69 episodes

Leadership development tutorials—navigating challenges, fostering unity, and leading with faith.

alexia.substack.com

Life Betterment Through God Your Source for Spiritual Growth, Leadership Development, and Biblical-Centered Guidance

    • Religion & Spirituality

Leadership development tutorials—navigating challenges, fostering unity, and leading with faith.

alexia.substack.com

    Spark Love in Your Congregation: A Pastoral Guide

    Spark Love in Your Congregation: A Pastoral Guide

    In real-life events, coping with challenges often requires a strong support system. This system consists of people who genuinely listen and stand by you during difficult times. Family, friends, and colleagues can be crucial components, offering both emotional and practical support.
    To build a culture of love, pastors can draw inspiration from studies like the "Love at Work" research by Sigal Barsade. Implementing this in a church involves fostering an environment where members genuinely care for one another, creating a sense of belonging and support.
    To build a culture of love in the church inspired by Sigal Barsade's "Love at Work" research, pastors can focus on fostering an environment where members genuinely care for one another, creating a sense of belonging and support.

    Life Skills for Leadership is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.



    This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

    • 16 min
    SMART Goal Setting

    SMART Goal Setting

    Living a holy life, as advocated by Paul in his teachings throughout the scriptures, is a profound and transformative journey for believers. The apostle Paul, in various letters to early Christian communities, emphasizes the significance of holy living as an integral aspect of the Christian faith. This essay explores Paul's teachings on holy living and delves into the pastoral call for goal setting to promote a holy life within the congregation.
    Ephesians 4:22-24 from the New Living Translation (NLT):
    "throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy."
    Paul's letters, such as those to the Corinthians, Ephesians, and Colossians, provide valuable insights into the principles of holy living. He often underscores the importance of personal righteousness, ethical conduct, and spiritual discipline. For instance, in Ephesians 4:22-24, Paul urges believers to "put off the old self" and to be renewed in the spirit of their minds, putting on the new self created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.


    This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

    • 15 min
    Opening the Dialogue: Pornography in the Church

    Opening the Dialogue: Pornography in the Church

    In a society dominated by digital connectivity, the prevalence and impact of pornography have become pervasive, making it a critical topic for open and honest discussion. We aim to shed light on key findings surrounding pornography within our community and proposes a thoughtful plan for moving forward. By addressing this sensitive subject, we hope to foster understanding, provide support, and initiate meaningful change.
    1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (New Living Translation)
    "Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body."
    This scripture from 1 Corinthians emphasizes the importance of living a pure and honorable life, recognizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. It encourages believers to flee from sexual immorality, understanding the sacredness of the body as a dwelling place for God's Spirit.
    The Porn Phenomenon: The Impact of Pornography in the Digital Age, is a study conducted by Barna. The study sheds light on the intricate dynamics of pornography in the digital age, urging a thoughtful and proactive response within the Christian community.


    This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

    • 16 min
    Nurturing the Shepherd

    Nurturing the Shepherd

    Pastors play a crucial role in guiding and supporting their communities, often putting the needs of others before their own. However, it's essential for pastors to prioritize self-care to maintain their well-being and continue their vital work.
    Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
    "Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.'"
    This passage encourages individuals to seek rest in Christ, emphasizing the idea of finding solace and relief from life's burdens. It serves as a reminder that self-care, including seeking spiritual renewal and rest, is aligned with the teachings of Jesus.
    We explore the significance of positive relationships and support in self-care, offering a step-by-step guide to achieving a healthy work-life balance.


    This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

    • 10 min
    Defense Mechanisms

    Defense Mechanisms

    DARVO stands for Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender. It's a defense mechanism used by individuals, often in response to being confronted with their wrongdoing. This strategy involves denying the accusations, attacking the accuser, and reversing the roles, portraying the offender as the victim.
    A 2017 study that when victims are DARVOed, it is more likely they’ll blame themselves, which in turn, “leads to self-silencing.”
    Here are examples of each stage:
    Deny:
    Example: A congregant is accused of spreading false rumors about another member. Instead of acknowledging the behavior, they adamantly deny any involvement, insisting they would never engage in such actions.
    Attack:
    Example: When confronted about financial mismanagement, a person responds by attacking the accuser's credibility or character. They might say, "You're always looking for faults in others, and you have no idea how hard it is to manage finances!"
    Reverse Victim and Offender:
    Example: A congregant is confronted about consistently being late for volunteer commitments. Instead of taking responsibility, they reverse the roles, stating, "I'm always there for everyone, and now you're making me the bad guy for being a few minutes late? I'm the victim here."
    Recognizing these patterns can help navigate conversations with empathy and understanding, fostering a more constructive dialogue for resolution and personal growth.
    Proverbs 15:1 (NLT): "A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare."


    This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

    • 11 min
    Self Awareness

    Self Awareness

    Self-awareness includes identifying our personality, those aspects that may not be the norm, and working on them. What is important is to learn, grow and develop areas. The way we are perceived is a great place to begin. It is difficult to hear a consistent perception of ourselves, when we cannot see our blind spots. This leads us to recognize how our behaviors affect others, giving us motivation for change. Understanding other’s emotions and how our words impact them, is a part of emotional intelligence. Self-awareness helps us manage our behaviors with others. The way leaders manage and recognize their quirks, & weaknesses contributes to their overall effectiveness


    This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

    • 11 min

Top Podcasts In Religion & Spirituality

The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Ascension
The Bible Recap
Tara-Leigh Cobble
Joel Osteen Podcast
Joel Osteen, SiriusXM
followHIM: A Come, Follow Me Podcast
Hank Smith & John Bytheway
The Briefing with Albert Mohler
R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Ascension