The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins

It should come as no surprise that depressive episodes exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, 18-25 year-olds are twice as likely to struggle with depression as people over 50, and that number is only rising.Does that mean the older generation should write off the younger one? Far from it! In fact, it means that older leaders have a unique opportunity to influence and reverse the anxiety epidemic that has swept over our culture like a flood.As Paul reveals in this episode of The Reluctant Leader Podcast, that will only happen when we master the discipline of leading ourselves as peacemakers who can create "outposts of Eden."Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

Have you ever felt like you had whiplash because of all the starts and stops as you tried to develop a new habit? Why do so many of us never actually achieve and stay at new levels in life and leadership?In this episode, Paul takes us through a key moment in the life of Daniel and helps us understand why occasional effort will never result in consistent excellence.Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

What happens when God rescues a life out of a broken home and foster care that loves hip hop but has country music in his roots? He opens the door for Rare of Breed, a leading artist in the genre of Country Hip Hop.You read that right. Country Hip Hop.You're going to love this interview with Rob Hardin about his latest project, GodTwang, and how God is calling a broken generation back to Himself.For more information about Rare of Breed, check out his website and all his socials.Want to hear some of GodTwang? Spotify and AppleGo to Eventbrite to make sure you've got a free ticket to our C4 Summit with Rare of Breed on May 6th.Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

Too often we place too much emphasis on things that can be seen and parts that can be platformed. But when was the last time you actually stopped to consider that each one of us are uniquely gifted for a part to play and a purpose to fulfill?Let's talk about why the different parts of the body matter, and how you and I can lead ourselves and others into an understanding of which parts we're called to play.Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

By now, you've probably heard about the outpouring at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. In this episode we talk with Pastor Nathan Smith, an Executive Pastor at The Refuge Church in Kannapolis, North Carolina, about his history with Asbury and his recent trip to experience the revival first hand.We know you'll love the sincerity and humility that marks Nathan's life, and hope that this interview whets your appetite to hear more from him. We've provided the following links to  help you do just that.Learn more about his work and ministry at www.therefuge.netCheck out Pastor Nathan's blog at www.nathanwesleysmith.comMake sure to subscribe to Pastor Nathan's podcast at www.thebestviewintown.comThanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

Sometimes God asks us questions that He already knows the answer to, and those moments can lead to some pretty massive revelations. Like the day when God asked me this seemingly simple question:"What's the difference between an army and an end-time army?"No, it isn't a riddle, and, yes, the answer is important.Extremely important.Shout out to CUTRIGHT for pointing me in the direction of an amazing FREE tool from Adobe that got my podcast out of the cave!! You can subscribe to Cutright's YouTube channel here, and you can learn more about Adobe's Speech Enhancer here.Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

If you're a leader like me, you can relate to the first chapter of Jeremiah.God - yeah, THE GOD - tells Jeremiah that He's appointed him as a prophet to the nations, and reassures Jeremiah that he's been known since he was in his mother's womb.That's a pretty strong endorsement, right? And yet, Jeremiah pushes back. He's too young. Too weak. Too...Have you been there? Excited about being called by God, but reluctant to speak for God? If so, then I pray that you'll let this episode encourage you, because instead of coddling Jeremiah and his reluctance, God actually did quite the opposite.He told him to get up and prepare for action.He calls us to do the same, and He's gone ahead of us and prepared the fields for us. They are white and ready for harvest. So, let's go. Let's get up, use what we have, and do what we can while we wait for the more that we think we need. The One Who sends us knows what we need, and we can trust Him to provide it.But we can't just sit back and wait for it. Those who are faithful with a little will be trusted with more. Let's start now, and prove that He can trust us with what comes next.- - - - - - - - - -Check out Paul's podcast equipment dream list on Amazon (and in case you were wondering, I wouldn't say no to a gift purchase

Do I wish I could have interviewed John Mark Comer for this episode? In my best Minnesotian accent: "You betcha!"But instead, we'll just settle for a John Mark quote along with some of the insights I've gained by reading and listening to quite a bit of his stuff. (And we'll work toward an interview someday down the road!!)Here's our TWENTIETH episode (wow!), and one of the most important ones we've done because this one is all about how to sustain a life of doing. Hint: it all starts with Sabbath rest and family acceptance. Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

If you could boil an entire year down to just one word, what would that word be?For me, in 2023, that word would be PROCLAIM. But as we'll discover in the episode, there are a few things that we need to do first in order to ensure that we have something to say when we're given the opportunity to say something. Sure, that last sentence was a mouthful, but it'll make more sense as you listen. Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

As I learned while trying to drill holes into brick walls, a job that can be done gets frustrating fast when you try to do it with the wrong tools.But the moment I used the right drill bit and the right screws turned into a one-on-one  conversation with the Father about how He made the right tools for the job, and about how frustrating the Great Commission can be if we don't realize one critical truth:You and I were made for this!Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

There are oils for everything! There is an oil to keep you from getting bitten by mosquitoes, and an oil to help you sleep. Would you believe me if I told you that there's even an oil to help you get through this year's midterm elections? ("What???? Why didn't you tell me sooner??!!??")In Matthew 25, Jesus told a story about 10 virgins, and He showed us why 5 were wise and 5 were foolish. In this episode, let's talk about the essential oil of the Holy Spirit, and the 3 reasons why we need Him if we're going to keep pointing people to Jesus after the election results come in.Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

One day, Evan DiDio decided to try an experiment with thumbnails on YouTube, and that one decision changed the trajectory of his life. Not only his but the millions who have seen the videos that he's helped publish on YouTube, including the witches who joined his church live stream simply because they saw a title and a thumbnail that made them curious. You're not surprised that God would line up an interview that included witches on the week before Halloween, are you? I'm not, either.If you're the media director of your organization, or you simply what to learn some tips and tricks to help you grow your digital impact, then you're going to eat this one up.I know I did.Oh, and he's totally wrong about chicken salad.- - - - - - - - - -Want to get more from Evan? Here are all the links!To take the online course, go here and use the coupon code MasterMedia to save an additional 10% off the enrollment fee.You can find Evan on InstagramGo subscribe to Evan's YouTube channelThanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

Back in 2005, U2 introduced the world to the catchy tune, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." On this episode of The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins, Paul explains how U2 got it wrong, and why we need to embrace the truth that we always find what we're looking for.Grab a Bible or Bible app, find Proverbs 11:27, and lean in for some encouragement about what to do when it seems like all you can see are the mountains and obstacles between what God promised and where you are.Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

No matter how big or how small your church, business, or organization is, you've got something in common with all the other leaders in all the other places: you need more money and people.In short, you need more resources so you can do more of what you're called to do.This may surprise you, but that's not a new problem. In fact, even Jesus experienced it.Yeah. That Jesus.Grab your Bible or Bible app, a hot cup of coffee, and let's dive into what Jesus had to say about the wrong ways we often deal with lack.Be sure to subscribe to The Reluctant Leader Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this with a friend or two so we can bring more people along with us on the journey.You can always find the latest episodes at TheReluctantLeaderPodcast.com.Let's connect!FacebookTwitterInstagramI'd love to have you connect with me on my blog, too, where I write at least once a week and wrote every day for a year in 2021. You'll find it at pauljenkins.tv.

There are some stories in the Bible that never make it into the Sunday School teaching cycle, and on this episode of the podcast, Paul tackles one of them.Apparently, if you whittle some stripes into some sticks, you can grow a pretty impressive herd of animals that will set you up for future success! Since none of us really want a large flock of animals, Paul shows us how that story, found in Genesis 30, can help us become better leaders. As you'll find out, it really does matter what we're looking at, because we all tend to become what we see.Be sure to subscribe to The Reluctant Leader Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this with a friend or two so we can bring more people along with us on the journey.You can always find the latest episodes at TheReluctantLeaderPodcast.com.Let's connect!FacebookTwitterInstagramI'd love to have you connect with me on my blog, too, where I write at least once a week and wrote every day for a year in 2021. You'll find it at pauljenkins.tv.

Community is one of those words that gets thrown around in the church, but most of us only have a surface level understanding of what it means in real life.Enter Doug Bursch, a witty, humble pastor from the Seattle area, who provides listeners of the podcast a MASTERCLASS on Biblical community. In a way that is authentic and relatable, Doug shares about the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of living in community with other believers, and points us to the hope that comes when we embrace the truth that it really isn't good for any of us to live alone.Links to stay in touch with Doug:Connect with Doug on Twitter and FacebookRead Doug's blog at www.fairlyspiritual.orgPurchase a copy of Doug's books on Amazon: The Community Of God | Posting PeaceSubscribe to Doug's podcast, The Fairly Spiritual Show- - - - - - - - - -Be sure to subscribe to The Reluctant Leader Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this with a friend or two so we can bring more people along with us on the journey. If you'd be willing to rate it and review it, you'll help more people find us.  You can always find the latest episodes at TheReluctantLeaderPodcast.com.Let's connect!FacebookTwitterInstagramI'd love to have you connect with me on my blog, too, where I write at least once a week and wrote every day for a year in 2021. You'll find it at pauljenkins.tv.

Dallas Willard once wrote: "Business is an amazingly effective means of delivering God's love to the world by loving, serving, and providing for one another. God loves the world (John 3:16), and because he does, he has arranged the enterprise and organization of business as a primary moving force to demonstrate this love throughout human history."In this episode, Paul and Matt Wilson talked about what that looks like, and how when business leaders stop chasing profits, they're actually freed up to pursue the treasures of heaven. We think you'll be inspired by the passion Matt has to do good for his clients, and the boldness he carries for introducing clients to Jesus!Links to stay in touch with Matt:Connect with Matt personally on Facebook and InstagramCheck out Matt's podcast, Living Life on Purpose, on Apple or wherever you cast your podsYou can get more info about Matt's podcast on Facebook and InstagramLearn more about Matt's business at www.perpetuallifestyleplanning.comDuring the interview, Paul mentioned the Benham Brothers. If you're interested in learning more about how they use business to further the gospel, check out their website.If you want to hear Paul's interview with David Benham, you can listen to it here.- - - - - - - - - -Be sure to subscribe to The Reluctant Leader Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this with a friend or two so we can bring more people along with us on the journey. If you'd be willing to rate it and review it, you'll help more people find us.  You can always find the latest episodes at TheReluctantLeaderPodcast.com.Let's connect!FacebookTwitterInstagramI'd love to have you connect with me on my blog, too, where I write at least once a week and wrote every day for a year in 2021. You'll find it at pauljenkins.tv.

For our TENTH EPISODE, we're coming at you from quarantine!!What happens when you spend a long weekend in quarantine with The B99 because you both tested positive for COVID? Obviously, you find a new show to binge, and we found "The Rookie" on ABC which was surprisingly entertaining. But more importantly, you find yourself thinking about caves, and how we should respond when it feels like someone turned out the lights and left you all alone.Turns out, God has quite a bit to say about the times we feel alone, and if you're like me, you'll be glad to find out that He's doing a whole lot more in that cave than you ever thought He was.Be sure to subscribe to The Reluctant Leader Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this with a friend or two so we can bring more people along with us on the journey.You can always find the latest episodes at TheReluctantLeaderPodcast.com.Let's connect!FacebookTwitterInstagramI'd love to have you connect with me on my blog, too, where I write at least once a week and wrote every day for a year in 2021. You'll find it at pauljenkins.tv.Related Posts on the blog that you might enjoy:Beauty in the shadowsThe ultimate lieNo, you aren't an Olympian

Pastor Alan DiDio leads a small church in a small place that's making a huge impact all around the world, and we're thrilled to welcome him back for a conversation about Gideon, another person from a small place that made a huge impact.Not only is Gideon often misrepresented as fearful, but he also points us to some timely lessons about how present-day leaders can help the current church navigate doubt, oppression, and a major shift in how the church can measure growth.Here are just a few of the truth takeaways you'll hear in this conversation:"Trying to accomplish a spiritual calling through natural means is always going to lead to frustration.""Our identity must define our activity.""Gideon had doubts about God, but also the courage to voice those doubts to God.""God can do more with a committed core than we can do with a casual crowd."- - - - - - - - - -Links to stay in touch with Pastor Alan:Are you interested in the ARMED Conference happening August 18-20? Go to armed.media to get registered!Click here to get 2 signed copies of Pastor Alan's new book, Armed for Victory.Learn more about his church and ministry at encountertoday.comSubscribe to Encounter Today on YouTubePurchase a copy of Pastor Alan's book on the life of Gideon, Encounter, on Amazon.Get the book, Pentecostal Fire, by Larry Sparks, that Paul and Alan mentioned.- - - - - - - - - -Be sure to subscribe to The Reluctant Leader Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this with a friend or two so we can bring more people along with us on the journey.  You can always find the latest episodes at TheReluctantLeaderPodcast.com.Let's connect!FacebookTwitterInstagramI'd love to have you connect with me on my blog, too, where I write at least once a week and wrote every day for a year in 2021. You'll find it at pauljenkins.tv.

Sometimes we all find ourselves in what Antoine Lassiter calls "the messy middle." It's that place where we find ourselves caught between what we know God can do and what we still haven't seen God actually do. Too many times, we rush out of that place and miss the power that comes from answering the Biblical call to lament. Antoine and his wife, Tonia, started Think Kingdom as a small group in 2014. Today, they lead a growing team of committed, diverse, and loving people who want to spread the message of Jesus Christ to their communities and ultimately the world. Antoine and Tonia served in leadership roles previously from children's ministry coordinator, marketing & outreach, church administrative and as executive pastor. Antoine and Tonia have two sons, Justin and Christopher, and a Boston Terrier, Anakin. They enjoy the beach, movies, and spending time together. Links to stay in touch with Antoine:Connect with Antoine on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.Learn more about Antoine's church at www.thinkkingdomchurch.orgLearn about church planting with N.C. Baptists at ncbaptist.org/ministries/church-planting- - - - - - - - - -Be sure to subscribe to The Reluctant Leader Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this with a friend or two so we can bring more people along with us on the journey. If you'd be willing to rate it and review it, you'll help more people find us.  You can always find the latest episodes at TheReluctantLeaderPodcast.com.Let's connect!FacebookTwitterInstagramI'd love to have you connect with me on my blog, too, where I write at least once a week and wrote every day for a year in 2021. You'll find it at pauljenkins.tv.

On June 2, 2017, Tiffany's life was turned upside down when she suffered a shark attack while  on vacation with her husband, J.J., in the Bahamas. But what the devil meant to kill, steal, and destroy, God has taken and used to show His glory, miracles, hope, peace, and love. That attack birthed a testimony of the power of God, and what it means to be an overcomer through Christ, that has been shared across the nation and around the world.Tiffany has appeared on the TODAY Show, ABC news, CNN, and other worldwide media outlets, and we're thrilled to have her as a guest on The Reluctant Leader Podcast. She overflows with gratitude and joy, and we know that you'll be full of the same at the end of this episode.Links to stay in touch with Tiffany:Connect with Tiffany on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.Learn more about Tiffany's ministry at www.beanovercomerministries.com- - - - - - - - - -Be sure to subscribe to The Reluctant Leader Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this with a friend or two so we can bring more people along with us on the journey. If you'd be willing to rate it and review it, you'll help more people find us.  You can always find the latest episodes at TheReluctantLeaderPodcast.com.Let's connect!FacebookTwitterInstagramI'd love to have you connect with me on my blog, too, where I write at least once a week and wrote every day for a year in 2021. You'll find it at pauljenkins.tv.Related blog posts for further growth:How to be an overcomer when all you feel is overwhelmedFaith moves forwardWell, I declare!God cares about your caresThere's always been a shelter in place

What would you do if you were the target of false accusations, and the very platform you'd been given was suddenly ripped out from beneath you? That's the situation that my guest, David Benham, faced along with his brother, Jason, in 2014 when HGTV pulled the plug on their reality show "Flip It Forward" just as it was about to premiere because of their vocal stance for the Biblical truth about life, abortion, and marriage.They were canceled even though they'd already told the producers and executives what they believed! As David says, they were cancel culture before it was a hashtag.But as the Lord opened doors for the brothers to share their story, they found over and over that people would tell them that they agreed with them, and were thankful for their bold witness. This only strengthened their resolve to stoke the fires within all believers to speak God's truth out loud and in the public arena.As you listen, you'll be convicted, encouraged, and most of all inspired that the same God who protected and promoted David, will also protect and promote you.Links to stay in touch with David:Connect with David on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.Learn more about David and Jason at www.benhambrothers.comGet the free book David mentioned, Expert Ownership, herePurchase a copy of David's book, Living Among Lions, on Amazon.Join the weekly Living Among Lions Livestream on their website or YouTube channel David mentioned the book, Challenging Conversations, by Jason Jimenez.Get more information about the Leaders Cadre with Jay Stewart at The Refuge.- - - - - - - - - -Be sure to subscribe to The Reluctant Leader Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this with a friend or two so we can bring more people along with us on the journey. If you'd be willing to rate it and review it, you'll help more people find us.  You can always find the latest episodes at TheReluctantLeaderPodcast.com.Let's connect!FacebookTwitterInstagramI'd love to have you connect with me on my blog, too, where I write at least once a week and wrote every day for a year in 2021. You'll find it at pauljenkins.tv.Related blog posts for further growth:Can we just cancel Cancel Culture?Canceling shameA response to the coronavirus and the fear it's feeding

Grab a cup of coffee and pull up a chair for a conversation between Paul and his friend Brian Johnson, a pastor, coach, and advocate through his church and ministry in Albemarle, North Carolina. One of the things you'll love about Brian is his bold honesty and transparency concerning the obstacles we all face in our relationships, and how he thinks believers can push past them in order to bring H.O.P.E. in the areas of mental health and racial unity.If you'd like to follow Pastor Brian and his ministry, you can do so at the links below:Learn more about his church at www.perfectinglifechurch.comLearn more about his ministry at www.lifechangegroup.org- - - - - - - - - -Be sure to subscribe to The Reluctant Leader Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this with a friend or two so we can bring more people along with us on the journey. If you'd be willing to rate it and review it, you'll help more people find us.  You can always find the latest episodes at TheReluctantLeaderPodcast.com.Let's connect!FacebookTwitterInstagramI'd love to have you connect with me on my blog, too, where I write at least once a week and wrote every day for a year in 2021. You'll find it at pauljenkins.tv.

In this episode of The Reluctant Leader Podcast, Paul welcomes good friend, Pastor Jay Stewart, the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Refuge Church in Kannapolis, North Carolina. As you listen to Jay's story, we think you'll be encouraged to see your own story differently. Over a span of 4 decades of faithful ministry, Jay has seen firsthand the supernatural outcomes that follow simple obedience, and none more so than what began in the concourse of The Refuge in 2014 when he was approached by a tall, African-American man and asked a question.The answer Jay gave that man set in motion a series of events that eventually landed both of them in the national spotlight, and changed the trajectory of The Refuge Church forever.But that's Jay's story to tell, and you're going to enjoy every minute of it!If you'd like to follow Pastor Jay and his ministry, you can do so at the links below:Learn more about his work and ministry at www.therefuge.netFind Pastor Jay on InstagramPurchase a copy of Jay's book, Welded, on AmazonGo to Right Now Media to find the small group study to use with Welded- - - - - - - - - -Be sure to subscribe to The Reluctant Leader Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this with a friend or two so we can bring more people along with us on the journey. If you'd be willing to rate it and review it, you'll help more people find us.  You can always find the latest episodes at TheReluctantLeaderPodcast.com.Let's connect!FacebookTwitterInstagramI'd love to have you connect with me on my blog, too, where I write at least once a week and wrote every day for a year in 2021. You'll find it at pauljenkins.tv.

What would you do if the Lord asked you to step away from the comfort you'd always known right into a discomfort He'd always loved?For David Docusen, it meant a step of obedience that changed the trajectory of his life, and launched him into a ministry that is beautiful, daunting, and full of hope.After pastoring in the local church for twenty years, David and his wife, Dara, launched Docusen Ministries. Now, through the Neighborliness Center, David invests in churches, nonprofits, and businesses across the world through speaking, teaching, and writing. After completing his doctoral degree studying the cyclical patterns of generational poverty, he worked with a group of businesspeople as a founding board member of Freedom Communities, an organization that focuses on equitable access to education, employment, healthcare, and housing. He travels and speaks extensively to churches, community groups, and universities in spreading the Neighborliness message, and he also serves as a member of the executive board of Relevant magazine. David and Dara live in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with their four kids: Max, Mary, Jack, and Ben.Links to stay in touch with David:Learn more about his work and ministry at www.neighborliness.com.Find free resources for churches and groups at www.neighborliness.com/resources.Purchase a copy of David's book, Neighborliness, on Amazon.- - - - - - - - - -Be sure to subscribe to The Reluctant Leader Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this with a friend or two so we can bring more people along with us on the journey. If you'd be willing to rate it and review it, you'll help more people find us.  You can always find the latest episodes at TheReluctantLeaderPodcast.com.Let's connect!FacebookTwitterInstagramI'd love to have you connect with me on my blog, too, where I write at least once a week and wrote every day for a year in 2021. You'll find it at pauljenkins.tv.Related blog posts for further growth:Waking up is hard to do. Wake up anyway.Humility crosses the line.God's will is greater than my can't.The greatest divide.

Pastor Alan DiDio leads a small church in a small place that's making a huge impact all around the world.When the Holy Spirit asked Pastor Alan to think through how church might change if it was only available online, it was months before the work had even heard of COVID. As he and his church leaned into that question, they began to intentionally engage the people who attended their services through a screen, and by the time the world was shutting down, their YouTube channel was blowing up.Fast forward to today, and the growth is staggering. Their YouTube channel now has almost 200,000 subscribers, he regularly interviews key kingdom leaders like Mario Murillo, Lou Engle, Jeremiah Johnson, and Emma Stark, and his second book is set to be released in the summer of 2022.The key? Stop chasing the results of faithfulness, and simply start being faithful. As Pastor Alan shares, it was faithfulness in prayer that prepared him to tackle the fear and discomfort that he knew he'd encounter the minute he said yes to what God was asking him to do.Links to stay in touch with Pastor Alan:Learn more about his church and ministry at encountertoday.comSubscribe to Encounter Today on YouTubePurchase a copy of Pastor Alan's book, Encounter, on Amazon.- - - - - - - - - -Be sure to subscribe to The Reluctant Leader Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this with a friend or two so we can bring more people along with us on the journey.  You can always find the latest episodes at TheReluctantLeaderPodcast.com. Let's connect! Facebook Twitter Instagram I'd love to have you connect with me on my blog, too, where I write at least once a week and wrote every day for a year in 2021. You'll find it at pauljenkins.tv.

If you've ever felt the call to lead anyone or anything, you've asked the same questions that Paul talks about in this episode:Am I enough?Do I have enough?While those two questions can make us reluctant to lead, it's the answers that God gives us that can help us overcome that reluctance with faith in who He is more than in who we are.Remember, God's not asking us for what we don't have; He's asking us for what we do have. The little we have, placed in God's hands, will always be enough for Him.Be sure to subscribe to The Reluctant Leader Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this with a friend or two so we can bring more people along with us on the journey.You can always find the latest episodes at TheReluctantLeaderPodcast.com.Let's connect!FacebookTwitterInstagramI'd love to have you connect with me on my blog, too, where I write at least once a week and wrote every day for a year in 2021. You'll find it at pauljenkins.tv.

For as long as I can remember, people told me I was a leader.And for as long as I can remember, I've been reluctant to lead.So I did what was obvious. I read books on leadership. Lots of them.So many books.Guess what? They've all made me better, but none of them erased this suspicion that somehow we've idolized leadership in the church.  We're driven by our ambition to attain the highest positions, and while everyone wants to become a popular leader, it seems that in the Bible, everyone prayed to be a faithful follower.We seek status; God seeks servants.We applaud platforms; God applauds prayer.We want book deals; God wants us to deal with the Book.We want to spend our popularity; God wants us to steward our influence.Since leadership is influence (thanks, John Maxwell!), maybe we should be a bit more reluctant to lead if we can't lead well? Maybe we should focus more on how we follow than trying to show others how well we can lead?After all, it was Paul who called people to follow him, but only because he was following Christ.That same Jesus - the One Paul was following - called His disciples to follow Him before He ever suggested that they lead others.Reluctance to lead isn't good if it's the result of fear, but it isn't bad if it's the result of a weighty sense of responsibility to steward influence well.I believe everyone leads someone, but that no one really feels qualified to lead anyone.Instead, most of us feel inadequate, insecure, and invisible.This podcast is for those people - the reluctant leaders. The ones who, like King Saul, are hiding in the baggage, and like King David, are overlooked and forgotten.Thankfully, when it comes to leading in the Bible and in life, the most qualified aren't always the most obvious. This podcast will equip you to be and see those kinds of leaders.The Reluctant Leader Podcast will launch in the Spring of 2022. Be sure to subscribe to it wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this with a friend or two so we can bring more people along with us on the journey.You can always find the latest episodes at TheReluctantLeaderPodcast.com.Let's connect!FacebookTwitterInstagramI'd love to have you connect with me on my blog, too, where I write at least once a week and wrote every day for a year in 2021. You'll find it at pauljenkins.tv.