emotionallyhealthydiscipleship

• Your expectation is unconscious. You didn't even know you had an expectation until it was violated.
• Your expectation is unrealistic. It is not reasonable given the person or circumstance.
• Your expectation is unspoken. You did not clearly articulate your expectation to another person.
• Your expectation is un-agreed upon. The other person never agreed to follow-through with your expectation.

According to the World Christian Encyclopedia, the fastest growing stream of the church is the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement. In terms of overall numbers, it represents 644 million Christians world wide. This is 8.3% of the world population. By 2050, it will reach over 1 billion people. Unbelievable!

We need the power of God, gifts of the Holy Spirit, signs and wonders for the global mission of the church. Much of my personal spiritual and leadership journey was formed in the charismatic movement. We regularly experienced the outpouring of God's power in our church. It was electric.

And yet I was still proud, defensive, distant, not present, unable to connect relationally, conflict avoidant, unaware internally, and unloving. This disconnect is what led to the birth of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship.

In today's episode, I unpack 5 key contributions of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship that allow us to walk in the healthy, long-term release of God’s power. 

For leaders, one of the most frustrating parts of decision-making is this...

It....takes....time.

Sure, sometimes quick decisions are necessary. But most consequential decisions (that shape the future of your life, church, and ministry) require the ability to slow down and wait. Usually for longer than is comfortable for you.

In order to let your judgments (discernments) come from deep within, you cannot in any way be pressed or hurried. You must wait.

To be clear, waiting does not mean you are doing nothing.  You are doing the most important something there is. In today's podcast, I share more about what God is actually developing in you in times of waiting. Then I take time to address several questions listeners have submitted.

Decision-making is primarily about discernment. It's the ability to make decisions that align with God's will for your life and ministry.

The truth is - discernment is an art. It takes practice, attention, and a lifetime to develop.

But if there is one core practice that is the foundation of discernment, it is learning to pay attention to the movement of God in your own soul through consolations and desolations.

"Consolations and desolations" are terms offered by Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits over 500 years ago to describe the inner feelings that move you toward God and the ones that take you away from God.  

Leaders who are able to slow down and pay attention to the inner work of God will not only be effective, they will be able to lead from joy, rest, and freedom.

Years ago, we were doing some strategic planning at the church I had founded in Queens, NY. We were reflecting on what contributed to our growth over a 26 year period.

A single word kept reappearing on the whiteboard - "BASEMENT"

How did we disciple so many quality leaders, many of whom are still leading today?

Hint: it wasn't what happened on the stage. It was what happened in the basement.

Matthew 28 tells us to "make disciples of all nations". But many leaders today feel a pressure to make their discipleship strategies big and public rather than small and hidden.

Jesus modeled a different way of making disciples. In fact, he flipped the entire thing upside down. In today's podcast, I share with you why real discipleship starts in the basement.

I was recently asked by someone...

"Pete, if you could go back and give yourself advice in the different seasons of life and ministry, what would you say?"

The truth is – every decade has its own unique invitations. As I reflected, I realized that I would say something slightly different to myself at 25, 35, 45, and even 55.

Today on the podcast, I share with you some fresh insights as I look back on my own journey and development. While my journey is different than yours, I'm hoping you'll be able to learn from my lessons - both the good and the bad!

Many pastors have been professionally educated and extensively trained.

The problem is – we are facing a massive discipleship crisis. I've found that much of our training doesn't help get at the root of this problem.

Deep change requires a new kind of training.

In today's episode, I cast a biblical vision for why training is not a "once and done" experience but a lifestyle we are called to.

Have you ever stopped to consider what season you are in?

Spring, summer, fall, or winter?

When we ignore the reality of our season, not only do we constantly feel like we're missing it, but we are unable to receive the unique gifts of God.

On today's podcast, together we'll explore how to discern and navigate our unique leadership seasons.

It has been almost 40 years since I graduated from seminary.  I had no idea there would also be a few HARD lessons waiting for me. Each of them would completely transform my life and ministry.

In today's podcast, I share just 5 of these important lessons hoping they can be a gift to you as well.

Last week on the podcast we covered a thorny topic – Church Scandals.

In today's episode, I tackle several questions that listeners sent me last week, and then we dive into part two of the key to addressing our church scandal crisis.

For the last 9 weeks, we've been exploring the core theology and practices of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality.

But now it's time to address your questions and challenges as you put it into practice. 

Best-selling author Pete Scazzero joins us to talk about the epidemic of shallow discipleship and what it means for Christian business owners.  It might not be what you think it is. 

We talk about growing your business while embracing limitations, slowing down and avoiding “success-ism.”  If you want your business to reflect the ways of Jesus, listen in as Pete shares biblical wisdom and draws from his life’s experience, his failures and his successes.

Pete is the founder, along with his wife Geri, of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship.   We talk about his most recent book, Emotionally Healthy Discipleship.

Conversation highlights:

-What is “shallow discipleship” and why does it matter?  Why should Christians who own business care about emotionally healthy discipleship?

-Embracing limits and slowing down are at the core of healthy discipleship, two very difficult matters for people who own and lead businesses. 

-Two paths towards following Christ in an emotionally healthy way: Crisis vs. mentorship.  Which will you choose?

-“Good mentors are hard to find.”  Pete talks about identifying mentors and understanding the types of mentors and disciplers you might need in your life.  Get more than one!

-Do you reflect the broader culture, or do you reflect freedom as a follower Christ?

-If you aren’t emotionally healthy as a Christian, you will struggle to have a healthy business, healthy leadership and healthy relationships. 

--“My first invitation to business owners is to slow it down.”  Invest in “being.”  “You cast a shadow or you cast light to everyone around you.”

--God is the first worker, so we are created to work.  But are you working from a place of peace in Christ, or out of anxiety, striving and panic? 

--Jesus had a lot to do in 3 years.  But he worked from a place of peace.  “I have finished the work you gave me to do.” (John 17:4)

--You probably didn’t get into business to rest.  But you still need it.  “You were created for a rhythm in life.”  Do you make a priority of resting, or of a 24-hour period of actual rest and replenishment?

--"If all you do is work, you are a slave…Free people rest.”

--Success is the world’s universal religion.  God has a different definition of success, and you can easily succeed by the world’s metrics but fail by God’s measurement.

--Joyful, productive people are a gift to those around them.

--Don’t miss Pete’s free advice.  “This is better than hiring a strategic planner for a day.”

--The Bible has a theology of limitations.  Some limitations should be received and some should be broken through.  Emotionally healthy disciples can discern between the two types of limitations.

--How and why Pete intentionally decided not to grow his organization?  “What is your best contribution and gifting?”

Connect:

Connect with Pete: https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/about/about-pete/

Take the free assessment: https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/mature/

Check out Pete’s podcast, get the book.

Connect with Aaron: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-groen/

Today, Pete shares an excerpt from a chapter in his recent book, Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, called "Follow the Crucified, not the Americanized Jesus".

It's one of the most important chapters in the book. Within it, he explores four temptations from the Evil One that come to all of us –  regardless of our culture, country, age, demographic, or ministry

Like Jesus, most of the stones in our lives can transform us if we are willing to change the way we see.

Listen to today's podcast to learn more.

In today's episode, Pete continues the book launch series by exploring the next mark of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship. Like David, Jeremiah and Job, we have an invitation to discover the treasures buried in grief and loss.

In this episode, Pete gives you the top ten indicators that will tell you if your doing has exceeded your being. It's worth a listen just for this list!

In today's podcast, I share with you a sermon based on Isaiah 43 exploring God's divine purpose in a season of disorientation and how we can step into the plan of God.

In today's podcast, Pete addresses this concern head-on. Drawing from historical and global case studies, Pete helps us reframe how the church can thrive even when we can't gather.