True leadership starts with a heart of honor. Servant leadership, humility, and valuing relationships are key to accessing greater authority and opportunity. Honoring those above you, even when it’s hard, builds the character God can trust with more.

In this episode, we break down how dishonor can block your growth, why servanthood is the highest position, and how your attitude toward leadership shapes your influence and legacy. If you want to lead well and rise with purpose, it begins by honoring up—because how you honor becomes the foundation of how you lead.

One of the toughest hurdles in leadership is navigating difficult conversations. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Tim Muehlehoff, communication expert and professor at Biola University in La Mirada, California, and co-author of best-selling book “End the Stalemate: Move Past Cancel Culture to Meaningful Conversations,” to unpack the unique responsibility church leaders have to model how we can respectfully engage with those who may have different perspectives; this is especially important in today’s polarized climate.

Join us as we explore the practical “heart work,” spiritual disciplines, and communication tools that leaders can use to find common ground in the midst of our differences – and do so with humility, clarity, and grace. If you’re serious about leading well and influencing lasting change, this conversation is for you!

To learn more about Tim Muehlehoff and his impactful work, visit timmuehlehoff.com or cmr.biola.edu.

In this episode, we sit down with Shane Pruitt, National Next Gen Director for the North American Mission Board (NAMB), to discuss this importance of equipping and empowering this next generation to live on mission and lead with purpose!

To learn more about Shane Pruitt’s ministry and mission, visit shanepruitt.net.

To learn more about Bishop Ulmer’s ministry and mission, visit kennethculmer.com.

One of the responsibilities of church leadership is to be proactive and try to see what’s coming around the corner. Great leaders look for opportunities to anticipate trends and ways to make the organization better. It is important to focus on the entire experience, not just the sermon. There are many components that make up the church experience.

In today’s episode, we discuss a few disruptive trends that church leader’s need to pay attention to. Churches need leaders that are intentional, teachable, accountable and willing to shift to be better equipped to do what God is calling you to do.

Interested in more leadership tools? We are hosting our annual Climb Leadership Conference, January 22-24, 2026, at our OCC Plano Campus. Visit climb-conference.com to register and get more information! We hope to see you there!

In this episode, we are discussing the top qualities that leaders should look for when recruiting new team members, as well as some best practices to keep them engaged and get their buy-in to use their gifts and abilities to achieve the shared vision of the organization.

In this episode, we are discussing the top qualities that leaders should look for when recruiting new team members, as well as some best practices to keep them engaged and get their buy-in to use their gifts and abilities to achieve the shared vision of the organization.

Special Guest: Diego Mesa, founding pastor of Abundant Living Family Church in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. and author of the book, “How To Dream When You Are Told You’re Going To Die.” In this episode, Pastor Mesa shares his testimony of restoration and hope, and how his unwavering faith carried him through in the face of devastating health prognosis. He shares his empowering story, what he has learned along the way and why it is so important for leaders to prioritize their own health.

For more information about Diego Mesa’s ministry and mission, visit diegomesa.org.

For more information about Pastor Mike, Jr., visit: https://pastormikejr.com

To learn more about Ryan Leak and his new book, Chasing Failure, visit:
https://www.ryanleak.com/chasingfailure

In this episode, Part 2 of our conversation on generational leader shifts, we are focusing on the necessary shifts for the more seasoned generation of leaders (ages 40 and up), the importance of knowing when to hold on and when to let go, and give the next generation an opportunity to be the leaders we are cultivating them to be!

Want to learn more about how to enhance your leadership? Don’t miss out on the upcoming Climb Leadership Conference at One Community Church! January 25-27, 2023. Visit https://climb-conference.com for more information.

One of the foremost challenges of our time is how to effectively lead multi-generational organizations, in particular, the next generations of future leaders. It is anticipated that over a million young people will walk away from their faith once they reach college age. The key for leaders is to first determine where you are in your season of leadership and what generational “leader shifts” need to be made in your own life by reflecting on where we are as a culture and how our thinking, feelings and behavior are impacting what we believe.

In Part 1 of this crucial conversation, we are focusing on the necessary shifts for all leaders under the age of 30, the importance of discipleship and living out the gospel anywhere that you are!

For more information on this topic, download the show notes here, and stay tuned for Part 2, coming soon!

On this episode, we are helping leaders answer two very important questions:

1. How do you add great people to your team?
2. How do you get the wrong people off of the team?

All of leadership starts with a problem. To solve the problem, leaders need to have the right people who then can lead and inspire others to solve problem and accomplish the mission of your organization. That’s what makes a great team! Join us as we discuss key questions every leader must ask of themselves and their teams in order to be successful when it comes to hiring great people!

For more information on this topic, download the show notes from today’s episode here.

Special Guest: Nona Jones. Ask yourself this question: What is blocking your impact? Far too often, leaders mistake motion for progress; a critical error that can be detrimental to the vision of any organization. If the motion is not being applied to the strategy, it will NOT result in progress. Great leaders must give themselves the capacity to think and clearly define what success looks like in order to delegate responsibilities to their teams more effectively.

In this special episode, (an excerpt from her talk at our 2023 Climb Leadership Conference), preacher, business executive, author, and entrepreneur, Nona Jones shares with us her strategies for success and the importance of leading with clarity!

The ground underneath our feet has shifted. Therefore, the dynamic of how we have historically approached discipleship must shift as well. Discipleship is more critical now than ever because our culture has changed dramatically. Leaders need to consider the various ways that people are connecting to information and engaging in community today and be ready to meet them there! Special guest Bishop Van Moody joins us to discuss how we can turn social media into social ministry, leveraging technology to create engagement, create community, and have conversations. There is no “new normal,” there’s only the “new NEXT!”

All skills are not created equal. Some skills are popular, but WAY LESS influential. Leadership is what we call a “meta” skill. Being a leader means doing the things that leaders do… and everybody wants to be a leader until that time comes! Great leaders understand that in order to achieve their vision, they MUST learn to discover, develop and deploy others… you don’t go as far as your dream; you go as far as your team! Special guest, Dr. Dharius Daniels, Lead Pastor of Change Church, joins us to discuss the significance of leaders being intentional about developing their leadership skills! 

Special Guest: Dr. E. Dewey Smith, Sr. Pastor, House of Hope in Atlanta, GA. – Leaders see before others see. The question every great leader must ask is how can we reimagine the future and prepare ourselves for the church of tomorrow? Forecasting what is to come makes people uncomfortable because have a tendency to cling to what was, rather than embracing what could be. Dr. E. Dewey Smith joins us to discuss the importance of reaching the next generation in the church through inclusion, holistic leadership, vulnerability, authenticity and genuine connection!

Special Guest: Jeff Reed. Sharing Jesus online is so much more than standing on a virtual “soapbox” and telling people how they should live. We are seeing God move in these spaces in ways that we can see anywhere else, and different types of leaders thrive in these areas more than others. Our special guest, Jeff Reed, founder of THECHURCH.DIGITAL & DigitalChurch.Network, joins the podcast to share how we can find value in using online tools to mobilize, motivate and equip people to share their Jesus stories in digital communities! 

For more information about Jeff Reed’s ministry and TheChurch.Digital, visit the following websites:

Thechurch.digital.com 

sharingjesusonline.com

The culture that you create will not only attract the right people, but also repel the wrong ones! As a leader, establishing culture within your organization helps people make the best decisions even when you’re not in the room. On today’s episode, Dr. Conway Edwards discusses his latest book, Fence Post Leadership, and the importance of having a strategy for creating the culture that you want.

Triangulation is a major issue that can plague any organization, no matter its size. At its core, triangulation represents an inability or unwillingness to resolve conflict through courageous (and often uncomfortable) conversation. As leaders, it is imperative to understand how triangulation occurs and how to address it as soon as it arises. In this episode, we will discuss key strategies for you to identify and control triangulation within your organization!

Interested in more leadership tools? This month we are hosting our annual Climb Leadership Conference, January 26-28, 2023, at our OCC Plano Campus. Visit climb-conference.com to register and get more information! We hope to see you there!

No matter what type of organization you’re a part of, there are specific values and guidelines that we like to call the “House Rules.” It is important that leaders not only be familiar with the house rules but also be an ambassador for them within the culture. These are the things that make your organization unique. Join us on this special New Year’s episode as we break down the foundational operating principles at our church that make us one community and provide an outline of expectations for our staff, members, and friends. As you listen, start thinking about your own organization and ask yourself, “What are the rules of our house?”

Interested in more leadership tools? This month we are hosting our annual Climb Leadership Conference, January 26-28, 2023, at our OCC Plano Campus. Visit climb-conference.com to register and get more information! We hope to see you there!

Special Guest: Pastor Kurtran Wright. The story of our church is one of God’s faithfulness. We learned early that when you put what you have in His hands, there is no telling what He will do with it! Every step of the way along this 14-year journey, God has provided opportunities greater than we could have imagined… but it started with us asking some tough questions, making difficult decisions, and forcing ourselves out of our comfort zones for the glory of God! Pastor Kurtran Wright, one of the original staff members of One Community Church, joins us once again to talk about our uniquely humble beginnings.

Special Guest: Pastor Kurtran Wright. How does a leader know when it’s time to move to the next level? Great leaders need to be able to discern when someone is in their leadership “sweet spot!” Special guest Pastor Kurtran Wright joins us to discuss some mistakes that leaders often make when trying to develop other leaders and the key strategies to determining when a leader on your team is ready to expand their reach!

Special Guest: Pastor Kurtran Wright, Missional Pastor One Community Church. What factors can determine church growth? The reality is that every church is different, and therefore leaders must be in tune with the unique culture of the congregation and the specific needs of the community they desire to serve. As One Community Church gets ready to celebrate 14 years, Special Guest Pastor Kurtran Wright, one of our original members, joins us to talk about humble beginnings and the unique strategies that churches can adopt as they start growing!

Special Guest: NFL Hall of Famer Aeneas Williams joins us to talk leadership lessons and the importance of leading with the team in mind!

Special Guest: Pastor Luke Brownell. Healthy leaders understand that you can either have control or you can have growth… but you can’t have both! If everything is under control, it is likely a sign that your organization is NOT growing, or at least not growing as fast as it could be. An organization that is growing will never have enough leaders. Pastor Luke Brownell joins us to discuss how to identify (and overcome) the specific challenges that are holding back opportunities for growth in your organization!

Special Guest: Pastor Luke Brownell. When something is “sticky” it doesn’t move easily, and it usually clings to whatever it touches. Creating a sticky environment in your organization means designing a rhythm to get new people attached to the vision and move them from guests to spectators to contributors as quickly as possible!

Too often we are focused on the numbers and miss the opportunity to connect people what God has called them to do. Pastor Luke Brownell, One Community Church Prosper Campus Pastor, joins us to discuss the key next steps your organization can take to get your people to stick!

Special Guest: Bishop Van Moody. The true mark of a healthy leader is summed up in the answer to one question: Can you lead your own life well? Great leaders understand the importance of self-reflection and accountability. If you are not where you need to be, or WHO you need to be for your teams, it is easy to become a stumbling block to the work that God is trying to do. Bishop Van Moody joins us to discuss some key strategies for leaders to use when taking inventory of their own lives. It all starts on the inside!

Special Guest: Bishop Dale Bronner. Innovation is NOT an option; it is essential for growth. We must be able to look far enough into the future to anticipate what the needs will be before they come, reflect on where we’ve been and determine where we want to go. Bishop Dale Bronner joins us to discuss what innovation looks like in the church and how great leaders use innovation to inspire and empower their teams.

Special Guest: Pastor Luke Brownell. Part 2 of Dr. Conway Edward’s conversation with Pastor Luke Brownell of One Community Church Prosper Campus discussing the key strategies to successfully relaunch your church, re-engage volunteers and get your community on board!

Are you ready to relaunch your church? Things have changed and may look different. In times of uncertainty, it is not uncommon for church leaders to proceed with caution when reopening their doors. Pastor Luke Brownell from One Community Church – Prosper Campus joins Dr. Conway Edwards to talk about ten key strategies that church leaders can implement to re-engage volunteers and their community. Stay tuned for Part 2, coming soon!  

When it comes to recruting volunteers, church leaders face a unique challenge to grow their teams while keeping current volunteers engaged. Dr. Conway Edwards shares some key strategies to best identify where people best fit so they can thrive in and within churches in the future!

Special Guest: Pastor Mike, Jr. – How do you influence the people you cannot reach? Great leaders must learn to humble themselves and to speak the language of the culture in which they desire to have an impact. Pastor Mike Jr. joins us to discuss how leaders are using new evangelistic tools to connect with people and tell them about Jesus!

Special Guest: Pastor Dr. Eric Mason – Are you prepared to answer the tough questions? What happens when church leaders invite doubt into the conversation? It is important to understand what creates influence and how to answer those uncomfortable questions that the next generation of leaders may be asking. Pastor Dr. Eric Mason joins us to discuss how to identify the greatest needs in the community and what great leaders can do to keep people engaged!

Special Guest: Bishop Van Moody – People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. A greater leader understands that building quality relationships with people is the key to success. Bishop Van Moody joins us to discuss   some fundamental elements that leaders can apply to developing great relationships with others as well as themselves!

Special Guest: Christine Caine – A new generation of leaders is emerging. Organizations must learn to adapt and utilize tools that speak to the next generation. Non-profit founder Christine Caine joins us to discuss leadership development strategies for the next generation and what we can all learn from each other by working together! 

Communication is key! But what makes someone a great communicator? Pastor Bryan Loritts joins us to discuss a few things that leaders and pastors can do to become more effective communicators.

Leaders love leaders. When the next great opportunity shows up, will your leader be able to call on you first? Join Dr. Conway Edwards and Pastor Matt Anderson as they discuss 9 ways to effectively lead your leader by learning how to “Honor Up,” providing support, and adding value to your leader and the organization!

Everyone has influence. No matter who you are. No matter where you serve. No matter what you do. Join Dr. Conway Edwards and Pastor Matt Anderson as they discuss the keys to “Leading Up” in your organization!

Join the conversation as we discuss 5 Questions that will help every leader discern their motives in leadership.

Are you ready to take your leadership to the next level? Join us as we break down the four unique stages of leadership and give you some tools on how to evaluate yourself as a leader, identify the current stage you are in, and what you can do to LEVEL UP!

These are the moments great leaders thrive in. Are you spiritually, mentally, and physically prepared to take on the challenges of mobilizing the people and getting them fired up for an Easter experience like none other?!? Your job as the leader is to define the WIN – and this year, that comes in the form of engagement and connection for both physical and digital services. Join in the conversation as we discuss 10 steps that leaders need to take leading up to Easter 2021!

Join us as we discuss what it takes to be a church planter and how we can all play a role in the process!

TBD

Join the conversation as we discuss 10 ideas that have been a success in our church during COVID-19.

What happens when we stop making intentional improvements every week? Join this conversation as we discuss 10 questions you should ask every week if you want to continually make improvements in every area of life.

Special Guest: Dr. Eric Mason.  Join us we discuss reaching our communities and reaching the next generation.  We’ll explore the challenges faced with reaching Millennials and Gen Z. 

Join in as we discuss the importance of leaders forecasting the future.  We’ll talk about evaluating culture, the importance of engagement, and a strategy for future focused initiatives.

The lessons from the past can help us evaluate where we’re going in the future! Join in as we discuss our Quarterly Evaluation System, the 7 Cycles of a Church, our Strategic Evaluation Tool, and the 10 Metrics to Measure Church Health.