Mindful Leader

Rebekah Simon-Peter: Believe Like Jesus

Welcome to the latest episode of Mindful Leader, hosted by Dennis Shaw, a retired elder in the Mountain Sky Conference of the United Methodist Church. This episode dives into a profound discussion with Rebecca Simon-Peter, also an elder in the Mountain Sky Conference, about her upcoming book, "Believe Like Jesus," released on November 4th, 2024.

Rebecca shares her insights on the concept of apostleship, inviting listeners to move from discipleship to apostleship by believing like Jesus, not just in Him. Through an engaging conversation, she explores how this shift in belief can empower individuals to achieve greater things in partnership with God, emphasizing the inseparable unity between humanity and divinity.

The episode also touches on Rebecca's work in ministry through Rebecca Simon-Peter Coaching and Consulting, and her program, Creating a Culture of Renewal, which aims to transform local churches. Join us as we explore the rich themes of unity, faith, and leadership, and discover how to apply these concepts in your own spiritual journey.

Here are some tools to help you find out more about Rebekah and her ministries:  

• Rebekah’s website
• Creating a Culture of Renewal®
• Purchase Believe Like Jesus 

Bishop Karen Oliveto: Grace Under Pressure

In this episode of "Mindful Leader," host Dennis Shaw engages in a heartfelt conversation with Bishop Karen Oliveto, reflecting on her transformative journey as the first openly LGBTQ bishop in the United Methodist Church. Bishop Oliveto shares insights into the challenges and triumphs faced during her tenure, highlighting the pivotal moments surrounding marriage equality and the evolving understanding of LGBTQ inclusion within the church.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the seismic shifts that occurred post-General Conference 2019 and how the church community responded to the controversial decisions made. Bishop Oliveto candidly discusses the personal and professional tolls she experienced and the resilience required to lead amidst adversity.

Tune in to explore the themes of grace, love, and community as Bishop Oliveto and Dennis Shaw navigate the complexities of faith, leadership, and the ongoing journey toward a more inclusive church. This episode is a testament to the power of storytelling and the strength found in shared experiences.

Dennis can be reached via email at dennis@mantuan.org

Kristi Kinnison: Endowments -- Trust that Endures

(Words that are bold and underlined are hyperlinks to something whiz bang.)

My conversation this podcast is with Kristi Kinnison, the Executive Director of the Methodists Helping Methodists Foundation.  Kristi has a fourteenth anniversary as the Executive Director this month (October, 2024).  Her earlier Mindful Leader podcast was a joyful ode to Wesleyanism (HERE.) and, as of October 2, 2024, it was the most listened to Podcast on ML.

Kristi can be reached from resources HERE.  

We mention a national foundation "type" Board Kristi was/is on and that is HERE.  

I am trying to do two podcasts a month.  Life is a little complicated right now, but if you have any thoughts -- my email is dennis@mantuan.org and I welcome email.  Fire away!

If you desire a transcript, send me a note and I will get you a PDF.  

Zach and Dennis: The Role of the Annual Conference

My guest, Zach Bechtold, Pastor at Bozeman UMC and I talk about the potential role of the "Conference" in the UMC.  

The Annual Conference is a component part of the structure of the United Methodist Church.  Mountain Sky Conference is vast in geography:  all of Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and one county in Idaho. I posit, that besides it administrative role, it should also be the key developer of leadership, lay and clergy, in our area.

Draft paper I mention in the show is HERE.  Those that have heard me speak at Annual Conference are probably not surprised that I am a believer when it comes in the positive net benefit from the conference.  

My conversation with Co-Lay Leader Gayla Jo Slauson is HERE and my conversation with District Superintendent Mark Calhoun is HERE. (I do put a "chapter" mark at about 37 minutes and again at 38:22 to see if I could help you find his thoughts.)

Zach has his own, excellent, podcast -- Bearded Theologians.  

 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Mindful Leader

This is a quick biography and theological exposition of the German Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer:  1906 to 1945.  Such a short life with so much good crammed into it.  

A movie about his life is coming out in November and the 80th anniversary of his execution by the Nazis will be in April, 2025.  

HERE is a 15 minute "play" I performed using DB's words to create how he might have reflected on his life as he awaited execution.  It is of course, midrash.  

Mark Calhoun: General and Jurisdictional Conferences

This Podcast is a little "inside baseball" and focuses on both General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Charlotte this Spring as well as Jurisdictional Conference in Washington State in August.  

My guest for this podcast is District Superintendent, Mark Calhoun.  Mark is a thoughtful observer of all things United Methodist.  

If you like it, forward it to someone, or more than one!  

This is Mark Calhoun's second visit and his first Mindful Leader Podcast is HERE. Mark's' first conversation focused on context and how much that matters in our local church leadership.  

Discussion with Lonnie Brooks, Alaska Conference Lay Delegate to General Conference, about Regionalization is HERE.  

Conversation with Gayla Jo Slauson, Lay Delegate to General Conference from Mountain Sky Conference, is HERE.  

I mention, positively I hope, Jeremy Smith and his blog Hacking Christianity.  The blog I specifically addressed is HERE.   

HERE is a Chart I created of Episcopal Elections in the West since 1968.  I think it is quite telling.  

Send me a note:  dennis@mantuan.org if you want to discuss.  

 

Kent Ingram and a Mindful Look at Past, Present, and Future

Kent Ingram spent 41 years in leadership of the United Methodist Church in Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Colorado.  Kent has excelled wherever he has been.  His last fifteen (or so) years in ministry was at Colorado Springs First UMC, a high steeple, downtown church.  

Our conversation is wide ranging and is a look at history and how that shapes our present.  In reality, Kent sees a period of leadership uncertainty because we don't know what we are going to look like win the near future, let along the distant.  

HERE is a link to a thought Kent wrote for Wesley Theological Seminary in 2012 that is quite good.  

HERE is a link on a talk I had last year (this podcast says several months, it was more like nine) with Danish Pastor Tomas Risager that Kent and I briefly discuss in context.  

Cody Nielsen on Leadership!

I am going to change the routine a little bit and start posting on Sunday afternoons.  This Podcast will be published on July 14th (Bastille Day!)  

Our topic is Diversity, Equity and Inclusion -- often shortened to the initials DEI.

My guest is Cody Nielsen.  Cody's Bio is HERE.  I was made familiar with Cody's work through Hilltop UMC (Sandy, Utah) lay person, Bob Scarborough (and Bob's LinkedIn page is HERE.).

 I am mindful that some hear the topic of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and might (I did say some!) push away and not listen.  Please don't!  I strongly encourage a mindful listen here.  Cody does a great job of framing some thoughts on DEI that are ways to be mindful in your leadership.    

More information is available on Convergence Strategies HERE.  

I do have a few outtakes at the end.  Provided for amusement and/or information.  Will start doing that ....

Send me a note if you want -- dennis at (@ sign) mantuan dot (.) org (written that way to thwart bots.  If this spoke to you, share it with another person!  

Leadership on the Line: Adaptive Leadership

Leadership on the Line is a classic leadership text.  

Originally published in 2002, it was updated in 2017.  

Martin Linsky and Ron Heifetz are the authors.  They introduce the framework of Adaptive Leadership.  Leadership is rarely a prescribed recipe that comes down from "on high."  Rather, it depends on context and the local situation.  

Excellent book.  Just excellent.  

Transcript is HERE.  (May require some Microsoft registrations, sorry.)

If you have thoughts send me a note here -- dennis at mantuan dot org (written that way to thwart bots.)

Angela Willingham: Getting Started as a Mindful Fundraiser

Our guest is Angela Willingham, Vice President for Development at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D. C.  Angela's LinkedIn page is HERE. 

During our discussion Angela mentions Move Management in her approach to fundraising.  Some information on that is HERE.  (Googling 'moves management' is recommended as this is a rich topic.)

My goal with Mindful Leader is to discuss for local church consumption and use, both clergy and laity, topics that are seasonal or always timely.  If you think in terms of forests, deciduous (seasonal) and evergreens.  I pray this is an evergreen topic:  always in season.  

Mindful Leader is available on iTunes, Spotify and other apps:  I use Overcast but there are many options.  

If you have a comment you wish to share with me, send me a note HERE.