Come Close, Draw Near | Season 39, Episode 3
Featuring: Steve Macchia, Suz Skinner, and Matt Scott
“God’s invitation is always the same: come close, draw near, follow Me.” – Steve Macchia
What does it mean to truly receive God’s invitation? In this episode of The Discerning Leader Podcast, Steve Machia, Sue Skinner, and Matt Scott explore a powerful grouping of parables from the book Praying the Parables of Jesus—each echoing a single, compelling word: come. Through reflections on the wedding banquet (Matthew 22), the ten virgins, and the vineyard stories, the conversation turns toward the condition of our hearts. Why do we hesitate at the King’s invitation? Why do we find distractions, excuses, divided loyalties? And what might it look like to live with oil in our lamps—alert, expectant, and ready?
To join the 40 day Lenten Prayer Experience, sign up today at www.leadershiptransformations.org/lent2026.
Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.
Steve Macchia (Podcast Host)
Founder and President of Leadership Transformations
Steve is the author of The Discerning Life, Becoming a Healthy Church, Broken and Whole, Crafting a Rule of Life and several other titles. Steve has over 40 years in ministry and two postgraduate degrees from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Suz Skinner (Season 39 Guest)
Suz serves as Emmaus faculty and offers spiritual direction in Gloucester, MA. As an artist and a spiritual director, she is called to help others see and respond to the beautiful, redeeming works of Christ unfolded in the Scriptures and the stories of God’s people.
Matt Scott (Season 39 Guest)
Matt serves on the LTI team as Creative Director. A graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (MDiv) and the University of Mobile (Worship Leadership and Music Performance), Matt has served various churches in the area of worship and arts, community life, shepherding, and pastoral ministry. He and his wife, Kristen, live in Sioux Falls, SD with their two children, Emerson and Ashton. Matt enjoys building furniture, writing music and running.
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