LEAD Pods

USMB
  • ٠٫٠ (٠)
  • المسيحية
  • مرتان في الشهر

LEAD Pods are the official USMB podcast devoted to leadership development and spiritual growth for Mennonite Brethren churches.

  1. قبل ٣ أيام

    Watering Well: Faithful Ministry and Long-Term Growth (Aaron Halvorsen)

    Pastor Aaron Halvorsen joins LEAD Pods for a warm and wide-ranging conversation about preaching, pastoral identity, and the often unglamorous but essential work of long-term ministry. Aaron is the lead pastor of Community Bible Church in Olathe, Kansas, where he has served for over a decade and will soon celebrate the church's 60th anniversary. He shares his journey from the Pacific Northwest to Kansas, his unexpected entry into the Mennonite Brethren world through church planting, and what it has meant to put down deep roots in one church and one community over the long haul. The conversation explores Aaron's passion for expository preaching and a preview of his upcoming talk at the USMB convention. Aaron reflects honestly on the dangers of measuring ministry success by visible results, the temptation of stagnation, and the challenge of maintaining joy and gratitude in the busyness of pastoral life. Along the way, he offers encouragement for pastors to embrace the slow, invisible work of watering, trusting that God is growing things we cannot always see, and makes a compelling case for why gathering together as a denominational family is worth showing up for.

    ٤٦ من الدقائق

  2. ٥ مارس

    Immigrant Church Leadership: Faith, Culture, and Generational Change (Endashaw Kelkele)

    Pastor Endashaw Kelkele joins LEAD Pods for a wide-ranging conversation about immigrant church leadership, mission, and faith shaped by perseverance. Endashaw is the lead pastor of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church of Denver, where he has served for more than three decades. He shares his story of growing up in Ethiopia during a time of Christian persecution, fleeing to Kenya, and eventually immigrating to Colorado—where he never expected to become a pastor, but felt God’s clear call to shepherd a growing community. The conversation explores what it’s like to lead a bilingual, multicultural church navigating generational change, shifting language, and cultural tension. Endashaw reflects on the challenges and opportunities of serving first- and second-generation immigrants, raising up young leaders, and helping the church remain centered on the mission of Christ rather than control or comfort. Along the way, he offers wisdom for pastors and church leaders serving in diverse communities, insights into evangelism through everyday work, and encouragement for churches seeking to come alongside immigrant congregations with humility, trust, and partnership.

    ٤٨ من الدقائق

  3. ١٩ فبراير

    146 | Leading Through Change Without Losing Your People (Jon Annin)

    Pastor Jon Annin joins LEAD Pods for a thoughtful conversation about leading change without losing people. Jon is one of the speakers for the USMB Gathering this summer, and this episode offers a window into his heart for ministry, renewal, and sustainable leadership. Jon shares the story of returning to Stony Brook Church, a small church in Omaha that had experienced significant decline, and how patient, courageous change led to health, growth, and renewed mission. Along the way, he reflects on lessons learned from serving in both large and small churches, the importance of building teams that can say both yes and no, and why church health can’t be measured by size alone. The conversation also explores church planting, video campuses, and how pastors can lead change wisely in a season when both culture and ministry feel especially demanding.

    ٤٦ من الدقائق

  4. ٥ فبراير

    145 | Leveraging AI Without Losing Your Soul (Matt Ehresman)

    In this special role-reversal episode of LEAD Pods, host Matt Ehresman steps into the guest seat as he is interviewed by Lacey Scully, the editor of the Christian Leader magazine. Together they explore the fast-moving world of artificial intelligence and what it means for church leaders today. Matt shares how he personally uses AI tools in his work, from podcast production to daily church communication, and why he believes AI can be a gift to ministry leaders when it's used thoughtfully and wisely.  This conversation isn't about hype or fear; it's all about discernment. Matt and Lacey talk honestly about the ethical concerns surrounding AI, the risks of losing authenticity, and the importance of keeping the human (and spiritual) elements at the center of ministry. Along the way, Matt offers practical examples for pastors and church leaders who are curious about AI but unsure where to start. The goal isn't to replace people, but rather to leverage these tools without losing your soul.

    ٥١ من الدقائق

  5. ٢٢ يناير

    144 | Deconstruction, Denominations, & Algorithms (Convention Speaker A.J. Swoboda)

    Pastor, theologian, and author A.J. Swoboda joins LEAD Pods for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership and formation. A.J. is one of our keynote speakers for the USMB Gathering coming up this July, so this episode gives a sneak peek into his heart for ministry and insight into life as a pastor in today's unique culture.  We cover a lot of ground in this episode! A.J. shares thoughts about doubt and deconstruction (the main topic of his talk at Gathering), why it's so important for various denominations to learn from each other, and why he tells his students to always express gratitude to ChatGPT. This episode introduces A.J. as a thoughtful, grounded voice and invites pastors to reflect on how they are being formed as they lead in an increasingly complex world.

    ٤١ من الدقائق

  6. ٨ يناير

    143 | Agents of Reconciliation (Jesse Swiers)

    This week pastor and denominational leader Jesse Swiers reflects on reconciliation as a foundational Christian practice—and why it is often far more complex and painful than we expect. Drawing from Scripture, Anabaptist theology, and his own lived experience, Jesse explores the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation, the role of community in peacemaking, and why reconciliation requires both humility and courage.  In the real world where we all lead, reconciliation may not always be fully possible, and separation may become necessary. Jesse speaks candidly about leading through denominational division, navigating theological disagreement with integrity, and remaining an agent of peace even in seasons marked by grief and loss. Throughout the episode, he offers practical wisdom for pastors and leaders seeking to pursue reconciliation faithfully, grounded in Scripture, shaped by community, and anchored in the reconciling work of Christ.

    ٤٨ من الدقائق

  7. ١١‏/١٢‏/٢٠٢٥

    142 | Reaching the Spiritually Curious (Mark Matlock)

    In this episode, author and Barna senior fellow Mark Matlock unpacks new research on the rapidly growing number of “spiritually curious” Americans. He explains why many assumptions about the unchurched no longer hold, what today’s seekers are actually longing for, and how curiosity—not hostility—is shaping their questions about meaning and purpose. Mark also explores why many Christians prefer certainty over curiosity and why creating space for honest questions is essential to healthy discipleship. He also offers practical guidance for churches navigating this cultural shift. Mark shows why evangelism today is a long-game, relational journey and why building a “curiosity-friendly” church culture means rethinking attractional models, prioritizing spiritual formation, and making room for real relationships. Throughout the conversation, he offers hope for church leaders: people are more open to spiritual conversations than we realize, if we’re willing to slow down, listen well, and enter their stories with genuine curiosity.

    ٤٩ من الدقائق

  8. ٢٧‏/١١‏/٢٠٢٥

    141 | Fighting Loneliness: How the Church Can Rebuild Community (Greg Brock)

    This week Matt sits down with higher-ed leader Greg Brock for a thoughtful look at why so many Americans are facing significant loneliness. Greg unpacks his research on trust, generosity, and crisis leadership, and shares how simple human practices like eye contact, shared meals, and meaningful conversation have become rare in our tech-driven world. Greg traces the cultural shifts accelerated by COVID, smartphones, and changing social habits, exploring why loneliness has become a public health crisis affecting every generation. The conversation also highlights the huge opportunity this moment presents for the church. Greg explains why deep, embodied community—not perfect sermons or polished programming—is what people are longing for, and how habits of solitude, presence, and intentionality help us become the kind of people who can build that community well. Matt and Greg reflect on practical steps for pastors, parents, and leaders as they invest in Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and why showing up with curiosity and genuine interest may be the most transformational ministry practice we have.

    ٤٦ من الدقائق
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مقطع ترويجي

حول

LEAD Pods are the official USMB podcast devoted to leadership development and spiritual growth for Mennonite Brethren churches.

المعلومات

  • صناع العمل
    USMB
  • سنوات النشاط
    ٢٠٢٠ - ٢٠٢٦
  • الحلقات
    ١٤٩
  • التقييم
    ملائم
  • حقوق النشر
    © 2026 LEAD Pods
  • موقع البرنامج على الويب
    LEAD Pods

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