Watermark Resources

Church Leadership Podcast

Hosted by John McGee, Senior Director of Watermark Resources, the Church Leadership Podcast discusses relevant topics for church leaders to encourage and equip them for ministry at their own churches.

Watermark Resources Church Leadership Podcast logo
1 Timothy 2 | How Should the Church Gather? image
Episode: 195Mar 4, 2026
1 Timothy 2 | How Should the Church Gather?

ABout this Episode In this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee and Dave Bruskas walk through 1 Timothy 2 and explore what Paul teaches about how the church should gather. From corporate prayer and unity to leadership roles and cultural tension, this passage challenges leaders to think carefully about what pleases God when his people come together. They discuss why prayer should be central—not transitional—why unity is a powerful witness in a divided world.

Discipleship

Church Leadership

Teaching & Theology

1 Timothy 1:12–20 | How to Lead with a Clear Conscience image
Episode: 194Feb 18, 2026
1 Timothy 1:12–20 | How to Lead with a Clear Conscience

About this epsiode In this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee and Dave Bruskas walk through 1 Timothy 1:12–20 and unpack what it means to lead from grace—not performance. The Apostle Paul calls himself the worst of sinners, and then says Jesus considered him trustworthy. What does that mean for church leaders today?

Church Leadership

Teaching & Theology

1 Timothy 1:8–11 | Avoiding Moralism as a Church Leader image
Episode: 193Feb 4, 2026
1 Timothy 1:8–11 | Avoiding Moralism as a Church Leader

About the Episode In this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee and Dave Bruskas continue through 1 Timothy, unpacking verses 8–11. They discuss how this passage shows that misusing the law leads to confusion and, ultimately, to moralism. Listen in to learn more about:

Church Leadership

Teaching & Theology

1 Timothy 1:3–7 | The Aim of Faithful Leadership image
Episode: 192Jan 21, 2026
1 Timothy 1:3–7 | The Aim of Faithful Leadership

About the Episode What’s the real measure of faithful church leadership? In this episode of our

Church Leadership

Teaching & Theology

1 Timothy 1:1–2 | A Church Leader’s Identity & Calling image
Episode: 191Jan 7, 2026
1 Timothy 1:1–2 | A Church Leader’s Identity & Calling

About the Episode The Church Leadership Podcast is officially on video, and we’re kicking off 2026 with a brand-new series through 1 Timothy. You can now watch on YouTube and Spotify—or listen wherever you stream podcasts—as we step into this next season together. In this first episode, John McGee and Dave Bruskas reflect on what faithful leadership looks like when it’s rooted in our identity and the grace of God.

Spiritual Formation

Church Leadership

Teaching & Theology

Five Ways to Finish the Year Well image
Episode: 190Dec 17, 2025
Five Ways to Finish the Year Well

As this year comes to a close, we want to share one final conversation with you—not to give you more to do, but to offer a moment to pause.

Spiritual Formation

Church Leadership

The Quiet Revival in the UK image
Episode: 186Dec 3, 2025
The Quiet Revival in the UK

In this week’s Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee and Tyler Moffett, Director of Discipleship at The Porch, share what they saw on a recent trip to the UK and why it matters for churches here at home.

Church Leadership

Evangelism & Missions

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Finish Your Race with Great Joy image
Episode: 185Nov 12, 2025
Finish Your Race with Great Joy

Ministry can feel a lot like running a marathon—long, demanding, and full of moments when you wonder if you can keep going. In this week’s Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee shares what the New York City Marathon taught him about the race of ministry. From finding a sustainable pace to staying faithful in each season, he unpacks how leaders can endure—and even enjoy—the miles ahead. John reminds us that finishing well is about crossing the finish line surrounded by people you love, at peace with your relationships, and full of joy.

Spiritual Formation

Church Leadership

How to Lead Better by Saying No image
Episode: 184Oct 29, 2025
How to Lead Better by Saying No

In this episode of Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee shares why learning to say “no” may be one of the most important skills you’ll ever develop as a church leader. He offers practical wisdom and real-life lessons on creating margin so you can say yes to what matters most and use your unique gifts to build up the body of Christ.

Spiritual Formation

Church Leadership

Crisis Communication for Churches image
Episode: 183Oct 15, 2025
Crisis Communication for Churches

When crisis hits your church, how you communicate can build—or break—trust. In this episode, John McGee sits down with Watermark’s Executive Director of Communications, Caitlin Van Wagoner, to talk about what it means to lead with wisdom, calm, and clarity when a crisis hits.

Care & Recovery

Church Leadership

Church Operations

5 Lessons from John Calvin image
Episode: 182Oct 1, 2025
5 Lessons from John Calvin

In this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee and Dave Bruskas, take listeners on a journey through the life and legacy of John Calvin. Fresh from visiting Geneva, John shares powerful reflections on walking where Calvin once preached and the lessons he carried home. Together they unpack what every church leader can learn today from Calvin’s example.

Church Leadership

Teaching & Theology

How to Lead in This Cultural Moment image
Episode: 181Sep 17, 2025
How to Lead in This Cultural Moment

Last week was sobering. Between heartbreaking acts of violence, the anniversary of 9/11, and the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, many pastors and church leaders found themselves asking: How do I shepherd my people in moments like this?

Church Leadership