Be The Church with Joel Wayne

Be The Church
  • 5.0 (10)
  • CHRISTIANITY

The Be The Church Podcast is for spiritual leaders who want to be challenged to lead like Jesus in everyday places—at home, in your church, at school, and in the workplace. Hosted by Be The Church founder Joel Wayne and Chapel Pointe pastor Luke Bilberry, each episode features bold, authentic conversations with business and ministry leaders that are rooted in Scripture. You'll learn how to expand your spiritual influence and leverage your leadership to advance the Kingdom of God. Let's be the church together! For more information, visit bethechurch.org/podcast.

  1. 16H AGO

    Why Most Churches Fail to Multiply (with James Hilton)

    In this episode of the Be The Church Podcast, Joel Wayne sits down with Dr. James Hilton, Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, for a conversation on the difference between running a church and leading a movement. After 22 years of ministry, James reveals why the traditional "church growth" model often leads to burnout and how a shift in strategy can lead to radical multiplication. Together, they unpack the "Developer vs. Doer" trap that many leaders fall into—rewarding those who simply execute tasks while ignoring those who could multiply leadership. From the miracle of a woman walking into a baptismal tank to the humble reality of church revitalization, this conversation explores how fear of losing control quietly kills kingdom growth. You'll learn why your greatest strengths might actually be the biggest barrier to God’s power and how to create an environment where the Holy Spirit, not your own ego, is the primary driver of movement. Whether you are leading a staff of 50 or volunteering in your local community, this episode will challenge you to stop filling holes and start developing developers. What you’ll learn: The Movement Mindset: Why church growth is a miracle you can measure, but a movement is something only God can control.Doers vs. Developers: How to identify if your leadership systems are rewarding dependency or fostering multiplication.The Power of Revitalization: Why "weddings" between dying churches and passionate leaders may be the key to reclaiming Kingdom resources.Leading the High-Capacity Leader: How to make room at the table for entrepreneurs and "financial wizards" without feeling threatened.The Paradox of Strength: Why relying on your natural talents often keeps you from experiencing the "fresh manna" of God’s current work.Prophetic Leadership: The importance of calling out anointing in others and creating the right environment for spiritual formation.About James HiltonDr. James Hilton serves as the Lead Teacher and Pastor at The Journey Church. He and his wife, Shana, have been happily married since 1997 and are blessed with four children: their son, Josiah; twin daughters, Halyn and Gracyn; and their youngest, Ansley. Get each episode to your inbox -> https://bethechurch.org/podcast/ Leave a Review and Subscribe SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTubeConnect With Us Website: https://bethechurch.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI

    53 min

  2. FEB 24

    Abiding vs. Achieving: Finding Your Identity as a Child of God

    In this episode of the Be The Church Podcast, Joel Wayne sits down with Pastor Luke Bilberry for a Scripture-centered conversation about identity, purpose, and what it truly means to live as a child of God. Rooted in 2 Timothy 2 and 1 Corinthians 9, they unpack Paul’s exhortation to Timothy and explore three powerful images of spiritual leadership: the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer. Together, they examine how identity in Christ fuels perseverance, how self-control and discipline prepare leaders for suffering, and why abiding in God—not accomplishing tasks—must be the foundation of everything we do. This conversation challenges leaders to stop chasing performance-driven ministry and instead rediscover their purpose in being loved by the Father. From cultural pressures to personal ambition, Joel and Luke call listeners back to a simple but transformative truth: you are a child of God, strengthened by His grace, and called to endure hardship with confidence and joy. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why your identity as a child of God must shape your purpose and leadershipHow task-driven ministry can quietly replace abiding relationship with ChristWhat Paul’s charge to Timothy teaches about spiritual grit and perseveranceWhy sharing in Christ’s sufferings is part of faithful leadershipHow the images of soldier, athlete, and farmer define biblical leadershipWhy discipline and self-control prepare you for cultural pressureHow changing the “rules” leads to spiritual drift and loss of authorityWhy doing hard things strengthens spiritual resilienceHow worship flows from knowing you are loved and approved by the FatherWhat it looks like to run the race with the aim of pleasing the One who enlisted youThis episode is a bold reminder that spiritual leadership is not about winning approval from people—it’s about faithful obedience to the King of Kings. When your identity is secure in Christ, you can embrace the hard, endure suffering, and lead with courage in a culture that constantly shifts the rules. Join Our Email List -> https://bethechurch.org/podcast/ Leave a Review and Subscribe SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTubeConnect With Us Website: https://bethechurch.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI

    37 min

  3. FEB 17

    Wycliffe Bible Translators CEO on Supremacy of Scripture, How AI is Shaping Bible Translation (with John Chesnut)

    In this episode of the Be The Church Podcast, Joel Wayne sits down with John Chesnut, President and CEO of Wycliffe Bible Translators USA, for a conversation about the authority of Scripture, spiritual leadership, and the accelerating work of Bible translation around the world. Together, they explore John’s leadership journey—from church planting and global adoption to leading a worldwide Bible translation movement—and unpack a foundational conviction: everything in ministry is downstream from the Word of God. Without Scripture in the heart language of a people, discipleship remains shallow, and the church struggles to take deep root. Drawing from passages like John 5, John 14, and John 17, they discuss what it means to lead with humility, pursue unity as Christ prayed for His church, and trust in the sovereignty of God in a rapidly changing world. They also examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping Bible translation—shortening timelines, strengthening accuracy, and helping bring Scripture to oral and non-literate communities for the first time in history. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why everything in ministry and leadership is downstream from ScriptureHow heart-language Bible translation fuels lasting spiritual transformationWhat it means to lead through influence, unity, and partnership—not just positionHow spiritual rhythms protect leaders from drifting into performance-driven ministryWhy team culture and executive humility shape the health of an entire organizationHow AI is accelerating Bible translation while preserving theological integrityWhy oral Bible translation is essential for non-literate communitiesWhat it looks like to trust God’s sovereignty when leadership feels uncertainHow the peace of Christ steadies leaders in a world filled with disruptionWhether you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or everyday believer seeking to lead faithfully in an uncertain age, this episode will expand your vision for the global Church and ground you in the transforming power of the Word of God. About Dr. John Chesnut John Chesnut serves as President and CEO for Wycliffe Bible Translators. He and his wife, Kelly, have been members of Wycliffe since 2001. John earned his bachelor's degree in behavioral science with minors in biblical studies and philosophy from California Baptist College, along with a master of divinity and doctor of ministry from Denver Seminary. The Chesnuts live in Orlando, FL. They have seven children through birth and adoption, along with an ever-expanding crew of grandchildren. You can learn more about Wycliffe at www.wycliffe.org. Join Our Email List -> https://bethechurch.org/podcast/ Leave a Review and Subscribe SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTubeConnect With Us Website: https://bethechurch.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI

    46 min

  4. FEB 10

    Key Scriptures Every Spiritual Leader Needs to Know

    In this episode of the Be The Church Podcast, Luke Bilberry is joined by Joel Wayne for a deeply biblical, unfiltered conversation about spiritual leadership, Scripture, and the kind of humility that actually forms the soul of a leader. Rather than offering leadership hacks or formulas, this episode slows down and asks a more foundational question: What happens when leaders stop trusting their own wisdom and allow the Word of God to truly shape their identity, motivation, and obedience? Together, Luke and Joel walk through key passages of Scripture that have shaped decades of ministry—from the humility of Christ in Philippians 2 to the warning against selfish ambition, from the cost of obedience in James 1 to the beauty of redemption in John 4. Along the way, they challenge pastors and spiritual leaders to examine their motives, resist cultural pressure to measure success by outcomes, and return to Scripture as the living, active authority for leadership and life. This conversation is a call back to first things: deep discipleship, humility, leadership, and a life fully surrendered to Jesus. If you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or everyday believer longing to lead faithfully in a distracted, performance-driven culture, this episode will ground you in what truly matters. What You’ll Learn Why Scripture—not personality, platform, or preference—must be the foundation of spiritual leadershipHow pride, self-reliance, and comparison quietly undermine a leader’s soulWhy humility and servanthood are not optional but essential for Christlike leadershipHow Scripture memory and biblical narratives shape long-term faithfulnessWhy transformation happens through obedience, not informationHow shared leadership and biblical counsel protect leaders from burnout and isolationWhat it looks like to redefine success around faithfulness instead of visible resultsJoin Our Email List -> https://bethechurch.org/podcast/ Leave a Review and Subscribe SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTubeConnect With Us Website: https://bethechurch.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI

    29 min

  5. FEB 3

    Biblical Parenting: Preparing Your Kids for a Godly Future (with Dan and Shannon Vandewarker)

    In this episode of the Be The Church Podcast, Luke Bilberry sits down with Pastor Dan Vandewarker and his wife, Shannon, for a deeply honest and hope-filled conversation about biblical parenting. Together, they unpack what it means to see parenting not as behavior modification, but as a calling—a spiritual mantle to disciple children to love and follow Jesus. Drawing from Scripture, personal stories, and lived experience, Dan and Shannon explore how parenting flows from theology, marriage, and mission, why the nuclear family was never meant to operate in isolation, and how God uses both hardship and community to form faithful disciples in the home. This conversation encourages parents to move from control to preparation, from fear to faith, and from isolation to intentional dependence on the Body of Christ—trusting God with both the process and the outcomes. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why biblical parenting is rooted in discipleship, not behavior modificationHow parenting flows downstream from your theology, marriage, and missionWhy the goal isn’t protecting kids from everything—but preparing them for what’s aheadHow to disciple each child according to their unique personality and callingWhy the Body of Christ plays a vital role in raising spiritually healthy kidsHow to approach schooling, technology, and culture through a discipleship lensWhat it looks like to parent from humility, repentance, and dependence on GodWhether you’re parenting young children, teenagers, or preparing for parenthood, this episode will challenge you to rethink success, trust God more deeply, and embrace the calling to disciple the next generation—together with the Church. Join Our Email List -> https://bethechurch.org/podcast/ Leave a Review and Subscribe SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTubeConnect With Us Website: https://bethechurch.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI

    42 min

  6. JAN 27

    The Power of Biblical Friendship: Why You Shouldn't Lead Alone (with John VanDyke)

    In this episode of the Be The Church Podcast, Luke Bilberry sits down with Joel Wayne and John VanDyke for a deeply honest conversation about biblical friendship—and why it may be one of the most underutilized weapons God has given the church. Together, they unpack how real, Christ-centered friendships are forged through vulnerability, trust, sacrifice, and shared mission—not convenience or proximity. From the complexity of leading together in ministry to the courage it takes to be fully known, this conversation explores how guardedness, busyness, and fear quietly erode relationships—and how God uses authentic friendship to sharpen leaders, protect souls, and advance His kingdom. Whether you’re a pastor, elder, ministry leader, or simply longing for deeper relationships, this conversation will call you to invest intentionally, love courageously, and pick up the “weapon” of biblical friendship. What you’ll learn: Why biblical friendship is essential—not optional—for spiritual leadershipHow vulnerability and trust are forged over time through shared sacrificeWhy guardedness and busyness are enemies of real communityHow friendship can thrive even in complex, layered leadership relationshipsWhy priorities are revealed by what you’re willing to displaceHow God uses deep friendship to sharpen leaders and advance the KingdomJoin Our Email List -> https://bethechurch.org/podcast/ Leave a Review and Subscribe SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTubeConnect With Us Website: https://bethechurch.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI

    49 min

  7. JAN 20

    "When God Calls, The Answer is Yes" | Andrew Honeycutt on Taking Shots as a Leader, the Power of Words, and Why We Need to Cling to God's Vision

    “If God has called us to something, the answer is always yes.” In this episode of the Be The Church Podcast, Luke Bilberry sits down with Pastor Andrew Honeycutt (Byron Center Campus Pastor at Chapel Pointe) for a practical and deeply encouraging conversation on leadership development, discipleship, and spiritual formation. Andrew shares the defining moments that shaped his calling. He speaks candidly about hardship and resilience—what it means to “take kidney shots” as a leader—and how vision anchored in God’s call empowers you to keep going when the odds feel stacked against you. He offers a framework for staying grounded: Scripture, prayer, identity in Christ, and mentors who speak biblical wisdom into your life. Whether you’re leading in your home, your workplace, your friendships, or your church, this episode will help you embrace the power of presence, the importance of words, and the calling to invest in others so they can experience life to the full in Jesus. What you’ll learn: Why leadership development is discipleship (and what that looks like in real life)How God often forms leaders through small, incremental next stepsWhat “taking kidney shots” means—and how leaders stay resilientWhy vision and calling matter more than the odds stacked against youHow mentors and community help secure your identity in ChristWhy words can unlock calling: the power of “I see in you…”Why presence matters when someone is in a dark seasonFoundational rhythms for disciples: Word, prayer, listening, journalingThree self-evaluative questions for men who want to leadTitus Ten Book: https://shorturl.at/06OTbMere Christianity Book: https://shorturl.at/neGbz Join Our Email List -> https://bethechurch.org/podcast/ Leave a Review and Subscribe SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTubeConnect With Us Website: https://bethechurch.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI

    50 min

  8. JAN 13

    Leveraging Technology for Kingdom Impact with Jon VerLee

    In this episode of the Be The Church Podcast, Luke Bilberry sits down with Jon VerLee—Founder of Startup Garage, Entrepreneur in Residence at Calvin University, husband, father, and tech leader—for a practical, biblical conversation on technology, AI, and spiritual leadership. Jon shares his story—from a defining car accident at 16, to student ministry and seminary, to building church software that served thousands of churches worldwide. Along the way, he unpacks a crucial warning for leaders in today’s tech moment: the more fascinated we become with the tools, the more we risk missing the point. Using the life of Moses as a framework, Jon challenges leaders to resist the urge to rush ahead in their own strength. That same principle applies to innovation, calling, and the way we steward emerging technologies like AI. Whether you’re leading in ministry, business, or your everyday relationships, this episode will help you stay anchored in the mission—people, discipleship, and the Kingdom—while thinking thoughtfully about how to use technology without losing your humanity. What you’ll learn: Why technology is neutral—and why Christians can’t afford to stay silent in tech spacesHow to avoid becoming fascinated by AI and “missing the point” of the missionA leadership lesson from Moses: right burden, wrong timing (and what patience looks like)Why social media often promises “connection” but produces isolation, envy, and lonelinessHow to use AI wisely as a tool for learning—without replacing real community and relationshipsPractical ways to lead with spiritual influence: initiative, presence, and relational investmentHow to steward passions that feel “separate” (ministry + tech) into Kingdom impactConnect with JonJon VerLee is the Founder of Startup Garage and the Entrepreneur in Residence at Calvin University, where he combines his entrepreneurial experience and passion for faith-driven innovation to empower students and founders to turn business ideas into ventures that create meaningful, redemptive impact. He is the former Founder and CEO of Breeze Church Management Software. Connect with Jon at startupgarage.org. Join Our Email List -> https://bethechurch.org/podcast/ Leave a Review and Subscribe SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTubeConnect With Us Website: https://bethechurch.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI

    58 min
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The Be The Church Podcast is for spiritual leaders who want to be challenged to lead like Jesus in everyday places—at home, in your church, at school, and in the workplace. Hosted by Be The Church founder Joel Wayne and Chapel Pointe pastor Luke Bilberry, each episode features bold, authentic conversations with business and ministry leaders that are rooted in Scripture. You'll learn how to expand your spiritual influence and leverage your leadership to advance the Kingdom of God. Let's be the church together! For more information, visit bethechurch.org/podcast.

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