Whom do you seek to please? Whom do you fear? A powerful leader seeking to please himself, King Herod desired to kill John the Baptist for referring to God's law above Herod. Fearing the people, Herod at first refrained from killing John because the people considered him a prophet. Seeking to please his unlawful wife's daughter and his dinner guests, Herod finally ordered John's head on a platter. Herod's reference points were whimsical, multiple, and self-serving. Fr. Timothy Lowe shares the st...
Aug 20, 2022•20 min•Ep. 77
Leaders would rather lead change and preach repentance and mercy. But what happens when time has run out? Standing in the Lord's presence, the prophet Isaiah cries, "Woe is me! I am undone!" and charged with a confounding message of coming judgment and destruction. Fr. Timothy Lowe, in a study of Isaiah 6, suggests it's time to sober up in the midst of utter devastation. Our only hope is in the seed of the Lord that might sprout from the burned and fallen stump.
Aug 13, 2022•18 min•Ep. 76
Leaders make sacrifices everyday, putting aside their interests for the sake of serving others. Fr. Jeremy Davis, author of Welcoming Gifts: Sacrifice in the Bible and Christian Life suggests that the fullness of sacrifice isn't realized in loss and suffering, but in joy, hospitality, and faithful relationship. Christ demonstrates how to move beyond mere symbolic gestures of sacrifice and embrace the sacrificial life in faithful obedience to God and love to humankind....
Aug 08, 2022•20 min•Ep. 75
We may think the Canaanite woman offers a leadership example of persistence and humility, content with the crumbs that fall from the Master's table. But the lesson is far beyond successful negotiation. As an outsider, the Canaanite is like a dog compared to those who feast at the Master's table within the religious community. Jesus honors her great faith which stands in stark contrast against the disciples and religious leaders who reflect such little faith throughout Matthew's Gospel. The chall...
Jul 30, 2022•17 min•Ep. 74
What motivates your leadership? The Apostle Peter understands the temptations of compulsion, greed, and domination, as he exhorts his fellow elders to shepherd the flock entrusted to their care. Fr. Ian Pac-Urar explores the example we find in the Apostle Peter. Even by identifying himself as a "fellow elder" in his first epistle, the Apostle Peter demonstrates what it means to serve the flock, not by lording over them, but by submitting to the example set by Christ.
Jul 16, 2022•19 min•Ep. 73
What does it mean to guard the deposit of faith? If the deposit of faith is given free of charge, those who receive it are charged to invest in its practice and share it freely with others. Fr. Barnabas Powell of Faith Encouraged Ministries attends to the treasure entrusted in St. Paul's letter to Timothy. He challenges us to allow Christ's message to confront us - our mindset and behavior - so that we shift focus to that which is eternal over the temporary. What we truly value will be evident o...
Jul 09, 2022•20 min•Ep. 72
"Has the Lord not taken the lead?" This is the challenging question Deborah the Judge poses to the commander of Israel's army in the Old Testament story in the book of Judges. It remains a critical question for today's leader who aspires to serve the Lord. Women like Deborah and Jael were not the expected leaders of a nation over 2000 years ago. People would rather put their trust in the strength of an army and its commander. In this episode, Fr. Dustin Lyon shares how the army commanders from b...
Jul 02, 2022•20 min•Ep. 71
How might we consider the rewards and punishments presented throughout the Scriptures without getting caught up in the heretical prosperity gospel where human self interest attempts to disguise itself in righteousness? Dr. Andy Geleris, author of Money and Salvation: An Invitation to the Good Way, discusses the contrasts in sowing abundantly and sowing sparingly. He explores St. Paul's appeal to the Corinthians to sow generously, offering what the Lord provides, so that material resources might ...
Jun 25, 2022•21 min•Ep. 70
In our parish councils and other teamwork, we strive to appreciate the diversity of ideas and opinions in the group and work toward consensus. But when it comes to the Gospel of Matthew, all voices are silenced by the one crying in the wilderness which culminates with Jesus crying out from the cross and yielding his spirit. What follows is the apocalyptic quaking of the earth, tearing of the temple curtain, opening of tombs, and the raising of saints who all witness to the same message proclaime...
Jun 18, 2022•20 min•Ep. 69
The Gospel is a disrupter, and this is the case even in our attitudes and behaviors around money and generosity. Fr. Evan Armatas shares ideas and practices surrounding stewardship from his forthcoming book, Reclaiming the Great Commission: A Roadmap to Parish Health. These include: Focusing on the WHY of generosity Positioning generosity as an opt-out decision Guarding against stagnation by focusing beyond the needs of the parish In this interview, Fr. Evan cites a study which suggests that whi...
Jun 11, 2022•24 min•Ep. 68
Do you ever get the feeling that the more you own, the more it owns you? Why are we so tempted by accumulation? What do our cupboards, closets, garages, and storage units reveal about our trust in the Lord's provision? How do we faithfully steward what the Lord so generously provides? Professional organizer, Presvytera Stacey Dorrance, reflects on the teaching of Jesus who instructed, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume . . but lay up for yourselves trea...
Jun 04, 2022•24 min•Ep. 67
We love leaders with vision and clarity, assuring us of the certain path ahead. The Gospel writers challenge the certainty of the religious leaders by offering a clear and simple vision of mercy - expressing gratitude for the mercy received and extending mercy to others. Fr. Timothy Lowe shares the perspective of The Blind Man from the Gospel of John. Jesus extends mercy, bringing sight to the blind and revealing the blindness of those who presume to see through the certainty of self-righteousne...
May 28, 2022•16 min•Ep. 66
Like Samson, it's easy to be blinded by poor choices, bad habits, and neglect of the vocation to which the Lord calls us. And like Samson's story, the Lord's strength is revealed despite our unfaithfulness. Samson's sacred vocation is finally realized in bringing down the entire structure of disloyalty and idolatry, crashing down even upon his own head. Samson and Delilah's story, like many others in the Bible, provide a clear warning and an opportunity to reflect, repent, and realign priorities...
May 21, 2022•20 min•Ep. 65
Making excuses comes almost as naturally as eating or sleeping, and it begins at a young age. We are wired to cover our sins with self-justification and shifting blame. But for a doulos charged with service in the Lord's household, there is no room for excuses. Jesus offers wholeness and new life, demonstrated by the story in John's Gospel of the paralytic man who was healed despite the excuses and presumed accountability to the old way of life. Fr. Timothy Lowe shares how with this new life com...
May 14, 2022•19 min•Ep. 64
Is cheer and gladness a prerequisite to giving and tithing? Or might obedience to the Lord's instruction to give alms and tithe foster true cheer and gladness? In any case, Fr. Patrick O'Grady warns against any transactional approach to tithes and offerings. Rather, in response to the philanthropy of God, the One who loves mankind, we are invited to act in kind. Fr. Patrick O'Grady, pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Antiochian Church, opens the Wisdom of Sirach and shares the story of St. Philaret...
May 07, 2022•20 min•Ep. 63
Loyalty, faithfulness, and reliability is what every servant leader pledges, just as Peter assured Jesus, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” Yet that very night, after invoking a curse and anathema upon himself that Peter knew not the arrested Jesus, the words of Jesus, "Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times," were made manifest. Fr. Timothy Lowe suggests that arrogance must run its full course so that our only hope is in the mercy of the Lord.
Apr 23, 2022•17 min•Ep. 62
We all want a champion for our cause. But a naked man hanging dead from a cross doesn't look like a winner. Even the disciple Peter rebuked Jesus who foretold of his suffering in Jerusalem by the elders, chief priests, and scribes. Who among us doesn't pay good money to protect, preserve, and champion our beliefs, our way of life, our prestige? Perhaps Judas sought to protect religiosity or force the hand of Jesus against the Roman occupation or was simply captivated by his own greed when he bet...
Apr 16, 2022•19 min•Ep. 61
Psalm 51, a prayer of repentance so familiar to Orthodox Christians, teaches the double-edged wisdom of judgment and hope. Fr. Paul Lundberg suggests the psalm provides sobriety and a connection to the grace of humility, essential for anyone who wants to take leadership seriously, and to do it well. With "my sins ever against me" and acknowledging that "against Thee only have I sinned," does self-absorption run its course, realizing that our only hope is the hesed , the mercy of the Lord. If you...
Apr 09, 2022•18 min•Ep. 60
From the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches private prayer and gives us the words to pray in "Our Father." A discipline of prayer, meditating on the words of Scripture, transforms a doulos who serves in the Lord's household, to seek and do His Father's will. Prayer supports the transformational process of self-emptying, where we might truly pray, "Not my will, but Thine be done." Michelle Moujaes, Director of Faithtree Resources, shares The Encounter - a prayer book, app, and community initiativ...
Apr 02, 2022•22 min•Ep. 59
Leaders feel exposed and vulnerable when they must forge ahead, so they surround themselves with people they can trust. But no one trusts a leader who derails the mission to the community in order to accomplish a personal mission of power and control. When loyalty is tested and allegiance demanded, only fear and jealousy of the leader is revealed just as we see in the story of King Saul. Andrea Bakas demonstrates how the Book of Samuel subtly reveals even our own lust for power as we find oursel...
Mar 26, 2022•18 min•Ep. 58
With plenty of grain in the barn or money in the bank, we may be tempted to relax, eat, drink and be merry. But like the rich fool, when we stand before the judgment seat, what will we have to show in being rich toward God? Dr. Andy Geleris, author of Money and Salvation - An Invitation to the Good Way, reflects on the parable of the rich fool from Luke's Gospel and the importance of being rich toward God. We must live as though we believe we will die and stand before God's judgment. Dr. Geleris...
Mar 19, 2022•24 min•Ep. 57
When tempted to say, "I quit," or "I'm indispensable," consider whether this might signal a kind of self-importance that has lost sight of the greater mission. We struggle with self-importance at every turn. When work is challenging, it's tempting to despair, quit, and presume to deserve better. And when others rely on us, it's tempting to pridefully assume that our expertise is indispensable. Even the Prophet Elijah was tempted to despair and presumed he was indispensable to the Lord's work. Fr...
Mar 12, 2022•22 min•Ep. 56
Who doesn't love a good deal? Imagine the relief of debt forgiveness! Fr. Aaron Warwick, co-host of Teach Me Thy Statutes , exegetes the parable commonly referred to as The Unjust Steward in the Gospel of Luke and demonstrates the wisdom of the steward through a more careful translation of the Greek which renders The Steward of the Unjust. The Master praises his steward for doing what the Master intends: distributing mercy just as the Apostle Paul mercifully distributes the Gospel to the Gentile...
Mar 05, 2022•19 min•Ep. 55
In this week's episode, we are challenged by the Gospel of John, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit for apart from me, you can do nothing." (John 15:5) Mariam Haddad, successful entrepreneur, community supporter, and devoted mother, shares her encounter with the pruning shears wielded by the Lord. In the solitude of the pandemic, she gives up her grandiose plans for her children and business and loses every possession in the Hou...
Feb 26, 2022•30 min•Ep. 54
As Christians, we claim to have one Lord and Master, one Heavenly King. But is it possible that we betray that allegiance when we seek earthly powers to govern us? As Americans, we're told that our vote matters. Politicians from all sides appeal to the Christians in this land by promising to represent our values. We want a leader who will protect us, serve us, and let's face it, agree with us. Just like the people of Israel who first cried for a king, we want a ruler over us that we also "may be...
Feb 19, 2022•20 min•Ep. 53
The wife of a clergyman, respectfully called Preoteasă, Matushka, Khouria, Presbytera, or Popadija in various Orthodox traditions, serves a unique supporting role in a parish community. Preoteasă Lillian Lupu, author of Helpful Hints for Orthodox Clergy Wives , explores the tremendous responsibility the wife of a clergyman carries in supporting her husband, their family, and the extended church community. The episode's title conveys a double meaning. "Supporting" describes the clergy wife in her...
Feb 12, 2022•20 min•Ep. 52
As the world begins to reopen, we have choices to make about engaging the world around us. Fr. Timothy Lowe shares two strange and contrasting stories - one where fear and suspicion leads to rejection and another where trust and a posture of hospitality leads to a joyous feast with a stranger. He likens these stories to the shushing crowds who refuse to engage the blind beggar in Luke's gospel; unlike Jesus who attends to his faithful cry. These stories help servant leaders within the Lord's hou...
Feb 05, 2022•19 min•Ep. 51
Imagine starting a new project where the leader and the entire chain of command is on the same page, inspiring everyone to contribute faithfully and efficiently to the cause. Now imagine that this cause is not the Lord's cause. While the young King Josiah leads his people in a faithfully executed temple repair campaign, the Book of the Law is discovered within the temple treasury. The Book of the Law presents itself as the true treasure and offers a new chance for Israel to get on the same page ...
Jan 29, 2022•20 min•Ep. 50
In this January season of performance reviews and annual meetings, we turn to the Prophet Amos who conducts a performance review of all the nations. No one is righteous. No not one. Neither does scrutinizing one's neighbor and escaping their sins by comparison make one righteous. The Prophet Amos helps servant leaders put today's performance reviews into perspective for the one that truly counts on the Last Day.
Jan 22, 2022•11 min•Ep. 49
When there's already nothing to eat, held captive in a land destroyed by locusts, drought and fire, the Prophet Joel delivers a message to sanctify a fast. Old Testament scholar, Richard Benton, PhD, discusses how the message of Joel is critical for any leader today to sanctify even failure, ruin, and devastation unto the Lord.
Jan 15, 2022•11 min•Ep. 48
