Leaders Learning

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Today has an amazing conversation with the Rev. Dr. Danny Murphy, the General Presbyter of Trinity Presbytery here in South Carolina—that is Danny is the executive leader for the Presbyterian churches in our region. Any conversation with Danny is interesting, but today's is especially engaging. This summer Danny published an article entitled “My Thoughts on George Floyd.” In that article Danny shared accounts of his experiences with police officers as an African-American man. I'll put a link to that article in the show notes, and really you should go read it! Danny will reflect on the publishing of that article and some of the stories in it about 10 ½ minutes into the interview.Thanks so much to Danny Murphy for his time and his courage to share his experiences. I was deeply moved by the way Danny framed the conversation in terms of the cross and resurrection.

James Cubie is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), with over 12 years ministry experience in small, medium, and large churches. He is the Evangelist for Foundation Presbyterian Church, in Dutch Fork, Irmo, South Carolina - a new church that has been worshipping on Sunday for a little over a year. Foundation Church began Sunday worship in September of 2019, which means they have been "Planting a Church in a Pandemic" since COVID touched down! Come, hear more about this journey of starting and leading a new church, in a difficult season.

Matt Brough has been a pastor of small, faithful congregations for over 15 years-Prairie Presbyterian Church. He has served as the director of Cyclical PCC, a Church Planting support initiative of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and has hosted the Spirituality for Ordinary People Podcast. Matthew is the author of the “Let God” books and a series of fantasy adventure books for ages eight and up. He lives in Winnipeg, Canada, with his wife, Cheryl, and their daughter, Juliet.

Bob Staton, who is the president of Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC. He is a member of the class of 1968 of Presbyterian College, and has his law degree from the University of South Carolina. Previously, Bob served as the chairman and CEO of Colonial Life Insurance.Bob has a clear sense of what leadership means—helping people move forward to a place they would not go on their own. Leadership means moving forward. I was particularly interested to hear Bob talk about not getting hung up on every little detail, but to focus on continuing to move forward. Bob sees listening, listening to truly understand as a key element of real life leadership.

oday's guest is the Rev. Dr. Alice Ridgill. She currently serves as the Associate General Presbytery in Charlotte Presbytery and a chaplain in the U.S. Airforce Reserve. She was the founding pastor of New Faith, the only African American congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in Greenwood County, SC.

Clear headed and plain spoken, Elizabeth directly calls the church to take action to address racism in the name of Christ. She also has a powerful word of encouragement for us from Jesus' own words.

. Chief Green began his work in law enforcement as a reserve police officer while studying at the University of South Carolina. He joined the Lexington police department in 1993, where he became chief in 2006. I caught up with Chief Green because one of his children and one of my sons are good friends. He and his family are active members of Brookland Baptist Church, where he serves on the Senior Usher Board.

Nikki Collins has wonderful insight into how the challenges of the year reveal new gifts and highlight the broken places in our homes, our congregations, and the wider society.

Ben Sloan is the Senior Pastor of Lake Murray Presbyterian Church, in Chapin, SC, where he has served since 2004. Ben is committed to the church around the world-having visited congregations in Mexico, South Korea, Cuba and South Sudan. Having pastored in tiny, small and medium sized congregations, he currently serves the one of the largest rural congregation in the state.Ben is going to emphasize the need for flexibility, even as we hold fast to the person of Jesus Christ. This conversation was interesting to me, because Ben is also my boss, so I have watched Ben lead for several years. It was fun to hear him talk about leading.

The Reverend Audrey Hartness Reese is the pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Westminster, SC. Audrey and her husband Ash have hearts for local and international missions. They have been to India twice to work with women and children, preventing, intervening, and caring for those caught in the trafficking work force. Audrey loves serving in the small church and in a small town. Both are where her leadership gifts have a big impact.

In each episode you will hear from imaginative and capable leaders. Many of the people you hear from will be leaders in a congregation, and I hope in the larger world as well. You'll hear from a wide array of experienced people who are confronting and embracing the challenges of 2020.

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