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.
Episode: 147May 15, 2024
The Priority of Prayer: A Course Correction
If you weren’t able to join us at the Church Leaders Conference this year, check out pastor Timothy Ateek’s opening mainstage message on prayer as a spiritual checkpoint. Without attentive care, it’s easy to let your spiritual priority drift from enjoying God’s presence through prayer. We kicked off our time together by taking a hard look at ourselves and discussing how we can get back on-course if we’ve drifted.
Spiritual Formation
Church Leadership
Episode: 145Apr 3, 2024
Things I Didn't Learn in Seminary: The Art of Personal Interactions
Ever heard the joke, “I love ministry—it's people I can’t stand”? It’s funny because interacting with people can be difficult, but people are our ministry, and the way we interact with them matters immensely. In this week’s episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee and Dave Bruskas talk about the nuances of interpersonal exchanges, drawing from years of real-life ministry experience.
Spiritual Formation
Church Leadership
Episode: 143Mar 6, 2024
Things I Didn't Learn in Seminary: The Art of Leading Yourself
Ministry has a definite and appropriate outward focus. But you can’t lead others well if you aren’t leading yourself first—spiritually, practically, and physically. In this week’s episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, Dave Bruskas and John McGee discuss how stewarding your own time and gifts, from your schedule to your personal spiritual walk, can hugely impact your ministry’s fruitfulness. "The Rule of Life" Reference
Spiritual Formation
Church Leadership
Episode: 135Oct 25, 2023
Staff Value #1 - Dependence on God
Too often, we assume that we don’t need to tell church staff to rely on God. But Christians routinely affirm spiritual dependency as a concept without living it out practically, valuing strategy over sensitivity to the Spirit. This week’s podcast covers why dependence on God is at the top of Watermark’s core values for its staff and what this looks like practically. Watermark's Staff Values - Download
Spiritual Formation
Church Leadership
Staff & Teams
Church Culture
Episode: 131Aug 30, 2023
Don't Quit - We're Not Home Yet
This week, John McGee broaches a topic that many church leaders grapple with but hesitate to speak about: feelings of discouragement and burnout in ministry. The weight of guiding a congregation, meeting expectations, and constantly pouring yourself out can sometimes be profoundly exhausting. If you've ever found yourself on the brink of giving up, you might need to be reminded of the truth we shared with thousands of church leaders at CLC 2023: "Don't quit - we're not home yet."
Spiritual Formation
Church Leadership
Episode: 123May 1, 2023
Trading Ambition for Faithfulness
Before he led at Watermark’s Young Adult Ministry or preached at Harris Creek in Waco, Jonathan “JP” Pokluda was money-driven and success-obsessed. In this week’s Church Leadership Podcast, JP shares how he found himself in vocational ministry with no ladder to climb and had to rethink his whole approach to life.
Spiritual Formation
Church Leadership
Episode: 101Apr 19, 2022
The Art of Saying No
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, David Penuel and John McGee discuss the importance of saying no and why creating healthy boundaries is crucial in ministry. Being available is not the same thing as being effective. Often you will need to say no to some things in order to say yes to others. Remember to only do what only you can do. Ask often what God is calling you to do and make sure you have the time and margin to do that well. Carey Nieuwhof: "How to Say No In Leadership" Michael Hyatt: Free to Focus
Spiritual Formation
Church Leadership
Episode: 91Sep 22, 2021
Should You Take A Sabbatical?
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, Adam and John sit down in the studio to discuss John's experience taking a sabbatical this summer and why intentional time off is crucial for church leadership. For snow notes and more, visit https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/8598-sabbaticals
Spiritual Formation
Church Leadership
Episode: 90Sep 1, 2021
Obscurity is not an Obstacle
On this mini-episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee shares his reflections on why obscurity in ministry should not discourage us. For more, visit https://www.watermarkresources.com/clp/8549-obscurity-is-not-an-obstacle
Spiritual Formation
Church Leadership
Episode: 85Jun 16, 2021
The Importance of Optimism
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, Adam and John discuss the importance and practicality of optimism in the life of the leader.
Spiritual Formation
Church Leadership
Episode: 78Feb 10, 2021
A Leader's Prayer Life
On this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John is joined in the studio by returning guests Nathan Wagnon and Blake Holmes to discuss prayer. Together, they talk about some misconceptions leaders have about prayer and provide some practical steps for improving your prayer life. For show notes and more, visit www.watermarkresources.com/clp/8027-a-leaders-prayer-life
Spiritual Formation
Church Leadership
Episode: 77Jan 27, 2021
Five Temptations Leaders Are Facing
With a global pandemic bringing new challenges, many leaders are facing a whole new set of temptations. In this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, Adam Tarnow and John McGee discuss 5 new temptations characteristic of those in leadership and what leaders can do to remind themselves of truth. For show notes and more, visit www.watermarkresources.org/clp/8004-new-temptations.
Spiritual Formation
Church Leadership
