We’re passionate about helping leaders discover who they are and how to lead with wisdom and intentionality. Because when leaders get better, churches get better.
Merlin Satrom, the chairman of the Eagle Brook Board, joins Don and John to talk about the importance of valuing different perspectives. Together, they’ll talk about how the best leaders set themselves up for success, make solid decisions, and share their expertise and perspectives with others.
The Bible can be intimidating and confusing—even for those who've spent a lot of time in church. With so many translations, commentaries, and interpretations, how do you know you're reading it for all it's worth? Don and John chat with Mike Holmes, a biblical scholar, published author, and professor, to find out. Because when leaders get better, the church gets better!
Listen in as Don and John talk through the complex dynamics of innovation as a leader. Need to cast vision to a supervisor or stakeholder? Discover key insights into problem-solving and self-filtering to support thoughtful proposals. Lead boldly and elevate your ministry by fostering a culture of innovation.
There's no “one size fits all” when it comes to marketing. As digital spaces continue to evolve, engaging with an audience has never been easier—and the words we choose have never been more important. So how does a church approach marketing the message of Jesus in today's digital landscape? Don and John talk with Karianne Langfield—the Communications and Digital Director—about making faith accessible to everyone, no matter their background.
Don and John chat with Steve Whicker—regional director and Rochester campus pastor—about the value of goal setting and habit building. They get real about self-discipline and consistency, including a look into Steve’s systematic approach to habit stacking.
Don and John sit down with Dawn Wicklund and Bruce Jarman, the campus pastors of Red Wing and Brainerd Lakes, to discuss all things change—from the initial vision behind expansion to navigating transitions, challenges, and everything in between. Along the way, they share stories of faith and insightful advice for leaders.
Leadership: It's a journey. Don recounts his trip to the Grand Canyon in the heat of August and the lessons learned along the way. From preparation, overcoming the nay-sayers, and trying to keep up with his son’s hiking pace, he finds how God is in the details of it all. Don and John talk about enjoying the journey of leadership, not the end result.
When we connect to Jesus every day and he remains our source of life, it pushes us deeper into our faith, even (and especially) through tragedy. Listen in as Don and John chat with Mike Emmert, campus pastor at Eagle Brook Church – Wayzata. Mike talks about the adversity he’s faced in the last year, both professionally and personally, the importance of allowing God to orchestrate during challenges, and 7 things he's learned from ministering through tragedy.
"I am in you, and you’re in me." Listen in as Don and John chat with Megan Fate Marshman, teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church. Megan shares how her partnership with the Holy Spirit empowers her to connect deeply with others and communicate with authenticity. She also discusses her books, Meant for Good and Relaxed, and how her journey through personal suffering has deepened her dependence on God and her community.
Our world likes to overcomplicate everything—including our relationship with Jesus and the church. Listen in as Don and John chat with Jon Weece, lead pastor of Southland Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky, about the primary goals for the church today: love God and love people. It takes each member of the church to stay healthy, serve others, and stay unified._Hear more from Jon Weece:Turning Down the Noise with Jon Weece
If you're interested in being a part of our staff, thinking of applying for a position, or just curious about who Eagle Brook is at the core, this is the podcast episode for you. Listen in as Don and John chat with Gari Pisca, Eagle Brook's executive director of Operations, about our Vision Culture, Staff Commitments, and Staff Alignment. It's through these foundational teachings that our staff is able to continue moving effectively in the same direction as we grow.
It’s a popular opinion: young adults are one of the most elusive groups when it comes to reaching people for Jesus. Listen in as Don and John chat with Daniel Young, Eagle Brook's director of Student Ministries (and leader of Young Adults), about whether or not that’s true, what this next generation is looking for when it comes to faith, and what we’re trying to do about it.
"As long as there is somebody who does not know who Jesus is...we will continue to grow." In this episode, Don and John chat with Steph Hauber, Eagle Brook's property and logistics director, about the church's heart for expansion and plans for future growth. What does it look like to pursue growth in new communities? Dive into the "why," the "how," and their thoughts on navigating challenges like negative community engagement.
What does a healthy campus look like? In this episode, John and Don discuss the principles of effective leadership that cultivate a healthy work culture. Discover how to inspire, set the pace, and empower your team. The ripple effect of your leadership can positively influence staff, volunteers, and attendees—reaching more people for Christ!
Dale Peterson is the Executive Director of the EBA and has been on staff at Eagle Brook Church for 24 years. Listen in as he discusses how our vision culture came to be by defining the purpose and mission for Eagle Brook. Since the launch of the EBA in 2006, they have helped hundreds of churches and leaders define their own mission and purpose, which has led to over 180,000 decisions to follow Jesus!
Do you ever lose sleep over a crucial conversation you need to have? Aaron Damjanovich is the director of leadership development for the Eagle Brook Association. Listen in as he talks with Don and John about the art of having crucial conversations and why they’re so vital to creating unity in the church—as well as in our personal lives.
So you're a ministry leader, and you're working a job with incredible, eternal significance. But things get complicated when your spiritual and professional lives blend together. Burnout in the church is common, but a fading passion can make you feel...guilty. Listen in as Don and John chat with Dave Holvig, Worship Ministries director, about reasons for burnout in ministry and how to build a burnout-proof culture. If you lead people, you're experiencing burnout, or all of the above...this one's for you.
Whether you feel God calling you to something new or you're navigating a change in direction in your life or career—this conversation is for you. Steve Duede started on staff at Eagle Brook 20 years ago and has been a worship leader and pastor here ever since. But recently, God started stirring something new in his heart. Join Don and John as they chat with Steve about that process and his ultimate decision to take on the role of campus pastor at our new Maplewood location.
As a leader, have you ever felt caught in the middle? Your leader says one thing, those under you say another...or two team members have the opposite perspective, and you have to hold both. No matter what you decide, you'll disappoint someone. Listen in as Don and John process how to handle the messiness of the middle—inspired by the book of Daniel in the Bible.
On September 10, 2023, Eagle Brook launched its first downtown Minneapolis campus—a task that proved to be totally different from anything they'd taken on before. In this episode, Don and John chat with Jon Taylor, campus pastor at the new Eagle Brook Church - Minneapolis. They'll discuss why he didn't say "yes" to the job right away, the things he learned while waiting and preparing for opening, and how this launch differed in approach.
Bob Merritt was the senior pastor of Eagle Brook Church for 29 years and entered retirement on March 1, 2020. (Convenient timing, right?) Listen in as Don and John chat with Bob about his reflections on his time in ministry, letting go of what was, and the spark he's feeling towards what's next (and more).Catch Bob's latest Eagle Brook message: https://eaglebrookchurch.com/media/past-messages/filling-the-gaps
Have you ever experienced church hurt? You know, when your expectations of people in the church are high, but reality just disappoints. We are all human, we all fall short. Disappointment is a natural part of the human experience. Is there hope for a better outcome? Listen in as Don and John chat about the reality of church hurt and three truths to equip and remind leaders and other Christians of the value of restored relationships with others—and Jesus.
Jon Weece has been the senior pastor at Southland Christian Church in Lexington, KY for 23 years—and in those years, he's learned a thing or two. Listen in as Don and John chat with Jon about the value of humor, the impact of frustration, what he'd tell his younger self, and how to stay healthy in the long run. Jon recently spoke at Eagle Brook about frustration. Check it out!www.eaglebrookchurch.com/media/past-messages/series/voices/
Gathering your whole staff regularly...seems like a lot of effort. Does it make a difference? Why does it matter? Listen in as Don and John connect with the Lino Lakes campus pastor, Andrew Hermann—who's also in charge of Eagle Brook's regular all-staff meetings. Believe it or not, gathering and aligning your staff regularly does make an impact, especially when done with intentionality.
The last 3 years have been nothing short of a challenge. No one entered 2020 confident in their pandemic-handling skills or knowing exactly what to do during social unrest. Of course, hindsight is 20/20—or at least it's a little clearer. Listen in as Don and John chat with Eagle Brook's executive pastor, Tyler Gregory, about leading through challenging times and changing leadership, getting back to basics, and the hope he has for the church today.
They start the episode talking about bird watching, as usual. But after that...it gets deep. Whether you're in a really tough season of life that feels never-ending, or your life is pretty sweet right now, Don and John's conversation with Adam Weber will encourage you, challenge you, and bring some hope into your day.
Marriage is beautiful. And also: marriage is tough—enough said. Listen in as Don and John chat with Ted Cunningham—pastor, author, relationship expert, and comedian. They'll discuss God's design for marriage, the ingredients for a thriving marriage, and the parent/child relationship.Oh, and bird watching, of course. *P.S. There are a few audio rough spots—just keep listening through it!
As a Christian in the workplace—on a church staff or otherwise—you'll encounter "spiritual warfare." Sounds dramatic...but, truthfully, we are in a battle. The Enemy does not want you to be a pastor, work in ministry, or have an influence for Christ in your workplace. There are two roles we can step into: the "civilian" or the "soldier." Civilians are easily distracted or unaware—soldiers are laser-focused and ready for a fight. Listen in as Don and John discuss the soldier's approach to this mission to reach people for Jesus.
In March 2020, Jason Strand took on the senior pastor position at Eagle Brook, succeeding the previous pastor of 28 years. What happened next, no one could have anticipated. You guessed it: a global pandemic. Listen in as Don and John chat with Jason about all that he's learned (and is still learning) through his first few years as senior pastor—his top takeaways, things he's leaning in on, and what he's choosing to fight for.
Delegation—is anyone good at it? A lot of the time, it feels easier to do things yourself than to teach someone else to do the things instead. But delegation empowers the people you lead, and is actually massively important in your own work life as well. You can't do everything yourself—you'll burn out. In this episode, John and Don talk about their struggles with delegation and what they've learned about it on their leadership journey.
Hold on to your hats—John claims this is one of the most innovative ways to build a church. No, it's not the Metaverse. Listen in as John and Don chat with our Online campus pastor, Jeff Dodge, and explore the origin of Eagle Brook's Viewing Groups, how they're going, and the future of online church. And yes, that includes Virtual Reality...
Seems like every other day, we hear about a leader who finishes their run poorly. Why is it so hard to finish well? In this episode, Don and John spend time with Byron, who's weeks away from retirement, to gain insight into what it takes to run a long race and finish well (spoiler: Byron was successful!)
Seems like every other day, we hear about a leader who finishes their run poorly. Why is it so hard to finish well? In this episode, Don and John spend time with Byron, who's weeks away from retirement, to gain insight into what it takes to run a long race and finish well (spoiler: Byron was successful!)
Hey, it's ok to say, "I don't know what to do." In fact, it's sometimes the best move a leader can make when faced with obstacles—throw up your hands and ask God to steer the ship. In this episode, Don + John talk about times in their lives when they felt trapped under the weight of overwhelm and discuss lessons they've learned—through life and through the Bible—about how to get out from under it.
Hey, it's ok to say, "I don't know what to do." In fact, it's sometimes the best move a leader can make when faced with obstacles—throw up your hands and ask God to steer the ship. In this episode, Don + John talk about times in their lives when they felt trapped under the weight of overwhelm and discuss lessons they've learned—through life and through the Bible—about how to get out from under it.
Something beautiful happens when you understand that your church isn't actually yours. Being a leader doesn't mean it's all on you. Actually, the less you think you know what you're doing, the more you'll depend on God to grow his church through your leadership—no matter your role. John + Don sit down with Kyle Idleman, senior pastor of Southeast Christian Church, to hear what he's learned—and is still learning—about leadership.
Something beautiful happens when you understand that your church isn't actually yours. Being a leader doesn't mean it's all on you. Actually, the less you think you know what you're doing, the more you'll depend on God to grow his church through your leadership—no matter your role. John + Don sit down with Kyle Idleman, senior pastor of Southeast Christian Church, to hear what he's learned—and is still learning—about leadership.
To build a strong culture, a leader needs to know how to utilize the tools in their leadership toolbox. Any work environment has the potential to be handcrafted using these tools to allow the best possible work to come from the organization. In this episode, Don + John touch on four mantras we can use as tools to grow ourselves as leaders and, in turn, grow the communities we serve.
To build a strong culture, a leader needs to know how to utilize the tools in their leadership toolbox. Any work environment has the potential to be handcrafted using these tools to allow the best possible work to come from the organization. In this episode, Don + John touch on four mantras we can use as tools to grow ourselves as leaders and, in turn, grow the communities we serve.
The term "megachurch" by definition describes a church with over 2,000 people attending. Not too crazy. But culturally, it can carry a negative connotation. Moral failings of mega-leaders are scattered throughout its history, made even more public by social media exposés and TV documentaries, ultimately leading to a bit of societal distrust. Understandable. In this episode, Don + John pull back the curtain on why we do what we do as a megachurch—and how, when done well, a big group of people can make a mega-impact.
The term "megachurch" by definition describes a church with over 2,000 people attending. Not too crazy. But culturally, it can carry a negative connotation. Moral failings of mega-leaders are scattered throughout its history, made even more public by social media exposés and TV documentaries, ultimately leading to a bit of societal distrust. Understandable. In this episode, Don + John pull back the curtain on why we do what we do as a megachurch—and how, when done well, a big group of people can make a mega-impact.
"Every Christian person needs people who hold them accountable, offer them support and encouragement, and help them grow spiritually." It's the case for community, and it’s not a new idea. God introduced it in Genesis, Jesus modeled it throughout his life, the early church took it on—and it's still a core component of the church today. In this episode, we're talking groups with our Groups Ministries director, Brett. He shares the "why" behind his passion for groups + the ways we've found they work well...and the ways we've found they don't.
"Every Christian person needs people who hold them accountable, offer them support and encouragement, and help them grow spiritually."
Jeremy Freeland owns Boo'z Bar in Knapp, WI. You're probably wondering—why is a bar owner on a church leadership podcast? We promise, it's worth a listen to find out. But be warned: Jeremy's story is powerful, and what God is doing through him + the Eagle Brook Church Viewing Group he started at his bar might just leave you speechless. Watch Jeremy's story here: https://youtu.be/CidopaKU40c To learn more about viewing groups: https://eaglebrookchurch.com/viewing-groups/
Jeremy Freeland owns Boo'z Bar in Knapp, WI. You're probably wondering—why is a bar owner on a church leadership podcast?
How do you keep your staff aligned while the world becomes more and more polarized?
How do you keep your staff aligned while the world becomes more and more polarized? In this episode, John + Don chat with Jerry Hurley, team development leader at Life.Church, about how to define, assess, and develop your team culture into one that is focused, inspired, and healthy from top to bottom.
What is "spiritual authority"? Are you born with it? Do you have to be a pastor to have it? No matter who you are, you can carry spiritual authority, but it takes intentionality for it to grow and flourish to its full potential in your life. Enjoy this conversation with Worship Pastor Emily Alexander as she gives John + Don a picture of the future of worship and how to pursue genuine, God-given authority.
What is "spiritual authority"? Are you born with it? Do you have to be a pastor to have it? No matter who you are, you can carry spiritual authority, but it takes intentionality for it to grow and flourish to its full potential in your life.
What would you try if you knew you couldn't fail? A new year means new goals, and here's a convo to inspire you while you're making them. Ryan Leak sits down with John to talk about chasing failure, dreaming big in the new year, and how to be productive while keeping your sanity. Watch the Chasing Failure documentary at ryankleak.com Stay in touch with Ryan! Text your name to (469)809-1201.
What would you try if you knew you couldn't fail? A new year means new goals, and here's a convo to inspire you while you're making them.
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