The Misfit Messengers Podcast

Episode 83

David McKenna's insights on the whole of Nehemiah's leadership growth abound as we discuss how leaders mature. Leadership isn't positional authority or a job title. We can all grow in our skills of leadership whether we hold power and authority or not.

Episode 82

Nehemiah named a successor to take over operations in Jerusalem while he headed back to Persia. It did not go well. What can we learn from this? 

Episode 81

Nehemiah had to transition from being an engineer building a wall to a governor rebuilding a city's political and administrational infrastructure. Those two jobs don't seem to require the same sort of skill set. As he grows in his role, Nehemiah has to learn to navigate different aspects of leadership.
As we think about organizational leadership one of the most important aspects is to take stock of the mission. Is what we do currently drive mission or have we gotten off course? Are we meeting the needs we have set out to meet? Does our day to day operations align with our moral and ethical compasses?  

Episode 80

As we read parts of the Bible, it is easy to gloss over all that God had done to orchestrate the circumstances. In today's episode we talk a history about the time of Nehemiah and marvel at all of God's providence in working the story together. 
And if God did it in the lives of people like Nehemiah and Esther and Ruth, He can and is providentially working in our lives as well. May that knowledge encourage you in your daily endeavors.  

Episode 79

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Join us for a time of check in which ends with some wisdom you may find helpful. 
May God bless you and yours as we soon enter the new year.

Episode 78

Still in our series on Nehemiah. In today's episode we discuss dealing with naysayers. You don't have to accept invitations to "fights" or conversations. Also as we wait for the LORD, it doesn't mean we are to be idle. We show up ready to work. 

Episode 77

What makes a leader? What skills are needed? What does leadership development look like? How does Nehemiah pull together such a varied team to build the wall of Jerusalem? 
While we don't pretend to know everything about leadership, enjoy our conversation on things we have learned from past experience. Often the best teacher for leadership is failure. Don't be afraid to learn from mistakes. Be humble to listen and learn.

Episode 76

Today finds us finally diving well into the life and event of Nehemiah. Looking at his way of handling the task God had called him to. As we think about leadership it is helpful to be reminded about the difference between doing good things and doing God things. Sometimes we get too caught up in doing good things and lose sight of what God has called us to. 

Episode 75

In today's episode we continue our discussion of leadership development through the lens of Nehemiah as described by David McKenna in "Becoming Nehemiah." 
How are you preparing now for future leadership? Are you leading where you are currently? Or are you waiting until you have positional authority? Know that God is using all of our experiences to shape us into the people He wants us to be.

Episode 74

As we think about leadership we realize there are many factors that make up a leader. Context and character are two such factors. Who are you? Where have you come from? Where are you currently? In addition David McKenna speaks of crucible moments - those that shape our leadership - times of struggle or hardship where leaders learn competencies in how to lead. 
What are your crucible moments? How have you matured through those difficult times into the leader you are now? Nehemiah experienced the crucible of being an exile under the authority of a pagan king. Through his context, character, and crucibles he learned some competencies which place him in a position to lead.