Spiritual Life and Leadership

Updated: 16 Dec 2025 • 299 episodes
www.markuswatson.com

Ministry leadership is about more than just growing your church or organization. It’s about participating in God’s mission in the world. But how can leaders know God’s mission or their unique place in it? Faithful ministry leadership is rooted in a life of deep and abiding faithfulness to Jesus. In “Spiritual Life and Leadership,” Markus Watson and his guests explore what it means to be faithful leaders whose ministry flows from their ever-deepening relationship with God.

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Discover why real leadership is never a solo journey—and how embracing your own vulnerability can unlock the supportive relationships you need to thrive through change. Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss Tod"s own quote in Ep. 283, Disorientation and Spiritual Leadership: “The vulnerability of leadership needs the

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Do you ever feel like you’re alone in your leadership?  Why is that? Why do so many church leaders feel isolated—and how did we come to believe that ministry is something we’re supposed to do alone? In this episode, E.K. Strawser, author of You Were Never Meant to Lead Alone, unpacks what it means to move from solo lea

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Learn how mastering your anxiety with simple, God-given tools like deep breathing can transform your leadership in the moments that matter most. Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss this quote from Audrey Davidheiser in Ep. 284, How to Respond Thoughtfully Instead of Reacting: "If you feel anxious or rushed or conce

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Why is it so hard for pastors and church people to be truly open and honest with one another? In ministry, we talk a lot about authenticity, vulnerability, and grace—but in reality, putting those ideals into practice can feel risky, messy, and even dangerous. In this episode, Tom Bennardo, author of Open-Hearted People

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Learn how breaking out of your comfort zone and embracing new perspectives can transform your leadership and help dismantle bias in your church. Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss this quote from Erin Devers in Ep. 282, The Cost of Bias in the Church: “One of the strategies for reducing bias is to go bigger, to wi

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Jews for Jesus helps Jewish people come to know Jesus, the Jewish Messiah. What’s fascinating is how Jews for Jesus has not only remained committed to that mission of sharing the hope of the Jewish Messiah, but has also adapted as the world around it has changed. As ministry leaders, we face the tension between time-ho

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