The title “Chief People and Culture Officer” perfectly describes the work that Tom Beck does at Compassion International. With a global workforce in 26 countries, every day Tom tackles the challenge of creating an organizational culture of belonging for staff who live across the world. So, how does he do it? According to Tom, it starts with cultivating the spiritual habit of prayer and listening to the Holy Spirit. As an extremely early morning person, Tom begins his most productive part of the day in prayer and Bible reading. From this place he is able to focus on the people and workplace culture he stewards – one that is in line with Compassion’s brand promise “to be known, loved, and connected.”

Our last words of wisdom from Tom are based on his line, “teach what we know – replicate what we are.” These are just a few ways that Tom leads a culture of belonging at Compassion International!

Guests: Tom Beck

Ministry/ Workplace: Compassion International

YouTube Video

Margaret Fitzwater, the Executive Director of Training, Development, and Care for the Navigators, attributes her strong faith and Christ-centered leadership to having good life rhythms. Particularly daily time in the Word – journal and pen in hand – and observing a weekly Sabbath where she focuses on life-giving activities. This dedication to allowing the Word of God to be a part of her life (not just overlaying it) is Margaret’s key to leadership!

At Navigators, Margaret leads five teams that train over 2,700 staff. This means that creating a sense of belonging is mission-critical! Being virtual is a challenge for building that culture, but her teams have learned to invest the time and effort to make sure that every staff member feels seen and heard. Margaret shares so much wisdom with us in today’s show, but the bottom line is that following Jesus is a different way of life than the world’s way.

Guests: Margaret Fitzwater

Ministry/ Workplace: The Navigators

YouTube Video

Get ready to be drawn in by the gentle leadership of Beth Guckenberger! Right off the bat, Beth shares with us her keys to Christ-centered leadership: fellowship and accountability. And what do these two things have in common? They are a part of being in community... part of belonging. Beth and her husband have spent years traveling and learning about other cultures, but the Bible’s principles for belonging always apply no matter where they are.

Plus, we talk about Beth’s new book, Throw the First Punch, where she applies some great principles from 1 Peter 5 and Ephesians 6 on the issues of spiritual warfare. After all, why should we wait for Satan to attack?  We know he’s prowling around looking for something to devour, so be aggressive and put on the Full Armor of God and throw the first punch! Imagine the kind of impact that we could have in each of our areas of influence if we took this approach.

There are so many great nuggets in this episode - you might need to listen to it more than once!

Guests: Beth Guckenberger

Ministry/ Workplace:  Back2Back Ministries

YouTube Video

Nona Jones wears many leadership hats – from church to business to family – so she knows that thriving leadership requires personal growth. Being a college science major, she’s able to give some spot-on examples from nature about what’s needed for growth and what signs show healthy growth vs. withering away.

A leader’s health is oftentimes directly reflected in their team’s health. So, if there’s one thing that Nona has been learning lately, it’s the importance of pouring into the lives of her team members.

As a biblical example in the same plant-related realm, Nona notes the necessity that leaders have of both being pruned for continual growth and carefully pruning others to encourage them to thrive, too. That being said, with the last years of added stress and challenge, God has been pointing her towards compassion and sincere care for truly effective leadership. Since Nona has been an executive at Meta (formerly Facebook), this is something she wants to encourage ministries to focus on as they use social media – not just producing content but connecting with people where they are.

Two pieces of leadership advice to take away from this interview:

1 – The right answer matters more than being right. We must be humble to be good leaders!

2 – Strive for an “additive” leader mindset. As leaders, we should be adding to those on our team, not using them to get ahead.

Guests: Nona Jones

Ministry/ Workplace:  NonaJones.com

YouTube Video

Let’s celebrate a few milestones today! In the past nine years, we have produced 2,200 podcasts and interviewed over 3,500 people. In addition, we have written a weekly blog for over 470 weeks, written three books, created and produced a 1-minute weekday PowerThought for podcast and radio, traveled thousands of miles, and met so many incredible people - BUT it’s time for a break. 

Throughout Scripture, God gives us great examples of REST, including at the very beginning of creation, and we know that we’ve failed to practice and obey them. In today’s show, we share honestly about what God is telling us and how we need to get serious rest so that we can walk in obedience in all He is asking of us.

So, we want to invite you to embark with us in this new season of restoration and relationship. Won’t you commit to incorporating the iWork4Him Nation pledge into our summer? Get to know our neighbors at home and work – spend some time grilling out, hosting potlucks, and relationship building. I know we will!

See you this fall!

Guests: Jim and Martha Brangenberg

Ministry/ Workplace: iWork4Him

YouTube Video

Sometimes the path to our calling takes many turns. Dr. Eli Jones shares his story in his new book Run Toward your Goliaths. Despite being a first-generation college student, Eli’s childhood was full of first-rate learning experiences! His parents were entrepreneurial, and his dad’s work truck was often a classroom for Eli. After graduating college, Eli took several unexpected career turns. Still eventually, he ended up back in school to get his Ph.D., where Eli indeed found his calling as a teacher and writer!

Eli’s unchanging life mission has been to transform lives, and through teaching principles that come from the Bible – he is able to do just that. Higher education is fertile soil for connecting faith to learning. At Texas A&M, there are so many ways to visibly carry that out through the Christian Faculty Network and Breakaway ministry happening on campus, where Eli is deeply involved.

For the chance to win a copy of Eli’s book, Run Toward Your Goliaths, call the listener line at 866-713-9675 (WORK)!

Guests: Dr. Eli Jones

Ministry/ Workplace: Texas A&M University; EliJones.com

YouTube Video

James Barnett had a childhood of road trips to treasure.  Most of us would reminisce about the memories happily and leave it at that. Not James! He has allowed God to take those road trip lessons to shape his leadership at home and at work, in his role as President of DaySpring. 

His many life lessons include learning who is in control, Why God vs What God, and helping others see what they can’t see in themselves.  Even now, James’ parents haven’t lost their sense of adventure and hit the road again for a family adventure to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. In this episode, we learn from James’ example to constantly learn from every experience God gives us.

So many great nuggets in this interview with James Barnett and his new book, Blue Skies: How to Live in Extraordinary Expectation of What’s Around the Corner.  

For the chance to win a signed copy of James’ book, call the listener line at 866-713-9675!

Guest: James Barnett

Ministry/Workplace: DaySpring

YouTube Video

In this interview from last year’s CLA Outcomes Conference, we speak with National Commander – Commissioner Kenneth G. Hodder, who has been with The Salvation Army for 33 years. Ken believes that one of the organization’s strengths is that they don’t have a narrow focus. This allows The Salvation Army to help people wherever they are – however, it can also lead to burn out. Throughout the pandemic, The Salvation Army has been working to meet the needs of the many Americans who have fallen under the poverty line. They went from serving 52 million meals per year to over 225 million in 2020! However, God is faithful, and Ken says that giving went up by 27% this year, which allowed the Army to do what it does best – love on people! Ken also shares with us how he keeps himself from burnout with a routine and schedule that keep his faith centered on Christ.

Commissioner Hodder is 6th generation Salvationist, 4th generation commissioner, and 2nd generation National Commander.  What a legacy he has followed and will leave for future generations. His final words to leaders were to not try to change the people but use their strengths to serve.

Guests: Kenneth Hodder

Ministry/ Workplace: The Salvation Army

YouTube Video

James Barnett has a heart for adventure and a true sense of awe, and this part 1 of a 2-part bonus interview explores some of James’ fondest memories. From an uncle that modeled hard work and generosity to parents that modeled a life of prayer, James’ family has played a large role in his spiritual formation.  His recently released book, Blue Skies: How to Live in Extraordinary Expectation of What’s Around the Corner, captures lessons he has learned from his family road trips.  

James’ exposure to author Bob Buford and his book Halftime forced him to answer the question, “Are you driven or all you called?”  This made him take a hard look at why God does something versus what God is wanting to teach in each of life’s circumstances. Celebrating a 41-year career at DaySpring – and  now the President – God  has used James’ adventures to shape his leadership both at work and home.  Through his many experiences, James has allowed God to show him life lessons at every turn.  There is so much to learn, and his Blue Skies book shows how we can capture and share them along the way.

So many great nuggets in this interview with James Barnett and his new book, Blue Skies: How to Live in Extraordinary Expectation of What’s Around the Corner.  

For the chance to win a signed copy of James’ book, call the listener line at 866-713-9675!

Guest: James Barnett

Ministry/Workplace: DaySpring

YouTube Video

Having founded a church and worked in the marketplace, Tom Lutz has a unique vantage point on faith integration. Join us in today’s show as Tom discusses finding your purpose, faith in the marketplace, and vocational discipleship!

As a young believer, Tom thought he needed to go to seminary to serve in ministry. Seminaries often teach on the importance of discipleship within the Church, but rarely discipleship within the workplace. After some years, Tom acknowledged that his real calling was to the marketplace. But, despite feeling like God was calling him there, it took him quite a while to not feel like God frowned on that decision. His new book, Equipping Christians for Kingdom Purpose in their Work, is a “how to” book that answers practical questions like:

1.     Who are you?

2.     What is your purpose?

3.     How will you fulfill your purpose?

Believers who integrate their faith at work are more engaged as church members and Followers of Christ. That’s why it is our goal to help start vocational discipleship across the Nation!

For a chance to win a copy of Tom’s book call our listener line at 866-713-9675!

Guests: Thomas Lutz

Ministry/ Workplace: Convene

YouTube Video