps and we sharpen each other.""I didn't make a lot of big leadership mistakes in my early days, but honestly I think that was my biggest mistake.""You are where you are for a reason, and, under authority, take some risks for good reason, to make the glory of God known.""You don't realize how much your feed is actually controlling the feed in your mind.""It's not always wise to just be an open book." RESOURCES MENTIONED The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer The Libby App Deep Work by Cal Newport

Unseen Leadership Episode 56: Lisa Whittle on a Revival of the Soul Feb 10, 2021

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Lisa Whittle who is a sought after Bible teacher, founder of Ministry Strong, and host of the popular Jesus Over Everything podcast. She is the author of seven books, including her newest Bible study release Jesus Over Everything. During their conversation, they discuss what it means to be a natural-born leader, needing a revival of the soul, and the benefits of being patient in the wait. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 56: "I never meant to be in these roles that I am in today, I just sort of led with my gifts where I was and it took me where I am.""One of the most important lessons to me was that their response is not your responsibility.""One mistake I made was wasting time worrying about some fake arrival point.""I did not realize the value of community.""In 2012, I was going to quit everything - writing, speaking, my blog - and I thought to myself, why can't I?""The Lord really spoke to my heart and gave me a picture of revival.""If you leave Jesus, your leadership is doomed.""It's really about any books that drive you closer to the Father, because that is the relationship that is going to hold your leadership together.""Some of the most powerful ministry I have ever done has been in a room with five people.""Making plans isn't a bad thing, but hold them loosely because God will likely change them.""Wait with belief that God is going to do something amazing with your life, but you are not on pause. There is a world in front of you that needs to be served.""It is to your benefit to be exercising your gifts and practicing.""Your leadership will only be as good as your relationship with Jesus is." RESOURCES MENTIONED Jesus Over Everything by Lisa Whittle Jesus Over Everything Podcast Ministry Strong Revolution by George Barna The Wounded Healer by Henri Nouwen Called Creatives

Unseen Leadership Episode 55: Bruce Ashford on Responding to Criticism and Crisis Jan 27, 2021

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Bruce Ashford who is a Professor of Theology and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has also worked on the mission field in over 40 countries, and the author of multiple books, including Letters to an American Christian, One Nation Under God, and his latest, How to Survive an Election Season. During their conversation, they discuss being shaped by and serving institutions, learning to move past unfair criticism that comes with being a leader, and stepping up during moments of crisis. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 55: "It is quite the change from leading a movement of your own that you and your friends started moving into an institution that has history, tradition, rules, and an authority hierarchy.""Institutions are good things and they should shape us.""We really ought to not say everything we want to say sometimes. We need institutions to shape us.""If you are going into a leadership role, there will be naysayers and critics.""When I was younger, I thought that if I was a good leader I would get universal acclaim.""If you are really leading out you will get some serious criticism, much of it will be unfair or inaccurate, and you have to learn to deal with it and move past it.""If your leadership role at a given institution is far and away the most important thing in your life, maybe rethink your life a little bit.""Unless it's a biography of Jesus Christ, you are dealing with a deeply flawed human being and you don't want to imitate everything that person says or does.""All of the people we admire, if they have done something big in life as a leader, they have probably also messed up big time.""It's really during moments of crisis and criticism that as a leader you've really got to step up and show resolve and humility." RESOURCES MENTIONED Letters to an American Christian by Bruce Ashford One Nation Under God by Bruce Ashford How to Survive an Election Season by Bruce Ashford A Time to Build by Yuval Levin Churchill by Paul Johnson Winston Churchill: Walking With Destiny by Andrew Roberts The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman

Unseen Leadership Episode 54: Trevin Wax on Creating a Habit of Writing Jan 06, 2021

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Trevin Wax who is senior vice president of Theology and Communications at Lifeway Christian Resources. He is also the general editor of The Gospel Project, and the author of multiple books, including Rethink Your Self, This Is Our Time, and Gospel Centered Teaching. During their conversation, they discuss how to produce high-level content, the cultural trends for young leaders in the years to come, and how to create a habit of writing. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 54: “We should first look up to God to see who we were created to be, then look around to the people of God that we belong to, then last we should look to yourself to understand who we are.” “God doesn’t just lead us to the valley. He leads us through it.” “Indecisiveness can be very counterproductive in leadership for your young leaders.” “It takes a certain level of mental energy to consistently be creative over the long haul.” “If you want to write consistently, then you need to learn to write and not be afraid of your reader.” “You need to write to serve the reader.” “If you want to write constantly, you have to read constantly.” “One of the misconceptions I had earlier on was that once you step into greater leadership was that the weight of the execution work you have to do would get easier. But it doesn’t.” “In a remote work environment, it will be harder for young leaders to stand out and rise up in an organization.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Rethink Yourself by Trevin Wax 4 Disciplines of Execution by Sean Covey The Accidental Creative by Todd Henry Strong and Weak by Andy Crouch The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Defender of the Realm by William Manchester

Unseen Leadership Episode 53: Christy Nockels on Resting in God as a Leader Dec 09, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Christy Nockels who is a wife, mother, podcaster, and worship leader for global movements like Passion Conferences and IF:Gathering. And she is also now an author with her debut book The Life You Long For. During their conversation, they discuss how to rest in God as a leader, how to protect ourselves from comparison, and the benefits of collaboration in leadership. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 53: “I was living for God, but I found myself in a place where I didn’t know how to live from God.” “We need to learn to live from a heart of rest, and when I say rest, I don’t just mean weekly Sabbath. I mean a soul rest.” “Resting in God is a posture of trusting God to make a way for us and not hustling for it on our own.” “When you live from your own belovedness, you lead from a place for contending and fighting for it in others.” “As leaders, it is easy to “yes” ourselves into exhaustion.” “I’ve tried to view social media as a place of serving others instead of feeding my soul.” “It is a gift to be able to collaborate with others.” RESOURCES MENTIONED The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer Abiding in Christ by Andrew Murray The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer The Birkman Personality Test

Unseen Leadership Episode 51: J.T. English on Growing in Discipleship Oct 28, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by JT English who is the lead pastor at Storyline Church in Colorado. Before that, he was a pastor at the Village Church where he led The Village Institute. He also co-hosts the Knowing Faith podcast and is the author of his new book Deep Discipleship. During their conversation, they discuss how to grow in discipleship, how to get constant feedback from those you are leading, and what it was like taking over a church in the midst of a global pandemic. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 51: “We should not have to leave the church in order to lead in the church.” “I had this conviction that what if we were to take the best that a seminary has to offer and offer it to every day Christians in the local church. Because Christians really want to grow.” “We typically ask the question, “What do disciples want,” instead of asking the better questions of, “What do disciples need.”” “It is never too early to start reading the Bible.” “There is nothing more off-putting about a leader than overconfidence. If we are calling ourselves Christian leaders, the only leader who could have been overconfident is Jesus. That’s not how Jesus leads.” “If your priority list is your email, then you are probably not leading well. You are being led by your email.” “Leaders need to maintain a soft heart and a firm spine.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Deep Discipleship by J.T. English Dwell App Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom by David W. Blight

Unseen Leadership Episode 50: Dianne Jago on Leaning into Our Weakness as Leader Oct 21, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Dianne Jago who is a military wife and mother of three residing in Pensacola, Florida. She is the founder and chief editor of Deeply Rooted Magazine, where she works with her team to encourage, inspire, and equip women to be deeply rooted in Christ alone. She is also the author of A Holy Pursuit . During their conversation, they discuss how to lead a remote team, how to bring a dream to a reality, and how to lean into our weakness as leaders. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 50: “When leading a remote team, I learned we had to clearly communicate the vision and set clear expectations.” “I needed to make sure I was leading my kids and leading in my home first before my business.” “Oftentimes leaders desire influence and they want to change the world, and that really starts in the home.” “I wish early on I had the ability to delegate. I was a perfection, and now I’m a recovering perfection.” “God’s grace is sufficient and his power is made perfect in our weakness, even in our weakness as leaders.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Deeply Rooted Magazine A Holy Pursuit by Dianne Jago Discipline by Elisabeth Elliot Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande Do More Better: A Practical Guide to Productivity by Tim Challies Be Still My Soul by Elisabeth Elliot

Unseen Leadership Episode 49: Barnabas Piper on Living Up to Expectations as a Pastor’s Kid Oct 14, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Barnabas Piper who is on staff at Immanuel Church in Nashville, TN. He is also the author of The Pastor's Kid and Help My Unbelief AND He co-hosts the popular Happy Rant podcast. Exciting news…..he also just released a new book called Hoping for Happiness. During their conversation, they discuss how to wait on the Lord in your work, growing in humility as a leader, and living up to expectations as a pastor’s kid. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 49: “Happiness is not promised to us in our work. Go back and read Genesis 3. Genesis 3 basically says our work is going to be a pain, often.” “Keep the room clean where you are until God opens the door to the next place.” “Every time I have ever tried hard to change my work situation, I’ve screwed it up. When I’ve decided to faithfully work where I am and God handles the transition, I’ve been put in a spot that is clearly the best spot for me to be in.” “To be humble takes a profound amount of security in the Lord. Because you are volunteering to be lower than other people.” “More is expected of leaders. That’s part of the job.” “I liked passing the buck and taking the credit, which is the opposite of leadership.” “If we are marked by the things that we are trying to avoid, we are aimless.” RESOURCES MENTIONED 5LQ Episode 1: John Piper Hoping for Happiness by Barnabas Piper Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning The Son by Philipp Meyer Working by Robert A. Caro

Unseen Leadership Episode 48: Dorena Williamson on Becoming a Bridge Builder Sep 30, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Dorena Williamson who is a proud mother, a passionate teacher, and a devoted bridge-builder. She is also the author of ColorFull, ThoughtFull, and GraceFull, which are children’s books that celebrate God’s diverse kingdom. During their conversation, they discuss what it means to be a bridge-builder, the necessity of listening and learning from others, and how to focus on pleasing God more than people. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 48: “Oftentimes, bridgebuilders get walked on because that is what bridges were designed for.” “The ultimate bridge builder was Jesus the Messiah. He gave his life to create a bridge for us to God.” “We must posture ourselves as listeners and learners.” “We need to do what we are called to do and that is not to please people, that is to aim to please God.” “Support and loyalty are not always the same thing.” “If someone is more loyal to me than they are to Christ, then I have failed them.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Designed to Lead by Eric Geiger and Kevin Peck Healing Racial Trauma: The Road to Resilience by Sheila Wise Rowe

Unseen Leadership Episode 47: Matt Chandler on Being Diagnosed with Brain Cancer as a Young Leader Sep 23, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Matt Chandler who is the lead pastor of teaching at The Village Church in Dallas, Texas, and the president of Acts 29. He has authored several books, including To Live Is Christ to Die Is Gain, Creature of the Word, and The Explicit Gospel. During their conversation, they discuss how Matt was diagnosed with brain cancer as a young leader, how to understand yourself as a leader, and how to create an ideal week and schedule your days. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 47: “I’m all gas and no brakes. So I needed some brakes around me. Or we were going to do 6,000 things and none of them well.” “As leaders, we need to flank our weakness and bolster our strengths with the people around us.” “The biggest pivotal moment that changed my life was when I got brain cancer, and honestly, it was both the scariest and coolest season of my life.” “My heart when coming to the Village Church was that I didn’t want to make it my church.” “What’s going on inside of me is a question leaders don’t pay attention to often enough.” “Without repetition, there is no formation.” - Jon Tyson “As a young leader, I had the misconception that people would just do what I said.” “There is a game we play of winning over people and learning to take an idea from our head and to its inception and not destroy people along the way.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown The Ride of a Lifetime by Robert Iger

Unseen Leadership Episode 46: Alexandra Hoover on Rooting our Identity in Christ, Not our Role Sep 16, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Alexandra Hoover who is a wife, mother, Bible teacher, and writer. She has the privilege of serving on staff at Transformation Church as the Assistant Director of Equipping. She’s passionate about communicating the love of Jesus, whether it be through writing or speaking. During their conversation, they discuss how to lead up to older leaders, how to lead those who have hurt you, and how to root our identity in Christ, not our role. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 46: “Often as leaders, especially young leaders in our culture, we think success is microwavable.” “Our identity has to be so rooted in Christ and who he is so that changes and transitions and challenges don’t throw us but grow us.” “We should be working from a place of love not for a place of love.” “We need to constantly be asking ourselves, “Am I being pushed by fear or pulled by love?” “When I think about leadership, I think about humility.” “We must practice humility even with those who are wrong and even with those who hurt you.” “The biggest flex in the kingdom of God is when you are able to love those who have hurt you.” “Remember that your identity is not defined by your role.” RESOURCES MENTIONED The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman How to Lead When You are Not in Charge by Clay Scroggins When to Walk Away: Finding Freedom from Toxic People by Gary Thomas

Unseen Leadership Episode 45: Ben Mandrell on Transitioning from Church Planter to CEO of Lifeway Sep 02, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Ben Mandrell who is the former Senior Pastor of Inglewood Baptist Church and the founding planter of Storyline Fellowship in Arvada, CO. He is now the President and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources. During their conversation, they discuss the link between teaching and leadership, productivity tips to stay organized as a leader, and Ben’s transition from church planting to Lifeway. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 45: “A mark of a great leader is that we are always learning and growing and nobody has it all together.” “Words create worlds.” “The words you choose to communicate create culture more than anything else.” “As we become more churchy, we become less interesting to the unchurched.” “Child-like faith is something that we never graduate from.” “Your head is for having ideas, not for holding them.” “The more clear and the more strong and more bold you are in a general direction, the more haters you will have.” “Don’t be overconfident in what you can accomplish in a year, and don’t be under confident in what you can accomplish in five years.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Great Leader, Great Teacher by Gary J. Bredfeldt Getting Things Done by David Allen When by Daniel Pink Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas

Unseen Leadership Episode 44: Brad Barnett on Understanding Yourself as a Leader Aug 26, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Brad Barnett who is the Senior Manager of Events for Lifeway Students. He helps lead and oversee over 125,000 students and kids that come to camp every summer. During their conversation, they discuss how to understand yourself as a leader, how to explore your calling, and how to lead as an introvert. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 44: “Leadership intentionality with others trumps any kind of leadership knowledge.” “We can’t lead everyone the same. We have to lead people differently along the way.” “God is more concerned about the work that he is doing in us than the work he is doing through us.” “Leadership is hard. There is a heaviness and a burden you are signing up to carry on behalf of those you lead.” “God places unique things in our lives that lead to opportunities that wouldn’t be there otherwise.” “Giving feedback is caring. Withholding feedback is uncaring.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller How to Lead When You are Not in Charge by Clay Scroggins

Unseen Leadership Episode 43: 1 Year of the Unseen Leadership Podcast Aug 19, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter look back on the first year of the Unseen Leadership podcast and reflect on what they have learned while interviewing 40+ leaders. During their conversation, they answer the following questions: What are 2-3 of the most impactful quotes that we have heard on the podcast? After 40+ interviews, what are 2-3 words or ideas that have stuck out the most to you? What has been your personal favorite moment on this podcast? What were 2-3 of the most interesting stories you have heard on the podcast? What was the most impactful book you have read that was discussed on the podcast? If you could grab coffee with 1 guest that we have had on, who would it be and why? Who is your bucket list guest? Meaning if we could get one guest on here, who would it be? Which question is your favorite that we ask? YOUNG LEADER LIBRARY GIVEAWAY: In connection with this podcast episode, we are giving away a young leader library that includes 15 of the most recommended books from year 1 of the podcast. To enter the giveaway, just share about the Unseen Leadership podcast on Instagram through a regular post or on your story and make sure to tag @unseenleadership. When you share, you’ll be entered to win the Young Leader Library, which is valued at over $175.

Unseen Leadership Episode 42: Dean Inserra on Growing in Self Awareness Aug 12, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Dean Inserra who is the founding and lead pastor of City Church in Tallahassee, FL, and the author of The Unsaved Christian. During their conversation, they discuss the journey of church planting, how to grow in self-awareness, and how to determine if you should go to seminary. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 42: “We are all replaceable and don't need to have a chip on our shoulder.” “I think you need to get seminary out of your system as quickly as possible.” “I had to learn there’s different ways to lead different types of people.” “I think self awareness is everything. On our staff, we call it feel.” “I think everything goes back to how you view God.” “My biggest misconception was that I would have instant credibility with those older than me.” “There’s going to be a lot of guys who are chasing a lot of stuff. Let it come to you instead of going out and looking for it.” “Focus on those who are in front of you, not just what is next.” “Take God really seriously and not yourself.” "I would encourage those in leadership to not read more leadership books than doctrine and theology books." RESOURCES MENTIONED The Unsaved Christian by Dean Inserra Without a Doubt by Dean Inserra The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund

Unseen Leadership Episode 41: Pete Scazzero on Redefining Success Jul 29, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Pete Scazzero who was a pastor for 26 years before co-founding Emotionally Healthy Discipleship. Many of us know Pete from reading one of his bestselling books, including The Emotionally Healthy Leader and Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. During their conversation, they discuss how to become emotionally mature, how to redefine success, and how to create a rule of life. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 41: “Discipling people is hard work. It is very slow work.” “You can’t be spiritually mature unless you are emotionally mature.” “Who you are is way more important than what you do.” “Discipleship is being re-formed by Jesus.” “I think this COVID-19 season is a great opportunity to get retooled by God for the next phase of what he has for you.” “Success is becoming the person God has called you to become and doing what God called you to do. Period.” “I don’t believe it is possible to mature spiritually without some dimension of silence and solitude in your life.” “Maturity isn’t just about talking to God. It is also about listening to God.” “God’s building people, not just organizations.” RESOURCES MENTIONED The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Pete Scazzero Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen Let Your Life Speak by Parker Palmer New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton The Accidental President by A. J. Baime http://emotionallyhealthy.org/team http://emotionallyhealthy.org/mature

Unseen Leadership Episode 40: Todd Adkins on Investing in Others Jul 08, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Todd Adkins who is the Director of Lifeway Leadership. During their conversation, they discuss how to understand a new work culture, being a learner, and investing in others. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 40: “I think as leaders we need to be ready for people to not know our name.” “A big part of leadership is recognizing that your fruit often grows on other peoples trees.” “Every person in an organization should be a part of a cycle of both learning and teaching.” “As a leader, being a learner should be your #1 goal.” “In this day and age, if you are a leader and not a learner, you’ve got a pretty short shelf life.” “My biggest misconception as a young leader was that leadership placement and leadership development were the same thing.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Leadership Engine by Noel Tichy A Beautiful Constraint by Adam Morgan and Mark Barden Developing Your Leadership Pipeline by Todd Adkins

Unseen Leadership Episode 39: Gene Getz on Being a Lifelong Learner Jun 17, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Gene Getz who has served as a professor at Moody Bible Institute and Dallas Theological Seminary. He launched the Fellowship Bible Church movement in 1972. And he is the author of 60 books including The Measure of a Man and the Life Essentials Study Bible. During their conversation, they discuss the need for mentors, not viewing yourself as a professional, and how to be a lifelong learner. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 39: “I spent the first 20 years teaching people how to pastor and lead a church, and I’ve spent my last 40 years learning how to do it.” “I always want to thank God that someone comes to listen to me preach.” “I don’t want to just become a professional. I want to be a pastor and a shepherd.” “By the time I was 50, I realized how much more I needed to learn.” “I’m 88 years old, and it still scares me what I don’t know. We must always be a learner. Because there is more to know than we can ever learn in a lifetime.” “Your greatest strength is to trust people. Your greatest weakness is to trust people you shouldn’t trust.” “People are honored when they are asked for wisdom.” RESOURCES MENTIONED 5LQ Episode 422: Gene Getz Life Essentials Study Bible The Measure of a Man by Gene Getz Discipline by Grace by Jerry Bridges Team Sight (Style of Influence Personality Test)

Unseen Leadership Episode 38: Eugene Cho on The Marathon of Leadership Jun 03, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Eugene Cho who is the founder and former Senior Pastor of Quest Church. He is now the President-Elect of Bread for the World. He is also an author of several books including his latest Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk. During their conversation, they discuss the marathon of leadership, the pitfalls of building a platform for the wrong reasons, and Eugene’s journey as an entrepreneur. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 37: “One of the ways that you realize you are a leader isn’t just that you are leading, but that you have others following you as well.” “Leadership is not for the faint of heart.” “I believe leadership is not about perfection. It is about maturity, and one of the best ways I can define maturity is awareness.” “Are we more in love with the idea of changing the world than actually changing the world? ” “When we are talking about changing the world, it is not one, single viral moment. It is about living a trajectory of faithful obedience.” “Personal growth is always greater than platform growth.” “If you are not working on character when no one is looking, when you build an audience and people look at you, they will see no depth and substance.” “We need to be healthy spiritual beings in order to be healthy spiritual leaders.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Emotionally Healthy Leader by Pete Scazzero Overrated by Eugene Cho Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk by Eugene Cho A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson Christ Plays in 10,000 Places by Eugene Peterson Eat This Book by Eugene Peterson The Contemplative Pastor by Eugene Peterson For more than 25 years, Portable Church® has helped thousands of churches launch strong and thrive in a mobile setting. We design custom solutions that fit each budget, vision, and venue. Everything you need to launch a mobile church — an inviting worship space, kids ministry areas, welcome spaces, storage cases, etc — all in a system refined to make it fast, easy & fun for the weekly volunteer teams. See what this looks like by visiting portablechurch.com/lifeway.

Unseen Leadership Episode 37: Derwin Gray on Focusing on Discipleship More Than Leadership May 13, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Derwin Gray who is a former NFL football player and the founding and lead pastor of Transformation Church in South Carolina. He is also an author of many books, including his latest The Good Life. During their conversation, they discuss how to learn from failure, how to focus on discipleship more than leadership, and how to find true happiness in Christ. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 37: “Typically where leaders fail is that we delegate tasks instead of delegating responsibility.” “The best teacher is failure.” “I thought pastoring was just getting up and preaching, but it is not. That is about 5% of what I do.” “If you don’t deal with conflict on the front end and it gets toxic, on the back end it’ll be even more expensive and many more people will be hurt.” “Leaders must step into conflict to bring about resolution, to bring about restoration, and to bring about reconciliation.” “The greater we understand the cross and Jesus making peace, the greater that we can be peacemakers.” “In the New Testament, the word leadership is used 3 times and the word disciple is used 269 times. Why don’t we talk about discipleship more?” “Leadership and discipleship are two sides of the same coin. However, you can be a leader without a disciple, but every disciple is called to be a leader.” “Oftentimes we are ambitious for power and status instead of being ambitious for Jesus.” “Happiness is not about what you are getting. Happiness about who you are becoming.”“Wouldn’t it be sad to live a life of effective ministry and be broken hearted at the end of it.” RESOURCES MENTIONED The Good Life by Derwin Gray The Evangelism Linebacker Designed to Lead by Eric Geiger and Kevin Peck On Pastoring by H.B. Charles Jr. Conformed to His Image by Ken Boa Paul by N.T. Wright For more than 25 years, Portable Church® has helped thousands of churches launch strong and thrive in a mobile setting. We design custom solutions that fit each budget, vision, and venue. Everything you need to launch a mobile church — an inviting worship space, kids ministry areas, welcome spaces, storage cases, etc — all in a system refined to make it fast, easy & fun for the weekly volunteer teams. See what this looks like by visiting portablechurch.com/lifeway.

Unseen Leadership Episode 36: Steve Green on Seeing Business as Ministry May 06, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy is joined by Steve Green who is the President of Hobby Lobby, founder of the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC, and author of many books including his latest This Beautiful Book which just recently released. During their conversation, they discuss how to build a strong organization, how to lead relationally, and how to see your business as a ministry. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 36: “You lose teaching opportunities when you just do the job yourself.” “No one learns more than the teacher.” “My job is making sure I have good people and that I’m building a strong organization.” “As a leader, you don’t always have to be the expert in the room.” “My nature is more of the doer and I can miss out on relational moments.” “It really became clear to me that not only was I doing ministry at church but the business was a direct ministry.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Museum of the Bible This Beautiful Book by Steve Green Good to Great by Jim Collins Saving My Assassin by Virginia Prodan For more than 25 years, Portable Church® has helped thousands of churches launch strong and thrive in a mobile setting. We design custom solutions that fit each budget, vision, and venue. Everything you need to launch a mobile church — an inviting worship space, kids ministry areas, welcome spaces, storage cases, etc — all in a system refined to make it fast, easy & fun for the weekly volunteer teams. See what this looks like by visiting portablechurch.com/lifeway.

Unseen Leadership Episode 35: Ken Costa on Understanding Your Calling Apr 29, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Ken Costa who is a London-based, internationally renowned banker, author and speaker. He has been the chairman of some of the world’s largest investment banks, advisor to some of the most powerful people in the world, and is a committed Christian who believes Jesus is the hope of the world. During their conversation, they discuss how to view your work, how to understand your calling, and slow down and listen to God. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 35: “I came to realize God was really interested in what I did throughout the week, not just what I did on Sundays.” “You can’t govern the timing of God.” “If you are trying to reach the top and don’t feel called by God to do it, you are going to burn out.” “The great heritage of Christians is that we know our why.” “With COVID-19, it is as if God has said to the world, stop. Reboot, rewire, and rethink.” “You can’t just Google your why and your calling. It is a profound psychological process. We have to cut through the noise.” “The door that God opens, no one can close. And the doors that God closes, no one can open.” “For this generation, we live in a spectrum between broadband and burnout. And at the moment, we were on the verge of people veering toward burnout.” RESOURCES MENTIONED God at Work by Ken Costa Know Your Why by Ken Costa Start with Why by Simon Sinek Atomic Habits by James Clear For more than 25 years, Portable Church® has helped thousands of churches launch strong and thrive in a mobile setting. We design custom solutions that fit each budget, vision, and venue. Everything you need to launch a mobile church — an inviting worship space, kids ministry areas, welcome spaces, storage cases, etc — all in a system refined to make it fast, easy & fun for the weekly volunteer teams. See what this looks like by visiting portablechurch.com/lifeway.

Unseen Leadership Episode 34: Daniel Im on Navigating Transitions Apr 22, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Daniel Im who is the Senior Associate Pastor at Beulah Alliance Church, speaker, and author of a few books including his latest You Are What You Do. During their conversation, they discuss navigating transitions, discerning God’s call on your life, and staying focused on the little things. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 34: “We just wanted to get plugged in and be the type of volunteer I would have looked for while on staff at a church.” “When God is moving you, it is like he is a good gardener.” “I loved the number 2 role and the systems side of things.” “We need to be faithful and follow God’s ways by cultivating spiritual practices and being in community.” “Spiritual growth is a lot like sleeping. You can’t cause yourself to sleep, but you can create the conditions in which it will come.” - Richard Foster “Don’t assume every opportunity is from God. It could be a distraction.” “Instead of trying to do great things for God. Let’s just do things for a great God.” “Be faithful with the little things and the big things will come.” RESOURCES MENTIONED You Are What You Do by Daniel Im The Pastor: A Memoir by Eugene Peterson Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton Soul Keeping by John Ortberg For more than 25 years, Portable Church® has helped thousands of churches launch strong and thrive in a mobile setting. We design custom solutions that fit each budget, vision, and venue. Everything you need to launch a mobile church — an inviting worship space, kids ministry areas, welcome spaces, storage cases, etc — all in a system refined to make it fast, easy & fun for the weekly volunteer teams. See what this looks like by visiting portablechurch.com/lifeway.

Unseen Leadership Episode 33: John Eldredge on Pausing and Slowing Down Apr 01, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by John Eldredge who is a counselor, a teacher, and an author of Wild at Heart and his latest book called Get Your Life Back. During their conversation, they discuss how to handle stress and anxiety, the importance of trust in leadership, and the importance of pausing and slowing down. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 33: “We can want to change the world. But we should enjoy our life while trying to change the world.” “Do real things.” “I don’t check my phone first thing in the morning anymore.” “The average person spends 93% of life indoors.” “We are all faking it to some degree to another.” “We are all broken. What matters is what we do with our brokenness.” “My mistake as a young leader was too much, too fast.” “God is going to do some things in your 20’s that don’t look related to your career or success. But it is shaping your character. And you’re going to want that in your 50.” “God humbles us to exalt us.” “One of the greatest costs of leadership is loneliness. Invite others into it and share the leadership.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Get Your Life Back by John Eldredge Wild at Heart by John Eldredge Captivated by Stasi and John Eldredge Victory Over the Darkness by Neil T. Anderson Smarter, Faster, Better by Charles Duhigg Destiny of the Republic by Candace Millard River of Doubt by Candace Millard Deep Work by Cal Newport The Shallows by Nicholas Carr The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis The One Minute Pause App For more than 25 years, Portable Church® has helped thousands of churches launch strong and thrive in a mobile setting. We design custom solutions that fit each budget, vision, and venue. Everything you need to launch a mobile church — an inviting worship space, kids ministry areas, welcome spaces, storage cases, etc — all in a system refined to make it fast, easy & fun for the weekly volunteer teams. See what this looks like by visiting portablechurch.com/lifeway.

Unseen Leadership Episode 32: Ellie Holcomb on Leading with Authenticity Mar 04, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Jenaye White are joined by Ellie Holcomb who is a Dove award-winning singer/songwriter and author of two children’s books titled Who Sang the First Song, and her brand new kids book Don't Forget to Remember, available now. During their conversation, they discuss how to lead with authenticity, how the creative process works, and how God’s plans are better than our own. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 32: “Music is a bridge builder. There is something about music that connects our story to someone else’s story, even if it is very different.” “I’ve had to learn to be who I am and to own my own story and to own my own pain.” “God didn’t come to make bad people good people. He came to make dead people alive people.” “Don’t let fear dictate your decision making and pay attention to what makes your heart beat fast and come alive.” “When I feel like I’m leading well, it is usually from a place of vulnerability and owning what I’m not good at.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Don't Forget to Remember by Ellie Holcomb Who Sang the First Song by Ellie Holcomb The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown Rising Strong by Brené Brown For more than 25 years, Portable Church® has helped thousands of churches launch strong and thrive in a mobile setting. We design custom solutions that fit each budget, vision, and venue. Everything you need to launch a mobile church — an inviting worship space, kids ministry areas, welcome spaces, storage cases, etc — all in a system refined to make it fast, easy & fun for the weekly volunteer teams. See what this looks like by visiting portablechurch.com/lifeway.

Unseen Leadership Episode 31: Joshua Gagnon on Pursuing Dreams in a Godly Way Feb 26, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Joshua Gagnon who is the founding and Lead Pastor of Next Level Church, which is one of the fastest growing churches in America and the author of his new book It’s Not Over. During their conversation, they discuss how to leading by asking good questions, building culture, and pursuing your dreams in a Godly way. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 31: “No one wants to listen to a young leader full of pride or thinks they know it all. They want to listen to a young leader who is submitted and full of honor.” “Older leaders don’t mind young leaders who ask good questions that lead to better results.” “I wanted to start a church where my friends would want to go.” “I had to learn to lead like a father rather than a brother.” “Emotions in the moment compromise the integrity you want to walk with.” “We have to be prepared to lead the moment, and often times we have not prepared our hearts to lead the moments we are stepping into.” “Leadership breaks down when we are not prepared to lead in a specific moment.” “If I’m moving the ball forward in an organization but not developing leaders for forward movement, that is going to create a lot of tension and roadblocks.” “Wait until the morning to handle conflict and make big decisions.” “Culture is what matters. Everyone talks about vision. But everybody has a vision. Tell me about the culture that supports the vision, and I’ll tell you if your vision is going to amount to anything.” “We often expect way too much out of the immediate and not enough over the ultimate.” “God will be fruitful. Our job is to be faithful at taking each piece in each season so that someday we’ll see our dream fulfilled.” “The fake me might get me further for the short term, but the real me will take me further over the course of a lifetime. I want to be real and allow people to get scary close.” RESOURCES MENTIONED It’s Not Over by Joshua Gagnon Red Zone, Blue Zone by James Osterhaus, Joseph Jurkowski, and Todd Hahn Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards Scary Close by Donald Miller For more than 25 years, Portable Church® has helped thousands of churches launch strong and thrive in a mobile setting. We design custom solutions that fit each budget, vision, and venue. Everything you need to launch a mobile church — an inviting worship space, kids ministry areas, welcome spaces, storage cases, etc — all in a system refined to make it fast, easy & fun for the weekly volunteer teams. See what this looks like by visiting portablechurch.com/lifeway.

Unseen Leadership Episode 30: Shannon Miles on Taking Calculated Risks Feb 19, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Shannon Miles who is the Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Belay Solutions, a Virtual Assistant Company. During their conversation, they discuss how to take calculated risks, how to lead others with empathy, and how to lead remote teams. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 30: “When your desperation exceeds your embarrassment, you will make a change.” “I had to learn to stop applying my desires and ambitions to those I was trying to lead.” “Not everyone is like you, and not everybody can be lead the same way.” “You have to actually understand and know those you are leading.” “A leader can lose credibility simply in the language that they use.” “People will rarely remember what you say but they will remember how you make them feel.” “If we had not taken the risk, we would have had regret.” “The safest thing for us sometimes is to take risks.” “I don’t think there has ever been a better time to start a business.” “Always be looking to replace yourself.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Good to Great by Jim Collins This is Marketing by Seth Godin Purple Cow by Seth Godin Deep Work by Cal Newport Talking with Strangers by Macolm Gladwell Overcast Podcast App The Podcast App For more than 25 years, Portable Church® has helped thousands of churches launch strong and thrive in a mobile setting. We design custom solutions that fit each budget, vision, and venue. Everything you need to launch a mobile church — an inviting worship space, kids ministry areas, welcome spaces, storage cases, etc — all in a system refined to make it fast, easy & fun for the weekly volunteer teams. See what this looks like by visiting portablechurch.com/lifeway.

Unseen Leadership Episode 29: Andrew Peterson on Distinguishing between Pride and Ambition Feb 12, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Andrew Peterson who is an award-winning sing-songwriter, creator of The Rabbit Room, and author of the Wingfeather Saga and his latest book Adorning the Dark. During their conversation, they discuss how to distinguish between pride and ambition, how to tell the difference between leadership and false influence, and how to lead as a creative. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 29: “There is no recipe for success. The best advice I can give to young leaders is say yes, keep working on your craft, and be available.” “Everything that I tried to make happen on my own, ended in a dead end.” “If your ambition is to leave a legacy, what you’ll leave a legacy of ambition.” - Rich Mullins “Your motives are never going to be perfectly pure, so don’t let that stop you from doing good work, but listen to the Spirit saying careful.” “You need to go to church with people who are not impressed with you.” “Knowing that you are not alone and that your struggles are familiar to other people is so helpful.” “A good thing can be a bad thing for us if that is not what God has given us to do.” “If you are honestly reading Scripture, it is almost impossible to get arrogant.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Adorning the Dark by Andrew Peterson Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engle Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning Deep Work by Cal Newport The Lion’s Gate by Steven Pressfield For more than 25 years, Portable Church® has helped thousands of churches launch strong and thrive in a mobile setting. We design custom solutions that fit each budget, vision, and venue. Everything you need to launch a mobile church — an inviting worship space, kids ministry areas, welcome spaces, storage cases, etc — all in a system refined to make it fast, easy & fun for the weekly volunteer teams. See what this looks like by visiting portablechurch.com/lifeway.

Unseen Leadership Episode 28: Kara Powell on Handling Anxiety and Depression in the Church Feb 05, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Kara Powell who is the Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute and a faculty member at Fuller Theological Seminary. She’s also the author of Sticky Faith, Growing Young, and a brand new high school curriculum titled Faith in an Anxious World. During their conversation, they discuss affirming leadership in others, when to pursue higher education and seminary, and how to handle anxiety and depression in the church. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 28: “Little by little we travel far” - J.R.R. Tolkien “If you want to read more, always keep a book with you.” “I wish I would have talked more freely about God with young people.” “It is easy to judge my day based upon how much I cross off my to do list. Instead, I’m constantly trying to reorient my compass to say my day is based on how well I loved God and how much I loved others as my self.” “One of the biggest mistakes we can make when it comes to anxiety and depression is simply not talking about it enough.” “My concern with personality tests is that it becomes our excuse to not grow.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Faith in an Anxious World curriculum Measure What Matters by John Doerr For more than 25 years, Portable Church® has helped thousands of churches launch strong and thrive in a mobile setting. We design custom solutions that fit each budget, vision, and venue. Everything you need to launch a mobile church — an inviting worship space, kids ministry areas, welcome spaces, storage cases, etc — all in a system refined to make it fast, easy & fun for the weekly volunteer teams. See what this looks like by visiting portablechurch.com/lifeway.

Unseen Leadership Episode 27: Eric Geiger on Building Credibility with Those You Lead Jan 29, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Eric Geiger who is the Senior Pastor of Mariners Church in Irvine, California. Before moving to Southern California, Eric served as senior vice-president here at Lifeway. He is the author of many books including Simple Church, Designed to Lead and his latest How to Ruin Your Life. During their conversation, they discuss how to build credibility with those you lead, how to equip others to do ministry, and how to replace a long term pastor. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 27: “As a young leader, you want to honor and respect those who have been there before you.” “One of the biggest mistakes a young leader can make is to bash the past and try and make themselves look like the hero.” “The pastor is not supposed to do all the ministry but instead, prepare others to do the ministry.” “Read or get out of the ministry.” - John Wesley “Reading helps you formulate your thinking and process information.” “Young leaders need to always stay curious and stay hungry.” “One of the biggest misconceptions of young leaders is that people will follow simply because of the role or position you have been placed in.” “You have to use your leadership role to serve others. Not use your role to be served by others.” “Find one thing you are passionate about and that your supervisor is passionate about and ask if you can run that initiative.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Spiritual Leadership by Oswald Sanders Leading Change by John Kotter 4 Disciplines of Execution by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, and Jim Huling Not the Way It's Supposed to Be by Cornelius Plantinga

Unseen Leadership Episode 26: Will Mancini on the Overcoming Approval Addiction Jan 22, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Will Mancini who is the Founder of Auxano, creator of VisionRoom.com and the author of his latest book Younique. During their conversation, they discuss how to discover your personal calling, receive honest feedback, and overcome approval addiction. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 26: “There is the me I want to be, and then there is the me God created me to be.” “There is no one who has ever walked planet earth that is built like you and made like you, and there is a real intention in who you are and your story.” “Every human being is a collection of other people’s expectations.” “When you stand before Jesus, he’s not going to care about what other people’s expectations were for you. He’s going to hold us accountable to who he made us to be.” “It is easy to be addicted to approval. Rather than understanding who I wanted to be, I was trying to please others.” “Words create worlds.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Younique by Will Mancini The Making of a Leader by Robert Clinton Under the Unpredictable Plant by Eugene Peterson Word Hero by Jay Heinrichs

Unseen Leadership Episode 25: Bobby Gruenewald on the Creation of the Bible App Jan 15, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Bobby Gruenewald who is Pastor and Innovation Leader at Life.Church, a multisite church based in Oklahoma. He is also the founder of the YouVersion Bible App, which reached over 400 million installs in December 2019. During their conversation, they discuss how The Bible App came to be, how to steward what God has entrusted you, and how to lead as an entrepreneur. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 25: “I had an investor before I even had an idea which is a really backwards way to do it, but the Lord was providing.” “We feel like we are stewards of what he has entrusted to us, not owners.” “Young leaders, don’t wait for someone to ask you to solve a problem. Just start tackling it.” “I used to have the illusion that if I just worked harder than everyone else, that made me the leader.” “It is a difficult transition going from a leader who does everything to a leader who empowers their team.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Bible App Bible Lens Bible App for Kids

Unseen Leadership Episode 24: John Mark Comer on Eliminating Hurry Jan 08, 2020

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by John Mark Comer who is the pastor for teaching and vision at Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon and the author of many books including his latest, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. During their conversation, they discuss how to understand our limits, how to create a rule of life, and how to eliminate hurry. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 24: “We achieve inner peace when our schedule is aligned with our values.” “Leading from holiness also means leading from wholeness as a person.” “Young leaders should be incredibly wary of ideals, stereotypes, and formulas. We should rebel against the American gospel of upward mobility.” “We find God’s will for our life in our limitations.” “The more leadership you have, the larger the target for spiritual oppression is on your back.” “Pay less attention to idols, images, and aspiring to success, and pay more attention to inner work and who Jesus is calling you to become.” “If the enemy can’t underpromote you, he’ll overpromote you faster than your rhythms of grace can sustain.” “If you are working more than 40 hours a week, you are not doing your job well.” RESOURCES MENTIONED The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer Habitudes by Dr. Tim Elmore Atomic Habits by James Clear Domestic Monastery by Ronald Rolheiser

Unseen Leadership Episode 23: Top Books of 2019 Dec 19, 2019

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter walk through their top books that were recommended on the podcast in 2019. One of the most common questions we have received is if we have a running list of all the books that are referenced to on the podcast. Well, now we do. You can find that list at leadership.lifeway.com/unseenbooks. YOUNG LEADER LIBRARY GIVEAWAY: In connection with this podcast episode, we are giving away a young leader library that includes all 15 books that we discuss in this podcast. To enter the giveaway, just share about the Unseen Leadership podcast on Instagram through a regular post or on your story and make sure to tag @unseenleadership. When you share, you’ll be entered to win the Young Leader Library, which is valued at over $175. TOP BOOKS: How to Lead When You are Not in Charge by Clay Scroggins The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzero Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink Garden City by John Mark Comer Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud Spiritual Leadership by Oswald Sanders Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry Gaining by Losing by J.D. Greear Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry Atomic Habits by James Clear The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin Good to Great by Jim Collins Dangerous Calling by Paul David Tripp If You Only Knew by Jamie Ivey

Unseen Leadership Recommended Books Dec 18, 2019

One of the most common requests we get on social media is if we could create a running list of books that are referenced during each episode. So here you go! Unseen Leadership Episode 22: Art Rainer on The Importance of Relationships The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins Leading Change by John Kotter God and Money by Gregory Baumer and John Cortines Unseen Leadership Episode 21: Christine and Nick Caine on Growing as an Emotionally Healthy Leader The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzero Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud Unseen Leadership Episode 20: Robby Gallaty on The Importance of Discipleship Lectures to My Students by Charles Spurgeon Emotionally Healthy Leader by Pete Scazzero Garden City by John Mark Comer Unseen Leadership Episode 19: Ed Newton on Slowing Down Your Leadership Visioneering by Andy Stanley Choosing to Cheat by Andy Stanley Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges Atomic Habits by James Clear The 100X Leader by Steve Cockram Unseen Leadership Episode 18: Ron Edmondson on Leading Where God Has Placed You The Mythical Leader by Ron Edmondson Unseen Leadership Episode 17: J.D. Greear on Doing Meaningful Things with Awesome People Gaining by Losing by J.D. Greear Good to Great by Jim Collins Confronting Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard The Curse of Oak Island by Randall Sullivan Hero of the Empire by Candice Millard Unseen Leadership Episode 16: Matt Carter on How to Delegate Leadership The Long Walk Home by Matt Carter The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell Center Church by Tim Keller The Christ-Centered Expositor by Tony Merida Unseen Leadership Episode 15: Kevin Queen on Understanding Your Calling Reappearing Church by Mark Sayers Leadership and Self Deception by The Arbinger Institute Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink Unseen Leadership Episode 14: Brent Crowe on Learning from Others Linchpin by Seth Godin The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby Moments ’til Midnight by Brent Crowe Unseen Leadership Episode 13: Brad Lomenick on Healthy Ambition When by Daniel Pink H3 Leadership by Brad Lomenick The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell The Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley Entre Leadership by Dave Ramsey The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath Deep Work by Cal Newport Unseen Leadership Episode 12: Jenni Catron on Self Leadership The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership by Jenni Catron Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton Spiritual Leadership by Oswald Sanders Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry Deep Work by Cal Newport Unseen Leadership Episode 11: Bob Russell on Healthy Conflict After 50 Years of Ministry by Bob Russell Conformed to His Image by Ken Boa Too Great a Temptation by Joel Gregory The American Miracle by Michael Medved Unseen Leadership Episode 10: Annie F. Downs on Leading Where You Flourish Remember God by Annie F. Downs Garden City by John Mark Comer The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Pete Scazzero What If It is True by Charles Martin Unseen Leadership Episode 9: Ben Trueblood on Leading as a Student Pastor Read for Your Life by Pat Williams Garden City: Work, Rest, and the Art of Being Human by John Mark Comer Good to Great by Jim Collins Unseen Leadership Episode 8: Josh Patterson on Learning from Failure What Leaders Really Do by John Kotter Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership by Gary L. McIntosh and Samuel D. Rima Daring Greatly by Brene Brown Creature of the Word by Eric Geiger, Matt Chandler, and Josh Patterson Unseen Leadership Episode 7: Kevin Peck on Developing Leaders in the Church Designed to Lead by Eric Geiger and Kevin Peck Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande Playing God by Andy Crouch Unseen Leadership Episode 6: Louie Giglio on Taking the Next Step Not Forsaken by Louie Giglio The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman So Send I You by Oswald Chambers

Unseen Leadership Episode 22: Art Rainer on The Importance of Relationships Oct 23, 2019

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Art Rainer who is the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at SEBTS and author of The Money Challenge. This past summer, he also released a series of children’s books called The Secret Slide Money Club. During their conversation, they discuss how to understand your calling, focus on relationships, and handle your personal finances. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 22: “One of the mistakes young leaders can fall into is not connecting with the older leaders.” “We need to not neglect spending time with people who are not like us and are older.” “Too many young leaders give up way too soon.” “Financial health is an end in and of itself.” “The goal of financial healthy should be able to give and live generously.” “When you talk to those who are geared toward pursuing materialistic gain, they are often times incredibly financially healthy but they are still incredibly miserable.” “It is so important for future leaders to dive into books and study and read about the great leaders ahead of them.” RESOURCES MENTIONED The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins Leading Change by John Kotter God and Money by Gregory Baumer and John Cortines This Episode's Sponsor: Every church must be equipped to respond well in the initial stages of learning about instances of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse. That is why the Southern Baptist Convention, Lifeway, and ERLC partnered together to create Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused. This training curriculum of a handbook and 13 videos brings together top experts from various fields to help volunteers and leaders understand and implement the best practices for handling the variety of abuse scenarios at church, school, or ministry. You can access this free training at ChurchCares.com.

Unseen Leadership Episode 21: Christine and Nick Caine on Growing as an Emotionally Healthy Leader Oct 16, 2019

In this special episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast and 5 Leadership Questions podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Todd Adkins are joined by Christine and Nick Caine who are founders of the The A21 Campaign. During their conversation, they discuss how to focus on developing others, balancing delegation and excellence, and growing as an emotionally healthy leader. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 21: “We should always be focusing on developing pipelines and pathways so other people can be developed.” “If you are just going to do, you have already put a limit, a ceiling, and a lid on your leadership.” “We should always be thinking, how is this sustainable without me being the one to sustain it.” “I would take willingness to grow over giftedness and talent every day of the week because you can work with that.” “You have to inspect to make sure you get what you expect.” “Leaders need to be careful not to drive too hard in order to get an outcome at the sake of people. We have to remember we are working with people, and God loves people.” “The deeper I allow the Holy Spirit to do healing in me, the more effective leader I become.” “My gift quickly took me to a place that my character would not have kept me if God did not do a work in me.” “If the spotlight on you is brighter than the light of God within you, it is going to destroy you.” “The degree to which your heart is healthy is the degree to which you will remain a healthy leader.” “Being a healthy leader is the best gift you can give your team and your family.” RESOURCES MENTIONED The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzero Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud 5LQ Episode 116: Pete Scazzero This Episode's Sponsor: Every church must be equipped to respond well in the initial stages of learning about instances of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse. That is why the Southern Baptist Convention, Lifeway, and ERLC partnered together to create Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused. This training curriculum of a handbook and 13 videos brings together top experts from various fields to help volunteers and leaders understand and implement the best practices for handling the variety of abuse scenarios at church, school, or ministry. You can access this free training at ChurchCares.com.

Unseen Leadership Episode 20: Robby Gallaty on The Importance of Discipleship Oct 09, 2019

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Robby Gallaty who is the Senior Pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church, the founder of Replicate Ministries, host of the Making Disciples podcast, and the author of several books, including Growing Up. During their conversation, they discuss the importance of discipleship, how to empower others in ministry, and dealing with pride. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 20: “Even through the difficult times and the good times, God never wastes a hurt and he never wastes an opportunity in our past. He is going to use those experiences to refine us.” “The ministry you are leading will only grow to the capacity you will allow it.” “You need to yield to the Holy Spirit for him to work in you to work through you.” “Ministry is received, not achieved.” “Steward what you’ve been given with excellence and trust God with the rest.” “Sadly in ministry, we’ve become managers of spreadsheets, not shepherds of sheep.” “Young leaders overestimate what can be done in the short term and they underestimate what God can do in the long run.” “Pride’s favorite mask is humility.” “Your spiritual maturity will only grow to the level of your emotional health.” “For many of us, our calendar runs us, we don’t run our calendar.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Lectures to My Students by Charles Spurgeon Emotionally Healthy Leader by Pete Scazzero Garden City by John Mark Comer The Light Phone This Episode's Sponsor: Every church must be equipped to respond well in the initial stages of learning about instances of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse. That is why the Southern Baptist Convention, Lifeway, and ERLC partnered together to create Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused. This training curriculum of a handbook and 13 videos brings together top experts from various fields to help volunteers and leaders understand and implement the best practices for handling the variety of abuse scenarios at church, school, or ministry. You can access this free training at ChurchCares.com.

Unseen Leadership Episode 19: Ed Newton on Slowing Down Your Leadership Oct 02, 2019

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Ed Newton who is the Senior Pastor at Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas, which is a diverse congregation with about 27,000 members. During their conversation, they discuss how to focus on relational equity, slow down in your leadership, and deal with criticism. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 19: “Leadership is more than a title, it is an assignment, and that assignment changes.” “One of the biggest mistakes for me was trying to go too fast, too soon.” “One of the challenges of a leader is taking what is so clearly seen to you and making that visible to other people as well.” “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” “Sometimes as leaders, we become more concerned about the success of an organization than the health of an organization.” “One of my biggest misconceptions was thinking that everybody would love me.” “We must learn to receive a compliment or even a point of criticism in my head but not that go and destroy my heart.” “Eat the meat and spit out the bones when it comes to criticism.” “If we are better today than we were yesterday, we are winning.” “No one is called to be a Lone Ranger in ministry.” “We have to ask the question what is it like to sit across the table from ourself.” “Leadership begins with self awareness. You cannot lead someone else if you cannot lead yourself.” “In order to reproduce your life is someone else, you have got to have a life.” “The organization is only as healthy as you are.” “Being teachable is a trophy of being captured by God’s grace.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Visioneering by Andy Stanley Choosing to Cheat by Andy Stanley Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges Atomic Habits by James Clear The 100X Leader by Steve Cockram This Episode's Sponsor: Every church must be equipped to respond well in the initial stages of learning about instances of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse. That is why the Southern Baptist Convention, Lifeway, and ERLC partnered together to create Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused. This training curriculum of a handbook and 13 videos brings together top experts from various fields to help volunteers and leaders understand and implement the best practices for handling the variety of abuse scenarios at church, school, or ministry. You can access this free training at ChurchCares.com.

Unseen Leadership Episode 18: Ron Edmondson on Leading Where God Has Placed You Sep 25, 2019

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Ron Edmondson who is the CEO of Leadership Network, a former pastor, and author of the book The Mythical Leader. During their conversation, they discuss how to lead where God has placed you, empower those in the pews, and create buy-in from your team. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 18: “Wherever God has allowed you to be, that is where he desires to use you.” “If you have certain skill sets that the church can use, then raise your hand and volunteer.” “As a senior leader, there is a weight that you carry that no one else will understand until they sit where you sit.” “You cannot expect people to own your world as much as you do.” “We don’t always get a seat at the table, but we should always be looking for a seat at the table in a humble way.” “If God calls you into something, he is going to equip you for it.” “One of the biggest myths of leadership is if I am hearing no one complain, everyone must be happy.” “We need to be quicker to admit when we do not know something.” “One of the things leaders struggle most with is self doubt.” RESOURCES MENTIONED The Mythical Leader by Ron Edmondson

Unseen Leadership Episode 17: J.D. Greear on Doing Meaningful Things with Awesome People Sep 18, 2019

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by JD Greear who is the pastor of The Summit Church, President of the Southern Baptist Convention, host of the Ask Me Anything podcast, and author of many books including his latest Above All. During their conversation, they discuss the need for surrounding yourself with great people, practical ways to create a healthy culture, and making mistakes slowly. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 17: “You don’t get leadership bestowed on you by a position, and if you do, those end up becoming the worst kind of leaders.” “It is the people you surround yourself with that determines both the quality of your ministry and life.” “Do meaningful things with awesome people.” “Make your biggest mistakes slowly.” “Pastors consistently overestimate what they can do in a church in 5 years and they underestimate what they can accomplish in 20 years.” “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” “When I’m sick of saying it, our staff has just started to hear it. And when they are finally sick of hearing it, that means the congregational probably just heard it for the first time.” “It shouldn’t be who is in the room that determines a decision, but instead, it should be our values.” “Fame is making yourself accessible to a bunch of people you don’t really care about at the expense of those you do care about.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Gaining by Losing by J.D. Greear Good to Great by Jim Collins Confronting Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard The Curse of Oak Island by Randall Sullivan Hero of the Empire by Candice Millard

Unseen Leadership Episode 16: Matt Carter on How to Delegate Leadership Sep 11, 2019

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Matt Carter who is the Pastor of Preaching and Vision at The Austin Stone Community Church and is author or co-author of several books, including his latest The Long Walk Home. During their conversation, they discuss how to delegate leadership to others, how to live on mission, and how to strive for excellence with grace. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 16: “I decided from day one of the Austin Stone that we wanted to have a multi teacher model, and that I wasn’t going to be the only guy that preached.” “All leaders need to realize we have limitations. There are things we are good at and things that we are not good at.” “The whole idea behind the law of the lid is that an organization will only grow to the level of the capacity of the senior leader.” “If I had never given away power, influence, and leadership, I think we would have grown to a certain level and the growth would have stopped.” “I found where I was weak, gave those jobs away to others who were really good at it, and I let them run.” “What good does it do if we are growing a church, but I am losing my wife.” “Leadership is a pressure cooker. It takes time to learn and grow, especially in your character.” “Churches are kind of like a bus. People get on and they ride awhile and they get off, and you can’t take it personally.” “The best way to lead people is in gentleness and kindness like Jesus did.” “The point of striving for excellence is to remove all the distractions that are in the way so people can place their eyes on Jesus.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Man Catches Flying Bird with Bare Hand The Long Walk Home by Matt Carter The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell Center Church by Tim Keller The Christ-Centered Expositor by Tony Merida Free Ministry Grid Course on Christ-Centered Exposition with Tony Merida Your Unique Design Personality Test

Unseen Leadership Episode 15: Kevin Queen on Understanding Your Calling Sep 04, 2019

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Kevin Queen who is the Lead Pastor of Cross Point Church right here in Nashville, TN. During their conversation, they discuss how to understand your calling, wrestling with disappointing others, and leading with humility. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 15: “Leadership is disappointing people at a rate that they can stand.” “We cannot please everyone and follow the call of God.” “Many a young man wants to do great things for God, but a better aim for one's life is to do things for a great God.” “God is uniquely wired each of us with unique gifts to lead with.” “We can try to promote ourselves beyond our anointing, but God will never promote us beyond our anointing.” “Humility is fleeting. As soon as you think you are humble, it is gone.” “Once the leader speaks, the conversations is over, so let others speak before you give your answer.” “Prayer is an acknowledgement that God is in the midst of our meeting.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Reappearing Church by Mark Sayers Leadership and Self Deception by The Arbinger Institute Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink

Unseen Leadership Episode 14: Brent Crowe on Learning from Others Aug 28, 2019

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Brent Crowe who is currently serving as Vice President for Student Leadership University. He is also the author of several books including his latest, Moments 'til Midnight. During their conversation, they discuss how to steward your influence well, how to learn from others’ experiences, and how to slow down to hear from the Lord. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 14: “When you steward your influence well, there’s a good chance the Lord will give you more influence, but it starts by laying any bit of influence you have down at the feet of Jesus.” “Leadership begins at the feet of Jesus.” “Leadership is devotional before it is practical.” “You can never go wrong by believing the best for someone else’s future.” “My biggest misconception was that experience was the best teacher. Someone else’s experience is your best teacher.” “Bring an open notebook any time you get to speak with a mentor.” “If you are always running, it does not give you time to stop and think.” “If hustle is an idol, then it is going to consume you and you will miss the peace that comes with slowing down and hearing from the Lord.” “Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Linchpin by Seth Godin The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby Moments 'til Midnight by Brent Crowe This Episode's Sponsor: With Ministry Grid’s library of over 3,500 training videos and 800 courses, it's now simpler than ever to train every volunteer and leader in your church. For the month of August, you can get unlimited access to Ministry Grid for YOUR ENTIRE CHURCH for just $399 a year. If you want to take advantage of this incredible deal, just go to ministrygrid.com/podcast.

Unseen Leadership Episode 13: Brad Lomenick on Healthy Ambition Aug 21, 2019

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Brad Lomenick, who lead Catalyst for many years and is now a leadership consultant, speaker, founder of BLINC, and author of The Catalyst Leader and H3 Leadership. During their conversation, they discuss Brad’s leadership before he was the head of Catalyst and how to focus on significance over success, how to have healthy ambition, and how to have balance hustle and margin. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 13: “If I’m not helping others win and become who God created them to be, then I am not winning either.” “If the people closest to you aren’t getting the best of you, you aren’t winning as a leader.” “God needs to work on us in the private before we can lead in the public.” “If I’m winning, but my team isn’t, none of us were winning.” “There’s a big difference between connectors and networkers.” “Ambition is a ruthless pursuit of helping other people win.” “Twenty-somethings are known for their hustle.” “Success is about you, but significance is about others.” “The ability to influence people from anywhere in the organization has never been more available to us.” “Question-asking and curiosity are vital skills for leaders.” “Be honest, be transparent, be vulnerable, and be honest.” RESOURCES MENTIONED When by Daniel Pink H3 Leadership by Brad Lomenick The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell The Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley Entre Leadership by Dave Ramsey The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath Deep Work by Cal Newport This Episode's Sponsor: With Ministry Grid’s library of over 3,500 training videos and 800 courses, it's now simpler than ever to train every volunteer and leader in your church. For the month of August, you can get unlimited access to Ministry Grid for YOUR ENTIRE CHURCH for just $399 a year. If you want to take advantage of this incredible deal, just go to ministrygrid.com/podcast.

Unseen Leadership Episode 12: Jenni Catron on Self Leadership Aug 14, 2019

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Jenni Catron who is the founder of The 4Sight Group, a speaker, a leadership expert, and author of several books including The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership. During their conversation, they discuss how to be self aware, how to let others speak into your life, and how to lead yourself first before leading others. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 12: “If you want to work with widgets, go work in a factory. But if you want to work with people, you are going to have to learn to love them to lead them.” “Great leaders put feet to vision.” “The foundation of all leadership is self leadership.” “You’ve got to give people around you permission to speak into your life.” “Spiritual leadership starts by following Jesus first so that we can lead others as he leads us.” “It is easy to think our leadership is about us and for us.” “As leaders, we have the power to change and affect the lives of those in our sphere of influence.” “Lead yourself well to lead others better.” RESOURCES MENTIONED The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership by Jenni Catron Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton Spiritual Leadership by Oswald Sanders Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry Deep Work by Cal Newport This Episode's Sponsor: With Ministry Grid’s library of over 3,500 training videos and 800 courses, it's now simpler than ever to train every volunteer and leader in your church. For the month of August, you can get unlimited access to Ministry Grid for YOUR ENTIRE CHURCH for just $399 a year. If you want to take advantage of this incredible deal, just go to ministrygrid.com/podcast.

Unseen Leadership Episode 11: Bob Russell on Healthy Conflict Aug 07, 2019

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Bob Russell who is the former Senior Pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY and author of the book After 50 Years of Ministry. During their conversation, they discuss the need to delegate instead of doing it all, surrounding yourself with great leaders, and having healthy conflict. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 11: “A great slogan for lay leaders in the church would be ‘we are going to make our preacher successful.” “A lot of young pastors try to do everything themselves instead of empowering others to lead.” “If you have unity at the core, you can go through a lot.” “I’m convinced that 80% of the problems we have on church staffs would be resolved if we practiced what Jesus said in ’if you have something against your brother, go to him and talk about it between the two of you.’” “If you try to please everybody, you will wind up trying to do more than you can really do.” “Don’t rearrange the furniture in a room of a disoriented person.” “The most important thing a preacher does each week is prepare his sermon.” “We miss out on being who God wants us to be when we try to be somebody else.” “Be faithful, be joyful, and trust God for the rest.” RESOURCES MENTIONED After 50 Years of Ministry by Bob Russell Conformed to His Image by Ken Boa Too Great a Temptation by Joel Gregory The American Miracle by Michael Medved This Episode's Sponsor: With Ministry Grid’s library of over 3,500 training videos and 800 courses, it's now simpler than ever to train every volunteer and leader in your church. For the month of August, you can get unlimited access to Ministry Grid for YOUR ENTIRE CHURCH for just $399 a year. If you want to take advantage of this incredible deal, just go to ministrygrid.com/podcast.

Unseen Leadership Episode 10: Annie F. Downs on Leading Where You Flourish Jul 31, 2019

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Annie F. Downs, who is a speaker, podcaster, and bestselling author of many books including her newest book Remember God. During their conversation, they discuss leading through unlikely circumstances, leading with influence plus compassion, and leading where you flourish. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 10: “When you are in leadership, there is a heavier mantle on you and a higher requirement.” “Disobedience is always disobedience, whether that is disobeying by leading or disobeying by not leading.” “Your personal, private devotion to Jesus will gain you influence in the public declaration of Jesus.” “Who you are in private is going to play itself out on the stage. Nothing stays secret.” “When you figure out where you flourish and why, that is where you lead best.” “You can only be in the wrong seat on the bus for a short amount of time before you want off the bus, even if you are the star player on the bus.” “We have to want more people to live in their calling more than to be on our bus.” “The only way you can get done everything that God has for you is to sleep.” “Who you are in the private of your life is far more important than who you are in the public.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Remember God by Annie F. Downs Garden City by John Mark Comer The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Pete Scazzero What If It is True by Charles Martin Blue Letter Bible

Unseen Leadership Episode 9: Ben Trueblood on Leading as a Student Pastor Jul 24, 2019

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Ben Trueblood who serves as the Director of Student Ministry for Lifeway Christian Resources and has seventeen years of student ministry experience, fourteen of which were spent in the local church as a student pastor. During their conversation, they discuss the importance of mentors, caring more about people than the results, and the biggest keys for leadership as a student pastor. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 9: “Leadership is a call to more.” “Don’t think you have it all figured out. Instead, go seek a mentor to learn from.” “If you don’t know the people you are leading, you won’t know how to lead them.” “People are not a means to an end. People are the end.” “Hold your vision lightly and your strategy loosely.” “Write your mission in ink and the plan in pencil.” “As a student pastor, you must be secure enough in your leadership to lead with confidence.” “Have the humility to involve subject matter experts when you are not one.” “Don’t feel the pressure to always be the smartest person in the room.” “As a leader, you have to be okay with people not liking the direction, decision, or approach you are taking.” “The higher you go up in leadership, there are more meetings, so you must learn to protect your time.” “If you are a young leader, surround yourself with people that can help you get better and know your gaps.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Student Ministry Podcast by Lifeway Students Read for Your Life by Pat Williams Garden City: Work, Rest, and the Art of Being Human by John Mark Comer Good to Great by Jim Collins

Unseen Leadership Episode 8: Josh Patterson on Learning from Failure Jul 17, 2019

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Josh Patterson, the Lead Pastor over Ministry Leadership at The Village Church and co-author of the book Creature of the Word. During their conversation, they discuss Josh’s leadership journey that lead him to the Village Church, and how to learn through failure, how to slow down and reflect on your leadership journey, and how to lead as the #2 guy as a strategic leader. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 8: “Starting in 2003, there was pretty tremendous growth. We grew at about 1,000 people a year for over a decade.” “Leaders grow through challenges. We were all in over our heads.” “As the organization grows, it forces the leaders to grow. And as leaders grow, it forces change into the organization.” “Leaders navigate and negotiate change.” “We must own our failures and walk humbly through them.” “Failure is hard, but if you are going to enter into the arena of leadership, you can expect to fall.” “The leaders I don’t trust the most are the ones who cannot own and admit their leadership failures.” “Preaching is not the only gift a church needs. It also needs strategic leaders and thinkers.” “Anybody can come up with a great vision. It’s a whole different thing to strategically lead toward that vision.” “There are some who lead because they preach, and there are some who preach because they lead.” RESOURCES MENTIONED What Leaders Really Do by John Kotter Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership by Gary L. McIntosh and Samuel D. Rima Daring Greatly by Brene Brown Creature of the Word by Eric Geiger, Matt Chandler, and Josh Patterson

Unseen Leadership Episode 7: Kevin Peck on Developing Leaders in the Church Jul 10, 2019

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Kevin Peck who is the Lead Pastor of The Austin Stone Church and co-author of Designed to Lead. During their conversation, they discuss Kevin’s leadership journey that brought him to the Austin Stone and how he learned to lead in the marketplace before the church, how to develop leaders in the church, and how to scale your ministry. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 7: “Lead often and fail just as much but learn along the way because leadership is tough, so you might as well knock out some lessons early.” “Leadership is not this privilege of power you possess, it is a privilege of responsibility and stewardship.” “The economics of the kingdom are so different from the economics of the world in so many ways, especially in leadership.” “The best training that I ever got to do my job was actually in the marketplace, not the church.” “Leading people at work in the marketplace is not the same as leading volunteers, so you must lead them through vision, not a paycheck.” “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” - Martin Luther “One of the most important parts of developing leaders is intentionality.” “If you never write down your systems and philosophies, it will never be replicable and scalable.” “I would tell a young leader to be a hard worker, be intentional with people, and be humble with correction.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Designed to Lead by Eric Geiger and Kevin Peck Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande Playing God by Andy Crouch

Unseen Leadership Episode 6: Louie Giglio on Taking the Next Step Jul 03, 2019

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Louie Giglio who is the Pastor of Passion City Church, the Founder of the Passion movement, and author of many books including his latest Not Forsaken. During their conversation, they discuss Louie’s journey to founding the Passion movement, how the pain of losing his dad has shaped his leadership, and how to not read your own headlines and remain humble. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 6: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” - A.W. Tozer “God is not the reflection of your earthly father; he is the perfection of your earthly father.” “Back in 1977, ministry looked like being a senior pastor, associate pastor, missions director, youth minister, or an evangelist, and I looked at all those boxes, and one of those boxes didn’t ring the bell for me” “Leadership is communicating vision, trying to marshal people in a direction, reminding them of what God is calling them to, helping them endure the valleys and take the hills.” “Leadership is just taking the next step with God.” “Every great leader has to go through the fire. God can’t use a man greatly until he wounds him deeply.” “Reading your own press and reading your own headlines is the detriment to being the kind of leader that Jesus calls us to be.” “Humility is the greatest character trait of leadership, and it is a byproduct of being in the presence of an almighty God.” “Too often young leaders focus too much on the end game.” “What we need in this generation is less Amazon prime book ordering and more closing the closet door and getting on our face before God.” “The most undervalued component of leadership is simply thinking.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Not Forsaken by Louie Giglio The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman So Send I You by Oswald Chambers Birkman Personality Test

Unseen Leadership Episode 5: Jackie Hill Perry on How to Lead with Humility Jun 26, 2019

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Jackie Hill Perry who is a musical artist, speaker, master of the spoken word, and author of Gay Girl, Good God. During their conversation, they discuss how to deal with shame as a leader, how to lead with vulnerability, the need for having mentors in your life, and how to lead with humility. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 5: “I’m really just a person who wants to show people that God really is honest in all that he says, namely that He changes people.” “It is easier to be honest with people when you are honest with God.” “The hardest thing for leaders is that we are the hardest person to lead and our own worst enemy. “Our personality is not an excuse not to love or serve others.” “There is a wake of leadership that is left behind from our mentors.” “Great leaders don’t just tell you what to do, they show you what to do.” “We need to be careful how we steward our influence.” “The stage does not equal leadership.” “Until a person is content with serving on the ground they should be leary of serving up on the mountain.” “It is easy to confuse leadership with control.” “Don’t believe the hype for yourself.” “You don’t need permission to function in your gifting and lead.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry Humility by CJ Mahaney Good to Great by Jim Collins The Coddling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff SPREAD THE WORD AND WIN! Like what you hear? Rate and review this podcast, and you'll be entered to win one of five Young Leader Book Bundles, valued at $150*. Just send a screenshot of your review to lifewayleadership@lifeway.com, and you may be selected at random to win. *Terms and conditions apply. Young Leaders Book Bundle includes Genuine Leather Personal Size CSB Bible, The Lost Sermons of C. H. Spurgeon, Designed to Lead, and Scrappy Church.

Unseen Leadership Episode 4: Levi Lusko on Living Open Handed with Your Plans Jun 19, 2019

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Levi Lusko who is the author of the bestselling books Through the Eyes of a Lion, Swipe Right, and his latest I Declare War. He is also the lead pastor of Fresh Life Church – a multisite church located in Montana, Utah, Oregon, and Wyoming. During their conversation, they discuss living open handed with your plans, determining the calling on your life, and how to develop leaders through asking the right questions. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 4: “When it comes God’s plan for our life, the answer should always be yes, then ask what’s the question.” “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” “God is a plan-wrecker.” “There are two key moments in your life: the day you were born and the day you figure out why.” “Our natural tendency is to give all of the answers rather than ask the right questions.” “You will be more valuable to your organization as a genius maker than you ever will be as a genius.” - Liz Wiseman “When leading a team, we must remember the team is not a means to an end, they are the end.” “Following is an under-appreciated form of leadership.” “The way you lead when you are not in charge prepares you for how you will lead when you are in charge.” “We don’t start with leadership, we start with followership.” “One of my biggest misconceptions was that I had to be certain in order to act.” “You have to learn to be content with the season you are in while still having a mind toward the future.” “Be willing to act even when you don’t necessarily have the answer.” “God is going to do more through you than you think he can, but it is going to hurt more than you think it will.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Multipliers by Liz Wiseman The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader by John Maxwell How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie How to Lead When You are Not in Charge by Clay Scroggins When by Daniel Pink 16 Personalities The Path Between the Seas by David McCullough 1776 by David McCullough The Wright Brothers by David McCullough John Adams by David McCullough SPREAD THE WORD AND WIN! Like what you hear? Rate and review this podcast, and you'll be entered to win one of five Young Leader Book Bundles, valued at $150*. Just send a screenshot of your review to lifewayleadership@lifeway.com, and you may be selected at random to win. *Terms and conditions apply. Young Leaders Book Bundle includes Genuine Leather Personal Size CSB Bible, The Lost Sermons of C. H. Spurgeon, Designed to Lead, and Scrappy Church.

Unseen Leadership Episode 3: Clay Scroggins on How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge Jun 12, 2019

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Clay Scroggins who is one of the Lead Pastors at Northpoint Community Church. He is a jack of many trades, the master of hosting, and the author of How to Lead When You're Not in Charge. During their conversation, they discuss leading as a student pastor while desiring to be a lead pastor, opening yourself up to feedback, and developing your self. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 3: “We don’t need to be asking how do we get bigger. We need to be asking how can we get better. And if we get better, others will demand we get bigger.” “God trusts us with more responsibility when we’ve shown we are faithful in the little things.” “You can create an oasis of excellence wherever you are. Whether you are in a student ministry, kids ministry, or in charge of cleaning out the closets, you can create an oasis of excellence” “The best thing I can ever give anybody with my leadership is my personal holiness and a character of Christ.” “Being a student of yourself is the best evaluation. Experience alone does not make somebody great, but it is evaluated experience that makes you a better leader.” “There is no manual that comes with leadership. It really comes down to the health of the person.” “Authority is not what makes a great leader. You can do anything from any position in the organization.” “Getting better at leadership is just sanctification. It is God forming you into his likeness.” “You can’t wait for someone else to lead you. Great leaders lead themselves well.” “Whatever is worrying my boss, should be worrying me.” “Resist the urge to feel like you have to know it all. People are attracted to someone who is willing to say I don’t know and let’s figure it out together.” RESOURCES MENTIONED How to Lead When You're Not in Charge by Clay Scroggins Search for Significance by Robert McGee The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle SPREAD THE WORD AND WIN! Like what you hear? Rate and review this podcast, and you'll be entered to win one of five Young Leader Book Bundles, valued at $150*. Just send a screenshot of your review to lifewayleadership@lifeway.com, and you may be selected at random to win. *Terms and conditions apply. Young Leaders Book Bundle includes Genuine Leather Personal Size CSB Bible, The Lost Sermons of C. H. Spurgeon, Designed to Lead, and Scrappy Church.

Unseen Leadership Episode 2: Jamie Ivey on Dealing with Your Past and Sharing Your Struggles with Others Jun 12, 2019

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Jamie Ivey, the host of the Happy Hour Podcast and author of If You Only Knew. During their conversation, they discuss how to deal with your past and share your struggles with others, how to wrestle with the fear of not measuring up as a leader, and how young women can grow as leaders. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 2: “With great power comes great responsibility...isn’t that a Spiderman reference?” “We all need to be faithful with the leadership and influence God has given us.” “We don’t have to seek after leadership. If God wants to give you leadership, it will seek out after you.” “When we share our struggles and where we’ve been, Jesus looks really good.” “It is essential to have people in your life who you can be completely vulnerable and honest with and lay everything on the table.” “You don’t have to say everything that is true. You just have to make sure everything you say is true.” “You can grow as a leader publicly, but be dying privately.” “If you want to start leading, just do the next thing that is in front of you.” “It is so easy to want to be in the position of someone who is 10 years down the road” “If you are not doing the work with the people in front of you, I don’t know how you are going to get bigger things. ” “If you want to get started leading, serve right where God has you.” “Surround yourself with really good people who love God and do really good work.” RESOURCES MENTIONED If You Only Knew by Jamie Ivey SPREAD THE WORD AND WIN! Like what you hear? Rate and review this podcast, and you'll be entered to win one of five Young Leader Book Bundles, valued at $150*. Just send a screenshot of your review to lifewayleadership@lifeway.com, and you may be selected at random to win. *Terms and conditions apply. Young Leaders Book Bundle includes Genuine Leather Personal Size CSB Bible, The Lost Sermons of C. H. Spurgeon, Designed to Lead, and Scrappy Church.

Unseen Leadership Episode 1: Carey Nieuwhof on How to Handle and Avoid Burnout Jun 12, 2019

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Josh Hunter are joined by Carey Nieuwhof who is a former lawyer and founding pastor of Connexus Church. He's the author of several best-selling books, including his latest, Didn’t See It Coming. He also hosts the top-rated Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast where he interviews some of today's best leaders. During their conversation, they discuss how to handle and avoid burnout as a leader, how to focus on helping others rather than building a platform, and why leaders need to focus more on growing in their character over their competency. QUOTES FROM EPISODE 1: “70% of leaders under 40 say that they experience symptoms of burnout.” “You think the rules never apply to you until they do.” “Live in a way today that will help you thrive tomorrow.” “I overestimated competency and underestimated character.” “Without knowledge of self, there is no knowledge of God. And without knowledge of God, there is no knowledge of self.” “You can be winning in ministry, but losing at home, and if you are losing at home, you are losing it all.” “I want to care less what the people I don’t know think about me. And I want to care about more about the impact I have on people that I actually know.” “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” “If you listen longer than most people will listen, you will hear things most people never hear.” “You have to be careful that your character is outpacing your platform.” “Seek to be helpful. Don’t seek to build a platform.” “Work twice as hard on your character as you do on your competency.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Didn’t See It Coming by Carey Nieuwhof Emotionally Healthy Church by Pete Scazzero The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Pete Scazzero The Genesee Diary by Henri J. M. Nouwen 12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson SPREAD THE WORD AND WIN! Like what you hear? Rate and review this podcast, and you'll be entered to win one of five Young Leader Book Bundles, valued at $150*. Just send a screenshot of your review to lifewayleadership@lifeway.com, and you may be selected at random to win. *Terms and conditions apply. Young Leaders Book Bundle includes Genuine Leather Personal Size CSB Bible, The Lost Sermons of C. H. Spurgeon, Designed to Lead, and Scrappy Church.

Unseen Leadership Episode 0: Welcome to the Podcast Jun 10, 2019

We are excited to announce, Unseen Leadership, the newest podcast from the Lifeway Leadership Podcast Network. On the Unseen Leadership podcast, hosts Chandler Vannoy (Brand Manager, Lifeway Leadership) and Josh Hunter (Director, Student Life Camp) explore the unseen stories that have made leaders who they are today. This podcast will be featuring guests like Carey Nieuwhof, Jamie Ivey, Clay Scroggins, Jackie Hill Perry, Levi Lusko, and many more. Unseen Leadership is a podcast for young leaders to learn from those ahead of them by exploring the early days of their leadership, understanding the mistakes they made, and identifying the habits that shaped them. All to help you lead in the future. Spread the word and win! Like what you hear? Rate and review this podcast, and you'll be entered to win one of five Young Leader Book Bundles, valued at $150*. Just send a screenshot of your review to lifewayleadership@lifeway.com, and you may be selected at random to win. *Terms and conditions apply. Young Leaders Book Bundle includes Genuine Leather Personal Size CSB Bible, The Lost Sermons of C. H. Spurgeon, Designed to Lead, and Scrappy Church.

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