In this episode of the Unseen Leadership Podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Dan Iten are joined by Josh King, Lead pastor of Second Baptist in Conway, Arkansas. In the episode, Josh discusses his journey in ministry, starting at the age of 18, and emphasizes the importance of investing in established churches and valuing their resources and legacy. He highlights the need for young leaders to prepare themselves for leadership roles by immersing themselves in the environments and practices of their desired positions and learning from experienced leaders. Through his own experiences and mentorship, Josh encourages young leaders to recognize and affirm the callings of others, empowering them to step into their leadership roles with confidence.

QUOTES FROM EPISODE 80

“When you see a calling within somebody and in their life, call it out. Giving that confidence to somebody is huge and affirming.” – Josh King

“There is a big difference between saying someone is ready for ministry and simply telling them they are called.” – Josh King

“Don’t wait until you have the job. Start learning now by hanging out with people who are actively doing what you want to do and pick it up as you can.” – Josh King

“A shift for me was not being bitter about not being the trendy, cool, leader with all these special giftings, but instead, just embracing whom God created me to be.” – Josh King

“We can be so tempted to get go ahead and get to a decision, but things like struggling with a committee, or struggling with some deacons or some lay leaders, there’s discipleship in that.” – Josh King

“If you can see the beauty in the minutia and in the journey, I would have learned quicker to bring my eyes down a little bit and to see the now, not just the next.” – Josh King

“We love leadership so much, yet over and over Scripture puts a greater emphasis on following in that, great leaders are actually just great followers. And God gives a following to those who are great followers.” – Josh King

“If you worry more about following Christ and about submitting to the godly leaders in your life, the leadership will come later. That’s how you get developed.” – Josh King

“God is not going to hold you responsible for the mess that you found. He’s just holding you responsible for what you do in it.” – Josh King

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

The God Who Goes Before You: Pastoral Leadership as Christ-Centered Followership by Timothy Paul Jones and Michael S. Wilder

Shepherd Leadership: Wisdom for Leaders from Psalm 23 by Blaine McCormick and David Davenport