The Leader's Journey Podcast Jim Herrington & Trisha Taylor

In this episode, dive into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on various aspects of life, including leadership, sermon writing, and more. Join us as we explore the innovative ways in which AI is being integrated into everyday tasks and decision-making processes.

For this special podcast, Jim and Trisha hear some insightful points from multiple guests on how they use AI and how they have seen it impact the world around them.

Podcasts guests include

Scott Hescht is enthusiastic advocate for AI integration into various fields, Scott brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the discussion. Scott offers unique insights into the practical applications of AI in different contexts, including in his ministry as the pastor at The Haven Community Church in Spring, TX.

Rich Braaksma: is the Regional Mission Leader for Resonate Global Mission in Western Canada and part-time pastor of Rhodes Church in Calgary, Alberta.

Leani du Toit: Trauma-informed spiritual, cross-cultural, and leadership coach with a diverse range of experiences.

Nathan Harrington: Founder of Nathan Harrington Coaching, delving into AI applications in coaching and content creation.

Tim Rotman: Pastor at Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minnesota, sharing his experiences with using AI in sermon writing.

Conversation Overview:

AI in Research and Ministry Beyond the Information Being Curious and Cautious Using AI in Content Creation Making Connections with Large Language Models
Resources

Ezra Klein and Ethan Mollick: How Should I Be Using AI Right Now?

AI Will Shape Your Soul

The Haven Community Church

Resonate Global Mission

Nathan Harrington Coaching

Zumbo Lutheran Church

Jim talks with Mike Whang about how his shift away from the traditional church model opened up avenues of ministry that can be limited for those in Christian leadership. Mike explains how working out the equations of ministry, the balancing of values, the realities of day to day life, and the needs of the Church, has been a challenge and a blessing as he grows in his walk with God and leadership position.  
Mike Whang is an ordained elder of the United Methodist Church. He serves Oikon and Wesley as an extension minister of the Texas Annual Conference. He received his M. Div from Duke Divinity School. His favorite foods are rice, kimchi, and eggs. Raised in Los Angeles, he and his wife, Lisa are raising native Texan daughters of Korean descent.

Conversation Overview

A Shift in Approach Pivoting From a Local Church to a Ministry Organization Gaining Margin by Stepping away from Sunday Centric Model Integrating Faith with Life The Upsides and Downsides of Change Personal Responsibility as a Follower of Christ Limitations of Traditional Structures Different Paths for Spiritual Journeys
Resources

https://www.oikonandwesley.org/

Nomads in the Church: The Leader's Journey Podcast with Terry Walling

On this episode of The Leader’s Journey Podcast, Trisha talks with Mac McCarthy and Nate Pyle about how the election year has affected their congregations and the ways they are navigating that social landscape within their churches. Listen to this first of several podcasts in 2024 as they discuss the unique ways they have each worked with the leadership in their churches in order to guide their congregations to focus on building bridges and communicating with grace. 
Nate Pyle is a pastor, author, and coach. As a pastor, Nate has served as the pastor of Christ’s Community Church in Fishers, Indiana since 2008. During that time, Nate began learning and practicing skills related to adaptive leadership, congregational revitalization, family systems, emotional maturity, and spiritual formation. He has a passion to see the church become a learning community growing its capacity to navigate difference, hard conversations, and congregational change. 
Mac McCarthy has been in Christian ministry for over 15 years.  As a pastor, practitioner, and coach, he is passionate about equipping leaders by integrating missional theology, spiritual formation, family systems, and adaptive leadership to navigate congregational change.  Having served in a variety of roles, Mac is currently the Lead Pastor at Crosspoint Community Church in the western suburbs of Milwaukee where has been since 2008.  He received his B.A. from Bethel University, his M.Div from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and is ordained with the Christian & Missionary Alliance.  Mac is also a CrossFit coach and enjoys helping people pursue holistic health. 

 

Conversation Overview

Political conversation in a Systems Context Getting Your Hands Dirty Political vs. Partisan Being a Minister of Reconciliation Conflating Religious Doctrine and Political Politics Anxiety and Emotional Maturity Capacity Building and Discipleship It Doesn't Always Work Core Conviction and Guiding Principles  

Resources: 

Nate Pyle on The Leader's Journey

4 Americas: The Stories and the Gospel - Nate Pyle SermonsMac McCarthy on The Leader's Journey

Luke Bretherton on Democracy and Christianity

Crosspoint Community Church

Christ Community Church

Trisha and Jim continue their insightful discussion on boundaries in this week's podcast. Join them as they discuss your questions about boundaries and the benefits and struggles of implementing them in personal and professional leadership roles. 
Conversation Overview
Flourishing Within Boundaries Boundaries and Emotional Maturity Working Within a Broken System The Cost of Boundaries Managing Guilt Christ's Example of Boundaries Staying On Your Side of the Line and Allowing God to Work Communication is Key Creating a Culture of Healthy Boundaries The Value of Pain

Join Trisha and Jim as they discuss the importance of respecting boundaries not just for the benefit of ourselves, but for the benefit of those around us. Together they discuss the complexities of setting and keeping boundaries while maintianing healthy relationships. 

"Boundaries are not something we put on others, boundaries are something that we maintain for ourselves. " -Trisha Taylor

Conversation Overview

Reconciling healthy boundaries with Jesus' message.   Articulating Our Limits   What Boundaries Are - and What They Aren't    Playing Tennis with Emotional Boundaries   Myths About Boundaries   Boundaries in Leadership   Saying and Hearing "No" 
Resources

Cleaning Up a Mess with Ryan and Marijke

Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

Join Jim and Trisha as they discuss how we as the church can embrace the paradigm shift to a new structure in a church without walls. Their insightful conversation with this week’s guest, Terry Walling, offers a unique perspective on how nomadic believers are truly helping grow the church as they act as disciples within the community.
Terry Walling is a pastor, professor, and author of Unlikely Nomads: In Search of the New Church. He has also launched a podcast series in which he has conversations with a variety of people who are in search of a deeper journey with Jesus and with following Him in a different kind of church in America.
Key Takeaways: 
-Moving in an Old, New Direction
-The Nomadic Believer
-Personal Renewal that Leads to Corporate Change
-Apprenticing the life of Jesus
-Embracing the Mystery 
Resources:
http://leaderbreakthru.com/
Unlikely Nomads by Terry Walling
Canoeing the Mountains by Todd Bolsinger
A Non-Anxious Presence by Mark Sayers
The Great Emergence