Churches committed to following Christ’s example want this world changed for the sake of eternity. While the supernatural piece of making that happen goes without saying, how does a body of believers do its part to be in that “sweet spot” where true spiritual transformation occurs?

In Transformational Church, best-selling research authors Ed Stetzer and Thom S. Rainer survey fifty thousand churches—then narrow the scope down to five hundred congregations—for a qualitative answer. Their book, the most comprehensive study of the modern American church to date, contains a wealth of indispensable new data, nuanced insights, and how-to guidance, all centered on this key finding:

“Transformational churches make disciples whose lives are being transformed by the gospel, so that people engage the culture around them for its ultimate transformation. Deeply committed to the essential foundations of discipleship (worship, community, and mission), transformational churches practice their faith and make disciples through vibrant leadership, prayerful dependence upon God, and relational intentionality. And they do so paying mind to their unique context and with a missionary mindset.”

About the book …

Dr. Smith says, “YOU SHOULD BUY SEVERAL COPIES OF THIS BOOK! I have read at least 100 books on the church in my ministry years. It is not a stretch to say that this book is biblical, practical and well researched. The weaving of the seven traits of transformational churches is well balanced by stories and explanations, without providing programs and ‘reproducible templates’ by which the cultural nuances would be lost in their reproduction. This is an excellent book and a powerful read for those who are serious about the church in the coming decade or more. Thank you for beginning the discussion and reviving hope for the church. I look forward to more on this!

“Transformational Church should be the first book you read this year if church health and growth are your priorities. Ed Stetzer and Thom Rainer have written one of the most researched, biblical, practical and hopeful books on the church in years!”

~ Matthew Smith, founder and director of Eagles In Leadership

You can order your copy of Transformational Church here.

About the Authors …

Ed Stetzer is director of LifeWay Research and missiologist in residence at LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tennessee. He holds two masters, two doctoral degrees, and has written dozens of articles and acclaimed books including Planting Missional Churches, Breaking the Missional Code, Comeback Churches, and Lost and Found. Ed and his wife have three daughters.

Thom S. Rainer is president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, one of the largest Christian resource companies worldwide, and the best-selling coauthor of Simple Church, Essential Church, and Simple Life. Rainer and his wife, Nellie Jo, have three grown sons and live in Nashville, Tennessee.

His radio broadcasts in both English and Spanish are heard by millions more on 3,000 radio outlets in 48 countries. His outstanding and significant contribution to the field of Christian communications was recognized in 2008 with the National Religious Broadcasters William Ward Ayer Distinguished Service Award.

Mr. Palau has authored close to 50 books and countless articles on issues of faith, and has counseled with business and political leaders and heads of state around the world. Luis Palau festivals have produced some of the largest audiences ever recorded in cities from south Florida to South America.

His ministry also includes the Next Generation Alliance®, created to grow and nurture partner evangelists, and the Livin It® Alliance, which uses action sport ministries, film and video to reach young people for Christ. His latest book, A Friendly Dialogue Between an Atheist and a Christian, quickly became a bestseller in China and released in the United States in February, 2008.

Luis and his wife, Pat, live in Portland, Oregon, where they have eleven grandchildren and four sons, three of whom are actively involved with the ministry.

For more information about Luis Palau, check his website

Matt Bell has written a must read – must study book here!

Listen to this encouraging and inspiring discussion with Matt! Dr. Matthew Lee Smith interviews the author of Money, Purpose, Joy about the Biblical truths and wisdom needed to achieve your inner hopes and dreams.

You can order Matt’s book here!

You can learn more about Matt’s ministry and receive his free newsletters here!

Jhan Moskowitz, North American Director, was born and raised in the Bronx in New York City. From his refugee parents, he learned at an early age what it means to be a Jew. He was disenchanted with religion in his teens, but was committed to the survival of his people and became a short-term volunteer on a kibbutz in Israel. It was there that he became a seeker. He found his answer in 1971 when he came to terms with God through His Messiah, Jesus.

Jhan was one of the “original” Jews for Jesus volunteers, even before the organization’s incorporation in 1973. Jhan co-founded the New Jerusalem Players (a mobile drama team of Jews for Jesus) and toured the United States as leader of that team for five years. He has directed the New York branch, where he also served as spiritual leader of a messianic congregation in Manhattan. He served as director of the Chicago branch of Jews for Jesus for 25 years. During that time, he taught a Bible study for the legal community of downtown Chicago. Jhan currently serves as the Director of North American Ministries, overseeing the ten Jews for Jesus branches in North America.

Jhan graduated from Long Island University and received his theological training at Simpson College in San Francisco. He received his Masters in Missions from the School of World Missions at Fuller Seminary. He is currently working on his Doctorate of Ministry at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is ordained through the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination.

Jhan has served as a platform speaker for Promise Keepers, bringing the message of reconciliation through Messiah Jesus to tens of thousands of men.

While in Chicago this past May, Roy Patterson, host of Urban Praise, on WMBI (AM 1110), interviewed Matt and Melodee Smith. The subject of that interview was “Prodigal Children.” Drawing from their 5 year journey through the valley of sorrow and darkness, Matt and Melodee share how God enabled them to have hope that one day, God would bring reconciliation to their relationship with their run away daughter.

Melodee wrote Hope Enabler at the direction of God to help parents know that, despite the present situation, God can give hope and help to an estranged relationship. You can order Hope Enabler at Eagles In Leadership or on Amazon.

In today’s podcast interview, Byron will speak to the question What Brings Revival? Having ministered in 1,000s of churches throughout the years, Byron has amazing insights from a field-tested servant of God. Let’s listen in as we discover how God brings revival to our hearts, our church and our community …

Life Action Ministries is on a mission! They have a single-minded focus to see God glorified through a revival among His people. This purpose has carried them for over three decades of work alongside the churches of our nation.
Life Action Ministries is the largest revival ministry in North America. The staff has grown from 1 to over 200 dedicated workers in 25 different departments.

We encourage you to check out the ministry if Life Action Revival Ministries at (www.LifeAction.org). Byron is also on Twitter (@ByronPaulus).

You can also contact Dr. Smith in one of three ways:

• Commenting on this post at eaglesinleadership.org
• or by emailing us at transformedpodcast@gmail.com
• or you can call our new voicemail line number at 206-309-9277. Leave a comment that we can play on a future episode … If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review at iTunes or Podcast Pickle. Feel free to pass this episode on to a friend.

This podcast interview was recorded in San Pedro, CA. All material contained therein is copyrighted under the Creative Commons License, please do not rebroadcast without permission.

Pastor, what Frustrates you in ministry?

Every church is different, and the situations you face are unique to your setting, but common threads are found in many churches. Using customized, commissioned research from the Barna Group and others, veteran pastor Charles Stone points to five potent killers in pastors’ lives:

1. A head-in-the-sand mentality that denies problems

2. Emotional investment in the wrong issues

3. Unhealthy responses to ministry frustrations

4. A Lone Ranger attitude that says “God and I can handle this”

5. Attitudes and actions that lead to lonely, hurting spouses

Stone then uses his thirty years of pastoral experience to unpack these problems so you can regain real hope and energy to continue in your calling. No unrealistic advice or simplistic solutions. Just hard questions and straight answers that will lead to healing and restoration for you and your congregation.

We encourage you to listen as Dr. Matthew Lee Smith talks about 5 Ministry Killers and How to Defeat Them with Charles Stone …

Links:

You can learn more about Charles and the church where he is the Senior Pastor at: Ginger Creek Community Church.

You can purchase this book at: Amazon and Bethany House

Because of the incredible importance of this topic, we would encourage you to tell a friend about this interview.

Remember, we are here to Encourage Achievement in Godly Leaders by Emphasizing Servanthood. We would like to invite you to sign up for periodic email notifications of our new-release resources as they become available. Just add your email to the “Sign Up Via Email” box on the right had side of the EaglesInLeadership.org website and follow the prompts.

Listen to Mike Powers Interview with Ernie Harwell by clicking the play button below …

(This testimony was written by Jacqueline J. Repp of MLB.com)

For, lo, the winter is past,
 The rain is over and gone; 
The flowers appear on the earth;
 The time of the singing of birds is come,
 And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.

After 55 years of broadcasting Major League games, including 42 years with the Tigers, Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell has entred his eternal reward with Jesus Christ.

Often referred to as the Voice of Tigers Baseball, Harwell, 92, would open each season by reciting the “Song of the Turtle,” a stanza that celebrates the freshness of spring, renewed life and opportunities, and ushers in the baseball season for Tigers fans the world over.

Respected by the players, beloved by the fans, Harwell has had a lasting impact on the world of baseball.

“Ernie Harwell stands, as much as anybody as I can think of, as a positive representative of what the game of baseball should and does stand for,” said Bill Freehan, a Tigers catcher from 1963-76, upon the announcement of Harwell’s upcoming retirement. “His memory will be long lasting and the quality of man he is will never diminish.”

“Ernie is probably the most beloved person who has ever been in Detroit with the Detroit Tigers,” Al Kaline said. “He is loved by everybody and rightfully so. He’s a great broadcaster but even a better person. That comes across on his broadcasts.”

To the broadcasting community, Harwell is an honored example of greatness. He received the Ford C. Frick award for broadcasting excellence from the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981. He was the first active broadcaster to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown and has been inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame (1998), the National Sportscasters Hall of Fame (1989) and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame (1989). He has been named the Michigan Sportscaster of the Year 17 times. To the fans, Ernie Harwell is a baseball icon at the level of greats like Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth. His unmistakable voice and fast-paced play-by-plays have made him a cornerstone in Tigers baseball.

Dedicated fans are known to bring radios to the ballpark or mute the sound on the television to instead listen to Harwell’s broadcast of the game. His friendly, open demeanor and genuine interest in the fans have made him a true fan favorite. At Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, the Tigers’ Spring Training facility, Harwell is often stopped for a friendly handshake or a request for an autograph or is presented with fans standing on the back of seats to peer into the press box for a glimpse and friendly word with the beloved broadcaster.

Harwell’s contributions to Tigers baseball and the fans will be celebrated with special events at Comerica Park throughout the season. In addition, this tribute to Ernie Harwell: The Voice of the Tigers will allow fans to send Harwell messages of farewell, best wishes and gratitude to honor his long service to Detroit and his place in baseball history.

“All in all, it has been a great run for me,” Harwell said. “But most of all, I think I owe thanks to the people who have listened to me over the years, who tuned in on the radio. They have given me a warmth and loyalty that I’ve never been able to repay. The way they have reached out to me has certainly been the highlight of my life.

“If somebody wants to pay attention to me, I’m human enough to like the attention, for heaven’s sake. It’s nice to read good stories about yourself. I really look at myself as somebody trying to do their job, that’s all. I’m lucky maybe to be in the spotlight a little bit.”

Jacqueline J. Repp is a Marketing Producer with MLB.com.

We welcome Dr. W. Mark Elliott back to Transformed today.

Being a pastor these days is difficult. Look at these statistics:

• Fifteen hundred pastors leave the ministry each month!
• 80% of ministers feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastors.
• 80% of new pastors will leave the ministry within their first five years!
• 80% of pastors’ spouses wish their spouse would choose another profession and feel their ministry spouse is overworked.
• 70% of pastors constantly battle with depression!
• 50% of ministers would leave the ministry if they had another way of earning an income!
• 85-90% of pastors said their greatest problem is dealing with problem people and disgruntled people.

Dr. Elliott has two Masters Degrees and an earned Doctor of Ministry from Grace Theological Seminary. Mark grew up in the rolling hills and cave country of southern Indiana and is a self-confessed sports maniac! Mark and Claudette have four children and reside inn Oshkosh, WI. You can learn more about Mark, order the book and contact him here: at his website.

You can order your copy of Confessions of an Insignificant Pastor here. We know you will want to get some copies of this book for your church leaders and ministry people.

“Risky business is writing a book like this one! If you think a prophet speaking truth to power is high-risk, listen here to a prophet who, by telling the truth to a church in power-failure, speaks power to truth. I loved this book!”

~ Dr. Leonard Sweet, Drew University, George Fox University, http://www.Sermons.com

We welcome Dr. W. Mark Elliott to Transformed today.

Being a pastor these days is difficult. Look at these statistics:

• Fifteen hundred pastors leave the ministry each month!
• 80% of ministers feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastors.
• 80% of new pastors will leave the ministry within their first five years!
• 80% of pastors’ spouses wish their spouse would choose another profession and feel their ministry spouse is overworked.
• 70% of pastors constantly battle with depression!
• 50% of ministers would leave the ministry if they had another way of earning an income!
• 85-90% of pastors said their greatest problem is dealing with problem people and disgruntled people.

Dr. Elliott has two Masters Degrees and an earned Doctor of Ministry from Grace Theological Seminary. Mark grew up in the rolling hills and cave country of southern Indiana and is a self-confessed sports maniac! Mark and Claudette have four children and reside inn Oshkosh, WI. You can learn more about Mark, order the book and contact him here: at his website.

You can order your copy of Confessions of an Insignificant Pastor here. We know you will want to get some copies of this book for your church leaders and ministry people.

“Risky business is writing a book like this one! If you think a prophet speaking truth to power is high-risk, listen here to a prophet who, by telling the truth to a church in power-failure, speaks power to truth. I loved this book!”

~ Dr. Leonard Sweet, Drew University, George Fox University, http://www.Sermons.com

Life Action Ministries is on a mission! They have a single-minded focus to see God glorified through a revival among His people. This purpose has carried them for over three decades of work alongside the churches of our nation.

Life Action Ministries is the largest revival ministry in North America. The staff has grown from 1 to over 200 dedicated workers in 25 different departments.

We encourage you to check out the ministry if Life Action Revival Ministries at (www.LifeAction.org).  Byron is also on Twitter (@ByronPaulus).

You can also contact Dr. Smith in one of three ways:

• Commenting on this post at eaglesinleadership.org
• or by emailing us at transformedpodcast@gmail.com
• or you can call our new voicemail line number at 206-309-9277. Leave a comment that we can play on a future episode … If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review at iTunes or Podcast Pickle. Feel free to pass this episode on to a friend.

This podcast interview was recorded in San Pedro, CA. All material contained therein is copyrighted under the Creative Commons License, please do not rebroadcast without permission.

We are thrilled to welcome Geoff Surratt to the Transformed podcast today. Geoff is executive pastor of Seacoast Church, a multi-site congregation based in Charleston, South Carolina. Geoff has helped oversee Seacoast’s expansion from one to thirteen locations across three states and is one of the teaching pastors. He has over 26 years of ministry experience in a variety of roles in local churches, and Geoff works frequently with other churches across the country in strategic planning and staff development.

Geoff is the author of as well as co-author of the Multi-site Church Revolution, Ten Stupid Things that Keep Churches from Growing and A Multi-Site Church Roadtrip: Exploring the New Normal. Click here to buy his books on Amazon.

We encourage you to pick up one or more of his books using the links in our show notes as well as checking out Seacoast Church (www.seacoast.org).

Geoff is on Twitter (@GeoffSurratt) and he lives in Charleston, South Carolina with his wife Sherry, two children Mike and Brittainy and an ugly dog named Moose.

From a highly successful career in motivational speaking to a daily struggle overcoming the effects of a head injury, Zig Ziglar’s life changed drastically in just minutes when he suffered a traumatic fall down the stairs one fateful night. After years of speaking and writing about the value of having a positive attitude and being thankful, Zig was challenged to put his own words into practice.

In true Ziglar style, filled with optimism and honesty, Zig shares his experience, along with heartening stories from friends, as he seeks to encourage and remind you that life is worth living, even if it’s not on our own terms.

Mike’s own story was included in the book (pg 109).

Purchase Embrace the Struggle on Amazon.com

Dave  Ferguson  is  the Lead Pastor  of  Community  Christian Church (www.communitychristian.org),  an  innovative  multi‐site  missional community that  is  passionate  about  “helping  people  find  their  way  back  to  God.”

CCC has  grown  from  Dave,  his  wife  and  four  friends  to  over  5000  every  weekend meeting  at  eleven locations.    CCC  empowers  over  600  volunteer  leaders  to oversee  difference‐making  ministry  throughout Chicago  and  was  recently recognized  as  one  of  the  most  influential  churches  in  America.

Dave  provides visionary  leadership  fo he  NewThing Network  (www.newthing.org)  whose  catalyst  for  a  movement  of  reproducing  churches.  NewThing  is  a  network of reproducing churches  internationally  and  a  resource  to  churches  looking  to  reproduce  multiple sites or new churches.

Dave is the author of the newly released, The Big Idea–Focus the Message, Maximize the Impact along with Jon Ferguson and Eric Bramlett. Next to Jesus, Dave loves his wife Sue the most and then his three terrific kids Amy ‐ 19, Joshua ‐ 16  and  Caleb  ‐  11. Dave  and  his  family  live  in  Naperville,  IL.  Dave  enjoys  hanging  out  with  his  family,  reading,  running  and  playing  any  sport  with  a  ball.  If  you  want  to  keep  up  with  Dave’s adventures check out his blog at www.daveferguson.org.

Blog: http://www.daveferguson.typepad.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/daveferguson

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dave.ferguson

Order The Big Idea: Focus the MessageMultiply the Impact (Leadership Network Innovation Series) on Amazon.

Pre-order The Exponential Church: How You and Your Friends Can Spread a Missional Movement (Exponential Series) on Amazon.

Dr. Leonard Sweet is the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Theological School at Drew University. He also serves as a consultant to many of America’s denominational leaders and agencies. In 2006 and 2007, he was voted “One of the 50 Most Influential Christians in America.” Dr. Sweet is the author of more than one hundred articles, over six hundred published sermons, and a wide array of books. To learn more, visit him at www.leonardsweet.com.

And don’t forget to get a copy of Len’s newest book, “So Beautiful” – God’s divine design shines through everything, from DNA’s double helix to the blueprint for his church. Referencing the life of John Newton, Sweet calls for a reunion of complementary strands that make up the “beautiful” structure of the church—missional, relational, and incarnational—and shows how today’s congregations can weave them together to accomplish God’s purpose. You can order a copy of Leonard’s book by clicking this link: So Beautiful: Divine Design for Life and the Church

“Serving through Strategic Renewal is a true calling; the mission the Lord has put before us. The ministry is truly strategic and Christ-honoring. It goes beyond the superficial and ‘felt’ needs of society and powerfully encourages the very heart and life of the church. Renewal. Revival. Restoration. This cause is worthy of my very life.”

You are encouraged to contact Daniel at:

Strategic Renewal
PO Box 365
Forest, VA 24551

Phone: 888.326.4774

http://www.strategicrenewal.com

Starting as a volunteer in the parking lot at Mosaic, Eric later worked with students and then helped catalyze new venues across Los Angeles. He also teaches at the Southern California campus of Golden Gate Seminary and is working on his Doctorate of Ministry with Bethel Seminary. A sought-after speaker, Eric is one of the co-authors of The Uprising Experience, a workbook developed for Promise Keepers based on Erwin McManus’ book Uprising: A Revolution of the Soul, and has written several articles for Group and Relevant Leader magazines. His book, Peppermint-Filled Piñatas: Breaking Through Tolerance and Embracing Love, was published with Zondervan in June 2007. Eric lives with his wife, Debbie, and two children, Caleb and Trevi in the middle of Los Angeles County.

You can check out more about Eric at these great sites …

http://www.Mosaic.org
http://ericbryant.org

If you missed our first interview with Eric where he talks about his book, Peppermint-Filled Pinatas, click here.

http://www.Mosaic.org
http://ericbryant.org

The Love Dare, as featured in the movie Fireproof (starring Kirk Cameron and from the team that brought us the #1 best selling DVD Facing the Giants), is a forty-day guided devotional experience that will lead your heart back to truly loving your spouse while learning more about the design, nature, and source of true love.

Each day’s entry discusses a unique aspect of love, presents a specific “dare” to do for your spouse (some will be very easy, others very challenging), and gives you a journaling area to chart the progress that you will be making.

It’s time to learn the keys to finding true intimacy and developing a dynamic marriage. Take the dare!

Matt began his career as a radio journalist, with his work featured on National Public Radio, the NBC Radio Network, and several other networks. His reporting earned national awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and United Press International.

Today, Matt is a personal finance writer and speaker. He has been quoted in U.S. News and World Report, the Chicago Tribune, and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, has written for ChristianityToday.com, writes two popular eNewsletters , and has been a guest on several nationally syndicated radio talk shows. His first book, Money, Purpose, Joy , was published by NavPress in September 2008.

Matt holds a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from DePaul University, where he wrote a thesis about the emergence of America’s consumer culture and its influence on people’s beliefs and behaviors.

Matt and his wife, Judy, live with their three young children in the Chicago area. You can learn more about Matt Bell and his new book at http://moneypurposejoy.com/.