Iowa Church Leaders Podcast

Chad Ragsdale joined the faculty at Ozark Christian College in 2005. He teaches primarily in the areas of Christian apologetics, philosophy, and biblical interpretation. In 2020, Chad was named the new Academic Dean of the institution. Chad has been married to his wife Tara since 2001 and has three kids, Logan, Adeline, and Ryane. He has a BA in preaching and an M.Div in contemporary theology both from Lincoln Christian University. He has a D.Min in engaging mind and culture from Talbot School of Theology. Book Recommendations from the podcast: Christian Convictions ~ Chad Ragsdale https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Convictions-Discerning-Essential-Important/dp/1949921514/ref=sr_1_2?crid=UA0NTBJRWIUR&keywords=christian+convictions+chad+ragsdale&qid=1639610514&sprefix=Christian+Convictions%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-2 The Coddling of the American Mind ~ Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt https://www.thecoddling.com/  

Bobby is the point-leader of Renew.org and Discipleship.org, both collaborative, disciple-making organizations. He is the founding and lead pastor of Harpeth Christian Church (by the Harpeth River, just outside of Nashville, TN). He has an M.A.R. and an M.Div. from Harding School of Theology and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of more than 10 books on discipleship, including Discipleshift (with Jim Putman and Robert Coleman), The Disciple Maker’s Handbook (with Josh Patrick) and Becoming a Disciple Maker: The Pursuit of Level 5 Disciple Making (with Greg Weins). He lives in the greater Nashville area with his wife and near his children and grandchildren. Go to Renew.org to register for the upcoming Renew Gathering in Nashville on November 3rd 2021.

Dale Sellers will be leading our 2021 Catalyst Conference this year, on October 16th.  Here is your opportunity to get to know him and the passion and expertise he has for the local church.  In this podcast Dale shares what he is hearing from pastors in this new post pandemic season, as well as what churches need to be focused on moving forward. Dale's Bio: Dale Sellers has been in ministry for almost 40 years. He launched Dale Sellers Leadership, Inc. in March 2014 to assist organizations in the areas of leadership, inspiration, and evangelism. Dale became a ministry consultant for The Unstuck Group in April 2017 with a focus on helping the small church. In July 2018, he accepted the position as the Executive Director of the 95Network, and in September of 2020, he published his first book Stalled: Hope and Help for Pastor’s Who Thought They’d Be There by Now. His years of ministry have grown a deep love for small and medium-sized congregations — the backbone of the American church. He believes in the mission

In this episode we talk with Daniel McCoy about 10 lessons he learned while writing and editing the book, The Popular Handbook of World Religions.  It's a fascinating and insightful conversation that you will want to check out.  Currently, Daniel lives in Marion, Iowa with his family and is the editorial director for Renew.org. Here are links to books and websites mentioned in the podcast: Renew.org The Popular Handbook of World Religions The Atheist's Fatal Flaw Mirage A Grand Illusion

Christ's Church of the Valley Teaching Pastor & Author of Core 52, Mark Moore joins us for this episode of the podcast.  He talks about how he came up with Core 52, how it is so helpful for reaching men...and some exciting future books set to release.  He also shares some encouraging words for pastors trying to lead in a divisive culture.  It's really good...so check it out! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0076O2VMI/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 https://www.ted.com/talks/jonathan_haidt_the_moral_roots_of_liberals_and_conservatives?language=en  

Church planter Jared Nassiff talks about the upcoming launch of Direction Church in Des Moines.  Check them out at DirectionChurch.com or send an email to Jared@directionchurch.com

It's been one year since the Covid-19 pandemic hit.  In that year, many church leaders have had to deal with how to handle meeting, learning to stream online services, to dealing with a tumultuous political season...not to mention the emotions of the people within the church.  So, how are you doing?  In this episode we talk with counselor Matt Johnson and unpack some things church leaders should be considering about their own mental and emotional health as well as the people they pastor.  Take a few minutes and give it a listen, we hope you find it helpful!

The reality is, most of church leaders are leading a small church...and that's alright!  What matters is not the size of your church, but the healthy of your church.  Do you want to learn more?  Give a listen to this podcast as Karl Vaters (small church pastor and author of books like, Small Church Essentials) talks about the crucial role of the small church.  For more information make sure and check out KarlVaters.com.

Drew Hanson, Lead Pastor at Rally Point Church in Sioux City talks about leading a church plant in the middle of a pandemic.  He also has some very interesting lessons he's learned about reaching unchurched people.  Take a few minutes and give a listen, we hope you find it helpful! Here’s a short list of resources for Digital media   - Visualmediachurch.com - sundaysocial.tv - creativemarket.com - youworkforthem.com - ezracohen.tv - churchmotiongraphics.com - Ministrypass.com - https://drewamberhanson.wixsite.com/mysite-1

CEM Executive Director, Dave Fremstad, talks about what he is seeing with the churches in Iowa during the COVID-19 pandemic.  He also gives an update as to some of the events, CEM has planned for this fall...including news about the newest church plant launching in West Des Moines.  Check it out!

This podcast is a follow up to a previous podcast we recorded called Current Trends Churches in Iowa Need to pay attention to.  This episode will zero in specifically on how cultural shifts are pushing the church to re-examine how it is structured and managed.  It's a fascinating discussion and one worth wrestling with...take a few minutes and check it out! Bibliography-   Daft, R. L. (2016). Organization Theory and Design (12th ed.). Florence: Cengage Learning.    Foster, P. A. (2016). Open Organization: A new era of leadership and organizational development. Liberty Township, OH: Maximum Change Press.    Greenleaf, R. K. (2002). Servant leadership: A journey into the nature of legitimate power and greatness. New York: Paulist Press.    Hackman, M. Z., & Johnson, C. E. (2013). Leadership: A Communication Perspective (6th ed.). Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press Inc.    Hamel, G. (2009, August 21). Organized Religion’s ‘Management Problem.’ Retrieved April 17, 2018, from https://blogs.wsj.com/management/2009/

In session one of Catalyst, presenter Jim Powell talks about two keys to changing church culture.  1) Understanding What Church Culture Is.  2) Identifying which of the 5 Church Cultures, your church is.    

Dan Hudson, Lead Pastor at Pathway Church in Johnston, is our guest on ICLP.  We talk about Dan's ministry experience in Iowa, including starting Pathway and how his ministry is doing.  The focus then shifts to an exciting upcoming event, Real Men Iowa.  Registration is underway for this February 21st 2020 event designed for the men in your church.  Check out realmeniowa.org for all the details and to register.  

2019 Catalyst Iowa speaker, Jim Powell shares three keys to changing church culture.  To learn more, make plans to attend Catalyst on October 19 in Ankeny and grab a copy of Jim's book Dirt Matters.  Jim recently left a 24 year ministry at Richwoods Christian Church in Peroria, Illinois to become the Senior Pastor at Palm West Community Church in Sun City West, Arizona.

In this episode we will talk with Tony Liston about the 8 trends that he is beginning to see in funerals and how that can impact your ministry.  Tony has a lot of experience working with funeral home directors and families, sometimes doing multiple funerals a week on a regular basis.  You will find his insights helpful, interesting, and timely in helping you prepare for your next funeral.  

There are a lot of cultural trends taking place in Iowa.  This podcast begins a running conversation about what some of those trends are and how church leaders in the state of Iowa can begin to address them.

Discipleship.  Jesus instructed us to do it.  Yet often times we don't know exactly what discipleship is, let alone how it should function in the local church.  In this episode, Rich Milliken (Pastor of Discipleship at First Christian Church in Council Bluffs) talks about what discipleship looks like as well as some steps church leaders can begin to take to change the discipleship culture in their church.  Enjoy!

In this podcast, we interview John Erickson, the minister of the Sutherland Church of Christ, a successful church in small town Iowa.  Learn about their strategy for reaching the unchurched in northwest Iowa and discover some resources you can utilize in your church as well.    

Episode 3 is an interview with Tony Liston, the Lead Pastor at Adventure Christian Community in Davenport, Iowa.  Learn about Tony's plan for starting Adventure 20 years ago, and some of their successful strategies at reaching and involving people in the Davenport area.  If you are in need of coaching or consulting, Tony provides resources to help lead your church.

In this episode, we will meet CEM executive director Dave Fremstad and learn more about the mission, strategy, and resources of CEM.