The Discerning Leader podcast is for Christian leaders who are interested in discovering the joy of “practicing a preference for God” in all aspects of their personal lives and relationships, their leadership and service to others.

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The Discerning Leader Podcast

A Powerful Grace | Discerning God in Seasons of Suffering Episode 05

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Ted Wueste

“The ways of God are mysterious, but the person of God is reliable, trustworthy – even and especially in times of suffering.” – Ted Wueste 

It is certainly possible to discern God’s presence during seasons of suffering. Yes, even in our darkest days, the love of God is there to guide, sustain and encourage us. Ted Wueste shares the deeply profound invitation of God to walk into and embrace our times of suffering and receive the gifts God wants to offer. When we frame our lives in the context of our story, which is also God’s story, we can discern our with-God life as firmly rooted in the loving character of God. Themes of grace, hope, and presence are covered in this episode to encourage all of us.

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

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Steve Macchia

Steve Macchia (Podcast Host)
Founder and President of Leadership Transformations
Steve is the author of Becoming a Healthy Church, Becoming a Healthy Disciple, 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.

Cynthia Fantasia

Cynthia Fantasia  (Episodes 1-3 Guest)
Board Member
Ordained in 2007, Cyntha received her Doctor of Ministry degree from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and served for 24 years as Pastor of Service and Women at Grace Chapel, Lexington MA. She is a member of the Board of Elders at Grace Chapel and a contributing author in Mothers Have Angel Wings by Carol Kent and 30 Ways to Embrace Life by Lucinda McDowell. Cynthia is the author of “In The Lingering Light: Courage and Hope for the Alzheimer’s Caregiver” (NavPress, July 2019) chronicling her and her late husband’s journey through Alzheimer’s Disease.

Ted Wueste (Episodes 4-5 Guest)
Senior Selah Faculty and Associate for Supervision & Nurture
Ted has served in ministry for almost 30 years, with 22 of those years in pastoral ministry. He has served at a church he planted and pastored for 10 years as both an associate and senior pastor. Ted earned Master degrees of Divinity and Sacred Theology as well as a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership. He has also received training in Spiritual Direction from New Way Ministries and Selah. 

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Steve Macchia

Founder & President

Steve is a graduate of Northwestern College (IA) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div. and D.Min.). His prior ministry includes serving on the pastoral staff at Grace Chapel (Lexington, MA) and as president of Vision New England. Since July 1, 2003 Steve has served as founder and president of Leadership Transformations, director of the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building, and adjunct faculty in the Doctor of Ministry department at Gordon-Conwell. He is the author of sixteen books, including The Discerning Life (Zondervan Reflective),  Baker bestseller Becoming a Healthy Church, and Crafting a Rule of Life (IVP). He lives in the Boston area with his wife Ruth and is the proud father of two grown children, Rebekah and Nathan, daughter in-love Ashley, and papa to his beloved granddaughter, Brenna Lynn and twin grandsons, Aiden Joseph and Carson Stephen. “My soul comes alive singing the great hymns of the church and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. I’m in awe of God for fulfilling the dream for LTI that he birthed in my heart, for the team he has assembled, and the transformational impact experienced in the leaders and teams we serve.”

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Articles by Stephen Macchia
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