Episode 90 - Rebuilding Self-Worth: Leading from Identity, Not Insecurity.

Episode 90 - Rebuilding Self-Worth: Leading from Identity, Not Insecurity.

In this insightful episode of Church Leadership in Focus, host Don Hicks explores the critical issue of self-worth and leadership identity. Many pastors and ministry leaders faithfully serve others while privately wrestling with feelings of inadequacy, comparison, performance-based acceptance, and self-doubt. Drawing from biblical truth and practical leadership principles, Don examines how scarcity thinking can erode confidence, how low self-worth affects ministry effectiveness, and why many leadership struggles are actually rooted in identity struggles. Through Scripture, real-life illustrations, and actionable steps, listeners will discover how to break free from destructive thought patterns, heal from past wounds, establish healthy boundaries, and anchor their identity in Christ rather than performance. Whether you are a pastor, church staff member, ministry volunteer, or Christian leader, this episode will encourage you to lead from a place of security, confidence, and God-given. Join Don Hicks for this encouraging and transformative conversation that will help you embrace your God-given identity and lead with greater freedom, confidence, and purpose. Tell us how we're doing [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398093/fan_mail/new] Techknow Computer Center, LLC [https://www.techknowcc.com] Proud sponsor of the Church Leadership in Focus Podcast. Strength for the Journey Podcast [https://strengthforthejourney.buzzsprout.com/] A weekly short inspirational message from Trish Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398093/support] If you've been enjoying the weekly insights and engaging discussions from our channel, we have a heartfelt request for you. By becoming a subscriber, you can play a crucial role in supporting our mission to deliver quality content every week. Your subscription not only fuels our passion but also enables us to enhance our teaching and broaden our reach. Every contribution—no matter how small—makes a significant difference. Together, we can continue to foster a vibrant community dedicated to learning and growth. Join us on this journey; your support can help us make an even greater impact! Thank you for considering this opportunity to help us thrive.   Thank you for listening to our podcast. To learn more about Church Health Solutions visit our website: https://www.churchhealthsolutions.com [https://www.churchhealthsolutions.com]

Episode 89 - Carrying Out The Great Commission by Remotely Training Pastors.

Dr. Hicks shares a powerful personal testimony about an opportunity to teach at the Evangelical Theological Bible School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. When circumstances prevented him from traveling, he prayerfully reimagined the mission—choosing instead to teach remotely from Lynchburg, Virginia, through Liberty University’s Liberty Theological Seminary where he has taught nearly 20 years. He will be teaching and equipping 40 pastors, pastoral students, and ministry leaders with training in biblical peacemaking and Christian conciliation, live from the J. Rawlings Divinity School Tower in the heart of Liberty University.  This episode highlights how obedience to the Great Commission is not limited by geography but expanded through creativity, faithfulness, and strategic leadership. By investing in leaders who will return to their own cities, villages, and churches, the impact multiplies—bringing the gospel and the ministry of reconciliation to countless others. You will be challenged to reconsider what it means to “go” and be inspired to embrace the mission field where God has placed you, teaching remotely when you cannot travel halfway around the globe. Whether across the world or across the street, faithful discipleship begins right where you are.   Tell us how we're doing [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398093/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398093/support] If you've been enjoying the weekly insights and engaging discussions from our channel, we have a heartfelt request for you. By becoming a subscriber, you can play a crucial role in supporting our mission to deliver quality content every week. Your subscription not only fuels our passion but also enables us to enhance our teaching and broaden our reach. Every contribution—no matter how small—makes a significant difference. Together, we can continue to foster a vibrant community dedicated to learning and growth. Join us on this journey; your support can help us make an even greater impact! Thank you for considering this opportunity to help us thrive.   Thank you for listening to our podcast. To learn more about Church Health Solutions visit our website: https://www.churchhealthsolutions.com [https://www.churchhealthsolutions.com]

Episode 88 - “From Calling to Impact: The Journey of Willa Dean Montgomery”

In today’s episode of Church Leadership in Focus, host Dr. Don Hicks welcomes Willa Dean Montgomery for a deeply insightful conversation about calling, resilience, and leadership development. Willa’s journey is anything but ordinary. From serving as a Medical Specialist in the United States Army to becoming a pastor, nonprofit founder, and doctoral student, her life reflects a powerful testimony of faith in action. Throughout the episode, Willa shares how her early experiences in healthcare and service shaped her heart for people, eventually leading her into ministry. She opens up about founding Gospel of Grace Church and developing leadership training programs designed to equip others for effective ministry. Listeners will also hear about her passion for education, including her pursuit of advanced degrees in ministry and higher education administration. Willa explains how academic training combined with spiritual growth has enabled her to build systems, lead organizations, and mentor future leaders. In addition, this episode highlights her extensive community outreach work, including: Shoes for Kidz Ministry (supporting children in need) Rising to Lead Scholarship Fund (investing in student success) Food bank and community resource initiatives Willa also speaks honestly about the challenges she has faced—balancing ministry, education, finances, and leadership responsibilities—while remaining committed to God’s calling. This conversation is both practical and inspirational, offering encouragement to leaders who may feel overlooked, overwhelmed, or uncertain about their next step.  Tell us how we're doing [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398093/fan_mail/new] Strength for the Journey Podcast [https://strengthforthejourney.buzzsprout.com/] A weekly short inspirational message from Trish Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398093/support] If you've been enjoying the weekly insights and engaging discussions from our channel, we have a heartfelt request for you. By becoming a subscriber, you can play a crucial role in supporting our mission to deliver quality content every week. Your subscription not only fuels our passion but also enables us to enhance our teaching and broaden our reach. Every contribution—no matter how small—makes a significant difference. Together, we can continue to foster a vibrant community dedicated to learning and growth. Join us on this journey; your support can help us make an even greater impact! Thank you for considering this opportunity to help us thrive.   Thank you for listening to our podcast. To learn more about Church Health Solutions visit our website: https://www.churchhealthsolutions.com [https://www.churchhealthsolutions.com]

Episode 87 - "From a Dream to a Calling: A Personal Journey of Faith, Family, and Care"

In this powerful episode of Church Leadership in Focus, Dr. Don Hicks sits down with Vickie Runk, co-founder of Runk & Pratt Senior Living Communities. Together, they explore how faith, family values, and servant leadership have shaped a thriving model of senior care in Central Virginia. Vickie shares her journey from social work to building a multi-generational ministry of care—one that treats residents not as clients, but as family. This conversation offers profound insights for pastors, ministry leaders, and anyone seeking to lead with compassion, excellence, and purpose. You can find out more or if listeners want to hear more about her story and senior topics, they can listen to her show "Around the Table with Vickie," on podcast channels or locally on WLNI every Saturday at 11:30am. Website: https://vickietalk.com [https://vickietalk.com/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AroundTheTableWithVickie [https://www.youtube.com/@AroundTheTableWithVickie] "Runk & Pratt Senior Living Communities"  Website: https://www.runkandpratt.com [https://www.runkandpratt.com/] Email: info@runkandpratt.com [info@runkandpratt.com] Phone: (434) 237-2268 Tell us how we're doing [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398093/fan_mail/new] Techknow Computer Center, LLC [https://www.techknowcc.com] Proud sponsor of the Church Leadership in Focus Podcast. Strength for the Journey Podcast [https://strengthforthejourney.buzzsprout.com/] A weekly short inspirational message from Trish Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398093/support] If you've been enjoying the weekly insights and engaging discussions from our channel, we have a heartfelt request for you. By becoming a subscriber, you can play a crucial role in supporting our mission to deliver quality content every week. Your subscription not only fuels our passion but also enables us to enhance our teaching and broaden our reach. Every contribution—no matter how small—makes a significant difference. Together, we can continue to foster a vibrant community dedicated to learning and growth. Join us on this journey; your support can help us make an even greater impact! Thank you for considering this opportunity to help us thrive.   Thank you for listening to our podcast. To learn more about Church Health Solutions visit our website: https://www.churchhealthsolutions.com [https://www.churchhealthsolutions.com]

Episode 86 - “We Find God When We Let Go: Surrendering the Ego in the Face of Life and Death”

In this powerful and reflective episode, Dr. Don Hicks explores the profound spiritual truth that we find God when we release our grip on self-centered living. Drawing from the candid remarks of a public figure facing terminal illness, this conversation confronts the illusion of self-sufficiency and the quiet pride that often places us at the center of our own universe. Together, we examine how modern culture reinforces ego, identity-building, and personal control—while Scripture and life experience point us toward humility, surrender, and dependence on God. Through themes of suffering, aging, and mortality, this episode reveals how crises can dismantle self-idolatry and open the door to deeper faith, compassion, and meaning. Listeners will be challenged to reflect on where ego may still dominate their lives and encouraged to embrace the freeing, life-giving posture of surrender—making room for something far greater than themselves. Tell us how we're doing [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398093/fan_mail/new] Strength for the Journey Podcast [https://strengthforthejourney.buzzsprout.com/] A weekly short inspirational message from Trish Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398093/support] If you've been enjoying the weekly insights and engaging discussions from our channel, we have a heartfelt request for you. By becoming a subscriber, you can play a crucial role in supporting our mission to deliver quality content every week. Your subscription not only fuels our passion but also enables us to enhance our teaching and broaden our reach. Every contribution—no matter how small—makes a significant difference. Together, we can continue to foster a vibrant community dedicated to learning and growth. Join us on this journey; your support can help us make an even greater impact! Thank you for considering this opportunity to help us thrive.   Thank you for listening to our podcast. To learn more about Church Health Solutions visit our website: https://www.churchhealthsolutions.com [https://www.churchhealthsolutions.com]