Field Notes for Transformation

In this conversation, Ron shares the story of his own call to ministry, the early influences that shaped him, and the lessons he’s in almost 40 years of leading La Croix Church. We dive into what it means to build a healthy church culture, the power of storytelling to draw people into God’s bigger story, and why developing leaders is always worth the risk of giving away ownership, and even letting them learn through failure. As Ron looks toward retirement, he reflects on the hope that drives him: raising up disciples who wholeheartedly follow Jesus.
Takeaways
Healthy leadership multiplies, it doesn’t center on one person. 
Painful seasons often become the very soil where transformation takes root. 
The legacy of a leader is discipleship - raising up others, giving them ownership and having that person learn through success and failure. 
 
Episode field note: Stay open to God’s stretching work
Ron reminds us that growth is a lifelong posture. That kind of hunger to learn, to receive feedback, to stay open to God’s stretching work, even when it’s uncomfortable. 
 
Resources and links
La Croix website: lacroixchurch.org
La Croix on socials: Facebook
                                  Instagram
                                  YouTube                                    
Follow SLI: @spiritualleadershipinc
Head to Spiritual Leadership, Inc to take a look at resources for ministry leaders. 

In this episode, Lindsay talks with Elaine Howard Ecklund (Rice University) to talk about the intersection of faith and work and why it matters in the places we spend most of our lives. We dig into insights from her new book, co-written with Denise Daniels (Wheaton College), Working for Better: a New Approach to Faith at Work. We talk about her research on how people experience calling in their jobs and what it takes to create systemic change. Elaine and Lindsay explore how leaders and congregations can foster environments where faith isn’t just something we carry to church on Sunday, but something we live out every day, helping workplaces become more redemptive for everyone.
 
Takeaways
Faith can actually make us more committed and effective at work.
Everyday employees have the power to shift workplace culture from the inside. 
Churches/clergy can help people thrive professionally, not just spiritually. 
 
Field Note: For leaders in the workplace, take the time to understand the specific challenges at work. Find a group of trusted peers (at church for example) and create the space to thoughtfully address similar challenges.
For clergy, get to know the kind of work your congregants do and the challenges they face each day. This will have an impact on workplaces and help people bring more of themselves to both their work environment and church. 
 
Resources and links
Elaine Howard Eckland’s website: https://www.elainehowardecklund.com/
Working for Better book with InterVarsity Press: https://www.ivpress.com/working-for-better
SLI’s Spiritual Leadership Generator Tool: https://www.spiritual-leadership.org/leadershipgenerator/
Head to spiritual-leadership.org to take a look at resources for ministry leaders. 

Melissa Meiner’s story is one where faith, music, and leadership keep weaving together in unexpected ways. From a single invitation that reshaped her family’s faith, to discovering her own calling through music and worship. She talks about what it means to lead across different church settings, the power of hospitality, and why unlearning is sometimes just as important as learning.
 
Takeaways
Creativity plants seeds of calling, often before we notice. 
Spiritual formation grows in honesty and shared stories.
Calling needs community - surround yourself with people who see it in you.
Episode field note: At the center of leadership is love. Never forget your first love. 
 
Resources and links
Melissa's Campus Website: https://www.bayhope.church/trinity-campus
Follow SLI: @spiritualleadershipinc
This episode is brought to you by Spiritual Leadership, Inc
Head to spiritual-leadership.org to take a look at resources for ministry leaders. 

In this episode, Lindsay talks with Bryan Sallee, a pastor in Eagle River, Alaska, about what it really takes to cultivate a culture of discipleship in the everyday life of the church. From the challenges of small church leadership to the power of team-based ministry, Bryan shares what he's learning about adaptive leadership, navigating conflict, and building trust.
Takeaways
Adaptive challenges can’t be solved with yesterday’s strategies. 
Discipleship isn’t a pipeline, it’s an ecosystem. 
Transformation is best measured through stories
Field Note: What Are You Willing to Do Within You?
In ministry, it’s easy to chase the big idea. To look out at the future, name the vision, and start sprinting toward it. But what if the real work starts with this question: What are you willing to do within you?
As Eugene Peterson says, this is a long obedience in the same direction.And that kind of obedience doesn’t come quickly.
 
Resources and links
Bryan’s church website: https://skylinefamily.com/
Follow SLI: @spiritualleadershipinc
This episode is brought to you by Spiritual Leadership, Inc
Head to spiritual-leadership.org to take a look at resources for ministry leaders. 
 
 

Summary
In this conversation, Dr. Arianna Molloy talks about what happens when our deep sense of calling starts to wear thin. She shares her own story of discovering what a healthy calling looks like and how burnout, when left unchecked, can unravel our identity. Arianna reframes calling not as a personal mission to chase but as a relational act. She walks through the signs of burnout, boundaries and why rest is essential. 
 
Takeaways
Burnout isn’t all or nothing but creeps in gradually, and recognizing where we are on the spectrum is part of healing. 
Burnout from calling can cut deep. It can distort your sense of identity and connection to God. 
Rest isn’t what happens after the work, it’s part of the work. 
 
Episode field note: Don’t despise the process of slowing down. 
Rest isn’t the absence of work, it’s a vital part of it. Healthy leaders know that excellent work and excellent work together. 
 
Resources and links
Arianna’s book, Healthy Calling: IV Press
Arianna’s website: https://www.ariannamolloy.com/
 
 
Follow SLI: @spiritualleadershipinc
This episode is brought to you by Spiritual Leadership, Inc
Head to spiritual-leadership.org to take a look at resources for ministry leaders. 

In this episode, Dr. Ellen Marmon talks about her recent essay, “Operationalizing Humility in the Leadership Classroom: Listening, Apologizing, and Other Awkward Practices”. 
Ellen invites us to consider leadership as more than a set of competencies but a reflection of who we are becoming. She shares how humility, listening, and the courage to apologize are transformative practices. 
Together, we talk about how to create spaces where people feel safe enough to grow, the challenge (and gift) of receiving feedback, and what it means to lead with authenticity. Ellen also offers beautiful reflections on the future of leadership, especially what she’s seeing in emerging generations.
 
Takeaways
Humility isn’t soft; it’s a strength that transforms how we lead and live. 
When leaders create safe spaces, trust grows and transformation follows. 
Authenticity matters, especially to the next generation. 
 
Episode field note: Laughter and hurry reveal the posture of your leadership.
Start by paying attention to two things: laughter and hurry.
Ask yourself:
When was the last time you laughed at yourself, in a good way, in a way that kept things in perspective?
How often does hurry shape your leadership posture?
When we don't take time to laugh at ourselves or slow down enough to notice, we lose access to the very posture (humility) that keeps us grounded in God and connected to others.
 
Resources and links
Ellen’s website: https://asburyseminary.edu/faculty/ellen-marmon/
Ellen’s essay is available in the book Crossroads and Classrooms: https://ethicspress.com/products/crossroads-in-classrooms?INTEGRITY
Follow SLI: @spiritualleadershipinc
This episode is brought to you by Spiritual Leadership, Inc
Head to spiritual-leadership.org to take a look at resources for ministry leaders. 

In this conversation, Judy Stevenson invites us into her story—not just the polished parts, but the real, Spirit-led journey of leadership, faith, and unlearning.
Judy shares what happened when she chose boldness over comfort, and how that decision cracked open a new season of trust and transformation. We talk about how true leadership isn't about perfect strategy—it’s about people, prayer, and the willingness to be honest about what’s working and what’s not.
From empowering young people to lead, to building a culture of generosity, to helping everyday people see themselves as disciple-makers, Judy’s ministry is a masterclass in making room for the Spirit, for community, and for each other.
 
Takeaways
Boldness isn’t a personality trait—it’s a practice
Leadership grows best in community, not in isolation
Storytelling helps people recognize God’s movement in their own lives
Lay leadership isn’t optional
Self-examination might be the most underrated leadership habit of all
 
 
Episode field note: Practice self examination 
So much of leadership comes down to this:
Do I love Jesus with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength?And do I love the person in front of me—and the people I haven’t met yet? 
Get real about your why.About how your needs are being met. 
 
Resources and links
Judy’s church website: https://maclandcommunity.church/about/
Follow SLI: @spiritualleadershipinc
This episode is brought to you by Spiritual Leadership, Inc
Head to spiritual-leadership.org to take a look at resources for ministry leaders. 

In this conversation, Dr. Brian Russell shares his journey of spiritual transformation, discussing pivotal moments that ignited his passion for growth and helping others. He reflects on the challenges of navigating multiple identities as a scholar, coach, and spiritual leader, and emphasizes the importance of silence and contemplative practices in fostering inner knowing. Brian also explores the difference between mere information and true understanding of the scriptures, advocating for an approach that invites readers to encounter God. He highlights the significance of suffering in shaping compassion and the need for leaders to create transformative spaces for others. 
 
Episode field note: Not through effort, but through presence. 
Brian suggests a simple practice to start your day:
 
1. Begin with GratitudeWrite down three or four things you’re truly grateful for.Let God fill the space with joy, memory, and grace.
2. Listen to Your BodyPause.Notice: Where do you feel tension? Butterflies? Tightness?Ask gently: What’s bothering me?Write what comes. Let it surface without needing to solve it.
3. Sit with Jesus in Silence“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”Then sit in stillness for five minutes.Not to produce — but to be present.
 
 
 
Resources and links:
Brian’s website: www.brianrussellphd.com
Brian’s book:  Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Knowing
Brian’s Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife
Brian’s X: @briandrussell
Follow SLI: @spiritualleadershipinc
This episode is brought to you by Spiritual Leadership, Inc
Head to spiritual-leadership.org to take a look at resources for ministry leaders. 

In this conversation, Michael Adam Beck discusses his book 'Never Alone' and the urgent need for community in a world plagued by loneliness. He shares personal experiences, including the loss of his brother, and emphasizes the importance of healing in community rather than isolation. Michael critiques individualistic culture and advocates for a collective approach to healing and faith. He also explores fresh expressions of church, the empowerment of lay leadership, and the significance of self-donation over self-preservation in ministry.
 
Takeaways
Healing can only occur in community, not in isolation.
Loneliness is a significant issue in today's society, and the church has a unique role in addressing it.
Self-donation is essential for church vitality, contrasting with self-preservation.
 
Episode field note: 
Spend time with Jesus. Every day.
Take a Sabbath. Every week.
Delight in God. Not because you have to but because you get to.
 
Resources and links
Michael’s website: https://michaeladambeck.com/
Michael’s Book 'Never Alone' - https://www.amazon.com/Never-Alone-Sharing-Community-Lonely/dp/1513815180
Follow SLI: @spiritualleadershipinc
This episode is brought to you by Spiritual Leadership, Inc
Head to spiritual-leadership.org to take a look at resources for ministry leaders. 

In this conversation, Mark Youngman shares his experiences and insights on leadership, emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes, embracing messiness, and creating environments that foster growth and transformation. He discusses the balance between transparency and effectiveness in leadership, the significance of small groups, and the core values that guide his ministry. Mark's passion for seeing people thrive in their God-given purpose shines through as he reflects on the journey of discipleship and the impact of community.
Takeaways
Discipleship is a lifelong journey, not an overnight process.
Investing time and effort is crucial for building healthy environments.
Thriving communities often embrace messiness and chaos.
A strong common vision helps navigate challenges in community.
 
Field Note:
The journey of faith is about Jesus, not metrics or systems.
 
Resources and links:
Discipleship work at Providence Church: https://prov.church/discipleship/
Mark’s Website: https://www.markyoungman.com/
Mark’s Instagram: @youngmanmark
Follow SLI: @spiritualleadershipinc
This episode is brought to you by Spiritual Leadership, Inc
Head to spiritual-leadership.org to take a look at resources for ministry leaders.