Living Your Ministry: Integrating Faith into Daily Life

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What if the real secret to transformative leadership in church planning and missionary work isn't in programs, but in people? In this compelling episode, we unpack the invaluable lesson that Jesus himself modeled: choosing and investing deeply in a few teachable, curious, and service-driven individuals. We're here to show you how to step away from traditional classroom settings and create impactful mentorship opportunities amid everyday activities. Whether you're playing a round of golf or simply enjoying a casual outing, meaningful conversations about faith and life can turn these moments into powerful, life-changing experiences.

Our conversation highlights the importance of never walking the ministry path alone. Instead of isolating your training to formal environments, integrate it into your daily life, continually bringing up discussions about Jesus and the Bible. This people-centric approach to ministry fosters deeper connections and equips those around you with the tools they need to thrive spiritually. If you're ready to take your leadership to the next level, tune in to learn how to make your ministry not just more effective, but more meaningful. Listen now and discover how to leave a lasting impact by investing in people, just as Jesus did.

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Episode Transcript

W. Austin Gardner (00:00):
If you're a leader training multiple church
planning, missionary, let megive you your best method of
work Choose people as yourmethod.
It's not about a computerprogram, it's not about a
certain series of preaching,it's not about certain

(00:23):
activities.
It's about people.
It's about you choosing.
You know Jesus.
He chose 12 people and he spenttime with them.
I don't know when was he alone.
Go read the gospels, and itsays that when he was alone with
the 12.
And so you want to make people,and so what you want to do is
you want to look for the peoplethat are teachable.

(00:44):
I would just say to you that alot of young men aren't
teachable and they're not thebest people to have to try to
teach you.
You know, my wife and I werediscussing it the other day, and
I don't.
If a guest starts disagreeingwith me, I just go silent.
I'm just like okay and I'm notgoing to argue with you, I'm not
going to fight with you.
I'm just like okay and I'm notgoing to argue with you, I'm not

(01:05):
going to fight with you, I'lljust go along with it.
Whatever you say, follow me.
And so if you've got anon-teachable person, you're not
going to be able to get veryfar.
So you want somebody that'steachable.
You want somebody that'scurious.
I used to love it with thePeruvian young men.
They'd say to me now, wheredoes the and where'd you get
that?
Where'd you learn that?
What book did you read that in?
Why do you do that this way?
Why do y'all do this?

(01:26):
Why do y'all do that?
Why do you think this way?
And so they were always curious, and I think that's great.
And then you want people thatare interested in serving God.
They really are thinking man.
I'd like to do something forGod with my life, and so I'd
like to challenge you to workwith people.

(01:47):
Now that brings us back tosomething I mentioned yesterday
Stop being alone.
And it doesn't need to be aclassroom setting where they're
all bored out of their gourd.
You've set them down to takeanother college class.
That's, you know, college.
We need the basic collegecourses.
Take them all the way throughcollege, get them through basic
discipleship, get them throughthe Bible College, bible
Institute, get them all thattraining.

(02:09):
But then let them go with you.
And you know, if that meansyou're going to go out and play
a round of golf, take them withyou.
Play golf with them.
If you're going to go out,whatever it is you're doing, go
do it with them.
Now, while you're doing it, whatare you going to do?
You're going to keep bringingup Jesus, keep bringing up Bible

(02:30):
, keep bringing up things youcan talk about.
Whatever it is you're doing,spend time with people, invest
yourself in people.
Share everything you know withpeople.
Let your most excitingconversations be with people.
That's what your goal is.
That's what you're trying to do.
So people are our method.

(02:51):
People are our method, and Ihope that's the way you're
living.
I hope that's how you're doingministry.
If you're not, I hope it's howyou'll start doing ministry.
I love you.
God bless you.