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.

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.

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

What would you do if God revealed his will for your life in the next 12 months? As Pastor Matt shares God’s Word from the Book of Daniel, chapter 4, with the men and women at Beacon Light Mission (Wilmington CA) in September of 2009, we find help and hope, conviction and compassion in this message. This lively message from God’s Word will reveal His constant communication and desire to guide and direct us with His wisdom.

Putting God first in your life in 2010 means spending time alone with Him every day. Let me suggest that you get a copy of Pastor Matt’s book, In His Image where’s today’s message is originally found. We are sure this book will show you both how to love like God loves and enjoy his direction on a daily basis. Copies are available on the side bar at the http://EaglesInLeadership.org website. We encourage you to order yours today.

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

· Commenting on this post at http://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 was recorded in Wilmington, CA. All material contained therein is copyrighted under the Creative Commons License, please do not rebroadcast without permission.

We are grateful that you have returned to another episode of the Transformed podcast. Our series entitled, Your Finances in Turbulent Times! concludes today with the episode, Fun – Deliberate Distribution Will Awaken Jubilant Joy!

Enjoying life with God is what Dr. Smith’s new book, In His Presence, is all about. If you long for an intimate walk with God that is marked by joy and pleasure, we know you will want to pick up a copy. Copies are available on the side bar at the EaglesInLeadership.org website. We encourage you to order yours today.

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

• Commenting on this post.
• or by emailing us at transformedpodcast@gmail.com.
• or you can call our voicemail line 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 was recorded in Palos Verdes, CA by Tabitha Grace Smith. All material contained therein is copyrighted under the Creative Commons License, please do not rebroadcast without permission.

What is more than amazing is that God’s principles work all the time – in times of abundance and in turbulent financial times! Learning how to exercise faith and do the things that yield God’s abundance will transform your financial – and personal – life.

Welcome again to the Transformed podcast. As we continue our series entitled, Your Finances in Turbulent Times!, we hope you will discover the fruitfulness and fun that comes when we obey God’s heart when it comes to our finances as you study with us. In today’s episode, Fruitfulness – Persistent Planting Always Yields God’s Abundance!, we learn how to Become Financially Fruitful Through Persistent Planting!

Expressing and receiving God’s love and forgiveness is what Dr. Smith’s book, In His Image, is all about. As you respond to God’s Word and wisdom today, we are sure this book will show you both how to trust God’s love and share it with others on a daily basis. Copies are available on the side bar at the website. We encourage you to order yours today.

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

• Commenting on this post.
• or by emailing us at transformedpodcast@gmail.com.
• or you can call our voicemail line 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 was recorded in Palos Verdes, CA by Tabitha Grace Smith. All material contained therein is copyrighted under the Creative Commons License, please do not rebroadcast without permission.

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.

Despite the ever-increasing bad news of the economy and the rising prices of goods and services, faith stands in contradiction to the current torrent of bad news. Discover how you can choose ‘not to participate’ in the present recession and how these lessons can change your whole outlook on life itself.

Welcome back to the Transformed podcast. Today we continue our new series entitled, Your Finances in Turbulent Times! We hope you will discover the fruitfulness and fun that comes when we obey God’s heart when it comes to our finances as you study through this series. In today’s episode, Faith – Financial Faith Will Shred Our Frightening Fears, we discover God’s Top Ten Ways to Restore Your Financial Hope!

Enjoying life with God is what Dr. Smith’s new book, In His Presence, is all about. If you long for an intimate walk with God that is marked by joy and pleasure, we know you will want to pick up a copy. Copies are available on the side bar at the http://EaglesInLeadership.org website. We encourage you to order yours today.

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

• Commenting on this post.
• or by emailing us at transformedpodcast@gmail.com.
• or you can call our voicemail line 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 was recorded in Palos Verdes, CA by Tabitha Grace Smith. 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.

Home foreclosures, job losses, stock market failures all lend their hand to increasing our blood pressure. As you grow closer to your retirement, you wonder if you will be able to! If you are retired, you know the pain of having lost up to 40 percent of your savings already. More gloom seems to be forecasted for the near future.

Today we begin a new series entitled, Your Finances in Turbulent Times! In this series we hope you will discover the fruitfulness and fun you can have, despite the economic conditions all around you.

In this first episode, Fear – Turbulent Times Can Shred Our Human Hope, we will discover the steps necessary to confront your fears and experience the peace of God in the midst of your financial storm!

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

• Commenting on this post at http://eaglesinleadership.org
• or by emailing us at transformedpodcast@gmail.com
• or you can call our voicemail line 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.

Schedules from work, school, community groups and church often seem to clutter our lives and, we are almost driven to insanity as we seek to make sense of the mess. In the coming year, I want to serve people as Jesus did when he was on Earth. But how do I do that? What does that mean? Come as we hash out what it means to life 2010 in a manner that imitates the service of Jesus to others.

Lets open our Bibles to Mark 10.35-45 and let Pastor Matt answer our 4th question: How will I serve as if others are Jesus before me in the coming year?

We hope you have made the choice to put God first in your life in 2010. Starting the New Year thinking Godʼs thoughts is made easier with Pastor Mattʼs book, In His Image.

We are sure this book will show you both how to love like God loves and enjoy his direction on a daily basis. Copies are available on the side bar at the EaglesInLeadership.org website. We encourage you to order yours today.

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 voicemail line at 206-350-1566. 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.

2009 was filled with distractions, not the least of which was the economy. One of the key changes that I want to make in my life in 2010 is to stay closer to Jesus every day and all throughout each day. Life has a tendency to tear us away from intimacy with Jesus. As we look at the various ways we walk with Christ, we will discuss how each of these affects us and, ultimately molds our life. I know you will want to come and explore how you can discover a better life in the New Year!

Letʼs open our Bibles to Mark 12.28-34 and listen to Pastor Matt as he answers our 3rd question of the New Year, To what degree will I seek Christ in the coming year?

We hope you have made the choice to put God first in your life in 2010. Starting the New Year thinking Godʼs thoughts is made easier with Pastor Mattʼs book, In His Image.

We are sure this book will show you both how to love like God loves and enjoy his direction on a daily basis. Copies are available on the side bar at the EaglesInLeadership.org website. We encourage you to order yours today.

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 voicemail line at 206-350-1566. 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.

As I think about how Jesus looks at life, I realize that his perspective is so much different than mine. Like buttons on an elevator, my core social group will either lift me or they will take me down. The Bible calls the Church the ʻbody of Christ.ʼ In other words, who I center the core of my life with Godʼs will determine what my life will become. Let me invite you to a talk about whatʼs at the center of our lives and how that can bring amazing help and hope in 2010! Letʼs open our Bible to Mark 3.31-35 and listen in as Pastor Matt answers the second question the New Year brings … With whom will I socially live life with this year?

We hope you have made the choice to put God first in your life in 2010. Starting the New Year thinking Godʼs thoughts is made easier with Pastor Mattʼs book, In His Image.

We are sure this book will show you both how to love like God loves and enjoy his direction on a daily basis. Copies are available on the side bar at the EaglesInLeadership.org website. We encourage you to order yours today.

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 voicemail line at 206-350-1566. 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.

Today we begin a new series entitled, Questions the New Year Brings!

As the new calendars go up, we all feel something refreshing about ʻbeing done withʼ the last year. Whether it was a year of incredible accomplishment or terrible hardships, a fresh calendar can breath new hope and life into our lives. What will God do this year?

How will I be able to make a significant difference for him? So many questions flow around the simple act of setting up the 2010 calendar.
5 questions come to mind as Pastor Matt thinks about the New Year. As he shares them with you in this series, perhaps they will help you, as you look ahead, plan and seek Godʼs perfect will for your life in 2010.

Letʼs open our Bibleʼs to Matthew 6.25-34 and listen in as Pastor Matt answers the our first question … What will I sacrifice in my worship of Christ this year?

We hope you have made the choice to put God first in your life in 2010. Starting the New Year thinking Godʼs thoughts is made easier with Pastor Mattʼs book, In His Image.

We are sure this book will show you both how to love like God loves and enjoy his direction on a daily basis. Copies are available on the side bar at the EaglesInLeadership.org website. We encourage you to order yours today.

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 voicemail line at 206-350-1566. 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.

Sponsor: GoToMyPC

We wrap up our very practical study, Forgiveness – The Breath of Life!, today. Thank you for tuning in to another episode of the Transformed podcast, I’m your host Mike Powers. Today’s episode is entitled Walking Into the Wind or When There’s No ‘I’m Sorry!’ promises to be very helpful.

We are all called and commanded to be forgiving people. That is hard under any conditions. But what if the offender does not, will not, or cannot repent? Let’s join Dr. Matthew Lee Smith as he teaches the congregation at First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes Ca from Matthew 18.15-20