Month: January 2021

Dharius Daniels

In this must-listen episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Dr. Dharius Daniels shares with Sean Morgan about his upbringing as a pastor’s kid in small-town America. They discuss disciple development, criticism, and the temptation to live our lives according to the opinions of others. Dharius talks about the shape of the American Church—what are we getting wrong, and what direction do we need to head in 2021?

Steve Cuss

For most pastors, there has never been a year filled with more turmoil, tension, criticism, and anxiety than 2020. Our congregations were divided by politics, masks, in-person gatherings, and the appropriate reactions to racism in our country. Pastors struggled with preaching through cameras to invisible congregations while making impossible decisions, where any choice would disrupt half the church. 2020 was filled with leadership anxiety, and many of us were never fully equipped to manage it well. In this episode of Craft & Character, author and pastor Steve Cuss talks with Steve Carter about his book Managing Leadership Anxiety. They review what anxiety actually is and how to best take care of your personal struggles while shepherding your congregation through worry and anxiety.

Sam Acho

In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sam Acho talks about handling success as a Christian influencer in the NFL. He and Sean Morgan discuss the power of a good name and the importance of being a lifelong learner. Sam talks about using his relational gifts to influence those around him. Finally, Sam shares how he has been able to see God’s blessings during the storms of life.

Gene Appel

In the latest Craft & Character podcast, Steve Carter talks with Eastside Christian Church senior pastor Gene Appel about effective leadership through preaching. Gene is an incredible mix of strategic leader and kind pastor, and he leads with integrity. He refers to this mix of strategy as “directional leadership” and explains that his goal of shepherding his congregation influences both his message preparation and his sermon calendar. Gene’s clarity of mission plays a key role in moving the Church forward.