Church Staff Book Club

Jonathan Malm
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Management
  • Series

A podcast for church leaders who want to grow but don’t have time to read every book. Join authors Jonathan Malm and Jason Young as they break down leadership books chapter by chapter, sharing practical insights and real-life ministry applications along the way. Whether you’re reading along or just listening in, this is your go-to resource for becoming a better leader... One conversation at a time.

  1. Episode 1

    The 4 Ways to Handle Difficult People at Church (Only One Works)

    There are four ways to handle a difficult person at church: avoid them, change them, cancel them, or understand them. Three of those feel easier. Only one actually works. In this episode of the Church Staff Book Club, Jonathan Malm and Jason Young kick off a new book, How to Work with Complicated People by Ryan Leak, and dig into Chapter 1. Everyone has someone in mind when they hear that title. A volunteer who never shows up on time. A pastor who doesn't respect your ideas. A coworker whose voice alone sets you off. But the first chapter has a twist: you're complicated too. 74% of people think they're easier to work with than average, and the math on that doesn't work. Jonathan shares how his dad helped him see that his frustration with a pushy youth pastor was mostly about his own insecurity, and Jason explains why "understand them" feels so unfair even though it's the only option with a real payoff. In this episode we cover: - Why in church world the difficult person is usually a volunteer, not a coworker - The difference between working with complicated people and staying in a toxic environment - Why church isn't the only way to be in ministry - The five traits people associate most with complicated coworkers - How personality, culture, and values (think DISC) make people seem difficult when they're just different - Judge me by my intentions, I'll judge you by your actions: the unfair scale we all use - Why complicated doesn't mean bad - The question to ask yourself: why does this frustrate me so much? - The four options: avoid, change, cancel, or understand - 95% of people think they're self-aware. Research says 10 to 15% are. - Why your default muscle (avoiding, fighting, or fixing) is costing you the same energy as understanding would

  • 1 Episode

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

A podcast for church leaders who want to grow but don’t have time to read every book. Join authors Jonathan Malm and Jason Young as they break down leadership books chapter by chapter, sharing practical insights and real-life ministry applications along the way. Whether you’re reading along or just listening in, this is your go-to resource for becoming a better leader... One conversation at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Jonathan Malm
  • Episodes
    39
  • Seasons
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Jonathan Malm
  • Show Website
    Church Staff Book Club

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