The Alliance is a community of thought leaders and storytellers. Alliance member podcasts challenge thinking, share best practices, inform on relevant topics, and highlight God's transformative work today.

“What makes you smile when you think about your son?” That was my question for Clarence—a younger man I was mentoring. The proud father proceeded to share some of his bright four-year-old’s accomplishments. One particular response left me amused. Not only does the child have his father’s first and last names, but he already looks so much like his father that he can unlock his father’s smart phone using the facial recognition feature! In John 14, Jesus made it clear how closely He resembled His Father. When an inquisitive Philip requested, “Lord, show us the Father” (v. 8), Jesus responded, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (v. 9). How was it that the Father was revealed through the Son? It was through Jesus’ “words” (v. 10) and “works” (v. 11) that God’s love, mercy, grace, and more were brilliantly displayed. Empowered by God’s Spirit, believers in Jesus are privileged to share family likeness. The invisible God becomes visible through His children. Regarding Christ-like love, John reminds us, “No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us” (1 John 4:12 nlt). What is it about your words and deeds that remind others of Jesus?

What does it mean to truly bear fruit for God's Kingdom? In this episode of The Multiplication Factor, Karen McNary shares how God transformed her from someone who simply attended church into a believer whose life is rooted in Scripture. As Chief People Officer at Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), Karen explains why spiritual multiplication begins with a consistent relationship with God's Word and why fruit is always meant for the benefit of others. Karen also reflects on witnessing the remarkable faithfulness of believers around the world, especially in places where Christianity is a minority faith, and encourages Christian leaders to find confidence in God's unchanging Word rather than changing cultural circumstances. Key Themes Fruitfulness is always about serving others, never ourselves. Spiritual growth begins when we move beyond simply attending church to personally engaging with Scripture. Daily time in God's Word allows God not only to be read—but to read us. Leadership multiplication happens by consistently investing in others over time. The global Church often demonstrates extraordinary faithfulness in difficult circumstances. God's Word remains the foundation for hope regardless of cultural change. Christian leaders can face the future confidently because God has always been faithful. Quotes: "A fruit tree is for the benefit of others, not themselves." "It's not just me reading Him—it's Him reading me." "The reason He gifted me has always been for someone else." "God's Word has always been what we need." "Look back to what He's already done, and that gives us hope for what He will do in the present and the future." Timestamp: 00:00 Introduction to The Multiplication Factor 01:03 Karen McNary's role at Bible Study Fellowship 01:27 Helping people discover Jesus through Scripture 01:56 Understanding what spiritual fruit really means 02:47 From church attendance to authentic faith 03:08 The transforming discipline of daily Bible study 03:40 "It's Him reading me"—hearing God's voice through Scripture 04:01 Lessons from serving the global Church 04:46 Faithfulness of believers in India and beyond 05:35 Multiplying disciples through years of leadership 06:49 Hope for Christia

Most young leaders try to sound like someone else long before they sound like themselves. Tyler Staton, lead pastor at Bridgetown Church, talks about finding your voice as a preacher and writer, what...Read the whole entry... »Click the icon below to listen.

Get a recipe and look at an old photo of Joni's sweet mother Lindy here. --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Listen to Today's Devotion Ancient Israel had the scruffy hills of Gilead, and somewhere in this rugged land Elijah came to believe in a mighty Yahweh who refused to share his glory with others. He confronted Ahab and Jezebel with a surgical strike. Baal was regarded as the god of fertility, yet Baal’s veil was about to be yanked back. Jehovah has declared a drought. Does Elijah have some encouragement for our generation? Absolutely! The story of Elijah offers us hope. Elijah shows us that one person following a living God is greater than hundreds of people praying to a lifeless one. Read more Unbreakable Courage For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Pre-Order Pete Scazzero's forthcoming book, Emotionally Healthy Success at www.emotionallyhealthy.org/successFor most of my early ministry, I led from my gifts. Teaching, vision-casting, faith, I had those in abundance, and little else. So I built my leadership on them, hid my weaknesses, and made sure no one saw me struggle. Then a painful church split exposed the whole thing. I spiraled into a two-year depression before I hit rock bottom, and found Jesus waiting for me there.In this episode, I walk through the second of four reversals from my new book: the move from charisma to weakness and limits. Jesus was born to a peasant girl, lived thirty ordinary years, and refused the power offered him in the desert. Paul, facing leaders with every credential he lacked, chose to boast in his weakness instead. "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."If you've been measuring your ministry by the world's scorecard- gifts, platform, impact- this episode will show you a better one. Weakness isn't a hindrance to what God wants to do through you. It's the doorway.Reserve your spot at our upcoming Global Leaders Conference.September 30 – October 1, 202614th St. Salvation Army, NYC(Live Spanish Translation available)Register Now: https://ehd.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3421612Learn more about the EH Global Leader Conference 2026: http://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/conference

What does it mean to truly bear fruit for God's Kingdom?In this episode of The Multiplication Factor, Karen McNary shares how God transformed her from someone who simply attended church into a believer whose life is rooted in Scripture. As Chief People Officer at Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), Karen explains why spiritual multiplication begins with a consistent relationship with God's Word and why fruit is always meant for the benefit of others.Karen also reflects on witnessing the remarkable faithfulness of believers around the world, especially in places where Christianity is a minority faith, and encourages Christian leaders to find confidence in God's unchanging Word rather than changing cultural circumstances.Fruitfulness is always about serving others, never ourselves.Spiritual growth begins when we move beyond simply attending church to personally engaging with Scripture.Daily time in God's Word allows God not only to be read—but to read us.Leadership multiplication happens by consistently investing in others over time.The global Church often demonstrates extraordinary faithfulness in difficult circumstances.God's Word remains the foundation for hope regardless of cultural change.Christian leaders can face the future confidently because God has always been faithful."A fruit tree is for the benefit of others, not themselves.""It's not just me reading Him—it's Him reading me.""The reason He gifted me has always been for someone else.""God's Word has always been what we need.""Look back to what He's already done, and that gives us hope for what He will do in the present and the future."00:00 Introduction to The Multiplication Factor01:03 Karen McNary's role at Bible Study Fellowship01:27 Helping people discover Jesus through Scripture01:56 Understanding what spiritual fruit really means02:47 From church attendance to authentic faith03:08 The transforming discipline of daily Bible study03:40 "It's Him reading me"—hearing God's voice through Scripture04:01 Lessons from serving the global Church04:46 Faithfulness of believers in India and beyond05:35 Mul

Send us Fan MailHow can churches embrace AI without losing the human side of ministry? William Vanderbloemen, Ed Stetzer, and Corey Alderin explore practical ways AI can save time, extend a sermon’s reach, and strengthen ministry—while keeping authenticity and ethical boundaries intact.

Not sure what to do next in your business? Let’s figure it out together. Book a free 30-minute consult call with the EntreLeadership® Team.   Indecision will cost you more than making the wrong call.  In this episode, John Felkins sits down with Daniel Ramsey, president of Ramsey Solutions, to unpack how great leaders overcome fear, gather wise counsel, and make confident decisions without waiting for perfect information. Next Steps: · Read our article to learn how to get the confidence to see challenges as opportunities and make hard calls. · Have a question for the show? Call 844-944-1070 or send us a message. · Order Dave’s most recent EntreLeadership book, Build a Business You Love. · Get EntreLeadership’s free weekly newsletter: expert advice and practical tips from the same playbook we used to build Ramsey Solutions into a $300 million company. · Attend our world-class leadership conference, EntreLeadership Summit. · Stop guessing. Get a plan built for your business and someone who holds you to it. Find out which coaching option is right for you. · Take a deep dive into the EntreLeadership System™ at our Master Series event, where our Executive Team shares the exact strategies behind our growth so you can run your business the same way.   Connect With Our Sponsors: · Go to Belay Solutions or text ENTRE to 55123 for their free resource! · See if Christian Healthcare Ministries Groups are the right fit for your organization. · Visit NetSuite today to learn more.   Listen to More From Ramsey Network: ️ The Ramsey Show The Ramsey Show Highlights The Dr. John Delony Show

A lot of brands are saying the wrong thing first. They lead with their mission, their story, and their personality, thinking that will make people care. But customers aren't looking for a brand to admire. They're looking for a guide who understands their problem and can help them solve it. When your message starts in the wrong place, your customer tunes out before you ever get a chance to help. How do you know if your brand is leading with the wrong story?   In this episode, host Donald Miller breaks down the difference between primary and secondary messaging and explains why that shift changes everything. He shows how to talk about your customer's problem, communicate why you care, prove you can help, and make the next step clear. Don also shares simple website tests to help customers quickly understand what you offer and why it matters. Tune in to create messaging that drives more sales.   Ready to clarify your message and grow your business?   Attend StoryBrand Your Business LIVE to learn how to explain what you do in a way customers instantly understand: https://storybrand.com/live/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=sbyourbusiness&utm_term=sbpod&utm_content=SB_workshop    Visit StoryBrand.com for business training, messaging tools, and resources to help you grow: https://storybrand.com/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=storybrand&utm_term=sbpod&utm_content=SB_home    Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storybrand   Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/storybrand

Feel like you can't have anyone over because your house is currently decorated in a style known as Kid Chaos? You're not alone! In our summer series, Raising Them Well, check out the reasons to model hospitality beyond the mess and how to get in the mindset for it!Show Notes: https://bit.ly/49XSxeFTakeaways:Hospitality connects people and is a way to show love.It's important to redefine hospitality beyond entertaining.Cultural pressures can hinder our ability to practice hospitality.Setting boundaries is essential for healthy hospitality.Authenticity in hospitality leads to deeper connections.Women often bear the mental load of hospitality tasks.Introverts and extroverts experience hospitality differently.Throwing off expectations can enhance the hospitality experience.God calls us to practice hospitality regardless of our skills.The journey of hospitality is about being true to oneself. I'm not carrying that torch alone.We have to look at our calendars.Set that up at the beginning.Take the stress off of yourself.Potluck it up, man.A coffee meetup in the front yard.Opening our resources to be hospitable.Using your resources to build those connections.We can distract ourselves away from what the point is.I want to focus on and he's like, Oh, if it was dirty.Sound bites:"It's not about trying to be Martha Stewart""I'm not carrying that torch alone.""We have to look at our calendars.""Set that up at the beginning.""Take the stress off of yourself.""Potluck it up, man.""A coffee meetup in the front yard.""Opening our resources to be hospitable."Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Hospitality and Connection01:53 Redefining Hospitality: From Entertaining to Authenticity04:58 Cultural Pressures and Expectations in Hospitality10:06 Overcoming Anxiety and Setting Boundaries in Hospitality18:51 Navigating Different Personalities in Hospitality21:56 Navigating Hospitality with Family Dynamics22:47 Planning and Preparation for Hospitality24:56 The Power of Potlucks and Delegation26:55 Innovative Approaches to Hosting27:53 Hospitality Beyond the Home29:38 Building Relationships Through Shared Experiences31:33 Creating Presence Over Perfection33:23 Teamwork in Hosp

Most Christian leaders believe they value women's full contribution — but the structures working against that belief are often invisible until someone measures them. Leaders in Christian-led organizations are facing a quiet retention problem: women disengaging not over pay, but over voice, access, and influence. This episode unpacks how ordinary policies — job descriptions, meeting habits, mentorship norms — can unintentionally exclude women from decision-making, and why leaders often don't see it until someone brings the data. You'll Gain Insight On: Why structural bias hides inside well-intentioned policies What BCW's engagement data reveals about how women experience culture differently Practical personal, relational, and structural habits that close the gap Early signs of quiet disengagement leaders often miss Subscribe to Called to Flourish and share this conversation with a fellow leader. Access full show notes, resources, and transcript at: https://workplaces.org/podcast/women-arent-leaving-over-pay-theyre-leaving-because-no-ones-listening

Most ministry leaders expect to decide when they step away. Dennis Atwood never had that opportunity.After serving churches for nearly three decades, Dennis was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease. He quietly carried the diagnosis for years before the progression of the disease forced him to step away from the pastorate he loved. In this deeply honest conversation, Dennis reflects on grief, identity, suffering, and why choosing gratitude isn't about denying pain but discovering God's faithfulness in the middle of it.Key TakeawaysUnexpected health challenges can reshape both ministry and identity.Grief is a natural part of leaving a calling you deeply love.Gratitude isn't the absence of suffering but a response to God's faithfulness within it.Ministry leaders need purpose beyond the title they hold.God often brings deep spiritual formation through seasons we would never choose.Chapter Markers00:00 Dennis' pastoral journey and ministry background01:45 An early Parkinson's diagnosis changes everything03:30 Why Dennis kept his diagnosis private for years07:45 Telling the church and preparing for transition11:00 Missing ministry more than expected13:15 Becoming a caregiver and navigating family transition14:30 Holy discontent and living with purpose16:20 Choosing gratitude through suffering20:00 The dark night of the soul and spiritual formation25:30 Encouragement for leaders whose ministry ended unexpectedlyIf you're facing a ministry transition or unexpected life change, start a conversation with a specialist at Ministry Transitions. Learn more about Dennis and his book Choosing Gratitude at Market Square Books.

Equipping All-In Staff TeamsThe power of being all-in with time, talent, and treasureEquipping staff teams for excellence requires more than tactical training; it demands a cultural shift where generosity becomes the norm. Time, talent, and treasure are the three pillars of this commitment, each reflecting a deeper surrender to Christ.Chris McDaniel (MBA, Liberty University) is the author of Ignite Your Generosity and Steward Leaders Rise: A 21-Day Devotional to Ignite Transformational Stewardship. As Chief Revenue Officer at vTECH io and a stewardship advocate, he serves on the Leadership Advisory Board for Mission Increase and the Advisory Council for Christian Leadership Alliance. Chris and his wife Jennifer live in Bradenton, FL, where they disciple their family and community in generous living. Learn more at www.igniteyourgenerosity.com or https://stewardleadersrise.com.

Great leadership isn't charismatic or flashy. It's consistent, faithful, and most of the time ... boring. In this live talk from the Global Leadership Summit, Craig breaks down why boring beats brilliant every time and the simple equation that turns ordinary habits into lasting influence. Get the free leader guide for this episode here: https://www.life.church/leadershippodcast/whats-really-behind-overnight-success-live-from-the-global-leadership-summit.  ==================== JOIN THE COMMUNITY Website: https://www.craiggroeschel.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@craiggroeschel Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craiggroeschel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craiggroeschel TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@craiggroeschel️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/35447748/ ==================== ABOUT CRAIGCraig Groeschel is the founder and senior pastor of Life.Church and one of today’s most trusted voices in leadership. Since 2016, he’s shared practical, empowering leadership insights to help you grow through the Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why is it so hard for leaders to admit they need care?In this bonus episode of Behind the Seal, Mindy Caliguire returns to explore the internal resistance so many leaders face when it comes to their own health. Joined by ECFA President Michael Martin, this conversation moves beyond theory and into the real-life tension leaders experience every day.From the hidden cost of constant output to the surprising discomfort of rest, Mindy and Michael unpack why leaders often avoid what they need most, and what happens when they finally choose to face it.You’ll also hear:Why self-awareness is the first and hardest stepWhat leaders discover when they stop “powering through”The unexpected reality of sabbatical (it’s not always what you think)Why it’s never too late for God to meet you — even in burnoutIf you’ve ever felt stretched, exhausted, or unsure how to slow down, this conversation will meet you right where you are.About Mindy Caliguire:Mindy Caliguire is the founder of Soul Care, a ministry dedicated to helping leaders cultivate a healthy soul. With decades of experience in spiritual formation and leadership development, Mindy has guided countless leaders through seasons of burnout, renewal, and long-term sustainability.Her work equips individuals and organizations to integrate rhythms of rest, reflection, and relational support into everyday leadership so they can flourish for the long haul.Key Takeaways:Leaders often struggle to admit they need care, even when the signs are clear.Self-awareness is the starting point. You can’t address what you won’t acknowledge.Leaders have countless ways to avoid their struggles. Busyness often masks deeper needs.“Powering through” comes at a cost. Eventually, the system runs dry.Sabbatical isn’t about breakthroughs — it’s about rest and letting the ground lie fallow.The most meaningful transformation often happens in ordinary moments with God.Leader care fuels mission effectiveness. It’s not separate from impact, it sustains it.It’s never too late to begin. Even crisis moments can become turning points.Additional Resources:ECFA Leader Care Resources