Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Macchia

The Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Macchia became the founding president of Leadership Transformations, Inc. (LTI) on July 1, 2003. LTI is a ministry which focuses on the spiritual formation needs of leaders and the spiritual discernment processes of leadership teams in local church and parachurch ministry settings nationwide. Steve is an ordained minister, conference speaker, retreat facilitator, ministry mentor/coach, and spiritual director. He’s also the author of sixteen books, including The Discerning Life (Zondervan Reflective),  Broken and Whole (InterVarsity Press), Crafting a Rule of Life (InterVarsity Press), the Baker Best-seller Becoming A Healthy Church (Baker Books), Becoming A Healthy Church Workbook (Baker Books), Becoming A Healthy Disciple (Baker Books/LTI Publications), Becoming A Healthy Disciple: Small Group Study and Worship Guide (LTI Publications), Becoming A Healthy Team (Baker Books/LTI Publications), Exercises for Becoming A Healthy Team (LTI Publications), Legacy: 60 Life Reflections for the Next Generation (LTI Publications), Outstretched Arms of Grace(LTI Publications), Path of a Beloved Disciple (LTI Publications), Wellspring (LTI Publications), Come Home, My Soul (LTI Publications), The Promises of Christmas (LTI Publications), and is the Contributing Editor of Silencio: Reflective Practices for Nurturing Your Soul (LTI Publications). He also contributed to an international collaborative effort, The Quest for Biblical Servant Leadership: Insights from the Global Church – chapter 11, “Servant Leadership and Soul Care” (Wipf and Stock).

In the summer of 1978, Steve Macchia became the Director of Junior High Ministries at Grace Chapel in Lexington, MA. He was appointed as the church’s first Minister to Children in 1980, and in 1983 became Grace Chapel’s Minister of Christian Education. In mid-1986, he assumed the additional responsibilities of Associate Minister, continuing to oversee the Christian Education ministries of the church. In addition, he oversaw the church membership process and major all-church programs, while serving as pastor, teacher, preacher, counselor and administrator in a wide variety of church ministry settings. After 11 years of full-time ministry at Grace Chapel, Steve Macchia was appointed president of the then Evangelistic Association of New England in 1989.

From March, 1989 until June, 2003, Macchia served as president of Vision New England (formerly known as The Evangelistic Association of New England). During his tenure the association moved from rented offices in Boston to its own headquarters in Acton, the staff more than tripled to a total of 70 team members, its annual budget quadrupled, and the annual Congress attendance nearly tripled to more than 10,000 in attendance. He started the Interdependent Church Network, reorganized its Outreach Ministries, added twenty new ministries, established state offices in New Hampshire and Connecticut, and developed the nationally recognized Healthy Church Initiative, with its “10 Traits of a Healthy Church.” His emphasis on servant leadership, spiritual formation, team building and networking resulted in a growing prayer movement and healthy inter-church cooperation in the region.

Steve Macchia was raised in Stoneham, MA graduating from the local high school in 1974. He attended Northwestern College in Orange City, IA (B.A. in Christian Education and Elementary Education in 1978) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, MA (Master of Divinity, 1983). He completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (January, 2001) where he now serves as a member of the D.Min. teaching team in the “Spiritual Formation for Ministry Leaders” cohort. As a part of his LTI portfolio, he also serves at GCTS as the Director of the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building.

Dr. Macchia has served on a number of regional and national ministry boards including serving as a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the National Association of Evangelicals. He also served on the board of advisors for Barnabas Ministries, the Mission America Honorary Advisory Committee, and as a member of the Christian Leadership Alliance. Steve has previously served as a National Senior Advisor for the National Prayer Committee, the Advisory Board of the Center for Urban Ministerial Education of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Boston), and as a member of the National Board of Advocates for Concerts of Prayer International. Dr. Macchia was a contributing writer for Church Executive Magazine and a member of the Editorial Advisory Panel for Christianity Today’s BuildingChurchLeaders.com. He has taught courses and led seminars on leadership development, spiritual formation and direction, church health, team building, discipleship, family life, and spiritual vitality, currently teaches in the doctor of ministry department at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and has served in the past as an adjunct faculty member at Gordon College. He has also taught a Doctor of Ministry course on “Spiritual Replenishment” as an adjunct faculty member at Phoenix Seminary.

In May 2000, Steve received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and in October 2005 he received the Professional Achievement Distinguished Alumnus Award from Northwestern College. He resides in Lexington, MA with his wife Ruth and is the proud father of two grown children, Rebekah and Nathan, daughter in-love Ashley, and papa to his pride and joy, granddaughter Brenna Lynn and his beloved twin grandsons, Aiden Joseph and Carson Stephen.

Steve writes, “My wife and I enjoy hunting for turn of the (19th) Century oak antique furniture We love to travel, and we delight the most in our growing family, our beautiful daughter Bekah, our son Nate and his lovely bride Ashley, and we are over-the-moon-smitten with our first granddaughter, Brenna Lynn and our twin grandsons, Aiden Joseph and Carson Stephen. We also enjoy reflecting on the richness of ministry life together. I’m a collector of memories, with special rocks, shells, and various mementos, joined by thousands of photographs, which remind me of important people and places that have marked our journey thus far. My soul comes alive singing the great hymns of the church and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. My favorite walk is on the beach at low tide between Sesuit Harbor and the Brewster flats on Cape Cod (MA)…it’s beautiful year-round! I’m in awe of God for fulfilling the dream for LTI that he birthed in my heart one year before we started this ministry. Since our inception in 2003, the team God has assembled is phenomenal and the ministry has grown beyond all my greatest hopes and expectations. But, most of all, the transformational impact on the leaders and teams we serve together makes every long day incredibly meaningful and satisfying.“

The Discerning Leader Podcast (hosted by Steve Macchia)

Interviews, Panels, and Sermons by Steve Macchia Youtube Playlist 

Behind the Seal Podcast with ECFA

• • • S2E10: “Where the Soul Goes, All Will Follow | Steve Macchia”

Being Formed Podcast

• • • E11: “Practicing a Preference for God with Steve Macchia” (July 10, 2024)

Church in Action Podcast with Vision New England

• • • Rev. Dr. Steve Macchia and Leadership Transformations (Part 1 – July 17, 2023)
    • Rev. Dr. Steve Macchia and Leadership Transformations (Part 2 – July 24, 2023)
    • VNE’s Foundation and Legacy in the Macchia Years (Part 1 – Nov. 18, 2024)
    • VNE’s Foundation and Legacy in the Macchia Years (Part 2 – Nov. 25, 2024)

Eyes on Jesus Podcast with Tim Ferrara

• • • S3E18: “Steve Macchia discusses how to have a discerning life”

Frontstage Backstage with Jason Daye

• • • “How Leaders Nurture Spiritual Discernment “

KIDZ AT HEART

• • • “Keep A Record of God’s Love”

Monastic Retreats

• • • “Crafting a Rule of Life” (May 1, 2023)

The Pinkerton Pull-Aside Podcast

• • • S4E28: Steve Macchia (Sept. 5, 2024)

Unhurried Living Podcasts

• • • Podcast 134 “Broken and Whole”
    • Podcast 229 “The Discerning Life”

Best Christian Workplace Institute (BCWI) Podcasts

• • • On a Discerning Life as Key to Inspirational Leadership
    • On Soul Care during COVID-19
    • On Spiritual Leadership
    • On Healthy Teams

Renovare Podcasts (with Nate Foster)

• • • Episode 56 “Rule of Life”
    • Episode 48 “Broken and Whole”
    • Episode 104 “Legacy”
    • Episode 150 “Highs and Lows of the Evangelical Movement”
    • Episode 212 “Leadership Soul Care”
    • Episode 230 “Practicing a Preference for God”
    • Episode 280 “The Gift of Brokenness”

Renovare Webinars

• • • The Well-Ordered Way: Finding Freedom in a Rule of Life

Soul Shepherding

• • • 334: “The Discerning Leader (A Soul Talk with Steve Macchia)”

The Best of You Podcast (with Alison Cook)

• • • Episode 63: “Spiritual Direction, the Power of Listening, & How to Attune to Yourself and to Others”

OnTarget 2011 Evangelism Conference

• • • Speaker Interview With Stephen Macchia

American Scientific Affiliation

• • • State of the ASA 2021: Keynote Address

Access Church

• • • Nov. 2019: Forgiveness, Extravagant Love, and Humility

• The War Cry (Salvation Army) December 2023, “Advent: The Season of Waiting” [READ]
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• Conversations Journal, Volume 13:2 Fall/Winter 2015, “Boomers Befriending Millennials” (pp. 30-34) [READ]
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• Outcomes Magazine (Christian Leadership Alliance), Fall 2014, “Rest for the Soul ” [READ]
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• The Fellowship of Presbyterians, Summer 2014, “Crafting a Rule of Life and Love” [READ]
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• Contact Magazine (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary), Summer 2014, “Building Disciples of Jesus” [READ]
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• Conversations Journal, Preview Issue 11:2 Fall/Winder 2013, “Boston Strong: When Fear Grips The Heart Of A City” (pp. 38-42) [READ]
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• Focus on the Family’s “Thriving Pastor Connection,” Dec. 12, 2011, “The Marks of a Thriving Pastor: A Lifelong Learner.” [READ]
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• The Pastor’s Weekly (www.parsonage.org), Vol. 19, No. 36, Spring 2011, “The Rhythms of Life: Rest” [READ]
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• Outcomes Magazine (Christian Leadership Alliance), Spring 2011, “Restoring Leaders’ Souls” (p. 28) [READ]
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• Contact Magazine (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary), Summer 2010, “Our Students: Becoming Beloved Disciples of Jesus” [READ]
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• Outcomes, Summer 2010, “Soul Care for Leaders” (p. 38) [READ]
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• Church Executive Magazine, April 2008, “The Healthy Church: Church Life: By Convenience, Contract or Covenant?” (pp. 34-35) [READ]
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• Rev! Magazine, March/April 2008, “Top 10 Ways to Fail as a Team Leader” (coauthored with Rick Anderson) [READ]
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• Conversations Journal, Volume 5:2 Fall/Winder 2007, “Graced in Silence: Gifts From a Monastic Community” (pp. 38-42) [READ]
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• Church Executive Magazine, October 2007, “The Healthy Church: Leadership Requires the Ability to ‘Be Quick to Listen'” (pp. 42-44) [READ]
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• Church Executive Magazine, July 2007, “The Values of Taking the Pulse of the Congregation” (pp. 70-71) [READ]
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• Conversations Journal, Volume 5:1 Spring 2007, “Spiritual Formation and the Pastor: A Vision for Shortening the Distance between the Pulpit and the Pew” [READ]
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• Author of daily devotionals published by Words of Hope, Grand Rapids, Michigan (www.woh.org)
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• 10 devotionals on Becoming a Healthy Disciple, January 2005
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• 21 devotionals on the portraits of Christ found in the gospel of John, August 2005
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• Enrichment Journal, March 2002, “Becoming a Healthy Church” [READ]
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• Decision Magazine, October 1994, “When Our Vision Gets Blurred” [READ]

In BuildingChurchLeaders.com (Christianity Today, Inc.):

• “Developing A Strategic Plan for Your Church,” July 16, 2004
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• “Leadership Defined,” September 16, 2004
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• “Are the Sheep Flourishing?” February 16, 2005
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• “Creating Uncommon-Unity” April 21, 2005