You Don’t Have to Hold the World Up Anymore.

This episode explores the concept of servant leadership and the need for better leadership in the church. Lance Ford discusses his book “The Atlas Factor” and the pressures that leaders face in feeling like they have to hold up everything. The podcast emphasizes the importance of language in shaping culture and highlights the role of elders in providing wisdom within the community. Practical steps are suggested for reshaping leadership systems to align with servant leadership principles. The episode challenges listeners to critically examine their own leadership practices and activate the wisdom of elders within the church.

1. What does the term ‘servant leadership’ mean, and how is it demonstrated by Jesus in the Bible? Servant leadership is discussed in the sermon as a model demonstrated by Jesus in which leaders prioritize the needs of others and serve their community.How can you apply the concept of servant leadership in your own life and interactions with others?
2. Why is it important to have older, wiser individuals, like elders, involved in decision-making and conflict resolution within the church? Lance draws parallels between the concept of eldership in the church and the Roseto effect, where the presence of elders contributed to strong community bonds and overall well-being. How can you involve and respect the wisdom of older generations in your personal life and interactions?
3. What are some ways that traditional hierarchical leadership structures in churches might be misaligned with Jesus’ teachings?The sermon discusses the need for better leadership in the church, questioning the type of leadership that is practiced, especially in the context of power abuse and misconduct. How can you recognize and challenge traditional leadership structures that may not align with Jesus’ teachings in your own life or community?
4. How can language and the way we talk about leadership shape the culture of our churches? The conversation in the sermon moves on to the importance of language in shaping culture, as seen in the Roseto effect, a study conducted in the 1960s. What are some ways you can adjust your language and communication when discussing leadership to foster a healthier church culture?
5. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus teaches about servant leadership and the role of elders. Why do you think these concepts are important for the church today? The sermon discusses the need for embracing servant leadership and activating the wisdom of elders within the church, based on Jesus’ teachings. How can you and your church community work together to prioritize servant leadership and utilize the wisdom of elder members?

• Finally, request prayer for discernment and courage to examine and reshape personal and organizational systems and structures, to better align with the principles of servant leadership and elder involvement.