Wounded Leadership: Stories from the Wounded

Overcoming Church Conflict: Michael Brown

Thank you for listening to this important story! Find more stories like this one at www.woundedleadership.com [www.woundedleadership.com] Michael Brown shares his journey through woundedness and healing within church leadership, highlighting the challenges of cultural differences, church conflicts, and the importance of forgiveness. This episode offers authentic insights into overcoming adversity and trusting God's guidance. In this heartfelt interview, Pastor Michael Brown shares his journey through church hurt, healing, and calling. Discover how embracing vulnerability, forgiveness, and God's sovereignty transformed his ministry and life. keywords #church leadership, #woundedness, #healing, #forgiveness, #church conflict, #cultural differences, #pastoral journey #church hurt, #healing, #forgiveness, #pastoral journey, #leadership, #ministry, #wounded leaders, #spiritual growth, #community, #resilience key topics * Church conflict and transparency issues * Cultural and demographic challenges in ministry * The importance of forgiveness and healing Church hurt and healing * The importance of forgiveness * God's sovereignty in suffering Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Wounded Leadership 02:54 Michael Brown's Journey to Ministry 06:11 Transitioning to a New Church 08:54 Cultural Adjustments and Challenges 11:49 Early Successes in Ministry 14:54 Family Dynamics and Church Culture 17:52 Navigating Church Politics 20:40 Concerns About Transparency and Control 23:32 Escalating Tensions and Rumors 26:32 Ethical Concerns in Church Leadership 27:53 Impact of Leadership Decisions on Congregation 29:55 Conflict and Departure from the Church 30:35 Processing Hurt and Seeking Forgiveness 37:05 The Journey of Healing and Support 42:50 Rediscovering Purpose in Ministry 52:34 Building Trust and Overcoming Doubt 54:29 Reactivating Ministries and Church Growth 55:55 Healing Through Hurt and Compassion 58:15 Recognizing God's Plan in Woundedness 01:04:18 Sharing Your Story and Motivations 01:08:45 The Importance of Healing Before Leadership resources Wounded Leadership Resources - https://woundedleadership.com [https://woundedleadership.com/resources]

The Power of the Story: Chris Harper

For more information about Chris Harper and Betterman Ministry click here: Better Man Ministry- https://betterman.com [https://betterman.com] In this candid interview, Chris Harper shares his journey through ministry, woundedness, healing, and the importance of authentic leadership. Discover insights on navigating church conflicts, understanding true pastoral calling, and the power of humility and forgiveness in leadership. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Wounded Leadership 01:50 Chris Harper's Journey in Ministry 05:20 Navigating Hurt and Woundedness 10:19 Understanding the Role of a Pastor 12:31 The Impact of Wounded Leadership 13:48 The Cycle of Disappointment in Ministry 23:29 Non-Negotiables in Serving the Church 26:47 Navigating Relationships in Ministry 27:36 The Call to Ministry: Understanding True Calling 30:23 The Importance of Long-Suffering in Leadership 32:01 Healing Wounded Leaders: A Path Back to Ministry 33:46 Woundedness as a Strength: Biblical Leaders' Stories 35:20 Identity Beyond Wounds: Embracing Imperfection 38:00 The Shepherd's Role: Being Present with the Flock 38:50 Redefining Success in Ministry 41:40 Navigating Relationships: The Four Types of People 45:46 Encouragement for the Wounded: Forgiveness and Humility 47:15 Empowering Men in Ministry: The Better Man Initiative Key topics Ministry wounds and healing Discerning true pastoral calling Church conflict and leadership pitfalls keywords #ministry, #wounded leaders, #healing, 3pastoral leadership, #church conflict, #humility, #forgiveness, #calling, #church growth, #leadership lessons

Healing through Vulnerability - Lisa Wells

Find out more about Lisa Wells Coaching at - https://lisawellscoaching.com [https://lisawellscoaching.com] Discover the power of vulnerability in leadership with Lisa Wells, a coach and former church planter. In this episode, Lisa shares her journey through personal and professional crises, revealing how embracing her failures led to profound growth and healing. Learn how imaginative prayer and holistic discipleship helped her reconnect with her identity beyond performance.Lisa offers insights on creating safe spaces for vulnerability within church communities and challenges the traditional “pedestal” leadership model. This episode is a roadmap for ministry leaders feeling overwhelmed, showing that sharing your story is a strength, not a weakness.Join us for a hope-filled conversation that redefines leadership through authenticity and resilience. Perfect for pastors and faith-driven entrepreneurs committed to leading with grace. Key Topics Ministry challenges during COVID-19 The role of vulnerability in leadership Imaginative prayer and spiritual practices Healing from church leadership crisis The importance of community and support Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Lisa Wells 03:26 Journey of Church Planting and Family Dynamics 07:07 Crisis in Ministry and Family Life 12:42 The Struggles of Ministry Leadership 17:53 Healing Through Spiritual Practices and Coaching 21:53 Navigating Vulnerability in Leadership 26:32 The Importance of Community and Peer Relationships 30:54 Finding Comfort in Sharing Our Stories 36:59 The Role of Jesus in Our Healing Journey 41:03 Embracing Our Stories for Healing and Growth 42:27 riverside_podcast_close with bed... mar 19, 2026 001matthew_tanner's st.mp4 keywords #ministry, #spiritual renewal, #vulnerability, #emotional health, #leadership, #prayer, #coaching, #personal growth

Healing and Leadership: Jeff VanderGiessen

Healing and Leadership: Jeff VanderGiessen Resources & Links: * Stillwater Reserve [https://stillwaterreserve.org/] * Camp Harvest [https://campharvest.org/] In this heartfelt episode, Jeff VanderGiessen shares his journey of ministry, wounds, healing, and his current mission to support pastors and church leaders. His story highlights the power of owning one’s narrative and finding purpose amidst pain Main Topics: * Jeff's early life and calling to ministry * The growth and challenges of Mars Hill Church * The impact of leadership changes and organizational culture shifts * Personal wounds from ministry and paths toward healing * Transition to entrepreneurial ventures serving churches * The importance of community and safe spaces for pastors * Practical ways to process anger and forgiveness * God's ongoing work in Jeff’s life and ministry Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Jeff VanderGiessen’s ministry story and wounds 02:00 - Jeff’s childhood and calling to ministry at youth group 04:00 - Transition from CRC to Assemblies of God and college journey 06:30 - Early involvement with Mars Hill Church and volunteer work 08:15 - Growth of Mars Hill and Jeff’s role in building the church 11:00 - The relational community of Mars Hill amidst organizational growth 15:00 - Leadership transitions and cultural shifts at Mars Hill 20:00 - The impact of leadership change on Jeff and the church 24:00 - The rapid end of Jeff’s ministry at Mars Hill and transition to Chicago 27:00 - Processing grief and wounds from organizational betrayal 31:00 - Forgiveness, reconciliation, and processing anger in ministry failure 36:00 - How Jeff manages bitterness and the importance of forgiveness 41:00 - The ongoing impact of ministry wounds and God's faithfulness 49:00 - Jeff’s current ministry supporting pastors through retreats and relationships 54:00 - Building safe spaces for ministry leaders and the importance of community 56:00 - How vulnerability and owning one’s story facilitate healing ----------------------------------------

Building Relational Bravery: A Journey from Loneliness to Connection

In this episode of "Wounded Leadership Stories," Dr. Matthew Tanner welcomes Brian James McMahon, founder of Church WellCo. They explore the importance of storytelling in healing and community building. Brian shares his personal journey of longing for deep friendships, starting from his childhood experiences as a missionary in China. He discusses the challenges of forming genuine connections and how his struggles led him to create Church WellCo, which focuses on reimagining community and storytelling within the church. The conversation highlights the need for vulnerability, bravery, and the cultivation of relational skills to foster meaningful relationships and support within faith communities. Find out more about BrianJames McMahon and his ministry at Church Well Co [www.churchwell.co] Chapters 00:00 The Power of Storytelling 03:24 Longing for Friendship 06:27 The Pain of Loneliness 09:44 The Search for Connection 12:49 The Role of Mentorship 15:29 Becoming a Youth Pastor 18:23 Facing the Dark Night of the Soul 20:29 Finding True Connection 24:26 The 10-Year Journey of Friendship 27:57 Cultivating Safety in Relationships 31:06 Exploring Honest Relationships 33:52 Bridging Isolation in Ministry 37:14 The Power of Storytelling in Healing 39:51 Creating Healing Communities 49:32 Reactivating Relational Skills 52:07 Building a Culture of Storytelling resources Church WellCo - https://churchwell.co/ [https://churchwell.co/] Slow Journal - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGLV7X7Q [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGLV7X7Q] Tom Hughes' Curious Book - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F4X0V4Q [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F4X0V4Q] keywords #relationship building, #storytelling, #vulnerability, #church community, #relational bravery, #healing, #loneliness, #atrophied relationships, #community of praxis, #leadership