Greg Lindsey
Finding Momentum by Finding Rock Bottom
About The Episode
“We’re half the church we were before Covid hit, attendance wise. But the foundation is stronger than it was when we built from where we are now, before.” Meet Greg Lindsey, Lead Pastor of Discovery Christian Church in Colorado Springs, CO. From lawyer, to church planter, to transitions leader, Greg has a transition story that didn’t start well, and then got worse before it ever got better. He shares his approach of leading Discovery with “duct tape and dreams” and encourages leaders to let off the gas in their striving and driving and be far more willing to grow slowly. To be willing to invest more in the people who are showing up right now. Greg doesn’t shy away from his doubts, his fears, his many challenges; and how God has continued to teach him raw dependence throughout his story. It’s a must listen.
Welcome to Episode 058 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
Insights From Greg
Sometimes it gets far worse before it ever gets better.
- Greg tells his story of planting Lifepointe Church in Raleigh, NC and then being called to a struggling church plant in Colorado Springs.
- It took a raw dependence on God – two words from Mark Batterson that spoke life into Greg’s heart and leadership
- “Being pursued by God is crucible.” Sean Morgan
- There is no explanation for the story of Discovery Christian Church other than God. Over and over and over again. From 30 people, to 1,000, and beyond.
Be careful what you ask for… because you might just get it. How to get the right structure in place.
- Build a great volunteer culture
- Find people who are willing to sacrifice to be a part of what you’re doing
- People will be with you for a season. Not forever. God works through seasons, almost always.
- Some of your staff will be doers, but not leaders. And some will be threatened by those who can lead.
- Toxic staff culture = clicks, people having common enemies on staff, not genuinely for each other.
What is church? What is it supposed to be?
- Teach people that it’s not about what we created it to be about – the weekend service. This is not what it’s most about. This is a great place to start and a terrible place to stop.
- We need to be a sent people. The come and see days are over.
- We’re half the church we were before Covid hit, attendance wise. But the foundation is stronger than it was when we built from where we are now before.
- Have 2-4 voices in your life who you can be totally transparent with, who will press into you. Get people who will speak real truth into your life.
Episode Links
Sunnyside Christian Church planted Discover 19 years ago.
If you’re a new lead pastor stepping into a transition, we want you in our Fall 2022 cohort. Visit https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ to learn more.
Who Is Greg Lindsey?
After having spent a summer at Officer Candidate School in the Marine Corps and 10 years in the courtroom as a trial attorney in both Kentucky and Indiana, Greg left it behind to plant and lead Lifepointe Church in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2002. In 2008 he became the Lead Pastor of Discovery Church Colorado in Colorado Springs, a 5 year old struggling church plant of about 100 people. Discovery grew to over 1400 in the next 5 years and was one of Outlook Magazine’s 100 fastest growing churches in America in both 2014 and 2015. He and his wife and hero Stacy have been married for 38 years and have 4 amazing daughters, three sons in law, and 6 awesome grandkids. He is also one of the founding leaders of COSIloveyou, an organization and movement committed to uniting and igniting the local church in Colorado Springs to show the tangible love of Jesus to all people in the city with no strings attached. Over 100 Colorado Springs churches are now a part of that movement.
Instagram: @glindsey360
Twitter: @greglindsey
Sponsors
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry.
Combine your church’s heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
The Art of Leadership Academy – https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/
Quotes From Episode
- “Who you are and who you’re becoming is more important than anything you’ll ever do.”
- “You can turn this around and you’re going to, but not without me.”
Listen to Recent Episodes
About the Host
Sean Morgan is a coach and speaker with a national reputation as a catalyst of fresh vision. His passion is to help ministries navigate obstacles and turn them into opportunities.
Throughout his career, Sean has pioneered initiatives impacting thousands of leaders across the country. He started out serving as Executive Pastor and CFO at New Life Church in northern California.
As host, Sean gives you access to amazing conversations, hard-won wisdom, and poignant insights from world-class leaders in intimate “living room” settings.
Your Host
Sean Morgan
Leaders in Living Rooms
Craft & Character
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