2017 was an incredible year of change, in the world, in the church and often, in your life.
In my last post, I shared the Top 10 blog posts of 2017.
In this post, I share the Top 10 Leadership Podcast episodes of the year determined by downloads.
It’s hard to beleive that in January of 2017, we were celebrating 2 million downloads (lifetime) for the podcast, and that in December, 12 months later, we celebrated 5 million. What an exceptional year!
Thank you for sharing, leaving reviews, telling your friends and being so encouraging. It’s been an amazing journey so far!
Podcasting is one of my favorite forms of learning. When I started mine 3 years ago, pretty much no one was doing long-form interviews in the church space. Most people told me no one would listen for an hour or more.
How things have changed in three years.
Below are the top 10 conversations. All of them clock in at one-hour plus.
I’m excited about that because I sincerely believe what our world needs is more in-depth conversations, deeper thinking and more long-form learning. To be able to bring one new conversation like that a week into the leadership space is a privilege and honor I take seriously.
So in a moment, the 10 most downloaded posts of the year.
But first, as we head into 2018, I’d love you to ask yourself…what do you wish was different?
If 2017 was perfect…awesome, scroll right down.
But if you’d like to do a little better, I’m inviting you into a journey that I think could change everything for you next year. It’s available for a very limited time.
The Ten Best
And now, onto the podcasts you listened to most.
Each snippet below is just a brief introduction to the overall interview. Click on the links to read the full piece, and maybe bookmark this post as a short guide to this year’s best episodes.
You can share it with your team for team discussion to see how you’re handling the top challenges church leaders are facing, or just keep it for personal reflection. Your call.
Subscribe to the podcast for free on your favorite platform. A new episode drops every Tuesday and subscribers never miss one.
On to the Top 10. Here we go….
1. Episode 134: Carl George and Warren Bird on How to Break the 200, 600 and 1000 Attendance Barriers
What does it take for churches to break through the 200, 400 and 600 attendance growth barriers?
Carl George and Warren Bird literally wrote the book on it, and share some of the surprising obstacles church leaders face and outline how to overcome them to reach more people.
2. Episode 127: Jud Wilhite and Brad Lomenick: Roundtable on Their Worst Mistakes and Best Decisions in Leadership
Jud Wilhite and Brad Lomenick talk to Carey about their best and worst decisions on five key issues: strategy, team, momentum, culture and personal leadership. Raw, honest and authentic, this conversation is packed with insight.
The conversation was featured in greater detail at Rethink Leadership 2017 in Atlanta Georgia.
Join us for Rethink Leadership 2018 April 25-27th 2018 for incredible leadership community and conversation. Register today at. www.RethinkLeadership.com.
3. Episode 133: Todd Adkins on Why Most churches Do a Bad Job at Leadership Development and How to Turn It Around
The vast majority of churches struggle to recruit and keep volunteers and even staff. As a result, they can’t grow or expand.
Todd Adkins explains why most church leaders struggle to develop leaders and explains how to turn that around.
4. Episode 125: David Kinnaman on the Clergy Crisis and the State of Pastors Today
How are pastors really doing? Why are fewer and fewer people going into ministry? What are the danger signs for pastors today for their soul, their family and their future?
Barna Group President David Kinnaman explains the findings behind one of the largest studies of Pastors in America ever conducted. Not everything is good, but there’s hope.
5. Episode 151: Mark Clark on Apologetics For Podcast Christian, Post Modern Young Adults: Hell, Sex, Science and So Much More
Mark Clark pastors one of Canada’s largest and fastest growing churches.
Attracting thousands of young adults, Mark has a unique approach to apologetics and preaching that’s connecting with a post-Christian, post-modern generation.
6. Episode 121: James Emery White on the Ride of Generation Z: A Post-Christian, Post-Millennial Generation
There’s a generation after the Millennials that looks like it will be even harder to reach than Millennials. Meet Generation Z —people born after 1991.
Academic, theologian and Pastor James Emery White talks about what your church needs to do to reach them.
7. Episode 128: Mark Batterson on Chasing Down Your Dreams Without Fear
So you’ve got dreams that seem impossible. So what?
Few voices in the church are as encouraging as Mark Batterson’s voice. Mark talks to Carey about how to chase down your dreams and kill the fear that’s holding you back.
8. Episode 132: Greg Atkinson on the Secrets of a Secret Church Shopper: What People are Looking for When They Come to Your Church
Would you ever send a secret worshipper to your church service? What do you think they’d find?
We’re talking to Greg Atkinson who is a secret worshipper to large churches all around the U.S., and hear some of the things he’s seen and discovered that churches are doing great – and churches could do better.
9. Episode 140: Tony Morgan on Discovering What Stage Your Church Is At In Its Lifecycle
Tony Morgan has helped over 200 churches in the last 8 years, and has observed that most churches go through predictable patterns in its lifecycle.
Combining the insights of Les McKeown (Episode 112) and others, Tony has identified 7 specific stages in the life-cycle of a church and shows you where you need to be, and how to get there.
So…where’s your church..strategic growth, maintenance…life support?
10. Episode 123: How To Have Meaningful, Life-Giving Conversations with Non-Christians: An Interview with Rose Zacharias Meeder
How do you have meaningful conversations—even friendships—with people who are radically different than you and who don’t share the same values you do?
Few are better at doing this than Rose Zacharias Meeder. A married woman with four kids, Rose has built many friendships with people from the divorced, to the Buddhist, to the atheist, to the trans-gendered, and in the process has led more than a few to a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Read the Ratings…or Leave One Yourself
Well, that’s the list.
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