Zac Stephens

About The Episode

“Vulnerability with those closest to you can provide clarity and healing in ways you don’t expect.” Meet Zac Stephens, lead pastor of Faith Promise Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. In today’s episode, Zac shares his unique journey from growing up as a pastor’s kid to stepping into the role of lead pastor, highlighting the integrity of his parents and how they prepared him for ministry rather than shielding him from its challenges. Zac talks about the weight of leadership that comes with senior roles and the unexpected personal responsibility that hit him during his first 90 days as lead pastor. In addition, Zac shares practical insights into the mental strategies he’s adopted and how the support system around him played a crucial role in his transformation.

Welcome to Episode 116 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. 

INSIGHTS FROM ZAC 

TRANSITIONING FROM PASTOR’S KID TO LEADER

• Growing up in ministry can be a formative and grounding experience, particularly when parents lead with integrity.
• The weight of leadership is different when you’re the one making the final decisions, no matter how much support you have.
• Loneliness and responsibility can be overwhelming, and Zac opens up about the importance of having a support system like mentors and peers in ministry.

BUILDING RESILIENCE AND REFRAMING NEGATIVE SELF-TALK

1. The Gradual Nature of Change
   • Zac reflects on how progress didn’t come through one big moment but through a series of small breakthroughs. He emphasizes the importance of patience and consistency when working on mental health.
2. The Power of Positive Self-Talk
   • One of the key tools Zac used was intentional self-talk. He explains how catching and reframing negative thoughts over time helped him regain control over his mindset.
3. The Importance of Vulnerability in Relationships
   • Zac opens up about how being honest with his wife Rachel became a major turning point. Sharing his struggles and receiving support from someone close helped him gain clarity and a new perspective.
4. Counseling as a Path to Growth
   • Zac discusses how regular sessions with his counselor allowed him to unpack specific issues and approach them with actionable steps. He stresses the value of seeking professional help when navigating mental health challenges.
5. The Role of Community Support
   • The cohort Zac was part of played an essential role in keeping him grounded. He highlights how consistent encouragement from others helped shift his self-perception and reinforce positive habits.

PERSONAL GROWTH, SPIRITUAL SANCTIFICATION, AND MAINTAINING PRIORITIES

• Sanctification through Life’s Challenges: Zac talks about how God uses the difficulties in life, like golf for him, as a tool for sanctification. He shares how reframing these experiences helps align with the bigger narrative of God’s purpose.
• Generosity and Prayer: Sean offers a prayer for the spirit of generosity in Zac’s church, echoing Ephesians 3:20, that God can do more than we can imagine for the advancement of the Gospel.
• Family Dynamics During Transition: Zac shares a vulnerable moment about bringing a counselor into his family, which helped address unspoken issues during their leadership transition. He explains how this difficult conversation revealed long-buried feelings and allowed healing within his family.
• Embracing the Hard Conversations: Zac stresses the importance of addressing hidden family issues during transitions, noting that sweeping things under the rug will only create problems later. Zac’s family embraced the discomfort, allowing healing and unity to take place.
• Guardrails for Leadership: In response to Sean’s question about new boundaries, Zac describes the spiritual practices that keep him grounded. He mentions daily prayer, reading scripture, and making declarations rooted in truth to combat negative self-talk. He has also added “guardrails” to prevent his addictive personality from focusing too much on any one thing, such as golf or work.
• Adopting a Sonship Mindset: Zac explains how meditating on Romans 8:15, which emphasizes our adoption as sons of God, has transformed his approach to daily prayer. Instead of focusing solely on humility, he starts by embracing his identity as a beloved child of God. This shift has been pivotal in maintaining joy and a sense of purpose, even during difficult times.
• Encouragement to Maintain Spiritual Priorities: Sean shares a story of his conversation with Nicky Gumbel, who consistently woke up hours early to dedicate time with the Lord, even on travel days. Sean acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining such discipline but recognizes the impact it has on spiritual growth and leadership.