James Forsyth
The Currency of Trust and Transitions Leadership Principles
About The Episode
“Love the church you have. Not the church you wish you had.” Meet James Forsyth, Senior Pastor of Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN. James grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland where he met his bride and started his family. He came to the US to go to seminary and stayed stateside as God called him and his family through two leadership transitions. James is an expert on the topic of transition. On this episode he leans in specifically on the currency of trust and four key transition leadership principles. If you are a young leader entering into a season of transition, this conversation will be a great resource for you.
Welcome to Episode 068 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
Insights From James Forsyth
How the Gospel Shapes a Calling to Ministry
- Who can manifest Christ’s strength through their own weakness?
- It’s not about your awesomeness. It’s about His awesomeness.
- Our willingness to be used by Him.
- “When you minister to people out of your own brokenness, you actually meet people where they’re at.”
- On the hard days, you can find confidence that this isn’t your plan for your life, it’s His.
Transition Process
- I had a healthy sense of wondering what was next for us…
- We approached the transition with two questions:
- What has the Lord called and wired me to do?
- What does this church need a Senior Pastor to do?
- Your first few months through the first two years are a season of incredible learning and growth when you step into a new leadership position.
The Currency of Trust in Leadership
- “You arrive in an external transition with some borrowed trust, but you don’t have as much trust as you think. It takes time to develop it.”
- Trust is an accrual process.
- My staff described leadership events that happened over time as being the events that helped them build trust in me.
- You can’t manufacture these events, you just need life to happen. Trust takes time.
- You need to learn how to move at the speed of trust.
Differences in Leadership Pre/Post Covid
- Building relationship and trust with your people
- Trust in institutions is at an all time low
Leadership Transition Principles
- Character – Pay attention to your own character. You actually have to be trustworthy for people to trust you! Get your circles right – Jesus, family, the church. If people can see that your integrity is intact, they will begin to trust you.
- Authenticity – Showing genuine care and concern for people goes a long way to building trust.
- Communication – The burden to communicate is always upon the leader. Pay special attention to that in transition. Be very explicit and go out of your way to tell people what you’re thinking and why you’re thinking it.
- Competency – being good at the job. People will respond to your leadership if they see you being a good leader.
Episode Links
Learn more about Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church
Checkout James’ new podcast: Live Deeply
No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
Who Is James Forsyth?
James Forsyth is the Senior Pastor of Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN. He grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he graduated from the University of Edinburgh before moving to the U.S. for grad school at Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS). James co-hosts a podcast called “Live Deeply” and is a Guest Professor of Practical Theology at RTS Washington, D.C. James is married to his high school sweetheart, Rosie, and is dad to Mia, Caleb, Seamus, and Isla. Formative experiences include growing up in a strong, tight-knit family, being a college athlete, becoming a father at the age of 19, wrestling through seasons of anxiety, and being shaped by a handful of key mentors. Throughout, God’s grace has been the theme – a theme that now animates his life and ministry. In his free time, you might find James CrossFitting, supporting Manchester United, laughing too loudly with friends, grilling, playing guitar, or – at his happiest – enjoying his family.
Find James on Twitter: @jameswforsyth
Sponsors & Partners
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
“When you minister to people out of your own brokenness, you actually meet people where they’re at.”
“It really is true that trust is the currency of ministry.”
“Love the church you have. Not the church you wish you had.”
“You arrive in an external transition with some borrowed trust, but you don’t have as much trust as you think. It takes time to develop it.”
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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