Lead On Podcast

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses the transformative power of seeking various perspectives in ministry leadership and decision-making. He shares practical strategies for gathering input and unpacks seven key advantages of group decision-making. Through personal anecdotes and biblical examples, Iorg emphasizes that while everyone should get their say, not everyone gets their way—ultimately, it's about making the best decision possible and leading with courage and unity.

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses the vital role of Baptist associations in Southern Baptist life and ministry leadership. Whether you're a pastor, church leader, or layperson, this episode unpacks why engaging with your local Baptist association can make a lasting difference for your ministry and your church's impact in the community and beyond.

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses how ministry leaders can build a culture of adaptability within their churches and organizations. Whether you're a seasoned pastor or a young leader, this episode offers actionable insights on leading with vision, humility, and a willingness to adapt for lasting impact.

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses the spiritual and practical realities of maintaining mission discipline in the midst of chaos. Building on the last episode leadership-focused episode, Dr. Iorg takes a more devotional approach, exploring how leaders can stay focused on their calling even when surrounded by personal, organizational, and global turmoil.

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast-the first in a two-part series on Maintaining Mission Discipline-Jeff Iorg discusses why mission discipline is essential for ministry leaders. He explains how a clear, concise mission statement is the foundation for decision-making and unity within churches and organizations.

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses the transformative concept that "life is curriculum," exploring how God uses life's circumstances to shape leaders into the image of Jesus Christ. Jeff shares personal experiences and insights on how understanding this principle can revolutionize your approach to leadership and life, shifting focus from what you do to who you are becoming.

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses the concept of "gospel generosity" beyond financial giving, focusing on the practice of "giving people away" to support missions and ministry. He explores various ways churches can engage in this form of generosity, from short-term mission trips to disaster relief and evangelism efforts, highlighting the impact of sending people to serve and support other communities.

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses the challenges of living in the ministry spotlight. He offers practical advice on managing the public scrutiny that comes with leadership, including accepting the reality of public life, resisting the urge to please everyone, finding security in Christ, and sticking to your convictions.

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses the power of institutional memories and how they can be a valuable tool for building a strong organizational culture. Learn how commemorating positive experiences, preserving victorious moments, and celebrating "God moments" can create a common culture and motivate future success.

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses the vital biblical concept of endurance and its profound meaning for ministry leaders and Christians. Discover how endurance, rooted in God's Word, is a Christian virtue, a source of hope, and essential for spiritual growth.

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses practical strategies for raising the spiritual vitality of your church. He emphasizes the importance of the leader's personal spiritual life, teaching basic spiritual disciplines, and developing a formal prayer ministry.

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses why God allows financial need in Christian ministries and among ministry leaders, despite owning and controlling all resources. Iorg emphasizes that while ministry opportunities and visions often exceed available resources, this perpetual state of need serves to combat self-sufficiency and foster dependence on God.

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses how leaders can effectively handle mistakes. He outlines four key steps: taking responsibility for your actions, admitting you were wrong, accepting the consequences, and moving on.

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in ministry with Dr. Kristin Ferguson, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services at Gateway Seminary. They explore how AI can be effectively utilized in local church ministry, education, and sermon preparation. The conversation provides practical examples of AI applications in ministry contexts while emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and biblical evaluation.

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses the importance of corporate worship and suggests practical strategies for how churches can improve corporate worship and reclaim its collective nature.

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses the importance of service and ministry as a core function of the church. Drawing from biblical passages in Matthew, Mark, and John, Iorg emphasizes that serving others is a fundamental Christian value, highlighting Jesus' teachings about servanthood and the call to love God and serve people.

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses the importance of building community within churches, emphasizing that while ministry is hard, it doesn't have to be complicated. He defines Christian community as mutually supportive relationships built on union in Jesus Christ and shared commitment to church functions. Iorg highlights that true fellowship transcends denominational labels or social groups.

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses the importance of moving from a "participation model" to a "transformation model" in church discipleship. He argues that discipleship should not be about merely counting attendance or program completion, but about measuring actual life change in believers. 

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses evangelism as a core function of the church. He identifies five key challenges why churches struggle in this area. He emphasizes that churches should focus on the fundamental task of spreading the message of Jesus Christ.

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses the fundamental functions of church ministry. He outlines five core church functions: worship, evangelism, discipleship, ministry, and fellowship. Iorg explains that churches should strive to balance these functions, recognizing that no church perfectly executes all five simultaneously.

On this edition of the Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses the essential yet often overlooked simplicity of ministry, emphasizing that while ministry is challenging due to human sinfulness and the complexities of leadership, it does not need to be complicated.

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, discusses why ministry leadership is difficult. He explains that the challenges stem from our sinful nature, the pervasive influence of sin in the world, and Satan's active opposition. Iorg also highlights that God allows painful circumstances to shape leaders' character.

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, discusses the challenges of ministry as a public responsibility. Iorg compares leadership to living in a glass house or under a spotlight, where every aspect of a leader's life is subject to scrutiny. He emphasizes that leaders must accept this reality and learn to manage the consequences of their public role. 

On this episode of the Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses the differences between church planting and church pastoring, emphasizing that both roles are equally important and challenging. He advises listeners to consider which set of problems they feel most equipped and passionate about solving when deciding between the two paths. 

In this edition of the Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, discusses how to respond when a crisis hits a community or ministry context. He emphasizes the importance of intensifying communication during a crisis, providing frequent updates and spiritual guidance. He underlines that crises are inevitable in ministry and encourages leaders to be prepared to when they occur.

In this week's edition of the Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee, discusses the use of profanity by ministry leaders. He argues against using such language, providing six biblical reasons. Iorg encourages leaders to carefully consider their language choices as a tool for effective ministry and personal growth.

On this edition of the Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses the complexities of benevolence ministries within local churches, particularly during the holidays when requests tend to rise. He emphasizes three critical questions to consider when building an effective benevolence ministry in your church.

On this episode of the Lead on Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, discusses the spiritual and leadership discipline of frugality. According to Iorg, frugality is not about being cheap or compromising on quality but about making wise financial decisions that align with one's mission and produce tangible results.

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee, discusses Spirit-empowered ministry in the second part of a two-part podcast. He focuses on how the Holy Spirit works corporately in churches. Iorg emphasizes that when the Holy Spirit is active in worship services, it results in empowered preaching, receptivity to God's word, generous giving, and missional advance.

On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, discusses the importance of Holy Spirit-empowered ministry. Iorg challenges listeners to consider what it means to be a Spirit-filled leader, emphasizing that this empowerment leads to transformed lives and circumstances that can only be attributed to God's work.

In this episode of the Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee, outlines eight key areas for improving vocal delivery for public speakers, particularly in ministry contexts.

Jeff Iorg, president of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, discusses the importance of contentment and community engagement in ministry leadership. Iorg reflects on his experiences in various regions, noting that many ministers fail to assimilate into their new environments, often making negative comparisons to their previous homes or resisting local customs. The key takeaway is the necessity of embracing one's community through genuine love and commitment, which fosters meaningful connections and enhances ministry effectiveness.

On this episode of the Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, discusses the phenomenon of "Christmas creep", highlighting how the Christmas season has extended into earlier months due to cultural demand for hope and family gatherings. He reflects on his experiences in various church contexts, noting that ministry leaders must adapt their Christmas planning to fit their specific community dynamics. 

On this episode of the Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, discusses the dual nature of leadership, emphasizing that while leaders can be developed, some possess innate leadership qualities. He shares personal anecdotes illustrating how his early experiences shaped his understanding of leadership and the necessity of humility and dependence on God. He also highlights two key dangers for natural-born leaders.

On this episode of the Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, emphasizes the importance of intentional leadership development in ministry. He argues against the passive approach of waiting for leaders to emerge naturally, advocating instead for proactive strategies such as 1-on-1 training and closed small groups. Iorg suggests that effective leadership development requires commitment and time investment.

On this episode of the Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee, discusses the challenges and responsibilities of preaching on difficult subjects within the ministry. Overall, Iorg stressed the need for thoughtful engagement with challenging issues while maintaining a commitment to biblical truth and pastoral care.

Jeff Iorg discusses the concept of institutional grief, which occurs when a grief-inducing event impacts a large portion of an organization simultaneously.  Iorg emphasizes the importance of understanding the complexities of institutional grief and providing appropriate leadership during these challenging times.

In this episode of the Lead On podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee, addresses the challenges of ministry leadership, particularly the tendency for Christian leaders to become isolated within Christian circles. Inspired by Chuck Lawless's article, Iorg reflects on questions that probe whether leaders are too cocooned among believers, have made evangelism purely a corporate effort, or lack intentional personal engagement with non-Christians. He emphasizes the importance of breaking out of this Christian subculture to share the gospel personally. Iorg identifies personal and theological barriers, such as fear of failure, fear of cultural engagement, concerns about compromise, and misconceptions about church and discipleship. He advocates for intentionality in changing one's thinking, schedule, and involvement in activities that connect with non-Christians, urging leaders to model gospel-sharing in their daily lives.

In this episode of the Lead On podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's executive committee, discusses the importance of handling difficult conversations in ministry leadership. He emphasizes that such conversations, whether with coworkers, church leaders, family members, or others, require careful consideration of both the immediate issue and the overarching mission of discipleship and gospel sharing. Iorg highlights the need to consider the other person's perspective, including age, emotional and spiritual maturity, cultural background, and experiences. He also stresses the importance of choosing the right setting and timing, engaging in active listening, and avoiding the misuse of scripture. Prayer and the thoughtful use of biblical principles can support these conversations, ensuring they are conducted with integrity and compassion.

In this episode of the Lead On podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, discusses practical aspects of ministry leadership, particularly addressing the challenge of dealing with angry people. Iorg observes that anger is prevalent in today's culture and often spills into churches and ministry contexts. He explains that anger typically arises from feelings of threat, whether physical, relational, personal, or related to one's possessions or identity. He provides various examples and emphasizes that ministry leaders can often become unintended targets of displaced anger. Iorg advises leaders to recognize different expressions of anger, such as hostile humor, nagging, and withdrawal, and to handle these situations with patience and firmness. He underscores the importance of addressing the root causes of anger and using these moments as opportunities for discipleship and spiritual growth. Ultimately, Iorg encourages leaders to maintain a compassionate yet firm stance, sometimes requiring confrontation and containment of destructive behavior to protect the ministry's mission.

In this episode of the Lead On podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, discusses the importance and implications of church autonomy in his podcast. He explains that autonomy, meaning self-governing and self-determining, is a core Baptist principle allowing churches to independently manage their leaders, finances, doctrine, and practices. This extends to associations and conventions, which are also autonomous. While autonomy fosters church strength, innovation, and doctrinal consistency, it can also lead to challenges like lack of intervention in struggling churches and limited accountability. Despite these downsides, Iorg emphasizes the positives, advocating for the autonomy of churches to maintain their unique approaches and responsibilities in ministry.

In this episode of the Lead On podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee, discusses the significance of reading biographies for ministry leadership. He emphasizes that leaders should be readers, particularly of biographies, as they offer insights into how God can work through individuals to achieve remarkable outcomes. Biographies provide a slow, deliberate means of learning, allowing leaders to sharpen their minds and gain new perspectives. He encourages leaders to embrace the depth and inspiration found in biographies to enhance their leadership potential and broaden their understanding of God's providence.

In this episode of the Lead On podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee, discusses the role of competition in Christianity, reflecting on his experiences as the chaplain for the San Francisco Giants and broader ministry leadership. He argues that competition is healthy for Christians and can coexist with their faith. Iorg emphasizes that true competition is not about defeating others but maximizing one's God-given potential. He outlines four key principles: understanding competition's nature as an internal challenge, focusing on controllable aspects like preparation and effort, competing for an audience of one (God), and using competition to serve and uplift others. By adhering to these principles, Christians, especially athletes, can compete intensely while maintaining their faith and integrity.

In this episode of the Lead On podcast, Jeff Iorg, President of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, discusses the pastor search process. Iorg highlights that selecting a pastor is a critical decision for any church, especially in congregations that operate autonomously. He stresses the importance of forming a pastor search committee with spiritually mature and discerning individuals rather than just a representative body. Iorg encourages churches to approach a pastor search with much prayer, proper evaluation against a realistic profile, and to seek outside expertise when necessary.

In this episode of the Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, emphasizes the importance of maintaining personal spiritual disciplines for ministry leaders. He acknowledges that while these practices—such as Bible reading, prayer, rest, worship, and fellowship—may seem basic and elementary, they are essential for sustaining a leader over a lifetime. Jeff discusses setting realistic goals for these disciplines, avoiding legalistic expectations, and striving for consistency rather than perfection. He also addresses common excuses leaders use to neglect these practices and offers practical advice on incorporating them into daily life, emphasizing the importance of balancing flexibility with a structured approach. Jeff encourages leaders to prioritize their spiritual well-being to fulfill their roles and sustain their ministry.

In this episode of the Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, discusses the perplexing problem of loneliness in Christian leadership, despite leaders being embedded in communities and relationships. Iorg explains that loneliness is an occupational hazard due to isolation by information, obedience, job demands, and emotional depletion. He shares personal experiences and emphasizes the importance of having realistic expectations, cultivating an awareness of God's presence, and building sustaining friendships. He also highlights special circumstances, such as when loneliness turns into depression or when ministry settings are particularly isolating or toxic, advising leaders to seek necessary medical, psychological, and spiritual help.

In this episode of the Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, discusses models of bivocational and covocational ministry, challenging traditional views and highlighting their benefits. He shares personal experiences, such as his time at the Northwest Baptist Convention, where he expanded his staff significantly by integrating bivocational and covocational workers. He describes different models, including part-time ministry combined with secular jobs, retirees in ministry roles, and self-salaried staff. He emphasizes the importance of valuing and strategically utilizing these workers, noting their potential for significant contributions with minimal financial outlay. Iorg also discusses managing life balance for these workers and ensuring their ministry roles are impactful and sustainable.

In this episode of the Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, delves into the topic of humility in leadership. He emphasizes that true humility involves using one's position and privileges to benefit others and sacrificing for their needs, exemplified by Jesus Christ. He also explains that humility is not about self-abasement but about seeing oneself as God does and acting accordingly. There are five key reasons humility is crucial: it avoids God's opposition, invites God's exaltation, ensures divine guidance, empowers, and surrounds with God's presence. Iorg further provides practical advice for leaders to develop humility: using their positions to help others, expressing gratitude to colleagues, and celebrating others' successes. By embodying humility, leaders can enhance their influence and impact while aligning with biblical principles.

In the Lead On podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's executive committee, discusses practical ministry leadership issues, focusing on Vacation Bible School (VBS). Highlighting its evangelistic impact, Iorg shares humorous and humbling anecdotes. He emphasizes VBS's significance as outreach, involvement, training, and Bible teaching events. Iorg urges aggressive follow-up plans for new families and suggests doing more than one VBS session, leveraging resources for wider outreach. Lastly, he advises providing alternative activities for VBS staff to maximize their energy and effectiveness. Ultimately, he encourages churches to embrace VBS for its transformative potential in summer ministry.

Jeff Iorg emphasizes the importance of rest for ministry leaders in his podcast. He shares his personal journey from being a driven perfectionist to valuing rest after his wife confronted him. Iorg highlights the biblical patterns of rest, including Sabbath and week-long festivals, and their purposes: to remind, refocus, and rejuvenate. He debunks myths about ministry, such as the need to be always available or please everyone. Practical tips include setting definite rest times, disengaging from work communications, and spending time with energizing people. Iorg concludes by advocating for occasional extended breaks to maintain long-term ministry health.