Advertise on podcast: FHU Leadership Podcast

Dr. Tim Alsup an adjuct instructor at FHU and preacher for the Great Oaks Church of Christ joins the podcast this week to discuss his research and work with evangelism. He discusses eight themes on how Christians and churches can be evangelistic in our post-Christian culture. His book is available from Amazon and other retailers. It is called "How Do you Share the Gospel in Our Culture?"

Host Dr. Josh Ketchum interviews Bartlett Woods Church of Christ minister and FHU youth ministry instructor on intergenerational ministry. They discuss what it is, how to do it, and why it is important. This discussion is vital for all congregations and church leaders.

Host Dr. Josh Ketchum interviews Dr. Mark Blackwelder, longtime professor of Bible at FHU, on understanding the importance and challenges of identity. They discuss retirement, transitions, temptations, and other struggles related to this topic for church leaders.

Host Dr. Josh Ketchum interviews FHU Doctor of Ministry student, Matthew Higginbotham on his dissertation research regarding church mergers. They discuss the benefits and challenges of church mergers. He shares some best practices for churches seeking to merge.

Host Dr. Josh Ketchum interviews Dr. Doug Burleson, NT and Greek professor at FHU, on questions related to the qualifications of elders. He shares knowledge of the greek text of 1 Timothy and Titus. They focus on the qualifications related to an elder's family and the controversies that surround these questions in local churches.

Are gospel meetings ineffective today? Host Dr. Josh Ketchum interviews Gloster Street Church of Christ preacher and FHU alum Chad Ramsey on his research with churches on gospel meetings. They discuss reasons meetings are often ineffective and how church leaders can plan effective meetings for the church.  Here is the Leadership Guide for this Episode.

Host Dr. Josh Ketchum interviews new FHU President Dr. Keith Harris on his leadership aims and philosophy. They discuss his goals for FHU and past leadership experiences.   Here is the Leadership Guide for this Episode.

Host Dr. Josh Ketchum interviews Eric Lyons, the director of Apologetics Press and FHU alum, on the importance of teaching Christian apologetics. They discuss what is apologetics, why it is important to teach, and how churches can go about doing such.   Here is the Leadership Guide for this episode.

Dr. Josh Ketchum closes out this season with a brief review and some thoughts on how working deacons provide stability to the congregation. Here is the Episode Guide for this episode that will assist you in discussing this episode.  If you are interested in getting a powerpoint from this lesson email him at [email protected].

Host Dr. Josh Ketchum interviews FHU President David Shannon on his nine year tenure at FHU. He reflects back on some of the key moments of his tenure, his leadership philosophy and aims, and discusses his transition back to Mount Juliet Church of Christ.  President Shannon takes us behind the desk and into his heart in a vulnerable and authentic way of reflection.  Here is the leadership guide for this episode.

Host Dr. Josh Ketchum interviews FHU alum Jeremy Burleson on being a new elder. He discusses his transition into that role, challenges, surprises, and his effort to prepare himself. Jeremy is enrolled in FHU's Graduate School of Theology certificate for Church Leaders in Counseling. Jeremy serves as an elder at the Spring Hill Church of Christ in Spring Hill, TN.   To learn more about the Certificate for Church Leaders click this link.   Here is the Leadership Guide for this Episode.

Host Dr. Josh Ketchum interviews FHU President David Shannon and Dean of the College of Bible Dr. Justin Rogers on a new program to encourage, educate, and equip church leaders. The program called "The Shepherd's Path" is in its developmental stages but promises to be a great opportunity for current and future elders to gain valuable experience as they work with a cohort for a two year period.  The website link is https://fhu.edu/academics/undergraduate/centers-of-excellence/the-shepherds-path/ Here is the Leadership Episode Guide for group discussion and self-reflection.

Host Dr. Josh Ketchum interviews Jon Paul Gulledge on a recent project he did with leaders from their congregation to develop their conviction, missional focus, and non-anxious presence. They defined their values and discussed harmful responses to challenging situations.  They discuss the leadership theory of Bowen Family System theory and its application to congregational settings.   Here is the episode guide for this episode.  Here is a list of family systems books reference in the episode.  Family Systems Theory Reading List – Josh Ketchum ([email protected]) For beginning I would start with Steinke for theory understanding and congregational application. The Herrington book on the “The Leader’s Journey” or Creech book “Family Systems and Congregational Life” are both good introduction and applications as well. The two Bolsinger books are great for focusing on the leader and the concept of adaptive change and transformation. The foundational texts that are more difficult are by Friedman. Steinke, P. L. (2006). Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times: Being Calm and Courageous No Matter What. Lanham, Maryland, Rowman & Littlefield Steinke, P. L. (2019). Uproar: Calm Leadership in Anxious Times Bolsinger, Tod (2015). Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory. Bolsinger, Tod (2020) Tempered Resilience: How Leaders are Formed in the Crucible of Change. Herrington, Jim; Trisha Taylor, and R. Robert Creech (2003,  2020) The Leader’s Journey: Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation. Creech, R. R. (2019). Family Systems and Congregational Life: A Map for Ministry. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Academic Cuss, Steve (2019). Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs. Friedman, Edwin (1999, 2007, 2017) A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of Quick Fix. Friedman, Edwin (1985) Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church and Synagogue. [I have not read these last two] Gilbert, R. M. (2006). Extraordinary Leadership: Thinking Systems, Making a Difference. Leading Systems Press Brown, J. & Errington, L. (eds. 2019). Bowen Family Systems Theory in Christian Ministry: Grappling with Theory and its Application Through a Biblical Lens. The Family Systems Practice

Host Dr. Josh Ketchum interviews his mentor and friend Stan Dauck on long-term ministry and the challenges of serving both as an elder and minister at the same church. Stan has been preaching with the Bernie Church of Christ in Bernie, Missouri for 38 years serving as an elder for 18 of those years.   Here is the Leadership Guide for this episode.

Host Dr. Josh Ketchum interviews Dr. Matthew Morine from the Castle Rock Church of Christ on the church's vision. He discusses the minister's role in promoting the vision and the importance of a vision for a congregation.