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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God In My Everything | Discerning Our Personal Rule of Life Episode 06


Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Ken Shigematsu

People are so busy and anxious today; turning to things that give a temporary lift but not a lasting contentment. A rule of life can give us a longer term of abiding peace and a deeper trust in God.” –Ken Shigematsu

Using the image of a trellis to describe our personal rule of life, Ken Shigematsu, author of God in My Everything (Zondervan), places emphasis on the roots of Sabbath, prayer, and sacred reading. Building on that foundation are the day-to-day pieces of life – family, friends, work and play. We relate in spiritual friendship, in our sexuality, and in family life. We are restored by the care for our physical body, childlike play, and generous stewardship of our finances. We reach out to others in our work, in acts of justice, and in our verbal and lifestyle witness.

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 ChurchBecoming a Healthy DiscipleBroken and WholeCrafting a Rule of Life and several other titles. Steve has over 40 years in ministry and two postgraduate degrees from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Tom Griffith
Tom Griffith (Season Eight Guest)
Clarity and Spiritual Leadership Coach
Tom Griffith is a Clarity and Spiritual Leadership Coach and the founder of GreaterFormation.com. He helps people in transition to Get Clear, Get Focused and Be Fruitful. He served as an urban pastor in Boston for 34 years, and serves as a spiritual formation mentor with Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston.

Ken Shigematsu (Season Eight Guest)
Pastor and Author
Ken Shigematsu is senior pastor of Tenth Church in Vancouver, B.C., a trustee for World Vision Canada, and author of God in My Everything: How an Ancient Rhythm Helps Busy People Enjoy God (Zondervan).

Justin Earley (Season Eight Guest)
Lawyer and Author
Justin Earley is a business lawyer in Richmond, VA where he lives with his wife and four sons, and is the author of The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction (IVP).

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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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