Watermark's Church Leadership Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Trap of People-Pleasing Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

Join us for the Church Leaders Conference on Monday and Tuesday, April 26–27, 2027 or Wednesday and Thursday, April 28–29, 2027. Both conferences offer the same mainstage teachings, breakout sessions, and activities. Choose the dates that work best for your schedule! Come on your own or bring your team, and leave with practical tools and ideas you can take back to your church. Our lowest pricing ends November 6, so now is a great time to register. Learn more at CLC2027.com

In this episode of Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee is joined by Scott Kedersha to discuss how people-pleasing affects church leaders. Scott shares how his desire for approval led him to overwork and compromise his convictions, while John reflects on his struggle with criticism of his work. They discuss how to recognize what drives the need for approval, have difficult conversations, and find rest in what Jesus has already done.

Find Feedback Before it Finds You | John McGee Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

Most leaders know they need to give good feedback. But are you intentionally asking for it? In this episode of Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee shares why healthy leaders seek feedback before a problem or blind spot forces the conversation. He also shares a simple exercise he uses with his leadership team to invite candid feedback, uncover blind spots, and grow in humility. If you want to keep growing as a leader, don’t wait for feedback to find you.

3 Questions to Help You Steward What You Lead | John McGee Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

Leadership is stewardship. In this episode of Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee shares a simple exercise he recently used with his team to evaluate what God has entrusted to them. It comes down to three questions:

What could be excellent?
What should be expanded?
What needs to end?

John shares why leaders can't settle for simply keeping things running, how listening to the people closest to the work can bring clarity, and why good stewardship requires leaders to turn ideas into action.

The Shaking of Secularism | An Interview with Pete Hughes Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

Pete Hughes, pastor of Kings Cross Church in London, joins the Church Leadership Podcast to talk about what he calls “the shaking of secularism and the search for a savior.” Pete shares how he's seeing a growing of spiritual openness among younger generations, and how church leaders can respond. Tune in to be encouraged at how God is at work in the UK, and how Pete is learning to relinquish control so that the Lord can work in his church and city.

Watch the full film on YouTube.

Is the UK Becoming Pre-Christian? | Stephen Foster on the Growing Openness to Faith Aug 19, 2026

Show notes

What if the next generation is more open to Jesus than we think?

In this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee shares an extended interview with Stephen Foster, leader of of St. Aldates Church in Oxford, England. Stephen talks about the shift he’s seeing in the UK, why churches should intentionally invest in younger leaders, how an invitational culture can change a church, and what it looks like to trust the Holy Spirit as people explore Christianity.

Watch the full film on YouTube.

Finding Rest in the Middle of Ministry | Timothy Ateek on the Rest Only Jesus Can Give Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

Who is the sufficient one in your ministry?

In this mainstage session from the Church Leaders Conference 2026, Timothy Ateek, Elder and Lead Pastor of Watermark Community Church, teaches through Matthew 11:28–30 and points weary church leaders to Jesus’ invitation to come to him and find rest. Learn how ministry should always be an overview of our dependence on Christ's sufficiency.

Church Leaders Conference 2027 - We would love to see you in the room at CLC27!

A Conversation with Chuck Swindoll Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

At Church Leaders Conference 2026, John McGee sat down with Chuck Swindoll for a meaningful conversation on ministry, faithfulness, and finishing well. With decades of pastoral leadership behind him, Chuck shares memorable stories, hard-earned wisdom, and honest encouragement for church leaders who want to remain faithful for the long haul.

This conversation is a timely reminder to serve with humility, joy, and endurance wherever God has called you. Whether you joined us at CLC 2026 or are hearing it for the first time, we believe this interview will encourage and strengthen your ministry.

Church Leaders Conference 2027 - We would love to see you in the room at CLC27!

Is Your Church Still on Mission? | Jonathan Pokluda on Evangelism and the Church’s Calling Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

We know church leaders have a lot competing for their attention: programs, budgets, staffing, discipleship, and shepherding. In this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, we share Jonathan Pokluda's mainstage session from the Church Leaders Conference 2026, where he reminds leaders that none of those responsibilities should replace the mission Jesus gave his Church.

From this session, you’ll hear:

Why evangelism should remain central to your ministry
How The Great Commission shapes everyday church leadership
Practical encouragement for leading people toward a heart for the lost

Church Leaders Conference 2027 - We would love to see you in the room at CLC27!

The Spiritual Awakening in the UK | Sarah Jackson on Reaching the Next Generation Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

Checkout the Awakening in the UK documentary our team put together and hear church leaders in the UK speak on how God is on the move especially with the younger generations in miraculous ways.

In this mainstage interview from the Church Leaders Conference (CLC) 2026, Sarah Jackson along with John McGee speak on the Awakening in the UK, miraculous God stories in the younger generation, church planting, and encouragement for church leaders.

Sarah Jackson is the CEO of Revitalise Trust an organization with a vision of evangelizing to the nations, the revitalisation of the Church and the transformation of society.

Church Leaders Conference 2027 - We would love to see you in the room at CLC27!

1 Timothy 6 | Finishing Ministry Well Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

In the final episode of the 1 Timothy series, John McGee and Dave Bruskas unpack 1 Timothy 6 and reflect on leadership, contentment, money, perseverance, and grace.
They discuss:

The subtle temptations leaders face
Importance of fighting spiritual drift
Why godliness with contentment is “great gain"

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