Rusty George Podcast

Executive Pastor Erin Johnston from Canyon Ridge Church in Las Vegas joins us on the podcast to discuss the significance of making disciples. Why is this important? Because Jesus instructs us to go and make disciples. But how do we accomplish this? Erin breaks it down for us in this episode of Simple Faith.Thank you to Subsplash for partnering with us! If you're looking for an app for your church, look no further! Subsplash has everything you need to increase engagement beyond Sunday. Check them out at http://subsplash.com/simple 

It's hard to sum up the impact that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made during his life. But as we take time to honor him this week, I wanted to quickly share one thing that I've learned through his life and legacy. Thank you to Subsplash for partnering with us! If you're looking for an app for your church, look no further! Subsplash has everything you need to increase engagement beyond Sunday. Check them out at http://subsplash.com/simple 

We all have goals for the New Year, and I hope one of yours is to grow in your faith. In this episode, Pastor Troy Kennedy, the Next Steps Pastor at Westside Family Church in Lenexa, KS, assists us in examining spiritual formation and how it can aid you in achieving your goals for the new year.Thank you to Subsplash for partnering with us! If you're looking for an app for your church, look no further! Subsplash has everything you need to increase engagement beyond Sunday. Check them out at http://subsplash.com/simple 

After 20 years at a place, you pick up a thing or two. And after 20 years of leading Real Life Church, here are five lessons I've learned that I believe can help you, whether you're in ministry or just seeking some valuable insights for your life journey.Speaking of things I've picked up along the way, Subsplash is a tool I've been using while at Real Life Church to help our community connect beyond Sunday. From facilitating donations to sharing messages and more, Subsplash stands out as our favorite tool for fostering connections. Explore their services at http://subsplash.com/simple.

2024, It's almost here and I've got ONE tip on how to make your faith simple in the New Year. Thank you to Subsplash for partnering with us! If you're looking for an app for your church, look no further! Subsplash has everything you need to increase engagement beyond Sunday. Check them out at http://subsplash.com/simple

Is Christmas really simple? I mean, does the time of year stop all that is going on in life? If we look closely, we can see a thread running throughout the Christmas story that makes it all a little simpler.A huge thank you to Subsplash for sponsoring the podcast. If you're a church looking to increase engagement, give Subsplash a call or click here for more information: http://subsplash.com/simple

I love the nativity scene! Growing up, it was my responsibility to assemble it, and I enjoyed arranging all the figures in their proper places, carefully positioning them under our family Christmas tree. But did I overlook a piece? Joseph, check. Mary, check. Baby Jesus, check. Shepherds, check. Wise Men, check. Barn animals, check. However, after reading Revelation, I realized I might have overlooked a significant character. Listen closely to find out who else was present at the nativity scene that you should be aware of.  A huge thank you to Subsplash for sponsoring the podcast, if you're a church looking to increase engagment, give Subaplsh a call or click here for more information http://subsplash.com/simple

For this episode of Simple Faith, pull up a chair with Dr. James Emery White. He's the visionary behind the successful church plant, Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. His tale of starting a church without any people, money, or a building is inspiring. We get the chance to talk about two of his passions - theology and culture. Hear him break down how this blend helped shape the trajectory of his church and filled the gap between academia and church planning.That passion gives us a glimpse into his innovative approach to church leadership. And that's clear as we look at what community looks like in the digital age, drawing parallels between Martin Luther's use of the printing press and today's digital platforms like Twitch and TikTok. This was such a great conversation you won't want to miss.ResourcesEpisode TranscriptConnect with Dr. WhiteInstagramFacebookTwitterMecklenburg Community Church websiteHybrid Church: Rethinking the Church for a Post-Christian Digital Age by James Emery Whit

How do we understand the soul? One of my most influential professors from my time in school shares with us some of the lessons he has learned over the course of his life when it comes to the soul. In his latest book A Soul's House, Dr. Jones helps you understand that spiritual formation goes beyond a mere checklist of activities to complete. Instead, it is a lifelong transformational journey, empowered by God's grace and pursued for His glory, as beautifully explained in this book.Dr. J.K. Jones is the former Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Eastview Christian Church, Normal, Illinois and the former director of the MA in Spiritual Formation at Lincoln Christian University. He currently teaches part-time in the graduate studies program at Ozark Christian College, while continuing to travel, teaching and preaching as opportunities arise.

The holidays often don't resemble the picturesque 'Hallmark' scenes depicted on TV. In reality, they can be quite chaotic. Consider the rush to plan activities, decide on destinations, create guest lists, manage expenses that seem to escalate unexpectedly. Amidst it all, we're reminded to express gratitude, but it can feel overwhelming, right?I recently discovered something incredibly helpful—the four 'A's of Thanksgiving. I discuss these in detail on an episode of Simple Faith.

My passion is making faith simple, and one of the tools I love is Subsplash. Subplash is a company that focuses on how we can reach people beyond Sunday. What if you could extend ministry outside of the weekend experience? I talk with the guy in charge of Subsplash, Chris Sharpe about why he loves partnering with churches and what he sees about connecting with your audience 24/7. You can find out more about one of our favorite ministry tools at Real Life Church at http://subsplash.com/simple

Ever wondered how a pastor's kid from Trinidad and Tobago ended up ministering love in the American marketplace? Join me as I sit down with Gary Kahn as he takes us through his unique faith walk. Gary's life story is inspiring: from a restless pastor's kid exploring his understanding of God to hearing God's call and moving toward ministry. His 32 years of ministry have seen their fair share of crises and questioning, but through it all, Gary found his way back to the unshakeable foundations of his faith.And it doesn't end at the pulpit. Gary navigated the transition from traditional pastoral work into chaplaincy, bringing Christ's love into the workplace. He uncovers the process of building relationships with people who may not necessarily step foot in a church and shares how these connections create a platform to exhibit the love of Christ in real life ways. Gary also shares about his latest book, "That Didn't Go the Way I Thought," where he provides a refreshing take on faith and life's surprising twists. L

Are you ready to unlock the secrets to standing out as a top candidate in an executive search? Join us as we sit down with William Vanderbloemen, who brings fascinating insights from his analysis of 30,000 interviews, unveiling the 12 essential habits that differentiate the standouts from the rest. Surprisingly, these weren't about a high IQ or an Ivy League education – but teachable habits like responsiveness that can make a world of difference.Then, we shift our focus to why human-to-human skills, liberal arts degrees, and a track record of performance are crucial indicators of future success. The conversation takes an interesting turn as we debate the significance of allowing candidates to ask questions during interviews, the misunderstood dynamics of job transitions, and balancing leadership with testimony in a church setting. Plus, we talk about William's new book, 'Be a Unicorn,' a game-changer in how we perceive careers and personal growth.ResourcesEpisode TranscriptVanderbloemen WebsiteConnect With Wi

How do you know when it's time to go? After 20 years at Real Life Church my family and I made the decision to make a move. In this episode I cover why and the lessons I learned along the way. 

Listen in as we journey with Jaime Puerta through a story of profound loss, recovery, and hope. Jaime recounts the tragic loss of her son, Daniel Puerta Johnson, a precocious and intelligent young man, who fell victim to fentanyl poisoning in 2020. Through his pain, Jaime offers a poignant insight into Daniel's life, his struggles with mental health, and his tragic encounter with fentanyl. As he takes us through his personal tragedy, Jaime also shares how he founded VOID: Victims of Illicit Drugs, a beacon of hope aiming to spread awareness and prevent similar tragedies in other families. Join us as we explore Jaime's tireless efforts to fight against fentanyl poisoning.Special thanks to our sponsor, Subsplash! You can find our more about one of our favorite ministry tools at Real Life Church at http://subsplash.com/simpleResourcesEpisode TranscriptStop the Void WebsiteDead on Arrival Documentary

Join in as I sit down with Dave Stone, a veteran in the world of church ministry. Growing up as a pastor's kid led him to Cincinnati Bible College, where he majored in preaching and practical ministry. After that, he worked under the leadership of Wayne Smith and Brewster McLeod at Southland Christian Church where he would later become the lead pastor. Dave doesn't shy away from reflecting on his faith and examining how his father's consistency in his faith played a significant role in his life.We also had the chance to talk about the ups and downs of church leadership, from Dave sharing his insights on crafting a sermon and presenting it with a little sleight of hand to handling criticism with grace. Dave's tenure as the lead pastor brought him face-to-face with this reality of leadership. His advice on how to handle negativity and how he transformed a potentially destructive experience into a positive one is food for thought. Dave's humor and honesty make this episode a must-listen for any believer or leade

Ever dreamt a dream only to be told, "that dream isn't for you"? My guest today, Wade Joye, knows this feeling all too well. Co-founder of Elevation Worship and author of the book 'This Dream Is Not For You', Wade shares his journey of dreams shattered, only to discover new hopes in God. His book, birthed from the pain of dreams deferred, offers an enlightening perspective on how setbacks can pivot our hearts towards God. Drawing from David's story, Wade unfolds how we can refocus our dreams as parts of God's grand narrative. We also touch on the practice of pivoting our hearts daily to ensure Christ remains the core of our dreams. Wade's wisdom is not just a testimony to his journey but a guidepost for us all to navigate God leading us to a different season in our lives.No conversation with Wade is complete without discussing Elevation Worship. Wade sheds light on the influence Pastor Steven Furtick had on his journey and the creative process behind some of the most loved Elevation Worship songs. Join me in

We've got a great conversation ahead with the dynamic and visionary Ashley Wooldridge, senior pastor of Christ Church of the Valley in Phoenix. Ashley’s story takes us from his humble beginnings in small-town Arizona to becoming the shepherd of a thriving church family of 40,000 souls. His leadership philosophy, which hinges on simplicity, is driven by a passion to transform the church into the world's best-led organization.Maybe you're listening and you feel like you're in the middle of a waiting season. Ashley lends some insight into that experience from the lives of biblical figures such as David, Nehemiah, Daniel, Jesus, and Paul. We look at how those waiting seasons can shape us into the people God wants us to be. We'll also have a chance to talk through what it's like leading from the second chair, the potency of teamwork in leadership, and share some simple ways to apply these principles. Listen in to gain insights on leadership, spiritual growth, and how to maximize impact in your church and beyond.Sp

 If you've been tracking with us over the last couple of weeks, we have been prepping to launch our journey through The Story. We're doing this at several different campuses and churches all across the United States. So, I wanted to take this episode and guide you through a chapter of the book. We'll take a closer look at the stories of Cain and Abel, and Noah. More than that, we'll talk through how to bring The Story into your day to day life by habit stacking your morning reading and prayer routine with preparation for small group discussions.Don't miss out on this enriching journey to usher God into every facet of your life. If you want to join all of us going through The Story together, you can get the book directly from Randy Frazee's website, on Amazon, and anywhere else you purchase books. And leave a comment below to let me know how going through The Story has been for you.Special thanks to our sponsor, Subsplash! You can find our more about one of our favorite ministry tools at Real Life Church at ht

I got to have an enlightening conversation with Randy Frazee, a seasoned pastor, author, and leader with a 34-year-long career. Randy, together with Max Lucado wrote The Story, a novel-like presentation of the Bible to help people engage with the Bible in an accessible way. We also shared the process of building a community around a Bible study and looked at the importance of accountability.The conversation doesn't stop at community-building. We also uncover the power of the Hebrew day planner as a tool for holistic health and well-being. And for the golf lovers, prepare for some great conversations about the spiritual lessons we've drawn from the sport, and a new podcast on the way. I hope for everyone listening that you will walk away with a fresh perspective on how to foster deeper connections within your community and extend your church activities beyond Sunday service.Special thanks to our sponsor, Subsplash! You can find more about one of our favorite ministry tools at Real Life Church at http://subspla