Rusty George Podcast

I got to sit down with Pastor Matt Piland, a leader, family man, and Executive Pastor of the fast-growing Bethlehem Church. Drawing on his unique journey from Louisiana to the pulpit, Matt unravels the power of leadership coaching and how it has fostered his growth as a church leader. It was great to hear his insights on his responsibilities as an Executive Pastor, his camaraderie with the Lead Pastor, and the qualities he prioritizes in his Campus Pastors.The conversation takes an interesting turn as we look at the dynamics of leadership within the church and the importance of communication, mutual respect, and avoiding bitterness on your team. We also get a chance to explore church growth post-pandemic and how we can measure growth in an era where more people are attending church online. If you're curious about how to help your church grow or about leadership coaching can help you grow, then this is the episode for you.Special thanks to our sponsor for the month and one of our favorite ministry tools at Rea

I had a chance to meet Kevin Lloyd, a pastor from North Carolina, and I knew I wanted him to join me on the podcast. Kevin shares his journey to becoming an executive pastor and provides insights on navigating leadership challenges while developing faith. He also opens up about the spiritual disciplines he adopted to help him stay grounded and connected to God during his transition. Kevin stresses the importance of godly relationships and finding rest. He also opens up about his experiences of loneliness while moving into his new role.We shift gears to dig into how Emotional Intelligence (EQ) can impact leadership. We explore the challenges of helping someone with low EQ, figuring out how to tread the fine line between brutal honesty and empathy. I share my strategy of using performance evaluations to initiate the conversation and encourage growth, and touch on valuable resources like Aaron Burke's podcast series on EQ and the significance of tapping into someone's teachability.Special thanks to our sponsor f

Brian Dodd is back with some powerful insights from his new book, Mighty: Seven Skills You Need to Move from Pandemic to Progress, based on his popular blog posts from 2021. Listen in as he discusses how churches and small groups can leverage production, protection, perception, and passion for discipleship and leadership growth.We also we take a look at church growth in a post-COVID world and the common threads that show up in successful churches. Hear how authenticity and genuine faith are driving church attendance and how pastors can connect with their congregations in this new landscape. Of course, it's not a Brian Dodd episode without some valuable lessons from sports, so we share lessons on leadership from the KC Chiefs' journey to the AFC Championship and a Super Bowl win, as well as valuable travel tips and the importance of kindness. Listen in, leave a comment, and let us know how you're finding success post-COVID.Special thanks to our sponsor for the month and one of our favorite ministry tools at Re

This week, we welcome back bestselling author and pastor Mark Batterson. It was great having him on the podcast to talk about his new book, which captures life's essence in three simple words. And we like simplicity here. As the conversation unfolds, we learn more about Mark's battle with cancer and the profound impact it had on his life. He also delves into his journey as a blogger and author, his approach to building a community, and his latest book that captures life's essence in three simple words. You'll be inspired by how he's managed to maintain a positive attitude and keep his faith strong through life's challenges. So, tune in to be part of this enlightening and thought-provoking discussion with Mark Batterson.Special thanks to our sponsor for the month and one of our favorite ministry tools at Real Life Church, Subsplash, the first engagement platform for churches.Resources Episode Transcript Mark Batterson's Website Please, Sorry, Thanks by Mark Batterson Connect with Mark Facebook Instagram Twitt

It's been an honor serving Real Life Church for the past 20 years. Join me and my lifelong friend Michael Hinton as we reflect on two decades of ministry at Real Life Church. Michael and I share our journey, discussing the highs, the lows, and the faithfulness of God throughout it all. Michael and I also explore the wisdom we've gathered from mentors and how it has shaped our ministry work. We discuss the importance of asking questions, taking risks, and being wise stewards. We share insights on navigating the risks and wisdom involved in making major decisions. We also discuss how balancing roles as a pastor, husband, and father have taught us the importance of prioritizing quality time at home. This episode is packed with valuable lessons we’ve learned along the way, from leadership challenges to the power of prayer. So, join us as we reminisce, reflect, and share wisdom from 20 years of ministry at Real Life Church.Special thanks to our sponsor for the month and one of our favorite ministry tools at Real L

Ever wondered how to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be? Join us for this episode of Simple Faith with our guest, former pastor and current executive coach, Joseph King Barkley. It's great to have him back on the podcast as we talk about how to make transformation simple. In my chat with Joseph, we take a closer look at the power of mindset and commitment.Joseph brings his expertise to the table, sharing his insights on phenomenology and introducing new ways of seeing our circumstances. He also introduces an interesting concept that challenges us to go past our limits and accomplish more. Finally, we talk about the unique role pastoral leadership plays in shaping the spiritual growth of a congregation. Listen in to this week's episode and share in the comments how you might be inspired to go on your own path of transformation and growth.Special thanks to our sponsor for the month and one of our favorite ministry tools at Real Life Church, Subsplash, the first engagement platform

I'm thrilled to be joined by Darren Whitehead, an extraordinary mind in the church world and founding pastor of Church of the City in Nashville. Darren shares his unique journey into ministry sparked by an unexpected visa error. We also dive into how Darren started Church of the City, how he uses humor to connect with people from the stage, and we reflect on his book Holy Roar, written with Chris Tomlin. In this technology-driven world, Chris and Darren write about the power of worship – and the profound impact of seven Hebrew words used to express our adoration for God inside and outside the weekend service. From the role of millennials in the church to the importance of 'digital fasting', this episode is packed with some great insights. Listen in and share with a friend, because you won't want to miss this one!Resources Episode Transcript Church of the City in Nashville, TN Holy Roar: 7 Words That Will Change The Way You Worship by Chris Tomlin and Darren Whitehead Connect with Darren Instagram Facebook T

This season has seen a lot of job transitions. With tech layoffs and the great resignation, people have been seeking the perfect fit for them professionally. So what happens once you find that job and transition over? Adam Bishop knows a little about that and is on the podcast to talk about his experience with a job transition. I ask him about stepping into his new role at NewHope Church, and about how to manage change through transitions. We also talk about our experience with Courageous Pastors, a great leadership coaching organization.If you’ve got a job transition you’re navigating or you’re just considering what that could look like for you, listen in to our conversation here.Special thanks to our sponsor for the month, Subsplash, the first engagement platform for churches.Resources Episode Transcript Courageous Pastors NewHope Church  Connect with Adam Facebook Twitter Instagram

Two of my favorite people are on the podcast today: Pastors Mike Breaux and Gene Appel. If you’ve ever looked at your teaching calendar and been overwhelmed or unsure of where to start, then this is the episode for you. We dug into what building out a teaching calendar is like for a pastor, what to consider when building it out, and how use your teaching calendar as a tool to better care for your congregation.Between Mike and Gene, they have so many years of pastoral knowledge to share, so you won’t want to miss this episode. Special thanks to our sponsor for the month, Saga Mental Health and Relationship Centers.Resources Episode Transcript Connect with Gene Appel Facebook Twitter Connect with Mike BreauxYouTube

All of us wanna pray and be better at prayer. We just don't always know what to say. We panic when someone calls on us to pray in our small groups or at family gatherings. Maybe we even pull out one of the early prayers we memorized in Sunday School.But what if we could ask for something so much more? What if prayer could be so much more than praying for a good day or safe travels, but a real, open conversation with God?In today's episode, I share the five prayers you can pray to change your day. Listen in and let me know which one resonated with you in the comments.Special thanks to our sponsor for the month, Saga Mental Health and Relationship Centers.Resources After Amen by Rusty George (Book, Audiobook, and Pastor Resources) 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Today, I wanted to share a few of my favorite books with you. These are books that really impacted the way I looked at my faith. I hope each recommendation could be helpful to your mind and soul this summer no matter where you are in your faith journey. Now, all the books mentioned in this episode are available as audiobooks as well. So if you're on the go all the time or if the idea of reading brings back memories of high school summer reading lists, trust that you're in good shape. Listen in to this week's Simple Faith to hear a bit more about why I picked these specific books, and let me know your thoughts in the comments.Special thanks to our sponsor for the month, Saga Mental Health and Relationship Centers.Resources Episode Transcript Invitation to a Journey: A Roadmap for Spiritual Formation by M. Robert Mulholland, Jr. Winning the War in your Mind by Pastor Craig Groeschel In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen Move by Brian Tome

Hey listeners! We are doing something new, let's call it simplifying! Moving forward, we are renaming this podcast, Simple Faith. Why, because that's the goal! To help make faith simple. Simple Faith is a chance for us to give more focus to making faith simple. And there was no better episode to start this off with than this one.Kyle Idleman is here to help us figure out how to follow God when our way isn't working. As a matter of fact, he wrote a whole book about it. Kyle and I dig into the process of writing that book and the lessons Kyle learned himself about following God. We also talk about how to slow down and let go of the pressure to perform so we can make room for a greater connection to Jesus. You can find Kyle's new book, When Your Way Isn't Working, here and anywhere else you can purchase books.Special thanks to our sponsor, Saga Mental Health and Relationship Centers.Resources Episode Transcript Kyle Idleman's Website

There were some incredible guests this month on the podcast. I got to sit with not one but two executive pastors who had some great insight on what it's like to lead from the second chair. Mark Mears walked us through his marketing tips and how to grow from a leader to a legacy builder. May was also Mental Health Awareness month, and just in time I got the chance to talk with two incredible individuals about mental health: Bryan Hixson, a neuroscientist and Chad Veach, pastor of ZOE Church. I'd love to hear from you about your favorite episode from the month in the comments. You can find the full episodes and resources from this month below: Episode 255: Jim Sheldon makes Executive Pastoring simple Episode 256: Lane Jones makes leading from the second chair simple Episode 257: Bryan Hixson makes the brain simple Episode 258: Mark Mears makes marketing simple Episode 259: Chad Veach makes authenticity and overcoming anxiety simple Special thanks to our sponsor, Saga Mental Health and Relationship Centers. If y

It’s the last day of Mental Health Awareness Month and I’m so glad to have Chad Veach on the podcast this week. Chad is an author, speaker, and lead pastor of ZOE Church in Los Angeles. Chad shared some of his stories as a founding pastor and a father. We also got to talk about his new book, Worried about Everything Because I Pray About Nothing. But what he had to say about authenticity and overcoming anxiety is worth the price of admission alone. I know that you’ll be able to get some great insight from my conversation with Chad. Listen in and let me know what you think in the comments below.Special thanks to the Saga Center for Mental Health for sponsoring this episode!HighlightsChad’s Story - 2:08 How Chad got started in ministry. Chad’s experience parenting his daughter with a rare brain condition. Becoming a pastor when you were a pastor’s kid. Prayer as the antidote to worry  - 10:10 How ZOE Church began. The inspiration behind Chad’s new book. Chad’s rhythms for prayer and routine for podcasting. Overc

 If you’ve ever supersized a Pepsi, ordered a piece of cheesecake from the Cheesecake factory, or enjoyed a Schlotsky’s sandwich, then you have my good friend Mark Mears to thank for that. Mark has been a chief marketing officer for companies like Pepsi, Cheesecake Factory and Schlotzky's Deli. And he’s on the podcast this week to talk about how he got there as well as his new book The Purposeful Growth Revolution: 4 Ways to Grow from Leader to Legacy Builder. Listen in as we dig into the marketing skills you can keep in mind for your organization, the mistakes to avoid, and how to figure out your purpose.Special thanks to the Saga Center for Mental Health for sponsoring this episode.About Mark - 02:17How he got into marketingBe the Best Tree You Can Be - 08:40 The fig tree story that shifted Mark’s perspective A fig tree can’t be a maple tree… Serving the whole person through LEAF - 25:16 Mark shares a bit about the heart behind LEAF. Mark shares about his new book. Resources Episode Transcript Mark Mears’ W

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so it seemed fitting to have a brain expert join me on Leading Simple. Bryan Hixson leads an incredible research organization focused on understanding how the brain works. How our brain functions can dramatically affect the way we lead and the way we live. It influences how quickly we can bounce back from difficulties and how easily we can let things go. I sat down with Bryan to learn more about why that is and came out of our time with my mind blown. You won't want to miss our conversation. HighlightsAbout Bryan Hixson - 02:10 A little about Bryan Hixson Why do we call it Mental Health? What is a brain map? How does stress affect our brains? - 10:49 The pandemic’s effect on our brain health. The value of in person connection. Thoughts around the current mental health epidemic. Healing our Brains - 23:12 Bryan explains how our brains function. What are some helpful tools for us to help our brains? Resources Episode Transcript Brain Performance Centers of Southern Califor

Lane Jones is one of the co-founders of North Point Ministries, an incredible church with multiple campuses across the Atlanta area. I’ve gotten to know and learn from him over the past five years and it’s great to have him on the podcast to share his insights with you. He led along Andy Stanley as they started and grew North Point to what it is today. Lane shares his experiences from the early days, the lessons he learned about leadership over three decades, and what’s next for him in the coming years.HighlightsLane’s Story - 02:36 About Lane Jones Ministry beginnings in Atlanta Three Decades of North Point  - 12:47 What the early days at North Point were like. Gaining notoriety as a ministry Navigating exponential growth North Point today What’s Next? - 43:11 What does the next decade look like for Lane? How to support leaders from the second seat

People hear the title Executive Pastor and wonder what that title actually means? Well, my guest Jim Sheldon sheds some light on what that role has meant for him as he helps lead Mission Church, a church plant in Ventura, California. He also gives some background about what it was like for him moving from a corporate setting to into ministry (including a role as a police chaplain).Maybe you've considered transitioning from a corporate role to a role in ministry. We got to touch on that with guests like Jodi Tonarelli (listen to her perspective on being an executive pastor here) and Debbie Robert (listen to her story here). And Jim's story is another one to hear if that's a question you're asking yourself. I think you'll get a lot from his experiences guiding staff and his own self discovery in this role. I think you're going to be really blessed by what Jim has to say.Special thanks to the Saga Center for Mental Health for sponsoring this episode.HighlightsAbout Jim  - 01:35 Jim’s early years Moving from the

April was an exciting month as we sat down with with Jim Wallace as he reflected on a new chapter in his life and Debbie Robert came from behind the scenes to share her experience as an executive assistant. Roy Ratcliffe helped us look at grace through his eyes as he detailed his time with the infamous Jefferey Dahmer, and Bjorn Bjornsson helped to make therapy a little more accessible. If you hear something in this month's Best of that stood out to you you can find the full episodes and resources from this month below: Episode 250: Detective Jim Wallace processes the crucifixion crime scene Episode 251: Debbie Robert makes Executive Assisting simple Episode 252: The Pastor who baptized Dahmer makes grace simple Episode 253: Bjorn Bjornsson makes therapy simple Special thanks to our sponsor over at Saga Mental Health and Relationship Centers.

My guest for the week is Bjorn Bjornsson from Saga Center based in California. He was previously in ministry back in Iceland before becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist. Bjorn sits down with me and talks about his early experiences as a pastor, the need for mental health support in the church, and how you can find a counselor who is the right fit for you.Therapy can feel like a taboo word for so many people, particularly in the church. Going to therapy used to be seen as a sign of weakness. But over the years, people have become a lot more open about sharing their own experiences with mental health and finding the support they need.If you’ve heard me speak on a Sunday, maybe you’ve heard me talk a little about my own journey with anxiety and mental health. Or you’ve heard me talk with previous guests about their own journeys (like in this episode with Dan Broyles, LMFT) If you’re feeling a little skeptical about therapy, or you’ve been wondering where to even start, then take a listen to this epi